Notes:
I did my best to finish this chapter in time, I wanted to post today because it's my birthday. Still no beta, sorry! All the mistakes are mine, apologies.
See the end of the chapter for more notes.
Chapter 2 - Unprofessional
"Oh sweetheart, you look like you've barely slept, are you ok?" Willa asks with concerned eyes.
I haven't slept much, what between the realisation that I nearly kissed Draco Malfoy and the sinking feeling that I probably blew my cover and I'm going to get fired. I can already picture the Head Auror shaking her head muttering: "so unprofessional, after all these years of service…".
I sit at the breakfast table next to Willa, who gently pats me on the shoulder and passes me the pot of warm tea. I'm waiting for the wizards and witches in the room to receive their copy of the Prophet to gauge how shitty the situation is, when Malfoy gracefully sits down next to me. I can't even look at him and I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole.
"Morning Willa. Charlie…how are you two doing today?"
"Marvellous, darling, thank you. These French croissants are to die for. Our dear Charlie, though, looks a bit under the weather. Maybe you could give him one of your potions, they're always so much better than the shop bought concoctions you get in Diagon Alley."
I shake my head and say it's probably just a cold, then I get up and head to the toilet. I can't be in the same room as Malfoy right now.
I open the door to the empty toilet and suddenly feel someone pushing me in. Malfoy locks the door behind us with a quick Colloportus and puts a silencing spell too. He then turns towards me and pushes me against the wall.
"Malfoy, what the hell?"
"Shut up and spill the beans, Potter."
"What?" It may be the lack of sleep, but I am quite confused.
"Why are you here in disguise?" he asks grabbing my collar and pointing his wand at me.
"Oi, Malfoy, you need to seriously calm the fuck down. I'm just investigating something and they've sent me here under Polyjuice, that's all. It's a secret mission and I can't draw attention to myself."
I'm not even supposed to tell him, but since I blew my cover, I guess it doesn't make much difference. Malfoy doesn't seem to think I'm being honest though, as his grip doesn't loosen.
"Who are you investigating?" he asks through clenched teeth.
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. I would lose my job if I did."
"I think you would also lose your job if people found out that the famous Harry Potter is here in disguise."
"Do you mean you haven't told anyone?" I ask genuinely surprised.
"No, should I or are you going to tell me the truth?"
Great, now he's threatening me…
"Listen, Malfoy, I mean no harm to you, I swear. I'm sorry I was really unprofessional last night. I can't really tell you why I'm here, but I promise I'll be as subtle as I can from now on and I won't bother you. I just need to speak to a few people this morning and then I will just sit quietly and pretend not to get too bored during the conference."
He lowers his wand, frowning at me.
"Are you investigating me? I haven't done anything wrong, all my potions are legal and I have all the paperwork in my bag, if you want to check."
"You're not under investigation, you moron! I told you, I need to speak to some French wizards."
"Why did you try to kiss me, then?"
I can feel my face grow hot and possibly extremely red.
"I…I…first of all, you tried to kiss me first! But it was the alcohol, I guess…"
He smiles as he lets go of my collar, eyeing me like a snake about to eat its lunch
"Who do you need to speak to?"
"Again, top secret."
"Maybe I should send an owl to Rita…"
"For fuck's sake, Malfoy…I need to speak to a few of the French delegates. A guy called Maurice Dubois, happy now?"
He smirks at me and crosses his arms.
"Well, I hope you have brushed up on your French in the meantime, because he doesn't speak a word of English."
"What?! It's an international conference, why do they not speak English?"
"You're so self-centred, Potter. Not everyone needs to speak your language, you know? Anyway, it looks like you need a translator." he smiles mischievously at me.
Fuck, what I have got myself into?
The morning goes by quite slowly, the conference is extremely boring and I sit there looking at the wizards and witches around me. Malfoy takes notes and looks very serious and professional, he's wearing a dark grey suit today, with a light blue shirt and a navy tie. He looks like a model out of a catalogue. I'm wearing the only suit I own and I guess I'll be wearing it all week, unless they decide to allow us to wear jeans on Friday.
"Strange, Rémy isn't here. He was supposed to make a big announcement this afternoon." Malfoy is talking to Willa, who looks quite surprised too. Rémy is the name of the delegate who has disappeared, I didn't know Malfoy was friends with him.
Willa and Bartholomew make presentations about how the U.K. is dealing with the import and export of unicorn horns and other illegal potion ingredients and finally it's lunch break.
I stand up and head straight for the French table, I have seen a picture of this Maurice guy (bald, tall and with a big black beard) and I have been eying him all morning. Malfoy trails behind me, looking cool and pretending to be busy reading his notes from earlier.
Well, it turns out he was right and Maurice doesn't speak a word of English. I have to turn and ask for him to translate and he looks positively pleased with himself.
"Can you please ask him if there's somewhere we can speak, just the three of us? You can tell him I'm an Auror."
Malfoy quickly translates and Maurice leads us to a small conference room.
"So, Charlie, what do you want me to ask him?"
I don't know how to go about this without uncovering my mission, but I guess I have no alternative. I can always obliviate Malfoy…
"Ask him where he was on Thursday night from 7 p.m."
