Moving On
Harry waltzed into work with a surprising spring in his step for someone who had consumed an entire bottle of wine the previous evening. It was remarkable how good a hangover cure that three second goodnight kiss had been! He reigned in his enthusiastic grinning when he met up with Hermione and Ron for morning coffee, not wanting to give his feelings away. They asked, of course, how the evening had gone. Harry was selective with the details, not mentioning anything about hugging by the window, cuddling on the sofa or the goodnight kiss.
'It was good. My cooking was ok.' He began. 'And Fawkes was glad to see Draco I think.'
'Did Draco give you any tips on how to look after him?' Ron asked, making a point of using Draco's first name.
'He told me about what songs I should sing.' Harry replied. 'And Fawkes actually sang of his own accord at the end of the night. I think Fawkes really likes Malfoy, so I guess I will have to ask him round again.' Harry said casually.
Hermione raised her eyebrows and gave Harry a cynical smile.
'What?' Harry asked crossly.
On the whole, Draco enjoyed his couple of days in Italy. He was working in Milan at a promotional even for Magical Playmates. It was meet and greet type stuff really, and he was allowed to wear proper clothes! They didn't insist he walked around in his underwear, which he had feared when they told him about the event! It was enjoyable work, fun, sociable and light-hearted.
Despite this, throughout Thursday and Friday he found his mind wondering back to Potter and in particular to the goodnight kiss he had given him on Wednesday. Had he been a bit impulsive? Potter was being very nice to him and could possibly turn into a good friend, but Draco didn't want to get carried away... Did he...?
Maybe it was something to do with being back in Italy, but Draco found himself thinking about Albus. They had never been together in Milan but they had spent time in many other parts of the country. Somehow the Italian air, the heat, the light, reminded him of Albus intensely.
This only made him more confused about Harry. Harry was nice in ways Draco had never imagined he would be, but Draco couldn't be falling for him... could he? Surely he couldn't. Not so soon after losing Albus. And how did Potter feel about him anyway? He certainly seemed to flirt a bit, and he never missed an opportunity for a hug or some other type of physical contact. Perhaps he was just a very touchy-feely guy? Draco didn't know. One thing he did know was that he was really looking forward to seeing Potter again and he didn't want to ruin that feeling by over analysing how he felt about him. A few weeks ago Draco hadn't imagined he would ever look forward to anything again. Strange and unexpected as it was, Potter had become a ray of hope for him. And that was ok, Draco told himself. It was ok and he should just try not to worry about it.
Draco arrived back at his house on Jasmine Avenue early Saturday afternoon in quite a cheerful frame of mind. He made a cup of tea and sat down at the kitchen table to open the letters which had arrived while he was away. Glancing down at the envelopes his heart sank and his stomach lurched. He recognised that scruffy, uncoordinated handwriting, the letters aggressively formed... Fabian had written to him again.
Draco felt a wave of fear as he opened the envelop, which was not unfounded as it turned out the letter contained within consisted of two pages of the most hurtful, vitriolic writing Draco had ever received. It made the letters he received from his Father look positively loving in comparison. Fabian had clearly not taken kindly to his request for reconciliation being ignored and had lashed out, as was his usual style.
Fabians letter did nothing but confirm Draco's low opinion of him, but it is almost impossible to receive two pages of personal abuse and not be upset by it. Particularly when they come from someone who you once loved.
Draco had loved Fabian in the early days, although he was loathed to admit it now. He met him just 2 months after he had parted company from Albus in Rome and Draco was in a very confused place at that time.
Albus was not the only one who had noticed that he and Draco had a pattern of meeting and parting. He was not the only one who was beginning to feel it was not serving them well. Draco, as deeply and completely as he loved Albus, and as much as his logical mind understood why they weren't 'together', was beginning to feel hurt. Used, even. Albus and he came to each other for company and intimacy but however wonderful the connection between them, they never made any commitments to each other.
