I've been on a short holiday, completely devoid of any technology whatsoever! (though the bartender let me watch his TV out the back...oh, sweet electricity...). But after a small mishap with the review alerts (for a few sad days I believed I didn't get any reviews at all for the last chapter) we're back on track. Thanks for the reviews, and I hope you like.
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Draco dropped to his knees, his fumbling hands searching frantically. Harry gave a nervous smile, staring down at the top of Draco's tousled hair.
'Need help?' he asked, quietly.
'Oh no, I'm quite fine.' Draco smirked, running his hand along the course surface. Harry shivered.
'Wh' don ya jusht use yur wand?' Harry asked, his words slurring as his eyelids drooped.
'Be patient.' Draco said, his hand wandering along, around, down, under there... 'Got them!' he said, triumphantly, pulling his hand out from under the doormat and standing up. 'Bloody keys.'
'Than' God, itsh freeshin' ou' here.' said Harry, clamping his arms together. Draco smiled and slid the key in, turning it gracefully and pushing open the door. Harry followed him in, closing the door as quickly as possible, lest the cold air find its way into the warm rooms.
Draco made his way to the couches, collapsing onto the nearest one, Harry following suit next to him. Draco sighed a contented sigh, turned his head and smirked at Harry.
'Well.' he said, in a tone that conveyed it all. Harry nodded. 'That was fun.' he added. Harry nodded again. 'Not just for us, I'm sure.' Harry nodded a third time, his green eyes burning into Draco's. 'Heard of communication? It's really quite useful; helped the human race advance tremendously.'
Harry mumbled something.
'What was that?' asked Draco.
'Ish called body langwish.' he said, and without any warning or word he leant into Draco and locked their lips. Draco moaned slightly (a fact which he was going to hate himself in the morning for, but at the moment wasn't really one of his top concerns) and deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around Harry's neck. Harry in turn gave a groan, and pushed Draco back onto the couch, settling himself down, his tongue still delving into Draco's mouth. Draco gave a little shiver at the fact that Harry was initiating this, not the other way around.
He felt Harry's hand run down the side of his body, and Harry's chest settle into his, and reluctantly he broke away.
'Harry,' he breathed, 'Is this really what you want?'
Harry lay his head down on Draco's chest and sighed.
Draco felt like pouting. 'Not that I don't want to, it's just I don't want you to feel...I guess I was just hoping...oh God, who gives a shit.' Draco smirked, and looked down at Harry, whose eyes had fallen closed. 'Harry.' Draco said, softly. 'Harry.' he said, a little louder, but the soft snore that filled the room was clear proof.
Harry Potter was asleep.
Draco gave a half-amused half-infuriated sigh. 'Am I really that boring?' he asked softly into the air, and reluctantly slid himself out from under the warm body. He stood up, and stared down at the sleeping form. Harry's dark makeup surrounded his eyes, which were now peacefully closed. There wasn't a crease on his smooth, beautiful face, and without a line of tension apparent anywhere on his body, Draco thought he looked rather angelic.
A slightly unsettling voice reminded him just a few seconds ago that he had wanted to ravish the young innocent collapsed on the couch in front of him.
Draco frowned. Since when did he have a conscience? Weird.
'Looks like you do need a mother, Potter.' Draco said softly. He knelt down and carefully took off Harry's shoes. A few moments later, when the black atrocities were off, Draco went into Harry's room to get a blanket. He lingered by the bed, however, not to sniff Harry's pillows like an obsessed fan (though he had to admit it, the thought was rather tempting) but to take a closer look at the single photo sitting on the small cabinet beside Harry's bed.
It seemed to be a wedding, but in this picture there were only three people, the bride, the groom, and what was probably the best man. Draco picked it up and took a closer look at the bride. She was very, very pretty, with thick, dark red hair that fell just past her shoulders – very nice hair, in fact, Draco wondered what hair product she used. Draco shook his head slightly, and peered down at her laughing eyes. They were startlingly green almond shaped eyes – Harry's eyes.
Harry's mother.
Draco stared down at her, her happy smiling face, every now and then waving to the camera. His gaze lingered on her a moment longer, before it fell on the man standing next to her. Draco almost fell over.
Harry?!
But it wasn't Harry, he realised upon closer examination. It was his father, he noted. Draco shook his head slightly, marveling at the similarities. Oh sure, James's eyes were hazel, his nose was a little longer and he didn't have a scar...but then again, neither did Harry anymore. James was smirking, winking, smiling, laughing, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, laughing again, gazing over at the bride, and smiling again. He looked like a person who'd had all their dreams come true.
Whereas Draco couldn't imagine anything worse than being married to a woman. He snorted.
His eyes then fell to man standing beside the happy, just-married couple. Draco gasped.
Fuck, he was hot.
Draco brought his nose to a distance so it was almost touching the photo as he peered as closely as he could to the good looking man, his long, dark hair falling into his eyes, a self assured smile on his face, that broke out into a grin every few seconds.
Oh my God, it was Sirius Black.
Draco hastily replaced the photo and pulled off one of the blankets on Harry's bed, pretending it was just a coincidence that he inhaled deeply as it came, getting a strong whiff of the uniquely "Harry" smell. He made his way back to the sleeping son of the bride and groom he had just been ogling, and placed the blanket carefully on him, stiffening slightly when Harry shifted, but relaxing when Harry's soft snores began again.
Draco moved back and collapsed down onto the couch, staring at Harry.
The only family Harry had ever had, or rather known about, were those three people in there, smiling and waving. And he'd only know them for little over a year, before they'd died. And he was only just a baby when he was with his parents.
Draco sighed, and felt a twinge of sympathy. Sure, his own parents were both dead, and finding that out was one of the worst experiences of his whole life, but he'd had more of them than Harry. Sure they were two of the deadliest Death Eaters, but they were still there to bring him up, to hold his hand (even if they didn't, there was still the chance to), to be his parents.
Draco sighed, then frowned.
