Chapter Three: On The Podium

A couple of hours, and a number of drinks later, Harry was back on the podium for the third time that night. He had finally succumbed to the heat of the club and had taken his top off, now pushed into the back pocket of his trousers.

Bastion had disappeared a little while ago, claiming he needed to use the bathroom. He'd tried to get Harry to accompany him; Harry had politely refused. He seriously suspected Bastion was now trying his luck with someone else and he was glad. The man was a nuisance.

Back amidst the dancing bodies, Harry moved along to the music. With so many hands traveling over his body, it took Harry a while to notice the persistent tapping against his leg. When he finally noticed, Harry glanced down and what felt like a thousand butterflies fluttered in his stomach.

It was Oliver.

He was standing on the dance floor, reaching up to tap at Harry's leg. When he saw Harry looking down at him, Oliver gestured with his hand, beckoning Harry to get off the podium. Nervous excitement coursed along his spine as he clambered down to greet Oliver.

"Hello again," Oliver yelled, his eyes straying over Harry's bared torso. Harry smiled brightly, hoping he wasn't misreading the interest in Oliver's gaze.

To make himself heard over the music, Oliver leaned into Harry. "I see you're quite popular," Oliver chuckled, pointing to the group of boys on the podium.

Heart beating a million miles a minute because of Oliver's closeness, Harry forced himself to remain outwardly calm. He grinned at Oliver and said, "You're not doing to badly yourself." He could see Oliver's group dancing a little way off and they all appeared to be having a good time, except for Siobhan who was glaring in their direction.

"They're just my friends, Harry," Oliver said, still leaning impossibly close to Harry.

Judging by the size of the daggers Siobhan was shooting in his direction, Harry doubted Oliver was being entirely truthful but he didn't mention it. Instead Harry opted, for the neutral, "How come you're not dancing?"

"I can't dance," Oliver yelled. He stepped back from Harry and moved awkwardly for a moment, before yelling, "See!"

Harry couldn't really understand what Oliver was talking about; he thought Oliver looked adorable. A little awkward perhaps but that just added to the attraction. He didn't however; mention any of this to Oliver.

"Who cares?" Harry yelled. He stepped closer to Oliver and pointed over his shoulder at the podium, "No one will notice you when you're in the middle of all that."

When Harry went to take a step back, Oliver put a restraining hand on his shoulder. "I noticed you."

Harry just managed to stop himself from gasping out loud. Surely Oliver didn't mean that the way it sounded, Harry thought in confusion, failing to notice Oliver's lustful gaze roving over his body. Perhaps Oliver was drunk, Harry mused. Now that he thought about it, he could smell the strong scent of whiskey on Oliver's breath and Oliver did sway ever so slightly on his feet.

Oliver let go of Harry and took a step back. His face was expressionless, but his eyes latched onto Harry's intently. "You dance… well."

Harry did the worst thing imaginable – as far as he was concerned at least – he blushed. "Its easy up there. You don't feel as if anyone can see you," Harry said, his blush deepening because he had to lean closer to Oliver to be heard over the music.

"You're just being modest," Oliver teased quickly, grinning fetchingly at Harry.

"Why don't you come up there and see for yourself?" Harry found himself replying before he had to the chance to think about what he was saying.

Expecting Oliver to knock him back, he was surprised when the other boy smiled at him and nodded. "Okay Harry… Show me," Oliver said with a grin.

They climbed up onto the podium and edged their way to the center. The other boy's adjusted around them, not minding the new addition at all. As Harry started moving in time to the music, Oliver just stood there watching with a small smile on his face.

"Come on," Harry mouthed encouragingly, grinning when Oliver started shuffling his feet. Oliver's arms hung stiffly by his side and his face contorted into a grimace as he moved. Oliver obviously didn't enjoy dancing, Harry thought, amused. He also couldn't help noticing that whatever beat Oliver was dancing to, it certainly wasn't the track currently pumping through the club.

Chuckling Harry said, "Move your hips more."

"Like this?" Oliver said moving his hips a little haphazardly. Harry gulped. Not like that, he thought, the way Oliver was moving his hips would be far more appropriate in the bedroom.

Reaching out, Harry placed the tips of his fingers tentatively on Oliver's hips. When Oliver didn't shift away from his touch, he gently guided Oliver's hips in time to the music. "Like that," Harry grinned.

"I feel like a prat," Oliver chuckled, though he settled his hands on Harry's hips and continued to move according to Harry's lead.

