AN Alright chapter two, and you're lucky that it's up so quick. Don't
count on it to happen again! *wags a finger in a mock threatening way*
Anyway, I'm not sure about this one yet. I think it needs work, but hey,
that's just me.
Hope you don't hate it. Um... just read.
========================================
Chapter 2
The month of July went by pretty fast for Harry. He managed to get a job at a music shop at the far end of Diagon Alley. To the left of the music shop was an art gallery and on the other side was a clothing store named "Malkins Formal Wear". The shop he was working in was called "Oldies and Newbies" which sold music ranging all the way back to when the oldest of records were just beginning to circulate. He made a few more friends who would be going to Hogwarts at the start of September. He'd even managed to get Draco to play a little basketball. (Draco had ended up watching Harry practice instead of actually playing.) Harry still talked to his friends back in Surry, and managed to entertain himself fully right where he was.
The bell above the door jingled and Harry looked up, seeing a familiar blond head enter the store. "Hey, Draco," he called happily, continuing to place CD's on their proper shelves.
"Happy birthday, Harry," Draco greeted him, leaning in to give him a quick kiss. "Got any plans for tonight or can I have you all to myself?"
"Mum and Dad wanted to take me out for dinner," Harry told him, returning the kiss, "They said I could choose where. And, you had a personal invite, via mum."
"Sounds great," Draco smiled, "I'd love to come. Now, I want you to pick out two CD's. It's your birthday present from me."
"Thanks," Harry laughed, he walked over to the new arrivals/ best seller rack and grabbed two CD's before handing them to Draco. "These will do."
Draco made a face when he saw what Harry had picked, but offered no complaint. He walked over to the girl at the register. "I'll take these," he said, placing them on the counter and pulling out his credit card.
Harry pretended not to watch as Draco scribbled out the price and put the music in a small gift bag, stuffing the bag full with blue tissue paper. He then acted completely surprised and flattered, going on and on about the thought Draco must have gone through. He ended the whole ordeal with a firm kiss and a very loud, "Thank you Draco!" By the end of it, the girl at the counter and even faces on various CD's had probably rolled their eyes around twenty times. Draco had long since pretended to fall asleep on the floor, only responding to Harry's kiss.
"Do you *know* what has been on that floor," Harry asked finally, sticking the CD's into his yellow apron and placing his hands on his hips. "How many babies have drooled and spit up on the very place where you now lay? How many half eaten lollypops and sodas have been spilled there?"
Draco jumped up, casting a nervous look at the floor. "That is *so* gross," he muttered before changing the subject. "What time should I be at your house for dinner?"
"My shift is almost over. Mum wanted to leave for the restaurant by five thirty. I say you stay here and drive me home."
"Where's your car?" Draco asked.
"It was low on gas and I didn't feel like filling it up, so I made Mione bring me." Harry said, looking at the clock. "I'll be right back; I got to tell my boss that I'm leaving." He kissed Draco again before ducking into the back room, reappearing minutes later, minus the apron, his CD's now in his hand.
"Let's go," he said, taking Draco's hand in his empty one and pulling the blond out of the store. It actually took them a few minutes to go anywhere. They spent five minutes in the car kissing, and then Harry insisted to listening to his new CD, which Draco began moaning about. Insisting that country music would never be played in his car. After about two minutes, Harry demanded his way, because it *was* his birthday, and he *was* Draco's boyfriend. And if Draco *ever* wanted to touch Harry again, he would allow the music to be played. Draco scowled at him, but allowed the CD to be played, albeit, very softly.
They got to Harry's house, where they spent five more minutes making out in the car before Harry skipped inside. His parents were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping soda and debating over paint samples. "Hey mum, hey dad," Harry called, speeding directly towards the basement door and nearly sprinting down to his closet. He now had seven minutes to change his clothes and be completely ready to go to dinner.
Harry managed to change his clothes in record time, before skidding out of his closet and back up the stairs. Or, at least, he attempted to. He ended up halfway across the main room, suddenly realizing he was only wearing one sock, which caused him to dive back into the closet, searching frantically. Then, of course, when he was finally ready, Draco was blocking the stairs.
"You must pay the toll," the blond said seriously, crossing his arms across his chest.
"This is my house!" Harry protested, laughing, "I don't need to pay a toll!"
"One kiss and you can go upstairs," Draco said firmly, not smiling, "that's the toll."
"Nonsense," Harry scoffed, "you don't expect me to kiss you just so I can go upstairs, do you?"
"Make that three kisses."
"If you want a kiss you're going to have to come and take it by force," Harry stated.
He suddenly regretted his decision when Draco lunged at him, a predatory gleam in his eyes, and latched onto his mouth. "One," Draco smirked, breaking away. He held tightly to Harry's arms, leaning in for his second kiss, and Harry let him, making sure this one lasted much longer then the first.
"You'll get your third later," Harry said, tugging himself out of Draco's grasp, "any minute now, dad is going to come down here and ask..."
"Are you ready yet, boys? The reservations are for six, and we don't want to be late."
Harry shot Draco a look that said quite clearly, "See, I told you so", before hurrying up the stairs after his father, Draco was pouting behind him.
They got into the Potter's very ugly car and began driving to the freeway, in order to get downtown. "We only have a few rules for dining out," Lily said from the front seat, to Draco, who was sitting in the back with Harry. "You can order anything you want, that's nonalcoholic, and you must keep your hands *above* the table at all times."
Harry turned bright red. "Mum!" He whined.
Draco, on the other hand, looked amused, "is there a reason for this rule?" He asked Harry, who, if possible, turned even redder.
"I'll tell you later," he muttered.
Draco nodded, satisfied, and resumed trying to sink down in his seat, so as to not be seen by anybody he knew in this incredibly ugly car.
===
When they reached the restaurant, they were taken directly to their seats, which turned out to be in the very back corner booth. Harry and Draco sat down quickly, causing the dark red fabric of the seat groan slightly. James and Lily sat across from them, watching as a lighthearted bickering began.
"You're fat." Harry stated bluntly, "did you *feel* the seat sag when you sat down? It must have gone down at least a mile!"
"ME?" Draco demanded indignantly, his eyes wide with shock.
"Yes, you. Maybe if you exercised a little more, you would loose all that extra poundage, but *nooo* you have this thing against sweating. Sweating my ar- butt." Harry jested, taking Draco's elbow in his hand and proving his point by failing to wrap his fingers around the flesh.
"Not all of us are basketball obsessed," Draco muttered, snatching his arm back. "Besides, it's much more fun to watch you play then to attempt and hurt myself trying."
"I think it'd be funny." Harry giggled.
"You would," Draco huffed.
Their conversation was cut short when a waitress suddenly stopped at their table, handing out menus and water glasses, which she then filled with ice water. She began her typical waitress speech before winking at Harry and walking away.
Draco frowned, watching in shocked silence, but Harry didn't seem to notice.
"Ahem," James said suddenly, "hands on the table, you two."
The boys flushed and quickly placed their hands on the table top, Harry reaching automatically for the crayons that would allow him to draw on the paper table cover.
"So, Draco," Lily said, putting down her menu and smiling at the blond. "Harry tells me that you're into art as well."
"Erm, yes." Draco answered, trying to see what Harry was drawing, "but I really prefer sculpting to drawing."
Lily looked interested, "really? I don't think Harry's ever done any sculpting... are you in any clubs or after-school activities? I know you don't play any sports."
"I'm in the art club," Draco said, thinking how Mrs. Potter could make an interrogation sound like a normal conversation. "And a few other clubs, I was thinking about trying out for the fall musical this year, the Drama teacher, Mr. Lockhart promised it would be a good one this time." He shot one more sly look at Harry, "I was hoping that Harry would try out with me, seeing how basketball season doesn't start till it's over."
