Hi! Here it is, right on time as promised. You have no idea how hard this was to write! Hope it was worth it. I hate that I have to do this, but it seems expected that I warn you that in this chapter there will be some mention of sex – I hardly expect anyone to freak out if they've come this far, but now you can't say I didn't give fair warning. It's more suggestive, then explicit, but my intention is not to offend. Also, if someone does complain and I get kicked off fanfiction.net, I am now posted at both the Potter Slash Archive (PSA) and Pure Magnetism, where I'm sure such biased censorship doesn't exist. Enjoy!

Harry stood outside the front door of his flat, intentionally jangling his keys noisily. Moving slowly he put the key in the lock, turning it reluctantly, hoping that at any moment the door would swing open and admit him. It didn't. Harry had to reach for the handle and twist it. Even once he was inside and the door locked behind him, he took his time untying his shoes and hanging up his coat in the hall closet. Still nothing. Harry sighed.

Since their fight, Draco hadn't met him at the door and he hadn't initiated any other amorous encounters. Harry knew it was entirely because of what he had said during their argument, about how Draco was coming on too strong. What had possessed him to disparage the way in which Draco welcomed him home? Oh yeah, because he didn't trust things that made him so happy. And it was a well-established fact that forgiving was a long ways from forgetting. 'God,' Harry thought, 'who needs enemies when I'm so good at ruining my life myself?'

Draco was in the living room, forcing himself to remain seated. He would wait for Harry to come to him, but did Harry have to take so damn long? How long did it take to remove a pair of shoes anyway? Then Harry was there, standing in the doorway, and all recriminations were put on hold. Harry grinned, Draco's smile widened.

" Good day?"

" Better now," Harry replied, and flopped onto the couch next to Draco. Draco returned his attention to his book, inordinately pleased when he felt Harry shift closer. Harry lay down on his side, his head coming to rest in Draco's lap. Draco's hand dropped to stroke through Harry's hair, and Harry let out a sigh of contentment.

They ate late that night; neither had wanted to get off the couch and disturb the peaceful scene. Conversation remained light and teasing, touches were subtle but frequent. Harry instigated the first kiss, but it was Draco who encouraged it to go to a deeper level of passion. They were sitting on the couch again, and Draco had just slid into Harry's lap, knees on either side of Harry's hips. Harry undid the top button of Draco's shirt, pulling the fabric back slightly until he could freely trace Draco's collarbone with his lips.

Draco tilted his head upwards, giving Harry better access. His voice was breathy when he spoke, " We are really, really, proficient at kissing. Did you know that?"

Harry grinned against Draco's skin, " If you say so."

" I do say so. We started off as slobbering idiots – well, compared to now that is." Draco had to pause when Harry licked a particularly sensitive place on his neck. He visibly shivered, then continued, " But we're practically gods at it now. I mean it Harry - you're really brilliant at the kissing. There ought to be a contest or something, we could make a fortune."

" Would you talk the whole way through that as well?" Harry teased.

Draco blushed, " Just wanted you to know is all."

" Well thanks, but if you don't mind it takes two people to kiss properly, and I'd hate for us to lose our edge," Harry said, bringing his mouth back towards Draco's tempting swollen lips.

" No fear of that. We really are fucking fantastic," Draco said. He proceeded to ravish Harry's mouth, proving his statement, over and over again.

Draco glanced at the clock on the wall, wondering where Harry was. Normally he was home from school well before this time. Draco knew it was irrational to worry about a delay of only an hour, but he was apprehensive just the same. Part of it was because he knew that if Harry seriously was in trouble, there was little that Draco could do about it, stuck as he was in the flat by his own bloody fears. Another hour rolled by when finally Draco heard the front door opening.

" Sorry I was late, I had to do something," Harry said. Draco shrugged, trying to not let on how upset he had been. " I got you a present."

Draco's ears perked up, and he gave Harry his full attention.

" Really? What is it?"

" Before you open it, you should know that I've been doing some thinking," Harry stated.

" Will wonders never cease," Draco gibed.

Harry ignored him, " And I was thinking that it's probably really hard not to have anything magical around you anymore, so I, uh, went to Diagon alley, and got you some stuff. Nearly made it out unrecognized too, but I then got mobbed by these irritating girls…"

Draco leapt off the couch, noticing for the first time the lipstick stains on Harry's collar, and the faint smell of some cloying perfume.

