Author's Notes: Hey, our two couch potatoes get out of the house! Thanks so much to my wonderful reviewers; you guys are amazing.
To moonlit-shadow0x: EEEEE, you reviewed my fic!!!! I love your stories!!! Wow, I'm excited now. ::grins:: Yay. Okay, thanks so much for the reviews! I tried to alter a picture I had saved on my computer of Tom Felton in his Draco getup from PoA to put on some black eyeliner, but it didn't really work. So I've decided I'm going to print out the picture and trace it, then add on the eyeliner, just to see how it looks. I'd draw it myself, but . . . I have no artistic skill at all. ::grins:: About the dance in the first chapter: I spent almost two hours listening to that song and choreographing the dance. I only wish I could do all the stuff Draco can . . . I'm jealous of a fictional character . . .
To middlename:illiteracy: Cute name!! Thanks so much for your review and enjoy chapter 6!!!
To Emerald Dragon08: YAY!!!!! Everyone, go read this brilliant author's fics!!! Thank you so much for the review! It was so nice! Enjoy the chapter!!
To godric1: Thank you so much for the review; it was so sweet!!! Well, cheer up, this chapter's like five pages longer!!! Enjoy!!!
To Isis-mystic: Thanks for your review and for the support!! It was so nice!!! Enjoy!
To NatalieJ: Format abandoned!! Thanks for the review!!!
To silver-sunn101: Thanks for the feedback! I've been trying to put more detail into things and definitely will be in the future. When it came to Draco's eagerness, you've got to remember, he'd had a massive crush on Harry from the time they were in their sixth year and had dreamed about the moment he would have Harry in his arms, willing to love him. Hope that makes sense and clears the issue up. Enjoy chapter 6!
To kungzoune: Thanks for the review! ::drools:: Aren't Harry/Draco fics the best?!?!
To Vicky: Thank you so much for the wonderful review!! I got all fuzzy inside reading it. ::grins:: Enjoy the chapter!!
To Sabrith Alastar: Consider the format screwed!!! ::looks around:: O.o That sounds wrong . . . Okay, new chapter, enjoy!!!
To NiimuraYume: Thank you so much for the sweet review. It was so nice!!! Wow, you are way too nice to me. I'm so glad you like the way it's written. And your comment about my style is honestly one of the best I've ever received. Enjoy the chapter!!!
To zoomaphonethepirate: Thanks so much for your review!! Interesting story aobut your name. I like it, too, it's different. Lol, I love Draco and Harry together!!!
To venilia: Oh, okay, you're always up that late. I can't. I end up falling asleep wherever I am, unless I've had a ton of coffee or caffeine or sweets . . . ::eyes glaze over:: Anyway, enjoy the next chapter!!!!
Warnings: Mild sexual content. Don't like, leave now.
Dedicated: To my wonderful beta, Winde, whom I have not been acknowledging because I am an absolutely horrible person. All bow down and worship!! ::falls to the ground::
Chapter 6Harry was in a misty room. He looked around, trying to discern where he was. Before he had the chance, two figures stepped out of the shadows. It was a beautiful young woman and a tall man. She had long, dark red hair and piercing green eyes. He had unruly raven locks and tortoise-shell glasses assisting twinkling hazel eyes. Harry stared.
"Mum? Dad?" he whispered hoarsely. He took a step forward when his parents smiled. Lily walked up to him and brushed a finger down his cheek his cheek. Her touch was feather-light.
"Follow your heart, Harry," James told him. Harry looked at him, his brow furrowing.
"Wha— Follow my heart?" he asked curiously. "What d'you mean?"
"Follow your heart, love," Lily murmured as she and James faded away.
"Mum!" Harry shouted, not wanting them to leave so soon. A new figure stepped out of the shadows. "Sirius!" Harry exclaimed. The handsome Marauder smiled at him.
"Follow your heart, mate," Sirius advised him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. He grinned and ruffled Harry's hair before he faded away.
"No, Sirius . . . come back," Harry murmured, his eyes shining. He felt so lost. He turned around slowly and started when he saw another figure smiling at him.