Draco wanted a relationship. He wanted a relationship with Albus, he always had, ever since the Tri-Wizard year at Durmstrang. Albus had always said no. He insisted Draco should have his own life and should not be tied down to an old man like him. But Draco didn't have his own life. Half of his heart was waiting, always waiting for Albus to walk back into his life. And whenever he did walk back into Draco's life, he always walked back out again. Draco wanted to be ok about this, he had tried, but deep down he wasn't ok about it. It hurt that they "couldn't" be together, it hurt every time they said goodbye. After they had been together in Rome, Draco couldn't take it anymore. He would have to come to terms with the fact that Dumbledore was never going to be with him in any real way. He had to try and let it go. Draco wanted a relationship, a real relationship and it seemed that he had to accept that Albus did not want that. Not now. Not ever. Not with Draco. It broke Draco's heart.
Then along came Fabian Eversole. Five years older than Draco. Strong, confident, charming and looking for a boyfriend, not just a fling. Fabian had been charming in the early days. He had been spontaneous, impulsive and fun. He had an exciting unpredictability about him, suggesting surprise day trips, nights out under the stars and last minute adventures. Fabian avoided heavy conversation, except when he wanted to win Draco over. He told him early on that he wanted a serious relationship and that he would 'look after' Draco. Fabian was handsome, young, successful and available. He was boyfriend material. Draco decided this was the only way he was ever going to move on with his life. He let himself fall.
Sadly, people like Fabian don't come with a warning label. It was several months into the relationship before Draco even got an inkling of his true character. It happened at a party. Some of Draco's friends were there, some of Fabians, and some people they did not know. Throughout the night, one man kept trying to talk to Draco. A man Draco didn't know. Draco wasn't keen to talk to him, but as he was a friend of a friend, Draco was polite and tolerant whilst making every effort to evade him. Fabian however perceived it somewhat differently. It wasn't until they were alone in their hotel room that he started yelling at Draco, accusing him of flirting, being a slut, being a tease and an embarrassment. Draco was devastated. He even began to question himself... Had he been like that? He tried his best to sooth Fabian, to de-escalate the situation and apologise for what he had, or hadn't, done. It was obvious that Fabian had had too much to drink. Draco should have kept his distance but he wanted to make up. He had never wanted to fight in the first place. He put his arm gently around Fabians shoulders...
This was a big mistake. Fabian lashed out at him, not quite sober enough to hit him, but coordinated enough to throw him across the room. Draco was frightened more than he was hurt, but the threat of aggression now hung in the atmosphere between them. The next morning Fabian apologised for 'being a bad ass'. His apology was casual, childish and insincere, but it shamed Draco into thinking he had probably over reacted. It had only been one time, he hadn't been hurt. He shouldn't really make a fuss. But Fabian's emotional abuse continued. There would be gaps between episodes and Draco would think they had turned a corner... Until something would happen and suddenly Draco would be apologising for something he hadn't done or even apologising for his own feelings. He wore the clothes Fabian told him to, spoke to the people Fabian liked him to speak to and unhappily did whatever it was that Fabian wanted to do just to try and keep the peace.
The relationship lasted months longer than it should have done, partly because Draco was too afraid to try and leave. He knew that was foolish of him. If there was one thing he was confident of it was that his magic ability was stronger than Fabians, so he shouldn't have felt in danger. However, by this point his confidence was so low, it was hard not to feel a little bit scared all the time. It was Draco's friend Valentina who helped him escape in the end. She talked some sense into him, boosted his confidence and supported him. Valentina had been at the ill-fated party, she had watched Fabian like a hawk, noticing subtle changes in his behaviour throughout the evening. Seeing Draco, red eyed, the following day had confirmed her worries and she had hadn't trusted Fabian since.
As messy as it was, Draco did escape at last. He explained as kindly, frankly and honestly as he could that the relationship wasn't working for him and he needed to end it. They were too different and were not right for each other. Fabian couldn't understand the problem and told Draco to take some time to think about it. They could see how he felt in a week. After all, he was probably just being silly and emotional, like he always was. He would regret it in a day or two!
