Chapter FourThe Masquerade
"So why did Dumbledore decide to have a masquerade ball, anyway?" Harry asked Ron at breakfast the next day. Ron shrugged, the action saying: 'your guess is as good as mine,' without him having to stop shoveling food in his mouth.
"Honestly, Ron, you're going to make yourself sick!" Hermione said from the other side of him, giving him an affectionate smile which destroyed the point she was trying to make. She couldn't help it; he was so cute, even when he was being a pig.
"He said it was to promote house unity," Dean said, from the other side of the table. He said 'house unity' as if it was a dirty word. "No one is meant to know who's who. Apparently we all get enchanted masks that disguise our features," he continued.
"I hope we don't look like lumps!" Seamus said, horrified, pretending to faint into Dean's lap.
"Don't worry, love, you'll look great." Dean kissed Seamus' cheek as he sat up again. The whole table stared at them in shock.
"How long?" Hermione asked.
"Ummm, just since the summer," Seamus said, blushing.
Harry, oblivious to their first public display of affection, was wondering how me could go to the ball with Draco if no one would know what the other would look like.
Harry voiced his concerns that night when he was stopped by a tap on his shoulder while on his way to the common room after dinner.
The boy chuckled from under his invisibility cloak, "Tell me what you're wearing and I'll find you. I doubt those masks hide our bodies anyway. I'd recognise yours anywhere."
Harry blushed. "All right then, but if you don't-"
"I know, I know, take off my cloak. I will," he sighed.
"Give me your hand," Harry commanded, reaching out into the air with his own. A pale hand appeared out of nowhere to grasp his own. Harry pulled it up to his mouth and kissed the palm, then the back of it.
"Don't even think that I will hate you. You have no idea how impossible that would be for me."
"Even – even if I'm someone you may not have liked all that much in the past?" The voice asked timidly.
"Hell, you could be Snape and I'd still – well, maybe not Snape, but… and definitely not Colin Creevey. UGH!" Harry heard a snort of laughter and continued, heartened, "but basically, other than that, you're set," Harry said, planting little kisses all over the hand. Then, feeling brave, he worked his way up the hand, pushing the cloak up so that he could reach the boy's arm. The boy sighed, contentedly, before realising what was happening.
"Oh no you don't." Another hand came out and pushed Harry's head away. Harry simply grabbed this hand also, and began kissing it.
"Why not? You were enjoying yourself. Don't even bother lying. I heard that little sigh of yours," Harry snapped, annoyed that he had been stopped.
"I'm sorry. Really, Harry, I am. Can't you just wait until Friday? I want to have the best chance when I reveal myself. I can't just risk all this. I just can't…" he trailed off.
"Ok, whatever," Harry said coldly. He was going for the 'If you don't do what I'll ask I'll ignore you' approach. "Look, I've gotta go. I'll see you around. Oh wait, no, I won't see you, because you won't let me!" He walked off briskly down the corridor. He was sorry for being so rude, but he was rather annoyed that Draco wouldn't admit himself.
Harry and Draco were meeting in the library again, but this time it was for work. They had a potions assignment and it involved extensive research. Harry, however, wasn't in the mood for research. He was slightly depressed because Draco hadn't visited him under the cloak since Tuesday, and it was now Friday. What's more, Draco had been very subdued recently. Harry could guess what the problem was, but he wasn't sure if he should bring it up. Sighing, he turned back to his book, but when he heard a sniff coming from Draco, he decided to talk about it.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked, moving his chair closer to the blonde's and reaching over to hug him. Draco stiffened at Harry's touch; Harry withdrew immediately.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise it would bother you…" Harry began, but Draco cut him off.
"No, I'm sorry, it's fine, it's not you…it's just…I haven't been all that happy the past few days." Draco confessed.
"I've noticed," Harry said dryly. "Want to talk about it?"
"No, it's fine."
"You know, I haven't been feeling that happy myself." Harry said, wondering how in the hell he was meant to apologise to Draco without letting on that he knew who he was.
"Really? Why not?" Draco sniffed, looking at Harry intently with watery eyes.
"Well, to tell you the truth, I was really rude to someone the other night because they wouldn't tell me something that I wanted to know. I know I overreacted and I want to apologise but I can't because I can't find them and they won't come and talk to me… and…" he trailed off, wondering if it was working.
