Harry: Hogwarts the next morning
Our boy wonder is quite literally dragged from the nice (semi erotic) dream he had been by Hermione, "Yes, I'm glad that my new charm ended up working correctly. Now, Harry James Potter what was that in your dream about making out with Draco? Did that really happen?" She asks plopping down on the bed in front of Harry.
Hermione had recently become obsessed with spells that allowed people to enter others dreams and pull them out, claiming that she wanted to shift it around to help those in hospitals exit their comas.
"Why can't you leave the interrigation until i've woken up?" Harry groans out rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
"If I were to do that you would have time to think up an excuse or something believable, but only partially true." She counters eyeing him with an expression at odds with her light tone.
"Fine yes, it did happen. I forgot it because I got too drunk but then it slowly came back to me in dreams…." He admits looking at her from under his unruly bangs.
"Why didn't you talk to me about it?" She questions leaning toward the man, who is currently trying to unwrap his legs from the sheets knotted around them.
"To tell you what? That I'm unsure about so many things and that I wasn't ready to discuss it yet?" He counters finally untangling himself.
"Harry, you know I will help you any way I can and that includes talking you through things you are facing." She explains hopping off the bed to sit in a chair in the corner of the room.
"I know and I'm thankful for that, but I didn't even know where to start. Though I will admit some of the puzzlepieces I've been missing have fallen into place." He admits picking up his wand and casting some charms on his room.
"Like what?" Hermione asks in her typical curious fashion, as Harry had already guessed she would.
Harry simply cast his new patronus in front of Hermione, "I figured out what this is about….." He leaves off watching the large cat bat at a sock that had gotten lost behind his dresser.
"It's Draco isn't it?" She asks him softly casting her own patronus to go play with the large jungle cat.
"After I spoke to you about my patronus I saw a white tiger walking around the grounds at night on two seperate occasions. Then last night I was finally able to see the Tiger shift into its human form, showing me that my patronus matches the Animagus of one Draco Malfoy… Why would that happen?" He asks her his eyes wide and lost looking.
Hermione simply sighs, "I'm not sure I can answer that for you Harry, it seems that this time you can't just gain the information you need from me. You will have to figure this out yourself, or you might not end up learning what you need." She explains in vague terms.
"You know what it is, don't you?" He accuses meeting her brown eyed gaze with an equally stubborn one of his own.
"I…. Think so, but I will not be the one to tell you, and I'm not sure that Draco even knows quite yet. He might suspect like me but the truth won't show up for sure until later. Speaking of, thats why I woke you up." The brown haired witch mentions, obviously trying to get off the current subject.
Harry allows the subject change with a sigh, "And why exactly is that?" He deadpans glancing at her as he gathers some clothing together.
"His legal council that I told you about is here to meet you both." She explains waving her wand to get the tea started in the other room.
"Why is he meeting me?" Harry asks her as he slips into the bathroom to change and clean up for the day ahead.
"We need to inform him about the reason all of this is happening and since you are the one to discover the circumstances you will need to be the one to explain it." He hers her say as he changes into his robes.
"I see, so when is this little meeting happening?" He asks her as he comes out, talking around the toothbrush in his mouth.
"Now, Draco is already speaking with him. We were going to wait until you woke but that could take all day if it's left up to you. " She teases as she flips through the papers Harry had left on his desk in his bedroom.
"If you must know I was up all night and didn't fall asleep until late, I was looking over those papers that kingsley gave me." He mentions not meeting her shrewd eyes.
"That was the only reason you were up then?" She questions raising an eyebrow at his blatant avoidance of the elephant in the room.
"It does happen to be a very important subject, as it affects most of the wizarding world." He counters glancing at the papers once more over her shoulder.
"True, but we both know that there is more to that story than you are willing to share right now." She mentions softly finding something odd.
"Did you notice this little rune on the side of the pages?" Hermioine asks summoning a rune guide into the room.
"I noticed but thought nothing of it as Kingsley knows that I don't know anything about runes." He mentions watching the older witch leaf through the large book with practiced ease.
"But Kingsley also knows that you would share this information with me and I'm very knowledgeable and wouldn't look past them like you did." She mentions as she starts to arrange them.
"It seems that the runes in the left hand corner are just telling you the order of the pages whereas the ones in the righthand corner are actually a message." Hermione explains starting to write out the message left out on the pages.
"Shackles held on the pheonix by the toadstoll who has angered stalions, teddy bears hold Ravenclaw passwords in scrolls of green and red for christmas times. The toad controls the communication on parchment making for an interesting story. " Hermione reads out once she had finished writing it out.
"Shackles is for him and also meaning that those who have ties to the order of the pheonix are being watched or controlled, I'm guessing." Harry muses looking over the words on the parchment.