Draco stayed with Valentina and her two housemates immediately after the break up. Valentina was the only person Draco knew who really understood what this was like. She had been there herself. Just 10 months after she left school and gave up everything to be with Madam Carvelle, the potions mistress who she had fallen in love with, their relationship had turned sour. After a heartbreaking struggle, Valentina packed her bags and left. Her parents wouldn't take her back. She really had lost everything. She had stayed with Draco, or rather travelled with him, before settling in Toulon, sharing a house with some girls she and Draco had met in Cannes.
Draco had little over a week's respite before the abuse from Fabian started all over again, this time via the media. He trashed Draco every chance he got in magazines, newspapers and on the radio. Their relationship had always been high profile, a Quidditch star and a model, it was bound to be very public. The break up was even more so. Draco felt hounded as the press seemed desperate to get hold of his side of the story, particularly as Fabian became more and more unpleasant and began to dramatically discredit himself. Eventually everyone began to reach the conclusion that Fabian was a liar and they were more and more curious to know what he had put Draco Malfoy through. It would have been easy, Draco knew, to give an exclusive report to a magazine and be the best selling issue of the year. It would have boosted his own fame dramatically. At one point Magical Playmates even suggested he do it for that reason. Draco refused. If he did that he would be proving Fabian right when he called Draco a shallow, self serving media whore. Draco was not the horrible person Fabian had made him out to be and he was prepared to prove it. He was gracious in interviews and kept his dignity, saying as little about his personal life as possible, despite all the questions.
It hurt Draco a lot, because he felt like everyone hated him. He felt like he must be a horrible person if everyone thought he was. Felt like he did when he was at Hogwarts. If everyone thought he was bad then it must be true.
But, not everyone thought he was bad, did they? There was one person who had always seen the good in him... Draco couldn't go to Albus. He was too proud, to hurt, felt too foolish.
It was spring time. Draco decided to hide, to lay low for a while. He told no one except Valentina, he packed his bags and disappeared to a quiet sleepy street in Prague where he could spend some time alone.
The aftermath of the breakup had hurt Draco more than the end of his relationship, confirming how bad for him Fabian actually was. Even with that knowledge, it still hurt to get a letter like this one.
Draco burnt the letter immediately. Then he warded his house so that any further letters from Fabian would dissolve as they arrived. He had wanted them to burst into flames, but decided that would not be fair on the owl who delivered them! He set his charms carefully around his house, and then he sat down and cried. Reminded of how he felf when he had broken up with Fabian and he hadn't gone to Albus for help. Now he was hurt by Fabian again it was too late to go to Albus for help. All of his grief flooded back. Draco took his cup of tea and went to bed, although it was only mid afternoon. He cried some more and slept for an hour or so. When he woke up some of his sadness had softened. He read a long letter he had received from Valentina and began to feel happier. He got up and began to tidy the house and started some cooking... Potter was coming round tomorrow!
Harry was a little anxious on Sunday morning. They hadn't agreed a time, had they? If they had, the wine had sufficiently hindered his memory and he couldn't recall it. Sunday lunch. That could mean any time between 11.30 and 2.30 Harry thought. He decided to aim for around 12.30 and just hope that was right.
It was a beautiful sunny day. Half way through May, the weather had suddenly become a lot more summery. The air was warm and pleasant, birds were singing and there was a general good feeling in wizarding London. Harry wondered if he should bring something. He called into the wine merchants where he asked for advice on good Italian white wine. Italian because Draco had just been to Italy. It showed that he paid attention.
He arrived at Draco's house and instantly sensed a defensive charm around the place. It was subtle and completely safe, but his Auror training meant he was very alert to this type of thing. He wondered why Draco had cast it? Unwanted paparazzi attention perhaps? Maybe he would ask if Draco was alright? Harry knocked on the door loudly and confidently.
'Come in, Potter!'
He heard Draco's voice shout cheerily from the kitchen. Harry did as instructed.
Harry grinned at the sight that met his eyes. Draco was cooking. He had music playing, the oven was on, the window was open. Draco was wearing casual, ripped black jeans and a close fitting white top with the sleeves rolled up. His clothes could almost have been muggle wear, they were so plain and unembellished, but somehow, something about the fabric and the finish told you they were not. Draco looked very casual, but so elegant with it. Harry wondered how he managed to look better in casual clothes than most people looked in a dinner suit!
