The Silent Snake

Draco and Potter left the lifts on the seventh floor of their hotel as Draco followed the other man to suite number 731. He had not plan on things being so perfectly convenient for him, now he was extremely nervous. Potter had said that 'it would be just like their time at the castle on New Years' but they didn't share a room then, they didn't even share the same floor. This would be nothing like that.

The thing about Draco was that he wasn't a man who was easily worried. In fact, he was quite the opposite. He had grown up confident, a bit too self-assured, thanks to his parents' beliefs. However, when it came to following his heart he had always second guessed himself. He blamed his parents for that too. Now, here he was, standing next to a man that he was so deeply in love with, he couldn't breathe. The Malfoy traditions had prepared him for plenty of things in life but, following your heart? Being a romantic? That was simply just not the Malfoy way. His parents' marriage had been arranged, along with his grandparents, and his great grandparents, that was what was expected of him. Not this frivolous quasi-gesture of love, flying half way across the world to be with the man you supposedly love. As he slowly followed Potter down the hallway he was fretting again. What in the bloody hell am I doing?

"Do you want to try your key?" Potter asked, interrupting Draco's preoccupation.

"What?"

"You key, do you want to try it? So we can make sure it is working," Potter said. Draco smiled and inserted the card key into the slot, the red dot on the handle turned green. Potter spoke again, "fantastic." He beamed at Draco as he opened the door to let him in.

There's that smile again.

As Draco entered the room he was lead down a long hallway into a lounge with a kitchenette, a small dining table, a sofa and a TV. Potter took Draco's laptop bag off of his shoulders and placed it on the sofa. He continued walking and Draco wasn't sure if he was supposed to follow him with his suitcase. Draco continued to trail behind Potter; he left his suitcase next to the sofa as well, in order to avoid any awkwardness. The room Potter was staying at was huge. It consisted of a king size bed, another full sized sofa, and an additional telly.

"Isn't this ridiculous?" Potter asked.

"This is the size of a small flat," Draco answered.

"I know! Where's your suitcase?"

"Oh, I left it in the lounge next to the sofa. I figured that's where I'd be staying, is that okay?" Draco asked.

"Yeah if that's what you want," Harry answered. "This sofa pulls out into a full bed, so I thought you could stay here with me. Unless you want your privacy, then I understand."

Draco smiled and returned to the lounge to obtain his suitcase. "I'd much rather sleep on a bed, so I think I'll take you up on that offer, Potter," Draco replied.

"Come take a look at the size of the bathroom, it's the size of the kitchen at my house!" Potter said, laughing and turning around towards another door. "I am sorry if I sound like a complete fool," he added.

"What do you mean?" Draco asked.

"I only got promoted last year when I started travelling for work; I am still not used to the lifestyle. You know staying at fancy hotels and such things. My parents were quite modest when I was growing up. I mean they're wealthy, we have always been well off, they always provided me with what I needed yet never spoiled me. And now I feel as though I am living someone else's life."

"But, it's nice though," Draco said. "Being able to travel and live in hotels on your own accord with your own income, not having to rely on your parents." Potter didn't respond but smiled and nodded at Draco's comment. "Now, I sound like a wounded, spoiled brat. Sorry."

"No, don't be. We are all haunted by the shadows of our past, it's what shaped us to be who we are now," Potter replied, causing Draco to raise an eyebrow. "Not are all bad though," he added, "the shadows of our parents' past brought us together."

Draco smiled. "I suppose everything happens for a reason," he said. "Oh! I brought something for you," Draco almost screamed with excitement as he ran back to the lounge to grab his laptop bag.

"What is it?"

"It's really silly. I saw it at the airport gift shop when I arrived," Draco answered as he handed Potter a small bag from a shop called 'INK.' Potter opened the bag and pulled out a 'Nightlife' magazine. Draco spoke again, "it's got all the gay dance clubs listed and the type of music they play. I thought maybe we could go dancing sometime while I am here since you –" Draco's sentence was interrupted by Potter when he pounced on Draco with a hug. Draco laughed. "It's not that big of a deal really. I mean I am sure these places could be found via internet search but, I just thought of you, is all."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to attack you," Potter said. "This is really thoughtful Draco. I have been so bored for the past two weeks and I did do some searches on the internet for nightlife but, I've just been really busy with work and whenever I arrive back to the hotel I just collapse on the bed. The only times I've gone out is for dinner or drinks with Caleb."