The guy looks super annoyed and starts talking, Malfoy says that he left his hotel in London after having dinner with some colleagues and then he wondered around the city for a bit, before coming back at midnight.
"Ask him if Rémy Colbert was with him."
Malfoy stares at me with wide eyes, as he translates the question. I can see Maurice getting all flustered and shaking his head. He knows where this is leading.
"He says they left the restaurant together, but then Rémy told him he was going to meet up with some guy and left the hotel in the opposite direction. He didn't say where he was going or with whom. He swears that's all he knows."
"Ok, tell him that if he remembers something important or if he finds out anything, he needs to contact the British Auror office asap."
Maurice nods and leaves the room, practically running away. Malfoy pushes me against the wall and grabs my collar, again!
"Oi, Malfoy! Is this a kink of yours or something? I only have one suit, it needs to last for the whole week."
"Cut the crap, Potter, what's going on? Where's Rémy?"
"I can't tell you anything."
"I'm friends with him, I was supposed to have dinner with him and his boyfriend this evening. I can arrange for you to meet his partner Michel, if you want. But you need to tell me what's going on."
That's unexpected luck, the French Aurors have not been cooperative at all and have refused to arrange any meetings for me with people of interest. They're blaming us for Rémy's disappearance, since it happened on British soil.
"Malfoy, I'm going to get sacked if they find out I got you involved."
"But you need a translator and I know people, so I am useful to you right now. Rémy is a friend of mine and I want to help you find him. Besides, I thought you liked breaking rules? I didn't think you had changed so much over the years." he sneers at me.
He's so infuriating! I feel like punching him and kissing that stupid expression off his face at the same time, what the hell.
"Fine, but if you tell anyone, I will obliviate you."
Malfoy's sneer turns into a smile. He grabs the collar of my shirt and suddenly brings our lips together. The kiss is so unexpected that it catches me off guard. I just stand there like an idiot while Malfoy kisses me with soft lips and grinds his hips into mine. I find myself moaning into his mouth, as I reach for his hair and slide my fingers through them, bringing him closer to me and deepening the kiss. His smell is intoxicating, I feel one of his hands circling my waist and drawing me closer.
He breaks the kiss too soon and just stares at me.
"Maybe you were right, I do have a kink for pushing you against walls, Potter."
"Fuck, Malfoy…"
"At what time does your Polyjuice run out?" he asks licking his lips. Merlin, how does he manage to look so delectable?
"I took some not long ago, it will last until 5:30, I need to take some more before dinner. Why are you asking?
"I'll see you in my room at 5:30 then" he says looking smug.
And with that, he leaves.
I make sure not to sit next to him after lunch, but he keeps on giving me sidelong looks and smirking. What the fuck did I get myself into?
At 5 o'clock I literally run for my life and hide in my room, trying to decide whether to go or not. I take a shower, change into my jeans and T-shirt and I try to calm down.
The kiss was clearly a colossal mistake that is not going to repeat itself. I don't know what made me do it (very early midlife crisis, as I am approaching my 30th birthday? The fact that I haven't shagged in at least 5 months?), but it won't happen again. I have to admit I'm clearly attracted to him, but I can't cheat on Ginny. Merlin, I have already kissed Malfoy, does that count as cheating, if he started it?
This has to end, I am going to go and tell him clearly!
It's nearly half past and I can feel my Polyjuice starting to wear off, I sigh as I put my glasses on and head next door to Malfoy's room. I knock once and he opens straight away.
"Eager to see me?" I joke.
He grabs me and pulls me in.
"You seriously need to stop manhandling my clothes, I might not be as fashionable as you, but I still need them!"
Malfoy raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't let go of me.
"Seriously, Potter? Your clothes are abysmal, your sense of style is atrocious. And what's with only having one suit? Do they not pay you enough at the Ministry? Surely you need to look presentable with Muggles too."
"Have you asked me to come here to bust my balls about fashion?" I ask exasperated.
"You wish, come inside my tent before I take you shopping."
I hesitate as he lets go of me and heads inside, I'm not sure what he's planning, but that tent is definitely dangerous. It's cosy, it smells divine, it has fricking tea lights. It's clearly a trap to get inside my pants!
"Oi, come on Potter, he's waiting for us."
"Who's waiting?"
A threesome?
I swallow loudly and open the tent, there's a man with brown eyes and auburn curly hair sitting on the couch. I recognise him immediately from the photos I have seen, he's Rémy's boyfriend.
"Nice to mee you, Mr Auror, my name is Michel Petit."
I don't know how to introduce myself, Malfoy has just blown my cover, but I don't know if this guy knows who I am.
"This is Harry, Michel. He's in charge of the investigation to find out what happened to Rémy. Shall I get us all something to drink? Cup of tea?"
We both nod and Malfoy leaves to make tea. I talk briefly to Michel and then I excuse myself and follow Malfoy into the kitchen.
He's washing his hands as the tea is brewing and he smirks when he sees me.
"Missed me already, Potter?"
"What the fuck, Malfoy? Why did you not tell me to come in disguise? I've already compromised my mission by telling you. Are you trying to get me fired?"
