A/N: I wish I could say I was hit with some exotic and fascinating but dreadful disease, which rendered me incapable of doing anything but dribbling deliriously and breaking out in purple spots, but unfortunately I was hit with a much more mundane and embarrassing virus.
Writer's block.
The blank page stared mockingly at me, and I stared mockingly back. Which just resulted in my flinching at the unearthly face that peered back at me from the computer screen.
I don't know if people have forgotten this fic, or lost interest, but I feel it my duty to continue and see this through, none the less. If everyone has, it's just you and me now, Siri. Hope you still like your present.
P.S. When people point out my "problems" in reviews, that aren't legitimate, I just laugh. I know what I'm talking about when I use the verb "potter". I will have leather in every damn slash story if I want. Geez.
Anyway.
o
o
o
Draco stared out wistfully at the city lights, as he tried to ignore the numb throbbing in his lower half, which was pressed against the cool stone of the steps. He brought the cigarette to his mouth with dextrous fingers, and took a long drag, deciding against calling out in reply to Harry, who was rampaging around the house shouting his name.
Behind Draco, the door flew open, and Harry stormed out.
'Draco, I've been looking-' Harry began, but suddenly he stopped, and stared at Draco. 'What the fuck are you doing?' he asked, incredulous.
'Trying to enjoy as much of the calm before the storm as I possibly can.' said Draco smoothly, tapping the ashes onto the ground near his recently-polished shoes.
Harry spluttered. 'You smoke?'
Draco turned and gave Harry a small smile. 'No.' he replied, simply.
'Then what the hell do you think you're doing?' demanded Harry.
Draco shrugged. 'I realised it might be intimidating to have someone so perfect for a boyfriend, and I figured smoking was an appropriate bad habit for me to have.' he smirked, and brought the cigarette up to his lips.
'That's a funny joke, Draco, but this-' said Harry, whisking the cigarette out of Draco's fingers, ignoring his cry of protest, '- is going too far.' Harry dropped the cigarette on the ground, and stepped on it.
'Hey!' Draco protested, angrily. 'I was smoking that!'
'I know.' Harry said, with a glare. 'That's why I did it.' Harry looked down at his wrist, checking the time, then motioned for Draco to stand up. 'Come on. Let's go.'
Draco stood up angrily. 'I am not your pet, nor your child, nor yours to boss around. If I want to smoke, I'll bloody well smoke, and if I don't want to go somewhere, I won't!' Draco said, hotly.
Harry sighed, and leant back against the wall. 'No, you're not my pet, but you are my boyfriend, Draco, and excuse me for giving a shit about you.'
'I still don't want to go to this bloody dinner.' Draco grumbled.
'Well I didn't want to fight Voldemort, either, did I, but-'
'Don't make this about you.' Draco interrupted.
'They're my friends!' Harry said.
'Exactly! So remind me why I'm going?' insisted Draco.
'Because you're my boyfriend!'
'And?'
'And you damn well agreed to it! I gave up my pride for you, I bloody begged you to fuck me for almost the whole world to hear, so you're going whether you bloody well want to or not!' Harry roared.
Draco smirked. 'Just a reminder.' he said, extending his arm. 'Shall we go?' he asked, still smirking.
Harry narrowed his eyes. 'You're an evil bastard.' he said.
'And I play you like a fiddle.' Draco said.
'Just you remember, an instrumentalist is nothing without his instrument.' Harry said, taking Draco's arm.
Draco smiled. 'I will.' he cocked his head. 'You make the most wonderful sounds.'
Harry elbowed Draco in the ribs.
'Hey!' protested Draco.
Harry smirked. 'So do you.'
'Oh, you think you're so clever, Potter.' Draco sneered.
'I do, I do.' Harry said, grinning.
'But you just wait for this evening. I'll have your friends eating out of my hand.'
Harry laughed. 'You wish, Draco.'
'No, no.' Draco insisted, smiling at Harry conspiratorily. 'Weasley might be harder, I'll have to impress him with my extensive knowledge of Quidditch, broomsticks, moves, and of course my grand collection.'
'You don't have a grand collection.' Harry pointed out.
'Does he know that?' Draco grinned. 'But Granger will be a piece of cake.'
'Oh? And how did you surmise that?' Harry asked.
Draco rolled his eyes. 'You're an idiot, you know that?'
'Just tell me.' Harry said. 'Tell me your grand plan.'
'I don't have a grand plan.' said Draco, smiling. 'Granger is a straight girl, right?'
Harry didn't like the sound of that. 'Right.' he agreed with a nod.
'And she's married to the weasel, right?' Draco asked, saying "weasel" with disgust.
'Ron. Right.' Harry agreed reluctantly.
'And she hasn't seen me since seventh year during the NEWTS, right?'