"Cedric?!"
Cedric Diggory grinned at him as Harry walked over to him, amazed.
"Follow your heart, Harry," Cedric told him. "Follow your heart." His voice seemed to encompass those of all his friends and the phrase echoed in his head as he stood, confused. Then, another figure stepped from the darkness. Harry stared. It was Draco. The blonde walked up to him, smiling gently. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from Harry's eyes.
"Draco—" Harry breathed, then found he had nothing to say.
"Just follow your heart, Harry," he said, placing his hands on Harry's neck. Harry wound his arms around Draco's back and pulled him close.
"But what does that mean?" Harry asked, frustrated. "What in my heart am I supposed to follow?"
Draco smiled. "Just follow your heart, my love," he whispered before catching Harry's lips in a fiery kiss.
Harry awoke with a start, panting heavily. He sat up and felt Draco's arm slip off his chest. Harry raked a hand through his hair and glanced down at the blonde. Draco as still sleeping peacefully, his hair mussed in the most adorable way. Harry smiled softly and settled back down on the bed, pulling Draco into his arms. Draco murmured something unintelligible in his sleep and curled against Harry, burying his face in Harry's neck. Harry leaned down and brushed his lips over Draco's forehead.
He thought back to the dream he just had. His lips still tingled from the kiss. He still didn't understand what everyone meant, saying, "Follow your heart." He didn't know what was in his heart. He knew he felt something, but he didn't know exactly what it was. He'd have to ponder on it later, however. The beautiful young man in his arms was beginning to stir. Draco's eyes opened slowly, clouded with sleep, and looked up. Harry caught his eye and smiled down at him.
"Hi," Draco mumbled, resting his head on Harry's chest. He reached out and traced a finger across Harry's collarbone where he knew there was a large purplish-red mark.
"You're the one that gets to explain that mark away to Ron and Hermione, you know," Harry told him amusedly.
"Fair enough. I'll just tell them we shagged like mad once they left," Draco told him cheekily, his grey eyes twinkling. Harry looked down at him, shocked.
"You wouldn't!"
"I was a Slytherin, love, I'm capable of anything," Draco murmured right before he captured Harry's mouth in a heated kiss. Their tongues dueled as Draco tangled his fingers in Harry's raven locks and Harry wound his arms around Draco's body, pulling him flush against himself. Draco pressed himself harder against Harry, moaning into his mouth. Harry rolled Draco onto his back and pressed hot kisses along his jaw line and down his neck. Draco whimpered when he felt the teasing nips and lavish sweeps of Harry's tongue across his skin. Harry tantalisingly made his way down Draco's chest, enveloping his nipples in wet heat. Draco groaned and sat up, dragging Harry to him for a ravenous kiss. The former Gryffindor straddled Draco's waist as he plundered his mouth, pressing him into the pillows on the bed.
"OH! MERLIN! Oh, bloody hell, I'm so sorry!"
They tore out of their passion and turned around to look at a mortified Hermione, standing shocked in their doorway, her hands clapped over her eyes. Harry quickly tumbled to the side of Draco, pulling the blanket over them to hide their quickly fading arousal.
"Hermione?" Harry asked tentatively. She peeked at them through her fingers and lowered them, slightly mollified by the fact Harry was no longer grinding himself into Draco. Their faces were still flushed and their lips were swollen; it was clear as to their intentions.
"Harry, Draco, I am so sorry, I was checking to see if you were awake – you obviously are – I honestly didn't mean to walk in and interrupt anything – bloody hell, I'm so embarrassed—" she rambled, her face crimson.
"Hermione!" Harry said loudly. "It's okay. Did you need anything?"
"Albus sent an owl. He wants to see both of you as soon as possible," she explained, stooping to the floor to pick up the letter she'd dropped in her flustered state. She handed it to Harry and rushed out of the room.
"Good news: she didn't see the hickey," Draco said. Harry groaned and hit him over the head with the letter before looking down at it. He began to open it as Draco moved behind him, resting his chin on Harry's shoulder and his arms about Harry's waist.
"What's it say?" Draco asked softly. Harry read it aloud.
