Chapter Twenty-Six

The Party Begins

Draco pressed his lips to Harry's, trying to show him how much he loved the ensemble Harry'd picked to wear that night. He felt the same passion sent back to him from Harry.

Draco pulled away from Harry, bothered by having to hold his goblet of pumpkin juice. "One second, Harry," he said quietly.

He held his goblet in his left hand, and faced his right palm toward it. "Wingardium Leviosa," he muttered. The goblet hovered in the air next to the pair. Then Draco turned back to his boyfriend. "Where were we?" He grinned and pulled the stunned Gryffindor back to him, their lips meeting again.

Draco's now-free hands trailed down Harry's chest, feeling the soft material under his fingers. He let out a groan. What I wouldn't give to rip these clothes off you, here and now… Draco felt Harry's hands slide under his coat and around his waist. They rested on Draco's backside and squeezed. Draco let out a soft moan that was thankfully swallowed inside Harry's mouth. The two boys stood in the middle of the dance floor, enjoying the beauty of the other, for several long minutes. Then Harry pulled away slowly.

"So I guess I look alright, then?" he asked, grinning.

Draco's lips curled into a matching grin. "Oh, gods, yes. You have no idea how badly I want to lead you off to some quiet, secluded place right now…" Draco stared off into oblivion, imagining what he would like to be doing to Harry right now.

Harry chuckled, and Draco was brought out of his reverie. "Well! Aren't we randy tonight?"

Draco smiled seductively. "Aren't I always randy?"

Harry nodded in agreement. "A truer word was never spoken," said the Gryffindor, taking on a proud stance. A wink was sent in Draco's direction then. "Unfortunately for you, I think we have to at least stay till midnight."

Draco stomped a foot in mock indignation. "Damn. I just wanted to go have my way with you…"

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Well, in that case…" He turned toward the door, Draco's hand in his.

Draco laughed. "You're right, though, Harry. Dumbly probably wants his two prized students here for at least a little while." Draco spread a seductive smile across his lips. "But don't think you're getting out of a little nookie later." He winked. And he saw Harry's breath catch in his throat. Ah, the mere mention of him getting some action makes the boy breathless. I must remember that…

The rest of the Gryffindors entered then. Draco smiled warmly at the four of them. They all looked very nice, especially Hermione. Draco reminded himself that he must tell her that later. Get on her good side even more.

Draco smiled. He looked up at one of the picture-boxes that was suddenly a lot lower than all the rest. He heard a great deal of shouting and celebration.

"Everyone! Can I have your attention?" Dumbledore held up his hands. "It is now the new year in Cairo! If you look at the television, you can watch the celebration! Now, can we all get a goblet of something to toast the new year with?"

Draco smiled. So the picture boxes were enchanted to show each time zone as they celebrated, huh? Impressive, old man! Draco picked his goblet out of the air and raised it to the headmaster, ready for the toast.

"I need to go get something." Harry stepped away from Draco and started toward the drinks.

"I'll come," said Draco, lacing his fingers between Harry's. Harry smiled. Draco felt his knees get weak.

Damn. Usually it's only his half-smile that gets me. Oh, this is going to be a long night.

They'd reached the drink area, and Harry chose one of the goblets by the bottles marked 'soda.' He grinned at Draco again, and turned toward the headmaster.

Once everyone had a chance to get their hands on some kind of liquid, Dumbledore cleared his throat again. "Here's to the new year in Cairo! Cheers!" He raised his glass to the rest of the gathered, who mimicked the action back.

"Cheers!"

~*~*~*~

Harry smiled as he took a sip of his cola. This is going to be an interesting evening, he thought. He turned the smile to Draco, who looked like he was about to collapse.

"Dray? You alright?" Harry put out a hand to support the Slytherin. "It's not the talisman, is it?"

Draco shook his head. "No, Har." He smiled faintly. "You're just driving me crazy with that smile tonight."

Harry let out a sigh of relief. "Thank Merlin. You scared me for a bit. I thought that bit of magic before drained you or something."

Draco tilted his head to the side. "What are you talking about, Har?"

Harry gaped at his boyfriend. "That Hovering Charm from before. Don't you remember?"

Draco nodded slowly. "I used my wand, didn't I?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope."

A smile spread across the blonde's lips. "You mean-"

Harry nodded, smiling slowly. "Yep. Your first wandless magic."

Draco grinned broadly. "Shit! That's awesome! We should tell Dumbledore."

Harry tilted his head toward the headmaster. "I think he knows. Remember, we were in the middle of the room when you did it."