"Relax, Potter. He has no clue who you are and he's not going to tell anyone. He's a Muggle."
"What?!"
"Rémy's boyfriend is a Muggle, he knows about wizards but he works as an English professor at university."
"That's why his English is so good. Finally someone I can talk to!"
I just realise that I don't actually need Malfoy to be here to carry on my interview with Michel and I suddenly have a doubt.
"Hang on a second, why did you make me come as myself? I could have used Polyjuice, as I'm supposed to."
"Because I wanted to do this when you have your own body."
He catches me off guard again and starts kissing me against the kitchen counter, my lips open immediately to his and he deepens the kiss with a sigh. He tastes divine, his mouth is so soft and addictive and I feel all my previous resolutions crumble, as I put my arms around his back and grab his shirt. He runs his fingers through my hair, as he cups my cheeks and moans into my mouth. I can feel him getting hard against me and I know he can tell I'm in the same state.
"Draco, do you need any help in the kitchen?" comes Michel's voice from the living room.
I pull away from him, Malfoy stares at me panting and his lips curl into a smile.
"Fuck, Malfoy…we can't do this, I have a girlfriend."
"You what?!"
"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, but I have a girlfriend and I can't cheat on her."
"What the fuck, Potter! I assumed you two had broken up."
He covers his face with his hands and groans, stepping away from me.
"Why did you tell me you were gay last night?"
I really don't know how to answer, so I decide to go for the simple truth.
"I don't know…I think I might be attracted to you." I whisper.
He actually looks hurt and I don't know what to do or what to say. A phone starts beeping in the other room (possibly Michel's), Malfoy turns his back at me, puts the mugs and kettle on a tray and leaves the kitchen. I follow suit and sit on the sofa as far away from him as I can, as Michel is sitting in a cosy green armchair in front of us. Time to focus on work, I tell myself.
"So Michel, can you please tell me what you know about your boyfriend's disappearance?" I ask in a calm tone.
"Rémy was in London for work, apparently he left his hotel after having dinner with some colleagues and he said he had to meet with a man. The French Aurors think it was a hook-up and that he ran away with someone, but I know that's not possible. You see, the neighbours heard us arguing the night before he left for England and they told the Aurors when they went to ask. But it was just a spat and we patched things up in the morning. He would never cheat on me, I know that. But they don't believe me! These wizards are all so homophobic, as soon they found out I was his boyfriend, they started treating me like shit!"
He looks angry and close to tears, clearly worried sick about his boyfriend and frustrated by the lack of understanding.
"Listen, I believe you and I strongly doubt that he ran away with someone. But we need to find out who he met up with, because that might lead us to him. We have zero clues, unfortunately, but I still have a few people to question."
"I have no idea; I would tell you if I knew. He has been really busy lately. You know, he was working on something important for the Ministry, he wanted to push for a change in the French wizarding law to allow gay marriage."
"HE WHAT?!", shouts Malfoy, nearly choking on his tea.
"Calm down, Malfoy. It's gay marriage, we're not in the Middle Ages."
"Potter, do you have any idea how wizarding marriage law works?"
"Err…no", I have to admit, "I don't really care about politics, to be honest with you." And I have no immediate intention of getting married.
"Well, you should, since you're an Auror. Same-sex marriage is not allowed and massively frowned upon in most of the countries. You can become a social pariah if people find out you're living with or dating someone of the same sex and that's both in France and in the U.K."
"I had a feeling wizards were not particularly open to gay marriage, but most of my friends are fine with gay people."
"Well, you are lucky. Young people are finally opening their eyes, but the older generations are still set in the old ways."
Michel looks puzzled and frowns at me.
"Draco, I thought he was…", he says pointing at me.
Malfoy blushes and shakes his head. I'm confused, so I look at both of them, but Malfoy's avoiding my eyes and Michel has a sad look on his face.
"T'es amoureux de lui, n'est-ce pas?" Michel says.
"Laisse tomber, Michel. S'il te plaît…"
I have no idea what they're talking about, but I guess that's my clue to leave.
"Well, if you think about anything, can you please call this number as soon as possible?" I fish out from my wallet the business card I normally use for Muggles, it has my mobile phone number written on it and I hand it to him.
"I have all his notebooks at home, all his work is on there. I have his laptop too, would you like me to bring them over tomorrow evening? They might contain something useful for your investigation."
"Most certainly, that would be brilliant, thank you!"
We shake hands and I promise to update him if I find anything in the meantime.
"Well, I'll be off then and leave you to catch up." I say, as I get up.
"I actually need to leave now, Harry. I need to go and see Rémy's mother, she's quite elderly and is worried sick about him."
Michel gives Malfoy a hug and then says he'll come over tomorrow with his boyfriend's laptop and documents.
"Courage, mon vieux!" he says to Malfoy.
I try to leave as soon as he's out of the door, but Malfoy grabs my arm to stop me.
"Hand on a second, Potter. You, me, dinner. Now."
It doesn't sound like a request, it's more like an order.
Notes
I was originally planning on making them kiss at the end of the chapter, but Draco clearly had other ideas. Oh, well!
I really hope you liked it, kudos and comments make me happy!