" You mean they touched you? How dare they! Tramps," Draco said. He was pulling Harry's shirt off rather roughly, wanting to destroy any trace of there being someone else's hands on what he considered to be his private domain.

" 'Tramps' is a bit harsh. They were quite nice, really," Harry said, amused at Draco's possessive streak.

" Whores then," Draco spit out, successfully removing Harry's shirt. " Right, anything else they touched?"

Harry was tempted to say his pants, just to see if Draco would strip him of those as well with the same enthusiasm, but decided that in the state Draco was in, serious damage could be done.

" No, though they did breathe on me rather strongly. Think you could kiss me…"

No sooner asked then answered. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's bare chest, squeezing tightly, his lips firmly pressed to Harry's.

" Better?"

" Much."

" Now, what were you doing in Diagon alley if not picking up strange women," Draco said. He had planned on letting Harry go, but something about a shirtless Harry made such an action impossible.

" Getting you a gift, like I said," Harry said. He detached himself from Draco's death-grip, and retrieved a brown paper bag. " It's mostly books, spells and such, that I thought maybe you might want to study. Plus, exploding snap, chocolate frogs, and a quill and ink."

" Stupid quill," Draco muttered.

Harry's eyebrows lifted in surprise, " Why Draco, are you admitting that the Muggle world actually has benefits over the magical one?"

" Actually, I've come to the decision that we're really not that different at all. Different responses to similar problems… But I want my present, please?"

" And now he's saying please," Harry muttered. " You'd think I would have noticed hell freezing over."

" Shut-up. Present," Draco demanded.

Harry shoved the bag at Draco, who delved into it happily. Standard book of spells, years six and seven, sweets, common potion ingredients, and a cauldron, made up most of the contents.

" I didn't get you a wand. I wasn't sure if that was allowed or not. I've never been too clear on the underage use of magic rules. I mean, are we still underage because neither of us graduated?"

" We're eighteen, so we're not underage. But because we didn't graduate, we won't be allowed to practice magic unless under the supervision of another trained witch or wizard. So it's good you didn't get me a wand – it would have been too tempting. Besides, most magic can be traced, and I don't fancy a visit by my dear old papa," Draco replied, scowling.

Harry was worried his gift had been a bad idea, " I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't have done this. But I know you feel kind-of like you're drifting, and I thought you might like to study magic. You were always a good student, and I don't want you to have to give up everything."

" No, the gift is great, thank you. It will be good to get some practice in and I have to admit that when I arrived I was kind-of surprised there was nothing to do with magic here. I would have expected you to have kept a few things," Draco said. He knew he was entering dangerous territory, and he just hoped Harry didn't get too defensive.

Harry dragged out his travel truck from its corner, and flipped the lid. " If any of this stuff helps, you have my permission to use it. But Draco, there's a lot of bad stuff that I've finally managed to put behind me, and I'd rather not dredge any of it up again, okay?"

" Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

" Very sure," Harry said. And the funny thing was, Harry really was certain this time. The past couldn't really hurt him anymore; Draco's presence only confirmed that. Today, when he had gone to Diagon alley for the first time in over a year, there had been none of the usual fear and anger. It was just a place, somewhere he used to know, and somewhere he could still visit if he wanted.

" Okay, I won't ask any questions."

" Oh, you can ask, but I don't guarantee that I'll answer, is that fair?"

Draco nodded, and began sifting through some of Harry's old belongings. It was more intimate then he had expected. It was a little like getting a peek into someone else's mind, and he felt privileged that Harry was giving him this freedom. He picked up Harry's yearbook from the third year, reading a few of the comments that his friends had written on the inside of the cover. There were the usual 'have a nice summer', and 'see you next year' comments. He was surprised to find a comment written by none other then himself. It read 'Just remember that you suck, Potter'. Draco showed it to Harry, and they laughed.

" You were such a prat, it's almost unbelievable," Harry said, smiling.

" I know. And so short," Draco said, coming across a group photo in which he was considerably smaller then his classmates. Harry pointed to himself in the photo, situated on the complete other side of the group.

