When they finally went to sleep, both Kingsley and Draco slept soundly. Draco slept so soundly in fact that he barely noticed Kingsley quietly slip out of bed just before 6 am. It was nearly 7am when Draco began to stir, memories of the most perfect night of his life hazily returning to him. He reached for Kingsley. Draco's heart stopped for a second when he felt the bed was empty but after a moment of panic, his senses began to wake up...

He could hear something, noises coming from the kitchen. Music. He sat up and sniffed. He could smell something too. Food. Someone was cooking breakfast.

Draco jumped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom. He hastily brushed his teeth and splashed some cold water on his face to wake himself up. Then wrapped his silk dressing gown around him and made his way to the kitchen.

Bare footed and hair un-brushed, Draco wondered into the kitchen with a curious expression on his face, wondering just what was going on. .

Kingsley was up, showered and dressed and was standing at the cooker tending 2 frying pans; one containing eggs, the other bacon and mushrooms. The radio was on, playing some upbeat jazz music and Kingsley was absent-mindedly singing along as he cooked. Draco watched for a few moments, a wide grin appearing on his face, before Kingsley noticed him.

'Morning, beautiful.' He called cheerfully sounding very lively for so early in the morning. 'Did you sleep well?'

'Yes thank you.' Draco replied. 'Did you?'

'Yes, I did... eventually!' Kingsley said with a playful grin.

'Sorry.' Draco said, blushing, but not sounding very sorry at all.

'It's OK.' Kingsley replied. 'But when I'm falling asleep at my desk by 3pm I'll be thinking of you!'

Draco didn't reply, and simply gave Kingsley a wicked smile.

'It's not your fault, I suppose.' Kingsley said. ' I'd be thinking about you anyway.' He grinned.

Draco continued to smile, delighted by the compliments.

'You still sleepy? Come here, I've made you some coffee.' Kingsley offered.

'Thanks.' Draco replied and he crept over to the breakfast bar.

Kingsley poured a cup of coffee from the cafetiere and offered it to Draco from the other side of the counter. Draco reached for it.

'No...! Good morning kiss first!' Kingsley said, holding the coffee back and leaning over to Draco. Draco leant in too and Kingsley kissed him softly on the lips before handing him the coffee.

'Sit down, baby.' Kingsley instructed. 'Breakfast's almost ready.'

Draco took his coffee and sat down, tingling with emotion. He wasn't sure exactly how he felt, the closest thing he could liken it to was Essence of Euphoria but he hadn't had any potions for weeks. Perhaps it really was possible to feel this good without any!

Kingsley and Draco ate breakfast together. It was all rather new to Draco yet if felt incredibly natural too. Conversation was easy and little displays of affection, a touch of a hand, a kiss on the cheek, kept Draco feeling reassured and exceeding happy.

It was gone half past 8 when Kingsley left. Draco had walked him to the door and they had shared a long, passionate kiss goodbye. Draco had to stand on tiptoes to kiss Kingsley and Kingsley had to lean down into him but it felt just right that way. Draco parted his lips willingly when Kingsley began to kiss him, letting Kingsley's tongue slip into his mouth. Draco held his lover tightly and Kingsley ran his big strong hands up and down Draco's narrow back. A short, goodbye kiss would have been impossible for them! Draco sucked on Kingsley tongue and Kingsley thrust deeper into his mouth, both of them wishing there kisses could lead them straight back to the bedroom. Draco bit gently onto Kingsley lower lip it became apparent that they really should have set more time aside for goodbyes!

'I'm going to be so late!' Kingsley exclaimed as he pulled back from Draco at last.

'It's not my fault you can't stop kissing me.' Draco replied with a coquettish glint in his eyes.

Kingsley laughed.

'You're a bad influence, aren't you?' He teased.

'Oh, I wouldn't want to distract you from your duties, minister!' Draco said seductively, pulling Kingsley back into his arms again.

'You've been distracting me for weeks, baby!' Kingsley whispered. 'I can't stop thinking about you!'

'Good!' Draco exclaimed with a satisfied smile. 'Now, go! Go, and keep the magical world running as it should. Be all important and powerful.' He grinned.

'Whatever you say, sweetie.' Kingsley replied. 'But I'm gonna come round tomorrow night if that's ok with you?'

'Hummmmm... go on then.' Draco teased.

'It's a date.' Kingsley said confidently, and with that he finally left the apartment.

He parting words made Draco a little nervous. 'it's a date...' Draco had never had an actual date before. He didn't quite know what to do. He was sure it should be a little different than just coming round to see someone and then spending the whole night fucking. He would have to think about it because he wanted to get it right. Draco wondered through to the sitting room and flopped onto the luxurious sofa with a huge grin on his face. He felt like the cat who got the cream. Draco felt a fluttering in his heart and butterflies in his stomach as he realised, he rather liked the idea of dating the minister for magic!

Of course, it didn't reduce his very genuine emotions to simply the thrill of chasing status, because it ran so much deeper than that, but it could hardly not appeal to him, could it? Draco, a Slytherin, a pureblood aristocrat with expensive taste and a longing to be 'someone'. The idea of being the minister's boyfriend was bound to be appealing. Draco positively glowed with happiness and he wondered if Kingsley would ever refer to him as his "boyfriend", or perhaps his partner...? That sounded more grown up, didn't it? The ministers partner. Draco played the words over in his head. Yes. He could get to like that title!