Where the hell was all this emotion coming from? A conscience? Sympathy?
Draco shook his head. Must be the alcohol.
o
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Harry groggily opened his eyes as the sunlight hit his face through the space between the curtains. He groaned and rolled over onto –
Nothing. He came crashing down onto the floor, face first, and cursed loudly. He had to stop this awful habit of sleeping on couches. Why do it when there are perfectly good beds to sleep in? He stood up slowly, reached back to rub his neck, which had developed a crick because of his sleeping arrangements, and pondered. Come to think about it, why did he go to sleep on the couch?
No, no, no, no, no. Potion first. Think later. That was always the best way to go.
He ambled to the kitchen, searching the cupboards for the little jars, and gasped when he caught sight of his reflection in the microwave window. Black makeup had smudged all over his face, making him look like some sort of demented zombie. He gave a small smile, and, taking one of the little jars from the lower cabinet, proceeded to scull it.
He gave a contented sigh as the headache and brightness ebbed away, and the memories and sensations filled their place. He gazed fondly down at the little jar. It was almost like a Pensieve and a painkiller in one.
He started slowly making his way to bathroom, but then suddenly halted to a stop.
Oh no. He didn't. He can't have. It's impossible. He didn't.
Did he?
Oh God, TELL me I didn't fall asleep. Oh God, tell me that was just a dream.
But for better or worse, Harry's memory didn't fail him, and he could remember, clear as day, staring down at Draco's face, sighing in an agitated fashion, settling down into Draco's wonderful yet not-as-desirable-as-other-parts-of-his-body-at-that-point-in-time chest, and then...a sudden pain in his cranium as his head came in contact with the floor. This morning. Later. Afterwards. And not even afterwards, because nothing happened, so therefore there was nothing to follow it, because there was no "it", so technically he didn't wake up "afterwards", he just woke up.
He swore heatedly and only just resisted the urge to stamp his foot. He thought he really should have grown out of that by now, even if he'd never had a chance to throw a tantrum when he was younger.
He walked slowly to the bathroom, dragging his feet as he went, cursing every step he took. He ambled to the sink, wet a facecloth, and, looking at the mirror, began to wash the blackness off his face. His shining eyes stared resentfully out at him from under his mask, and he stared resentfully right back.
'You stupid fuck.' he hissed scathingly to his reflection. Thank God it wasn't a magical mirror, or his reflection would probably start hissing right back.
'Self-abuse is a long and dangerous road to go down, Potter.' came a smooth voice from the doorway. Harry jumped, and stared around at Draco.
'Do you like sneaking up on people, or something?' Harry snapped.
Draco raised his hands up. 'Sorry. Didn't realise someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.'
'Yeah, well, I wasn't on a bed, was I?' Harry retorted, glaring at Draco meaningfully.
'You're blaming me?' Draco asked, incredulously.
'Yes.' Harry said, jutting out his chin defiantly, aware that he probably looked like a petulant toddler, but at the moment he was far too pissed off with the world and himself to care.
'What was I supposed to do, carry you back to bed, like some damsel in distress? Risk you waking up and throwing up all over me?' Draco said mockingly.
'I wouldn't have thrown up!' Harry protested.
'Oh so you do think I should have carried you back?' Draco replied.
'I never said that.'
'But you didn't deny or deliberate the fact.' Draco pointed out.
Harry sighed angrily. 'I don't want to do this right now.'
'Do what? Talk?' Draco asked.
'Yes. Talk. I'm tired.'
Draco laughed. 'Life's hard, Harry.'
'I'm well aware of the fact, thank you.' Harry said, through gritted teeth.
'Ah yes. There've been many a time you've defended it to earn your "Boy Who Lived" title, haven't there?' Draco said, and then he frowned, bringing a finger up to his chin. 'I wonder if it'll be changed to "Man Who Lived" now...' he said, appearing to be concerned.
'I did most of the living when I was a boy, didn't I?'
Draco snorted. 'You continued on existing. I'm not much sure if you can call that "living".'
Harry stiffened. 'Why not?'
Draco laughed at Harry's defensive nature. 'Well, were you getting any at Hogwarts?' he asked, almost sarcastically.
Harry frowned. 'Any what?' he asked, bemusedly. Draco laughed harder.
'Oh, brilliant.' he said, his face contorted in a grin so big it almost looked painful. '"Any what?" Oh, that's fantastic, Potter!'
Harry's frown increased, but then his face smoothed and his cheeks burned. 'I...I knew what you were talking about. Kidding, you know.' he said.
Draco smirked. 'Sure sure.' he said, in an entirely unconvinced tone.
'Ugh, I don't need this.' Harry said, waving an agitated hand in Draco's direction.
'What is wrong with you this morning?' Draco asked, exasperatedly.
But Harry was saved from answering as a loud crash resounded through the walls from the lounge.
'What the hell was that?' Harry asked, staring at Draco. Draco shrugged, and followed Harry as he walked through to investigate. Nothing appeared to be amiss, however. Everything was upright and standing, and there was no evidence of anything that could have made the sound.
Suddenly there was the crash again, and Draco distinctly heard it coming from the window. He looked up to see a tawny bird clearly trying to fly through the very locked and very closed pane of glass.
'Oh my God, it's a fucking owl.' said Draco, incredulously.
Harry nodded bemusedly and walked slowly to the window, whereupon he opened it carefully, looking like he was expecting it to leap out and bite him. However, the owl merely acted as all of its species do, and once it had dropped the large letter it had been burdened with, it gave Harry a withering glare, before flying off.
'Who's it for?' asked Draco, curiously.
'Me.' said Harry, quietly.
'I didn't know you'd given this address to any wizards.' Draco said.
'I haven't.' said Harry. He took a few steps towards Draco and showed him the envelope, which clearly said "Harry Potter" and nothing else.
'It didn't have an address?' asked Draco.
'Well, does it look like it?' asked Harry, sarcastically.
Draco ignored his remark. 'Well, aren't you going to open it to see who it's from?'
