46. Main Attraction [Saturday, October 22nd 2005]

Draco had never thought that Angelina Johnson would be someone he ever saw again after Hogwarts. He hadn't even really seen her at Hogwarts – the only reason he had known her name at all had been her status as Gryffindor Chaser. And now he was at her birthday party, at her and George's house. It was weird.

The house was filled with her former classmates from various houses and other people Draco didn't know. They knew him, of course. It seemed that Draco had at least somewhat risen in their esteem since the end of the war – mainly because of his role as the Saviour's saviour. Some of them even spoke with him for more than two sentences.

The younger (extended) family members were also there, which was a good thing, because that way he didn't feel alone. Harry had promised to meet him there as well, but had yet to show up. Draco wondered what was keeping him – maybe he had to do a perimeter check before he could come inside.

"Stop that," Blaise snapped at him an hour into the party.

"I'm not doing anything," said Draco, emptying his cup (the re-filling kind, again – when would these people learn?) for the umpteenth time.

"You're constantly looking at the door. People will think something's wrong with you. It's embarrassing."

So what if he was a little nervous, representing fifty percent of all the Slytherins in attendance. Blaise had Ginny there to defend him (not that Draco would ever admit that he was in need of Harry's protection – he was a strong, independent wizard who didn't need no man).

Also, people knew about Ginny and Blaise's relationship and didn't care. Blaise didn't have to watch what he did or said. Draco would have to keep his distance from Harry, limit the eye contact. Still, just knowing that he was in the same room would boost Draco's confidence. Not that he would tell him that, either.

"Shut up," Draco muttered. He sipped his drink just for something to do. He could not look at the door for five minutes. Piece of cake. He would just people-watch instead. People were just as interesting as doors.

Take Hermione for example – she was very interesting to look at, because she was practically completely round at this point. Draco wondered if she would just keep rolling if she happened to fall down a hill. Not that he would advise her to do that. That was usually not beneficial for the foetus. Hermione must have come through the floo just now, because Draco had not seen her earlier and she had definitely not entered through the door – not that Draco was keeping tabs on it.

"Sucks to be Hermione on a boozy night like this," Draco commented. "I don't know if I could take all these pissed people if I were sober."

He looked away from Hermione to where Blaise had been standing, but the bastard had vanished. Probably to disassociate himself from the embarrassment that was Draco. He could add soliloquies to the list of Draco's quirks.

Somebody snatched the cup from his hand suddenly and Draco whirled around to face the raider. He came face to face with Not-Potter, the guy Draco had first kissed at Bill's birthday party almost a year ago. Harry looked a few years older, once again scar-less and his eyes a bright blue.

"What a coincidence!" Harry said, returning the cup to Draco's hand after taking a sip. "Remember me?"

Draco shook his head, trying to clear his head some. Why could that man never just get his own drink?

"Can't say I do. What was your name again?"

Harry punched his arm with considerable force. "You didn't tell me you are such a player." Harry raised one eyebrow suggestively. "You can call me Enrico if you want."

"And if I don't?" Draco smirked provocatively, trying not to laugh out loud. He didn't exactly want to think of Mrs. Capitelli while flirting with his boyfriend out in the open.

Harry leaned in, whispering into his ear. "Tonight, my name is whatever you want it to be."

There was a rushing sound in Draco's ears, which could only have been all his blood leaving his head on its way down. He cleared his throat and emptied his cup hurriedly. "Let's go somewhere. With sitting accommodations."

Preferably also some pillows to cover his expanding problem.

He would have loved to just take Harry and leave, but it wasn't Angelina's birthday for another two hours. Also, people would talk if they saw Draco and a Harry Potter look-alike leave together. Somehow, he didn't think that the overall reaction would be positive. Why did Harry have to be such a tease? Picking this appearance had definitely not been a coincidence. Harry never reused his disguises – usually.

"How are you still able to pronounce such posh words as 'accommodations'? I can see you are sloshed. It's entirely unfair."

"It's called etiquette," Draco replied loftily, leading the way to a squished crimson sofa which was the only one still empty (probably because it was situated directly in front of the fireplace – Harry certainly wouldn't mind). They sat down and Draco promptly placed a pillow in his lap, pretending to examine it.

"By the way, this does not excuse your tardiness. You owe me an hour of my life."

