Chapter Nine
The Celebration
Harry sat before the fire, trying to concentrate on his bloody Charms work. He looked at his watch for what he thought was probably the millionth time in the last five minutes. 8:05. Well, it's almost time, I should go put away my things. Harry's stomach did a few back flips. He was getting very excited now. He knew he had seen Draco three times already that day. But this is different. We can be all alone.
Harry smiled as he gathered his schoolwork and the drawings of Draco and carried them up to his room. He tipped everything onto his desk. He glanced around his room. He thought to himself that he needed to straighten up. He made his bed quickly, picked up his clothes and threw them into the hamper. He spent the next quarter of an hour tidying up.
Harry looked into his mirror. He tried to make his hair lay down a bit flatter. "How many times must I tell you, son? You're fighting a losing battle there!" said his mirror reproachfully.
"Oh sod off." said Harry grumpily. He always got grumpy when he was cleaning. It reminded him too much of home with the Dursleys. You're going to see Draco, he reminded himself. You're going to see the man that stole your heart. Harry smiled again.
He looked around his much tidier room. Then he glanced down at his watch. 8:37. His stomach felt like it was filled with several gymnasts now. He looked in the mirror again.
"Oh, you look fine. Except for that hair, but you can't help that." said his mirror huffily.
"Thank you." said Harry. He grabbed his invisibility cloak and walked out the door. I'll need this later to get back in here.
Harry walked downstairs to the common room. He found his two best friends settling into the chair that he had vacated just half an hour before. Hermione was sitting on Ron's lap, looking slightly flushed. Ron was wearing a face that clearly showed how happy with himself he was. It didn't take much for Harry to guess what they had just been doing.
"I'm going out. I'll be back later tonight," said Harry, moving toward the portrait hole.
"Where are you off to?" asked Ron as Hermione curled closer to him, closing her eyes.
"I'm meeting someone." said Harry. "Oh. Ron?"
"Mmm?" Ron wrapped his long arms around his girlfriend.
"Can you and 'Mione stay in her room tonight? I would kind of like the room to myself... If that's alright." Harry reached the portrait hole and looked back at Ron. His eyes were drooping closed too.
"Sure, Harry. Whatever you say," mumbled Ron.
"Thanks," Harry climbed out of the portrait hole, tucking his invisibility cloak under his arm. He was hoping to meet Draco in the hall before entering the trophy room, but Harry didn't see Draco anywhere. Harry sighed, disappointed. He turned into the trophy room. He stopped short, just inside the room. Now he knew why he hadn't met Draco in the hall.
The various and sundry items that normally resided in the room had been cleared away and now lined the walls. There was a large, fluffy blanket spread out on the floor instead. Hovering a couple inches over the center of the blanket, there was a large candle. Harry had never seen a candle like this before. It looked as though two candles, one silver and one gold, had been twisted together to create one larger candle. There were two flames dancing happily at the top. One flame, coming from the silver side of the candle, was shining a brilliant shade of jade. The other flame, waving over the gold part, was sparkling cherry. Harry took his eyes away from the elegant candle to look round himself. He noticed several smaller versions of the candle hovering around the edges of the cleared space of the room. Harry pulled the invisibility cloak from under his arm and dropped it to the floor in a heap as he stepped further into the room. He was utterly mesmerized by the shimmering red and green light around him. Suddenly he heard the door close softly behind him, and felt arms encircling his waist. Gasping, Harry turned his head in time to see Draco's face for a split-second before Draco's lips found his. Harry's heart leaped and he returned the kiss.
After a while, Draco pulled away, but kept his arms around Harry. "So? What do you think?" Harry could feel Draco smiling against his cheek.
"It's wonderful." Harry looked at the candlelight again. Draco took his arms from around Harry's waist, and stepped in front of Harry. He took Harry's hands and led him to sit on the blanket. Harry followed obediently and sat facing Draco. "I almost thought you didn't remember about today," said Harry quietly.
"Harry, how could I forget the most important night of my life?" said Draco. He leaned in and kissed Harry again. The two boys moved closer. Draco pulled away slightly. "I." He kissed Harry's cheek. "Would." Harry's ear lobe. "Never." Harry's jaw. "Forget." Harry's neck. "You." Harry's collar bone. Harry's breath caught. Draco brought his face back level with Harry's. Sapphires stared at emeralds for a few seconds that felt like an eternity.