Kingsley surprised himself at just how lively and alert he was through day. He tried not to make it obvious that he had a new love interest in his life, but he did find himself walking around with a big smile on his face and a somewhat faraway look in his eyes from time to time. He tried hard to control himself, especially when he saw Aarion in the canteen at lunchtime.

When Aarion set eyes on Kingsley he seemed to suddenly lose his appetite, for he stood up and left the room at once, throwing Kingsley a look of pure disgust. It hurt, in all honesty. He and Aarion had been friends once, but Kingsley shrugged it off as best he could. After all, Kingsley had to admit he had been somewhat devious in making sure there was a distance between Aarion and Draco, but Kingsley had always been someone who would go for the things he wanted. He wanted Draco, and he may have used slightly questionable means to get him, but it was all ok. Draco wanted him too and that was all that mattered. Aarion's opinion was of no consequence in the end.

Kingsley sat down at a table with a large cup of coffee and a huge plate of pasta. Caffeine and carbohydrates were the only way to do a day at work after only 3 hours sleep! Just as he began to eat he heard a familiar voice.

'Minister!'

Kingsley turned round to see both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley approaching him with trays of food.

'Harry! Ron!' He beamed. 'Do come and join me. I didn't know you were back from training camp.'

They sat down at his table, both beaming and looking very well and healthy.

'Got back 2 days ago.' Ron told him, tucking into his food right away.

'And how was it?' Kingsley asked with a knowing smile.

'Hard work!' Harry answered enthusiastically. 'But it was great. Can't wait to get back for phase 2!'

'I'm glad you're enjoying it.' Kingsley replied.

'How have things been here?' Harry asked. 'How have the trials been going?'

'Well, they've kept everyone busy, that's for sure!' Kingsley answered. 'But generally they have been going well. It's never straightforward of course, but I've been 100 percent convinced of the verdicts every time.'

'I'll be glad when it's all over.' Harry volunteered. 'I'm fed up of people talking to me about it all. I just want to get on with my training and be an auror, just a regular auror, not some kind of chosen one.'

Kingsley smiled sympathetically.

'It will happen.' He assured him. 'The papers are already starting to gossip about other things now, aren't they. And you two both seem to be fitting right in to auror life from what I have heard.'

'Not as much as Hermione is!' Ron exclaimed, a hint of jealousy in his voice. 'With the exception of flying, she's better than us at everything! I don't know why I'm surprised, it's just like Hogwarts all over again!'

Kingsley laughed.

'Actually, we're better at the social side.' Ron reflected. 'She isn't quite as rowdy as some of the cadets. That's where our skills lie.'

'I wouldn't go that far!' Harry interjected. 'However, we have been invited on the auror night out this Friday. There's loads for people going who fought in the battle. Loads of aurors are going, it's supposed to be a really good night. Do you fancy coming along, Minister?' Harry asked.

Kingsley was flattered and he smiled a little apologetically.

'Thank you for the invitation, Harry.' He began. 'But if I remember correctly from my auror days, we always had better nights out when the minister for magic wasn't invited along too!'

'Yeah, but it was old Fudge back then!' Ron pointed out.

'Yeah.' Harry agreed. 'It'd be different now it's you.'

Kingsley appreciated the compliment but knew it was naive and misguided. Yes, he was well liked, but ultimately he was still 'the boss' and however popular he was, there was still a distance between him and his teams now that he was in an elevated position.

'I'm not sure everyone would agree with you.' He replied. 'And besides, I'm afraid I can't go anyway. I have plans this Friday.'

He had tried to sound as natural as possible as he said this, but something in his tone of voice or his facial expression must have given him away.

'Oh yeah?' Harry grinned. 'Someone special, is she?'

Kingsley sighed.

'Yes. Yes he is, as a matter of fact.' He replied.

'Oh!' Said Harry, blushing almost crimson. 'Oh, well, have a lovely time then. You'll have to come out with us some other time.'

'Yes, some other time.' Kingsley said, finishing his lunch. 'Now, please do excuse me...' He said standing up.

'Of course.' Harry said at once.

'See you later.' Ron said casually as Kingsley walked away.

'Merlin's balls!' Harry exclaimed, once Kingsley was safely out of earshot.

'What?' Ron replied through a mouthful of pie.

'Kingsley! Minister Shacklebolt, dating a guy!' Harry whispered.

'Yeah?' Ron said apathetically, still eating.

'Well, nothing, I guess. I just, I just never imagined him dating a bloke.' Harry mused.

'Oh right!' Ron said after a pause. 'I sometimes forget you were raised by muggles, Harry. That sort of thing's a big deal to muggles isn't it?'

'I guess it is to some of them, yeah.' Harry admitted.

'Well it's not to wizards and witches.' Ron replied. 'No one's really bothered, or even notices a difference.'

'It doesn't bother me!' Harry clarified at once. 'I mean, I don't have a problem with it, people should date whoever they like. I just feel a bit silly for saying she like that. I shouldn't have assumed, I guess. I didn't even know Kingsley was seeing anyone, to be honest.' He reflected.