"Dear Messrs. Potter and Malfoy,
I trust I find you both in good health. I myself have only recently recovered from a Muggle virus I caught while visiting my second cousin in Alaska, in the United States. Nasty little bug (the virus, not my cousin)."
"Absolutely mad. Completely nutters," Draco interrupted. Harry grinned in agreement and continued.
"Miss Granger has contacted me about Mr. Malfoy's predicament concerning his current unemployment and financial status. I would appreciate it most greatly if you both could come visit me for a chat - and a cup of tea, perhaps - when you receive this post. Thank you kindly. I'll have a carriage waiting for you in Hogsmeade. Mr. Potter, you know the way.
Sincerely,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Headmaster of Hogwarts"
"Well, then . . . I suppose we should get going," Harry said, looking at Draco. He nodded and threw the blankets off them.
"How are we getting there?" Draco asked. Harry shrugged.
"Apparition, I guess."
"Harry, I don't have a wand," Draco reminded him. Harry fell back onto the bed.
"We'll stop over at Diagon Alley and get you a wand and some clothes after our meeting with Albus," he decided, getting up and pulling Draco out of bed.
"Why clothes? I can just wear yours," Draco responded cheekily, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck and pulling him close.
"You could, but I don't have enough clothes for the both of us and I'm positive our tastes differ quite a bit," Harry reminded him. Draco grinned and kissed him. Harry held him close for a moment before letting go to dig in a drawer. He straightened, pulling out two pairs of jeans and several different shirts. Draco wrinkled his nose.
"Potter, give me those," he ordered, holding his hand out. Harry looked at him before handing the shirts over. Draco looked at them critically before selecting a white button-up shirt for himself and a deep blue for Harry. "Here. Wear this." Harry looked at him. "What?" Draco asked defensively.
"Blue?"
"It'll look nice with your eyes," Draco murmured, lightly brushing Harry's bangs away from his eyes. Harry smiled before kissing him.
"You can change in here, Draco," he said. "I've got to go to the loo and talk to Hermione." He left and waved to Ron as he headed into the bathroom. He used the toilet, brushed his teeth, dressed quickly, and cast a small Disillusionment charm on the hickey before walking out into the kitchenette.
"Oh, you look nice today, Harry," Hermione complemented when she saw him.
"Thanks. Draco picked it out for me," Harry replied. Hermione grinned.
"Well, I'm happy to see someone in your relationship has some fashion sense," she snickered. Harry made a face at her.
"Oh, you're terribly funny. Listen, Draco and I are going to pop over to Diagon Alley to buy him a new wand," Harry said, picking up a buttered bagel and biting into it.
"Then to Albus?" she asked, pouring herself a glass of pumpkin juice.
"Yeah, I want to see about getting Draco a job at Hogwarts," he replied. "Then we're going to get his clothes and such afterwards."
"I see. You two have gotten quite close these past few days," she remarked, taking a sip. Harry couldn't help but smile.
"He's really wonderful," he responded, blushing and ducking his head. He jumped when he felt strong arms encircle his waist.
"Well, I'm glad you've a reason to keep me around," Draco teased gently, his eyes soft. He rested his chin on Harry's shoulder and looked up at him. Harry grinned and twisted around to draw Draco next to him. Hermione smiled. She was thrilled to finally see her best friend so happy.
"Good morning, Draco," she greeted cheerily, holding out a glass of pumpkin juice. He looked at her, surprised, as he reached out and took the glass.
"Thanks . . . Hermione," he replied, his eyes sparkling. She shrugged and sat down next to Ron. He turned to Harry, smiling from ear to ear. Harry grinned back and kissed him.
"Ready?" Harry asked. Draco nodded.
"What about your ankle?" Hermione asked, turning around to look at the blonde.
"That's right. How is it?" Harry asked worriedly. They both looked down at Draco's feet.
"It's fine," Draco assured Harry and Hermione. He stuck his foot out in plain view and wiggled it around. "See? I'm a quick healer," he added cheekily.
"Really, now?" Harry teased. "Quick healer?"
