"Harry darling," The front door swung open to reveal Narcissa Malfoy standing on his front stoop. The sunlight was glaring down into his eyes making him realize that he had been sleeping late into the afternoon. It was his way to avoid the letters and other parts of his life that seem to keep butting into his life.
He just wanted to be alone.
But there had been the persistent buzzing of his door. Kreacher had returned to being a lazy lump, too afraid to move from his kitchen to interact with his master, so it left to Harry to remove himself from the body lump imprint on his couch to stagger to the door. Yanking open the door he was left face to face with Narcissa Malfoy.
"Well, are you going to let me in dear?" She asked leaning towards then eventually just pushed him aside and walked into his house, and with a flick of her wrist the door slammed shut and Harry was left with nothing but to follow her into his living. She only walked into the room looking at the general lack of care, the dust on the woodwork, the stench that was protruding from unwashed clothing, and just the lack of cleanliness.
"Mrs. Malfoy, may I ask what you are doing here?" Harry asked confused as to why the matriarch of his former friend was standing in his house.
"To invite you to a party." She said nonchalantly looking at the pile of dishes piled by the couch. Harry felt ashamed at the state of his house, but he had not been expecting her to descend into his life. He figured she would take Draco's side in the situation and he would never hear from her again.
"I am not scheduled to make any appearances for the Foundation." Harry said he was still nursing the wounds from the public attack a week prior. The Weasley woman had been found guilty but on mental defects from duress, and she was sentenced to spend the next couple of months being monitored at St. Mungos, and then to carry out a probation at her home. Harry tried to pull as many strings as he could, but it was out his hands. In the end he was left with four cracked ribs, some internal bleeding in his back, and a fractured wrist. "I told Sawyer to not accept any invitation for me to attend."
"I know that." Narcissa said, "I have already talked to Sawyer, and she agreed that you were completely free for this type of function and that it would be a mandatory attendance."
"Mrs. Malfoy, I am sorry but it is my Foundation, you ladies cannot dictate what I can and cannot do." Harry stammered to stand his ground. "Besides, January is supposed to return soon and I would really like to get the house back up to running order."
"Oh, I already cleared it with our dear Doctor Bristow. She gave me the go ahead and pencil you to attend this function." She smiled as Harry perched himself on the arm of a chair. He muttered something that sounded like, "Merlin damn these women." She wanted to chuckle but she was getting down to business.
"Is there a certain dress code for this function I have no choice in attending?" Harry asked sullenly.
"There's no need to be petulant Harry Potter." Narcissa said arching an eyebrow to the young man. Harry straightened up but did not smile to the matriarch. "But your question is a good one, yes its black tie. So please dress accordingly."
"Have you already coordinated a suit for me to wear?" Harry asked knowing better then to ask the question.
"Yes, Sawyer made sure to get January's style choice, she will also be in attendance, but you won't see her until you show up." Harry groaned audibly. "Do you need something to eat?"
"No mam." Harry said sullenly. These women were going to be the death of him. "Is there any special reason for this function that all the women in my life seem to have conspired against me?"
"I wouldn't say conspire is the right word choice." Narcissa said putting a finger to her mouth and thought for a moment,
"I don't know, it's synonymous with plot. And its definition is to plan or agree on (a crime or harmful act) together in secret." Harry said interrupting Narcissa. "I am feeling like this is some large plan, which every woman seemed to agree upon to carry out some crime or hurtful act in secret."
"Well it won't be hurtful." Narcissa snapped. "Your suit will arrive the day before the party, if anything needs to be tailored please just send it to Sawyer, she will know what to do." She moved out of the room with Harry on her heels. He was feeling a bit shameful for being so rude to the lady. She did nothing to deserve the snarky treatment.
"Narcissa, I'm sorry." Harry said gently detaining her departure out the door. "It has been a stressful few days." Narcissa smiled at him and he realized he had just been played yet again. It was his weakness, anything with estrogen that seemed hurt made Harry jump to be the savior.
All he could think was, THESE DAMN WOMEN.
The end!