Caleb. Draco wondered if his disdain was shown on his face. "He's not much of a dancer?" Draco asked.

"Hardly." Potter sat on his bed removing his coat and gestured Draco to sit next to him. "He's not much of anything. That night when we all went to Rain, he was dancing all night because he thought he was making me jealous with his interest in Blaise. I feel so bad; he had no interest in him and completely led him on for no reason. Our first week here we had a company meet and greet and that man can't have fun. I felt as though I had to babysit him the entire time at that party. I would much rather go dancing alone at one of these clubs than with him. He's not like you. Even when he watches me dance it is so eerie."

Draco's heart sank. His ears echoed with the phrase he's not you, along with the thought that Potter knew that Draco watches him dance. "You don't find it strange when I watch you dance?"

"What? No I mean … I miss dancing with you. We had so much fun at New Years and then at Rain, it was so great! When have you stared at me dancing?"

"Oh I didn't mean that!" Draco lied. He remembered how almost two months ago Draco had watched Potter and Blaise dance together for two songs and how possessive he had felt. He remembered thinking how he found Potter's dancing intoxicating. "I miss those nights too," Draco added. And every other night I've spent with you. "I can't believe I haven't seen you in over two weeks!"

"I know, I am glad you're here. I don't know how it happened but I am just glad," Potter said. Draco was so close to Potter, their hands were almost touching as they sat next to each other on Potter's bed. Draco had a spontaneous desire to lean in and kiss Potter, he would have too if they weren't instantly interrupted by a knock on the door.

Draco sighed in annoyance as Potter stared at him with gleaming green eyes and grinned at his reaction.

"Do you mind getting the door?" Potter asked. "I need to freshen up a bit." Draco nodded and stood up from the bed and walked towards the lounge that led to the main door of the suite. On his way, he took off his own blazer and threw it on the sofa in the lounge, took off his shoes and placed them next to the sofa, and unbuttoned the collar of his buttoned-down white shirt.

Although Draco wasn't sure who would be knocking on Potter's hotel room door at this time, as they hadn't ordered room service but he was still annoyed at them. They'd involuntarily stopped Draco from kissing Potter. Draco opened the door and immediately thought, of course.

"Caleb," Draco spoke raising an eyebrow.

"Draco?"

"That is my name."

Caleb looked over Draco's shoulder and saw his blazer on the sofa, his gaze went towards Draco's feet and noticed black socks. "You're staying here? With Harry?"

"It would seem so," Draco answered. His tone was soft, he wasn't mocking Caleb although the words that popped in his mind were. He moved sideways and spoke again, "do you want to come in?"

"Sure, thanks. We are supposed to go out for drinks, Harry and I," Caleb said.

"Yeah, he's told me, and invited me. If that's alright?" Draco replied. Caleb didn't respond and instead nodded curtly. He walked past Draco towards the other room. Before he reached the room Potter came out to the lounge. Potter had changed out of his work clothes to a pair of dark blue denims and a black buttoned-down shirt that was currently unbuttoned.

"Who – oh Caleb, you're here," Potter said, with a hint of surprise in his tone. "Is it nine o'clock already?" He looked over at Draco and smiled as he began to button his shirt. Draco was glad that Potter was currently distracted because the jolt that Draco felt with simply a dash of Potter's skin displayed was overwhelming. Potter turned around and walked towards the bedroom and only then Draco realised how deliciously tight Potter's jeans were. Draco turned to close the door behind him and quickly adjusted his cock, needing the erection to diminish.

Draco placed his head behind the main door as he closed in taking in a few deep breaths. Get a hold of yourself Draco; it's not like you haven't seen him shirtless before. Draco immediately realised that the 'pep talk' to himself was a bad idea because now he was imagining Potter in a towel. He sighed. He turned around and slowly walked back to the room where Caleb and Potter had disappeared to.

"He's staying here with you?" Draco heard Caleb's voice even though he was speaking in a hushed tone.

"Yeah, he's my friend and needs a place to stay. I am paying extra for the room anyway so why not use it?" Potter had responded.

Caleb realised that Draco had returned and answered, "I am just surprised. You had told me how you wished for privacy and didn't want to room with me. That's all. I didn't mean to pry in your business."

Potter looked past Caleb's shoulder and smiled at Draco. "He's only here for a week, if it was for a month, as the case was with you, then I might have reconsidered. Besides, the company is paying for both of us to have separate rooms, so why not take advantage of that? Besides, if your best friend was visiting, I am sure you'd do the same for him."