But as Draco stepped out from behind the table and Harry couldn't help but laugh. Draco had an apron tied around his waist!
Draco approached him and kissed him on the cheek. Harry was still not sure if this was his standard greeting or if it meant something.
'Hey Malfoy. Nice Apron!' He teased as he handed Draco the bottle of wine.
'Thanks.' Draco replied, giving the wine an approving glance. 'When I'm too old and fat to model underwear I might start modelling aprons and washing up gloves.'
'Just aprons and gloves?' Harry grinned. 'Kinky!'
Draco laughed.
'Sit down if you like, Potter. I'm just finishing this and then I'm ready to get the food in the oven. I'll let the wine chill a few minutes...' Draco mused, returning to his task.
Harry sat down at the table and watched him. He had a bowl of what looked like dough in front of him and he was mixing it with his hands.
'How have you been, Potter?' Draco asked. He was partly trying to distract Harry from watching him cooking in case he messed it up!
'Good.' Harry replied. 'How was Italy?'
'Nice.' Draco said. 'Warmer than here!' He added. 'But I'm accustomed to it now.'
'Where were you?' Harry asked him.
'Milan.' Draco answered. 'It's nice there, but I like Rome more. And Venice. And Naples actually. It's not a wealthy city and there are political struggles, but the buildings are amazing and covered in really interesting radical graffiti. Naples is such a city of contrasts. But you don't get many big fashion events in Naples.' Draco concluded.
'I've never been to Italy.' Harry said, feeling a bit naive and foolish.
'You should definitely go.' Draco enthused. 'You should go to Rome and Venice because they are amazing, but you should actually go and stay in Naples because it's so interesting. In fact if you go on holiday I'll invite myself along!'
'OK, deal.' Harry said, wondering if Draco actually meant it or not. It seemed too good to be true. Imagine if they did go away together! Something would be sure to happen between them under the hot Italian sun!
Draco took the dough out of the mixing bowl and took it over to the kitchen side board where he began to roll it out. He felt a bit happier now as he almost had his back to Potter, who couldn't really see what he was doing. It was less nerve wracking!
Harry was a bit disappointed as he rather liked watching Draco cook, there was something endearing and homely about it. However now he realised just how close fitting Draco's trousers were and with Draco standing at the sideboard Harry had a rather nice view of his ass. There was something kind of nice about that, too!
'What are you cooking?' Harry asked at last.
'Well, I thought I'd go with an Italian theme.' Draco began. 'So, excellent choice with the wine Potter.'
'It is one of my favourites.' Harry replied casually.
'It'll be perfect with lunch because I'm making pizza.' Draco told him.
'How can you eat pizza when you don't eat cheese?' Harry asked.
'You can get dairy free cheese.' Draco replied. 'In fact you can get most stuff in dairy free versions. Not exactly a healthy option, but nice once in a while.'
'Cool.' Said Harry happily. 'So you can eat normal person food.'
'Occasionally.' Draco replied. 'And only if I make sure I burn off the calories afterwards.'
Harry could think of an ideal way Draco could do that, but he decided not to mention it.
Draco finished adding the toppings to the pizza and slid it into the oven. Next he poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Potter.
'How is Fawkes?' Draco asked.
'He's ok.' Harry replied. 'He sung the other night by himself, you know.'
'That's good.' Draco smiled. 'He's probably settling with you now.'
'Yeah.' Harry replied. 'And he goes out flying in the day. He didn't at first, he definately has more energy now.'
'I'm glad to hear that, that's great progress.' Draco said happily.
Harry nodded in agreement.
'That pizza won't take long.' Draco told him. 'And, guess what? I have a dining room now. You can be the first to use it!'
'Oh, ok. Cool.' Harry said, intrigued. 'Where is it?'
'Just through here.' Draco answered and lead Harry through the little sitting room where they had had coffee and into another room which Harry had not seen before.
'It's not finished.' Draco clarified. 'But it's usable.'