Ha just kidding
Keep reading
It turned out the function was Mrs. Malfoy birthday. There was no age set to the matriarch because it was unladylike to mention one's age. Harry was sulking in the corner feeling like an ass for not realizing the function was her birthday party, since he had been attending the last few and dates like birthdays were etched into his memory. The second reason he was feeling so annoyed was Draco Malfoy was in the same room. He hadn't talked to Harry, he had remained on his side of the room, but dinner was slowly descending upon the crowd and if Harry knew any of the women in the room, it was going to be used as some ploy to get the men talking again.
They were to eat in the East Wing, which held a smaller dining room that normally was used for smaller functions, and since there were only twelve people helping celebrate Narcissa's birthday there was no use to sit at a table built for forty.
In Narcissa's words, "I thought it would make it for a more comfortable experience." She said while she placed herself at the head of the table which was to be expected. Everyone else found their respected place cards, January who had only briefly kissed his cheek when he appeared at the party but was skirted away to talk to Astoria and Twyla about the big move across the ocean. January was sitting on Narcissa's left with Martin next to her, then sat Draco, then next was Sawyer and a Sir John who was an old friend of Narcissa's to finish up one side of the table. At the opposite end facing Narcissa was Astoria then it was Sawyer's husband, then Twyla was placed next to him, and Harry was sat next to her, then sat Sir John's wife and her sister that took the remaining two spots.
This meant Harry was sitting directly across from Draco and they just started the first course of the five course dinner.
"So has your trip been good?" John's wife asked January who had been briefly introduced and explained she had just returned from America. The conversation was that strained, seven of the twelve individuals could tell there was a difference in the atmosphere and that if Sir John and his family had not been in attendance someone would have already yelled at the two to get over their little tiff.
January nearly jumped at the question, "Yes, it was very good; I didn't think I would adapt too quickly to England but I really did miss it while I was back at work." January momentarily glanced at Harry who missed the sweet glance because he was spooning his crab and mushroom chowder around his bowl.
"Mr. Potter, Narcissa tells me that you started the Potter Foundation with your own inheritance. That is mightily generous." Sir John mentioned and Harry did not notice the comment. It wasn't until Twyla connected the point of her elbow into his rib.
The one that was still recovering from being cracked. "Merlin!" Harry muttered under his breath, tears springing into his eyes from the pain. "What was that Sir John?"
"The foundation Harry." Sawyer's husband Arnold said. The first course bowls were being cleared away and the next course of mixed wild field greens served with roasted beets, crumbled blue cheese, toasted pine nuts and orange vinaigrette was set before the guests at the table. Harry took one bit blanching at the beets but he managed to swallow one bite.
"Yes, I did Sir John." Harry said shrugging his shoulder.
"Narcissa also said you just celebrated your nuptials Draco." Sir John commented painfully trying to keep the conversation going. "Congratulations to the both of you." Sir John said toasting his champagne flute into the air while a few others joined in the salute.
"Yes, we just returned to the country from our honeymoon." Astoria said stepping up to continue the conversation.
"Was it a beautiful ceremony?" Sir John's wife Beth asked.
This got the group to discuss every beautiful arrangement of the flowers, to the menu served at the reception, to the flow of her dress. It was painfully boring, and Harry was leaning back in his chair staring directly across the room at the picture hanging behind Draco's head.
Usually when this happened, he was able to make faces at Draco and the two would be able to disappear into their own world while the girls managed to entertain themselves. The third course of handcrafted watermelon sorbet was just being taken away and the fourth course of the slow roasted rack of lamb was being placed. This course was served with a natural pan jus, herbed Yukon gold potatoes and asparagus. The asparagus was another vegetable that Harry highly disliked.
He spied over to Draco's plate that had finished most of his meat and was pushing his own asparagus across his plate. "Draco quit messing with your food." Narcissa naturally scolded her son and at this Harry couldn't contain his snicker. It was then when Draco's head snapped up and glared at his mother.
"Do you find something funny Potter?" Draco said maliciously.
"Yeah, a grown man being scolded by his mother." Harry said taking a sip from his water glass. "I find it laughable."