"I didn't realise you two were best friends," Caleb responded.

"Close enough," Draco answered. He picked up a small grooming travel pack and headed for the bathroom. "If I am still invited out with you lot, let me know," Draco's tone was concerned. No matter how much he liked Potter, he didn't wish to create a tiff between two co-workers, no matter the unrequited feelings between them. "Just let me know where you're headed, I'll join you later. I think I want to relax for a few." Draco spoke staring at Potter, then turned to Caleb and nodded in respect. There was no need to continue being rude, he thought.

Draco closed the bathroom door behind him shutting himself out of the unnecessary argument that was taking place in the other room. Caleb was clearly jealous and clearly wants Potter, the realisation made Draco nervous, though he wasn't sure why. Perhaps, he thought, I like him so much that – his thought processes ceased, rather, he made himself stop thinking the thought he was having. I am doing it again, the same thing I did with Theo. I am becoming possessive and jealous and nervous for no reason. Potter isn't mine, and even if he was, if he truly wanted me back he would put an end to Caleb's come-ons on his own. I need to learn to trust the other person. With that last thought, Draco turned on the shower and began to undress.

Twenty minutes later after a shower and a shave, Draco opened the bathroom door. The room previously occupied by Caleb and Potter was now empty. He was relieved. He thought it would be awkward to walk around the room in a towel with two other fully clothed men standing there. When Draco approached his suitcase to grab a few clothes he saw a note from Potter.

Draco,

We have headed down to a pub just around the corner from the hotel. It's called 'Fabulous Bar & Café' (Yeah, I know). It's simply a five minute walk from the hotel, just take a right when you exit the lobby. You can also ask the porter and he'll direct you. See you soon, we are going to grab a table for three.

Yours, Harry.

Draco looked over at the clock in the corner and noticed it was ten past nine. He looked in the cupboard that was against the wall and noticed that there were a few empty hangers and decided to hang his conference shirt and trousers. He would need to press them the next day to ensure they remained wrinkle free. He then grabbed a dark green collared shirt and a pair of denim trousers. They weren't as equally as tight as Potter's jeans … immediately, Draco was distracted by the thought of Potter's arse. He wanted to relieve himself whilst he was in the shower, but wasn't sure if there were people in the other room and refrained. Now, he was regretting that decision.

Draco quickly got dressed and was out the hotel room by twenty five past nine. He immediately realised that he'd left the card key inside the hotel room, along with his mobile. Bollocks. He was glad to know that he hadn't forgotten his wallet and had Canadian Dollars. When he left the hotel he took a right and Potter was right, the pub wasn't far away at all.

He arrived at a very crowded pub and approached the hostess counter telling her that his friends had told him to meet him there and that they'd already have a table reserved. She smiled and told him to feel free to look around for his friends. Eventually he spotted a three top at the corner of the pub and noticed Caleb's auburn haired head leaning in and whispering what looked like sweet nothings in Potter's ear. The feeling of jealousy rose inside Draco's chest as though it was a snake hissing, he wanted nothing more than to yank Caleb's head away from Potter and sting him. He took a deep breath. Calm, he told himself. He caught Potter's eye who quickly leaned away from Caleb and stood up immediately bumping the empty pint glasses in front of him and causing one to tumble.

"You made it!" Potter exclaimed when Draco approached the table. Draco grinned at Potter then glanced over at Caleb who did not look as delighted as Potter. Shortly after a waiter approached their table and asked for Draco's order.

"Oh, I'll just have whatever they're having I suppose," Draco answered as he hung his coat on the hook next to their booth. Potter got out of the booth offering Draco a seat first conveniently making Draco sit between him and Caleb. Draco was sure it was Potter's way to ensure that Draco isn't left out of any conversation still he was glad, whatever the reason, at least Caleb won't be the one whispering sweet nothings in Potter's ear anymore.

The waiter returned with three pints of beer and placed it in front of them. He asked Draco if he wanted to see the food menu, when Draco realised that he hadn't eaten in over twelve hours. "Sure," he answered. He thought a snack would probably ensure that he wouldn't get tipsy after one beer.

Two more pints and a few shared appetizers later, Draco was having a wonderful time out with Potter. Caleb wasn't so bad after all, he thought, when he's not making a move at Potter. Potter and Caleb discussed their work so far in the Canadian company and talked about little differences in the office etiquette compared to back home. They were also apprehensive about the project being received in New York next month. At half past eleven Caleb stated that they should head back because they had to wake up in five hours to do a video conference with their manager in England about their progress.