Harry looked around the room. It was designed to be more formal than the kitchen and the small sitting room. Harry realised that he had only ever accessed the house from the back and that this dining room was probably one of the formal entertaining rooms which was likely to be more directly accessed from the front. The room was a large oblong shape with a high corniced ceiling and a ceiling rose. A large, slightly rusty looking chandelier hung from the centre. The walls had been stripped and were simply bare, patchy plaster. The floor was untreated wood. A grand oak table stood in the middle of the room. It was highly polished and contrasted with the unfinished decor of the room. Curtains hung in the tall windows and were drawn back flooding the room with light and Draco had accessorised the shabby chic space with many, many vases of lilac flowers which filled the room with a beautiful, sweet aroma.
'It'll be a bit like having dinner in a building site.' Draco apologised. 'But it's better than eating in the kitchen.'
'It's pretty cool actually.' Harry concluded. 'You should leave it like this to make a statement.'
Draco laughed.
'I might do.' He grinned. 'I'll get "Wizard Homes" magazine round to do a feature on my house. Then everyone will want a room like this. All the run down houses in London will soar in price!'
'You are quite the trend setter.' Harry grinned at him.
Draco gestured to Harry to sit down. The table was very large for just the two of them and Draco sat close beside him.
Draco took a long sip of wine and smiled.
'I'll go and check on the food.' He said.
'Can I do anything to help?' Harry asked.
Draco thought for a moment.
'There are placemats and knives and forks over in the sideboard.' He replied. 'You can set the table if you like.'
It was interesting. It was all so interesting, Harry thought to himself as he opened the sideboard and located some vintage looking placemats with botanical illustrations on them. The placemats were stylish and good quality, but were a little worn and tatty. Had Draco chosen them, or were they something that had been left in the house? Harry got the feeling that Draco had actually bought them as they seemed to coordinate well with the dull gold cutlery which was also old but very tasteful and attractive.
It fascinated Harry, being in Draco's home, seeing how Draco was decorating it and observing the cute little homely things he did. Things like buying tatty vintage tablemats. Like placing 20 vases of lilac in one undecorated room. Draco was nothing at all like Harry would have imagined. He would have pictured Draco living in a swanky modern apartment, with everything matching, everything new. The reality was an intriguing creative, multi layered world which Harry wanted to explore further and further. He wondered how much more of the house he would get to see today. There were lots of rooms he hadn't been into and he wondered what they were like. Had Draco decorated anywhere? Had he decorated the bathroom? What about the bedroom? Harry wondered if he would get to see that!
Harry set the table and then wondered over to the elegant, tall window. Extremely characterful, the window was set back into the wall, creating an alcove effect to allow space for the old wooden shutters to be pulled back. Harry looked out at the garden. It was beautiful, just like the house. It was full of flowers and a couple of well established trees stood at the edge of a green lawn. Although clearly looked after, the garden was not formal in any way. It had a natural, wild quality to it. The lawn was covered in daisies and wild roses grew in the hedges. Harry wondered if Draco planned to smarten it up in any way or whether he would leave it like this? Once again he got the feeling that Draco had it this way intentionally. It was perfect just as it was, romantic, beautiful, free spirited... Just like Draco.
Harry was still looking out at the garden when Draco returned, carrying a large wooden board with a pizza on it, and skilfully levitating a tray with olives, breadsticks and sundried tomatoes. Harry was impressed, with the cooking and the levitation.
'Wow!' Said Harry, as Draco set the food down on the table.
'Get it while it's hot!' Draco grinned, slicing up the pizza and making Harry blush a little.
'It smells great.' Harry said, sitting down. 'I can't believe you made it! I wouldn't know where to start!'
'A good recipe book!' Draco smiled. 'Plus I saw people making them while I was away. The pizza, I made. All the other things I brought back with me. Go on, Potter, help yourself to whatever you fancy.'
Harry blushed again.
The food was great, as was the wine, and the conversation. They talked casually without any awkwardness, about anything and nothing. Once the pizza was eaten, they continued to talk for quite some time before Draco offered.
'Would you like dessert, Potter?'