'Enough with the twenty questions, get to your point.' Harry said.
'She's going to take one look at the gorgeous, handsome, toned-'
'Ridiculously arrogant!' Harry put in, laughing.
'-arrogant, delicious, fabulous, hot man that I am, and piss her pants.'
'You're that confident in yourself?' Harry asked, skeptically.
'I got the Boy Who Lived, didn't I?' Draco leered.
'Very funny.' Harry said, glaring.
'No, but seriously. I'm a God.'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Modest, too.'
Draco stared at him, incredulously. '"Modesty" is just a quality that was invented by people who have nothing to show to force upon those more fortunate than them!'
Harry stared at Draco incredulously. 'You're an arrogant prick, you know that?'
Draco looked at Harry, bemusedly. 'You say that like it's a bad thing.'
Harry smiled. 'It's who you are.'
'Gotta love it, huh.' Draco grinned.
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Gotta deal with it, more like.'
'Oh, shut up. Can we go already?' Draco asked.
'You sound like a kid. Can we go already? How long does it take? Are we there yet?' Harry mimicked.
'The quick and the dead, Potter.'
'Alright, alright. We're going.' said Harry, gripping Draco's arm tighter. 'You ready?'
'Don't you dare splinch me.' Draco warned.
Harry grinned at his boyfriend. 'Don't you trust me?'
Draco looked at him grimly. 'Not in a million years.'
o
o
o
Draco stared resolutely at the door. He took a deep breath, and looked at Harry one last time, pleadingly.
'Do I really have to do this, Harry?' he whined.
Harry smiled. 'Yes. And just remember, you be a good boy, and you'll get a treat.'
'Wow, party in my fucking pants.' Draco muttered.
'Only if you behave.' warned Harry.
'And if they don't?' Draco shot.
'Other humans aren't like you, Draco, don't worry.' Harry reached up and knocked loudly on the door using the lion shaped brass knocker, which had earned a "Typical" snort from Draco.
'Harry! What did you do that for?' hissed Draco.
'Um. So they'd come to the door?' Harry offered.
'But...but this means it's really happening! I, Draco Malfoy, am actually going to have...oh, fuck, I can't even say it!' Draco said through gritted teeth.
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Just one night. Not that bad.'
'Remind me again why I'm doing this?' asked Draco, a hint of a smile peeking through his pained expression.
'Because I subjected myself to you.' Harry murmured, leaning close into Draco, his hot breath tickling Draco's neck. 'I lay beneath you, hot and sweaty and begging for more, and you shoved your huge-'
'Harry!' interrupted a notably feminine voice as the door swung open, and Harry turned to see Hermione smiling at him.
'Hermione!' said Harry, grinning, and walked forward and gave her a hug.
'Ronald is just inside.' Hermione said, gesturing with her head, giving Harry a meaningful look.
'Oh, ok.' said Harry, his smile wavering slightly. 'Well, I don't really need to introduce you to my boyfriend.' said Harry, looking back at Draco, who was scowling in the shadows.
Hermione laughed nervously. 'No. Not really. Hello...Draco.' said Hermione.
'Malfoy will do fine, thank you.' Draco said crisply.
Harry glared at Draco.
'Kidding.' said Draco, softly. He walked towards Hermione, and took her hand in his, placing upon it a gentle kiss. 'It's a pleasure seeing you again, Miss Granger.'
Hermione didn't even bother correcting him. She just smiled and blushed. 'Y-you too.' she murmured.
Harry didn't know whether to die from a heart attack of surprise, or explode from insane jealousy.
He settled on a nonchalant half-smile.
'Would you like to come inside?' asked Hermione, smiling.
'That was to be the plan, yes.' said Draco.
Hermione giggled. Giggled. And ushered them inside.
'My. What a unique place you have here.' Draco said, as Hermione closed the door behind them, raising an eyebrow.
Harry stared at him, but Hermione beamed.
'Thank you.' she said. 'Shall we proceed to the dining area?'
'That would be lovely.' Draco said. Hermione lead them down a short corridor to a small but open spaced living area. Harry held Draco back slightly.
'Don't you think you're slightly overdoing it?' he hissed.
Draco smiled innocently. 'Overdoing what?'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'The whole..."nice"...thing.'
'Well...Granger seems to like it.' Draco said, cockily.
'That being my point.' Harry said.
'Are you jealous, Harry? Worried you'll lose your boyfriend to a mudblooded, straight, Weasel loving girl?'
'That shouldn't make me feel better, but it does.' Harry said with a guilty smile. 'Does that make me a bad person?'
'Oh, absolutely.' Draco agreed readily. Harry elbowed him, and followed Hermione belatedly.
'Ron!' he exclaimed, as he saw the mop of red hair.