"Oh Draco just ordered another pint," commented Potter.

"Oh you can go ahead, I can catch up with you later," Draco answered, then he remembered. "No wait, I am sorry, I left in a rush to get here that I realised I don't have my card key for the room."

"That's unfortunate," Caleb said.

"Caleb, if you're tired why don't you just go ahead? You can come by the room at five and we can do a joint video conference from the small dining room table. I'll just wait out here with Draco for a little while longer," Potter replied.

Draco saw the initial expression on Caleb's face who eradicated it immediately. He wanted to stay, Draco was sure, but he'd already stated that he needed to get some sleep so now he could no longer retract his statement. He placed three ten dollar bills on the table and bid them goodbye, finally leaving Potter all alone to Draco.

"Why do you need to have a video conference call at five in the morning?" Draco asked.

"It's local time in London; they want the update first thing in the morning so we have to get up five hours early. We also end our day five hours later usually. It's absurd, but it's what the manager requires." Potter answered taking a sip of the last of his beer and then ordered another one.

"Why don't you start your own firm? I am sure you've got the experience for it," Draco asked.

"I have been thinking about it," Potter answered. "I think we'll see how this deal goes, if it works out well then my co-worker, and mate, Dean is going to the New York office with Caleb. After that Dean and I discussed that we'll start the foundation of leaving the company and starting our own firm."

"Dean? Who is Dean?" Draco asked curiously. Potter had never discussed him before.

"Ginny's husband," Potter answered.

"Your ex-girlfriend Ginny?"

Potter laughed. "You remember everything," he commented.

"I do when it comes to you," Draco answered.

Potter smiled, Draco wasn't sure what that smile meant, he hadn't seen this one before. Potter raised his hand and brushed a bit of Draco's blond hair from his forehead. "When was the last time you got a haircut Draco?" Potter asked.

Draco snorted. "You're one to talk." Draco's remark caused Potter to giggle and run a hand through his hair at the same time; he was drunk and embarrassed simultaneously.

The waiter returned with their drink order and smiled at the two interacting and laughing. "Sorry to disturb you, but my shift is over at midnight and I was wondering if I can get you anything else before I close out your tab? You are more than welcome to stay here and just grab drinks from the bar."

"We'll take the bill thank you," Draco spoke, "we should head out as well." The waiter smiled and returned a few minutes later. Draco grabbed the bill before Potter had a chance who immediately complained. "You're letting me stay with you for a week; you are not buying my drinks Potter!" Draco argued as he paid with his credit card and tipped with the cash Caleb had left them with.

"Okay, but you have to promise that we'll get a drink at the hotel bar and that you'll go dancing with me on Saturday night," Potter responded.

"Alright," Draco replied accompanying a very Potteresque grin.

A slightly buzzed Draco and a semi drunken Potter stumbled back to their hotel five minutes away from the pub. They locked arms and walked into the lobby nodding a hello to the doorman and headed for the bar around the corner.

"You're sure this is a good idea Potter? You've got to wake up in a few hours."

"Yes, just one drink Draco I promise. I want to celebrate."

"Celebrate what?"

"You, my job, Canada!"

Draco laughed at Potter's answer and they took a seat at the bar. "What do you want to drink?" Draco asked.

"The first drink we ever had together," Potter answered.

Draco hailed the bartender and ordered. "Two stouts and two shots of whiskey, please."

Potter stared at him wide eyed but didn't say anything. The bartender shortly returned with their order and Draco paid again before Potter could manage to get his wallet out. "You've got to stop doing that," Potter commented.

"Do what?"

"Pay for me."

"If I remember correctly, the first time we had drinks together, you insisted on paying for me. I am simply returning the favour," Draco answered.

"Why did you and Theo call it off?" Potter asked taking a sip of his beer, avoiding eye contact, or so Draco thought. Draco wondered how long Potter had been thinking about this question or whether he'd forgotten and simply just remembered.

"I think I realised that we were just fooling each other. We weren't really meant to be, and the relationship had been a secret for so long, it seemed exciting but with the engagement, it all just got a bit ... real."

"Who ended it?" Potter asked.

"It was a mutual agreement," Draco answered.

Potter took another sip as though he was carefully considering his questions.

"Have you heard from Cedric?" Draco looked directly at Potter as he asked the question; Potter seemed to hesitate to answer. "Have you?" Draco asked again, his tone a bit concerned.