"Never." whispered Draco finally. The boys smiled at each other. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry. Harry curled in, happy to be in Draco's arms again. Draco took one arm away for a second, pulled out his wand, pointed it into the darkness, and whispered something. There was a quiet whirring sound and then the first chords of a song began to play. Draco put away his wand, put his arm back around Harry, and smiled down at the surprised Gryffindor.
"What?" asked Draco innocently.
"That's a muggle CD player. And-" Harry glanced in the direction of the music. "This is Savage Garden. I know this song. This is an Australian muggle music group! Where did you get this?" Harry's eyes were the side of tennis balls.
"I had Blaise make it for me. Muggle things amuse his parents, so he has all kinds of muggle stuff, like a-" Draco stopped, his face contorted by thought. "A con-poo-ter? I think? Anyway, he told me how he could do something on it and make a see-dee full of music. So I told him I was setting up a romantic night for someone special. He was really excited and tried to make me tell who it was, but I wouldn't tell. But after I threatened to send a few good hexes at him, he flamed a see-dee for me." Draco grinned, and looked proudly down at Harry.
Harry smiled. "It's a computer. And they're called C-D's. Like the letters. They stand for something, see? And he burned it. He didn't flame it." He shook his head at Draco, impressed at all the work Draco did, and amused at Draco's lack of knowledge about muggle things.
"Well anyway, do you like it?" Draco asked.
"Of course I do." Harry sat up. He looked at Draco. "You know, I think you deserve something for all this work." Harry gestured around the room as the CD played the last chord of "I Knew I Loved You" and started a new song. Harry didn't quite recognize this one, but he could tell from the soft notes that it was another love song.
Harry stared straight into Draco's eyes, which looked back at him with curiosity and eagerness. He stared a few seconds more before pouncing on Draco and covering his boyfriend's face and neck with kisses. His last kiss landed on Draco's lips and Harry stayed there. He felt Draco's arms travel around his waist again. Harry's fingers reached up and into Draco's soft blonde hair. Being this close, Harry could smell Draco's cologne for the second time in his life. This time, Harry willingly surrendered to the scent. The boys stayed in the embrace for ages, occasionally rolling to change positions, hands roaming freely over flesh and robes.
Draco finally pulled back, remembering why he had Blaise put the music together for him. Harry groaned and tried to pull Draco's face back to his. Draco took Harry's hands from around his neck and sat up, pulling Harry with him. Draco stood slowly, and pulled a whiny Harry to stand in front of him.
"Oh Dray. I was so comfy the way we were..." Harry pouted.
Draco stepped back and bowed low. "Mister Potter, may I have this dance?" He held out a hand to Harry.
Harry smiled slowly and took the hand. "Why yes, Mister Malfoy, you may."
The pair stepped together. Draco slipped his free arm around Harry's waist as Harry draped his arm around Draco's neck. The pair of already clasped hands were pulled in between the two bodies. The boys glided around the room to the soft melodies drifting through the air. Harry laid his head on Draco's shoulder as they danced. Harry heard a smooth tenor singing along quietly. Is that Dray? I thought he wasn't allowed to have anything to do with muggle things. How does he know the words? I'll ask later. Harry sighed with contentment, closing his eyes, listening to Draco. The song ended, and a new one came on.
"Harry? Love?" Draco looked down at Harry, who then picked up his head. "This is the song I really wanted you to hear."
Harry listened to the chords. Harry knew this song. It was from one of the more famous muggle movies from America. "Is this 'Beauty and the Beast?' " asked Harry, amazed.
Draco nodded. "Shh. Listen to the words." Then a woman's voice started singing.
"Tale as old as time,
True as it can be.
Barely even friends,
Then somebody bends unexpectedly.
Just a little change.
Small, to say the least.
Both a little scared,
Neither one prepared.
Beauty and the Beast.
Ever just the same.
Ever a surprise.
Ever as before,
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise.
Tale as old as time.
Tune as old as song.
Bittersweet and strange,
Finding you can change,
Learning you were wrong.
Certain as the sun
Rising in the East.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme.
Beauty and the Beast.
Tale as old as time,
Song as old as rhyme.
Beauty and the Beast."
Harry sighed as the last strains of the song played. He looked at Draco. Draco was gazing back at him.
"See, it talks about these two people who didn't like each other at first, and that's us, and it's just a beautiful song, and well, the whole beauty-and-the-beast part, well you're beautiful, and I'm well. I'm a Malfoy for Merlin's sake. We're born beasts, and I thought-" Draco's steady stream of speech was stopped by Harry's lips covering Draco's. Harry could feel Draco relax in his arms.