" You're not the only one. Thank God we grew, huh? I mean, Hermione was taller then me for crying out loud."

" You were a rather cute kid, wonder what happened?" Draco asked, pondering innocently. Harry growled, and tackled him to the floor. Harry straddled Draco's narrow waist, effectively pinning Draco's hands to his sides, and kissed him until Draco retracted his comment.

" So, like all good boyfriends, you have now bought me a present. When will the promised date occur?"

" Friday. I thought I told you already? Anyway, I booked the night off work and everything."

" Well gee Harry, you might have told me. That doesn't give me much time to prepare."

" It's totally casual Draco, you don't need to dress-up."

" Whatever you say," Draco said. In his mind he was already making plans. The devilish tilt to his eyebrows made Harry start to worry.

Despite Harry's insistence that their Friday night date was a simple affair, Draco still spent most of Friday afternoon deciding what to wear. He really didn't have that many clothes, so the choice should have been easy, and yet… Finally deciding that black really was his colour; he slipped on black jeans, and a slinky, long-sleeved black shirt, and studied the effect. He hoped the subtlety wouldn't be lost on Harry. He took the outfit off again, and went to take a shower. Clean and freshly scrubbed, Draco stepped into his clothes, and combed back his wet hair. There was nothing to do now but wait, and Draco cursed both his organizational skills (he was about four hours early) and his inherent lack of patience.

When Harry did come home, he tossed out his usual greeting and continued on to the kitchen, before doing an about face, and coming back to stare at Draco.

" Eep," Harry said.

" Why thank you, that was precisely the look I was going for," Draco said smugly.

" Ork," Harry retorted nonsensically.

" I think you already established that, but thanks just the same. One can never have too many compliments. I laid out some clothes for you to wear, and I don't want you complaining – no boyfriend of mine is going out looking scruffy."

" Gah," Harry said, nodding so that Draco would understand him. Still dazed, Harry went to get changed, putting on clean blue jeans, and a white button-down shirt. Harry was fully aware he was grinning like an idiot, but it didn't seem very important. Not when he had a date with that damn cocky bastard in the next room.

They had dinner at a small restaurant near the university that Harry knew of. It was a reasonably priced family run place, with plastic tablecloths, cheap décor, poor lighting, and fantastic food. Everything from chow mein to cereal was on the menu, though Harry recommended the Italian dishes. Draco had the angel-hair pasta – Harry thought it necessary to point out the irony.

" Um, I'd recommend dessert, the chocolate cake here is really good, but then we might miss the movie," Harry said after they had stuffed themselves full of satisfying carbohydrates.

Draco took a sip from his glass, and dabbed at his mouth with a paper napkin. " I don't think I could eat another bite anyway."

Harry looked at Draco's plate, which still had a great deal of pasta on it. Teasing slightly, he mocked, " Amateur."

" Trying to keep my figure just the way you like it. You remember? The stellar comments of 'eep' and 'gah'?" Draco replied.

Harry flushed red enough to match the wine, and Draco laughed. They were rather noisy while they waited in the queue outside the movie theatre. A few people were listening in to their conversation, enjoying the fast-paced insults and retorts, especially since it was obvious the intent was humour, not harm.

The theatre itself was full, and they took seats side-by-side near the back. Draco was too intently involved in his conversation with Harry to think much about anything else, so when the lights dimmed at the film's commencement, he was startled. He soon found the darkness comforting, the atmosphere one of pleasant anticipation.

Harry had tried to explain what to expect, eventually coming up with the description 'really big telly', but Draco discovered it was much more then that. He was enthralled by the whole experience. He was leaning forward in his chair, elbows on his knees, eyes wide in the darkness, when he noticed that there were quite a few couples more interested in each other then the film. Glancing at Harry, who was absorbed in watching the screen, he couldn't help wondering if maybe they were supposed to be doing other… stuff. The movie, however, drew his attention again and he forgot all about Harry for the remainder of the show.

" So what did you think? It looked like you were half asleep," Harry asked, when they were walking home from the theatre.

" Asleep? Are you kidding? It was fantastic! I mean, the movie was sort-of lame and I figured out in the first five minutes who the murderer was, but that chase bit with the automobiles, and then when he shot that guy, and did that thing, and then that other thing. And it was like 'whoa' but then like 'yeah', and…"

Harry couldn't help laughing at Draco's description of the film. His laughter didn't deter Draco from talking, however, and they were nearly back to the flat when Draco finally stopped for air. " Oh, and I meant to ask, are you ashamed of me?"