"Yes, while I was here. He sent me an email stating he was trying to contact me but couldn't get through. I replied that I was here for work, and he asked for my contact information. I provided it and he telephoned me a few days ago."

"What did he say?"

"Nothing of relevance," Potter answered, attempting to brush it off casually.

"What did he say?" Draco asked.

"That it was a mistake; he thinks we should try again. He loves me, misses me and virtually begged me to take him back. I told him I couldn't do anything while I was still here and that it'll be over a month before I even see him so it was a waste of time to discuss the matter. He told me to call him when I get back to England so we can meet up."

"Are you going to?" Draco asked, the hissing snake seemed to be rising in his gut again.

"No," Potter answered as he took a swig of his whiskey shot. Draco mimicked.

"Gentlemen," the bartender interrupted their conversation. "Sorry to disturb you but it's last call, can I get you anything else?"

Potter shook his head a 'no' and Draco smiled at the bartender before speaking. "No, thanks mate." They both finished the last of their stouts and left the bar. Draco found himself a bit more disoriented that he was before they took a sat on the barstools.

Potter led the way to the lifts and to the room they now shared. Draco remembered again that he didn't have his key when they approached the door to room number 731. Potter reached in his back pocket to take out his wallet when he tumbled a bit. Draco quickly leaned in to catch him ensuring that he wouldn't fall.

"Thanks," Potter said. He took out the card key and handed it to Draco who quickly unlocked the door and returned it to Potter.

"Place it in your wallet before you make the same mistake as me and leave it on the table," Draco said.

"Yeah, good advice. Don't want both of us stranded in the hallway; we'd have to get Caleb to come to the rescue." Potter giggled as he spoke.

"And you don't want that?" Draco couldn't help himself but ask, now was the time, when they were both sort of uninhibited.

"No, not my type," Potter spoke as he entered the bedroom and removed his coat and threw it on the sofa that was supposed to be Draco's bed.

"Nice Potter, you're littering on my bed," Draco joked.

"Oh yeah, forgot that. You can sleep in my bed," Potter answered casually as he walked into the bathroom and ran the sink water in order to brush his teeth.

"What?" Draco exclaimed.

Potter responded something that Draco didn't understand his mouth was full of toothpaste. Draco shook his head and followed him and took out his own toothbrush and paste. He smiled at Potter who again stared at him wide-eyed and started his nightly ritual. When they finished Draco asked again, "what did you say?"

"I am tired, and I've got to get up in a few hours and work for twelve hours. There's no need to set up the extra bed, just sleep in the bed with me. It's a king size ... plenty of room." Potter left the bathroom as he removed his shirt and threw it on the sofa on top of his coat.

"You're always this sloppy Potter?"

"Only when I am drunk," Potter answered. "And … Harry, call me Harry." Potter continued undressing uncaring of what effect it was having to Draco and found his cotton trousers that he put on covering his bottom half.

"I thought you liked it when I called you Potter?" Draco asked.

"Yeah, when we had become friends, when we were friends," Harry responded.

"And we are now ..."

"What?" Harry was wobbling again and he reached the bed to lay down. "Tired, I am tired," he said covering himself under the white sheet. "Just sleep here Draco," Harry gestured towards the giant empty space next to him, "unless you really want to put in the effort of setting up a whole bed just for yourself." Harry turned to his side and switched the lights off leaving Draco standing in the dark. The only light in the room was peaking in through the lounge; it was bright enough for Draco to tend to his belongings.

Draco slowly got undressed and found his own black cotton trousers to wear before he settled in next to Harry. He lay facing Harry's back inches away from his shirtless body, he wasn't sure if the heat he felt was truly the heat rising from his chest and bouncing back from Harry's back. He sensed a bit of ruffling. Pott – Harry was scooting back and found Draco's right arm to drape over his own body.

" 'Night Draco," Harry whispered as nothing else changed and Draco heard Harry's breathing settle into uniform rhythm.

" 'Night Harry," Draco responded before closing his own eyes. He wasn't really sure what was happening but he had no objections towards it. He smiled for a bit before the thought occurred to him. Did Potter do this with all of his friends? Lead them on, make them fall for him, and then claim they weren't his type? The smile disappeared and anxiety took over.

(A/N): Please Review, are things heading in a good direction? Also, I promised myself I was going to re-read this thing for mistakes but my day's been hectic and I didn't get a good enough chance to pick out all the errors so if you see any cringe worthy mistakes, please let me know!