Hermione watched in irritation as Ron worked himself up into another fit over Malfoy while they were leaving lunch.
"He was mocking me," Ron cried out indignantly, his long legs carrying him away from the Great Hall at a rather brisk pace. Hermione was almost jogging just to keep up with the distraught red-head.
"Slow down," she panted, coming to a complete stop in order to force him to acknowledge her.
"Sorry," he replied, turning around with a sheepish expression on his face.
She let out an exasperated sigh, eyeing him with a disapproving look. "Sometimes I have to wonder if we operate in the same universe as you. Malfoy never once mocked you. In fact, he was on his best behavior while you - you were an absolute pig. You couldn't even pretend to be nice to him."
Ron made a flustered choking noise, his face turning red again. "But he wasn't nice...he - he - he kept eating and - and insulting me with his - his food!"
"Insulting you with his food?!" Hermione practically shrieked. "Honestly Ron, this is quite an unheard of level of paranoia - even for you. He was just eating."
"But he wasn't just eating. He was eating and being so damned smug about it," Ron stated incredulously.
"It's Malfoy; that's just the way he is. You're reading way too much into things," she admonished.
Ron crossed his arms over his chest in childish petulance. "Well, I refuse to share another meal with him. If the two of you insist on having him join us, I'll be eating somewhere else."
Draco's heart fluttered as he caught a bashful look from Harry who was snuggled up on the far end of the couch reading and furiously blushing. It was adorable to see him so embarrassed over something they were already doing. He finished up the book before his face burst into flames and handed it back without making eye contact.
"Very informative," he croaked, clearing his throat before awkwardly retreating back to his corner of the couch.
As dinner time arrived, a self-satisfied smirk crossed Draco's pale face. Harry was totally engrossed in The Art of War, his brows drawn tight together forming a little crease as he concentrated.
"You ready?" he questioned, attempting to bring the boy back to reality.
"Give me second," Harry replied distractedly. "Let me just finish up this one part."
When Harry finally found a good stopping point, he set the book down and they headed for the Great Hall together. As they entered, the chatter came to a screeching halt before picking back up to a deafening roar. Ron had opted to sit further down the table with Dean and Seamus, he cast a smoldering glare in their direction as they approached Hermione. She snorted in disdain in Ron's general direction before giving the two boys a very weak apologetic smile.
"What's all that about?" Harry asked with a nod down the table as the feuding couple traded furious glares.
"Ron's being an idiot," Hermione huffed.
Draco had to work hard not to laugh as he remembered a similar sentiment being shared not too long ago.
"What's he done this time?" Harry questioned, taking the seat next to her so she wouldn't have to shout over the noise. Draco sat across from them and leaned in close to listen.
"He seems to think that Malfoy's good table manners were intended as a personal insult," she spat in disbelief.
Draco and Harry traded knowing glances, each trying desperately hard not to laugh. Hermione never liked having to admit that she was wrong - even when she was. It would be better if they kept up the ruse and waited things out.
"I'm sorry," Draco apologized, schooling his features into a picture of innocence. "I didn't realize the effect I was having on him. If he ever rejoins us, I'll be sure to eat like an absolute bear in order to put him at ease."
"Please don't," Hermione groaned. "It's bad enough with just Ron."
"I understand," Draco replied, placing his hand on hers in quiet commiseration. When he was certain she wasn't paying attention, he allowed a quick glance down the table to see if Ron had noticed. To his absolute delight, the red-head was scowling, his eyes like daggers as he glared at their hands.
Harry cleared his throat rather loudly to break up the moment, giving Draco a rather meaningful look.
"I'm sure Ron will eventually come around," Harry reassured the girl. "He always does."
Hermione smiled at him. "I know. I just get frustrated waiting on him to get his head out of his ass."
Draco kept his mouth shut, swallowing down the words that were bubbling up to the surface. Why keep waiting for him? He'd never liked the boy and he didn't think that was likely to change. It was selfish to think that way, but it would be better for Draco if they removed Ron from the equation permanently. Unfortunately, he knew that Harry wouldn't like that too much.
"I'll have a talk with him tomorrow after he's cooled down a bit," Harry offered. "Maybe we'll go for a walk around the lake and work things out."
Hermione leaned against him with a satisfied sigh. "That sounds like a lovely idea," she remarked.
Draco felt a twinge of jealousy rear its ugly head, but he talked it down. He had never been very good at sharing his toys, but he knew Harry would not find his possessiveness very cute. He just had to breathe and make it through dinner.
Harry couldn't help but smile at the petulant look on Draco's face. He knew that Hermione's close proximity to him during dinner had bothered the blond and he had reciprocated her friendly affection just to get under his skin - it was payback for what Draco had put Ron through.