"It's beautiful, Dray," said Harry as their lips parted. "Really."
"I thought-" started Draco. "I thought maybe that could be our song. I mean- That is- If that's alright with you."
"It's perfect, Love." Harry kissed Draco again. "Perfect. Just like you." Harry gave Draco a playful nudge. "And you are not a beast."
"Oh, yeah, I guess you're right," said Draco, his eyes twinkling. "But then- That would make you-"
"Don't you finish that sentence, Malfoy." said Harry as his hand slipped over his boyfriend's mouth.
Draco tried to speak, but as Harry's hand was in the way, it came out, "Muph mruph, muph mruph."
"Are you going to behave, Dray?" asked Harry sternly.
Draco nodded fervently. A glint in Draco's eyes told him otherwise, but Harry decided to let go anyway.
"Whew. Not fair Potter." said Draco grumpily. "I'm gonna get you for that." Mischief was now playing a dominant role in the look Harry was sent. Draco lunged at Harry, grabbed him and smashed him into the wall. Then Draco's fingers were running all over Harry's body, tickling Harry so badly he couldn't breathe. Harry tried to tickle back, but couldn't. Harry sat down, and Draco straddled Harry's lap, still tickling furiously.
~*~*~*~
There was a sudden POP! behind Draco. He stopped tickling and turned to see what it was. Harry wriggled underneath Draco trying to release himself.
There was a cake sitting there on the blanket, near the still-floating candle. Draco climbed off of Harry and walked over to look at the cake. He saw there was something written in red and green icing. As he reached the blanket, he could read what it said.
"Happy Two-Month Anniversary, Draco"
Draco turned to look at Harry. "Did you do this?"
"Of course, Silly. Who else knows about us? Well..." Harry looked down at the ground. "There's someone else now that knows about us."
Draco raised an eyebrow in surprise. "And who would that be?"
"Dobby."
Draco felt like his jaw was on the floor. Or at least just a few inches shy of it. "Dobby?!? How-? Wha-? Why-?" Draco composed himself. "How the fuck do you know Dobby, and how does he know about us?!?"
Harry glanced up at him, and then back to the floor. Draco listened as Harry told the story of how he and Dobby met, and then how he had set Dobby free.
"And now he works here at Hogwarts, in the kitchens. I went down there to ask him to make this for me- Well for you, really. And when he heard your name he was real excited. I guess you guys were friends?" asked Harry. Draco nodded, still in shock. "Well, then he started asking why was I asking for a cake for you and- and- it just slipped out. I was excited. I'm sorry." Harry was looking fairly sheepish now.
"So Dobby knows, huh? And he made this cake, huh?" Draco shook his head, trying to take in everything. I'll have to get Harry to take me down to the kitchens to visit Dobby sometime soon. Draco slowly let a smile spread across his face. "That's so sweet of you." Draco walked over to his boyfriend and folded him into a warm hug. He kissed Harry's neck. "Thank you," he murmured.
"You like it? Really?" said Harry. He looked amazed that Draco wasn't beating him to a pulp.
"Yes. Thank you."
"I made sure Dobby sent it up just after eleven," said Harry, glancing at his watch. "This was about the time that we had our first kiss." Draco watched as Harry's cheeks turned rosy.
"You're right. It's about time we reenact that, isn't it?" said Draco. He grabbed Harry's hands like he had that first night. He reached up, smiling, and brushed stray hairs out of Harry's face to reveal the scar that Draco enjoyed so much. He traced the scar like he had two months earlier, fingers following their previous path to Harry's eyebrow and nose. The blonde watched as the brunette's breathing slowed again as it had the first time. Draco ran one finger along the outline of the sweet lips he had now tasted so many times. Then after tracing Harry's jaw line, Draco's hand landed on Harry's soft smooth cheek. Their eyes connected again, and Draco leaned in, closing his eyes. The kiss was soft, like the first one. Draco pulled away from Harry, opening his eyes again. He knew what was coming next.
Harry pulled Draco back to him roughly, their lips crashing together once more. The same hunger was there again. The same passion was behind the kiss. Only this time, the kiss was deeper. Longer. Draco parted his lips and traced Harry's lips with his tongue. Harry's lips parted too, and their tongues met once more inside Harry's mouth. Their hands came alive again, roaming each others' bodies, fingers snaking through hair, hands touching every part of the body underneath them.