'Neither did I.' Ron said. 'But he's a very private person, likes to keep his personal life to himself, I reckon. Which is fair enough, but it can't be easy now he's minister for magic!'

'He has my every sympathy there!' Harry grimaced, knowing all too well how it felt to have no privacy in your personal life. The papers has barely left him alone since the war. With every passing day people seemed to become less grateful to him and more keen to gossip about him.

'Anyway...' Said Ron assertively. 'Kingsley has his hot date, we have our night out. Everybody wins! Friday night is set to be a good one all round!'

Draco enjoyed a leisurely morning in the apartment. He showered, styled his hair and dressed himself nicely as he began to feel almost like his old self. He looked in the mirror and actually smiled at his reflection as he saw someone looking back at him who he actually wanted to be. OK, he was still a little on the thin side, and he accepted he would always be shorter than he would like. However, 5 foot 7 wasn't a bad height and it felt kind of good to be short and skinny and small and to cuddle up with someone who was big and board and tall. There was a nice, protected feeling to it.

Slowly and gradually Draco was coming back to feeling that he was worth something again. What had happened between him and Voldemort was fading away in his memory and he had done a lot of work on forgiving himself, and a little on forgiving Voldemort too.

The strange thing was, he seemed to understand just exactly what Voldemort had meant to him now that he had fallen into a relationship with someone else. There were moments when Kingsley was kind to Draco and Draco now understood the moments in which Voldemort had tried to be kind, but hadn't known how. Draco forgave him. The moments when Kingsley checked up on Draco, made sure he was ok, Draco knew that this was something Voldemort could never have done. Not because he didn't care if Draco was ok, but because he was so afraid that he wasn't it was easier and safer not to ask. Draco forgave him. He could never forgive or excuse the violence Voldemort had perpetrated out in the world but he was silently thankful him that Voldemort never showed any of that to Draco himself.

Draco found it odd that on the day in which he had been happier that he could ever remember being in his life, he was finding his mind drifting back to Voldemort throughout the day. He tried to make himself think about Kingsley, because thinking about Kingsley filled him with a warm fuzzy feeling, and thinking about Voldemort left him feeling empty and cold. Draco took a moment with his thoughts. Perhaps it was time to say goodbye to Voldemort, to really let it go? It wasn't easy to know how to say goodbye to him. The whole affair had ended and suddenly and as horribly as it had begun. The end mirrored the beginning, really. They had never really met and become close, and they had never really said goodbye either. Draco wondered out to the roof terrace with a quill and parchment. This was the only way. He silently penned a goodbye letter:

'Voldemort, my lord Voldemort,

I'm not sure where you are... I don't know where people like you go in the end, but I want you to know I don't hate you.'

You didn't know how to love me, but I do know that you tried. I understand it now. But I couldn't love you. There wasn't enough left of you to love. Perhaps if there had been... but you were too far gone. I saw glimpses of you and I know I'm the only one who ever did. I couldn't save you, I think you knew that really, didn't you? Loving me wasn't enough to save you after all that you had done.

I learnt a lot from you, you might not know that, but I did. There were moments when I saw you and you reminded me of myself. Just a hurting little boy who wanted the world. We all want the world, don't we? It's in our nature, but I could never do what you did. But I don't hate you and I forgive you for all the hurt I felt. Because, because I know what no one else does. I know that you were hurting far more than anyone else was. That tiny bit of you that was still human, I know how much pain it was in and how desperate it was to be loved. If things had been different perhaps I could have loved you. If things had been different you could have been brilliant, I'm sure. But this is how things are and I'm sure there are very few people in the world who will speak about you with any kindness in their hearts, but I can, when I'm alone.

You took a year from me, half starved me, drugged me. You forced me to grow up before I was ready to, but I know it was nothing compared to what you had lived through by my age. You promised me you would return for me and I believe you would have done, had you not been killed. I was never sure at the time, but I know now, you would have come for me if you had won the war. But what you were fighting for was wrong. Nobody who's fighting for something that's right has as much pain in their heart as you had.

I need to say goodbye to you now, forever, because I've fallen in love with someone else. Someone who I can love and who can love me back in ways you couldn't. You need a soul to be able to love, really be able to love. I'll never forget you. Ever. But it ends now. I won't speak to you again and I won't think of you again, not like this. You've gone, I don't know where, but I can feel you've gone. You've released me. You've let go, of everything, and perhaps that's the best thing you could do. I don't know what happens to someone like you now.

I just wanted to say Goodbye.'

Draco read the letter over and he placed it on top of the outdoor stove. He nodded to himself. This felt right. It was a rite of passage. After all, he had lost someone from his life. It was time to say goodbye for good. It was the only way he was ever going to truly be free. So, although it felt a little uncomfortable to be thinking about this so deeply on what felt like such a happy day for him, it was something he needed to do. Now it was done it was time to let it go and focus on the future.