Harry looked up, slightly startled, "wha-?"
"Oh, that would be lovely, Harry!" Lily cried, clapping her hands together excitedly, "you *should* try out for the play. It will be a great way to meet people."
"It is a great way to meet people," Draco stated, "the drama nerds," he muttered in Harry's ear. "I'm only doing it because Sprout will stop demanding I write songs."
Harry giggled again and resumed drawing on the table-cloth, switching colors every few seconds. When he was done, he tore off the paper and shoved it in his pocket, earning three strange looks.
But before anybody could say anything, the waitress arrived and smiled brightly at Harry. "Have you decided on what you'd like to have?"
They each ordered before the waitress sent one more smile at Harry and disappeared. By that time, Draco was positively fuming with repressed anger, and Harry was still oblivious.
James and Lily started a conversation, Draco and Harry commenting every once in a while. And eventually, their food arrived; this time however, the girl was disappointed to find that Harry had disappeared into the bathroom. By the time he returned, she had long gone.
They ate their meals slowly, enjoying the food set before them. Finally, when they had all finished, Lily stopped a passing waiter and whispered something in his ear. The waiter nodded before disappearing into the kitchen. Minutes later, a whole group of servers emerged from the kitchen; their own waitress was holding a large platter of chocolate ice-cream. The group crowded around the booth and she set down the dish.
"May I have your attention please?" The girl shouted into the restaurant. "Today happens to be a very special day. A birthday, to Harry here." She smiled at the black-haired boy who was glaring at his mother. "So, if you would all join us in a round of "Happy Birthday" it would be much appreciated..." She counted to three, where almost the whole building began bellowing out the birthday song to a flushing birthday boy.
When the song was over Harry blew out the three candles stuck in his ice- cream. One for the past, one for the future, and one for his wish. Harry made his wish and leaned over to place a firm kiss on his boyfriend's mouth, making sure the waitress saw him. She looked extremely put out.
"Three," he whispered into Draco's ear.
===
By the time the Potter's and Draco got back to Godric's Hollow Road, it was nearing nine o'clock and Harry was beginning to feel the weight of the day. However, he didn't get to sleep until almost eleven, because the kitchen table was suddenly overflowing with gifts. Most of them wrapped in brown mailing paper.
He received all sorts of things, pictures in beautiful frames, and strange things that could only be found in a little store in Surry called "Nick's Knack". He also received a shower-radio, and a camera and a box full of film (from Colin, whose father owned a camera and film company). And one gift, which stood out from all the rest, a feather quill, and a pot of ink. Apart from all that, he received multiple movies and strangely, a sock organizer.
After making Draco, who was *very* impressed with the amount of gifts Harry received, help carry all his stuff down to the basement, the two boys flopped down on Harry's couch and switched on the television. Harry pushed a video into the VCR, and they began watching the movie, curled into each other and occasionally exchanging a soft kiss.
"Tell me why you have to keep your hands on the table when you eat out," Draco requested.
Harry dragged himself up from his semi-asleep state and smiled softly, remembering. "It was the end of my freshman year," he began, his hands playing gently with Draco's hair, "and well, to put it simply, I had just lost my virginity. Me and Dean were always rather attached after that, and mum and dad decided to take us out to brunch. I'm sure you can figure out the rest."
Draco chuckled, hugging Harry a little tighter to himself. "I'm surprised you've gotten that far. I'm still a virgin."
"Really?" Harry asked, waking up a little more.
"Yeah." Draco said, his cheeks slowly starting to burn. "I've never had a boyfriend before, or a girlfriend. When I kissed you last month - that was the first time I ever initiated a kiss."
Harry smiled and kissed the side of Draco's face. "I'm glad I was your first," he whispered, curling his arms around Draco's body and resting his chin on top of the blond hair. Draco's arms crept around Harry, his head resting on Harry's chest. They stayed that way, only to fall asleep, still curled up together.
"Look at them, James," Lily smiled from the bottom of the steps, a little while later, leaning against her husband. "They've only been together for a month, and see how much they already care for each other."
James smiled, and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Let's hope that they can last whatever life throws at them." He murmured, "I have a feeling that if they loose this, they might never fully recover."
Lily nodded, breaking away from James and moving towards Harry's "bedroom". She pulled his comforter off the bed and gently wrapped it around the slumbering boys, kissing each of them on the forehead.
"Sleep tight," she whispered.
James moved to turn off the half played movie, switching off the television as he did so, leaving the basement in darkness. Then, the two adults moved back to the doorway and went up the stairs to their own bed. Soon, the whole house was slumbering gently.
===
When Harry returned from his morning run, still glowing from the fact he had woken up with Draco in his arms, the couch was abandoned and his comforter was lying in a heap on the floor. The bathroom was occupied, however, and Draco humming just loud enough to hear over the dull roar of the shower.
Harry was amused to find that he was humming country music.
Suddenly, the humming stopped and the water in the shower stopped falling. Harry could hear Draco padding around the bathroom, drying himself off and getting dressed.
The door swung open, and there stood Draco, clothed in Harry's clothes. A pair of blue jeans and a white tee-shirt.
Harry blinked.
"Morning," Draco smiled, pushing his damp hair off of his forehead. Harry blinked again and Draco slowly turned pink. "Um, your mum said that I could wear your clothes so that I wouldn't have to wear the same stuff two days in a row..." he trailed off, still pink.
Harry blinked a third time before getting off of his perch on the couch and walked over to where the other boy stood. "Its fine," he said after a moment, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did you borrow anything other then clothes?"
"Um," Draco said, turning a little pinker, "no?"
Harry smirked and made his way into the bathroom, where Draco's clothes from the day before were sitting in the clothes hamper. *All* of his clothes.
"Even my underwear," Harry murmured, staring down. "Now that is odd, nobody has ever worn my underwear other then me before."
Draco pouted, "I really needed some! And yours was clean!"
"You can keep the underwear," Harry sighed, as though it were a great loss, "I'll manage without it."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You're too kind."
"I know, I know." Harry laughed, "So, if you're all finished in here I'm going to take a shower. Go entertain yourself elsewhere, because this is not a show for you to watch."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "It's not your birthday anymore," he protested, "You can't order me around!"
Harry stepped closer to Draco, smiling innocently. He placed a kiss on Draco's cheek, and another on his neck, moving towards Draco's more obvious weak spots. "Go eat breakfast," he whispered, tracing the shell of Draco's ear with a finger tip.
Draco shivered.
"And then we can find something to do." Harry finished, placing his hand on Draco's chest and firmly pushing him out of the bathroom. The door slammed shut and the water squeaked on, leaving Draco standing slightly dazed in the now empty basement. The blond sighed before going to the stairs and sitting down at the breakfast table with James and Lily.
"Kicked out of the bathroom?" Lily asked, placing a few pancakes on his plate.
"You have no idea," Draco muttered, picking up his fork and poking at his food. With a sigh he began eating.
Ten minutes later, Harry appeared, sitting down in his seat and smiling widely at his parents and boyfriend. "Morning," he chirped, reaching across the table and nabbing himself a blueberry muffin. He then proceeded to break off the top and shove it in his mouth, chewing rapidly.
He was greeted with a grunt and two smiles.
"Good morning," Lily smiled, pouring her son a glass of juice. "What were you two planning on doing today?"
Harry shrugged, swallowing, while Draco looked up from his own breakfast.
"My father is supposed to get back from Spain today," he muttered, "then he's leaving tomorrow afternoon for France. I'm supposed to go with him."
Harry dropped his muffin in shock. "How long will you be gone?" He managed to ask after a pause.
"A few weeks," Draco sighed. "We do this every summer. Spend two and a half weeks in some fancy hotel starting at the beginning of August. Then, I spend all my time fending for myself as he works..."