"I agree and the next set of words confirmed that it is Umbridge since she pissed of the centaurs and Kingsley knows that since he helped rescue her as part of his job." The witch muses writing down the explainations they are discussing next to the words.
"What is this about Teddy Bears though Harry?" Hermione asks him softly gazing at out the window for inspiration.
"That one should be obvious. He gave, or rather is giving, an uncoded version of events to my godson Teddy that holds the answers to the riddles we are facing. The answers are in red and green scrolls and we will be getting them at christmas time. To be able to do that without suspicion he has probably played up his relationship with my godson in front of those who would carry information to Umbridge." Harry explains sorting out the plan in his head.
"If you are right then we will have to wait to fully plan any offense until christmas." Hermione explains sliding the papers into the folder once more.
"Only some parts, he was quite insistent about the fact that Umbridge contolls the prophet. As that is the fact, we need to start with the media." Harry says glancing over the lists of words and phrases used in these stilted conversations.
"Lets go talk to your friend and then we can discuss more later." He says watching this start to consume Hermione.
/
Draco: Professors common room
Draco sat across from the table from none other than Oliver Wood, having not seen the man in several years Draco was not surprised to notice that Oliver had filled out quite nicely.
So It should come as no surprise to him that after staring at the former gryffindor for several minutes straight that there was a pair of fingers snapping in front of his face.
Glancing up into a beautiful pair of emerald eyes, Draco smiles as his favorite eye candy had entered the room.
"Are you alright?" Harry asks the blond man curiously, apparently not noticing the way Draco was eyeing him.
He simply nods before turning back to Oliver, who is smirking knowingly at the Silver eyed man, "Hello Harry, how have you been?" The older man asks with a warm smile.
"Hi Oliver, its been too long since I last saw you. I've been good, and by the way you look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Harry mentions with a small secretive smile.
That little smile causes Draco's insides to boil, in something he would never admit to as jealousy, but the next response caused it to only get worse.
"I know what you mean, but then again you look quite a lot better yourself." Oliver mentions with a smile and a wink.
Draco was just about ready to commit a true crime when he glanced down at the parchment in front of him to see words appear in Hermione's neat scrawl.
Draco, There is nothing there. Not only is Oliver straight but he is also engaged, there is literally no need for your envy. Also their last meeting was right after the war and Harry and Oliver were both very undernourished and had bruises, cuts, and scars covering them at the time. They aren't flirting they are expressing relief that their bodies both have healed and the war is officially over. If you would like though you could continue to amp yourself up and then do something that you would refer to as unMalfoy like.
Draco glares at the witch who only smiles back, turning his attention back to Harry and Oliver. They had apparently moved on a little, "I didn't know that you were the person Hermione called, I thought you were going to become a Healer?"
"After the war I dropped out of my healer classes and decided I wanted to do something to protect people from a failing society rather than sit on the sidelines and wait until they were already injured." He explains.
"Plus thats where I met my fiance, and I've never been happier." Oliver explains with a loving smile at the thought of the woman he loves.
"Well anyway lets get down to the bottom of this so that way your lives can resume, though if I know Harry there is no such thing as normal." He says turning his attention back to Draco as well.
They then stop and explain the information that they have, Harry even including the clues that they have just taken from the runes.
Draco smiles as he watches Harry explain, his face lighting up with wrathful intent and a tinge of ruthlessness for those he cares for.
After they answered all of the lawyers answers they waited for him to explain the situation, "Well there seems to be a problem. If you haven't realized already that you have to remove Umbridge or there will be no chance of you having a fair trial, she holds too much influence over those who will decide your fate. I will work on building your case but unfortunately you will need to work on ridding her taint from the ministry officials." Oliver explains looking over the notes hes made so far.
"I may need some more questions answered but for the moment that advice is all I can offer you until I crack open the books." He explains standing.
"Ill go get started and fire call you if I need anything." And with that Oliver leaves.
/
Harry and the twins: Diagon Alley
The captain of the slytherin team had asked that they move the practices until the next day and the rest of the two teams had agreed. Ever since their first joint practices the two teams had decided to practice against the other but once a month they had a private practice where they focused on strategy and special manuevers for their matches.
So with the practices rescheduled that had left Harry and Draco's afternoons wide open, so they decide to go their seperate ways at Diagon Alley and then meet up later for lunch.
Harry smirked back at Draco and stuck out his tongue before darting through the crowd toward Weasley's Wizarding Wizzes.
Stepping into the shop Harry ditched his robes in the back room. His first reason was that he had felt Draco place a harmless tracking spell on them, and the second was that he needed darker and more conceiling robes for where he was headed.
"Not that we don't like the strip show or anything, but maybe you should announce it so we can fully appreciate it." The amused voice of Fred filtered to Harry's ears.
Not bothering to turn Harry slips on the other pair of robes he had brought with him, "If I was planning on stripping for you I would be less worried about the show and more worried about what reason was causing me to do that. " Is his amused reply as he flips the hood out from the robes and adjusting them to fit properly.