"Now, I seem to remember a certain time in out third year when a certain blonde spent a good period of time with his arm in a sling," Ron called over his shoulder, finally deciding to join in with the friendly banter.
"Oh, please, you all knew I was exaggerating," Draco laughed. Hermione and Ron grinned as Harry lightly whacked Draco upside the head. "Ow! That hurt, you prick!" Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and began tickling as he attacked his neck with his lips. "Ahh! Oh, stop – Harry, stop, no – Help! Domestic abuse! Do—domes—tic a—ab—abuse!" Draco managed through uncontrollable giggles. Harry continued his attack until Draco had wilted into a ball on the linoleum floor. Harry straightened and pretended to dust off his hands. He looked down and nudged the curled-up blonde on the floor.
"I hate you," Draco announced as Harry helped him up.
"No, you don't," Harry told him.
"No, I don't," Draco agreed, kissing him. Ron averted his eyes at the sight and coughed uncomfortably. The two men broke and glanced at the redhead.
"Right, well, we're going to head out," Harry said, lacing his fingers with Draco's. "Give me a bell if you need to get a hold of me," he added as he and Draco headed out the door.
"Harry!" Hermione called. The raven-haired young man poked his head back in the flat. "Turn your mobile on." Harry dug in his pocket for a moment before pulling out his mobile phone and grinned sheepishly.
"Right . . . Got it . . ."
The sun was shining and the weather was beautiful as Harry and Draco walked hand-in-hand down the street. Neither was speaking, but merely enjoying the comfortable silence between them. Diagon Alley was several blocks from Harry's flat. The streets were less full than usual, everyone out enjoying the day with their friends and family. The two wizards had just turned the corner onto the street The Leaky Cauldron was hidden when they heard a voice call out from across the street.
"Draco!"
The blonde turned at his name and peered at the owner of the voice. When he saw to whom it belonged, he paled visibly and began shaking.
"Draco? Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly, pulling Draco to himself. The blonde buried his face in Harry's chest and clutched his shirt as he mumbled something. "What?"
"It's Frankie," Draco whispered, gazing into Harry's eyes, fear shining in his silver-grey orbs. Harry whipped around and immediately spotted the smirking snake of a man crossing the street.
"Come on, love," Harry murmured, wrapping his arm around Draco's waist and guiding him down the street. "Come on, we're nearly to the Leaky Cauldron," he whispered, lowering his voce to keep it from traveling to any nearby Muggles' ears.
"Just a minute!" Frankie called out. Harry could hear the club owner's footfalls as he ran to catch up. He grabbed onto Harry's shoulder and spun him around. Harry glared at him.
"What?" he snapped, his emerald eyes ice cold.
"I believe you have something that belongs to me," Frankie informed him, leering at Draco. The blonde cringed and clutched the arm Harry extended in front of him.
"If you're referring to Draco—"
"I am."
"Go to hell!" Harry spat, his eyes flashing. "I'm not going to let you try and kill him again!" Frankie's self-control seemed to break and he lunged at Harry. The Boy Who Lived realized his intentions a second before and pushed Draco out of the way just in time. Harry fell to the ground with Frankie. He threw the unsavory character off of him and leapt to his feet to help Draco to his. He didn't notice Frankie standing. Draco did. He pushed Harry away from the line of Frankie's fist in time to catch it himself. He staggered and fell in the street. Harry's rage broke inside him. He grabbed the front of Frankie's shirt and slammed him into a building's wall.
"Don't. You. Dare. Touch him," Harry hissed through clenched teeth. He kneed Frankie and let go, catching a glimpse of the club owner doubling over as he hurried to Draco's side.
"That was an incredibly stupid thing to do, love," Harry told him, smiling as he assisted him to his feet.
"If I hadn't, you would've gotten hurt," Draco explained, glancing at Frankie wheezing on the ground.
"I'd have lived," Harry replied. "Come on, before the wanker regains the ability to stand straight."