Harry's cheerful mood quickly diminished. "So, I won't see you till school starts?"
"Yeah," Draco said, sounding completely miserable. "I'm really sorry I didn't tell you before Harry. But, I called my mother this morning before she left and she reminded me. And, it's tradition. My family is a complete sucker for tradition."
Harry swallowed, "I-it's alright," he said softly, "you said yourself that you didn't spend enough time with your dad. It'll probably do you some good..." he trailed off, his fingers now playing absently with the remaining half of his muffin.
"Harry," James said, breaking the silence that had fallen around the table. "Why don't you go over to Draco's and help him pack for France?"
Draco forced a smile, "yeah, Harry. We can spend the day together. It'll be fun."
Harry nodded, "fun." He repeated, "Yeah."
===
The morning spent with Draco wasn't actually that bad. Harry and Draco spent most of their time in Draco's bedroom, going from having random pillow fights, which ended up with them making out on Draco bed. To packing, which also ended up with them making out on Draco's bed - to the ever popular, making out on Draco's bed. Of course, the boys probably would have moved on towards intimate acts, if a knock on Draco's door hadn't interrupted them.
The door slowly opened and in peeked an elderly, small, balding man, clad in black. He stood in the doorway, his thinning hair, large ears and long nose clearly defined on his clean shaven face. He grinned mischievously. "Is this a bad time, Master Draco?"
Draco flushed and quickly removed his hands from their position inside Harry's pants.
Harry forced himself to hold back a whimper at the loss.
"Erm, hello, Dobby," Draco stammered, "um... no, it's not a bad time..." He paused, "erm... why are you here?"
Dobby smirked, leaning against the door-frame and taking *way* too much enjoyment at the sight of the two embarrassed teenage boys. "Your father just arrived, Master Draco," he said, "and wishes to eat lunch with you this afternoon and then he has to run down to the office before it closes."
Draco scrambled up, "I- alright, thank you Dobby." he hesitated, "you're not going to tell him about me and Harry, are you?"
The man shook his head. "You know your secrets are safe with me, Master Draco."
Draco smiled, obviously relived, "Thanks Dobby."
The man left the room and Harry sat up, pushing his tee-shirt back down to cover his chest. "Um..." he began, "what-?"
Draco sighed and helped Harry to his feet. "I'm going to make this fast, alright, because Father's waiting." Harry nodded. "First, I'm technically not allowed to have a boyfriend - or girlfriend, I guess, until after I graduate. And, I haven't actually come out of the closet about being gay to my parents yet."
"Oh. So, around your dad, we're just friends?"
"It would probably be best."
Harry smiled, "alright."
===
They arrived in the large dining room for lunch to find that Draco's father and multiple servants, excluding Dobby were present. Lucius Malfoy was sitting at the head of a long table that was covered in platters of food.
"Draco," Lucius said, when he saw his son standing at the far end of the table. "It's so nice to see you again. I trust that you're nearly packed for France? Our flight tomorrow morning is at nine, I do hope you'll be ready to leave by seven?"
"Yes father," Draco said, forcing a smile onto his face. "Father, this is Harry Potter, a friend of mine. He and his parents just moved here from Surry a month ago."
Lucius blinked as though just noticing his son wasn't standing alone, and that there was indeed, a black haired boy standing next to him. He stood and squinted to get a better look at the boy, and then it clicked. "Harry Potter," he repeated, "the basketball player, aren't you?"
"Yes sir," Harry said, copying his boyfriend and forcing a smile onto his face.
Lucius gestured for them to sit at the table, and they did. Albeit, as far away from him as they could without making it seem *too* obvious.
"So, Harry," the blond haired man said conversationally, while buttering a roll, "how do you like our town? I'm sure it's nothing compared to where you grew up."
"It's nice," Harry said after a moment's hesitation. "Everyone I've met so far has been nice to me. I got a job easy enough, I guess."
Lucius smiled, or was it a smirk? "You must enjoy being independent, if you got yourself a job so quickly."
"Just... used to it I guess, I used to work at a fitness center during the summers. I guess it just feels weird *not* to work."
Lucius nodded again. "I know how that feels," he said. "I always seem to get volunteered for jobs around the world, by now it would seem odd not to be flying around all the time."
Harry just nodded, and turned his attention to his meal. The rest of lunch was uncomfortable, but finally, it was over. This allowed the two boys to esca- go back to Draco's room.
"Let's go out tonight," Harry said suddenly, "dinner and dancing, or something."
Draco dropped another shirt into his suitcase. "*You* want to go dancing?" He asked incredulously, "I thought you hated dancing!"
"Anything that involves holding you against my body and loud music - I don't hate."
"What about basketball?"
Harry gave the blond an exasperated look. "I'm sure I can find *somebody* to dance with me..." he mused, tossing shoes into Draco's suitcase. "...maybe we'll even fall in love and run away together."
Draco scowled, "fine." He muttered, "I'll take you out dancing."
Draco was so busy pouting and sulking that he missed Harry's smug smile of satisfaction.
===
Dinner, as cheap as it was, wasn't too bad. It was dancing, however, that really made Harry smile. Music loud enough to make the floor vibrate. Flashing lights, bright enough to eventually blind, and a huge dance floor crammed with people. Harry dragged Draco towards the middle and the two began dancing.
Hips twisting, bodies turning - movements almost sensual.
A stocky blond boy suddenly approached them, "Hey, Malfoy," he shouted over the music, with a thick Irish accent, "Fancy a dance?"
Draco shook his head, pulling Harry a little closer to his body. "I've already got somebody, Seamus," he called back. He then gestured towards Harry, "This is Harry, my boyfriend."
Seamus looked over and Harry, his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open. "Wow! Lucky Draco found you first, or you'd have been mine!" He joked loudly to Harry. "Fancy a dance, Harry?"
Harry looked at the boy for a moment, sizing him up. He was about Harry's height, stockier with sandy blond hair and dancing blue eyes. Harry shook his head, "No, thanks. Draco, I'm kind of thirsty, do you want anything?"
"Pepsi, thanks Harry."
Harry smiled and pressed a quick kiss to Draco's cheek. "I'll be right back," he called before making his way towards the soda bar.
"What'll it be, babe?" the girl behind the bar smiled, leaning down and showing more cleavage then Harry ever wanted to see.
"Two Pepsi's," Harry said, digging in his pocket for some money.
"Don't," the girl then said placing the soda's on the counter. "This is on me."
Harry smiled his thanks, picking up the drinks and walking back over to Draco. He spent the rest of the night wrapped in the other boy's arms.
And to tell the truth, if Draco wasn't leaving the next day for France, Harry would have been extremely pleased with his first visit to Malfoy Manor, and his first time dancing with his boyfriend. Besides the fact that the manor was empty and foreboding, and the girls at the dance club kept asking him to dance.
===
When Harry returned from his morning run and sat down at the breakfast table, his parents shared a quick look before James cleared his throat.
"You had a phone call, yesterday," he said after a pause. "A woman named Rita Skeeter, from the newspaper. She wanted an interview with you."
Harry nearly paled. "What did you tell her?"
"Well, I tried to tell her that you weren't interested, but she was quite insistent and managed to worm her way into our schedule..."
Harry then began to panic. "No! Dad, please, I don't want an interview! I don't want to be some big headline! I just want a quiet life-"
"I'm sorry, baby," Lily sighed, "but after she said she'd be here at three today, and hung up, there was really nothing we could do. And your father and I are going into town today; we need to check out some of the medical clinics around here. We won't be gone long, sorry baby."
There was a thump as Harry's head hit the table. He grabbed a muffin and stood up. "I'm going over to Hermione's, I'll be back later."