"I suppose that's true, now where would the golden boy be planning on going in mysterious robes like those. If I didn't know better, I would suspect you came in here to change and slip out the back entrance of the store into Knockturn alley. Planning on getting a special blond a dark gift?" George asks from the door in front of Harry.
"Correct on all counts except the fact that the gift is dark, there are many things that are perfectly light but no longer sold in normal shops." Harry mentions making sure he has everything he needs.
"Oh and you boys need to improve your spellcraft, I was able to sense and remove that survellance charm easiy. I just have to wonder why you put a spying spell on a peace offering." Harry mentions casually as if they were talking about finances, "Maybe next time you won't put a half assed charm on me. Either you were forgetting that I was an auror or assuming that I let my training be forgotten since I started teaching, whichever the case you were wrong. If I didn't know how cocky you two were, I could very well allow myself to be offended by how you easily disregarded me as a threat."
The twins stare at the smaller man in front of them, slightly shocked and mostly impressed, especially as with those words Harry just walked through the third door straight onto Knockturn alley without even the slightest hesitation.
Pulling up his hood Harry walks down the alley with confidence, knowing that if he showed any uncertainty he would be immediately identified. Though Harry was considered a light wizard as an auror he had spent his fair share on knockturn, usually since most were too afraid.
When you are in a place long enough you find out even the deepest secrets of the places you frequent.
One such secret was the black market that went on in an area that many have assumed is only an abandoned sewer, when in actually it was created to make people think that and pass it by.
As the black market never held anything truly harmful to the general public Harry never felt the need to shut it down, and on days like this he was very glad of that fact.
As he walked in he nodded to a few people he had come to know as contacts in his auror times, heading up the stalls toward the only one he needed.
/
Draco: Diagon Alley
Draco smirked as he watches the childish way Harry acts walking, knowing full well that his tracking spell was known.
Draco didn't actually cast it to get that information but rather to distract Harry from what he was doing.
As soon as the dark haired wizard was out of sight Draco walked up to a shop owned by his family and slipped out of the robes Harry had spelled to catalog his actions before changing and apparating out of Diagon Alley.
Though there were many things in Diagon Alley that Draco could think of buying Harry the one thing that he had decided was not sold in England.
So Draco found himself walking along the familiar streets of the Wizarding market in France, his feet guiding him toward the high end shop he had planned on coming to all along.
Knocking on the door of what looked like a normal home, Draco said the password that he had gotten the day before as he talked to his contacts.
Once the door opens he grins at the face of Blaise Zambini, "What are you doing here?" Draco asks walking into the front entry parlor.
"Shopping for mother and I heard that you were searching for something that I thought she might have some interest in." He mentions with a shrug.
"Are you contact stalking me Blaise? Congradulations I was going to suggest you turn in your Dark wizard card, it wasn't getting near enough airing. " Draco teases as he brushes past his best friend with a wicked grin.
"Oh really, then you should lose yours as well. With how tightly you are wrapped around one of our light counterparts fingers. What is it that has you so infatuated? Is it the emerald eyes or that stunning ass?" Blaise asks his tone teasing to match Draco's.
"Neither, It's the dark wizard that I see peeking out to play when he thinks no one is looking." Draco responds looking around the large lively room under the scrutiny of the shopkeeper.
"Sounds fun, why haven't you decided to play with him yet? It's unlike you to not test those you see as conquests." Blaise mentions flippantly glancing over something orange and rather gaudy, though right up his mothers eclectic alley.
"If you haven't noticed I've spent nearly 10 years testing him, I think he can keep up with me." Draco admits reluctanctly, not wanting to admit it aloud.
"Ooh you sound positively smitten, Pansy would be so pissy to know that you admitted this to me before her. You know how she loves to make you admit things that make you seem like a human." Blaise mentions with a chuckle at the sour expression on Draco's face.
"You will not speak to Pansy about this, I will know if you do and that would not mean well for your wellbeing." Draco mentions casually as his eyes land on something blue, white, and gold.
Moving closer Draco leans over to examine the only thing that had managed to catch his eye for Harry, "So scary, maybe I'll go buddy up to Potter and hide behind him to see his dark wizard in action. I've heard that for his friends he tends to be a bit vengeful."
"That's actually very true, but if you piss me off you won't have enough time to hide behind him like the little girl you are." Draco mentions grinning at Harry's gift.
"That is rather stunning, why are you going so out of your way for a present like that?" Blaise asks glancing at his younger friend.
"He might have challenged me to a gift war when he found out that I tried to manipulate him." Is the quiet answer as they both paid for their gifts.
"Ahh I see, and Draco Malfoy can never allow himself to be beaten." Blaise summarizes with a knowing smirk.