" Excuse me?" Harry asked, completely thrown by the sudden change in subject.

" Well, in the theatre, there were people kissing, and others with their arms around each other, or holding hands, and I was kind-of wondering why we didn't do anything like that."

" You wanted to hold my hand?" Harry asked sceptically.

" Ug, don't be daft, I don't do that kind-of crap unless it's to my benefit. In fact, I don't really believe in public displays of affection – some things should be kept private. But you didn't even try anything, so I was just wondering… is it because we were the only two guys together on a date?"

" Well sort-of…" Harry began.

" So am I expected to pretend whenever we're in public? Because let me tell you I don't fade into the shadows very easily," Draco huffed.

" Draco wait," Harry said, catching hold of Draco's arm. They stood facing each other under a streetlight. " I'm not ashamed of you, and I'm not ashamed of us. It's just that I'm used to my whole life being up for grabs; anything important to me soon becomes something for the public to feast on. I guess I'm used to keeping things private, and, yes, even secret. I don't like the thought of sharing you with anyone else. I want to keep you mine. All mine."

Harry was blushing even as he was talking. He was stroking the side of Draco's face, trying to make Draco understand what he was saying. When they were alone together, their moments were special, and he didn't want anyone else cheapening those experiences.

" That is quite possibly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," Draco said, still somewhat stunned. He pressed his mouth eagerly to Harry's, and was pleased with the immediate reciprocation. " If I'm yours, then you're mine, got that? You belong to me."

Harry simply deepened the kiss, bringing them closer together with his arms. One of Draco's hands slid under Harry's shirt, touching the bare skin of his back. The other arm was draped around Harry's neck, keeping Draco from falling should his knees give out. It was just that type of kiss. Harry's hands were against the small of Draco's back, then resting on his hips, and finally his hands drifted lower, curving over Draco's bottom.

Draco's eyes widened, and he broke out of the kiss. " Harry, your hands are on my butt, I thought we had a rule about that?"

Harry's brain took a long time returning to reality, but when it did, he was as surprised as Draco.

" Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to, it just sort-of happened," Harry stammered, removing his hands. There was an awkward moment, as Harry tried to step away but Draco was still holding onto him tightly.

" It's okay," Draco said, and attempted to continue the kiss. Harry let himself be swept up again by the sensations, and after a few nervous moments, found a safe place for his hands on Draco's shoulders.

" Wait!" Draco said suddenly.

" What? They're nowhere near your butt, I swear," Harry exclaimed.

" Just let me get this straight, your hands were on my butt?"

" Yes, and I'm sorry…"

" And I made you move them?" Draco asked incredulously.

" Yes," Harry replied, no longer sure where Draco was going with his questioning.

" I am such an idiot – or maybe I've been hanging around you too long. Anyway, I take it back," Draco said.

" Huh? Take what back?" Harry asked.

" Whatever I said that made you remove your hands. I take it back," Draco said imperiously.

" Okay, so what does that mean?"

" Put your hands on my ass, Potter," Draco said through gritted teeth. Harry wavered; suddenly shy. " Now!"

Harry's hands shot down faster then he thought they were capable of moving. Harry thought that maybe in his excitement he may have gripped a little too hard, but Draco didn't seem to mind. In fact, Draco was smirking, pleased to have gotten his way. Harry squeezed, and Draco jumped. The smirk was gone.

" Now where were we?" Harry asked rhetorically.

" You do know that this abolishes that pesky 'below the belt' rule, don't you?" Draco said, determined to have the last word. Draco took advantage of Harry's speechlessness to kiss him thoroughly, and prevent any further discussion on the subject.

Nearly a week went by of blissful kisses and shameless groping. Draco was pleased with the amount of progress they were making. Harry's freak-outs were coming less regularly, and Draco made it a point to go out everyday and sit on the front steps.