===
"Hermione, do you know some woman named Rita Skeeter?" Harry asked a bit later, the two were sitting in the Granger's living room, watching TV.
"That dreadful reporter from the /Daily Prophet/?" Hermione asked, making a face. "Rita, 'write it now, twist it later' Skeeter?"
Harry sighed, "I guess you do. Have you ever had an interview with her?"
Hermione gave him a strange look. "No... Why would you have an interview with that witch?"
The black haired boy was silent, before: "do you remember all of those trophies and things in my room," Harry asked after a pause, "did you ever wonder how I got them all?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well, I kind of haven't told you all yet, but I'm kind of the country's most valuable junior basketball player. And I've sort of already got scholarships to some of the top schools in Britain, and America, some places in Canada..."
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Because I don't want the fame," Harry explained, "I don't want all the glory or the titles. I want to be Harry Potter, a normal teenaged kid. But everybody always wants to make me into something that I'm not. And I hate it."
"And with an interview..." Hermione whispered, her eyes going wide with pity.
"I'll be labeled before I even start school. I won't have a secret left." He paused, his hand going up to his forehead, tracing the lightning shaped scar there. "Do you know why I have this scar, Hermione?" He asked, continuing after a moment. "It's because when I was little, my second grade teacher took us to the ice-skating rink for a field trip. There was this one kid in the class, Tom Riddle, his name was, and he was a real bully. Anyway, me and my friends, Pansy and Terry, I think it was, were skating, when he suddenly pushed me down onto the ice."
Hermione gasped, her hands going to cover her mouth.
"I fell on my back, and he stepped on me, almost killed me. I had to get stitches when I was seven years old, Hermione, because I was singled out for being talented."
===
Harry was practicing basketball when Rita Skeeter suddenly appeared in the back yard, a paunchy man holding a camera behind her. Harry didn't even notice her, so enraptured with his game, until a sudden flash went off from the camera. Harry turned around to be attacked by even more flashes. When his vision finally cleared, he was able to focus on the woman in front of him. Her hair was set in elaborate and curiously rigid curls, contrasting greatly with her heavy jawed face. She wore jeweled spectacles, and her thick fingers were clutching a crocodile skin handbag, and her two inch nails were painted with some sort of bright magenta, to blend perfectly with her ugly dress.
"Harry," Rita beamed, "how nice to meet you!" She opened her bag and pulled out an acid green pen and a fancy notebook. "I'm so glad that you agreed to do this interview with me, I'm sure it will be a great contribution to the paper."
Harry frowned and went to pick up his basketball.
Rita plopped herself down in one of the deck chairs, patting the one next to her invitingly. "Come sit here, Harry, and we can talk."
Harry reluctantly sat down, trying to look polite while glancing into the house longingly. 'You're gone for nine hours and see what happens to me' he thought to Draco.
"Now, Harry, what made you decide to play basketball over other sports?"
"Er..." Harry said, "I just liked the game I guess." But he was somewhat distracted by her pen, which she was using to write in her notebook.
/An ugly scar, souvenir of a mysterious past, disfigures the otherwise charming face of Harry Potter, whose eyes.../
"Ignore what I'm writing Harry," Rita said firmly. "Now, why did you like basketball?"
Harry scowled, "I told you, it was no big decision, I just liked the game, and it turned out that I was good at it."
Rita rose on heavily penciled eyebrow. "Come now, you must have tried other sports, don't be afraid to tell us, it's perfectly normal for you to try other things."
Harry rolled his eyes, he felt strangely like he was getting "The Talk."
"Now, how do you feel about starting a whole new school, nervous? Nearly a thousand people that you don't know, it must be oddly frightening."
"Not really," Harry sighed, "I mean, I've already met a bunch of people going to school with me." He paused, "Well, nervous yes, but who wouldn't be?" His insides squirmed uncomfortably after he spoke.
"Now in your last game, you scored nearly forty points, according the records... How did that feel?"
"It was normal," Harry muttered, "that's around how many I usually score per game."
Rita smiled, showing her dull, slightly stained teeth. "How does it feel to be the number one junior athlete in the country?" She asked next, her pen ready to write some lie or another about him.
"It doesn't matter to me." Harry said sullenly, slumping down in his chair, "I'd rather be a normal kid, then some famous jock."
"Good point, now, this scar of yours, the one on your forehead... where did it come from?"
Harry grabbed his basketball, stood up and glared at her. "I think the interview is over." He snapped. "Please leave."
"Come now, Harry-"
"Now!" With that he turned on his heal and stalked into the house, locking the door firmly behind him. He was sure he saw a flash from the camera before he yanked the curtains closed.
"Who does she think she is?" Harry ranted; heading into the kitchen and yanking open the door to the basement. "She has absolutely no right to ask me something like that! That is one of the most personal - secret - AUGH! I hate her!"
He threw himself down on his bed, reaching for his telephone, dialing Dean's number.
Moments later he was talking to his old boyfriend, and feeling more and more relaxed as he vented.
===
Dinner that night was tense. James and Lily kept looking at each other nervously, and Harry was still glowering about Rita Skeeter.
"We found a good doctor," James said finally, breaking the silence.
Harry grunted.
"Sweetheart," Lily asked, looking concerned, "are you okay? You've barely eaten your dinner..."
"I'm fine." Harry sighed, "I'm just a little angry with that stupid reporter. She has no sense of respect, asked me about my scar..."
James winced. "Well, if you can stand anything else happening today, your mother and I have something to tell you. Something that's going to change our whole family."
Harry looked up, intensely curious. "What, are we moving again?"
"No, nothing like that." Lily said, moving one hand to grip her husbands, and discreetly placing the other on her stomach. "Baby, I'm pregnant."
Harry's mouth fell open. "WHAT?!" He cried.
"I'm pregnant, nearly two months along. That's why your father and I went to the doctor's today. I'm so excited," Lily continued, her whole face glowing, "won't it be amazing, having a little brother or sister to teach everything you know?"
Harry was silent. "So, I'm going to have a little brother?"
"Or sister," James said quickly, "we're not sure of the gender yet."
"A brother," Harry mused, a small smile on his face. "That'll be cool, I have no use for a sister, and so, it'll have to be a boy." He smiled at his parents and got up to give them both hugs. "I'll think of this as a semi- late birthday present."
"Well," Lily said, hugging her son back, "It's nice to know you approve. And when it's a girl, I'm going to laugh in your face. Just because it's what you deserve. Cheeky little boy."
"Careful, mum," Harry grinned, "wouldn't want to over stress, it might harm the baby."
He received a playful slap to the head. "Don't talk to your mother like that," James laughed, "she's in a very delicate state."
Harry laughed as well. And hearing his mother's growl of mock fury only made him laugh harder.
===
The phone rang that night, and Harry was almost too sleepy to answer it. He put down his sketchbook and reached for his phone. "Hello," suppressing a yawn.
"Harry?"
"Draco!" Harry cried, "What's up, are you okay? How's France?"
"France is boring," Draco laughed, "the trip wasn't too bad, and there was this girl that kept hitting on me though. My father wasn't too pleased with it."
"Neither am I," Harry muttered, "you're mine!"
"Geez," Draco laughed again, "possessive much?"
There was a pause. "No?"
"Whatever," Draco sighed, "listen, I can't talk long, I just wanted to give you our hotel phone number and room number though it probably won't do any good, because Father and I are supposed to be out together all tomorrow. But anyway..." Draco rattled off a phone number, and then his room number, Harry scribbling in down.
"I'll talk to you soon," Draco said, "my dad just walked into the room and is looking at me funny." There was a muffled voice on the other end of the phone, before, "Talk to you soon, Harry."
"I miss you," Harry whispered. "Bye." . . . ======================================== . . . . . . AN Review and I'll update. . . . . . . .