"Well I will see you on Christmas, your parents already invited my family to their Christmas party." Blaise mentions with a smirk, "Oh and your mother told me to inform you that if you don't bring a date you should expect no less than 12 eligible women to be pushed on you, She seems to think that you already have someone you can bring. I've always enjoyed your mother's company as she is a very intelligent woman." The dark Italian explains before opening the door to leave, "Either that or she's much more skilled with more contacts than even you, but with the message recieved I will excuse myself and expect to see you with a green eyed date by Christmas." Blaise says as a parting shot and apparates.
WIth a smile and nod Draco apparates back to Diagon Alley, thinking about just how much and how little Blaise seemed to understand.
/
Harry: Diagon Alley
Sitting at the cafe château ciel, Draco's choice, Harry watched those around him waiting for Draco. Fortunately he didn't have to wait long as the Aristocratic blonde slid into the seat across from him moments later.
Draco smiled across the table at Harry, "How has your day been?" He asks with a smile looking over the brunnet for any signs of where he had gone, but only seeing the same normal robes he'd had on before.
Draco smirked as he saw that Harry seemed to be doing the same thing, "Good, I spent most of my day at the twins shop. What about you?" Harry asks with a smile.
"Mine was satisfactory, I spent most of mine looking over one of my fathers shops to see how it was doing." He explains with a smile as well.
"Ahh sounds very interesting." Harry teases while trying to make sense of the french menu in front of him.
Draco pauses and casts a translating charm over the menu for Harry, "And dealing with finances for the twins shop is?" He counters with a smirk.
"They make it interesting, I bet the people you were working with were no fun." Harry mentions with a dismissive wave.
"I work alone thank you very much, so they are far more interesting than those red haired hooligans." Draco mentions with a disdainful sniff.
Harry starts to laugh, "God when you do that you sound like your father," Harry mentions with a smile.
Draco has the peace of mind to look horrified for several seconds before he is interupted by the waitress coming to get their orders. Draco, of course, orders his and Harry's in perfect french smirking as Harry rolls his eyes at his companions antics.
"So where did you really go today?" Draco asks with a smile staring at Harry from across the table with intent.
"I went to knocturn Alley and bought something illegal." Harry tells him pretending like he is trying not to smile and give away the "joke."
"Oh funny, no really where did you go?" Draco asks rolling his eyes but allowing an indulgent smile to grace his features.
"You should know as you put a tracking charm on my clothing." Harry points out leaning back in his chair with a smile.
"Pot calls the kettle black, You did the exact thing to me if you remember correctly." Draco counters with a small smirk.
"I'm actually slightly surprised that you found that." Harry mentions with a smile his wide eyes betraying his true surprise.
"You know I'm actually a pretty decent wizard." Draco comments flippantly rolling his eyes.
"Sorry I didn't mean to insinuate that you weren't…" Harry says softly as his fingers brush against those of the man across from him.
"I know, Im just joking around." Draco says squezing Harry fingers as he notices that they had been slowly leaning toward each other.
They quickly broke apart as they hear the snap of a camera come from Harry's right. Glancing over he sees one of the few people that he can honestly say he dislikes.
"Rita Skeeter, to what level of hell do I owe the honor?" Harry asks his tone positively dripping with sarcasm and dislike.
"Oh you know, just following the story that the readers want to know about." She says with a shrug, "And it's funny that I found you sitting here with our infamous Mr. Malfoy, if this was a romance I could even venture you two as Romeo and Juliet. Being Polar opposites yet holding some sort of a relationship is very distressing for many in the wizarding world, you know."
"It seems very fitting to me that you are a reporter, with your buglike tendencies and all." Draco mentions with a cold smile.
"Oh tut tut, there is absolutely no need for hollow threats my dear." Rita scolds as if she was a mother figure, her quill flying across her notebook, "Now answer me a few questions and I'll leave you boys alone." She offers, quite gene rously in her opinion.
"Go to hell." Is Harry's prompt answer to the blonde reporter.
"I agree with Harry's sentiments, though I personally wouldn't phrase it in quite the same way." Draco explains with a smile aimed at Harry.
Harry smiles back before respond, "That's because you are a ponce." He says sweetly ignoring Skeeter.
"I am not, I just don't have an over inflated ego about what others think about me." Draco says with a matching sweet tone.
"We will finish this conversation later, when others who are untrustworthy aren't in hearing distance." Harry tells Draco coldly.
"Oh don't mind little ole me, I myself would love to see how this goes." Rita says cackling softly as the quill keeps going.
"You sure are a beetle bitch." Draco says softly with a dark glare before returning to Harry, "I agree we will, later."
"Scratch that last bit he said out, and may I say you boys have awfully foul language for the premier wizards of your generation." Skeeter mentions with a frown.
"You are only saying that because you want something, now get out." Draco says pointing to the door.