'Have you cooked dessert too?' Harry asked, amazed.
'Oh yes!' Draco said as he pilled up the plates and stood up. 'Made it, rather than cooked it, I suppose. We'll need two bowls and 2 spoons.' He told Harry who nodded and went to the sideboard to find them.
Draco returned with a huge glass bowl of what looked like tiramisu.
'You're not telling me that's dairy free!' Harry exclaimed looking at the thick whipped cream sprinkled with grated chocolate.
'It certainly is!' Draco beamed. 'Dairy free and made with homemade sponge cake soaked in amaretto and espresso.'
'Wow Draco, that's amazing.' Harry said as he watched Draco spoon a generous amount into a bowl and hand it to him.
He tired it at once.
'That is heavenly!' Harry gasped as he tasted the sweet creamy mixture laced with amaretto soaked sponge.
Draco was delighted. Harry was so distracted by how good it was that he almost didn't notice how much smaller the portion Draco had dished up for himself was. When Draco offered Harry a second helping, he accepted but he did notice that Draco didn't have any more.
'Are you on model sized portions?' Harry asked. 'Surely you are going to have a little bit more?'
'No.' Draco replied. 'I'm watching my calories. I made it for you really anyway.'
'Because I'm a big fat git?' Harry laughed.
'No!' Laughed Draco playfully. 'I wouldn't describe you as fat.'
'I'm not as lean as I was when I was an Auror!' Harry replied. 'I was pretty fit back then. I've let myself go a bit I'm afraid.'
'I think you look great.' Said Draco sincerely. He continued almost as if he were thinking aloud. 'You have a nice body actually. Just a little bit cuddly, but still firm. Not too skinny or too buff. You can tell there are some real muscles there. It makes you seem a bit older, a bit more mature. Plus, you are not stressy and pretentious about your physique. It's nice.'
Draco stopped suddenly, he had said too much and embarrassed himself.
Harry had stopped eating and was listening in amazement.
'Really?' He asked. 'You've, like, actually noticed all that?'
Draco blushed a little, which Harry thought was very beautiful.
'I've noticed when you've hugged me and stuff.' He answered. 'You give nice hugs.' Draco smiled.
'Thanks!' Harry replied, glowing inside. Draco thought he had a good body! And he said he gave nice hugs! This was extremely promising.
'So eat!' Prompted Draco. 'I like having someone I can cook for.'
'OK.' Said Harry. 'But you have to have some more too... Just a little bit.'
He took a spoonful of the dessert from his bowl and held the spoon towards Draco, inviting him to eat some.
Draco playfully shook his head and Harry leant towards him, closer and closer until the spoon almost touched Draco's lips. Draco pouted and kept his lips closed and Harry responded by swiping the spoon over his closed mouth, covering his lips with cream.
Draco gave a little screech before he licked the cream from his lips as Harry laughed. This was a fun game!
Draco stood up and ran round the other side of the table from Harry playfully avoiding being 'fed' any more dessert. Harry put the spoon down now and scooped some of the tiramisu up with his fingers. Draco screamed a coy little scream and tried to run away while Harry pursued him, wanting to feed him more cream. They chased around the table twice before Harry managed to corner Draco by chasing him into the bay window.
Harry trapped Draco, blocking him in by pressing his body against Draco, holding him up against the window shutter. Draco's eyes twinkled and his face was flushed from running. Harry grinned at his victory. He had caught him! Draco pressed his lips tightly closed, determined not to be made to eat anything. Harry, in response dabbed a bit of the cream onto the end of Draco's nose. When Draco screamed in surprise, Harry took the opportunity to brush his cream covered fingers over Draco's parted lips.
Draco had to admit defeat. His adrenalin was racing and he felt exhilarated and aroused as Harry pressed him back up against the shutters. He found that he loved the feel of Harrys body against his, pinning him against the wall. He wanted more! Draco took a playful risk.
Determined to shock Harry and get his revenge, he opened his mouth and took both of Harry's creamy fingers between his lips. Maintaining saucy eye contact, he sensuously sucked the sweet chocolaty cream from Harrys fingers. It was Harry's turn cry out in shock!