'I know who it's from.' Harry stated.
Draco blinked. 'Who?'
'Ron.' said Harry.
'Weasel?'
'How many other Ron's do you know? Yes, Weasley.' said Harry, still staring at the envelope in a confused fashion. 'But how did the owl know to come here?'
Draco shrugged. 'Maybe it just flew around and around looking for you.'
'Do they do that?' Harry asked, skeptically.
Draco shrugged again. 'Who knows? Crazy creatures, owls are.'
'They're not crazy. They're very intelligent, useful, beautiful creatures.' said Harry, in a wounded tone of voice.
'Just because something is intelligent, useful and beautiful doesn't automatically make it sane.' Draco pointed out.
'Wait wait...let me guess. You mean, like you?' Harry said, mockingly.
'Oh, golly, I didn't know you cared.' Draco said in his best impression of a girlish voice.
'I don't.' said Harry, flatly.
'You care enough to note I'm intelligent, useful and beautiful.' Draco said, batting his eyelashes.
'No, I care enough to note that you're one of the vainest creatures I've ever met.' said Harry.
'Ah, but you do care, then.' Draco smirked.
Harry looked down at the envelope and said absently as he opened it, 'In more ways than one.'
Draco frowned. 'What was that?'
But Harry didn't answer as his eyes skimmed over the writing.
'What does it say?' asked Draco, as Harry gave a small smile and finished reading.
'Ever heard of privacy?' Harry asked, slipping the letter back into the envelope with a knowing smile.
'Of my own, yes. Never much cared for other people's.' said Draco.
'No, you don't say?' asked Harry sarcastically, still smiling.
'And what are you grinning like an idiot about?'
Harry's smile widened. 'Nothing.'
'It can't be nothing. Tell me.' Draco pushed.
'Trust me, you don't care and you don't want to know.' said Harry, turning around and making his way back to the bathroom.
'Don't walk away from me!' Draco said, running quickly to block Harry's way. 'Tell me.'
Harry laughed. 'Why do you care so much about the guy you named "the weasel"?'
Draco frowned. 'I don't really know. I can't always give a reasonable explanation for my desires.'
Harry laughed again. 'Right.' he said, nodding.
'Come on, Potter. Just tell me. Or I'll hex you.' said Draco, warningly.
'You're ridiculous, you know that?' he said, shaking his head. 'All it says is that he and Hermione have named a date, and–'
'Excuse me?' interrupted Draco. 'A date for what?'
'Their wedding.' Harry said.
'The weasel and the Mudblood are getting married?' asked Draco.
'Don't call her that.' said Harry, harshly.
'Why not? It's true.' Draco pointed out.
'It's a foul term. How would you like it if I called you "the faggot"?' Harry retorted.
'You can call me anything you want, Potter, so long as it's accompanied with many gasps and groans.' said Draco, smirking at Harry. Harry tried to glare, but he was aware the effect probably wasn't the one he was aiming for when his face was as red as a beetroot.
Truth be told, Harry wasn't really sure where he stood with Draco. Every other day he felt like they were in a different relationship. Daily exchanges were sometimes that of extremely close friends, sometimes of acquaintances, sometimes of enemies, sometimes of those with mutual feelings of attraction...
Then there were all the times like the previous night, where it was more than just mutual attraction, it was blatant lust. And then there were all the innuendoes, the flirting, the puns, the raising of eyebrows, the inappropriate looks...all strewn amidst playful banter with nothing behind it. Where the hell where they going?
Then something like just then would happen. Draco and Harry would be disagreeing about something, having an argument or a discussion and Harry would be forced into silence by an embarrassing statement by Draco, or vice versa.
Really, they needed to talk.
But fucked if Harry was going to deliver those fatal four words. He hardly imagine the look on Draco's face if he announced 'We. Need. To. Talk.'
They probably didn't, anyway. It would probably all be cleared up if Harry just took a few steps and started kissing Draco, right there. There wouldn't need to be anymore confusion. Would there?
That'd probably be too much to hope for. There'd probably always be confusion between them. Like there was now. Harry had no idea where they stood. What they were supposed to mean to each other. What the fuck was going on in Draco's head. If Draco was wondering what the hell was going on in his head. What the fuck was going on in his head.
Harry cleared his throat. 'Well, anyway, they want to meet up with me, and so, apparently, does Remus, so–'
'I told you I don't want Weasel in my house.' said Draco, flatly.
'I know, I know.' sighed Harry, exasperatedly. 'I wouldn't want to get blood all over your nice carpet.'
'And why is there going to be blood?' asked Draco, raising an eyebrow.
'I would have thought that'd be obvious to someone as intelligent as you.' said Harry, raising an eyebrow to match Draco's.
'Why, Potter, I'm flattered, but I still can't fathom the way your mind works.' said Draco.
Harry shook his head in disbelief. 'I'm living with Draco Malfoy. I'm going to tell Ron Weasley that I'm living with Draco Malfoy. Ron Weasley is going to be told by his best friend that he's living with Draco Malfoy. The whole wizardring world will find out that Harry Potter is living with–'
'Ok, I get the point.' said Draco, interrupting him. 'So why don't you just lie and tell him you're not?'
Harry shrugged. 'I don't care. He has to face it.'
'God, you make it sound like we're in some sort of relationship.' said Draco, smirking a little at his joke. Harry, however, looked up at him with a less than amused face and searching eyes.
'Well...are we?' he asked quietly. Draco's smirk slipped off his face, and he shifted slightly under Harry's intense gaze.
'Well, I mean...' he started, looking vaguely uncomfortable, 'God, Potter, if all your "relationships" are like this they're fuck boring.' he said with a laugh.
'I'm serious, Draco!' Harry said, impatiently.
o
Draco felt like shivering at the way his name ran off Harry's tongue so perfectly.
'So am I.' he said. 'Has anything happened between us?' he asked, not sure why he did. He knew it had. Ish.