"This is a public place, you can't tell me to leave." Rita says with a smirk as she twirls a strand of her hair around a manicured finger.
"Actually I can, since my family owns it. Now get out before I contact the Auror's" Draco tells her, furious.
"I will leave but I will be writing a story on this, whether you like it or not." The infuriating woman tells them as she walks out.
After a second of awkward silence Harry breaks it, "Do you honestly believe I have an overinflated ego?" He asks almost seething.
"I used to but I don't now." Draco responds as their lunch is set down in front of them, by an understandably nervous waitress.
After thanking her Harry responds, "Then why did you say that, especially in front of Skeeter?" He asks Draco eating.
"Because if you were being controlled by me there is no way that we would be fighting. Also that is something that I was aware would get a rise out of you." Draco says with a shrug.
"So you pissed me off to prove a point?" Harry asks putting his fork down.
"Precisely and to clear both of our names of the current taint that has been cast on them by those in the Prophet." Draco admits, getting a little nervous.
"Sounds good, I could care less about my good name but any proof we have for your case is a postitive." Harry admits eating some more of his soup.
Draco turns to look at Harry, "Do you really care so little about yourself?" He asks completely flabbergasted by the mere thought.
"Well in my mind what the public and stupid reporters think couldn't matter less to me, the only people's views that I care about are those who are close to me." Harry explains as he watches Draco eat some of his food.
"See I was raised believing that your good name is the only thing that matters, even above your own life. That's why in Pureblood society so many commit suicide, its especially popular in pureblood girls that get pregnant." Draco mentions his eyes dark and unreadable.
Harry decides not to question him, knowing that if he was allowed to hold things back so was Draco, understanding that some secrets are best left unspoken until better times.
The rest of their lunch goes well as they talk about all sort of things, yet nothing just enjoy the mindless chatter that they found that they could keep up with the other.
On their way Harry turns to look at Draco, "Did you say that your family owned the cafe that we just ate at?" He asks softly his mind pulling ideas and notions together.
"I did, I didn't really want to bring that up but it seemed necessary." Draco defends becoming cautious.
Draco's defense was unneeded as that wasn't the reason Harry asked, "So if your family owns and opperates a lot of business and political standpoints in the wizarding world, is it possible that you could do a corporate takeover of the Daily Prophet?" He asks softly his thoughts whirling.
"Actually that's brilliant, and its completely possible. The only problem is that it would take some time, what would we do in the meantime?" Draco questions glancing at his companion.
"Well ever since the war there has been another paper that has gained more popularity, more as a gag but also with the fact that anything important that has my backing goes throught it. We could do an article and have it printed in this magazine, I know they wouldn't alter anything we say and would do a good job." Harry says cautiously, almost nervously.
"What's the drawback, it sounds almost too good to be true." The blond mentions eyeing Harry quizically.
"Well the paper is the Quibbler…" Harry mentions softly, pulling back to watch Draco's expression closely.
"Well….. I suppose that it could be worse. If nothing else I know that you can trust them to not tarnish this story, and it will eventually be backed by the word of the prophet if things work out." Draco says, his expression wary but not opposed.
"Well then I really must get back to Hogwarts to get some things done before the holiday's are over." Harry mentions with a nod as it seems that they are in agreement over this short term plan.
"I do as well, until tomorrow Harry." Draco says before turning and apparating. As he went Harry could have sworn that he saw a look in Draco's eyes that he hadn't seen in a very long time.
Those molten eyes had held an emotion that Harry had come to accept might never be held for him, love. Whether or not it was a figment of his imagination was the true question in Harry's eyes, as it was so unusual.
/
Draco: The next day
The blond sat on the Slytherin bench waiting for his darker haired rival to meet them for a day of quidditch practicing. Soon enough his waiting was over as he saw the emerald eyed man walking across the field.
Standing he tosses Harry, his broom, which the brunet easily catches with a large grin. Glancing down at his broom Harry notices that it's already been prepped for flight.
The team assembles intermingling somewhat between the two houses, laughing and joking around as they wait for any late comers and their Heads of Houses.
Speaking of the Heads of houses, they seem to be far too busy flirting to care what their team is up to, that is until they see the Headmistress walk onto the pitch.
Both men come to attention as she approaches wondering what she wants, "I was wondering if it would bother you boys to have me watch this practice? Maybe I could see you play against each other like you used to?" She prompts before, without waiting for an answer, takes a seat in the stands.
Looking at each other they shrug but become much more worried as they see Hermone take a seat next to the headmistress, their heads bowed together discussing something furiously while glancing down at the pitch occasionally.
Deciding to ignore the odd antics of their coworkers they get their teams to work on different starting exercises to get warmed up, before sending them through some basic routines.
As their teams do that they discuss how to go about the request, demands, that Headmistress Mcgonagall had mentioned. Deciding on a plan they nod and motion their teams down to the ground.