Draco raised his wand and set the parchment a light. He watched it brown and smoulder, watched the flames engulf it and watched it turn to dust and crumble away. As it did so, Draco's body and mind began to feel lighter. The world felt like a fresh and new place again. A silent goodbye had been offered, not just to say goodbye to Voldemort, but to say goodbye to the Draco who had been his prisoner. That part of Draco's life was over now. He could come back to himself again. He was no longer the Dark Lord's slave and prisoner. He was the minister's lover, and he had a date to prepare for! Ghosts laid to rest, Draco hurried back in to the apartment to make plans for tomorrow night as he set forth to become the real Draco Malfoy once again.

He would cook dinner. That was the perfect plan. If he cooked a meal himself it would make him look considerate and prepared to take time to do something nice. He could just ask the house elves to do it if he was lazy, but doing it himself showed dedication. It would also make him look very mature and sophisticated. He imagined himself serving up the fantastic menu he planned to produce. He summoned a house elf and placed his food order right away.

At a little after 9pm, Draco was carefully studying a recipe book when he heard a tapping at his window. A tiny Tawny owl was perched on the windowsill with a letter.

Draco jumped up and opened the window, letting the little bird in to the apartment and taking the letter. He gasped with happiness, recognising Kingsley's handwriting at once.

'Draco baby,

I'm getting a seriously early night tonight and I'm hoping you're doing the same because tomorrow I'm gonna be with you again and I'm sure we'll want to 'make the most of being together', won't we?

Last night was wonderful and I've missed you today, my little sweetie. I wish you were here with me now, only, I guess I really do need to get some sleep!

Hope you've had a nice day Draco. I can't wait to see you.

Kingsley. Xx'

Draco blushed and read the letter again. Twice, just to make sure it said everything he thought it said. he read it again, imagining it in Kingsley deep seductive voice.

At last he went a took a biscuit from a tin to give to the owl, and he sat down to write a response.

'Hello Minister.

I've had a wonderful day, thank you. I'm missing you too and I'm going to go to bed soon, where I promise I will be thinking of you!

I can hardly wait to see you tomorrow. I hope you have a good day at work and can come to me as soon as possible! Good night. I hope you sleep well.

Yours... (all yours!)

Draco. XxxxX'

Draco gave the owl the note and thought for a second how strange it was to have written a good bye letter and a love letter all in the same day. He dismissed the thought. He was Kingsley's now. That was all he ever needed to think about from now on because that was all he wanted!

Kingsley was climbing into bed when his little owl, his favourite owl for personal correspondence, fluttered into his bedroom with Draco's note. Kingsley read it and he smiled to himself. 'Are you sure Draco actually likes you...?' Ha! Aarion could go hex himself! Draco was clearly as happy as Kingsley to be in this new relationship. There was no better feeling. Kingsley fell happily asleep with the love note still clutched in his hand. A few streets away, in the apartment, Draco did the same.

Draco woke up later than he had hoped on Friday morning. He jumped out of bed, dressed hurriedly without showering first as he was going to bathe later. He rushed to the kitchen. The house elves had provided the cooking ingredients he had requested.

Draco had decided it would be sensible to prep all of the ingredients first. Then he could store them all ready to cook later then he could get himself ready once they were done. That way if the prep was a messy business he could tidy himself up afterwards. Then, when Kingsley arrived all he would have to do was cook the stuff. Draco smiled as he imagined himself looking casual and oh so sophisticated as he effortlessly created a perfect meal for his lover and himself. It was going to be so impressive and grown up. After all, how difficult could homemade cannelloni be? He just had to make 2 sauces, prepare the filling, pre-cook the pasta, assemble the thing and put it in the oven. That should be easy a breeze! He diligently chopped the vegetables reading the recipe book carefully. He took time to make sure the onions were exactly 1cm cubes, because if cooking was anything like potions class then something like that could make or break the whole thing!

His task took quite some time and once it was complete he turned his attention to making sure he was ready for a romantic evening.

Draco took a bath and washed his hair. He shaved and preened himself to silky smooth perfection. He was quicker with this ritual than usual, and more enthusiastic. It felt very different today as he was enthusiastic not simply about the ritual itself but about the events that would follow. Draco was excited about the whole evening. His very first real date!

Looking perfect and dressed in his full set of robes, Draco went to the kitchen and set up his pans ready to begin his cooking. He started heating the pan for the onions. They had hurt his eyes as he prepared them and this had convinced him that they would be the most difficult things to manage. He carefully and slightly suspiciously pushed the tiny cubes into the pan which suddenly hissed and spat at him making him jump. Perhaps the heat was a little high. Draco turned it down a little and stood watching the onion cubes sizzle. He double checked the recipe and was slightly concerned that it didn't specify how many times to stir them, or in which direction. Draco concluded he would just have to leave them to brown on their own.

Draco was just inspecting the packet of pasta when there was a knock at the door. Draco jumped and he shivered with excited nerves. Abandoning the cooker he hurried to the front door.

'Good evening Minister.' Draco said in a sultry voice as he opened the door and smiled at Kingsley.

'Good evening, Mr Malfoy.' Kingsley replied with a grin.

Kingsley looked particularly striking and handsome this evening in deep crimson robes trimmed with rich gold braid and embroidery. From behind his back he pulled an enormous bouquet of red roses and handed it to Draco.

Draco blushed.

'Thank you. They're beautiful.' He said.

'Not as beautiful as you.' Kingsley replied as he kissed Draco on the cheek.