He and Draco hurried the short distance down the block to The Leaky Cauldron. They stepped inside and looked around, for Draco the first time in years. It was just as he'd remembered. The smoky haze from the various pipes of the hags, the chatter of witches and wizards, the screeches of owls swooping around the room, everything was there. Harry guided Draco to a table and sat him down in the chair. He pulled out his wand and quickly healed the growing bruise on the blonde's cheek.
"There, now, come on and let's get you a wand," Harry said, straightening. Draco touched his cheek as he hopped to his feet. He and Harry wove through the crowd to the back of the inn. Harry tapped the correct bricks in the wall and stood back as they folded into themselves. Draco's breath sped up as he watched the magical marketplace reveal itself before him. He took several steps into the alley and stopped. Harry came and stood next to him.
"Draco, welcome to Diagon Alley," Harry said, closely watching the blonde.
"Harry, d'you realize I haven't set foot in here for four years?" Draco whispered, his eyes drinking in every sight.
"I know," Harry replied, smiling. "Come on."
They ventured into the alley, looking around at the various items for sale. They poked around for a bit in Eyelops Owl Emporium, had a look in Gambol and Japes Wizarding Joke Shop, and eagerly hurried into Quality Quidditch Supplies. Along the way, they met up with several of Harry's students: a fourth-year Ravenclaw, a seventh-year Gryffindor, and a few little second-year Hufflepuffs. They also saw one or two of Harry's Slytherin students that veered in the other direction at the sight of their young professor. Draco looked questioningly at Harry. The professor grinned.
"I hexed those two boys at the beginning of last year. They didn't believe I was serious about my teaching and kept disrupting class," Harry explained. Draco stared open-mouthed at him. "They weren't harmful hexes! Just little ones . . . that made it impossible for them to speak unless spoken to for a week . . ."
Somehow, they managed to drag themselves away from the brooms to make it to the little wand shop down the street. Ollivander's hadn't changed since their years at Hogwarts. The creaking sign still hung over the store and the solitary wand still lay on the faded cushion in the window display. They stepped over the threshold of the store and glanced around, their voices hushed as they conversed where Mr. Ollivander might be. They jumped when the wizened owner appeared suddenly at their elbow.
"Ah, Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy. What can I do for you two this afternoon?" he asked, steepling his fingers beneath his chin.
"I – I need a new wand," Draco stammered. Mr. Ollivander nodded and set off bustling around the shop. A moment later, he reappeared with five slender wand boxes in hand.
"Here. Nine and a quarter inches, supple, mahogany and unicorn hair. Give it a wave," Mr. Ollivander said, handing Draco the wand. Draco swish-and-flicked towards a teetering stack of books on a shelf behind the cluttered desk. All in the room ducked as the books shot off the shelf.
"Definitely not." Mr. Ollivander held his hand out for the wand and Draco hastily replaced it. The storeowner set it aside and reached for another wand. "Try this one. Thirteen and a half inches, maple and dragon heartstring, whippy."
Draco had hardly taken hold of the wand before Mr. Ollivander snatched the wand from him.
"Absolutely not. Not at all; what was I thinking?" Mr. Ollivander muttered under his breath. Harry and Draco glanced at each other, both thinking the same thing; the old man was getting even madder in his old age. He spun around and flourished a new wand.
"Give this a try. Holly and unicorn hair, seven and three-quarters inches, pliable."
Draco took hold of the wand and flicked it towards a cluster of wand boxes on a shelf above them. Harry yelped as they all fell on him.
"Are you all right?" Draco asked worriedly as he helped Harry up.
"Yeah, just . . . aim away from me next time," Harry replied ruefully. Mr. Ollivander snatched the wand out of Draco's hand and replaced it with another.
"Eleven and three-quarters inches, willow and phoenix feather, rather swishy. Go on," Mr. Ollivander urged. Draco raised it and flicked. A shower of silver and emerald green stars streamed from the tip of the wand. Harry grinned.
"Ever the Slytherin," he teased. He pulled out his money pouch to pay Mr. Ollivander the six Galleons the wand cost as Draco placed the wand in his pocket. They thanked the shop owner and headed out of the dusty shop into the sunshine. They stopped at Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour for strawberry-and peanut butter ice cream cones. They finished them quickly as they looked in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Ages.