"Alright everyone, today as we have some guests viewing our practice we have decided that we will play a mock game against one another. Also as we are short one player on each team, we have decided that those positions will be filled by Professor Potter and I." Draco explains with a dark glint running through his eyes, eager to get back on a broom and face off against his rival once more.
The team erupts in voices whispering and talking excitedly, loving when their professors decide to play with them as it makes an incredible game.
As the team rises into the air Harry and Draco mount their brooms and slide into the unfilled position. Draco is currently filling the position of a Chaser, while Harry is sitting confidently in the position of a beater holding his club with a dark grin aimed at Draco.
Draco grins back and winks as soon as the quaffle is thrown, grasping it almost effortlessly as he hears Harry laughing from elsewhere on the pitch.
Passing it back and forth Slytherin was able to make a goal rather quickly, while Gryffindor was too focused on Draco to truly have a decent offense.
"Stop focusing on Professor Malfoy, he's using that to allow his teammates to slip past you." Harry bellows smacking a bludger toward one of the chasers who was nearing the goal.
Hearing this the Gryffindor's fanned out and though he was more than covered, Draco noticed they were also opposing the others on his team.
Looking over with a grin he meets the emerald eyes of his love before spiriling into a steep dive and catching the quaffle where his team had dropped it for him.
When he evened out he flinched feeling something wizz far too close to his head for comfort, he didn't even have to turn to know which beater had sent that bludger.
Darting in and out of the younger players Draco passed the quaffle through the top ring with a victorious whoop.
His attention was broken as he noticed the Gryffindor seeker chasing after a golden blur. Draco decided to ignore it for now and get as many points as he could, heading for his teammate who was clutching the quaffle tightly.
Seeing Draco the girl grins softly and underhand tosses it to him, catching it he goes on to make a few more goals for his team.
As he went to gather another goal for Slytherin he felt something incoming, but with it's speed knew that he would be unable to dodge. That did not stop Draco from trying to avoid the bludger, but was unsurprised when it hit his brown and broke it.
Down Draco went until he felt himself hit something that deffinitely did not feel like the ground, this caused the blond to open his eyes and see what had stopped his fall.
When his eyes met an amused emerald set his face broke into a small smile, "Your hero complex got the best of you again, didn't it?" He teases as he shifts on the broom to make the decent more comfortable for both.
"Actually the game is over since my team caught the snitch, catching you was just a bonus of winning. " Harry purrs softly tightening his hold on the older man.
Draco laughs softly, "See I knew you would grow fond of me, I'm rather hard to ignore." Draco purrs back softly before their feet touch the ground.
Harry, Draco finds out was indeed telling the truth that his team had lost. That is expected when a team gets the snitch usually though.
They all head back to the changing room after getting points and congradulations from the headmistress for a game well played.
Before Draco steps into the locker room he feels a light touch on his elbow, "May I have a word?" Came the soft voice of Hermione as she scanned thearea for something.
"Yes, of course."
"You need to push the issue with Harry, or nothing will happen. He can be rather oblivious as we've already addressed, but I believe he feels something for you as well. Maybe you could…."
"I'm sorry for interupting but I will not push Harry, I will allow him to figure things out in his own time and I'll wait until that time. I don't want him to make a decision to be with me because he sees that as an option to save our friendship or the fact that he doesn't want to hurt me. I want him to choose me because he cares for, or even loves me." Draco explains to the normally bossy woman with a soft smile.
"I see, then I suppose there is nothing more for me to say. I just hope for your sake he does realize and it doesn't take too long." Hermione mentions before walking out.
Little do they know that their conversation was not near as hidden as they originally thought...
/
Harry: The Quidditch pitch
Currently he was waiting for his blond companion to make his way out of the changing rooms, Draco took forever to get ready.
Harry jumped when he felt someone behind him, "Don't be so jumpy, it's only me. I'm guessing you were waiting for me." He heard Draco drawl out as he turned to look at the Slytherin.
"I was, there is something I was hoping to discuss with you." Harry mentions not quite meeting Draco's gaze instead glancing at the sunset behind the blond.
He sees Draco watching him closely as if trying to read his mind, Harry takes a small step closer to the other man, then another. Soon enough he and Draco are only seperated by a few inches.
"You know, I'm not near as oblivious as most people think. I just didn't saysomething because I wanted to see how things would go if it was thought that I hadn't realized the truth. I wanted to see how you would react to having to wait for me. I also was taking that time to make some decisions myself and after hearing how you handled Hermione and what she wanted you to do, i've come to a decision. I want this, I want you." Harry breathes out as he presses his lips against the shocked man in front of him.
After a second Draco melts into the kiss and wraps an arm around Harry's waist to pull the other man closer.