Hope you don't hate it. Um... just read.
========================================
Chapter 2
The month of July went by pretty fast for Harry. He managed to get a job at a music shop at the far end of Diagon Alley. To the left of the music shop was an art gallery and on the other side was a clothing store named "Malkins Formal Wear". The shop he was working in was called "Oldies and Newbies" which sold music ranging all the way back to when the oldest of records were just beginning to circulate. He made a few more friends who would be going to Hogwarts at the start of September. He'd even managed to get Draco to play a little basketball. (Draco had ended up watching Harry practice instead of actually playing.) Harry still talked to his friends back in Surry, and managed to entertain himself fully right where he was.
The bell above the door jingled and Harry looked up, seeing a familiar blond head enter the store. "Hey, Draco," he called happily, continuing to place CD's on their proper shelves.
"Happy birthday, Harry," Draco greeted him, leaning in to give him a quick kiss. "Got any plans for tonight or can I have you all to myself?"
"Mum and Dad wanted to take me out for dinner," Harry told him, returning the kiss, "They said I could choose where. And, you had a personal invite, via mum."
"Sounds great," Draco smiled, "I'd love to come. Now, I want you to pick out two CD's. It's your birthday present from me."
"Thanks," Harry laughed, he walked over to the new arrivals/ best seller rack and grabbed two CD's before handing them to Draco. "These will do."
Draco made a face when he saw what Harry had picked, but offered no complaint. He walked over to the girl at the register. "I'll take these," he said, placing them on the counter and pulling out his credit card.
Harry pretended not to watch as Draco scribbled out the price and put the music in a small gift bag, stuffing the bag full with blue tissue paper. He then acted completely surprised and flattered, going on and on about the thought Draco must have gone through. He ended the whole ordeal with a firm kiss and a very loud, "Thank you Draco!" By the end of it, the girl at the counter and even faces on various CD's had probably rolled their eyes around twenty times. Draco had long since pretended to fall asleep on the floor, only responding to Harry's kiss.
"Do you *know* what has been on that floor," Harry asked finally, sticking the CD's into his yellow apron and placing his hands on his hips. "How many babies have drooled and spit up on the very place where you now lay? How many half eaten lollypops and sodas have been spilled there?"
Draco jumped up, casting a nervous look at the floor. "That is *so* gross," he muttered before changing the subject. "What time should I be at your house for dinner?"
"My shift is almost over. Mum wanted to leave for the restaurant by five thirty. I say you stay here and drive me home."
"Where's your car?" Draco asked.
"It was low on gas and I didn't feel like filling it up, so I made Mione bring me." Harry said, looking at the clock. "I'll be right back; I got to tell my boss that I'm leaving." He kissed Draco again before ducking into the back room, reappearing minutes later, minus the apron, his CD's now in his hand.
"Let's go," he said, taking Draco's hand in his empty one and pulling the blond out of the store. It actually took them a few minutes to go anywhere. They spent five minutes in the car kissing, and then Harry insisted to listening to his new CD, which Draco began moaning about. Insisting that country music would never be played in his car. After about two minutes, Harry demanded his way, because it *was* his birthday, and he *was* Draco's boyfriend. And if Draco *ever* wanted to touch Harry again, he would allow the music to be played. Draco scowled at him, but allowed the CD to be played, albeit, very softly.
They got to Harry's house, where they spent five more minutes making out in the car before Harry skipped inside. His parents were sitting at the kitchen table, sipping soda and debating over paint samples. "Hey mum, hey dad," Harry called, speeding directly towards the basement door and nearly sprinting down to his closet. He now had seven minutes to change his clothes and be completely ready to go to dinner.
Harry managed to change his clothes in record time, before skidding out of his closet and back up the stairs. Or, at least, he attempted to. He ended up halfway across the main room, suddenly realizing he was only wearing one sock, which caused him to dive back into the closet, searching frantically. Then, of course, when he was finally ready, Draco was blocking the stairs.
"You must pay the toll," the blond said seriously, crossing his arms across his chest.
"This is my house!" Harry protested, laughing, "I don't need to pay a toll!"
"One kiss and you can go upstairs," Draco said firmly, not smiling, "that's the toll."
"Nonsense," Harry scoffed, "you don't expect me to kiss you just so I can go upstairs, do you?"
"Make that three kisses."
"If you want a kiss you're going to have to come and take it by force," Harry stated.
He suddenly regretted his decision when Draco lunged at him, a predatory gleam in his eyes, and latched onto his mouth. "One," Draco smirked, breaking away. He held tightly to Harry's arms, leaning in for his second kiss, and Harry let him, making sure this one lasted much longer then the first.
"You'll get your third later," Harry said, tugging himself out of Draco's grasp, "any minute now, dad is going to come down here and ask..."
"Are you ready yet, boys? The reservations are for six, and we don't want to be late."
Harry shot Draco a look that said quite clearly, "See, I told you so", before hurrying up the stairs after his father, Draco was pouting behind him.
They got into the Potter's very ugly car and began driving to the freeway, in order to get downtown. "We only have a few rules for dining out," Lily said from the front seat, to Draco, who was sitting in the back with Harry. "You can order anything you want, that's nonalcoholic, and you must keep your hands *above* the table at all times."
Harry turned bright red. "Mum!" He whined.
Draco, on the other hand, looked amused, "is there a reason for this rule?" He asked Harry, who, if possible, turned even redder.
"I'll tell you later," he muttered.
Draco nodded, satisfied, and resumed trying to sink down in his seat, so as to not be seen by anybody he knew in this incredibly ugly car.
===
When they reached the restaurant, they were taken directly to their seats, which turned out to be in the very back corner booth. Harry and Draco sat down quickly, causing the dark red fabric of the seat groan slightly. James and Lily sat across from them, watching as a lighthearted bickering began.
"You're fat." Harry stated bluntly, "did you *feel* the seat sag when you sat down? It must have gone down at least a mile!"
"ME?" Draco demanded indignantly, his eyes wide with shock.
"Yes, you. Maybe if you exercised a little more, you would loose all that extra poundage, but *nooo* you have this thing against sweating. Sweating my ar- butt." Harry jested, taking Draco's elbow in his hand and proving his point by failing to wrap his fingers around the flesh.
"Not all of us are basketball obsessed," Draco muttered, snatching his arm back. "Besides, it's much more fun to watch you play then to attempt and hurt myself trying."
"I think it'd be funny." Harry giggled.
"You would," Draco huffed.
Their conversation was cut short when a waitress suddenly stopped at their table, handing out menus and water glasses, which she then filled with ice water. She began her typical waitress speech before winking at Harry and walking away.
Draco frowned, watching in shocked silence, but Harry didn't seem to notice.
"Ahem," James said suddenly, "hands on the table, you two."
The boys flushed and quickly placed their hands on the table top, Harry reaching automatically for the crayons that would allow him to draw on the paper table cover.
"So, Draco," Lily said, putting down her menu and smiling at the blond. "Harry tells me that you're into art as well."
"Erm, yes." Draco answered, trying to see what Harry was drawing, "but I really prefer sculpting to drawing."
Lily looked interested, "really? I don't think Harry's ever done any sculpting... are you in any clubs or after-school activities? I know you don't play any sports."
"I'm in the art club," Draco said, thinking how Mrs. Potter could make an interrogation sound like a normal conversation. "And a few other clubs, I was thinking about trying out for the fall musical this year, the Drama teacher, Mr. Lockhart promised it would be a good one this time." He shot one more sly look at Harry, "I was hoping that Harry would try out with me, seeing how basketball season doesn't start till it's over."
Harry looked up, slightly startled, "wha-?"
