Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. This story is merely my way of saluting her. I do not own any of these characters; I just manipulate their thoughts.
A/N: "Speech" and 'Thought'.
Thanks for the awesome support! I'm as excited as you guys are to see how this story turns out. And for all those who're wondering about… nudge, nudge, wink, wink… oh, it'll be there, just you wait.
-x-
"And so I slammed the door in her face. But not before I stuck my tongue out at her."
Draco sprayed his Butterbeer over the table, laughing incredulously.
"I never realized how satisfying that would be. I should do it more often," Harry said, innocently biting into the chicken wing.
Draco was coughing and nodding, grinning roguishly. He cleared his throat and said, "I guess I've had an influence on you then." He winked.
Dinner was a tumultuous affair. Draco's libido had spiked since the previous night and Harry had to pull all the stops to avoid getting mauled in the diner. Harry made sure to steer the conversation away from what had happened last night, merely skipping over that part and moving right into the morning after. He tried to engage Draco in talks about Christmas presents and traditions. He even brought up past Quidditch games to draw Draco out of his lustful stupor. But it was to no avail. Draco continued to smother him with a passionate look that would've ravaged him on the spot if Harry weren't slightly impervious to the Malfoy charms.
"Draco, stop doing that," Harry hissed under his breath, staring sternly at Draco.
Draco's eyes glinted playfully. He watched Harry for a moment longer, then turned to his potatoes. Harry was done playing nice.
"So, Malfoy, when was the first time you noticed me?" Harry asked nonchalantly.
Draco's fork slipped and clattered on his plate. His face flushed slightly as he tried to regain his composure. "I – well, I – that is… er."
Harry smiled slightly. "It's okay, didn't mean to put you on the spot."
"What? No, it's just – I've never thought about it. I mean, there isn't really a specific instant in time. I've been noticing you since first year, for heaven's sake! I don't when I started to notice you… this way," Draco said, wearing a strange expression on his face. "What about you?"
Harry shrugged. "Some time after the War, I'm guessing," he said, munching on his carrot.
"Ah, yes. My Quidditch performance did it for you then," Draco smirked.
"Don't flatter yourself. Those robes looked good on you," Harry muttered.
"Yeah, that too," Draco winked.
Harry groaned with exasperation. Everything was turned into a sexual innuendo with Draco. They got through dinner without any more complications. Harry footed the bill and they walked out into the cold winter night again.
"How 'bout a kiss then, Potter?" Draco asked, moving closer to Harry.
Harry stepped back. "A kiss is never just a kiss with you, Malfoy," he said, eying him slyly.
"Try me," Draco said quietly, putting his arm around Harry's waist. He bent down for a soft kiss. Harry complied reluctantly. Draco's cold lips warmed up against Harry's slow, fleeting mouth. Harry arched his back lightly to fill Draco's lips with his own. And it was over far too soon for both of them.
"Okay. There, a kiss. Happy?" Harry asked, trying to disengage himself from Draco's grasp.
Draco rolled his eyes and let go. "For now." Both men smiled wryly at each other before Disapparating.
Harry slid down the wall of his bedroom, his head clutched in his hands. "Fuck you, Malfoy. How're you doing this to me?" he muttered is frustration.
Draco sat heavily on his bed, his eyes dazed. A soft smile enveloped his face as he chuckled slightly before falling backwards onto the soft pillows.
-x-
"Look at what I got," Harry said, walking into Ginny's office.
"Oh, sure, now you want to talk," Ginny said smugly.
"Fine, you don't have to see it," Harry said, walking back out of her office.
"Wait!" her miserable wail sounded after him. He grinned impishly before entering the room again. Ginny had folded her arms in front of her and was pouting.
"Here," Harry said, thrusting his letter on the table. Ginny scrambled to grab it, letting out a low whistle when she read it.
"New Year's Eve party at Malfoy's. What kind of sketchy business are you guys planning on doing?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Merlin help me, I'm going to hex those eyebrows right off of you, Ginny," Harry muttered vehemently.
"Whatever, Harry. So… Am I invited?"
"I don't know, it's his party."
"Good, I'll be there at around 7. That's fashionably late, right? Hmm… What should I wear? Do you know of any cute guys who'll be coming? Should I bring a present? Wait, Harry, where are you going? I'm not done talking to you!"
-x-
Christmas with the Weasleys was entertaining, to say the least. Ron and Hermione lived in a house much bigger than the Burrow, but it was still difficult to walk about without stepping on a few toes. The twins did most of the toe stepping. The tree loomed over fireplace in the drawing room, shedding needles around the floor and glinting light off of the ornaments. Present were heaped up under it with no order, much to Hermione's chagrin. The house was artfully decorated with soft garlands and streamers. Christmas dinner was an occasion in itself. The spread was delicious and plenty. After a few jokes at Harry's expense, the turkey was brought out. After dinner, the famous Weasley fireworks display kept the crowd busy for another hour. Eggnog was flowing freely and marshmallows were roasting beside the fire. It turned out to be a typical Weasley Christmas.
Harry had mentioned Draco's party to the group a few days after Christmas. After an initial outburst of gushing and sputtering, the Weasleys were more than receptive of the idea. In fact, they were so receptive that unsolicited advice was spewing from all directions at Harry.
"Give him a bottle of wine. Everyone else is going to be bringing champagne."