Draco felt his heart flutter.

Draco led Kingsley to the open plan kitchen where he placed the roses in a vase and set them in the centre of the dining table.

Kingsley sniffed. There was a rather odd smell.

'I've just started dinner.' Draco said in a casual, nonchalant way.

Kingsley raised his eyebrows and glanced over at the pan of blackened onions sizzling away to a charred pile of ash.

'Have you indeed?' Kingsley tried not to laugh. 'And what is it you are making?'

'Just a simple cannelloni.' Draco said in his most sophisticated voice as he proudly sashayed over to the cooker.

Kingsley grimaced behind Draco's back. This was clearly going to be a disaster, if those onions were anything to go by. What was more, he liked Draco so much that he would undoubtedly sit and eat the meal anyway, no matter how terrible it was, so as not to offend him.

Draco's eyes widened in horror when he glanced at the mess in the frying pan, and surely they weren't meant to smell like that, were they?

Kingsley sauntered over and wrapped his arms around Draco, standing behind him.

'Maybe we could cook together baby? That could be fun, couldn't it? I can hardly expect you to do all the work.' Kingsley offered hopefully.

Draco was reluctant to admit defeat but he really didn't know what on earth he was going to do with those onions which could be deadly poison by now.

'Only if you want to.' Draco replied. 'You've been working all day.'

'Yeah, but I like cooking.' Kingsley said. 'And I like being with you. So, let's do this together.'

Kingsley assertively kissed Draco on the lips and smiled. Hopefully he could salvage the meal!

'If you like.' Draco smiled, actually a little relieved as the idea of cooking whilst Kingsley watched him seemed far more intimidating than he had realised it would be.

'I think those onions are a bit burned.' Kingsley said gently. When Draco looked crestfallen he added. 'It's probably my fault for distracting you with flowers when you had just started cooking. It's ok though, I can cut some more.'

Sheepishly, Draco removed the offending onions from the pan while Kinglsey located a couple more and began to cut them roughly.

'The book says 1cm cubes.' Draco pointed out anxiously as Kinglsey was cutting all kinds of shapes and sizes.

'I'll chop them nice and small, don't worry.' Kingsley replied, turning the knife and chopping back over them, making them far smaller than 1cm.

'They are smaller than 1cm now.' Draco said trying to sound untroubled but needing to clarify this. 'Will they be alright?'

'Oh, they'll cook down fine.' Kingsley replied, tossing them into the pan and moving them round a bit with a spatula. 'They don't need to be exact, it's not potions after all.'

Draco laughed an unconvincing laugh.

'Of course not!' He replied awkwardly, busying himself studying the cooking instructions on the pasta box.

Kingsley stared at him as the penny dropped.

'Draco... You've never actually cooked before, have you?' He observed.

Draco's expression went from indignation to shock to a defeated sulky pout. There was no point trying to lie to the minister for magic!

Kingsley looked at Draco with his adorable, cross expression and he realised that Draco had set this whole scene up to try to do something nice, to try and be 'normal'. To try to impress him and to seem as though he could cook when really he didn't have a clue. In the future, Kingsley would come to describe this as the exact moment that he fell completely in love with Draco Malfoy.

Kingsley abandoned the onions for a moment and hugged Draco tightly, kissing the top of his head affectionately.

'Hey, it's ok baby. I can teach you all about it if you like.' He said kindly.

He felt Draco smile and nod.

Kingsley stepped back and taking Draco's hand, led him over to the stove. He handed Draco the spatula and guided him to stir the softening onions.

'Now the first thing you need to know about cooking is that it isn't an exact art like potions. Sure, there are some recipes that are a bit more precise than others, but generally it's good to be quite relaxed about cooking. Follow your instincts. Once you get some experience you probably won't even use a recipe book at all...'

Draco had paid close attention to everything Kingsley said and he had tried his best not to be distracted by Kingsley's luscious deep voice, nor by the fact that Kingsley was standing behind him, holding him as they worked.

Kingsley reached over and sprinkled a little brown sugar onto the onions.

'A little sugar gives them a nice sweetness, caramelises them a bit.' He explained.

Draco nodded, taking it all very seriously, watching with fascination as the sugar melted and began to bubble.

They worked quite well together as it turned out. As Draco relaxed a little and got over the bruises to his pride at having been found out, it really became quite fun. Then, all of a sudden, Kingsley had a question.

'Draco baby, can I ask you something?'

'Sure.' Draco replied as he happily stirred the béchamel sauce. he'd been rather good at making this and he was quite pleased as Kingsley had said it was the hardest part of the recipe.

Kingsley looked serious all of a sudden.

'I just wondered...' he began, unsure if he should ask at all. 'How did you survive all that time on your own at the Manor if you don't know how to cook?'

Draco looked a bit shocked, but only for a second. He hadn't been expecting a question about the past, but it was a harmless one and he didn't resent Kingsley for asking it.

'I ate stuff that didn't need cooking.' He answered simply. 'We had stores of cereals, oats and things, you can eat them with just water on. And we had frozen stuff too, I defrosted things, but you're right, I don't even know any cooking spells, so it was pretty bad. There were fruit trees in the grounds, but I didn't dare go outside to get stuff. Sometimes I could accio things from a window, but yeah... I think the malnutrition started before I was actually kept prisoner to be honest.'