"And?" Draco prompted, wiping his eyes and looking at Harry hopefully.
"And I don't want them to avoid me anymore because I miss them," Harry confessed, looking at Draco and smiling sheepishly. Draco looked at him with an odd look in his eyes, but smiled back nevertheless.
"I'm sure it'll work out Harry. Maybe you'll meet them at the ball tomorrow night."
The next morning at breakfast, Harry received a letter.
Dearest Harry,
I'm sorry I haven't been to see you in a while, but I thought it would be best if I gave you some space. If you still want to see me at the ball tonight, write back with what you'll be wearing and I'll find you. Please don't hate me for not telling you who I am yet, I just want to know you're ready. But, if you insist, I'll tell you tonight, despite my better judgment.
Love.
Harry smiled softly, glancing at Draco. He was looking the other way.
Dearest whoever you are, (Harry wrote)
I'm going to wear an emerald green shirt, black pants and a bottle green cloak. I can't wait to see your face, I've been dreaming about you all week.
Love,
Harry.
Harry attached it to the owl and it took off, up to the owlery. Of course Draco would be smart enough to tell it not to return to him in the Great Hall.
Harry didn't pay attention to any of his lessons that day. In potions he was too busy shooting glances at Draco, who he was working on a particularly complex potion with. Combined with Draco's lack of attention (he was looking at Harry every other minute), the potion was a dismal failure.
"I would have expected better from you boys," Snape said. Harry stared. Was that a smile playing at the corners of his mouth? "Have fun at the ball," Snape said to the two boys, giving them a tiny wink before walking briskly from the room, robes billowing behind him.
"Did your Godfather just wink at us?" Harry asked Draco, incredulous.
"I believe he did," said Draco, smiling widely. "You've just seen the real Severus Snape. He just pretends to be a slimy git. I've asked him why, several times, but he just says that, like me, he has a mask to keep up."
"But you're not wearing a mask anymore," Harry said, wondering how the boy would take the double meaning.
"No," Draco agreed quietly, feet shuffling on the ground.
Harry stood in front of the mirror, nervously checking his hair one more time before grabbing his mask (which they had been issued with at lunch, in nicely wrapped boxes) and pulling it over his face. As he walked towards the door, Ron started yelling from the common room below.
"Blimey, Harry, who are you trying to impress? You've been in there for two hours! I've beaten Seamus at chess seven times while you've been up there!"
"I resent that!" Seamus said from his position in Dean's lap on the couch. Harry couldn't recognise them physically, but he knew their voices.
"Lets just go," Harry muttered, blushing, glad that the masks covered their entire faces and that no one could see his cheeks reddening.
They made their way down to the Great Hall, laughing and joking, when Harry suddenly realised Hermione was missing.
"Ron, where's Hermione?" Harry asked his best friend.
"She came down earlier, with Lavender, Parvati, Ginny and Neville. "I've already seen her, I can point her out to you."
"OK," Harry said, making his way through the doors with the others. As soon as he stepped into the Hall, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Harry, you look amazing," a familiar voice whispered in his ear. Harry turned around, expecting to see nothing, but instead, a boy slightly taller than him stood there. He was wearing a silvery grey shirt, black pants and a midnight blue cloak. Harry couldn't see the white blond hair and silver eyes that belonged to Draco Malfoy under the mask, but he knew they were there.
"You don't look so bad yourself, wanna dance?" Harry asked.
"I'd love to," He replied, grabbing Harry by the hands and leading him to the dance floor. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry's waist and pulled him in close. Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and leaned his head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of cinnamon and sandalwood. While they swayed, Harry focused on the sound of the music, and the feel of Draco's body against his, oblivious to everything else. He found himself longing for the feel of Draco's lips on his, realising with a jolt that they hadn't kissed since the first day of lessons.
"You alright?" Draco whispered into Harry's ear, obviously having felt Harry jump at the realisation.
"Yeah. Come outside," Harry begged.
"OK," Draco sighed, knowing what was coming. Harry smiled and lead Draco by the hands out into the courtyard. He stood for a moment, holding both of Draco's hands behind his back, looking around, before heading to a stone bench and sitting down, pulling the boy next to him. He pulled off his mask, and turned to face the other boy, expectantly.
"Come on, take it off. How do you expect to kiss me if you keep it on?" Harry hoped the promise of another kiss would persuade him. The feeling of needing a kiss was becoming so overpowering it was almost painful.