Oliver didn't bat an eye when the boy behind ran his hands down his chest, plucking at the fabric of his top. Mesmerised and envious, Harry followed the progress of those hands. He barely noticed that one of the other boys was pressing himself flat against his back, trailing his hands over his naked back and shoulders.

Harry was looking so intently at Oliver's chest area, he failed to notice the jealousy flash in Oliver's brown eyes. When Oliver's fingers started circling Harry's hips lazily, Harry flicked his gaze up to Oliver's face in surprise. The boy grinned and stepped a little closer. Harry could feel the heat of Oliver's body and his skin tingled where Oliver's fingers rested.

They kept dancing together, until a thoroughly annoyed Siobhan came over to talk to Oliver. Harry watched as Oliver leaned down to talk to her and he couldn't help noticing Oliver had a very delectable backside.

With the music playing so loudly, Harry couldn't hear what they were saying but they looked as though they were arguing. Siobhan was gesturing wildly as she yelled something to Oliver. She didn't look very pretty when she was pissed off, Harry noticed. After what seemed an age, but couldn't have been longer then a minute or two, Oliver rose to his feet and turned back to Harry.

"I have to go." Oliver threw a dark look over his shoulder to Siobhan. "I'll send you that invite tomorrow," Oliver said, shouting to be heard over the music.

Harry didn't show his incredible disappointment, and just nodded.

"Bye," Harry said, and offered Oliver a shaky smile. Oliver grinned at him one final time, before hopping off the podium and charging through the crowd with Siobhan following quickly behind.

Strong arms settled around his shoulders comfortingly, and the deep voice of the man behind him, sounded in his ear, "Bloody women!"

Harry sniggered at that and allowed the man to coax him into dancing as he pondered what might have been…

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An hour later Harry could be found slouching on one of the couches in a quieter section of the club. Unfortunately, he had been reunited with Bastion. Seated next to him on the couch, Bastion kept trying to run his hands over Harry's body. Every time he tried, Harry would smack his hand away and Bastion would stop only to try again a couple of minutes later.

Harry belatedly realized the error he had made leaving the podium. Not only did he have Bastion to deal with but also, as soon as he'd sat down tiredness had descended over his body. All the drinks he consumed that night had seemed to finally kick and, Harry felt bloated and a little sick.

Harry managed a smile when he saw Fred making his way across the room. As he drew nearer, Fred glared at Bastion. "You alright, Harry?" Fred asked, sitting down next to Harry on the couch.

"Yeah, but I think I'm ready to go home," Harry said, turning his head to smile tiredly at Fred. He was absolutely knackered.

Fred sighed and what looked like relief crossed his face. "Come on then, get up," Fred said, patting Harry's leg encouragingly.

"You don't have to leave Fred. I can get home by myself," Harry assured him, "Stay and have fun."

Smiling falsely at Fred, Bastion insisted, "I will make sure he gets home safely."

Fred looked at Harry thoughtfully for a moment and then glowered at Bastion. "No it's okay, I'll take him home," he said with forced politeness.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

"Yeah, it shuts in an hour and Kevin's gone home anyway," Fred said, getting up from the couch. "Come on, Harry," Fred added, pulling Harry to his feet.

"Wait a moment, Harry," Bastion said smoothly when they turned to leave. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small card. "Give me a call sometime," he said, smiling confidently at Harry and handing over the card.

"Sure, I'll give you a call," Harry lied quickly. He looked down at the card, it had Bastion's name on it, his address and contact details. He was connected to the floo network, Harry noticed. "Well… see ya," Harry said, grinning because he was glad to be getting away from Bastion and his wondering hands.

He allowed Fred to steer him away from Bastion and they stopped to pick up Harry's leather jacket before stepping out into the cold night.

"You're not going to call him are you, Harry?" Fred asked, sounding worried.

"No," Harry said quickly, grinning up at Fred. He didn't feel so tired, now that they were out in the open.

"Good because after Kevin left I bumped into some people and he told me some things about Bastion… He's a creep, Harry," Fred said seriously and then smiled. "Come on, we'll go to the Leaky Cauldron so you can Floo home."

"Why can't I just apparate?"

"You're too pissed to apparate. Who knows where you'd end up," Fred teased, dragging Harry up the street.

"Did you see Oliver tonight?" Harry asked quietly as they walked along the pavement.

"Yeah I did," Fred smiled down at him, "You obviously did as well."

"Yeah. I hadn't seen him for ages, it was good to catch up."

"I can imagine," said Fred, smiling slyly at Harry, "He's changed quite a bit since school hasn't he?"

"Ah yeah," Harry agreed, unable to stop the blush rising on his cheeks.