Harry turned his head to grin at him wickedly. Anonymity really was making him bold. "I think I can spare you an hour. Any specific requests?"

"For the love of Merlin, please stop coming onto me," Draco groaned reluctantly. "I've got a reputation to lose."

"And here I thought your homosexuality was an open secret," Harry mused. "You're not exactly careful with who you admit it to, are you? You did to me." Harry gestured at his altered body, referring to Bill's party.

"It may be open, but it's still a secret. Not like I expected you to go around bragging about making out with a former Death Eater," Draco said. He wasn't exactly ready to let people know – that would mean defying his parents for good. "I'm not keen on becoming the talk of the party."

But it seemed like that was something Draco did not have to worry about, because the party did already have something to talk about. It was barely half an hour later when Angelina approached Hermione and Ron, who were standing nearby.

"Have you seen this?" she hissed, handing them a magazine while looking over her shoulder nervously. Both of them stared down at it for a second. Then Hermione snatched it from Angelina, rolled it up and stashed it in her purse.

"Nobody else seems to have seen it yet," she whispered. "Let's hope we can keep it like that for tonight."

All three of them looked over at Harry, who fortunately didn't notice because he was scrutinising a plate of cupcakes. Hermione caught Draco's questioning look and shook her head.

"I wouldn't eat that if I were you," Draco said, taking the plate from Harry and placing it on a side table. "I talked to George at dinner last week and he said something about launching an addition to their Canary Cream."

"You really can't trust anybody," Harry grumbled. "Maybe it's time I take after Moody and carry a flask and lunchbox at all times. Be right back, I'll just talk to Angelina for a second," he added, making his way over to the kitchen where she had vanished to.

Draco jumped to his feet as soon as he was out of sight, and strode over to Hermione and Ron. "What's wrong?" he whispered urgently.

She handed him the magazine and then angled her body so it would shield him from curious looks. Merlin knew her body was large enough to accomplish it.

The cover of Witch Weekly read 'HARRY POTTER'S SECRET DOUBLE LIFE', completely in upper-case letters.

Underneath was a photo of Harry and Mathews at Ella's birthday party last month. They were looking at the camera – Mathews practically glowing and Harry flashing one of his too perfect smiles that told anyone who knew him that Harry was not enjoying himself at all. It was a Muggle photograph and therefore not moving, which was why Harry's discomfort was not as visible.

Draco flipped the magazine open and rifled through it until he found the same photo again. The caption read 'Potter was seen flirting with a gorgeous red-head, who remains unnamed as of yet'.

"Flirting? As if," Draco growled. "I bet she told them that herself."

"Read the article," Ron murmured glumly.

You would be hard pressed to find a wizard or witch alive who does not know of Harry Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding world. Asking any random Muggle, however, would yield much different results. Maybe that is the reason why Harry Potter (25) apparently ventures into the Muggle World on a steady basis. Sources tell us that he is regularly seen with a consistent group of Muggle friends who remain oblivious to Harry's renown and believe him to be a moderately successful footballer (for a brief explanation of football, see page 25).

Also involved in the charade are the remaining two-thirds of the Golden Trio, Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Hermione Granger and Auror Ronald Weasley.

But curiously, there is another wizard in on Harry's well-kept secret – Draco Malfoy, who was made the Falmouth Falcons' Team Healer in January and gained Harry's friendship in the process – or so it would seem.

Our source tells us about a strange scene that transpired when Malfoy joined the party in question. No sooner had Malfoy entered the flat than Harry removed him from the party forcefully, claiming there was something they needed to sort out. They returned a few minutes later and then proceeded to shun each other for the rest of the evening. Friends reportedly refused to talk about any feuds that might be going on between the two of them, claiming only that they indeed are friends.

We can only hope that Malfoy has not foiled Harry Potter's chance at finding love again and that Harry will be able to reconnect with his mysterious acquaintance.

By Cordelia Elphaba

There were two other photographs. The first was the group shot that Lauren had arranged – all of the guests grouped around a sofa that was completely hidden by the mass of people. Harry and Draco were at opposite ends, as far away from each other as they could get. Harry stood between Hermione, Ron, Neville and Hannah while Draco was caught in a hug between Lauren and Olivia.

