******** ******** Chapter 10 ******** ********

Much to Harry's amusement, his finances were never again questioned – nor even mentioned – by Lucius, and over the next several weeks, Harry and Draco attended so many weddings that they already had their lines memorized.

Almost all of the ceremonies took place in the Room of Requirement so Seamus married Neville on a beach in Aruba. Blaise Zabini and Luna Lovegood – whose maternal grandmother was a muggleborn - were matched and they chose a forest setting so that the blibbering humdingers would be comfortable. Dean and Ginny turned the room into the field beside the Burrow – as did George, Charlie and Percy because they'd requested permission from the Ministry. Theodore Nott was put with Lavender Brown – a half-blood – who asked for a park with a gazebo and lots of the flowers she'd been named for.

The Patil sisters – half-bloods – were married too. Parvati paired up with Gregory Goyle and her sister Padma became the wife of Terry Boot. They chose to have a double wedding with a tropical theme.

Pansy was married to a Gryffindor who'd graduated the year before in a small chapel that resembled the one in her hometown…or so Draco said.

The well known pair also continued to study together and date. They got closer and closer as a result. Each Saturday became a courting gift day and Draco reciprocated every Sunday. For the second weeks' gift, Harry gave Draco a picture and description of each house he owned and asked him to pick which one he'd like them to live in. If he wanted a house of their own instead, they could get a reliable real estate agent to help them find the right one for them. Draco's second gift was a trip to a French designer's studio where their wedding robes would be custom made especially for them. They each found out many new things about the other as well.

It came out that – despite the rumors of promiscuity – Draco was actually a virgin; he'd only kissed, frotted and masturbated in his adolescence. In return, Harry confessed that he'd been both a top and bottom during a week-long fling with a muggle boy just before his last birthday. Draco's family had long ago taken to calling him 'Dragon' and the blond admitted to liking that nickname but only in private and by a select group of people. Harry warned his fiancé that he was very much the Gryffindor in the way of chivalrous behavior. Draco had noticed during their first date that the brunette had seemed to enjoy opening doors and holding chairs for him so he wasn't very surprised by this. He did say however that he was not a girl and would sometimes want to reciprocate. Harry confessed a desire for a quiet life in either the country or suburbia. Draco wanted to own and run a small apothecary because he loved potions and wanted to become a Master at the subject. Harry wasn't happy with that but promised they could talk about it in depth at a later time.

The third week, Harry gave Draco the contact information to an esteemed Potions Master who'd agreed to help the blond earn his own Mastery in the subject. He also promised – in writing – to buy a small storefront when Draco was ready for that step. The blond had been speechless because he knew Harry hadn't really approved of that idea but Harry explained that he just wanted to make sure Draco did things in a safe and secure environment with a knowledgeable mentor.

After receiving the package from the jewelry store a few days prior to the wedding, both young men agreed that their last courting gift to each other could be the wedding rings and Draco insisted on paying Harry back for his ring.

Finally it came down to the 30th...Harry watched and listened as Ron's family helped him get ready for the ceremony. His best friends married in a flurry of red hair and Gryffindor chivalry on the grounds of Hogwarts itself; next to the lake. Harry was Ron's best man and Ginny was Hermione's matron of honor. Draco partnered Harry for almost every dance and made Harry look so much more graceful than he ever was.

It was after that wedding, that they found themselves alone on the Astronomy Tower…

"I'm glad you don't mind coming up here…even after what happened that night." Harry said softly while loosening his tie and letting it dangle.

"This is my favorite place in the school. I couldn't bring myself to give it up just because something terrible happened here." Draco whispered.

"Do you want to talk about anything, Draco?" Harry asked, noting his fiancé's pensiveness.

"I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow; that's all." The blond bit his lip. "You can call me Dragon too – you know."

"But…" Harry's eyes widened. "You said you only like it when family calls you that."

"Yes – well, I'll be your husband in less than a day. We'll technically be family." Harry could hear the bravado in Draco's voice.

"Yes…you'll be my husband – my Dragon…mine." Harry smirked as the thought of it sent a pleasant shiver through him. "I like the sound of that."

"It shows how far we've come, doesn't it? We like the idea that we'll belong to each other now, but we each used to hate the sound of the other's name." Draco smirked.

Harry chuckled. "True. We've been through a lot together, Draco. We've changed and grown."

Draco was silent as he thought of their past. "Yes, Harry, we have changed. I like who I am now."

Harry's breath caught. "Now – meaning after the war…or now – as in here with me?"

Grey eyes fluttered up to meet emerald. "Both…" He licked his lips. "Harry, you've said you won't rush me…"

"And I won't, Draco." Harry squeezed his future husband's hand. "I swear, if you want to wait until the minute before the stupid deadline then we will."

"Shhh…" Draco placed a finger on Harry's lips. "I wasn't finished, Potter."

"Sorry." Harry's response was a little muffled. He licked the finger through drying lips. "Please continue, Dragon."

"You've said that you won't rush me and I do believe you – seeing as we've only snogged and frotted in the last few weeks and you've not tried to push things any further." Draco's cheeks suddenly seemed flushed. "I – I'm nervous about sleeping in the same bed, and the little touches that I've seen Granger and Weasley exchange. I – I'm nervous about – well, everything, really."

"How can I sooth those nerves?" Harry asked as he slipped his arm around Draco's waist. "I don't want you having any second thoughts…or panic attacks."

"You…" Draco sighed. "How can you be so calm and understanding? You're nothing but nice to me, Harry, and somehow that makes me nervous too."

Harry smiled. "I think I can help you relax, Dragon."

"How?" The blond sounded so full of despair.

"Strip down to your underpants." Harry said.

Draco's grey eyes just about popped from their sockets. "WHAT?"

"Oh, stop!" Harry snickered. "I'm going to give you a massage. It feels better without the clothes and you'll still have on the underpants to preserve your modesty."

Draco blushed as he stripped. "I was going to say that your idea of not rushing things was very different to mine."

"If you think it'll help, we can push the boundaries a little." Harry suggested as he placed his hands on Draco's neck and shoulder muscles and began to knead them.

"What does that mean?" The blond asked, moaning as Harry's touch relaxed him.

Harry bent down and whispered into his fiancé's ear. "I could take the massage to the next level… I could touch you and explore you…learn your body but refrain from the consummation."

Interest sparked in Draco's silver eyes. "We could do anything short of full penetration…"

Harry smirked as his future husband leaned back into him, encouraging Harry's continuing touch. "Indeed… we could."

In fact, they did. Harry touched his fiancé; he massaged and caressed the blond. They each gave and took pleasure for quite a few hours but managed to have Draco back to his dorm before he was missed.

Hey everyone! I've gotten lots of great feedback from all of you! Thanks so much! I enjoyed every word! I know this was a short chapter but the next one will make up for it! Stay tuned!

Lori