"Oh, that would be lovely, Harry!" Lily cried, clapping her hands together excitedly, "you *should* try out for the play. It will be a great way to meet people."
"It is a great way to meet people," Draco stated, "the drama nerds," he muttered in Harry's ear. "I'm only doing it because Sprout will stop demanding I write songs."
Harry giggled again and resumed drawing on the table-cloth, switching colors every few seconds. When he was done, he tore off the paper and shoved it in his pocket, earning three strange looks.
But before anybody could say anything, the waitress arrived and smiled brightly at Harry. "Have you decided on what you'd like to have?"
They each ordered before the waitress sent one more smile at Harry and disappeared. By that time, Draco was positively fuming with repressed anger, and Harry was still oblivious.
James and Lily started a conversation, Draco and Harry commenting every once in a while. And eventually, their food arrived; this time however, the girl was disappointed to find that Harry had disappeared into the bathroom. By the time he returned, she had long gone.
They ate their meals slowly, enjoying the food set before them. Finally, when they had all finished, Lily stopped a passing waiter and whispered something in his ear. The waiter nodded before disappearing into the kitchen. Minutes later, a whole group of servers emerged from the kitchen; their own waitress was holding a large platter of chocolate ice-cream. The group crowded around the booth and she set down the dish.
"May I have your attention please?" The girl shouted into the restaurant. "Today happens to be a very special day. A birthday, to Harry here." She smiled at the black-haired boy who was glaring at his mother. "So, if you would all join us in a round of "Happy Birthday" it would be much appreciated..." She counted to three, where almost the whole building began bellowing out the birthday song to a flushing birthday boy.
When the song was over Harry blew out the three candles stuck in his ice- cream. One for the past, one for the future, and one for his wish. Harry made his wish and leaned over to place a firm kiss on his boyfriend's mouth, making sure the waitress saw him. She looked extremely put out.
"Three," he whispered into Draco's ear.
===
By the time the Potter's and Draco got back to Godric's Hollow Road, it was nearing nine o'clock and Harry was beginning to feel the weight of the day. However, he didn't get to sleep until almost eleven, because the kitchen table was suddenly overflowing with gifts. Most of them wrapped in brown mailing paper.
He received all sorts of things, pictures in beautiful frames, and strange things that could only be found in a little store in Surry called "Nick's Knack". He also received a shower-radio, and a camera and a box full of film (from Colin, whose father owned a camera and film company). And one gift, which stood out from all the rest, a feather quill, and a pot of ink. Apart from all that, he received multiple movies and strangely, a sock organizer.
After making Draco, who was *very* impressed with the amount of gifts Harry received, help carry all his stuff down to the basement, the two boys flopped down on Harry's couch and switched on the television. Harry pushed a video into the VCR, and they began watching the movie, curled into each other and occasionally exchanging a soft kiss.
"Tell me why you have to keep your hands on the table when you eat out," Draco requested.
Harry dragged himself up from his semi-asleep state and smiled softly, remembering. "It was the end of my freshman year," he began, his hands playing gently with Draco's hair, "and well, to put it simply, I had just lost my virginity. Me and Dean were always rather attached after that, and mum and dad decided to take us out to brunch. I'm sure you can figure out the rest."
Draco chuckled, hugging Harry a little tighter to himself. "I'm surprised you've gotten that far. I'm still a virgin."
"Really?" Harry asked, waking up a little more.
"Yeah." Draco said, his cheeks slowly starting to burn. "I've never had a boyfriend before, or a girlfriend. When I kissed you last month - that was the first time I ever initiated a kiss."
Harry smiled and kissed the side of Draco's face. "I'm glad I was your first," he whispered, curling his arms around Draco's body and resting his chin on top of the blond hair. Draco's arms crept around Harry, his head resting on Harry's chest. They stayed that way, only to fall asleep, still curled up together.
"Look at them, James," Lily smiled from the bottom of the steps, a little while later, leaning against her husband. "They've only been together for a month, and see how much they already care for each other."
James smiled, and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Let's hope that they can last whatever life throws at them." He murmured, "I have a feeling that if they loose this, they might never fully recover."
Lily nodded, breaking away from James and moving towards Harry's "bedroom". She pulled his comforter off the bed and gently wrapped it around the slumbering boys, kissing each of them on the forehead.
"Sleep tight," she whispered.
James moved to turn off the half played movie, switching off the television as he did so, leaving the basement in darkness. Then, the two adults moved back to the doorway and went up the stairs to their own bed. Soon, the whole house was slumbering gently.
===
When Harry returned from his morning run, still glowing from the fact he had woken up with Draco in his arms, the couch was abandoned and his comforter was lying in a heap on the floor. The bathroom was occupied, however, and Draco humming just loud enough to hear over the dull roar of the shower.
Harry was amused to find that he was humming country music.
Suddenly, the humming stopped and the water in the shower stopped falling. Harry could hear Draco padding around the bathroom, drying himself off and getting dressed.
The door swung open, and there stood Draco, clothed in Harry's clothes. A pair of blue jeans and a white tee-shirt.
Harry blinked.
"Morning," Draco smiled, pushing his damp hair off of his forehead. Harry blinked again and Draco slowly turned pink. "Um, your mum said that I could wear your clothes so that I wouldn't have to wear the same stuff two days in a row..." he trailed off, still pink.
Harry blinked a third time before getting off of his perch on the couch and walked over to where the other boy stood. "Its fine," he said after a moment, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Did you borrow anything other then clothes?"
"Um," Draco said, turning a little pinker, "no?"
Harry smirked and made his way into the bathroom, where Draco's clothes from the day before were sitting in the clothes hamper. *All* of his clothes.
"Even my underwear," Harry murmured, staring down. "Now that is odd, nobody has ever worn my underwear other then me before."
Draco pouted, "I really needed some! And yours was clean!"
"You can keep the underwear," Harry sighed, as though it were a great loss, "I'll manage without it."
Draco rolled his eyes. "You're too kind."
"I know, I know." Harry laughed, "So, if you're all finished in here I'm going to take a shower. Go entertain yourself elsewhere, because this is not a show for you to watch."
Draco narrowed his eyes. "It's not your birthday anymore," he protested, "You can't order me around!"
Harry stepped closer to Draco, smiling innocently. He placed a kiss on Draco's cheek, and another on his neck, moving towards Draco's more obvious weak spots. "Go eat breakfast," he whispered, tracing the shell of Draco's ear with a finger tip.
Draco shivered.
"And then we can find something to do." Harry finished, placing his hand on Draco's chest and firmly pushing him out of the bathroom. The door slammed shut and the water squeaked on, leaving Draco standing slightly dazed in the now empty basement. The blond sighed before going to the stairs and sitting down at the breakfast table with James and Lily.
"Kicked out of the bathroom?" Lily asked, placing a few pancakes on his plate.
"You have no idea," Draco muttered, picking up his fork and poking at his food. With a sigh he began eating.
Ten minutes later, Harry appeared, sitting down in his seat and smiling widely at his parents and boyfriend. "Morning," he chirped, reaching across the table and nabbing himself a blueberry muffin. He then proceeded to break off the top and shove it in his mouth, chewing rapidly.
He was greeted with a grunt and two smiles.
"Good morning," Lily smiled, pouring her son a glass of juice. "What were you two planning on doing today?"
Harry shrugged, swallowing, while Draco looked up from his own breakfast.
"My father is supposed to get back from Spain today," he muttered, "then he's leaving tomorrow afternoon for France. I'm supposed to go with him."
Harry dropped his muffin in shock. "How long will you be gone?" He managed to ask after a pause.
"A few weeks," Draco sighed. "We do this every summer. Spend two and a half weeks in some fancy hotel starting at the beginning of August. Then, I spend all my time fending for myself as he works..."