"We'll need to come back to get you some robes," Harry said as they reentered the Leaky Cauldron. They stepped into a small room and pulled out their wands. They Apparated to the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and walked to the edge of the village, where, true to his word, there was a carriage, pulled by a pair of glossy black thestrals, waiting for them. Harry walked to the beasts as Draco stood by the open door.
"Hello, Romulus, Dialpha," Harry murmured, stroking the sleek coats. Draco walked up to him and placed an arm around his waist.
"You named them?" Draco asked. Harry looked at him.
"Just Dialpha," he replied. "Remus named Romulus after his brother. He died of a Muggle disease when he was young."
"Oh," was all the blonde could think of. Harry smiled at him. They gave the thestrals another pat and stepped into the carriage. The ride up to the castle went fairly quickly and soon, they were stepping out of the carriage in front of the massive school. Harry looked at Draco and smiled.
"Welcome back," he said, lacing his fingers with Draco's. The blonde grinned and they entered the castle.
"Harry! Oh, what are you doing here? We weren't expecting you until Sunday," the two men heard. They turned and saw Minerva McGonagall hurrying towards them from the Great Hall. She halted when she saw Draco. "Mr. Malfoy! What – How – You're alive!"
He smiled. "Very much so."
Minerva bustled forward and pulled Draco into a hug.
"Oh, it's absolutely wonderful to see you're all right!" she exclaimed. "I'm so happy to see you!"
"It's lovely to see you, too, Professor," Draco replied, patting the older woman on the back a bit awkwardly. Minerva tutted.
"Nonsense, call me Minerva. After all, we'll soon be working together!" She beamed at the two before herding them towards the stairs. "Now, Albus is waiting upstairs for you. Get up there; go on!" Harry and Draco hurried up the stair to Dumbledore's griffin.
"Lemon drop," Harry announced. The griffin stepped aside and revealed the spiral moving staircase. The two men stepped on and rode in companionable silence to the top. Harry knocked three times on the door before it opened. Albus Dumbledore was standing in front of a brilliantly coloured phoenix, stroking its feathers. He turned as they stepped into the room and smiled warmly.
"Ah, Harry, Draco. Lovely to see you both again," he greeted kindly, gesturing to the plush chairs in front of his desk.
"Merlin, this reminds me of our years at school," Draco murmured to Harry.
"Now, Draco, it is my understanding you wish to join our esteemed teaching staff here at Hogwarts," Albus said, his blue eyes twinkling over his half-moon spectacles.
"Yes, sir, that's correct."
"Wonderful. We have the perfect position for you," Albus told him. "What would you say to Potions professor and Head of Slytherin House?"
Draco's mouth dropped open. "What?"
"What happened to Severus?" Harry asked, astonished.
"Severus will still remain at Hogwarts, but I'm afraid . . . he is unfit to teach," Albus informed them. "You wouldn't believe how many owls I received from parents over the holidays saying their child was absolutely petrified of Severus. Having nightmares about him, even. I consulted several different students and decided it was time to remove him from the classroom. He will stay on to help develop new potions for the Ministry and also for classes. But he will not be teaching. If you accept, Draco, we would be delighted to have you join our staff."
Draco broke out into a huge grin.
"Of course I accept!" he exclaimed, laughing. Albus smiled as Harry laughed with the blonde man as Draco looked excitedly from Harry to Albus. "Thank you, Professor!"
"It's nothing, my dear sir," Albus replied, waving it off. "Now, Harry, why don't you show Draco your rooms so he might get acquainted with them."
Harry nodded. "Of cour—" He paused and stared at the headmaster. "How did you—?"
Albus placed a long finger against the side of his nose and smiled. He winked one twinkling blue eye and said nothing.
"You're a very confusing man, Albus," Harry told him. "But I will figure you out someday."
"Oh, I know you will, Professor, and I trust you'll let me know when you do; I confuse myself sometimes," Albus told him. He stood and shook both men's hands. Draco was radiating happiness as he skipped ahead of Harry down the spiral staircase. Harry stepped into the hallway to see Draco spinning around and laughing. He couldn't help but grin at the sight. Draco spotted him and ran over to him. Harry caught him and spun him around when the blonde threw his arms around his neck. Draco's eyes were shining when Harry set him back down.