Harry smiles enjoying how well they fit together, as Draco starts to take control of the kiss by nipping at Harry's lower lip. Harry not about to be beat catches the blondes lip between his teeth and scrapes his teeth on it softly and sucking on the fles, dragging a soft groan from Draco's throat.
Spinning around Draco's shifts them until Harry's back is against the wall of the locker rooms, drawing a delicious gasp from the dark haired man. Harry smiles softly at him his thoughts completely focused on the gorgeous creature in front of him.
Draco kept their lips locked through the movement and is now slowly prodding Harry's lips with his tongue, waiting patiently for Harry.
Harry smirks and sucks Draco's tongue into his mouth teasing the other man, instead of feeling teased Draco smirks back and pulls back teasing Harry's tongue into a soft sensual dance.
Once they pull away for breath, Draco seems to find something fascinating with making Harry release noises. As he gently yet firmly traces and sucks on the Brunet's neck enjoying the breathy gasps and soft moans he has dragged from the smaller man.
"You realize that after that little declaration earlier I will never let you go, you will end up being mine. If I have my way you'll find a ring on your finger, because I will never be able to look at another person like I look at you. I will do everything in my power to make sure that you will never think of another person like this, I want your heart, your body, and soul. I may sound selfish but I want all of you, and in return you can have all of me." Draco purrs out softly as he traces his teeth over the soft hollow of Harry's throat, drawing a shiver out of the green eyed man.
"Why do you think I took so long to think things over, I know what I'm getting into. Now all you have to do is bring it." Harry purrs back his tone holding a challenge.
Draco simply smirks before assaulting the spot on Harry's neck that he found to be more sensitive, causing the smaller man to release a soft moan.
Hearing footsteps Draco slowly steps away and casts a few charms to straigten their appearances, not knowing if Harry was ready for this new thing to go public quite yet.
He smiles when he sees Hermione rounding the corner, "There you two are, the Headmistress needs you to head to the Room of Requirements. She needs you to aide her with something." Hermione says with urgency, "She also said to hurry."
/
Draco: Hogwarts
He was on cloud nine, he finally had Harry within his grasp and like he promised he would not be letting him go, ever. All he had to do now was to finish knitting the trap on Harry's heart and snap it shut.
He was in such a euphorious mood that not eve Hermione coming to retrive them could dappen it. Instead they all simply quickly moved to the Room of Requirements, quickly so that he and Harry could go back to "talking."
Outside the Room Mcgonagall stood waiting for them, "Ah there you two are, It seems that two hooligans have locked themselves into the room of requirements and are up to no good, I would like you two as they most certified for the job to get to the bottom of this and flush them out."
They both nod and tell her they will before slowly stepping through the door, Inside is not exactly what either of them expected.
The room looks almost like a greek hallway lined with different artifacts on pedestals, after every pedestal is a force field.
Harry of course tries to walk through, but when he gets knocked back sits there ans tries to take it down with all sorts of Auror spells.
When that doesn't work Draco casts a spell to see what they have to do to get past the barrier, surprisingly they only have to touch the item on the pedestal.
Taking Harry with his he checks out the artifact, before putting both of their hands on the object which looks oddly like a blanket.
When they touch it they feel themselves being sucked into what is similar to a pensieve memory but better. It seems that in these events everything is premade and they are simply riders in their own bodies, yet feeling the emotions and physical as if they were the ones in control.
Harry is sitting in front of the fire staring at the flames as he feels himself being held, feeling so at peace and happy Harry glances back only to find that draco has the same calm expression on his face.
As soon as their eyes meet, they are pulled out and the barrier falls allowing them to go into the next memory sequence.
In this one they are skating, and rather competitively as Draco tries to catch Harry for something he teasingly said, or so the memory explains. Once Draco catches up to him, he picks up Harry and kisses him senseless smiling victoriously.
"What is going on here? McGonagall said it was two hooligans, why would they do this?" Harry asks softly trying to keep the smile off his face from the last sequence.
"I have an idea but I won't be sure until we've finished the rest of these event's" Draco tells him, taking Harry's hand and leading him toward the next seeing only three more.
In this one Harry and Draco are sitting in front of a table filled with children of varrying ages that resemble them, Harry feels an ache in his chest as he sees the family he could one day have for himself.
When he is pulled out of that one Harry throws the artifact, "Harry, are you okay?" Draco asks softly sidling up to the younger man.
"What gives these people the right to play with our emotions like this?!" He yells enraged as he trembles, thinking obout his own failed family experiences.
"Why do you call it playing with our emotions?" Draco questions softly leaning down to capture Harry's emerald eyes with his own silver ones.
"Because that sequence was specifically meant for me, not you. I was the one who never had a family, I grew up alone and all i've ever wanted was to have a family and make sure that my childhood would never be repeated in my own children." Harry babbles gesturing wildly as the memories flash through his mind.