"I know you don't like him, but he's my best friend. Can you just try a little harder? I promise I'll talk to him about all the glaring," Harry begged.
"Only if you keep your hands to yourself at breakfast tomorrow," Draco countered.
"I can do that," he replied, a sly smile appearing on his face as he sauntered over to Draco's chair and straddled the boy. "But how do you suppose I should punish you in the future?"
Draco placed his hands on Harry's hips, a coy smile appearing as he gazed into Harry's eyes. "I'm sure you'll think of something."
Harry leaned forward, nibbling at Draco's lips, his hands running up the back of his head and getting lost in silky platinum blond strands of hair. Draco closed his eyes, losing himself to the moment as Harry continued to nip at him, traveling down his neck and stopping at his collarbone.
"I'm sure I will," he whispered in Draco's ear, causing the boy to shiver. "Maybe I'll try something in that book you shared with me?"
Draco was practically puddy now, nodding against his chest as if his life depended on it. He let out a throaty moan as Harry reached down to palm his throbbing bulge.
"Come and get it," Harry challenged, taking his hand away and standing up. He drifted towards the bed, shedding his clothing as he went, certain that Draco would follow his lead. Draco didn't disappoint, quickly removing his own clothing, eager to finish what Harry had started.
Harry turned around and froze, admiring the view as Draco approached, his delicate hips swaying slightly with every step.
"You like what you see?" Draco questioned, stopping a few feet from the bed so that Harry could admire his sculpted body. Harry let out a low, feral growl in response; his body burning with need.
His brained seemed to short-circuit, unable to form complete sentences with which to respond to Draco's question. "Bed - Now!" was the only response he was able to bark out. When Draco wasn't moving fast enough for him, he grabbed him, throwing him down upon the covers in order to plunder his mouth.
Draco let out a needy whimper as Harry explored his body with his mouth, running rough hands along his silky thighs and stopping just shy of his goal.
Wandlessly, he summoned the lube that still sat on the nightstand from this morning's activities and slicked his fingers. Harry dragged his tongue along the sensitive underside of Draco's shaft, reveling in the moans and whimpers that he was getting from the blond. He took Draco's throbbing need into his mouth, his fingers teasing at Draco's entrance, a cry of pleasure echoing in his ears.
"Please," Draco begged, his hips thrusting into his warm mouth, his fingers threading desperately through Harry's messy hair.
Harry let out a moan against Draco's cock, pushing his finger past the tight muscles of his entrance to stroke the velvety insides of his channel as he began loosening and preparing him. His cock twitched in anticipation as he added a second finger to that tight heat, his mouth still working Draco's swollen member.
Draco started thrusting against this intrusion, impatient to move things along as he tugged desperately at Harry's hair. A shiver of excitement ran through Harry when he finally found what he was looking for, watching as Draco arched into his touch with a lusty scream.
Removing his fingers and mouth, Harry reached again for the lube and liberally coated himself. He lifted Draco's legs up over his shoulders, positioning himself at his entrance as he fought to control his breathing. Draco looked agonizingly beautiful beneath him, peering up at him with large, trusting eyes, his face flushed in excitement.
Pushing into him gently, he felt the muscles protest briefly and then part to allow his intrusion. Inch by glorious inch, he buried himself, his head spinning at the feel of Draco's delicious warmth. Once fully sheathed, he paused to allow them both time to adjust. If not, he feared he might lose himself too soon.
It wasn't long before Draco was squirming beneath him, begging him to start moving again. Harry happily obliged, hoping he could hold himself together long enough to bring his lover to satisfaction as each thrust fired along the nerves of his cock in delirious ecstasy.
He reached down to stroke Draco's own weeping need, his hand a little clumsy as he struggled to concentrate. Draco shifted his hips further up, his chasm tightening suddenly when Harry struck sensitive nerves. Lightning shot behind closed eyelids and he clung desperately to his sense of self-control. He wasn't ready to be done yet; he needed more.
Draco was meeting him thrust for thrust, his throaty moans and cries of pleasure eroding Harry's will. With a keening cry, Draco spilled himself into Harry's rough hands, his channel tightening and pulsing around Harry as he plunged deeper. There was no way he could stave off his own release any longer, his passion burst forth like a river of molten pleasure coursing through him.
He stiffened, trembling slightly, his body so sensitive that he couldn't stand to move. Draco shifted under him, firing off a spark of colors behind his eyes. He whimpered against the intensity of it.
After an eternity, the feeling eventually ebbed and he was able to take Draco's legs off his shoulders and remove himself so that he could collapse in breathless wonder next to Draco.
"Thank you," Harry whispered when he finally found his voice.
"That should be my line," Draco breathlessly replied.