Harry heard him suck in a breath, "Another blindfold?" Draco asked hopefully.
"Nuh-uh, you're not getting out of it. You told me you'd take it off, remember? You promised!" Harry exclaimed.
"I did not promise!" the boy lied.
"Yes, you did! As recently as this morning, in fact," Harry reminded him.
"But I didn't use the words I promise," Draco said, stalling for time.
"Just take it off, Draco, I want to kiss you. I need to kiss you. I've been dying to feel your lips on mine again. This week has been so hard – I've had to stop myself from jumping you every time I see you, because you weren't ready to tell me. I…" Harry faltered. "I can't wait anymore, Draco, I need you." He choked.
Harry felt Draco stiffen next to him, but the boy remained silent.
With a sigh, Harry reached up and pulled off the mask. His breath caught in his throat; he was looking into the most beautiful, most angelic face in the world. Silver pools looked back at him, glimmering with the moonlight.
"You've known all that time? Why didn't you say something? You worked it out at breakfast that time, didn't you?"
"I didn't say anything because you weren't ready, I could tell. I'm sorry I ran away that time, but it was… a bit of a shock, to say the least. I mean, I had only just realised that I was gay, and that I was in love before I even know who the person was, so to realise that it was you that I loved-" he stopped. Draco gasped, and he began to tremble. He quickly looked away. "Shit," Harry said.
"Harry, I-" Draco began.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-" Harry interrupted, only to be cut off by Draco.
"I love you, Harry," Draco whispered, turning back to face Harry so that he could see it in Draco's eyes. They were glistening with unshed tears and they were full of love.
"I love you too, Dra-mmmph!" Harry was cut off when Draco leaned in to kiss him.
Harry's lips were on fire. His whole body trembled with pleasure – was it this good the first time? Harry didn't think so. And all Draco had done was press his lips against Harry's.
Harry reached up to grab a tuft of Draco's hair, and caressed his cheek with the other hand. He moaned when Draco's tongue ran along his lips, begging for entrance, which he promptly granted. Draco's tongue explored every inch of Harry's mouth, before Harry took control and explored Draco's. Both boys withdrew to gasp for air, and plunged back into the passionate kiss.
A full hour later, after taking a fair few less breaths than one would think is needed in the space of an hour, Harry and Draco pulled apart and Harry rested his forehead against Draco's, staring into the silver pools of mist that were Draco's eyes. Harry was drowning in Draco's eyes, but Draco didn't notice because he was too busy being enveloped by the emeralds that were Harry's eyes.
They were saved from sitting there all night staring at each other when a loud hiss came from behind them. Draco and Harry jumped, turning around to see none other than Pansy Parkinson staring at them, shock and disgust written all over her face.
"Oh, this is precious!" She smirked once she had recovered, "Wait 'til the whole school hears about this! Not to mention the Daily Prophet! Oh, what fun! The Boy-who-Lived, in love with a Death-Eater's-son-turned-good!" She snickered, and stalked off.
"We don't want to be around when she tells everyone what she just saw," Harry commented.
Draco sighed, and turned to face Harry again. "I'll walk you to your dorm. Which way?" He whispered, standing.
"Follow me," Harry replied, lacing his fingers with Draco's and squeezing his hand affectionately before setting off.
They made their way in silence until Harry arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait. Harry turned to face Draco, and grasped Draco's other hand. They stood, facing each other for a moment, then Draco sighed and said: "I'd better get to the Dungeons," but neither boy moved. Harry noticed Draco was standing somewhat awkwardly. Waiting for something, Harry thought…but what? OH! Realisation hit, and he was filled with excitement, but nervousness as well.
"Mmm," Harry said, burying his face in Draco's shoulder, then turning his head slightly to nibble at Draco's neck while he smoothed his hair with his hands. Draco moaned softly, and Harry said, "You don't have to go, you know."
"Hmmm? What do you mean?" Draco asked, still distracted by the feeling that his neck was on fire. Harry withdrew, sighing. He was not getting any help. He decided just to go for it.
"I mean, you can stay. With me. In my bed," Harry said pointedly. Draco realised suddenly what the implication was. He had noticed Harry's reluctance to leave, almost as if he was waiting for something. Harry leaned in to breath in Draco's ear.