"Yes, and make sure you look hot!"
"Do you want us to come?"
"Ron! Don't listen to him Harry. You just have fun."
"He'll try and get you drunk. Let him!"
"What?"
"Ron! You're such a prude."
"Am not!"
"Oh, make sure to hang around the mistletoe. That'll be a surefire way to get some action."
New Year's Eve drew in and Ginny made sure Harry looked absolutely mouth-watering for the party. He had on a tailored grey dinner jacket, complete with a white shirt and a red skinny tie. His fitted dark jeans made him look taller and leaner. His raven hair was gelled lightly and ruffled backwards so it wouldn't fall in his face. Ginny sighed with pleasure at the end product.
"It's times like these that I wish you were straight as an arrow, Harry."
"Shut it."
-x-
Draco was busily entertaining his guests, most of who were from his Quidditch team. He was having troubles getting the men out of his liquor cabinet. After an hour of unsuccessful busts, Draco let them have at it. His house was soon littered with intoxicated men and women dancing to the slow thumping music that was playing.
"Why do I agree to this every year?" he groaned at Pansy as he tried to clean up the mess that was made in the kitchen.
"Because you love us, Draco," Pansy replied, munching in a chocolate nugget.
"That can't be it," he mumbled. His doorbell rang and he jumped, feeling antsy.
"Ooh, is that who I think it is?" Pansy asked, grinning knowingly.
"If it is, he's late…" Draco said, walking out of his kitchen and into his drawing room. Draco took a deep breath and smoothed his sweater. 'Okay, no big deal.' He opened the door with finesse and a smug smile pasted on his face.
"Decided to finally show... up – Potter…" Draco meandered off with his words, staring at Harry.
Harry's stomach dropped when he saw Draco standing in the doorway. He was wearing a red sweater over his grey shirt, paired with black slacks. His clothes showed off his limber body perfectly. His face was flushed from the party and his hair looked magnificent with the slightly disheveled touch to it. And right now, he was gaping at Harry. Harry pulled himself together.
"Ginny's fault. She wouldn't let me leave. Wanted me to be fashionably late. Which is late in my books. Here, this is for you." Harry shoved the wine bottle into Draco's hands and quickly walked into the house, feeling Draco's gaze on his back.
Draco drew in a ragged breath and calmed himself down. 'It's okay, you have an entire night with him.' He composed himself and walked back to the party. Harry was already mingling with his friends, looking giddy at meeting all the Quidditch personalities in one room. It was a funny thing to watch because the people Harry met were gushing over the Head Auror too. Mutual respect led to relaxed introductions. Once in a while, Harry would catch Draco staring at him and he would shoot a small smile at the blond man. Draco's stomach would flutter every time Harry did this.
"Oh, for crying out loud, dance with him already," Troy said, grabbing Draco's glass from his hand.
Draco grinned appreciatively before wandering towards Harry. Harry glanced up and saw Draco. He bunched his eyebrows together questioningly.
"A dance?" Draco asked, holding out his hand.
"Er… I don't think so," Harry said, putting his hands firmly his pockets.
Draco looked miffed at Harry's reaction. "Why?"
"Because I'm terrible at it."
"I'll teach you."
The Baggert brothers smirked at each other before shoving Harry forward. He stumbled onto Draco. The blond wasted no time in wrapping his arm around Harry's waist and dragging him into the dance floor.
Harry protested softly but enjoyed the feel of Draco so close to him. Draco swayed with Harry, enjoying the calming beats of the music. Harry causally placed his hand on Draco's chest, feeling his heart.
"I guess I can do this," Harry said quietly, grinning at Draco.
"You're Harry Potter. What can't you do?" Draco said sarcastically.
"Hmm… True that," Harry mused, looking at Draco under his lowered lashes.
"Potter, you are looking way too good tonight."
"Again, thanks to Ginny."
"Thank Merlin for Ginny," Draco mumbled, smiling at Harry. He pulled Harry closer to him, feeling their legs touch intimately. Harry shivered with excitement. They moved around the floor, Draco leading easily. Harry felt like they'd been dancing for an eternity. He felt Draco's chest move against his. Draco's arms gripped his waist lightly, pushing or pulling slightly whenever they were about to change directions. Draco caught Harry every time he stumbled over his feet. They didn't talk, they just danced.
Their movement was eventually interrupted by Blaise's loud voice. "Ten seconds!"
The whole room cheered as they counted down. Harry stared up into Draco's brilliant eyes, chanting softly.
"Five, four, three, two, one! Happy New Year!" Champagne bottles popped and cheers and bubbles filled the air.
Draco leaned down and kissed Harry's inviting lips slowly, savoring the moment. Harry moved his hand from Draco's chest to his neck, pulling him down into the kiss. Draco pushed into Harry, parting his mouth easily and plunging a hungry tongue into the warmth. Harry moaned softly. He moved his tongue against Draco's, enjoying the fullness and eagerness of it. Draco was now bunching Harry's shirt under his hands, breathing heavily. Harry moved his hands to Draco's cheeks and with a flourish, ended their kiss. Draco had his eyes closed when Harry pulled away.
"That was a fucking fantastic way to start the New Year, wasn't it?" Draco asked, slowly opening his eyes.
Harry giggled and nodded.
-x-