'Harry!' Ron said, getting up from his seat on a faded, dark couch, heading towards Harry. He froze when he saw Draco at Harry's side. 'So...you brought him, then?' he asked, quietly.
Harry frowned. 'Wasn't that the plan?' he asked, flicking his eyes at Hermione.
Hermione nodded emphatically. 'Of course.'
'Perhaps he was just having trouble trying to imagine me in the flesh.' Draco said, smoothly.
Ron narrowed his eyes, but before he could speak, Hermione said loudly, 'Shall we have drinks and snacks or go straight to the first course?' she asked, directing her question at Harry.
Harry glanced at the sneer and impatience starting to linger in that little corner just below Draco's nose, and he turned back to Hermione with an apologetic smile. 'Dinner sounds lovely.' he said.
Hermione smiled. 'Wonderful. Let's take a seat.' and she directed them to the dinner table.
'My, my,' said Draco, whilst sitting down, 'I must say you're looking quite stunning this evening, Miss Granger.' Draco said, smiling at Hermione.
Ron stared, open mouthed, at Draco, and then narrowed his eyes. 'It's Mrs Granger-Weasley.' he hissed emphatically. 'And stop hitting on my wife, Malfoy.'
'Ron!' exclaimed Hermione.
'What?' asked Ron, agitatedly. 'Who knows what the smarmy bastard is up to.' he said, his gaze lingering on Draco.
'Watch your mouth, that's my boyfriend you're talking about.' said Harry, warningly.
Ron winced, as if the thought was painful.
'Yes, Harry's boyfriend, Weasley.' Draco repeated. 'Meaning, as lovely as your beautiful wife may be, I'm afraid she just doesn't float my boat like Harry does.' he said, making sure Ron saw his hand move from his own thigh to Harry's.
Ron glared venomously at Draco across the table, then turned his gaze to Harry, looking at him searchingly, as if not quite sure he believed it was true. 'How long have you two been...together?' he asked.
'In what sense of the word?' Draco asked.
Ron shifted uncomfortably. 'What do you mean?' he asked, reluctantly.
'Well,' said Draco, looking sidelong at Harry, 'there was that one night way back, when-'
'Oh, fuck, please stop.' said Ron, putting his head in his hands.
'Ronald! Language!' exclaimed Hermione, looking scandalised.
'That's ok, I think whatever Draco was going to say probably deserved that.' said Harry, glaring at Draco.
'I was merely going to mention that night in the bar.' Draco said, self righteously. 'Not some frenzied account of drunken night sex.' he added with flourish.
Ron whipped his head up, and stared with a disgusted look on his face at Draco. Then he looked at Harry, who was staring at Draco with an "I-can't-believe-you" look on his face. He looked back at Draco, then back at Harry again, and something clicked in his head.
'Oh. My. Fucking. Merlin.' he hissed, and abruptly got up and left the room.
'Ron!' cried Hermione, following after him.
Harry turned and glared at Draco.
'What?' asked Draco, innocently.
'You know perfectly well what.' Harry hissed.
'I'm just being nice.' Draco protested.
'Draco, do you really-'
'Shhh!' interrupted Draco. 'I can almost hear them.'
'Not eavesdropping, are you?' asked Harry.
'SHHH!' insisted Draco.
Harry heard Hermione's angry stage whispers come through the walls.
'What is your problem, Ronald!'
'I didn't think they'd...'
'You didn't think they'd what?'
'I mean, if they...Harry...he...'
'Spit it out, Ronald!' Harry heard Hermione hiss.
'I think they've been having sex, Hermione!' spat Ron in a disgusted voice.
There was a pause. 'Well, what did you expect?'
'With each other!' Ron insisted.
'They are together, Ronald.' Hermione pointed out, quietly.
'Am I the only one who finds this wrong?'
'Yes, Ronald, because you're the only damn homophobe in this house!' Hermione said angrily.
'But he'd have to...and Malfoy...and they'd be alone...and...Merlin, Hermione, how can Harry possibly want that? How can he possibly go through with that? What's wrong with him?'
Harry heard a loud banging sound, as if someone hit their hand agitatedly against a hard surface.
'Nothing is wrong with him, Ronald! For the first time he's found someone he loves, and life is good for him at the moment, and you know as well as I that he bloody well deserves it after all these years!'
Harry almost fell out of his chair in shock.
'But I don't see what he sees in him, Hermione.' Ron said.
'Maybe because you're not homosexual? Maybe because you don't like males?' Hermione supplied.
'But I can still tell he's a fucking arsehole!'
'RONALD! LANGUAGE!'
'Shhhhh!' insisted Ron.
'No, no, don't shhh!' said Draco, craning his neck intently to hear.