"Harry!" Four voices reproached his name and it was Draco's turn to smile at his dismay. Arnold, Martin and Twyla were all smiling at the exchange.
"Looks like you are the child now Potter." Draco snapped and put the corner of his cloth napkin to the corner of his mouth. It came down to the asparagus on his plate that Harry took from the spear and threw it directly at the ferret's head. The green limp vegetable flew across the table and smacked the heir in the forehead.
The majority of the table sat in stunned silence.
One asparagus turned into two, and then it turned into potatoes and sauce. Names were being exchanged in the form of, ass, pottyhead, ferret, scarboy, idiot, and so on. The two were about to upturn the table when the two were finally restrained by a magic force.
"I have had enough." Astoria deadpanned and the two men groaned as the magic forced them to look in her direction. The room was destroyed; the majority of the food was either on the wall or the floor. The other guests had pushed themselves from the table; Narcissa had excused herself completely to the next room.
Harry was completely dumbfounded when he found himself sitting in front of the roaring fire of the library. After a quick cleaning spell, Astoria had practically frog marched the two into the library and locked the door behind her.
He had been expecting Twyla, Sawyer or Narcissa to step in and make the two to stop acting like children, but it was the sweet Astoria Greengrass-Malfoy. He had never experienced her magic firsthand, and he knew that she had a power behind her glasslike features.
"Astoria." Draco tried his wife but she held up her hand to his plea.
"Not now." Astoria said quietly. She put her hand to her head. "I am trying to wrap my head around the chaos you two just caused. Two full grown wizards, accomplished young men, acting like spoiled brats."
At this point she was just mumbling her words, "You revengeful jackasses, you've been acting as if you have had broomsticks shoved up your arses, have you been hit in the head by a hippogriff, I swear to Merlin and all that is magical if I hadn't sworn to use my gifts of magical healing for only good, I would dismember you piece by piece and hide you around the globe. I highly doubt anyone at this party would miss you. I mean what the hell?"
Harry had been watching the fire letting the words flow over his back knowing that everything had gone wrong. He had known two day s after he blown up at Draco, but he could not bring himself to apologize to the stupid man.
"You both are so ridiculous." Astoria snapped, "You both will remain in the room until you both get over this little fight so your bromance can resume to its normal state of happiness."
"Bromance!" The two both exclaimed.
"Yes, bromance." Astoria glared at her husband and friend, "You will figure your crap out, and then you will come apologize to EVERYONE at the party." With that she stomped out the room magically sealing it as she left.
Harry stared at the floor. He watched the fire for a bit, "I wouldn't call it a bromance." He remarked breaking the tension. Harry knew it had to be him. Draco didn't know how friendships worked.
"Definitely not mate." Draco said agreeing with his friend. "Good friendship at most."
"Oh totally, that wife of yours-
"Totally out of her mind." Draco finished his sentence. It was in that short exchange that everything was on the mend. Harry stood and held out his hand and Draco took it in a half second. "Though she is quite sexy when provoked." Harry smirked at his friend's dirty mind.
Harry started to walk towards the door when Draco cleared his throat. "Harry, I am sorry. I shouldn't have done any of that stuff…" Draco managed to apologize. "Keeping it from you, using this information to, I don't know, extract some lasting revenge I wanted."
"It's okay Draco." Harry said. "It's just the unresolved issues I still have. The fact I still can't bring myself to do anything mean to them. Like I want to always be the golden boy of niceness." Harry tried explaining his idea to why Draco's actions affected him so greatly. "Guess that makes me the nancy in our relationship."
"So totally true." Draco said flexing his muscles then looked at his shirt. "Ugh I have sauce on my shirt, man this stain will never come out!"
"Yeah, you are totally the masculine one." Harry said chuckling at his friend who glared at his sarcastic tone. The two emerged from the room after a few more minutes of banter. It took a few minutes to find the party had retired to the formal living room to have the dessert of maple Crème Brûlée.
The stood in the entryway but Draco held Harry from entering the room. "Wait, Potter this could be a trap." He whispered. "Mother." Draco called to the birthday lady. "May we enter the room?"