"I want you," he whispered.
Draco shivered with pleasure, taking the Gryffindor by the hand once more and saying, "Lead the way," slightly nervously.
"Treacle tart," he said, before the Fat Lady had a chance to ask him what he was doing taking a Slytherin into Gryffindor Tower.
"Treacle Tart?" Draco questioned, still holding Harry's hand and following him through the portrait hole.
"My favourite. I think Ron chose it. His way of showing his does care, even if he's a bit…absent… recently." Harry explained, walking up the stairs. Draco chuckled, releasing Harry's hand to look around the common room with interest.
"Well… here we are," Harry said, pushing open the door to the 6th year boys dormitory. Draco stood behind him.
"I must say, Harry, I actually like the colour scheme… very…Gryffindor," Draco commented, removing his cloak and tossing it over a chair before stepping up behind him and wrapping his arms around Harry from behind. Harry leaned into him, sighing.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked lazily.
"Nothing, just that I like it. So…which bed is yours?" Draco asked, kissing the top of Harry's head. Harry chose not to answer. Instead, he removed his cloak and let it fall to the floor, then turned around and entwined his arms around Draco's neck, pressing his lips to Draco's. Draco moaned as Harry's tongue plunged into his mouth, hungrily. Harry stepped backwards until his legs hit the side of his bed. He then grinned into the kiss and promptly let himself fall backwards onto the bed, pulling Draco on top of him.
Draco pulled away just long enough to stare into Harry's eyes and to see the love and passion in them. His breath caught in his throat as he felt himself overwhelmed with emotion. He lay on top of Harry, and leaned into his ear to whisper: "I love you so much, Harry, I don't think you can understand how much…" He choked back tears.
Harry cupped Draco's chin in his hands and forced it around so that he could look into the eyes that he loved so much. "I do understand, my love, and I feel the same. I can't explain it; when I look at you I just get this feeling. Overpowering love, and… and lust, it drives me crazy. I love you more than anything." Harry pulled Draco in for a soft kiss, then began to tease, nibbling and sucking his lower lip until Draco was begging for more.
"Harry, please," Draco moaned, "Don't tease me." Harry obliged, licking Draco's lips once before forcing them apart with his tongue. He passionately swirled it around, and Draco, feeling giddy, pulled away before he fainted.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Nothing," Draco replied, "I just felt a bit giddy. You tend to have that effect on me," he whispered, before catching Harry off guard with a passionate kiss. His sense of victory was short lived; soon he was too wrapped up in the kiss to think of anything else. This time it was Harry who pulled away, but he was grinning.
"You know, we should really secure ourselves some privacy before we get too carried away," he said with a smirk, reaching to his bedside table for his wand. Draco quickly got up and pulled the curtains closed; Harry cast the Imperturbable charm, ensuring no sound, or anything else, for that matter, could get in or out. Draco added his own little charm: one that would knock anyone who touched the curtains off their feet.
Draco grinned wickedly as he lay back down on Harry, kissing and nibbling his neck. Harry moaned and Draco began to unbutton his shirt slowly and torturously, kissing and nibbling Harry's chest each time he uncovered a new patch of skin until Harry was writhing in anticipation. Finally Draco reached the last button and pulled the shirt off of Harry's arms, gazing down at the perfectly muscled chest on the perfect boy in front of him. Suddenly he looked up at Harry, smirking evilly, and Harry opened his mouth to ask him what he was smirking about, but all that came out was a loud moan. Draco had taken Harry's nipple into his mouth and was sucking it hard, and nibbling every so often, while he massaged the other one with his hand.
"Gods, Draco, how did you learn this?" Harry asked, panting.
"I've read books," Draco replied, moving up Harry's neck and finding his now very swollen lips once more. As they kissed, Harry moved his hands from Draco's hair down his back. He then surprised the blonde by rolling them over so that he was on top. Draco smiled, breaking away from the kiss and looking at Harry affectionately. Harry lunged for his neck and sucked the base of it so hard that he was sure the mark would be there for weeks. Draco could only gasp and moan softly, entirely at Harry's mercy.