Now it was Kingsley's turn to fall silent for a second. He shouldn't have asked if he didn't want to know, it was just that he hated to think of Draco going through that experience, especially now that he had fallen for him. He almost wanted to go and get a Time Turner from the ministry, travel back in time and stride in and rescue Draco from having to go through any of it. However, somehow, the way the timeline had unfolded had led he and Draco to become lovers. To be together in the apartment with the whole night in front of them. Kingsley wouldn't risk changing anything! This wasn't about the past, it was about the future.

'Well I'm happy to teach you anything you want to learn.' Kingsley said, giving Draco a hug, although Draco wouldn't give him a proper hug in return as he was still tending his sauce.

'How come you can cook so well?' Draco asked with a grin, ready to lighten the mood.

'OK, don't laugh...' Kingsley began.

Draco instantly laughed.

'Hey!' Kingsley chided him.

'Sorry.' Draco said.

'Don't laugh.' Kingsley told him again. 'OK, when I was a child I wanted to be a chef.'

Draco laughed. And then apologised.

'You wanted to be a chef, but you became an auror?'

'I was very young at the time.' Kingsley told him. 'I used to sneak into the kitchen and watch the house elves cooking. I thought they had the best job in the world!'

Draco laughed again.

'I just liked how creative it looked.' Kingsley said. 'And food always seemed to make people happy. So when I got older I taught myself how to cook. It was worth it. It always impresses people.' He concluded.

Draco raised his eyebrows.

'I bet it does!' He smiled. 'Part of your seduction technique, is it?'

Kingsley finished assembling the dish and slid it into the oven.

'Hummmm... I never thought about it like that.' He said with a grin. 'Does it work for you... Because we have 45 minutes before that's gonna be ready, so...'

Kingsley sauntered over to Draco and slipped his arms around his waist, drawing him in close for a real kiss.

Kingsley pressed his lips over Draco's sweet pink pout and sucked gently, feeling Draco's lips curl into a smile as he did so. He drew back for a second giving Draco the chance to part his lips and stand on tiptoes, reaching up for more kisses.

Kingsley grinned and kissed Draco again, slipping his tongue into his mouth, teasing him, flicking over his lips playfully.

It was clearly hard for Draco to reach up for Kingsley and hard for Kingsley to stoop down to Draco for long, so in a flash Kingsley lifted Draco up and sat him on a clear patch of kitchen counter. From here, Draco was almost exactly the same height as him. Kingsley wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and held him tightly.

Draco smiled at him playfully and leant in for more kisses. Draco lightly touched their lips together in short, soft kisses and then bit gently at Kingsley's lower lip keeping his touch light and teasing.

'So we have 45 minutes before dinner...?' Draco said between kisses. 'However should we use the time?'

'I can think of a good way...' Kingsley answered, his hand running up Draco's leg, over his thigh and round towards his ass.

'Doing the washing up?' Draco suggested with mock innocence.

'You wanna wash up baby?' Kingsley laughed as his hand moved towards Draco's crotch.

Draco keened up into his touch.

'Nah!' he said dismissively. 'I've never really washed up properly either and I've no desire to learn.'

Kingsley laughed and kissed Draco's neck.

'You spoilt little rich boy!' He teased.

'Oh yes!' Draco replied as Kingsley nibbled at him. 'Spoilt, high maintenance and selfish to the core!'

Kingsley laughed. Sure, Draco was only half joking, but how ever spoilt Draco might be, Kingsley knew he could handle him. And Draco may be a little selfish, it would probably be good for him to be a little selfish after what he'd been through. However, anyone who went to such an elaborate pretence to give the impression they could confidently cook for someone was clearly not 100 percent selfish!

Kingsley's kisses on Draco's neck were turning Draco on immensely and Kingsley felt Draco's cock growing hard under his hand. He fondled Draco through his clothing. Draco moaned needily, glad that sex was still very much on the cards. All this grown up dating was fine, but he was 17 years old and very horny, especially now he was dating a gorgeous and sophisticated older man! He could hardly be expected to wait until bedtime, could he?

Fortunately, Kingsley didn't want to wait either.

'You look real pretty tonight, baby...' He whispered to Draco.

Draco giggled.

'You look gorgeous!' He replied, admiring Kingsley in his regal red robes.

'You know what would make you look even better?' Kingsley grinned.

'What?' Draco whispered.

'If you were naked.' Kingsley said flatly.

There was a pause.

Draco laughed for a second and then he disentangled himself from Kingsley's embrace. He jumped down from the side board and slowly began to undress. Slowly, one garment at a time, a playful seductive pout on his face, Draco removed his clothes. He was no stranger to this sort of thing, but this felt so different than ever before.

Kingsley was a little shocked at how quick Draco was to respond to the suggestion, but he wasn't about to stop him. He leant back against the counter in a casual manner and watched his beautiful little playmate, slowly remove his robes with a smouldering coquettish expression on his face.

Draco dropped his clothes carelessly on the floor, knowing it was immaculately clean. Completely naked, he sauntered over to Kingsley and turned to lean his back against him.