'It almost did last night!' Harry protested.
'Yeah, and then you fell asleep.' Draco scoffed. Harry took a step towards Draco and looked him straight in the eyes.
'Would you have told me to leave?' he asked, in a low voice, his eyes blazing into Draco's.
'Would I have turned down a fuck? Of course not, who do you think I am?' retorted Draco loudly.
'So you were expecting a fuck, then.' Harry said, a note of triumph oddly in his voice.
'I wasn't expecting anything, I never know what to expect from you!' Draco said exasperatedly.
'Well, do you want to expect something from me?' asked Harry, inclining his head slightly.
'What the hell kind of cryptic question is that, Potter?' asked Draco in an annoyed tone of voice.
'It wasn't a cryptic question, I can't do cryptic, you know that.' said Harry. His comment edged a little smile on Draco's face.
'You're bloody right about that one.' he said. There was a short pause.
'Well?' Harry prompted.
'Well what?' asked Draco.
'You gonna answer?'
'Answer what?' Draco said, deciding to wind Harry up.
'My question.' said Harry, sternly.
'Oh? And what question is that?' Draco asked, smirking a little at the annoyed look on Harry's face.
'The one I asked you before.' he said, obviously trying to keep his voice leveled.
'Oh? And what was that?' Draco teased.
Harry sighed agitatedly. 'I'll take that as a no, then.'
'No I won't answer your question or no I don't want to?' asked Draco.
'I should ask you the same thing!' Harry retorted.
'You did, didn't you?' asked Draco, smiling a little.
Harry ran a hand agitatedly through his hair. 'I can't be bothered with this. ' he said, flatly. 'I take it that's a no. To both. That's ok. I'll see you later, all right?' and he stormed off.
'Harry, wait!' called Draco, but Harry had already stormed out the front door. A small ray of morning sunlight hit Draco's eyes, before the clang of the door reverberated through him like a note of finality, the light fading into darkness. 'Oh fuck, what the hell did I just do?' he asked aloud, despairingly. The cold silence mocked him mercilessly.
o
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o
Harry was away for the whole day. Draco was furious with himself. He felt like conforming to the teenage girl way of doing things, maybe a few slit wrists and a suicide letter, but he composed himself. He was a mature adult, who had acted in a ridiculously immature manner, and all he had to do was apologise.
But fuck, it sounded over. Before it even began.
Draco ran a hand through his hair, and flicked channels yet again, feeling the last rays of sun slip behind the mask of darkness, leaving the room he was in feeling very dark and cold. Which it was, come to think about it.
He supposed he should probably think about getting something to eat for dinner. He hadn't really done much all day. Just kind of mooched around, half expecting Harry to come back, but he didn't.
Draco was amazed at how quickly the hours slipped by. He was bored shitless, but they seemed to slip through, like sand through his fingers, and now it was already evening.
Suddenly he heard footsteps coming to the door. He sighed, not wanting to get up and answer it, but as he heard the door being opened, he tensed. Harry had a key. Harry was back. Where the hell had he been?
Harry strolled into the room in a good-natured manner, a small smile lingering in the corners of his lips and eyes, and automatically turned on the light as he walked past, illuminating the room in a harsh light.
'Hello.' he said, cheerfully, and sat down on the couch opposite Draco.
Draco eyed Harry carefully. High? Drunk? Crazy?
'Hello.' he said, watching Harry suspiciously. 'Where've you been?'
'Oh, I popped out to see Ron and Hermione. She's pregnant, did you know?' Harry said, lightly.
'No, I didn't.' said Draco, carefully.
'Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it. I'm happy for them,' Harry added, 'but it's still weird. God, can you imagine? A little gangly know it all with bushy red hair?' Harry gave a chuckle. 'They asked me to be the Godfather. Wow.'
'That's fantastic.' said Draco, not quite managing to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
'Ok, ok, just reporting back, you know.' said Harry, standing up. 'Oh, by the way, Remus is coming round in about...oh, half an hour? For dinner.' he added, walking over to the kitchen.
'Remus Lupin?' asked Draco, sharply.
'Yes, Remus Lupin. How many other Remuses do you know?' asked Harry with a laugh, rummaging through the cupboards and pantry. 'I'm going to make dinner.' he said, in a cheerful voice.
'You can't cook.' Draco scoffed.
'Oh? And who told you that?' came Harry's voice from inside the pantry.
'Common knowledge, I think.' said Draco. Harry turned around.
'Well, yes, you're right. I can't cook.' said Harry. Draco smirked. 'But,' said Harry, grinning, 'I can make Potions. And cooking is very similar to Potions. Right ingredients, right amount of stirring–'
'Hate to burst your bubble, but what are you going to make in half an hour with fuck all ingredients?' Draco cut in.
Harry looked at Draco like he was crazy. 'Pasta, of course.'
o
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o
Remus Lupin sat hunched over his plate, looking far older than his bright eyes and smooth hands would suggest. However, his general demeanor and attire had improved since his return to the DADA teaching post a few years back. Harry was glad the teachers and parents at Hogwarts decided to go with it. Besides, after the war, most of the people skilled in the dark arts were missing or dead.
'This is very good, Harry.' said Remus, looking up and smiling at Harry.
'Thanks.' said Harry, averting his gaze back down to his meal. Draco had made himself scarce, by Harry's request, and was probably out getting unbelievably smashed off his face.
'I'm still suspicious. You never once cooked when you stayed with me. You sure you didn't order this?' Remus said, smiling a little.
'I didn't need to cook when I was with you. It was Hogwarts. There were house elves.' said Harry, matter-of-factly. 'Anyway, all this stuff like pasta, soup...much like Potions, really.'
Remus gave a small chuckle. 'Severus would be proud.'
'I don't think we'll go that far.' said Harry with a smile. Remus smiled back, and continued eating.