Draco wrapped his lips around Harrys fingers, allowing Harry to feel the warmth of his sensous mouth. He sucked firmly and ran his tongue around the length of them, sucking off the thick creamy mixture with a satisfied smile.
Harry stared at Draco, breathing heavy as he revelled in the sensation of Draco's mouth, vividly imagining how those soft, sexy lips would feel on other parts of his anatomy. His mouth, his neck, his cock...
The moment Draco had finished pushing his tongue between Harry's two fingers to lick up the last of the dessert, Harry had to step back right away, his heart racing. If he stayed pressed against Draco a moment longer Draco was sure to notice that he was getting hard.
Harry had pulled away! Draco had not been sure exactly what he wanted to happen, but he hadn't wanted Harry to pull away! Had he wanted Harry to kiss him? Maybe. But instead Harry had stepped back. Had he crossed a line? Perhaps in the last two minutes they had both crossed lines? It was hard to know whose fault it was. They stared at each other, wide eyed and breathing heavily. A safe distance between them they were not quite sure what to do next.
'There! Made you eat some.' Harry concluded triumphantly at last.
He was trying to make things feel normal again. He should never have chased Draco. He had crossed a line, been totally inappropriate, messed things up, he was sure.
Draco seemed grateful that Harry had tried to bring the mood back to normal and he replied.
'That was a mean trick Potter! I'll get you back, you know.'
'I don't doubt it.' Harry grinned, returning to his chair.
Draco sat down beside him, still with a splodge of cream on his nose.
'Errr... You still have...' Harry gestured to his own nose to let Draco know.
'Oh!' Draco blushed furiously and tried to wipe it away, missing completely.
Harry tried not to laugh, albeit nervously.
'No...' He said. 'It's kind of... Here'
He reached over and wiped the cream from Draco's face with a gentle stroke. But now he was touching Draco again and suddenly the atmosphere was just as tense as it had been moments ago. They were inches apart... looking at each other again, hearts racing.
This time it was Draco who broke the silence. He stood up suddenly.
'I'm going to put the rest of this back in the fridge while you finish that.' He announced. 'Before you try to attack me with it again.' He grinned before he left the room.
Draco took a moment alone in the kitchen to compose himself. Just what was it that he was feeling for Potter? And more importantly, was it right to feel that way, after everything?
When Draco returned, he and Harry had coffee in the small sitting room, both equally determined to keep the conversation in safe territory!
'I couldn't help but notice a ward around your house.' Harry asked at last. 'Is everything ok?'
He asked out of genuine concern which was evident in his voice. He would have pulled any strings he could at the ministry to help Draco out if he was having a hard time from journalists!
'Oh. I got another letter from Fabian.' Said Draco darkly.
'Oh.' Harry replied. 'What did he say this time?'
'I'd rather not repeat any of it.' Draco said, trying not to sound hurt, but failing. 'Let's just say he didn't appreciate being rejected. He was pretty horrible to me. I put a charm around the house to stop any more letters from him being delivered.'
'What do you mean 'horrible to you'?' Asked Harry, resting his hand on Draco's in a concerned fashion.
'Just insults, name calling, told me what he thinks of me... Which is basically that I'm a stupid slut and a vain, shallow whore. I've heard it all before, Harry. Many times. He just told me he must have been crazy to have even considered giving me another chance. Said I'll stay the hell away from him if I know what's good for me.' Draco sighed.
'He wrote that?' Harry gasped, horrified. 'Do you still have the letter?'
'I burnt it.' Draco said in a matter of fact tone.
'You should have kept it, Draco! He's practically threatening you! He could be done for that!'
'Frankly I never wanted to look at it again.' Draco replied.
'I can understand that.' Harry said kindly. 'But if he's giving you any trouble, any at all, please tell me! A visit from a team of auror's investigating harassment charges should kick him into touch!'
Draco smiled.
'That's very sweet of you, Potter. But you don't need to stick up for me. I know Fabian, he just wanted to have the last word. Now he's had a good old rant I doubt I'll hear from him again.'