'Is this better, minister?' He drawled smugly.

'Oh, much better!' Kingsley replied, wrapping his arms around Draco's waist, holding him firmly before one hand moved down to his cock. He caressed Draco's hard cock slowly and buried his face against Draco's neck, kissing and teasing him, making Draco squirm with pleasure.

Draco played his part too, enjoying feeling confident and sexy. He rested his head back against Kingsley's chest and looked up at him with a sultry, pouty smile. He writhed against him, reaching back and working his hand under Kingsley's robes. Draco could already feel Kingsley's cock, hard and pressing into his back. His hand quickly found its way there.

Draco wrapped his elegant fingers around the thick shaft and with a sexy little sigh he began to work it up and down the length. He did not grip tightly and his caresses were light. He smiled.

'Really minister! I thought you were coming round for a sophisticated dinner this evening!' Draco whispered as they toyed with each other. 'It seems you only have your mind on one thing!'

'You're the one who's naked!' Kingsley replied with a playful chuckle.

'You told me to be naked.' Draco answered with a smile. 'And I have to do what you say, because not only are you my landlord, you're also the minister for magic!'

Kingsley laughed. It was ok to laugh and to joke about this now, now that they both knew how they really felt.

'In which case Draco...' Kingsley began, 'I'd like you to bend over that sideboard right there and let me get at that gorgeous ass of yours.'

Draco, who had been trying his best to do his confident courtesan act, was a little bit embarrassed and shocked by Kingsley's directness but he tried his best not to show it. Besides, he rather liked it too. Being told what to do by Kingsley was a huge turn on! Summoning every scrap of confidence, Draco strutted to the clear patch of sideboard and, arching his back provocatively, he bent over.

'Damn, you're hot!' Kingsley exclaimed as he sauntered over to Draco, slipping out of his own robes as he did so, taking hold of Draco's hips and pressing up against him.

Draco glanced back at his lover, looking over his shoulder in a seductive way. He was so glad he did! It was impossible not to stare! Kingsley was ever more gorgeous than he remembered! Draco could see him better here, in the middle of the kitchen, in broad daylight, than he had been able to in the ambient lighting of the bedroom. His body was incredible! Sensual dark skin smooth and tight over well defined muscles. His scar a sign of his bravery and courage.

Draco shivered with desire as Kingsley's strong hands caressed his back and moved down to his peachy ass cheeks. Kingsley traced the cleft of Draco's ass with his finger, enjoying the perfection of his beautiful soft skin. He pressed the tip of his finger to Draco's puckered little hole.

Draco pushed back eagerly against him. He had been desperately horny all afternoon waiting for Kingsley to arrive. This could not come soon enough!

His skin was still slightly slippery from the oil he had applied after his bath and it was all too easy for Kingsley to slip his finger inside him. He pushed in gently opening up the tight little ring of muscle. Draco gasped out loud as he felt himself being penetrated.

'You don't want to wait this evening, do you baby?' Kingsley teased as he fingered Draco's hole gently.

'Neither do you!' Draco replied, feeling Kingsley's erection against his ass cheek.

'True.' Kingsley admitted, taking hold of his own cock. 'I've been thinking about fucking you all day long!'

Draco giggled as Kingsley continued to touch him, moving his finger inside, exploring his passage.

'So when the affairs of the wizarding world are in chaos, it will be all my fault for being such a distraction?' Draco suggested.

'Entirely your fault!' Kingsley agreed. 'All I can seem to think about is fucking your sweet ass and making you come. I love feeling you come when I'm in you.'

'Mmmmmmm...' Draco moaned. 'So, fuck me then, I'm all yours.'

Kingsley needed no further encouragement, he withdrew his finger from Draco, whispered a lubrication charm guided the head of his rigid cock to Draco's ass. He slowly pushed inside him, loving being able to watch every erotic second as his cock breached Draco's hole and he buried his full length deep inside him.

Draco gasped with pleasure at the feeling of incredible fullness. It felt delicious, it felt amazing to be filled so completely. It would have felt frightening if he hadn't felt so completely safe with his new lover. Draco trusted Kingsley not to hurt him and so the sensation of being stretched by his huge cock was truly delightful.

Kingsley drew his hips back and almost pulled right out of Draco, purely so that he could enjoy watching his cock slide back in again.

'Gods, yes!' Kingsley whispered as he repeatedly slid in and out of Draco's well lubricated asshole. He gripped Draco's hip with one hand and held firmly onto the kitchen side with the other. He thrust back and forth into his dear little Draco, savouring every moment of the sweet sensation.

Draco was driven wild by Kingsley's slow purposeful thrusts which provided a firm and repetitive assault on his prostate. He whimpered with pleasure each time the head of Kingsley's cock pushed against the bundle of nerves in his ass and his own cock twitched with pleasure, pre come seeping from the tip.

'How do you like it, baby?' Kingsley whispered to him. 'Do you like it slow or fast, do you want it gentle or do you like it hard?'

Draco gasped as he tried to answer.

'I like it slow, and then fast...' He managed. 'Gentle at first and then hard. I like it however you like to give it!'