"Harry, can you believe it?! I'm teaching here!" he exclaimed. Harry laughed.
"I know, I was there!" he teased. He caught Draco's hand and began tugging him down the hall. The blonde's enthusiasm was infectious! "Come on, I've got to show you to my – our room."
They hurried to the third floor bedroom Harry had been living in for the past five years while teaching. They stopped in front of a portrait portraying a handsome young man and beautiful young lady playing cards.
"Well, 'ello, there, Harry!" the young man greeted brightly. The woman hit him on the arm with her fan, glaring at him. "Er – I mean, Professor Potter."
"Stupid prat. Not supposed to call him 'Harry' when he's talking with a student," the woman muttered under her breath.
"Student?" Draco repeated, mildly offended.
"Derrick, Liana, he's not a student," Harry corrected. "He's a new professor at Hogwarts. He'll be living here as well."
Derrick and Liana exchanged a sly look.
"Oh, I see."
"Of course."
Harry gave them a look that plainly told them to stop or else. "Let us in?"
"Of course, lovey. What's the password?" Liana asked, straightening in her chair and smoothing her skirts.
"Black Forever." She smiled and twinkled her fingers at the two men as the portrait door swung open to reveal a short passageway. Harry pulled Draco through to a large living room. It was dressed in deep reds and golds, but also with hints of greens and silvers. Draco turned to give Harry a raised eyebrow. Instead, he saw the other man was just as surprised.
"Someone redecorated," Harry stated. Draco grinned.
"Dumbledore, of course," he said.
"Sneaky bastard," Harry muttered lightly. "He knew you'd accept and he knew we were together."
"Yes, well, he's a smart sneaky bastard," Draco added, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck and pulling him closer. Harry grinned before he kissed Draco, long and slowly. He moved his lips down Draco's neck, stopping to lick at his collarbone. He suddenly blew a loud raspberry against the pale skin, causing the blonde to yelp and giggle. Harry then showed Draco the bathroom and finally, the bedroom. Draco walked into the comfortable room, looking around. He spotted the bed in the middle of the room and, grinning, ran to leap onto the bed, exclaiming, "This is so cool!" Harry grinned and laid down next to him, pulling him into his arms.
"This is where we'll be living for the next ten months," Draco whispered.
"Yes, it is, so why don't we not spend our last days of the summer here?" Harry suggested. Draco grinned and bounced off the bed.
"Well, come on, then, you've still got to buy me some robes so I don't look like a total prat," he replied, pulling Harry off the bed.
They returned to Diagon Alley and bought Draco several sets of robes: four black, three dark blue, and three in a deep green. Draco insisted on the green being trimmed with silver "to represent his 'Head-of-Houseness'."
"Draco, that's not a word, 'Head-of-Houseness'," Harry objected as they left the robe shop.
"It is, too! I just said it, therefore, it's a word," Draco argued, shrinking his packages and slipping them into his pocket. He and Harry walked out into the sunshine of the Muggle world, hand-in-hand, bickering like an old married couple on the subject of Draco's made up words all the way to the blonde's old flat. Finally, Harry gave up and allowed Draco to have his word as they walked up the stairs. Draco threw his arms up in victory, Harry wrapping his arms around him and attacking his neck with his lips. Draco was laughing as they turned the corner. He suddenly fell silent and stared down the hall. Harry stopped his assault and followed his gaze.
"Draco, who is that?" he whispered, tightening his hold on the blonde. The both stared at the young man sitting dejectedly on the floor, his head hanging.
"Bloody hell," Draco breathed, lightly touching Harry's hand. The young man looked up, his blue eyes bloodshot and shimmering with tears, his chestnut brown hair lank and disheveled.
"Draco!" he cried, his voice breaking.