Though Harry was trying to enjoy Remus's company, his mind was mostly on Draco. Basically, Draco had said he didn't want a relationship with him. What had all that skirting around been for, otherwise? That was ok. At least he wasn't stringing him along anymore. At least Harry knew now. There'd be no more club visits and lingering touches, that was for sure.
Harry had come back from Ron and Hermione's in a very cheerful mood. Seeing familiar, friendly faces was a great comfort. He knew where he stood with Ron and Hermione, he thought with a snort. And it was fantastic that they were having a baby. Harry still felt like it was his eleven year old friends, pompous old Hermione and gangly little Ron, who were bringing a human being into the world, rather than two fully grown accomplished adults, which he supposed, technically anyway, they were.
They were a little opposed to the fact that he was living with Draco Malfoy. Harry had assured them, with searing eyes and a burning glare, that there was nothing between them (after he'd told them he'd finally figured out his "sexuality" problem), and they hardly ever saw each other anyway. Ron nodded firmly, and agreed whole-heartedly that too much of Draco Malfoy was a bad thing. Harry suspected that Ron thought that seeing any of was a bad thing, but thankfully he kept his mouth closed.
Hermione had kept a lingering eye on him most of the time thought, and Harry had got the feeling she suspected he wasn't telling her something, but both of them knew that there was no chance of him coming up with it, so they ate their meal (a very nice one, in a small muggle place, where Ron was astounded humans did all the work) with talks of their child, and the fact that Harry was it's Godfather. Harry had felt like crying.
'So, what have you been doing with yourself, Harry?' Remus asked, looking up from his meal, brining Harry back into the present time.
'Not much, really.' said Harry, truthfully, keeping his gaze down.
'You don't have a job?' asked Remus.
'Um, not yet.' said Harry, quietly.
'Then what are you living off?' asked Remus.
'Money in the vault.' Harry said, quietly, knowing there was no point lying to Remus. 'Had it exchanged for Muggle money.'
Remus sighed. 'You shouldn't be doing that, Harry. You may need that money later. In fact, I guarantee it. What if you get into a rut when you're older, and you've wasted it all when you were young because you couldn't be bothered getting a job?'
Harry nodded. 'I know.'
Remus sighed again. 'I didn't mean to give you a lecture, Harry, but you're an adult now. You need to start living the adult life. I'm just trying to help you.'
Harry nodded again. 'I know.' he said, again.
Remus smiled. 'And what about when you have to buy all your little children their things for Hogwarts? You don't want to have to get them ratty second hand stuff like mine, do you?'
Harry blushed slightly. 'That's probably not going to happen.' he said, quietly.
'Oh?' asked Remus, taking a small sip of water. 'And why's that?'
'Because I won't have a woman to have children with.' Harry said.
'Oh? And why's that?' Remus said again, and by the look in his amused eyes it looked like he already knew.
'Because I don't want a woman to have children with.' Harry said.
'I won't keep repeating myself.' said Remus, smiling, but still looking at Harry expectantly.
'Truth is...I'm gay.' said Harry, quietly.
Remus nodded slowly. 'Yes. Well.' he said, with a small smile. 'I'm glad you've finally come to a decision.'
Harry nodded. 'Uh huh.'
'It's a pity, though. I rather like seeing the generations pass on their genes. Though I suppose we have Ron and Hermione for that, don't we?' Remus said. Harry smiled.
'Yeah. That's great, aye?' he said. 'They asked me to be its Godfather.'
Remus gave a little flinch at the word so closely related to Sirius, but they both ignored it. 'That's great. I'm sure you'll do an excellent job.'
'Not that there's much to do.' said Harry.
'Oh, I wouldn't be too sure.' said Remus. 'James had Sirius changing your nappies like there was no tomorrow.' he said, quietly.
'Delegating the tasks, huh?' Harry said. 'Well, maybe I'll just make myself scarce until Weasley-Granger junior has made it into underpants.'
'A wise plan.' said Remus, nodding, finishing off the last of his dinner and placing his knife and fork neatly on the plate. 'Wonderful meal.' he said, smiling at Harry.
'God, don't say that. I feel like a housewife.' Harry said. Remus laughed, and Harry savoured the sound. It was a rare occurrence. He picked up his plate and Remus's, stood up and took them to the sink in the kitchen.
'Well, some housewife I am.' he said, looking around half-desperately. 'I don't think we can hold out much hope for dessert.' said Harry.
'That's ok. I'm probably getting a bit tubby anyway.' said Remus, smiling. Harry looked around into Remus's shallow, thin face and gave a small smile that didn't really reach his eyes.
'Make it an IOU. I'll treat you to ice cream at a nice place sometime.' he said.
'Sounds good.' said Remus with a nod.
'Well, shall we retire to the sitting room with a cigar and a brandy?' Harry said in a pompous voice. 'God, I should probably stop offering stuff that we don't have, shouldn't I? Best I can do is a whiskey and a cigarette.'
Remus chuckled. 'I don't smoke, and I'm driving home.'
Harry frowned. 'You drive?' he asked.
'Yes. I learnt some time ago.' said Remus.
'But why don't you just apparate?' asked Harry, gesturing for Remus to retire to the couches, and they moved their way to the lounge.
'I enjoy driving. And it was something to do. To learn. I rather like cars, too. Fascinating things, really. And when you reach a destination that you've driven to, you feel a much better sense of pride than apparating.'
'Oh, I don't know. I always feel a sense of pride that I managed not to splinch myself. It's a shock every time, I tell you.' Harry joked.
And the evening continued on much the same. Harry liked talking to Remus. He was amusing, and intelligent, and he'd always be just a little bit shy. The conversation flowed and flowed, and Harry lost much of his sense of time, before it moved on to the inevitable.
'So, who're you living here with, then, Harry?' asked Remus.
'Oh, a guy.' Harry said, as casually as he could (which wasn't very casual), trying and failing to keep from blushing. Remus smiled, clearly amused.
'Oh? What kind of guy?' he asked.
'What do you mean?' asked Harry.
'What's he like?' asked Remus.
