Wow, I'm so sorry about how bad I've been re: updating lately! Don't worry, I'm still in love with this story - I just had a hard time trying to write about Harry. It's probably not the best, but the next chap. will be a 'present' one, which will hopefully be better. I'm going to phase the past out slowly as the back story is needed less.
Hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter Ten
"So what happened after Hogwarts? There's a great blank for me between seeing you after your trial and meeting up in a Las Vegas club." Harry waited for Draco to tidy away his own plates, stacking them on top of Harry's to make it easier for the hostess, and once again settled in for 'story time'. Draco smirked wryly to himself as he continued.
"I desperately wanted a job. I needed people to see that I wasn't ashamed, that I truly was innocent – many hid themselves away and consequently looked guilty. But I also needed something I was good at, and people willing to employ me.
Thankfully my Mother insisted I study languages quite extensively. I'm fluent in several: one of these being Gobbledegook, the goblin language. It turned out well for me. I applied for a reasonably lowly position, but apparently being incredibly good at numbers and speaking your boss' language gets you an instant promotion. I became a liason for Gringotts International, although I started out under Marcus Flint (who still works in England for them), as part of a team working with other magical creatures and even Muggles.
I was promoted quickly. My ability with languages once again helped me in my chosen career – I spent a year flitting between England and Japan, and another two practically touring Europe; I went from liasing within Britain to liasing between the UK and Japan, and then between all the major parts of the Continent. Of course I didn't suceed purely because of language lessons – I do have an incredible grasp of economics and accounting – but I can say my success today is entirely thanks to my parents, in drowning me with tutors for much of my life.
And now I'm the Head of the United States Economic Liason Department. Since I'm not actually American that's a fair feat, especially when you factor in my age! Straight from Hogwarts into a job at 18, and working for the US government as a Head of Department at 26! Then factoring in all my various other ventures, the two years I took out to complete a Finance Degree at Cloudbank University... alright I'm boasting a bit, but I'm proud of what I've achieved. I can't imagine a better way of proving that being a Malfoy is an honour, not a curse." Draco reached out and stroked Harry's wrist very lightly, and they both watched him do so silently for a moment.
"What about you? After the war, I mean?" Green eyes met grey in surprise, and Draco smiled softly. "I'm willing to bet you've gone over the war enough – I don't think we need to talk about that yet. But I am curious to know what happened to you afterwards." Harry blinked slowly, trying to decide where to begin (and stalling somewhat). Taking a deep breath, he started telling a story that no-one else had ever heard – what really happened to Harry Potter.
"After the war, I fell apart. It was like everything I'd ever lived for had ended, and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do next. To be completely honest, I can't believe I survived it, even now. But everyone else seemed to be getting along nicely, almost as though nothing had happened. Sure, there were restorations of buildings, trials, funerals; but that died away faster than I expected, and I was left with nothing. Ron and Hermione were together, they certainly didn't need me. I wouldn't be surprised if they're married now." Draco shifted slightly at this, and Harry gave him a probing look.
"Alright, they're married, but not to each other. Continue." Brunette hair flopped into his eyes as Harry shook his head at his partner's brusqueness, but did as he was told.
"Anyway, I needed to get out, find out who I was without Hogwarts and Voldemort etc. I took a map, threw a dart at it without looking, and headed for Las Vegas.
As soon as I stepped off the plan, it was as if a whole new life had been waiting here for me. Hardly anyone recognised me (which was an incredible relief). In fact I was so invisble in the crowds that I actually got near run-over by a girl meeting her twin sister.
Naturally she stopped to apologise, and we started talking. She was a stripper, as was her sister – they had their own 'twin act' going on, but had just been on holiday visiting relatives. Lola had stayed a bit longer, so Lori had come to get her. They had a spare room; and somehow (don't ask me exactly I'm still not sure) I got myself a room with them for very little rent. They worked at Spearmint Rhino, I'm not sure if you?..." Draco just shook his head slightly – clearly he hadn't seen much of Vegas that wasn't taken over by wizards.
"Well, they had a place in wizarding Vegas that had an entrance near there, out onto Industrial Road at a bus stop near the Fashion Show Mall."
"You mean Wenlock Park, named after Bridget Wenlock -"
"Probably, yes. I mean, it was Wenlock park, but I wouldn't know why."
"Right. Anyway, as you were saying?" Harry sighed good-naturedly and decided he may as well hurry up and get to the interesting stuff.
"Well, we became quite good friends, living together quite comfortably. Eventually I even started dating Lola. But after about a month of this, it all went rather nasty.
Lori had decided to take us both out to a queer club with a few of her friends. At this point I didn't even realise I liked guys, so you can understand how I might not have been totally comfortable with it – I ended up drinking a fair bit, and when Lori asked to dress me in drag I was in no fit state to protest. She had full reign, borrowing some heels off a transvestite friend and shoving me into one of her old dresses. She even stuffed a bra for me, charmed the hair off me and stuck me in a wig. It was perfectly fine until we got back to the club and saw Lola.
Lola was quite clearly chatting up another bloke, even though she was supposed to be with me – and it got far worse when he spotted me behind her and mentioned that I was a 'hot chick'."
Draco was clearly struggling to hold back laughter, and Harry narrowed his eyes at him.
"It wasn't that funny at the time, you know," he haughtily remarked. Draco just blinked back tears and grinned at him.
"Sorry Scarhead, but I can't help finding the image quite entertaining." They argued some more, eventually breaking out into a mild tickling battle before Harry finally conceded that Draco had a point.
"Of course I do. Now, what happened after that?"
"Lola was really pissed – as in, furious. She recognised me pretty quickly since I was with Lori and drunk off my arse, so she didn't appreciate the guy she was chatting up calling her boyfriend 'hot', regardless of why. She absolutely ripped into me, saying it was my fault for letting Lori talk me into it and completely ignoring her own behaviour to that point. I just stood there. Heck, most of the night was relayed to me by Lori later the next day. I ended up staying the night in a hotel, and when I went back to the house all my things were in the front yard.
Lori was there with them. She explained that I had to leave, that she was sorry, etc. Personally I was still in shock, hadn't really registered what was happening. I wasn't allowed to speak to the twins again. Everything to that point was gone – and it had been just over a year since I'd moved in with them. Our friendship, my relationship, were over.
For some reason, this made me really mad. I couldn't help thinking that it had all been fate, that it meant something, but I couldn't work out what. I stayed in several run-down flats and spent the next three months trying to work out what I was supposed to be doing.
Ironic that it took me so long to come up with this, really. I just got so frustrated one evening that I decided to hit the town in the same outfit Lori had made me wear, to see what would happen.
It was the strangest night. Everything seemed to go right for me – the bouncers always let me in, girls and guys tried to chat me up, I even got free drinks from the bar staff. It prompted me to do it again, and again, and, well...
Before long I was spending more time in women's clothing than not. It just felt so good, comfortable and somehow better than anything else I'd ever worn. I felt, well, sexy. Eventually I decided to go a step further – I talked to as many surgeons as I could, and came up with this: breasts created from minutely altering my DNA. They're as real as possible to get without being born female, but they cost me a small fortune.
I don't regret it. I've basically just been living in bars and tiny flats ever since, largely finding work as a bartender in clubs like LVB. Actually, that's my favourite club – maybe it was fate telling me what to do again, making sure I met you." Draco shifted uneasily at this.
"Harry, I'm not sure I really believe in fate..." Harry just smiled at him.
"After the life I've had, Draco, I'd find it hard not to."
Well, let me know what you think! Reviews help motivate me to write more, so if you want me to write further chapters it's really in your own best interests to do so... :)