'I'm just saying you should at least give him a chance. For Harry's sake.' said Hermione, evenly.
'I gave him enough chances at school! He certainly proved himself then!' Ron exclaimed.
'People change, Ron!' Hermione said, exasperatedly.
Harry heard Ron sigh. 'I know, 'Mione. It's just...'
'You can't stand the thought of the two of them having sex.' Hermione finished.
Harry could hardly imagine Ron's expression.
'No. I can't.' Ron said, thickly.
Harry heard footsteps as he figured Hermione took a few steps towards Ron. 'Don't let your ignorant prejudices ruin this evening. Or Harry's happiness, for that matter. He saved our lives, Ron. All our lives. You can at least let him live his in peace.
Harry couldn't hear Ron's reply, nor Hermione's after that, as it seemed they had cooled down. He heard the sound of an awkward hugging.
'I think they're coming back.' Draco said. 'Pretend to be laughing hysterically to something I just said.'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'You wish.'
'Would you prefer me to take you right here on this table to show the Weasel just how right our having sex is?' Draco said, grinning.
'Prefer, yes. Allow, no.' said Harry.
'You're no fun.' said Draco, pretending to pout.
'I am when I want to be.' murmured Harry.
'Don't I know it.' said Draco, running his fingers up and down Harry's thigh.
'Don't.' warned Harry.
'Why? Are you worried of the consequences?' smirked Draco, running his hand higher up.
Harry squeaked. 'Yes, stop it!' he hissed.
'Oh, I don't know. I think I'd like to watch your face as you come all over the cheap carpet right under their noses.' Draco murmured.
Harry heard someone clearing their throat, and he turned around to see Hermione and Ron standing in the doorway.
'Everything alright?' Harry asked.
'Everything's fine, thanks, Harry.' said Hermione, elbowing Ron subtly.
Ron nodded. 'Fine, mate. Just fine.'
o
o
o
Ron choked on a piece of food inelegantly.
'You're not telling me you agree with anti-werewolf legislations?' Hermione asked, incredulously, staring at Draco.
'Well, in a way, yes.' Draco said, raising the wine glass to his lips.
Ron looked at Harry. 'He's a bastard, Harry. He's a bastard!' he repeated, looking at Harry like he was insane.
'Look,' said Draco, placing down his fork, 'I know you all had a fondness for...Lupin. I know he was...Harry's father's friend, and whatnot, and he wasn't such a bad person, but the simple truth is that people like him, among the werewolf community, are a serious minority!'
Ron shook his head, his eyes wide. 'I cannot believe you.' he said.
'Lupin was a naturally quiet, nice, polite man, who fortunately had a very experienced person to give him the wolfsbane potion every month, but truly, not many of them are like that.' said Draco.
'"Them"? They're not even humans?' asked Hermione.
'I know what I'm expected to say in this situation, to make the world happy and fluffy again, but the truth is, Granger-'
'Weasley.' Ron put in, his mouth full.
'Whatever. The truth is, they're not. Werewolves are dark creatures. And they're dangerous! I mean, Professor Lupin was probably the best that they come, and when peculiar circumstances arose, even he put your lives in danger! These days, anti-werewolf legislations aren't all put in place because of prejudices, although a few go against better judgement. I think most of them are put in place to protect people.'
'And what about Lupin? What's he supposed to do, aye? Starve?' retorted Ron.
'I think he'd rather live life a little harder than your average person than have lives on his conscience.'
'So basically, what you're saying is, sorry, but suffer?' shot Ron.
'Just looking out for the greater good, Weasley.' said Draco, smoothly, placing a neatly cut piece of pork into his mouth.
'You're full of it.' said Ron.
'He does have a point.' Hermione murmured. Ron stared at her, and looked like he was about to say something, but with a glare from Hermione, he bit his tongue, and smiled placidly at Harry.
'If they were to be put in these positions, professors and medi-wizards and whatnot, they'd need seriously qualified Potion masters to assist with the potions that they need to take regularly. And as far as I know, Professor Snape is one of the best there is, and that didn't stop the catastrophe with Lupin.' Draco said.
'Those were exceptional circumstances, you know.' said Hermione.
'Which we have to always keep in mind. Because exceptional circumstances are always possible.' said Draco.
'That reminds me, did you hear?' asked Hermione, addressing the whole group. 'This is going to be Professor Snape's last year. He's retiring at the end of it.'
Draco's jaw dropped. 'You're kidding! Is he taking an apprentice?'
Hermione shook her head. 'He says he doesn't want his last days ruined by having one of the imbeciles he is retiring to get away from, following him around like he's a bitch on heat.'
Draco snorted. 'That sounds like him.'