Harry's cheerful mood quickly diminished. "So, I won't see you till school starts?"
"Yeah," Draco said, sounding completely miserable. "I'm really sorry I didn't tell you before Harry. But, I called my mother this morning before she left and she reminded me. And, it's tradition. My family is a complete sucker for tradition."
Harry swallowed, "I-it's alright," he said softly, "you said yourself that you didn't spend enough time with your dad. It'll probably do you some good..." he trailed off, his fingers now playing absently with the remaining half of his muffin.
"Harry," James said, breaking the silence that had fallen around the table. "Why don't you go over to Draco's and help him pack for France?"
Draco forced a smile, "yeah, Harry. We can spend the day together. It'll be fun."
Harry nodded, "fun." He repeated, "Yeah."
===
The morning spent with Draco wasn't actually that bad. Harry and Draco spent most of their time in Draco's bedroom, going from having random pillow fights, which ended up with them making out on Draco bed. To packing, which also ended up with them making out on Draco's bed - to the ever popular, making out on Draco's bed. Of course, the boys probably would have moved on towards intimate acts, if a knock on Draco's door hadn't interrupted them.
The door slowly opened and in peeked an elderly, small, balding man, clad in black. He stood in the doorway, his thinning hair, large ears and long nose clearly defined on his clean shaven face. He grinned mischievously. "Is this a bad time, Master Draco?"
Draco flushed and quickly removed his hands from their position inside Harry's pants.
Harry forced himself to hold back a whimper at the loss.
"Erm, hello, Dobby," Draco stammered, "um... no, it's not a bad time..." He paused, "erm... why are you here?"
Dobby smirked, leaning against the door-frame and taking *way* too much enjoyment at the sight of the two embarrassed teenage boys. "Your father just arrived, Master Draco," he said, "and wishes to eat lunch with you this afternoon and then he has to run down to the office before it closes."
Draco scrambled up, "I- alright, thank you Dobby." he hesitated, "you're not going to tell him about me and Harry, are you?"
The man shook his head. "You know your secrets are safe with me, Master Draco."
Draco smiled, obviously relived, "Thanks Dobby."
The man left the room and Harry sat up, pushing his tee-shirt back down to cover his chest. "Um..." he began, "what-?"
Draco sighed and helped Harry to his feet. "I'm going to make this fast, alright, because Father's waiting." Harry nodded. "First, I'm technically not allowed to have a boyfriend - or girlfriend, I guess, until after I graduate. And, I haven't actually come out of the closet about being gay to my parents yet."
"Oh. So, around your dad, we're just friends?"
"It would probably be best."
Harry smiled, "alright."
===
They arrived in the large dining room for lunch to find that Draco's father and multiple servants, excluding Dobby were present. Lucius Malfoy was sitting at the head of a long table that was covered in platters of food.
"Draco," Lucius said, when he saw his son standing at the far end of the table. "It's so nice to see you again. I trust that you're nearly packed for France? Our flight tomorrow morning is at nine, I do hope you'll be ready to leave by seven?"
"Yes father," Draco said, forcing a smile onto his face. "Father, this is Harry Potter, a friend of mine. He and his parents just moved here from Surry a month ago."
Lucius blinked as though just noticing his son wasn't standing alone, and that there was indeed, a black haired boy standing next to him. He stood and squinted to get a better look at the boy, and then it clicked. "Harry Potter," he repeated, "the basketball player, aren't you?"
"Yes sir," Harry said, copying his boyfriend and forcing a smile onto his face.
Lucius gestured for them to sit at the table, and they did. Albeit, as far away from him as they could without making it seem *too* obvious.
"So, Harry," the blond haired man said conversationally, while buttering a roll, "how do you like our town? I'm sure it's nothing compared to where you grew up."
"It's nice," Harry said after a moment's hesitation. "Everyone I've met so far has been nice to me. I got a job easy enough, I guess."
Lucius smiled, or was it a smirk? "You must enjoy being independent, if you got yourself a job so quickly."
"Just... used to it I guess, I used to work at a fitness center during the summers. I guess it just feels weird *not* to work."
Lucius nodded again. "I know how that feels," he said. "I always seem to get volunteered for jobs around the world, by now it would seem odd not to be flying around all the time."
Harry just nodded, and turned his attention to his meal. The rest of lunch was uncomfortable, but finally, it was over. This allowed the two boys to esca- go back to Draco's room.
"Let's go out tonight," Harry said suddenly, "dinner and dancing, or something."
Draco dropped another shirt into his suitcase. "*You* want to go dancing?" He asked incredulously, "I thought you hated dancing!"
"Anything that involves holding you against my body and loud music - I don't hate."
"What about basketball?"
Harry gave the blond an exasperated look. "I'm sure I can find *somebody* to dance with me..." he mused, tossing shoes into Draco's suitcase. "...maybe we'll even fall in love and run away together."
Draco scowled, "fine." He muttered, "I'll take you out dancing."
Draco was so busy pouting and sulking that he missed Harry's smug smile of satisfaction.
===
Dinner, as cheap as it was, wasn't too bad. It was dancing, however, that really made Harry smile. Music loud enough to make the floor vibrate. Flashing lights, bright enough to eventually blind, and a huge dance floor crammed with people. Harry dragged Draco towards the middle and the two began dancing.
Hips twisting, bodies turning - movements almost sensual.
A stocky blond boy suddenly approached them, "Hey, Malfoy," he shouted over the music, with a thick Irish accent, "Fancy a dance?"
Draco shook his head, pulling Harry a little closer to his body. "I've already got somebody, Seamus," he called back. He then gestured towards Harry, "This is Harry, my boyfriend."
Seamus looked over and Harry, his eyes went wide and his mouth fell open. "Wow! Lucky Draco found you first, or you'd have been mine!" He joked loudly to Harry. "Fancy a dance, Harry?"
Harry looked at the boy for a moment, sizing him up. He was about Harry's height, stockier with sandy blond hair and dancing blue eyes. Harry shook his head, "No, thanks. Draco, I'm kind of thirsty, do you want anything?"
"Pepsi, thanks Harry."
Harry smiled and pressed a quick kiss to Draco's cheek. "I'll be right back," he called before making his way towards the soda bar.
"What'll it be, babe?" the girl behind the bar smiled, leaning down and showing more cleavage then Harry ever wanted to see.
"Two Pepsi's," Harry said, digging in his pocket for some money.
"Don't," the girl then said placing the soda's on the counter. "This is on me."
Harry smiled his thanks, picking up the drinks and walking back over to Draco. He spent the rest of the night wrapped in the other boy's arms.
And to tell the truth, if Draco wasn't leaving the next day for France, Harry would have been extremely pleased with his first visit to Malfoy Manor, and his first time dancing with his boyfriend. Besides the fact that the manor was empty and foreboding, and the girls at the dance club kept asking him to dance.
===
When Harry returned from his morning run and sat down at the breakfast table, his parents shared a quick look before James cleared his throat.
"You had a phone call, yesterday," he said after a pause. "A woman named Rita Skeeter, from the newspaper. She wanted an interview with you."
Harry nearly paled. "What did you tell her?"
"Well, I tried to tell her that you weren't interested, but she was quite insistent and managed to worm her way into our schedule..."
Harry then began to panic. "No! Dad, please, I don't want an interview! I don't want to be some big headline! I just want a quiet life-"
"I'm sorry, baby," Lily sighed, "but after she said she'd be here at three today, and hung up, there was really nothing we could do. And your father and I are going into town today; we need to check out some of the medical clinics around here. We won't be gone long, sorry baby."
There was a thump as Harry's head hit the table. He grabbed a muffin and stood up. "I'm going over to Hermione's, I'll be back later."
===
"Hermione, do you know some woman named Rita Skeeter?" Harry asked a bit later, the two were sitting in the Granger's living room, watching TV.