'Um, well...' Harry said, aware that he was blushing more, and hating himself for it, which was making him blush even more. 'He's nice. He's, uh...good looking.' Remus gave a smile that was the closest to a smirk Harry had ever seen. 'He's smart.'
Remus cocked his head slightly. 'There's something you're not telling me.' he said. Harry shifted slightly, a little worried. Remus's nostrils dilated slightly. 'You're afraid. Why are you afraid?'
'Um. I don't think you'll like him.' he said, quietly.
'Why do I need to like him? Are you involved with him?' asked Remus, and Harry cursed his choice of words, and Remus's wonderful ability to pick up on things.
'Well...' Harry hesitated, not really sure himself. 'I don't really know.' he said, truthfully. 'It's kind of... confusing.'
'I see. And why wouldn't I like him?' asked Remus, getting back to the point.
'Well, he's kind of–' but he was interrupted as he heard the front door open, and he cursed the spirits, heavens, gods, fates...whatever the hell there was to curse when Draco Malfoy strolled in the door, freezing as he caught site of the two sitting on the couches. There was a long moment of complete silence as all the inhabitants of the room were frozen, staring at one another, until finally Remus broke it.
'Mr Malfoy.' said Remus, looking straight at Draco, his face and tone unreadable apart from a hint of surprise.
'Um. Hello...Professor.' said Draco, uncomfortably.
'I'm hardly your professor anymore, Mr Malfoy.' said Remus with a tight-lipped smile.
Draco nodded. 'In that case, feel free to call me Draco.' he said.
'Draco.' affirmed Remus, nodding slightly. Then he turned and surveyed Harry, his face still void of emotion. Harry clenched his teeth.
'I didn't know you'd be back so early.' he said to Draco, trying to keep his voice light.
Draco gave an equally forced smile. 'Didn't know you'd be up so late.' he countered.
There was another long pause.
'Well, I'm just going to go to my room.' said Draco, finally.
'Yes, you do that.' Harry said, quickly. Draco gave Harry a lingering gaze, before walking off to his room, closing the door neutrally behind him. Harry closed his eyes, then opened them, biting his eyes and looking back at Remus.
'So. Draco Malfoy, hmm?'
Harry closed his eyes and sighed, nodding slightly.
'He's the one who's living with you?' Remus pressed on, as if the evidence wasn't totally clear. Harry nodded again.
'He's the one you're sort of involved with?' Remus continued, a slightly icy tone creeping its way into his normally neutral voice. Harry tensed.
'That's complicated.' he said.
'Well, if you had to say yes or no, which would you be more inclined to say?' questioned Remus.
'No, I guess.' Harry said, quickly. 'Well, since this morning...no, definitely.'
'Since this morning?'
'Yeah. We kind of...it's complicated.' Harry said, again.
'But if he wanted to, you would.' Remus stated, looking at Harry carefully.
'Well, I mean...' Harry trailed off nervously, looking at the disapproval in Remus's eyes, 'Well...yeah!' he said, exasperatedly. 'I mean, he's intelligent, he's amusing, he's very, very good looking–'
'That isn't what makes a person, Harry.' Remus interrupted sharply.
'I know.' said Harry. There was a short pause. 'He was on our side of the war.' he stated.
'You know that for a fact?' Remus said, raising an eyebrow.
'Well, he told me.' said Harry.
'And you believed him?' said Remus, incredulously.
'Well, why would he tell me that?'
'He has many reasons to, Harry.' Remus said, obviously trying to keep his voice leveled.
'Like what?' Harry asked.
'They are still hunting Death Eaters, Harry.' Remus said delicately. 'It would not be in his best interests–'
'I know what you think of him, Remus. But he's not that bad.' Harry interrupted.
'You listen to me, Harry.' Remus said, his voice taking on a harsh tone Harry had never heard before. He flinched. 'I knew Lucius Malfoy. I knew that he could butter you up with a swirling tongue and voice that could sugar coat everything. Why else do you think he got so far in life, with the ministry, with the Death Eaters? If you were vulnerable, he could do anything to you. And all the Malfoys are like that.'
Harry stood up. 'I'm not vulnerable.' he said.
'I'm not saying you are, Harry.' Remus said, in a calm voice. 'You're a very strong young man. however, for one having grown up without love–'
'I already told you there's nothing going on between us!' Harry stated hotly.
'Your Godfather, Harry, was involved with Lucius Malfoy, for a very short time.' Remus said coldly, and clearly. Harry eyes widened. What? 'I watched him sink away, and I'm not going to do that again with someone else I love. Don't,' Remus said, holding up a hand, 'interrupt me. Now, Sirius was a...' Remus's face contorted into a small frown, 'a lovely man. He wasn't evil, he wasn't terrible, nor was he in love with Lucius,' Remus said the name with a hint of venom, 'or with him for a very long time. I believe, dare I say something so crude in front of you, he was in it for the sex.' Remus paused a while, watching Harry carefully. 'If Sirius hadn't got out when he did...' Remus trailed off, leaving the finish to Harry's imagination.
But Harry's mind was in turmoil. Sirius was with Lucius?? He tried to shut it out, and take what was being said into hand.
'Look, Remus, Draco's very different from his father, and–'
'Well, look at you, Harry.' Remus interrupted.
'What about me?' Harry said indignantly.
'James...your father died when you were a baby.'
'I'm well aware of that.' Harry said, through gritted teeth.
'And you are more like him than you could ever know.' Remus said.
'Is that supposed to be a compliment?'
Remus sighed. 'I'm trying to make a point, Harry. James had no influence over you whatsoever, he didn't even see you, you didn't know him, yet you are very, very similar. What do you think it's like for someone who has actually grown up with their father? Lucius, I'm very sure, will have at least exerted some influence over his son, probably had his whole life wrapped around his clever little fingers.'
Harry tried not to think about the explicit wording of that statement.
'I don't think you know what you're getting into.' Remus said. 'Even just living with him.' Remus added when Harry tried to protest. 'Malfoys. Hurt. People.'