The second photo showed Harry dragging him along by the arm, the tension in both their bodies clearly palpable. It certainly looked like they were just seconds away from a brawl. Well, Draco supposed this scoop was still better than what the two of them had almost revealed by accident. He much preferred this photo to one of Harry attacking him with his mouth.

"Well, that's inconvenient," Draco said, handing the magazine back to Hermione.

"Does Samantha know?" Hermione asked. "About the two of you, not this."

Draco shook his head. "We decided not to tell her. At least not until we plan to make it public … if we decide to make it public."

Hermione put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed. She was smiling, but her eyes were sad. "I'm sure you'll get there."

Draco shrugged and looked over his shoulder to make sure nobody was listening. "I don't know. He thinks that going public ruins all his relationships. And I'm not exactly popular. I don't think people will be happy for us."

Hermione took a jam tart from a platter that was floating by. "Don't sell yourself short, Draco. You've changed. The fans love you."

"Yeah, now." Draco tried to supress the bitterness that was rising inside him. "As long as I don't get too close to their Saviour. They're crazy about him."

Hermione laughed, but there was no humour there. "You could say that. People sent me death threats when Skeeter told them we were dating in our fourth year. Well, she wrote that I was playing with his feelings, but I'm not sure that was the part people really cared about."

Draco grimaced. "Perfect. Maybe we should just move to Australia or something. At least he'd be warm there."

"Hold it!" George appeared suddenly, snatching the jam tart from Hermione before she could bite into it. "That's not for you. Alcohol."

He handed Draco the tart instead and disappeared again, glancing back at them over his shoulder. Hermione looked after him as Draco studied the tart.

"The cupcakes are safe." Harry said, slinging an arm around Hermione's shoulders. He was already eating one and holding another in his free hand. "Angelina says to watch out for the –"

"Jam tart?" Draco guessed, putting it back on the next tray that came by.

"Yeah. Did I miss it?" Harry took a look around, but nobody was sporting animalistic features they didn't normally have.

They didn't have to wait that long. There was a loud roar that made everybody jump and Hannah Abbott turned orange with black stripes.

"Tiger tarts!" George shouted, taking Hannah by the hand and spinning her around so everybody could see her in full glory. Somebody took a picture. Behind them, Neville put his own tart down hastily, looking incredibly relieved.

Draco decided to stick to the food that George deemed safe to be consumed by his pregnant sister-in-law from now on.

~o~

Harry and Draco excused themselves at one in the morning, exactly fifteen minutes after Dean Thomas and his new girlfriend had broken first ground, which meant it had to be acceptable for them to leave too.

They reappeared in Harry's hallway, which was dark and quiet. As usual, Harry immediately went for the kitchen to check the post. Draco grabbed his upper arm and spun him around, pulling him in closer by the neck.

Thankfully, Harry was into it. Grinning up at him, he said, "Eager, are we?"

"Promises were made," Draco answered, risking a look into the kitchen.

Yes, there was definitely more post than usual. Draco really didn't want to deal with that now. He hadn't pulled himself together for four hours just to get cockblocked by some pulpy magazine.

"You made me wait," Draco said pointedly, pulling him over to the stairs.

Harry laughed and kissed him fervently.

Draco didn't know what kind of dark magic Hermione had used to tame Harry's now-brown hair to such a degree. He also didn't really want to know. Draco found that this version was way less fun than the usual uncontrollable mob. Less mass to just bury his fingers in, much less to grab onto while they fell onto the bed. Which did not mean that Draco would stop making fun of Harry's hair. That was his vested right as his boyfriend.

"This feels really weird," Draco muttered, running a hand through Harry's hair. Harry looked up at him with his new blue eyes, which really didn't help. Draco shook his head. "Definitely not a fan."

"You liked it well enough last year," Harry argued, unbuttoning Draco's shirt. He trailed kisses down his chest and Draco's threw his head back against the pillow. Not seeing him definitely made it easier.

"I didn't have the real thing last year."

Harry breathed out noisily and rolled off Draco to snatch his wand from the side table. Turning back into his own self only took a second and Harry didn't seem all that annoyed anymore when Draco pushed him onto his back and rolled on top of him.

~o~

There was a buzz in his ears when Draco woke up a little later. He dragged a pillow over his head and then spread out an arm towards Harry's side. Which was empty and cold.