Hermione nodded. 'But I'm not sure who's going to fill the position. Apparently Justin Flinch-Fletchey-'
'A Hufflepuff?' interrupted Draco, looking scandalised. 'You're kidding.'
'I think he's just being considered.' said Hermione.
'God. I bet Severus would love that.' said Draco.
'Yes. I do remember stories of a few strongly worded protests on his behalf.'
'I can only imagine.' said Draco.
'Though last I heard, Justin was doing quite well for himself.' Hermione pointed out.
'He'd come nowhere near Severus's skill. He doesn't have the head for potions, the patience. His head is in the bloody clouds, a duffer if I ever saw one.' said Draco. 'And I'm sure he'd be ridiculously biased.'
'And Snape wasn't?' asked Hermione.
'That's different. There was a war.' said Draco. 'Plus, there was at least a chance that whomever he'd given points actually deserved them. Huffepuffs never deserve points.'
'That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!' exclaimed Hermione.
'Oh, alright, then. Cedric Diggory might have earned a couple.' Draco said, mock begrudgingly.
'And why is that?' asked Hermione.
'You're kidding, right?' Draco asked. 'He was damn fine.'
Hermione blushed. 'I...I wouldn't know.'
'Oh, come on. Riding that broomstick-'
Both Harry and Ron spluttered in protest.
'What?' asked Draco, innocently.
'Stop talking about other guys!' Harry said.
'For once we agree!' said Ron, looking at Harry, nodding emphatically.
'I can understand why Harry wants me to stop, but why do you, Weasley?' asked Draco.
Ron cringed. 'Because...it's...just...not wrong, but...not...right.'
Hermione elbowed him. 'He's just having trouble adjusting.' she said with a smile.
Draco smirked, and got a wicked gleam in his eye. 'Maybe we should desensitise him.'
Ron swallowed. 'What do you mean?'
'You're not kissing my husband.' Hermione said, sharply.
Draco snorted. 'Wouldn't dream of it. I just thought maybe if Harry and I gave him...a demonstration, mere talk wouldn't be nearly as horrifying.'
Harry and Ron's jaws dropped to the ground. 'You're kidding.' they chorused.
'I think that's a good idea.' Hermione said, briskly.
Harry and Ron turned to Hermione. 'You're kidding.' they repeated.
'Not at all.' said Hermione. 'Off you go.'
'What? Here?'exclaimed Harry and Ron.
'Sure, why not?' asked Draco. And without further ado, he leaned over to Harry, took his face in his hands, and placed his lips on Harry's. Harry gasped, and Draco used the moment to coax Harry's lips open further to slip his tongue in. Harry tried to stifle a moan as Draco's hand rubbed his thigh.
A muffled whimper came from Hermione's direction. Harry and Draco pulled apart.
'That. Was. Absolutely. Dis-'
Hermione elbowed Ron again, hard.
'Oh, it can't have been that bad, Weasley. It seemed your wife liked it.' said Draco, licking his lips.
Hermione blushed even more, her face a light crimson.
'We're just not used to public displays of affection, is all.' Hermione said quickly.
'Then why did you suggest it?' replied Draco.
'For Ron's benefit, of course.' said Hermione.
'My benefit?' asked Ron, incredulously. 'I'm trying very, very hard not to say something absolutely scathing about how repulsive that was, but I'm just going to say that, very much, does not float my boat!' Ron said.
'Good. He's mine anyway.' said Draco.
Ron spluttered. 'You can have him.' he said.
'Ah, we have your blessing. Excellent. That's what we came for, wasn't it?' Draco said.
'No, we came to enjoy the company of my friends.' said Harry, glaring at Draco. 'Anyway, there's still dessert to go.'
Draco smiled. 'And Harry's never one to miss out on his treat, is he?'
Harry grinned. 'Never.' he murmured.
Ron had to resist making gagging noises.
o
o
o
Harry brought the wine glass to his lips, downing the last drop, as he stared across the room at his boyfriend who was on the couch, deep in conversation with Harry's best friend's wife. Said best friend was sitting opposite Harry, looking quite uncomfortable.
'They, er, seem to be getting on.' said Ron, finally. The dinner and dessert dishes were washing themselves in the kitchen, and with their partners in undisturbed discussion, there wasn't much to do.
Harry nodded. 'Yeah.' he agreed.
'S'good.' said Ron.
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Right.'
'No, honestly. I want you to be happy, Harry.' Ron insisted.
Harry nodded, but didn't reply.
'So. Who'd have thought, aye? That first day on the train? I'd end up with Hermione, and you'd end up with Malfoy?' asked Ron, attempting to be light hearted.
'Well, I'd say one was easier to guess than the other.' Harry murmured, remembering a conversation that started much the same way.
Ron gave an uncomfortable laugh. 'Yeah.'