That night, however, for the first time in a long time, Draco had a nightmare. In the dream, Draco was standing in the doorway of the flat. Just outside the door, beyond his reach, stood his father and Harry. Lucius had his arm wrapped tightly around Harry's neck in a stranglehold, his other hand held a wand pointed at Harry's temple. Harry was crying gently, reaching out for Draco, and mouthing words that Draco couldn't hear. Draco was yelling too, telling Harry it was going to be okay, but it was one of those soundless dreams where you can't even hear your own screaming voice. Then Harry's arm gave up, and fell listlessly to his side. Draco could save Harry, that much he knew for certain. He only had to cross through the doorway and everything would be resolved. But then, this wasn't a dream, it was a nightmare, and Draco was stuck to the floor, unable to move. Harry's eyes were closing, and he was beginning to slump to the floor. Lucius was laughing evilly and soundlessly, and Draco couldn't even get far enough outside to touch Harry one last time. There was a horrid flash of green from Lucius's wand, and then Draco woke-up.

Draco was breathing hard, the sheets twisted around his hands. He looked over at Harry, startled to see two luminous eyes staring back at him. The sense of relief Draco felt was almost palpable. He let his head fall back against the pillow, and stared up at the ceiling, struggling to gain control over his racing heart. Draco doubted very much that he was going to fall asleep again any time soon. The dream was still too fresh in his mind, and too realistic. A warm arm slipped over his chest and gripped his side.

" Harry, what are you doing? I have a reputation as an unfeeling and untouchable prick to maintain," Draco said, even as he stroked Harry's arm, assuring himself that Harry was still very much alive.

" I won't tell if you don't," Harry said sleepily. Harry drew himself up the bed, until he was curled against Draco. Draco turned onto his side, and they fit themselves together, with Draco's back to Harry's chest, and both Harry's arms wrapped comfortingly around Draco's slightly shaking form.

" Goodnight then," Draco said, snuggling closer into Harry's seemingly endless supply of heat. Harry didn't respond as he had already fallen back asleep.

In the morning, Harry was yet again running late, and his panicked ramblings and fumblings provided an interesting foil to Draco's calm and cool behaviour.

" I have to go straight from school to work, so I won't see you until quite late. You'll be okay?"

" I'll be fine. What about you? You don't have time for breakfast, I know you don't eat lunch, and now you'll be working through dinner. Promise me you'll stop somewhere and get something to eat?"

" I will, I promise," Harry said, kissing Draco on the cheek and grabbing his keys.

" And I don't mean just coffee," Draco yelled after him. He heard Harry grumble something about coffee being a perfectly good meal substitute, and then the door was closed, and Harry was gone.

The dream haunted Draco all through the morning. He kept seeing the resigned look on Harry's face, as though he knew that Draco couldn't, wouldn't, save him in time. It sent shivers down Draco's spine. He didn't want that dream to have any possibility of coming of true. It wasn't his style to skulk in the backgrounds… well, actually that was exactly his style, but it wasn't where Harry was concerned. He was Harry's protector, he remembered. Perhaps it was time he proved it.

Having made his decision, he was determined to put it into action as soon as possible. He ran through a mental list of the things he had to do. One: look after Harry properly. And that was all. Draco couldn't help thinking that it wasn't much of a list, so he added one more item. Two: get into Harry Potter's pants. Yes, that was much better. But first things first, if Draco was truly going to protect Harry he would have to be able to leave the house.

Draco spent the afternoon in the kitchen cooking, knowing that no matter what Harry promised his meals for the day would consist of coffee, coffee, and some coffee. At six o'clock, Draco put the last of his prepared food into some plastic containers (plastic was fantastic stuff, Draco decided), snapped the lids shut, put them carefully in a bag, and set the bag by the door. He was shaking as he tied his shoes. He had to take two steadying breaths before he could even reach for his coat. Draco tried to move faster, so the experience would be over sooner, but the haste made him clumsy, and he had to slow down again. With the bag of food in one hand, Draco reached for the keys to the flat, and stepped out the front door.

The first trial was over with, but now he faced the second. The stairs. He was tempted to simply sit on the bottom step, as had been his habit for the past few days, but he couldn't. The food was getting cold, he told himself, and he stepped resolutely onto the sidewalk.