Narcissa stopped listening to Twyla's story to regard her son, "No."
Harry nearly chuckled but stopped himself when he saw January was darkling watching him. Draco motioned for Harry to step away from the doorway. "Draco what are you doing?"
"She said no Potter." Draco said. "Trust me, if we cross that threshold we will not be walking out of this house on our feet." This made Harry turn white.
"Do you have a firsthand experience?" Harry quietly asked and the pale look on Draco's face and the wince of his eyes made Harry know the answer without the verbal response. "Whoa, okay I will follow your lead." They continued across the hall where the grand staircase was and Draco motioned to take a seat on a stair. "Seriously?"
"Just do it, give it three minutes, then we will get dessert." Draco said, "And we only have maple crème brulee once a year." Harry quickly perched himself on the step. Harry watched his wristwatch, and exactly three minutes passed and Martin stumbled into the hallway.
"Were you sent to fetch us?" Harry asked standing from his spot.
"No, im here to join you." Martin responded to the question. "I was kicked out for making a comment at how funny the food fight was, and then suggesting you two should be allowed back into the room."
"My mother did that?"
"No Twyla." Martin explained and took a seat next to the Harry and Draco. The three remained on the steps for another thirty minutes when Sawyer, Twyla, Arnold, January and Astoria appeared in the foyer. Twyla motioned for Martin to follow her, and they gathered their coats said their farewells and left after Sawyer and Arnold also exchanged their own forms of good-byes. Harry stood up from his step.
"What do you think you are doing?" January asked glancing at Harry as she pulled her own jacket from the closet. Harry glanced at Draco who was silently shaking his head. "Sit back down; no one said you could get up."
"But-
"Draco, Harry!" Narcissa called from the living room. January and Astoria shrugged at the questioning look but the two walked slowly into the room. The other guests had excused themselves to their rooms somewhere in the house, and Draco and Harry placed themselves on a couch. "Have you both finished your childish antics?"
"Yes mother." Draco said and Harry complied by nodding his head.
"Good. Now you may go home." Narcissa said excusing them from the room. Draco motioned for Harry to exit quickly.
They were out in the foyer grabbing their own attire from the closet. Harry noticed that the girls were waiting in the window seat. No one said a word until they were out the door. It was then Harry let his hand connect with the back of Draco's head.
"What the bloody hell was that for?" Draco said rubbing his head.
"You said if we just waited we would get dessert. You got my hopes up Malfoy." Harry complained. They heard the familiar groan of Astoria. "What's that my dear Mrs. Malfoy, do you have something to say?"
"Yes Mr. Potter." Astoria snapped stepping a foot closer to Harry. "You and my husband are ridiculous." Draco smiled and gently wrapped his arm around his wife's waist.
"Now, now Astoria, there's no reason to throw that word around. I thought it was my own pet name you gave me." He said quickly leaning down to kiss her lips.
"Ha, your pet-name is ridiculous." Harry laughed. Draco looked over to January conspiratorially.
"Harry, should I repeat your pet name?" January asked which mad Harry pale. He turned quickly and grabbed her hands. "I think Draco would enjoy it immensely."
"I think we should keep that one between us." Harry said leaning down quickly enveloping her into his arms feeling again at peace when he inhaled her genius aroma. He placed a kiss to the hallow of her neck.
"Wait now what is it?" Draco asked wanting to know the name.
"It's Nu-
The two sidelong apparated on the spot leaving Draco and Astoria on the front porch, Draco took his wife into his arms. "I'm sorry for being so ridiculous." Draco sighed feeling content as she relaxed in his embrace. "From now on, I will only be ridiculous about you."
Ahhh Draco can be such a charmer!
Ok that's it for that chapter. I wanted so much more but I figured the Harry and Draco that I have in the story wouldn't have a lengthy drawn out drama filled talk, that's too…. Ron Weasleyish. So it took some conniving females, a food tantrum, and being locked in a room.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. There are probably two more after this. So PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU LIKED HOW IT ALL WAS HASHED OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus it's my birthday this coming Tuesday…(I would love reviews for it).
Have a good day!