There was a lengthy pause. 'You know, Draco really is different than he used to be, he's-'
'You don't have to justify yourself, mate.' interrupted Ron. 'All we want is for you to be happy.'
'So you've said.' Harry muttered.
'And if it's...Malfoy...that makes you happy...' Ron said, reluctantly.
Harry snorted. 'Let's just stick with "entertained" for the time being.'
Ron cringed.
'Not in that way!' said Harry, quickly.
Ron relaxed. 'Oh. Good.'
There was another lengthy pause. Ron drummed his fingers, whilst Harry watched his boyfriend and Ron's wife trade comments and wave their hands around animatedly.
'Do you, then?' asked Ron, gruffly.
'Do I what?' asked Harry, pulling his eyes away from Draco and Hermione.
'Do you...you know.' said Ron, looking uncomfortable.
Harry raised an eyebrow. 'You know?'
Ron winced. 'Do you and Malfoy...you know. Do it. With each other.' he asked, like the words tasted bitter in his mouth.
Harry smiled bemusedly. 'Isn't that a slightly personal question?'
'Well, you know that Hermione and I do.' said Ron, matter-of-factly.
Harry chuckled. 'The baby's proof enough of that. Though I suppose we'll have to wait and see what colour its hair is to know for sure, won't we?' Harry tried to joke.
Ron's neck snapped round and he stared at Harry with an almost painful intensity. 'What?' he hissed.
'Just kidding.' Harry said quickly.
The tension left Ron's face. 'Oh. Right.' he gave a feeble chuckle.
Harry rolled his eyes. There was yet another pause.
'You didn't answer.' insisted Ron.
Harry looked at Ron incredulously. 'Why do you want to know so much?'
'You're my friend. Friends tell each other things.' Ron stated.
'Like whether or not they have sex with their boyfriends?' Harry asked.
Ron winced again. 'Yeah.' he said, quietly.
'Truthfully, I don't think you really want to know.' Harry said, scutinising Ron carefully.
Ron swallowed. 'Is that a yes, then?' he asked, thickly.
Harry looked down at his glass, and was surprised to find a hot blush staining his cheeks. 'Uh. Yeah.' he mumbled.
Ron cringed, and suddenly felt nauseous. 'Oh.' he muttered. He looked up at Draco, whose soft blond hair was falling down his cheeks, and back at Harry, who was picking at his fingernails, and, gritting his teeth, Ron tried very hard not to imagine the two stripping down, kissing, touching, moaning...
Ron frowned. Then what?
'How does that work, anyway?' he asked, the words leaving his mouth before he had time to think about them. Hearing them out in the air, he blushed a violent red, and wished he could snatch them back.
Harry stared at him incredulously. 'You don't know?' he asked.
Ron shifted. 'Well, ish. Kind of. I still don't really understand.'
Harry continued to stare at Ron, before shaking his head. 'I don't really want to explain to you the mechanics of homosexual sex, Ron.' Harry mumbled.
Ron grimaced, and shifted again. 'I know the basics. Just...how does it work?'
Harry looked up at Ron, and chewed an answer over in his head. 'Patience, lust, and a hell of a lot of lube.' he said, finally.
Ron ground his teeth. 'Right.' he said.
'Well, you asked!' Harry accused.
Ron nodded. 'Uh huh.'
There was yet another lengthy pause, which were becoming quite common.
'When did you start, you know...' Ron trailed off.
Harry sighed. 'You're going to have to be more articulate, Ron.' he said, impatiently.
'When did you start having...feelings for...Malfoy.' Ron asked. 'Besides hate.' he added.
'I'm not really comfortable with this conversation, Ron.' Harry mumbled.
'You think I'm enjoying this?' Ron shot.
Harry stared at Ron. 'Calm down.' he urged. 'Why don't you drop it, then?' he asked.
'Because...there's just some things I need to understand.' Ron said.
'Been grinding over a few things, huh?' Harry asked.
Ron nodded.
Harry sighed, then shrugged. 'What kind of feelings? Fluffy feelings? Sexual feelings?'
Ron stared at Harry. 'You have fluffy feelings for Malfoy?'
'What the hell is a fluffy feeling, anyway?' Harry asked, grinning.
'Don't change the subject, Harry.' said Ron. 'Do you love...Malfoy?'
Harry stared at Ron, and opened and closed his mouth. 'I hadn't really thought about it.'
'Well, what does he mean to you?' Ron persisted. 'Look at him, Harry.' Ron said.
Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron's request, but turned around and looked at his boyfriend regardless.
'Tell me what you feel for that...man, Harry. Tell me what you're thinking.' said Ron.
That he looks fucking ravishing, Harry thought with a smirk. And I want to slap him down and shag him senseless. God, his face looks beautiful with his hair all falling down it like that. And his hands are all pale and white and beautiful, like pianists' hands. Hell, he's smiling. He looks so gorgeous when he smiles...