Harry seized the opportunity to undress the blonde a lot faster and more impatiently than he had been. He kissed Draco forcefully and passionately while undoing the buttons on his shirt in frenzy. He succeeded in pulling it off Draco and smiled at him sweetly before attacking his nipple. He sucked it and bit it gently, at first, then harder, and judging from Draco's moaning and panting, he was enjoying the force. When he finally pulled away, Draco could do nothing but look at him, gasping for air. Harry just looked into his eyes, lost, and waited for Draco to catch his breath.
"I didn't know it felt like that," Draco commented, trying to sound amused, but managing only a whimper. Harry smiled, reaching down to undo Draco's pants. He kissed his lips, then placed trails of kisses down his chest and stomach until he reached the waistband of Draco's pants. Harry looked up at Draco's face, who had his eyes closed and a blissful expression on his face. Harry took this as a 'go ahead' and pulled down Draco's boxers along with the pants. He gently kissed Draco's erection, feeling the other boy shudder beneath him.
Harry licked Draco's hardened member all over, enjoying the taste and the feeling that he was making the boy he loved shiver with pleasure.
Harry paused for a moment, looking at Draco, who had opened his eyes with a pleading and blissful look and Harry bent down to take Draco into his mouth. He licked around Draco's shaft, and then began to move his mouth slowly up and down, sucking slightly. He was surprised when Draco began to shout. Draco's hands were on Harry's back and he dug his nails into Harry's back, arching his own back in pleasure.
"HARRY! Oh, gods, Harry, I love you. OH MY GOD!" Draco continued to shout as Harry began to move faster and faster. Draco thrust up into him every time Harry moved his mouth down and soon Draco couldn't contain himself any longer. He came into Harry's mouth, screaming his name much louder than he'd ever screamed anything before, including the times that his father had performed the Crusciatus curse on him.
Harry swallowed, savouring the taste of his lover and lay back down on top of Draco, and Draco continued to gasp and shudder as Harry gently nibbled his ear lobe and whispered sweet nothings into his ear. Draco was soon crying from joy and pent up love and lust.
Draco recovered several minutes later to realise that Harry had a massive erection.
"That looks painful," he whispered, rolling over so that he was on top of Harry. "Let me take care of it for you," he whispered, kissing Harry and allowing his feelings from minutes before to be felt in it. He undid Harry's pants, and pulled them down, before grabbing his boxers and pulling them down too. He continued to kiss Harry passionately while he stroked Harry's erection, causing Harry to gasp and shudder.
As Draco moved faster and faster, Harry felt himself about to come, and whispered hurriedly, "Draco, wait…." Draco stopped, raising himself to look questioningly at the love of his life.
"I need…ummm… I want you….that is, if you want…" Harry said, still gasping slightly. Draco understood, and brought two of his fingers up to Harry's lips. Harry kissed them, and Draco pushed them into Harry's mouth, where Harry proceeded to cover them with slobber as he licked them all over.
Draco removed his fingers and kissed Harry gently, while sliding on finger into Harry's passage. Harry gasped with pain and pleasure, and Draco gently inserted his second finger, moving them around gently until he felt Harry relax slightly and enjoy the sensation. Draco withdrew from the kiss, but his fingers remained inside Harry. Draco grew hard just by looking into Harry's eyes.
"You're amazing," Draco whispered, kissing him fervently before positioning himself to enter Harry. He removed his fingers and gently inserted the tip of his member, flinching when Harry gasped in pain. He paused, waiting.
"Don't stop," Harry said, closing his eyes and bracing himself for the pain.
Draco slid into Harry very slowly, and stayed there, for a few seconds, before withdrawing a little and pushing in again. As Harry got used to the feeling, he began to moan in pleasure. Soon there was no pain at all. Draco stroked Harry while he moved in and out. Harry moaned, "harder," and Draco gladly obliged, plunging himself fully in before withdrawing almost completely and plunging in again with all he had.
"Oh GODS, DRACO!" Harry screamed as Draco plunged in again and again. Both boys came simultaneously, and Draco collapsed on top of Harry, leaving his spent member still inside him. Harry continued gasping until he had caught his breath, then looked up at Draco with a look of wonderment in his eyes.
"You're so amazing. I love you so much." Harry whispered, closing his eyes and thinking how happy he was.
Draco smiled, kissing Harry's cheek, then his eyelids, then his nose. "I love you Harry Potter." He said, pulling out of Harry and pulling the blankets over them before curling up next to him. Harry snuggled into Draco, and the two lovers fell asleep, both the happiest they had ever been in their lives.