Harry sighed deeply and looked Remus squarely in the eyes. 'You've had you say. Will you listen to me now?' he asked.
'As long as you took in everything I said. As long as you weren't just waiting for you chance to speak.' said Remus.
'I wasn't, I promise. But will you listen?' Harry asked, and Remus nodded. Harry sighed. 'I've known Draco for about seven years now. I've talked to him, I've been living with him for a small amount of time, and I have been with him in, ah...more intimate situations.' Remus stiffened, but Harry continued. 'Not...like ' he sighed. 'I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you, I know what I'm getting into, I'm a big boy now, I can sort myself out and deal with things.'
Remus smiled sadly. 'Alright then, Harry.' he said softly. Harry gave him an almost apologetic smile. 'I suppose I should be getting home.'
'Remus...' Harry trailed off, his voice taking on a painful-sounding quality.
'No, no, I was about to leave anyway.' Remus assured him.
'I'm sorry, Remus.' said Harry, sighing.
'There's no need to be sorry for your feelings, Harry.' said Remus.
'What feelings?' said Harry quickly. 'We're not involved.'
Remus smiled a little. 'I'm a werewolf, Harry. I have keen smell, and I have to say, smells float around you like flies float around...well,' he said, clearing his throat, 'let's just say you're rather readable.'
Harry blushed. 'You must have read me wrong.' he said.
Remus chuckled a little. 'It's my language, Harry. I don't read it wrong.' he said, standing up and giving Harry the warmest smile he could muster. 'Nice seeing you.'
'You too, Remus.' Harry said, sincerely. 'Don't forget about that ice cream offer.'
Remus winked. 'I won't.'
Harry walked him to the door. 'Goodnight, Remus.' he said.
'Goodnight, Harry.'
As the door closed behind him, Harry sighed. Not quite what he was expecting.
o
He turned around and saw Draco walk out into the living area.
'Has he gone? I thought I heard him go.' Draco said.
Harry nodded wearily. 'He's gone.' he affirmed, and walked and collapsed down on the couch. He seemed to be doing rather a lot of that lately. Too many things to think about. Lucius was with Sirius? Sirius was with Lucius? the phrase kept on spinning around and around in his head. Life was rather exhausting at the moment. Maybe he should become a coffee addict? Maybe something stronger.
Draco stayed standing, and Harry looked up at him.
'You came home early.' he said.
'It's not exactly early, Harry, it's twelve o clock.' Draco said.
'Early for you, I mean.' Harry pointed out.
'Early for everyone except grandparents and Weasleys.' Draco tried to joke, but Harry didn't laugh.
'So, where were you?' Harry tried to ask casually.
'With a prostitute.' Draco said, smoothly. Harry flinched, and Draco rolled his eyes. 'What do you think?'
'Sorry. Just wondering.'
'I'm not that sleazy, Harry.'
Harry shrugged, and said nothing. Draco took a step forward.
'I heard you, you know.' he said, softly.
'Heard who?' Harry asked.
'You and Remus. Talking about me.' Harry stiffened.
'Did you.' he murmured.
'Thanks for, you know. Sticking up for me.' Draco said quietly.
'Not so sure if I should have.' he said, looking away. He sensed Draco's sudden tension.
'And why is that?' Draco asked. Harry said nothing. Draco decided to stick the knife in. 'Because I turned you down?'
It was Harry's turn to flinch. He searched his mind, and realised Draco was right. He stood up, and brushed himself off lightly. 'I suppose so, yeah.' he tried to say casually, fleetingly, and went to swagger past Draco with an air of nonchalance, but Draco's hand went out and caught Harry by the arm.
'Maybe I shouldn't have.' Draco murmured, trying to catch Harry's eyes.
'Maybe.' said Harry, flatly, looking ahead.
'Maybe I didn't want to.'
Harry swallowed. 'Maybe.' he said, examining his shoes.
'Maybe I didn't.' Draco said, meaningfully.
'You might as well have.' Harry said quietly, looking up at him.
'Well, maybe I want to change my decision.' Draco said, staring into Harry's eyes.
'Maybe I want to go to bed.' Harry muttered.
'Who's skirting around the issue now?' laughed Draco softly. Harry glared at him, and Draco swallowed. 'Look, Harry.' he said, carefully, 'I like you. A lot. I'm...I really enjoy spending time with you, I like your company. You're amusing, you're intelligent, you're very good looking...' Draco trailed off, staring at Harry, at a lost for words as his grey eyes searched Harry's green ones, his handsome, aristocratic features drawn into a small frown.
Harry's mouth went dry.
'I like it when we're together.' Draco continued. Harry thought he saw a vague pink tinge to Draco's cheeks. 'And I like it when we're together.' he said meaningfully, his voice getting softer. Harry felt his heart beat a little faster. Draco's hand was still rested on his arm. It felt like the whole world had come down to just his: Draco's hand on his arm, and his soft voice filling Harry's ears. 'I like it when you touch me.' Draco said, his voice barely above a whisper.
It was Harry's turn to blush. He felt his heart hammering away in his chest like an idiot. Thud thud thud thud thud.
'I like touching you.' Draco said, almost whispering. 'I like dancing with you, I like the way our bodies fit together.' Draco's cheeks went redder, and his voice slipped down to just a whisper. 'I like seeing you throw your head back and choke my name through your lips.'
Harry felt a shiver go down his spine. Draco saw this, and lifted his hand up to Harry's face, stroking his cheek gently.
'And I like kissing you, Harry.' murmured Draco. 'I like kissing you a lot.'
'Does that mean you very much like kissing me, or you like kissing me often?' Harry asked quietly. Draco grinned.
'Both.' he said, and leant forward, but Harry's voice stopped him.
'You don't always get what you want in life.' Harry said, flatly. 'Nor what you like.'
Draco's face fell, his pride dripping all over the ground like he'd pissed his pants.