Draco flushed slightly. "Oops. Yeah, we were, weren't we?"

Harry smiled at his boyfriend. "Congratulations, though. That's a major accomplishment!"

Draco smiled again. "Especially after only wearing the talisman for a couple days. Merlin! Imagine what I'll be able to do in a week!" Draco grinned mischievously.

"Oh, I don't like that look…" Harry gazed at Draco warily.

"Come on, Harry. You can't tell me you're not excited about getting this kind of power." Draco patted his chest lightly.

"Maybe I am, but still." Harry stopped, worried. "It's really dangerous."

Draco sighed. "I'll be fine, Harry. I'm not going anywhere."

Harry put his free hand around Draco's waist, pulling him close. "You'd better not."

"Oh, get a room, you two."

Harry turned at the exclamation. Ron and Hermione were coming up from behind him. He grinned at his best friends. So did Draco.

"Hey Draco," said Hermione cheerily.

"Hey Hermione. You look gorgeous." Draco smiled at the girl.

Harry watched as Hermione blushed prettily, stammering "Th-thank you, Draco."

"You, too, Ron," said Draco as an afterthought.

Ron raised an eyebrow, amused by the Slytherin complimenting both him and his girlfriend. "Thanks," he said finally. "You don't look to bad yourself."

Draco inclined his head. "Thank you."

Harry grinned at the exchange. It's so nice to see Ron and Dray being nice to each other. He squeezed Draco's waist, which he'd not let go of. Draco squeezed back, smiling. Harry then remembered that he'd wanted to check out the music selection. He mentioned this to his friends and boyfriend, who all agreed to the idea. As they ambled over to the collection of CD's, Harry smiled to himself. Ah, life is so good.

~*~*~*~

Draco grinned as he sipped more of his pumpkin juice. "So what's this do?" Draco pointed at a button on one of the rectangular metal boxes.

"That's the power button, don't push that." Harry batted Draco's finger away.

"Oh." Draco looked at the rows of plastic cases on the table before him. Harry was picking up one every once in a while to check the backs. "What are you looking for?"

"You'll see," said Harry mysteriously.

"Alright…" Draco frowned, bored. "Harry?"

"Hmm?"

"Can we go dance?" Draco gazed at Harry, hopeful.

Harry glanced up from the CD he was inspecting. Seeing the look on Draco's face, he smiled. "Sure. Let me just pop this CD in."

"Alright." Draco waited patiently as Harry slipped the CD into what Draco now knew to be the CD player, and smiled when Harry turned to face him.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

The pair moved from behind the table and out onto the dance floor. There was a Latin-style song playing at the moment. As they danced, Draco looked up at the- What did Dumbledore call them? Televisions? The big picture thingies. There were ten that kept playing the same scenes over and over. Draco tilted his head in confusion. "How come nothing new's coming on those tell-ee-visions?"

"I asked Dumbledore about that a little while ago," said Ron, dancing nearby with Hermione. "He's got them set so they play the celebration scenes of each time zone that's already passed midnight."

"Oh." Draco turned his attention back to Harry, who was trying his best to keep time with the music. Draco smiled at his boyfriend's lack of musicality. He pulled Harry closer. "Harry, sweetie, did anyone ever teach you how to dance?"

Harry looked back at Draco, sheepish. "No."

"Watch my hips, Babe." Draco put his hands on Harry's hips, forcing them to match his own, which were in perfect time with the music. Harry's face was twisted into concentration, staring at Draco's waist. "Getting better." Once Harry was on the beat with the music, Draco put his left hand on the small of Harry's back, draped Harry's right hand around his neck, and grabbed Harry's left with his right. This way, Harry won't be hearing Beauty and the Beast at the same time as the other music…

"I got it, Dray! I got it!"

"Yes, you did." Draco grinned. "Want to try something a little harder?"

Harry raised an eyebrow suggestively. "I thought we decided we were going to save that for later."

Draco sent him a look. "No. Dance moves, goof." Harry nodded. Draco started doing slightly more fancy foot-work with Harry trying diligently to follow. Once they got into the right pattern, Harry began to relax, smiling at Draco.

"I think I like dancing a lot more now," said Harry.

"I'm glad." Draco smiled back at Harry. Just then, the Latin music ended. Draco and Harry stepped apart and smiled at each other. Then a slow song started to play. After a few notes, Draco gasped.

"Harry, you didn't!"

Harry grinned innocently at Draco.

He did.

Draco pulled Harry to him and kissed him as the woman's voice sang sweetly.

"Barely even friends,

Then somebody bends unexpectedly."

~*~TBC~*~