Catching one of Harry's wrists Draco smiles, "Calm down Harry, one day you will achieve those things. I believe these sequences are not to play with emotioins but rather to show us more." Draco muses rubbing the inside of Harry's wrist.
"Like what?" the Brunet asks his eyes flashing with anger.
"Love, I think they are trying to play matchmaker with us as the targets." Draco clarifies, "And I think I know who it is, but I can't be completely sure yet."
"Well then shall we continue?" Harry asks his breathing calming along with the fire that had been lighting his eyes up.
"I see no other option, especially as the fact that the barriers went back up as we passed them. We have to get to the end to exit once more." Draco explains as he touches the next statue.
Harry nods and his hand slowly moves to join Draco's. This sequence is brighter, a white glow seems to permiate the room as they find themselves laying on the bed. Draco is on top of Harry and is tickling him with an indulgent smile, "Teaches you to say that again, " He huffs laying back before pulling Harry closer and kissing him softly, "I love you"
When they get out of this sequence it is not Harry that is shaken, but rather Draco. Trying to hide how unsettled he feels, Draco turns to examine Harry's expresion. Harry has a soft smile on his face, clearly having enjoyed the last one in one way or another.
Moving onto the next and final one, Draco pauses, "This one will be the grand finale in one way or another, it will most likely be longer and deeper. Are you ready?" He asks the man who had captured his heart.
"Im ready, but really, Scared Malfoy?" Harry asks with a devious grin and a wild twinkle in his already bright eyes.
"Never," The Malfoy heir replies as he places his hand on the last statuette, this one of two figures twined around each other.
Harry twines his fingers through Draco's as he touches the figures as well a fond smile playing over his features.
Draco feels his eyes widen of their own volition as they are poured into the final sequence. THis one is as Draco said bigger and better than the others.
He and Harry seem to be standing at their own wedding, saying their vows, and Draco can practically feel the sunlight on his skin, or was it the love in the air? The sequence then does something that the others never did, it changed.
In the second half of the event, Draco finds that Harry and himself are peeling their "wedding clothes" off each other and are stuck in a passionate embrace. Mouths are locked in an intense struggle, hands flying over sensitive heated flesh, and a myriad of sensual sounds are emerging from the couple edging toward the bed.
At this point they are both shoved out of the event, both men panting and unfocused on their surroundings as the last statue still was leaving an impression.
Harry recovers himself first and grabbing Draco's hand, drags both of them through the door at the end of the Hall and into the room they had been fighting to get into.
Inside the room they find several dressers surrounding the room, some beautiful and stunning art work.
Finally their attention is dragged to the center of the room where there is a gigantic bed built into the floor, covered in all sorts of silken pillows and covers.
When they hear laughter both men's attention is drawn to an alcove that they had previously overlooked off to the side of the room where there is a large soft looking couch. The problem is not the couch, but rather the fact that it is still occupied.
"Glad you two could make it, this little stunt took us months to put together. Especially knowing that it was you two that we were trying to containg, made this all the more enjoyable."
"How did you like our little future events, they were quite vivid weren't they? I believe that we will be altering that spell and selling it in our stores." The twins simultaniously mention with matching chesire cat grins.
"We won Harry, and you know it." one of them, George, Draco thinks says with a wink aimed at the brunet.
Draco smirks after seeing the expression on Harry's face, it seems that he is about to rain on their parade.
"I should have known that it was you two, and yes I was aware of what you've been trying to do for months. We weren't truly in a Prank War, I was simply lashing out at you for interfering where you weren't wanted. The truth is, we did not need your help. Draco and I, well we've both admitted to wanting something between us. So this whole stunt was irrelivant and actually you wasted your time." Harry explains quite brutally.
"I still think we achieved something, as you can't leave until you've indulged your darker selves." Fred explains with a wink and a grin.
"The problem is that we were probably going to do that without your interferance anyway before you had Hermione come get us." Draco says with a sardonic grin.
"So run along Fred George, I will expect to see all those involved in this tomorrow. You owe me, now get out." Harry tells them pointing to the door, "And if you have enough time to plan something like this maybe you should be trying to get your brother to propose to his girlfriend as they would be much more fun for you to target." He says as he watches them prance out with their head held high.
"Oh one step ahead of you Harry, it's only a matter of time." Fred purrs walking out.
As soon as they are out of the room Draco pulls Harry into his arms, "I'll have to thank them for setting up the bedroom for us, but I'm done talking now I just want to show you how much better we can be than that watered down wedding night event." Draco purrs nipping on Harry's earlobe, "All you have to say is yes."
Harry pauses as Draco continues to play with his neck and ear, causing the brunet to shiver and squirm. Harry thinks for a moment before shaking his head, "Yes, I want that and much much more." Harry purrs back before leaning over to capture Draco's lips.