'I'd like to fuck you in every possible way!' Kingsley hissed. 'Every position, in every room, over every piece of furniture... Gods, Draco! I could make fucking you a full time job!' Kingsley half growled as the speed and force of his thrusts began to increase.

Draco wanted to give a smart sassy answer, but as Kingsley began to fuck him harder he found it more and more difficult to form cohesive sentences.

Kingsley could feel his climax building and he began to pound Draco's ass furiously. Draco used all his strength to brace himself against the side board.

'Fuck! Fuck, that's good!' Draco yelped as Kingsley's thrusts pushed him back and forth like a little rag doll.

'You really do like a good hard fuck, don't you?' Kingsley growled.

'Gods, Yes!' Draco gasped in incoherent reply.

Kingsley let go of Draco's hips and reached for his cock. Kingsley cupped Draco's hard cock in his large hand and rubbed back and forth, giving Draco the stimulation he needed to reach his climax.

'Aaaaahhh...!' Draco cried, as the contact with his cock and the hammering of Kingsley's dick against his prostate pushed him over the edge to a spectacular orgasm. He came hard into Kingsley's hand.

Draco's lovely little body trembling as he came while Kingsley was inside him was enough to rip a climax from Kingsley too. He had wanted to hold on a little longer, he had not wanted it to be over so soon, but he couldn't hold back any longer. In seconds he was filling Draco's twitching passage with his come, pumping it into him in rapid spurts, holding Draco tightly at the hips again as he did so.

Trembling and panting, Draco flopped bodily down against the work surface and Kingsley went with him, although he was careful not to squash him! They rested there for a few moments before Kingsley recovered himself.

'Wow!' He uttered, standing up and reaching for his wand in the pockets of his robe. 'That was amazing! You're amazing, baby!'

Draco was on the verge of being delirious. He was recovering from the intense pleasure he felt, the sheer ecstasy he had experienced. Somewhere in his mind was the growing euphoria and almost disbelief at what was happening in his life.

Less than 3 months ago he had been a helpless and pathetic slave, held captive by the Dark Lord. He had been in a dreadful state, physically and mentally, battling with potion addiction when he had been rescued. he had then stood trial as a criminal. He contrasted that life to the one he was beginning to live now. He lived in a beautiful apartment in a majestic building in the very best part of magical London. He was soon to receive a large sum of money. Whilst it would never make up for the home and family he had lost, he had an amazing new life emerging from the ashes of the old one which had been destroyed. He had a new lover. A fantastic, gorgeous, incredible new lover; the minister for magic! They had just cooked dinner together and then had spontaneous hot sex right there in the kitchen. How on earth was this his life? Draco almost felt dizzy. He began to giggle.

Kingsley was putting on his robes when he noticed Draco, still flopped onto the sideboard, laughing. Kingsley was relieved to see he was laughing, as for a split second he had though he was crying. He looked at him with a puzzled frown.

'You alright, baby?' He asked.

Draco couldn't answer, the whole thing just seemed funnier and funnier. He nodded through his laughter.

Kingsley looked puzzled.

'You crazy thing!' He grinned, casting a cleaning spell over Draco.

It tickled, which did nothing to help the giggling.

'Hummm...' Kingsley mused. 'On Wednesday you cried because you were happy. Today you're laughing right after sex... Can't say I've ever known anyone do that before!' It was a little unnerving!

'I'm... sorry!' Draco managed, looking up from the sideboard. 'I'm happy.' He assured him.

'Good. I'm glad.' Kingsley said, ruffling Draco's hair affectionately. 'I'm gonna go sit down with a glass of wine now, I think. You gonna join me when you're done being crazy?' He kissed him.

Draco made an effort to compose himself and he dressed hurriedly. Laughing like a crazy person didn't fit with his plan to appear grown up and sophisticated! Calm once more and keen to impress, he hurried over to Kingsley and cuddled up beside him with a glass of wine. Draco wasn't too keen on red wine, but Kingsley drank it and it did seem like a very mature thing to drink. Draco was sure he could train himself to like it.

Dinner was far less of a disaster than it could have been. Kingsley's cooking skills had saved the day, and whilst it wasn't the best meal either of them had ever eaten, it certainly wasn't the worst. Never the less, Draco apologised for it later that night as they got ready for bed.

'I'm sorry about dinner.' He said bashfully.

Kingsley laughed.

'Don't be sorry. It was pretty adorable that you wanted to cook for me at all. Even more so that you tried when you didn't know how.' He replied.

Draco laughed.

'I can't cook at all, can I?' Draco admitted.

'Let's just say, you kiss better than you cook!' Kingsley teased.

Draco gave him a playful punch.

'I did my best!' He pouted.

'You did great!' Kingsley told him as the snuggled into the huge bed. 'And you'll learn. I'll teach you.'

'It was fun tonight.' Draco replied with a grin.

'Which bit?' Kingsley asked.

'All of it.' Draco said earnestly. 'It was all fun. I think I like having dates with you.'

Kingsley hugged him tightly and kissed him.

'I'm glad to hear it.' He smiled as they snuggled down into the bed. It would be difficult, but Kingsley was determined to get at least some sleep that night. They had the whole weekend ahead of them. Their first weekend together! Kingsley wanted to make the most of every second of it. It was going to be the start of something big!