For this kiss, the moan that was heard was different than last time.
"Harry..."
~*~*~*~
Harry walked over to the door, and picked up his father's invisibility cloak. Draco was somewhere behind him, gathering candles and tucking them into his bag with the CD player and the now-folded blanket. The two had been standing there kissing for the last hour, and only realized the time when Harry pulled away from the kiss to yawn.
Draco had acted somewhat indignant until a few seconds later when he, too, yawned.
Harry walked over to Draco, who straightened up and threw the bag over his shoulder. "Ready?"
"Yeah, Har. Good to go." Draco kissed Harry again. Harry threw the invisibility cloak over himself and Draco. It was now well past midnight, and even though it was the holidays, they still weren't allowed to be wandering around this late.
The boys crept slowly out of the Trophy Room. Draco turned toward the Slytherin dungeons, but Harry grabbed his arm.
"Dray. Come with me?" said Harry hesitantly.
"Alright. I thought we were going to bed," said Draco, sounding confused.
"Erm. I-" Harry was glad Draco couldn't see the blush that was spreading across his face. "I was wondering if you wanted to come keep me company tonight." He said it very fast and very quiet.
Draco stopped short. Harry almost kept walking, but stopped when he noticed Draco was no longer next him.
Harry walked back. "If you don't want to, that's alright. I'm not offended or anything. I just-"
"I would love to." said Draco, cutting Harry off. "I was just surprised. I thought I would be the first one to ask you to stay overnight."
"Well, I told Ron to shove off and stay with Hermione tonight. So we have the room to ourselves." said Harry. He felt Draco speed up next to him.
"Where's your common room again?" said Draco. Harry felt Draco reaching for his hand and Harry gave it to him.
"This way." Harry pulled on Draco's hand, steering him to the Gryffindor tower.
~*~*~*~
In no time, they were standing in front of the painting of the Fat Lady. "Heebie-Jeebies." said Harry to the sleepy Fat Lady.
"Yes dear," she said as she swung open, eyes still closed.
Draco watched as Harry uncovered himself from the invisibility cloak and climbed inside first. He checked the common room and, seeing that it was empty, waved Draco in. Draco climbed inside and took off the cloak. He looked round the room in awe. He had known that the Gryffindors had things better than the Slytherins, but he never imagined it would be so beautiful. And so warm! Damn Father. I should have been a Gryffindor! But no. He insisted I be a Slytherin. Draco's thoughts went off on that tangent for a while before the voice of his boyfriend brought him back to the present.
"Dray?"
"Hmm? Oh, sorry, Har. I was just thinking how lucky you Gryffindors are. Must be nice to be Headmaster's pets," said Draco, partly-joking, mostly-bitter.
"Oh Draco. Please don't be like that. You can be here as much as you want... Once we tell Ron, at least." said Harry. He said that last bit quietly.
Draco knew he wanted to talk to Harry about this subject, but he was too sleepy to care at the moment. "Har. Babe. I'm exhausted. Let's go to bed." Draco looked at Harry mischievously. "And anyway, bed is much more fun."
Harry raised an eyebrow. Then he grabbed Draco's hand again and pulled Draco up the tower stairs to his room.
Once inside, Harry closed the door securely behind him. Drawing his wand, he muttered under his breath. He put several locking spells on the door. Draco, too, took out his wand and sent more locking spells at the door. When each boy had exhausted their store of locking mechanisms, Harry sent one more spell at the door and walked over to what Draco could only assume was his bed.
"What was that last one, Harry?" asked Draco. He sent Harry a very curious look.
"Oh just a repelling charm," said Harry as he kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks. "It'll make all the Gryffindors get the sudden, extreme urge to go snog their boyfriend or girlfriend." Harry grinned broadly. "And since the only four Gryffindors here are seeing each other, it's just perfect!"
"You are brilliant, Potter, you know that." Draco threw his arms around Harry's waist. He backed Harry up to the bed and threw him onto it. Harry climbed up and laid there, waiting for Draco to take off his own socks and shoes.
As Draco looked up, he saw Harry looking at him. He was laying on his side, his head propped up on his hand, and wearing the lopsided grin that always made Draco weak in the knees. Draco grinned back and climbed onto the bed. As he laid down next to Harry, he realized something.
"Harry. Babe. Sweetie? Erm- I don't have pajamas."
"That's ok. You can borrow some of mine... Or you could just sleep in your boxers. I wouldn't mind that." Harry winked slyly. It looked like he had already thought of this. Draco raised his eyebrow.