Draco could hear his pulse beating like mad, the blood rushing through his veins so fast it was almost as though it wanted to escape his skin, and go back into hiding. Hiding sounded so good right now. Crawling into bed and throwing the covers over his head even better, but his steps continued onward, his mind shouting out the directions to the bookstore in a panicked voice. He still gripped the keys in his hand, clutching them so tightly that the metal was sure to leave indents on his palm. Draco didn't look back when he turned the street corner – he knew that if he saw the flat he would go running straight back to it.

The shadows seemed longer in this next block, and there were people. A man with a briefcase just barely brushed by him, and Draco dropped his gaze to his shoes. One foot, then the other - the rise and fall. ' Every step brings me closer to Harry', Draco thought, and kept moving. Streets, crossings, cars, people, and then at last the bookshop, its little sign flapping in the wind, beckoning him forward, telling him he had made it. His pace increased automatically, until he was speeding his way to the doorway, pushing open the door with greater force then was necessary. The shop was nearly empty; the bells over the lintel rang loud in the stillness.

Green eyes turned towards him, the emotion in them flitting by to quickly for Draco to decipher. Not that he could feel anything beyond an almost crippling relief at having Harry in his sight again.

" I brought you something, figured you might be hungry," Draco said softly. Harry was across the small shop in moments, crushing Draco to him in a hug that would probably cause bruises.

" How? Why?" Harry began but soon had to give up. He went back to holding Draco close, nearly lifting the man off his feet. Draco buried his head against Harry's shoulder and breathed in the familiar smell. Harry pulled back, placing a small kiss on Draco's mouth. " Does it sound horribly trite for me to say that I am so proud of you?"

" A little," Draco murmured, then he confessed, " But I'm rather proud of me too."

Suddenly there was a blinding bright flash. For one horrible moment, Harry thought it was Colin Creevy with his camera. He looked and decided it was far worse – Mrs. Cooper with a camera and a rather maniacal glint in her eyes.

" Ah ha! I've got you both now. I've had this camera here all month just waiting for this," Mrs. Cooper said excitedly. She snapped two more photos before Harry could even speak. " Well go on, do something! Please?"

" This really isn't the time…"

" Nonsense Harry," Draco admonished. He put his bag down, and shoved his keys in his pocket, before grabbing Harry about the waist and bending the rather stunned man so far backwards there were fears of them both falling over.

" Now that's what I call dramatic," Mrs. Cooper said, in between clicks of the camera.

" Was that really necessary?" Harry whispered at Draco, when he was finally allowed to stand upright again. He was rubbing his back, not sure it was appropriate for a spine to bend the way it had.

" No, but it was fun," Draco said grinning. Harry was too happy just then to stay mad at Draco, and he leaned in for a real kiss. When they broke away from this one, Mrs. Cooper was still staring, this time with a calculating expression on her face.

" There's something different about you two. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's almost like…"

" Like we've just started dating?" Draco suggested. Mrs. Cooper nodded.

" Mrs. Cooper, I feel sort-of stupid telling you this, but when I first started telling you about Draco, we weren't actually dating at the time. It was more… wishful thinking on my part I think. Anyway, Draco went along with it, and well… He really is my boyfriend now," Harry finished, worried at her reaction, since Mrs. Cooper's expression was still sombre.

" Well, I'm a little disappointed that I was so easily fooled," Mrs. Cooper began. She suddenly beamed happily, " I know what it was! I saw the glorious couple you two would make, even before you knew it yourselves! And to think, I got to see the whole romantic beginning unfold in front of my very eyes. Oh this is wonderful! I'll tell you what I'm going to do, I'm going to develop these pictures and then put the best one in a big gold frame for you two. I do so love a project," Mrs. Cooper said happily.

Draco raised an eyebrow at Harry, clearly asking what was wrong with his hyperactive boss. Harry just shrugged and smiled.

" That would be lovely, Mrs. Cooper," Draco said politely.

" Now that we've got that over and done with, what did you bring that smells so good?" Mrs. Cooper asked.

" Oh, I forgot. I brought Harry something to eat. There's more then enough for two, if you are at all hungry Mrs. Cooper," Draco said, picking up the bag.

" Oh, well I really shouldn't," Mrs. Cooper said, eyeing the contents hungrily. " I'm on a diet," she admitted dolefully.