'Well let me know if you do!' Harry insisted. 'If he give you any grief I'll make sure he's sorted out!'
'Thanks Potter.' Draco grinned. 'Rushing to me rescue like a true Gryffindor!'
Harry laughed.
'You don't deserve it, that's all. You've been through enough just lately.'
Draco smiled softly.
'Thanks.' He almost whispered. 'You've been really kind to me, you know.'
'Well we're friend now.' Harry smiled at him.
'Whoever would have thought it!' Draco grinned.
Harry laughed.
'Not me, that's for sure!' He teased.
'I can safely say you're the last person in the world I thought I'd end up being friends with!' Draco replied playfully.
'Given that we are friends...' Harry began. 'Do you want to do something next week? I could cook for you again, or...' He plucked up his courage... 'Or we could go out somewhere if you like? There are some great restaurants in muggle London... If you fancy it?'
Harry's heart was racing. Had he actually just asked Draco out? Would it be clear enough that that was what he had done, or would Draco take it to be a 'friends' thing? It was probably foolish to have done it in the very same breath as their 'friends' talk! Harry mentally kicked himself!
'I'd love to.' Draco replied, sounding relaxed and casual, which made Harry think he did think it was just a friends thing. 'Trouble is, I'm away next week, well, for 10 days or so.' Draco told him. He sounded genuinely disappointed.
'Where are you off to this time?' Harry asked, trying not to sound too crestfallen.
'New York.' Draco replied. 'Magical Playmates HQ. They want to get me together with a couple of other models to try out some concepts for a new collection. Crazy I know, this one is only just out, but they'll try out some ideas and then take ages over developing the final designs. It means I'll be away until the start of June.'
'We can do something when you come back.' Harry said hopefully.
'Yeah, definitely!' Draco affirmed. 'And a restaurant sounds good, that way neither of us have to cook. Plus I've haven't been out anywhere for a while other than for work.'
'Cool.' Harry smiled. Maybe this was salvageable. If he turned up with flowers and took Draco's arm while they walked to and from the restaurant, he could turn it from a friends thing into an actual date.
'Should we arrange a time when I'm back?' Draco asked. 'I'll send you an owl when I'm coming home.'
'OK.' Harry grinned. 'Send me a postcard from New York too!'
'If you like.' Draco smiled. It would be nice to have someone to write to!
They parted company as the afternoon drew into the evening. Their goodbye was not as awkward as some they had shared, but there was still a moment where neither quite knew what to do. In the end they opted for a quick hug, keeping their bodies as distant as possible, Draco giving Harry a fleeting kiss on each cheek, trying to behave himself after his behaviour earlier.
That evening, Draco was more confused than ever. What exactly had happened between them today, and what did it all mean? Harry had pushed him up against the wall and fed him dessert. He had sucked cream from Harry's fingers. He had been almost certain that Harry had been about to kiss him, but then Harry had pulled away. Why? Because he changed his mind? Because he didn't want to? Because he thought he shouldn't?
Did Draco really want Harry to kiss him? If he was completely honest with himself he had been very disappointed when Harry pulled away. Which meant that, yes, he did want Harry to kiss him. Yes, he was falling for him, in a big way, regardless of whether it was appropriate or not. And now he wouldn't see him for over a week. Maybe the time away would help Draco get his head sorted out? But what if it gave Harry time to decide he wasn't interested in Draco at all! Draco was sure of one thing, it would give him lots and lots of time to angst about it. He sighed deeply, feeling like a teenager all over again.
Harry walked slowly back to his apartment in the evening sun. 10 days! Draco was going to be away for 10 whole days!
He should have kissed him. He should have just plucked up the courage and kissed him when he had the chance. Because now Draco was going to be away for 10 days, working with a load of, undoubtedly gorgeous, models. He was sure to forget all about Harry and their almost-romance that had been almost developing. But maybe he would write, like he said he would. And he had agreed to go out with Harry when he got back, so... Maybe all was not lost. The main problem was just how was Harry going to get through the next 10 days while Draco was away? 10 days would feel like a very long time!