'But,' Harry continued, 'I feel an obligation to fulfil this one, seeing as it's within my capabilities.'
Draco's grin returned.
'But,' Harry said, with a meaningful look, 'I want solid confirmation that the confusion is going to stop. We'll be together. Properly.'
'Of course!'
Harry smiled. 'Glad that's all settled, then.'
'What a well spoken young gentleman.' Draco teased.
Harry shrugged and smiled. 'Remus doesn't drink.'
'You're kidding.'
Harry shook his head. 'I haven't had a drop to drink all night. My vocabulary is still in tact.'
'We'll soon change that, I think.' Draco said with a smirk.
'Are you saying you have to be drunk to do anything with me?' Harry asked, indignant.
'Oh no,' said Draco, licking his lips, 'I could be completely sober and do everything to you.' he said. 'It's just I think this calls for a celebration.'
'What does?'
Draco grinned. 'Us.'
'Us? So there is an us, then?' Harry teased.
'Don't you dare start that again,' Draco said, warningly, 'Or I'll fuck you so silly you won't ever be able to speak again.'
'Not much incentive to stop, then, is there?' Harry said. He realised the whole atmosphere had completely changed within the last minute, and he had to admit he was rather enjoying the change, if a tiny bit disconcerted.
'Naughty boy.' Draco said, narrowing his eyes mockingly.
'What are you going to do, tie me up and spank me?' Harry teased.
'No, I was going to fuck you silly.' said Draco. 'But that is a very good idea.'
'Oh no, it's only Severus I let spank me.'
Draco started. 'What?!' he yelped.
'Kidding.'
'You better be.' growled Draco.
'What would you do if wasn't?' Harry asked, vaguely aware that the topic he was pursuing was rather disgusting, as it had Severus Snape and sexual situations involved together (shudder).
'I'd march down, kill the filthy bugger, come back and claim every inch of your gorgeous arse in every way possible.' said Draco, fiercely.
'Oh, I think we can do the latter anyway, can't we?' Harry flirted. Draco grinned.
'Oh, gladly.'
o
And the rest of the evening was spent in a frenzied array of crude language, gasps, moans, groans and other noises of delight, groping, grinding, kissing, licking, thrusting, caressing and lots of inappropriate-for-children statements, like:
'Oh, God, Draco, more more more!'
'Mmm, Harry, you feel so goooood!'
'I want to feel you in me!'
'I can't hold on much longer!'
'Fuck me, go on...'
'Shit, Harry!'
'Gods, that's feels so...OH GOD DO THAT AGAIN!'
And then on course, the usual array of cliché phrases, like:
'Shut up and kiss me, then!'
'Oh, God, that can't possibly fit!'
'Anything is possible if we work together...'
'What's my name!'
'Tell me what you want, what you really really want...'
Of course, accompanied by a healthy number of breathy gasps and throaty groans.
Overall, I'd say these two young gentlemen had a rather pleasant evening.
However, the cracking wall, breaking bed, creaking floorboards and neighbours didn't.
Ah well.
o
o
o
Harry gave a start as the bullet came into contact with his body, and he looked up into the apologetic smile of the female shooter, hardened his resolve, and shot her through the head, her innards and blood splattering across his face. But it didn't matter.
He was dying.
He fell to the ground, gasping, and the matted grass started reaching up, enveloping him in darkness, and he struggled to cry out...someone was bound to help him, someone had to, but all the while the grass was holding him down, he had to get out...
Harry awoke with a start. His struggling, sweaty limbs were entangled in the sheets. He breathed a sigh of relief, and looked down to see a very blood free torso attached to his very together looking legs. He settled down into the pillow.
It was good to be alive.
Alive and aching, Harry thought with a smirk. He looked over to Draco.
Draco wasn't there.
Hmm, that's funny.
o
o
o
Draco looked over his shoulder desperately, sure that Harry was bound to come wandering out in a sleepy stupor at any moment.
'You can't be here right now!' he hissed, urgently.
'Why not?' said the dark-haired man.
'Let's just say the guy who's with me wouldn't be too pleased to see you. To put it lightly.' Draco said sarcastically.
'Bet he isn't as good as me.' said the man, cockily.
'Blaise, will you just leave? I promise I'm not turning you away, we can sort out all the business and affairs and shit later, this is just not a good time!' Draco said, emphatically.
'Give me a kiss goodbye.' Blaise Zambini said, smirking at Draco.
'No!'
'I'm not leaving till you do.' Blaise stated.
Draco sighed exasperatedly. 'You're being a pain!'
Blaise stood in the doorway obstinately.
Draco looked over his shoulder again. 'You promise to go away if I do?'
'Pinky swear.' Blaise grinned. 'For old times sake.'
'But you promise?!' demanded Draco.
'Is this the face of a sex god who would lie to you?' Blaise said, smirking.
'Yes.' said Draco. 'But all right. A peck and you're gone.'
Blaise grinned and offered his cheek. Draco checked over his shoulder again, and leaned in to kiss Blaise on the cheek, but as he leant forward Blaise turned his mouth and locked it with Draco's, slipping his clever tongue in before Draco had a chance to react. Oldest trick in the book, I should not have fallen for that! Draco thought angrily.
'Draco?' came a wounded voice behind them. Draco pulled away, and turned around to see Harry standing behind them, helplessly.
'Well, hello, there.' Blaise said, eyeing Harry with interest.
'Harry...' Draco said, desperately. Harry's face hardened.
'Remus was right. Fuck you.' he hissed, and with a crack of apparation, he was gone.
If Draco's hair wasn't so damn perfect, he would have ripped it all out, there and then.
o
o
o
This one was a bit longer than usual. Felt it was owed. Not sure if it flowed. Hey, I'm a poet and I don't know it. Feel free to review. Or feel obligated, whatever.
Also, sorry for people who were expecting more "dirrty" things, as I put it. I have decent friends reading this, who see me as a decent person, and it's embarrassing.
Plus, they're coming soon. :D