" You? On a diet? Rubbish!" Draco said. He took Mrs. Cooper by the hand and began leading her back to her office. Over his shoulder he winked at Harry. Draco had soon charmed Mrs. Cooper into sampling some of everything that he had brought. The chocolate truffles she had last left a blissful expression on her face.

" And he cooks," Mrs. Cooper said. She glanced at Harry, who had come in to the office after serving their last customer, and asked, " So have you done anything recently to deserve this perfect gem?"

Harry snorted at the 'perfect gem' comment, which earned him an elbow in the stomach from Draco. " As if there were anything that I could do that would make me worthy of such a boyfriend," Harry said grandiosely, fluttering his eyelashes at Draco.

" Oh shut-up," Draco said, starting to laugh.

" Seriously though Draco, this meal is fantastic," Mrs. Cooper said, sitting up straighter in her chair. " I've been thinking for awhile that this store could use a little coffee bar. Nothing extravagant of course, just a kettle, some coffee, and maybe a few snacks. These little chocolates would be perfect. I don't suppose you'd be interested in making some for me to sell, would you Draco? I'd pay you naturally, and it could just be while you're in town. I mean, if you have the time."

" Just truffles?"

" Well, truthfully I was hoping you could make a few other things too."

" Scones? Squares? That sort-of thing?" Draco asked.

" Yes, that was exactly what I had in mind. So you'll do it?"

" Well, it does get rather boring around the house, and it would be good to have something to do," Draco said. He saw that Harry was nodding approvingly. " We could try it on a probationary basis, see if it works out as you hope."

" Alright, we'll do that. I'll get my husband to build us another little counter – I think we'll put it where that wicker chair is now. Nobody sits there anymore, everyone's afraid that musty old thing will fall to pieces the moment it's sat on. Can you have something ready for me by…" Mrs. Cooper glanced up at the calendar on the wall and concentrated. " Late next week?"

" Absolutely," Draco said.

Mrs. Cooper was excited. She was scribbling reminder notes to herself, and attempting to tuck her fading blonde hair back into its silver clasp all at once. She had a neon orange post-it stuck to her jumper but Harry wasn't sure if it was intentional or not so he didn't say anything. Draco was just as eager judging by the quick tapping his foot was making against the floor. It pleased Harry to see two people he cared for so happy.

" You can send the food with Harry, or better yet, bring it in yourself," Mrs. Cooper said.

" Yes, I can bring it," Draco replied. Only Harry and himself caught the undercurrent of pride in that statement.

" Good. Great even. I can't wait to get started," Mrs. Cooper glanced at her watch. " Lord, is that the time? Go home Harry, and take this charmer with you."

" It's too early for me to leave…"

" Don't argue with me!" Mrs. Cooper said, mock sternly. " I want you to go home and celebrate. And if I see either of you here before noon tomorrow I'll be severely disappointed. Besides, if Harry's going home, then it's really not necessary for him to eat so…"

Draco grinned, " Why don't you eat the rest? It'll only spoil otherwise."

" Well, if you insist. In fact, I think I'll close-up early and take this home. I'd attempt to pass it off as my own cooking, but I doubt my husband would believe me. It's not even burned."

Harry sympathized with Mrs. Cooper on that one. Mrs. Cooper and Harry hurriedly cleaned the shop, and then locked the shop door. Mrs. Cooper went to catch the next train to her home, while Draco and Harry started walking.

" So all the way to the shop in one piece, that really is something to celebrate," Harry said. " What do you feel like doing?"

" To be honest, I just want to go back and watch some telly. I wouldn't be adverse to getting some drinks though."

" Alcohol it is," Harry said, veering left to the nearest off-license. They must have spent longer looking at bottles then they thought, for when the came back outside it was raining. It was a steady rain and though they hurried, they were both drenched by the time they reached the flat.

" I knew there was a reason I disliked the outdoors," Draco grouched.

" We're home now. Quit your complaining," Harry said. Still muttering, Draco headed for the bedroom. Since he had to change anyway, he decided he might as well put on his pyjamas. Draco was still shivering slightly when he came into the living room.

" You really are cold. Why don't you take a bath or something?"

" Don't want to," Draco said, chafing his chilled arms.

" And why not?"

Draco flushed slightly. " You're going to think it's silly."

" Now I have to know."