'Harry?' Ron's voice persisted. 'Hello? You in there?'
'W-what? Oh, yeah. Sorry, um...distracted.' said Harry.
Ron pursed his lips in a perfect imitation of Hermione. 'Well?'
Harry shrugged. 'I don't know. He's my boyfriend. He's intelligent and good looking and witty and smart and has a killer fashion sense...he's...' Harry looked down at his hands again, blushing 'a good lover,' he mumbled, 'and I like spending time with him. That's...about all.'
'So he's your fuck buddy?'
'Ron!' Harry hissed, shocked. 'Not at all! He's my boyfriend. Remember when you and Hermione were going out? That's what it was like.'
Ron looked confused. 'Minus the love thing.'
Harry nodded. 'Yeah. Minus the love thing.'
Ron shook his head. 'But...I spent time with Mione, went places with her, kissed her...everything, did everything with her and for her and to her because I loved her. I don't see what your motivation is for spending time with Malfoy apart from the...well, the sex.' said Ron.
'Well I spend time with you, don't I?' Harry accused. 'And I don't have sex with you. It's like that.'
'But...you do have sex with him.' said Ron.
Harry sighed impatiently and rolled his eyes. 'I like spending time with Draco, like I like spending time with you, because I like him and I enjoy his company and in many ways, he's my friend. It just so happens that we live together and are attracted to one another, so we're boyfriends. And have sex. Does that make sense?' Harry asked, praying that it did.
'Oh.' said Ron, quietly. 'Yeah. It does.'
Harry sighed. 'Good.' he said, slightly flustered at all the mental images his brain provided every time the word "sex" was mentioned when referring to he and Draco. Which had been rather too many times in this conversation, considering.
Ron cleared his throat loudly. 'So, have you been following the Quidditch?' he asked.
'Ah, no, actually. They don't show it on muggle tv.' said Harry, looking apologetic.
'You're kidding! It's been a fantastic season.' said Ron, looking scandalized.
'Rub it in, why don't you.' said Harry, giving Ron a shove.
'Aw, you should just come over here and watch it! The Chudley Canons have been fantastic!'
'Winning?' asked Harry.
'God no. Flattened. But still fantastic!'
And the rest of the evening was spent in much the same way, with Draco and Hermione debating about God knows what politcal debarcle, and Harry and Ron in varying frivolous conversations about manly sorts of things, until finally Draco wandered over, with Hermione following, and collapsed down on Harry's lap.
'I think it's time to go.' said Harry, blushing as Draco slung his arms around his neck.
'Yes.' Ron said firmly, eyeing Draco with distaste.
'Well, lovely to see you.' said Hermione, with a warm smile.
'Yes, you too!' said Harry, grinning. 'We'll just apparate out, shall we?'
Hermione nodded. 'By all means.'
'Well. I guess I'll see you soon. Maybe we should do this again sometime?' Harry said.
Hermione smiled. 'Yes. That would be lovely.' she said, lying through her teeth.
Harry nodded, and, concentrating his alcohol befuddled mind as hard as he could, apparated he and Draco back onto the couch in their apartment.
'Not bloody likely.' Draco murmured.
'Aw, it wasn't that bad.' said Harry, ruffling Draco's hair.
Draco sprung up and stiffened.
'Don't. Touch. The Hair.' he said, his fists clenched. Harry grinned.
'But I do so love the way it feels beneath my fingertips.' said Harry, reaching over and ruffling his hair again.
'You bastard!' said Draco, and launched himself upon Harry.
The agitated scuffle soon became lust filled kissing, however, and Harry was not at all surprised when Draco slung him over his shoulder, carried them to the bed, and ravished him like there was no tomorrow.
Afterwards, when Draco's eyes were closed and his breathing had started becoming regular, Harry stared into his relaxed face, which was looking free of emotion, sneering, contempt, teasing, or any other of the emotions Harry knew so well. Instinctively, he brushed a lock of hair that had fallen into Draco's eyes away. Draco shifted slightly, but didn't open his eyes, and his warm breath came across Harry's face, tickling his cheeks and nose.
He didn't love him.
Really.
Harry tossed over, suddenly angry with himself.
He shouldn't love him. And he bloody well better not.
Since when did he start thinking like this? It had been simple. Damn Ron Weasley for always messing things up. Now Harry didn't know where he stood again.
Or rather, he did, and wasn't sure if that was enough.
Harry resisted the urge to pummel his pillow. He should not even be having this inner monologue!
Fuck.
o
o
o
Harry staggered out of the bathroom the next morning, toweling his hair, and came to a halt when he saw Draco standing into the kitchen, laughing loudly into a phone he was holding up to his ear.