"You are one naughty young man, aren't you? How is it that you made prefect again?" Draco teased.
"Because of my boyish good looks, my dear Dray," said Harry, winking again. He pulled Draco close to him, and rolled so he was laying on top of Draco. "You know. There's a problem here," he said seriously.
"What's that, my dear Har?" asked Draco.
"We're still in our clothes." Draco thought Harry was going to start ripping his clothes off, but instead, Harry rolled off Draco and hopped off the bed. As Draco watched, Harry began to get undressed. First Harry's robes, which were thrown into the hamper next to what Draco assumed was Harry's wardrobe. This revealed a brilliant green sweater and slightly-too-big, muggle-made jeans held on with a black belt. The sweater was soon off and into the hamper too, revealing a tight-ish, white cotton tee shirt. Seeing this, Draco jumped off the bed.
As Harry reached to take off the tee, Draco grabbed his hands. Draco leaned in and whispered "Let me." into Harry's ear. Harry raised an eyebrow and let Draco take off his tee shirt. As he did, Draco ran his hands up Harry's back and over his shoulders. Draco slid the shirt over Harry's head and down his arms. With one hand, he threw the shirt haphazardly toward the hamper as the other hand pulled Harry close. Draco kissed Harry, running his fingers over Harry's bare flesh. Then, while still kissing Harry, Draco's fingers fiddled with Harry's belt and then the button and zipper on Harry's jeans. When all were finally undone, Draco slid his hands inside the jeans, pushing them off Harry's hips and backside. He let the pants drop to the floor as he felt Harry's now-almost-naked body under his fingertips.
Harry stepped back and out of his jeans. Draco took a step forward, trying to get close to that beautifully sculpted body before him, but Harry put a hand out. Draco watched as Harry bent and picked up the jeans from the floor. He took the belt out and tossed the pants into the hamper and put the belt into the wardrobe. Draco looked at Harry pleadingly. Harry stepped in front of Draco. Draco tried to reach for Harry to pull him close, to feel that soft skin again, but Harry grabbed his hands. Harry leaned in and whispered "Your turn." Draco then realized that watching Harry undress would of course come at the price of undressing himself. Makes sense.
Draco pulled his own robes over his head, revealing his own cobalt blue sweater, and black, belted pants. Not having a hamper to put his clothes in, and realizing he would need them in the morning, Draco draped his robes over the back of Harry's desk chair. He was about to take off his sweater when he saw something on Harry's desk that caught his eye. Quite literally, in fact.
He picked up a piece of parchment to see his own face staring up at him. Draco looked at Harry who was looking rather guiltily back at him. "Did you do this?" asked Draco.
"Yes. I didn't even realize it until I was already finished." As Draco looked at the drawing that had perfectly captured his own face and body, Harry explained how it had appeared on the paper. Draco looked at Harry. He felt an overwhelming surge of love, pride, lust, and happiness go through himself. He strode over to the bed, where Harry was sitting, and engulfed him in an embrace that he never knew he had in him. As he kissed Harry, he could feel every one of his emotions more clearly than ever before. Finally, he pulled away, out of breath and out of strength.
"Wow," they said together.
"Ahem." Draco stepped back on weak legs, and walked back to Harry's desk. "I believe I was in the middle of stripping for you..." Draco put the sketch back on the desk, still marveling at the way his boyfriend's hand had captured every line on his body. He turned to face Harry. "Now where was I?" he said, playfully.
"I think you were about to lose the clothes." said Harry, his voice dripping with desire.
"Mmm. True." Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry. Then he grinned. He reached for his sweater and pulled it off over his head, revealing a skin-tight black tee shirt that followed exactly every ripple of muscle. He laid his sweater on top of his robes and began to reach for his belt. Harry leapt off the bed and hurried to his side, grabbing his hands as Draco had done for him. Draco felt a tingling as Harry's hands trailed up his back and over his shoulders, taking Draco's shirt with them. Harry slipped the shirt easily over Draco's head and tossed it onto the chair with the rest of Draco's clothes. Harry pulled Draco to him by the front of the blonde boy's pants and Harry kissed him hungrily. Draco felt Harry's fingers undo his belt and pants, and then push the pants to the ground. Then Draco felt Harry's wrap arms around his waist. He let his Gryffindor pull him toward the bed, onto the bed, under the covers. And they lay there, limbs tangled together, lips on lips, bodies so close they felt like one body.
~*~TBC~*~