"Bloody hell!" Draco repeated, his eyes wide. "Eric!" He pulled out of Harry's embrace and hurried to his friend. Harry quickly doused a flame of jealousy at seeing Draco hug the other dancer. "Come on, let's get inside," the blonde suggested, shooting Harry an urgent look. Harry hastened over and jimmied the lock to the flat. Draco had left his keys in his bag, which was still at the club. He had no intention of going back to get it. They hurried inside once the door was open and sat Eric on the sofa, Draco with him and Harry at the stove, heating water for tea. Eric was staring in awe at Draco. He reached out and lightly brushed the blonde's face with his fingertips.
"Draco . . . it's been two days," he whispered hoarsely. "How . . .?"
Draco glanced around uneasily for a moment before his gaze landed on Harry, watching the exchange anxiously. His eyes softened and he smiled.
"I found an angel and he gave me a miracle," Draco replied.
"Damn it, Draco, I've been worried sick!" Eric exclaimed. "Frankie was furious the other day when he heard you got away."
"How did he hear that?" Harry asked sharply, walking around the couch to sit next to Draco, placing an arm around his waist. The teakettle whistled feebly, its boiling water completely forgotten.
"He threatened to . . . castrate Greg if he didn't tell him what happened to you when he went to see your body and there wasn't one," Eric explained. All three men shuddered at the thought. Eric looked at Draco and Harry curiously. "You're not coming back, are you?"
Draco shook his head slowly. "No, I'm not. I've received a job offer to teach at my old school . . . and I've accepted."
"Where is it? Is it close by?"
"No," Draco repeated. "I'm moving in with Harry. He teaches there as well. We just came back here to get my clothes."
"Oh, babe, I'm going to miss you so much," Eric murmured, hugging the blonde tightly. He kissed Draco's cheek and stood. "I've got to go. My shift starts soon." He looked at Harry. "If you hurt him in any way, I will find you."
That said, he turned and quickly left the apartment, dashing away a few tears as he did. Harry looked over at Draco and pulled him close.
"Don't worry, love, I won't," he whispered into Draco's silky locks, kissing his forehead. Draco smiled weakly at him and burrowed into his arms, his own slipping around Harry's waist. They remained in each other's embraces until Harry noticed the setting sun through the window. "We'd better get going before Hermione decides to send out a search party."
Draco nodded and led Harry into his bedroom, where they quickly threw the blonde's appropriate clothes into a suitcase. Once everything that was needed had been collected, Draco ran downstairs to the landlord's room and slipped a note under the door, telling him to sell or give away anything left in his apartment. With everything taken care of, Draco felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his chest. He took Harry's hand and led him out into the fading sunlight. There was enough light left, however, to illuminate a tear making its way down his cheek.
"Draco, what's wrong?" Harry asked worriedly, dropping the suitcase and cradling the blonde's face in his hands.
"Nothing's wrong. For the first time in years, I'm finally happy," Draco replied softly, looking up at him. Harry smiled and leaned in to capture Draco's lips in a sweet kiss.
"I'm glad I could help," he murmured. Just then, his mobile phone rang. He cursed as he dug in his pocket, finally pulling out the little phone. "Hello?"
"Where are you two? You haven't been kidnapped or arrested or anything, have you?! What's taking you so long? You've been gone all day! I'm worried sick! I was just—"
"Hermione, Hermione, relax, we're both fine, we're heading home now, we'll see you soon, bye!" Harry called as he quickly turned the phone off. He glanced sheepishly at Draco, who was grinning widely. They both started laughing. "We'd better get going, I guess," Harry suggested, grabbing hold of Draco's hand and picking up the suitcase with his other hand.
"Preferably before Hermione pulls all of her hair out," Draco added as they began running down the street.
Author's Notes: Wow, fifteen pages!!!! That's my longest chapter ever!!! Yay, me!!! And yes, I did borrow Draco's little leaping-onto-the-bed-and-"This is so cool!" from the Princess Diaries 2. That's such a cute movie, I had to!
Don't forget, I love getting emails (see my bio--apparently has decided to suck and not allow emails to be shown...meh.) and IMs (DanceLuvr723) from readers!!!! Review, my darlings!!!!!!!!!