" Rain is wet. Rain is the reason I'm cold. The idea of putting myself in more water to warm up has always somewhat bothered me. I want to be dry and warm."

Harry was laughing. " You know we have this crazy invention called hot water, don't you?"

" Shut-up. I told you it was weird," Draco said. He took the glass of wine Harry had poured out for him, and sipped it, determined to ignore Harry. Harry himself went to change into dry clothes, but when he came back in his usual sleeping attire of boxers and a t-shirt, he was also dragging the comforter to their bed. Harry lay down on his side on the carpet near the television with the blanket over him.

" Come here," Harry said. Draco warily approached, sinking slowly to the carpet in front of Harry. Harry then wrapped the blanket around them both, an arm around Draco's waist. Back to chest, their bodies were perfectly aligned. " Warmer now?"

Draco nodded, never having felt so warm in his life. While Draco watched the television program, Harry's attention was drawn elsewhere. With his fingers, he traced the sharp lines of Draco's face, slowly caressing the near flawless skin.

Draco suddenly started to chuckle. Harry looked at the television screen, but he couldn't see anything worth laughing over.

" What's so funny?"

" It moved," Draco said, still snickering. Harry finally put together what Draco was saying, and realized it was the truth.

" Sorry," Harry mumbled. Draco's hand twisted around and landed on Harry's hip.

" Don't even think about moving though. It's… an interesting sensation." Draco wriggled, pressing closer into Harry's body. Harry had to bite back a gasp.

Nothing happened for a moment or two, and Harry began to breathe a little easier. Until he felt the long, cool fingers of Draco's hand wrapping around him gently. This time the moan just wouldn't be suppressed.

" Draco, what are you doing?" Harry asked breathlessly.

" Looking for the remote control?"

" Well, that isn't the remote," Harry said. Meanwhile Harry's hands had balled into fists, and his breathing had become more erratic.

" Oh. My mistake," Draco said, hiding a smirk.

Harry waited then said, " Umm, you're hand. It's still there."

" My fault again. Sorry, I don't know what's come over me," Draco said. A very light stroke, then Draco's hand retreated.

Draco's expression was beyond smug. Harry couldn't help but want to wipe that smirk off his face.

" Harry, that's not the remote control either," Draco squeaked, rather shocked.

" I'm not looking for the remote. I thought it only fair that I get a turn," Harry said.

Draco twisted around so that he was facing Harry. In a low voice he said, " You can keep touching. We could both touch, if you wanted."

Harry nodded slowly, and Draco reached back under the blanket, moving very gently as though afraid that Harry would bolt at any moment. Harry sucked in a fast breath when Draco's questing fingers made contact. Close as their faces were, it was possible to feel every sigh, or gasp, or moan that passed their lips.

It was all above the clothes, the touching of hard flesh beneath thin fabric. Holding each other intimately, they continued to look deeply into each other's eyes; green and grey melded from the heat of the gaze. The strokes grew bolder; fingers curled and tightened. They knew it couldn't last, could already feel the tremors that spoke of a need to release. The friction was so exquisitely pleasurable that it was all they could do to remember to breathe. They tried to prolong the sensations, but it was impossible. Draco pressed his lips to Harry's at the last possible moment, keeping his eyes open, wanting to see how Harry looked when they came to completion. So they watched as they came, and gripped each other close as they drifted back from whatever place such bliss had sent them to.

There didn't seem to be any words to say. No way to describe what had happened, how good it had felt not only to be touched, but to do the touching as well. To be capable of giving pleasure as well as receiving. No words, so they smiled and kissed, and pressed their bodies closer.

" I think I may be all turned around on this 'warm and wet' concept," Draco said sleepily. Draco felt the rumbling of Harry's chest as he laughed. Draco started to laugh also as another errant thought occurred to him.

" Do I want to know why you're laughing?"

" I was just thinking of my 'to do' list. I feel that the first task is finished, but technically speaking, I don't think I've finished the second."

" What do you have to do?"

Draco grinned, but refused to reply.

End of chapter nine. I'll try to hurry with the next part, as I'm sure we're all eager to have Draco actually get into Harry's pants (as opposed to being over them *snicker*) – or wait, is that just me and my warped little mind? As always, I want to hear what you have to say, motivation is a wonderful yet elusive being.