Groaning, Draco pushed the pillow away and fished for a pair of pants on the floor. The bedroom was cast into dim, golden light from the orb on the bedside table and it was still very much dark outside. Draco checked the clock – quarter past three. What the fuck was Harry doing out of bed in the middle of the night?

Draco didn't even have to search for him – he was just outside the bedroom door, having a go at the punch bag hanging from the ceiling. It wasn't hard to guess why he was doing it and Draco could just imagine Harry picturing the girls face as kicked the bag up high.

Well, Draco wasn't stupid enough to startle him when he was in a mood, so he went back into the bedroom, leaving the door wide open so he could watch Harry kick the crap out of the imaginary bitch, wearing only Draco's pants. Not a bad view.

It didn't last long (though of course Draco didn't know how long Harry had been up already). Harry whipped around suddenly and stomped into the bedroom, not really surprised to see that the door was open and Draco was sitting with his back against the head board.

"You said her name is Mathews?" Harry asked through clenched teeth.

Draco did a shrug-nod combination. "I thought your thing was anger-cooking?"

"I did that first, didn't help. There are pancakes in the kitchen if you're hungry." Harry massaged the knuckles of his wand hand, giving him a hard look. "Does she work at Mungo's?"

Draco sighed and stretched out a hand. "You don't want to hex her. You'd just play into her cards. Imagine the kind of stories she could sell if you did it."

Harry crossed his arms (damn, that really brought out his biceps!) and ignored Draco's hand. "I don't care. She exposed my friends! What if somebody decides to find them?"

Being ignored didn't mean that Draco had to leave him alone, so he leaned forward and pulled Harry onto the bed by his arm. Feeling it felt even better than just looking, but Draco could concentrate.

"Be reasonable. Not one of them was mentioned by name and you're not anywhere near them in the photo."

Harry didn't seem convinced, but he did swing his legs up onto the bed, which indicated that he was going to stay and listen.

Draco continued in his most rational voice. "Also, the article makes it sound like we hate each other's guts, so people would never suspect that you are friends with the girls I'm standing next to."

Harry threw his hands up in the air, which was sad, because now his biceps looked less impressive. "Mathews knows!"

Draco leaned forward to place both hands at the back of his head and keep him still. "Mathews isn't interested in them. She just wants to make it seem like there could be something between the two of you."

"Well, there isn't. What happens when the reporters find her and ask for names?"

The air around them felt slightly static, but Draco decided to ignore that in favour of staying focused on the important things. Besides, he was wearing the necklace. He was perfectly safe.

"I don't think she'd take that deal. The article makes it seem like it wasn't her that sold these photos. Giving them your friends' names is much riskier. She won't burn that bridge; she must know that you would never get involved with her after something like that."

"Or I could just find her and threaten her," said Harry hotly.

It felt like Harry's deep green eyes stared directly into Draco, all the way inside. It felt unsettling and immensely intense at the same time. Draco carded his fingers through the soft curls at Harry's neck in an attempt at calming him down.

"She would have no reason to keep silent if you were the first to burn that bridge. Remember that love is a much more powerful motivator than fear."

Harry opened his mouth immediately, clearly outraged, and Draco drew him in at once, pressing their lips together and then whispering, "I know it's not love, but people have a habit of losing themselves in the most absurd fantasies, especially if they concern you."

"Why do people have to be so shitty?! God, I'm just so angry!"

Harry was trembling under Draco's hands, opening and closing his fists and effectively flexing his biceps at the same time. Merlin, how was it possible for Draco to get so hot and bothered again so soon?

"I know," said Draco, kissing him again, first on the lips and then down his neck and along his clavicle.

It felt like Harry wanted to say something else, so Draco bit his shoulder lightly. Harry grabbed Draco's upper arms and pressed him down into the mattress in one swift move that did nothing to counteract the rising pressure inside him.

"Damn it, Draco. Stop distracting me! I'm trying to carry my anger into the morning, when I can finally go and find that bitch!"

Draco fixed him with a raised elbow and grinned filthily. "It's not my fault you look so hot when you're angry."

The static in the air collapsed suddenly, leaving just a light tingle on Draco's bare skin, and then Harry was on top of him, pressing him deep into the mattress with every last pound of his strong, lean body that seemed to glow in the golden light, contrasting with Draco's paleness in the most delicious way.