"That dreadful reporter from the /Daily Prophet/?" Hermione asked, making a face. "Rita, 'write it now, twist it later' Skeeter?"
Harry sighed, "I guess you do. Have you ever had an interview with her?"
Hermione gave him a strange look. "No... Why would you have an interview with that witch?"
The black haired boy was silent, before: "do you remember all of those trophies and things in my room," Harry asked after a pause, "did you ever wonder how I got them all?"
Hermione nodded.
"Well, I kind of haven't told you all yet, but I'm kind of the country's most valuable junior basketball player. And I've sort of already got scholarships to some of the top schools in Britain, and America, some places in Canada..."
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Because I don't want the fame," Harry explained, "I don't want all the glory or the titles. I want to be Harry Potter, a normal teenaged kid. But everybody always wants to make me into something that I'm not. And I hate it."
"And with an interview..." Hermione whispered, her eyes going wide with pity.
"I'll be labeled before I even start school. I won't have a secret left." He paused, his hand going up to his forehead, tracing the lightning shaped scar there. "Do you know why I have this scar, Hermione?" He asked, continuing after a moment. "It's because when I was little, my second grade teacher took us to the ice-skating rink for a field trip. There was this one kid in the class, Tom Riddle, his name was, and he was a real bully. Anyway, me and my friends, Pansy and Terry, I think it was, were skating, when he suddenly pushed me down onto the ice."
Hermione gasped, her hands going to cover her mouth.
"I fell on my back, and he stepped on me, almost killed me. I had to get stitches when I was seven years old, Hermione, because I was singled out for being talented."
===
Harry was practicing basketball when Rita Skeeter suddenly appeared in the back yard, a paunchy man holding a camera behind her. Harry didn't even notice her, so enraptured with his game, until a sudden flash went off from the camera. Harry turned around to be attacked by even more flashes. When his vision finally cleared, he was able to focus on the woman in front of him. Her hair was set in elaborate and curiously rigid curls, contrasting greatly with her heavy jawed face. She wore jeweled spectacles, and her thick fingers were clutching a crocodile skin handbag, and her two inch nails were painted with some sort of bright magenta, to blend perfectly with her ugly dress.
"Harry," Rita beamed, "how nice to meet you!" She opened her bag and pulled out an acid green pen and a fancy notebook. "I'm so glad that you agreed to do this interview with me, I'm sure it will be a great contribution to the paper."
Harry frowned and went to pick up his basketball.
Rita plopped herself down in one of the deck chairs, patting the one next to her invitingly. "Come sit here, Harry, and we can talk."
Harry reluctantly sat down, trying to look polite while glancing into the house longingly. 'You're gone for nine hours and see what happens to me' he thought to Draco.
"Now, Harry, what made you decide to play basketball over other sports?"
"Er..." Harry said, "I just liked the game I guess." But he was somewhat distracted by her pen, which she was using to write in her notebook.
/An ugly scar, souvenir of a mysterious past, disfigures the otherwise charming face of Harry Potter, whose eyes.../
"Ignore what I'm writing Harry," Rita said firmly. "Now, why did you like basketball?"
Harry scowled, "I told you, it was no big decision, I just liked the game, and it turned out that I was good at it."
Rita rose on heavily penciled eyebrow. "Come now, you must have tried other sports, don't be afraid to tell us, it's perfectly normal for you to try other things."
Harry rolled his eyes, he felt strangely like he was getting "The Talk."
"Now, how do you feel about starting a whole new school, nervous? Nearly a thousand people that you don't know, it must be oddly frightening."
"Not really," Harry sighed, "I mean, I've already met a bunch of people going to school with me." He paused, "Well, nervous yes, but who wouldn't be?" His insides squirmed uncomfortably after he spoke.
"Now in your last game, you scored nearly forty points, according the records... How did that feel?"
"It was normal," Harry muttered, "that's around how many I usually score per game."
Rita smiled, showing her dull, slightly stained teeth. "How does it feel to be the number one junior athlete in the country?" She asked next, her pen ready to write some lie or another about him.
"It doesn't matter to me." Harry said sullenly, slumping down in his chair, "I'd rather be a normal kid, then some famous jock."
"Good point, now, this scar of yours, the one on your forehead... where did it come from?"
Harry grabbed his basketball, stood up and glared at her. "I think the interview is over." He snapped. "Please leave."
"Come now, Harry-"
"Now!" With that he turned on his heal and stalked into the house, locking the door firmly behind him. He was sure he saw a flash from the camera before he yanked the curtains closed.
"Who does she think she is?" Harry ranted; heading into the kitchen and yanking open the door to the basement. "She has absolutely no right to ask me something like that! That is one of the most personal - secret - AUGH! I hate her!"
He threw himself down on his bed, reaching for his telephone, dialing Dean's number.
Moments later he was talking to his old boyfriend, and feeling more and more relaxed as he vented.
===
Dinner that night was tense. James and Lily kept looking at each other nervously, and Harry was still glowering about Rita Skeeter.
"We found a good doctor," James said finally, breaking the silence.
Harry grunted.
"Sweetheart," Lily asked, looking concerned, "are you okay? You've barely eaten your dinner..."
"I'm fine." Harry sighed, "I'm just a little angry with that stupid reporter. She has no sense of respect, asked me about my scar..."
James winced. "Well, if you can stand anything else happening today, your mother and I have something to tell you. Something that's going to change our whole family."
Harry looked up, intensely curious. "What, are we moving again?"
"No, nothing like that." Lily said, moving one hand to grip her husbands, and discreetly placing the other on her stomach. "Baby, I'm pregnant."
Harry's mouth fell open. "WHAT?!" He cried.
"I'm pregnant, nearly two months along. That's why your father and I went to the doctor's today. I'm so excited," Lily continued, her whole face glowing, "won't it be amazing, having a little brother or sister to teach everything you know?"
Harry was silent. "So, I'm going to have a little brother?"
"Or sister," James said quickly, "we're not sure of the gender yet."
"A brother," Harry mused, a small smile on his face. "That'll be cool, I have no use for a sister, and so, it'll have to be a boy." He smiled at his parents and got up to give them both hugs. "I'll think of this as a semi- late birthday present."
"Well," Lily said, hugging her son back, "It's nice to know you approve. And when it's a girl, I'm going to laugh in your face. Just because it's what you deserve. Cheeky little boy."
"Careful, mum," Harry grinned, "wouldn't want to over stress, it might harm the baby."
He received a playful slap to the head. "Don't talk to your mother like that," James laughed, "she's in a very delicate state."
Harry laughed as well. And hearing his mother's growl of mock fury only made him laugh harder.
===
The phone rang that night, and Harry was almost too sleepy to answer it. He put down his sketchbook and reached for his phone. "Hello," suppressing a yawn.
"Harry?"
"Draco!" Harry cried, "What's up, are you okay? How's France?"
"France is boring," Draco laughed, "the trip wasn't too bad, and there was this girl that kept hitting on me though. My father wasn't too pleased with it."
"Neither am I," Harry muttered, "you're mine!"
"Geez," Draco laughed again, "possessive much?"
There was a pause. "No?"
"Whatever," Draco sighed, "listen, I can't talk long, I just wanted to give you our hotel phone number and room number though it probably won't do any good, because Father and I are supposed to be out together all tomorrow. But anyway..." Draco rattled off a phone number, and then his room number, Harry scribbling in down.
"I'll talk to you soon," Draco said, "my dad just walked into the room and is looking at me funny." There was a muffled voice on the other end of the phone, before, "Talk to you soon, Harry."
"I miss you," Harry whispered. "Bye." . . . ======================================== . . . . . . AN Review and I'll update. . . . . . . .