Now that was a weird sight. Pure blood Draco Malfoy talking into a muggle phone with ease.
'Yeah, yeah, that'd be great! Looking forward to it,' Draco said, turning around and catching Harry's eye, 'he'd love to come! Of course, we'll be there. You just wait.' There was a pause, and Draco laughed. 'Bastard.' he said, good-naturedly, and nodded, though the person on the other end obviously couldn't see the motion. 'Ok. That sounds great. Don't get too jealous.' A pause. 'Of him, of course!' He laughed. 'Ok. Bye.'
Draco placed the phone on the counter.
'Who was that?' asked Harry.
'Michael.' said Draco, not looking at Harry.
'Oh.' said Harry flatly. 'What did he want?'
'Invited us clubbing again.'
Harry stared at Draco. 'And you said yes?'
'Sure, why not?' asked Draco. 'It'll be fun. We had fun last time, didn't we?'
'Minus Michael, yeah.' said Harry, pointedly.
Draco sighed impatiently. 'Can you please go and put a shirt on or something?'
Harry looked down at himself; the thin white towel wrapped around his lower half. 'What's wrong?'
'I can't think when you're dressed like that. It makes me flustered.' Draco said, attempting to cast Harry an evil glance, but his eyes got lost somewhere around Harry's middle.
'Am I simply too irresistable?' Harry asked, cockily.
Draco laughed. 'Smarmy doesn't suit you, Potter.' he said.
Harry frowned. 'I know. I do try though, you have to give me that.'
'Oh no. That's not how I run my institutions.' Draco scoffed. 'That try your hardest bullshit? That Hufflepuff "you did your best"? You either win, or you lose. Doesn't matter how you played.'
'Or how much you cheated.' Harry added.
Draco smirked. 'Got it in one.' he said. 'So...chop chop. Get dressed.'
Harry stared at Draco, mouth open. 'Chop. Chop?' he repeated.
'Oh, shut up.' Draco said, irritatedly, waving Harry away. Harry stumbled back to his room, laughing hysterically.
'Chop chop?'
o
o
o
The rest of the day passed without event. Mild talking, reading, channel surfing, mild eating. Late in the afternoon, Harry had a stroke of genius and popped out (literally) to get some hangover potion for the next morning from Diagon Alley, which left Draco with no one to ridicule, tease, or make out with, and he was feeling very haughty. And bored.
When Harry finally returned, quite a few hours later, Draco felt he was entitled to a hissy fit, but Harry just rolled his eyes and started packing the potions into the cupboard.
'You said you were just popping out!' Draco accused.
Harry laughed. 'It was a joke. Popping out? Apparating? Geddit? A pun?'
'That's not a pun.' Draco said, icily.
Harry frowned. 'Isn't it? Yes it is.' he said.
'How would you know? You didn't do English.' Draco hissed.
Harry laughed again. 'Neither did you! I'm starting to believe you're just aching for an argument.'
'So what if I am?' Draco shot back.
Harry raised an eyebrow. 'Someone got a bit bored while I was away.' he said, smirking.
'So what if I did?' said Draco, and if he was the type of person to, he would have blushed at how silly he sounded.
Harry smiled. 'So you admit it?'
'Why shouldn't I?' Draco retorted. 'It's your fault.'
Harry spluttered. 'My fault?'
'For leaving me here all by myself.'
Harry laughed. 'Oh, snookums.'
Draco walked forward and slammed Harry into the wall, his fingers gripping Harry's neck. 'You call me that again, you die.' he hissed.
Harry just grinned, and leant forward and kissed Draco enthusiastically.
Draco pulled away. 'You have no respect for my authority, Mr Potter.' he murmured.
Harry chuckled. 'Because you don't have any.'
Draco narrowed his eyes. 'Just remember you said that.' he said, leaning in to lick Harry's lips.
Harry chuckled. 'As much as I don't want this to stop, don't we have to get ready?'
Draco growled. 'Shit, we do.' he said, looking irritated to be reminded.
'Oh, don't look so put out.' Harry urged. 'We'll have plenty of time later.'
Draco sighed. 'Whatever.'
'Now, I think it's time I had a shower.' said Harry.
'You had one this morning!' Draco pointed out, looking scandalized.
'Would you like to join me?' Harry asked, perfectly innocently.
Draco clicked, and his eyes darkened with lust. 'Hell, yes.' he said.
'Eager, are we?' Harry teased.
'Oh, I think you know the answer.' Draco said, licking his lips.
Harry grinned, and taking Draco by the hand, lead them both into the bathroom.
o
o
o
Draco did not like the way Michael's eyes ran all over Harry's body all the time.
At all.
It was like...eye rape.
Or something.
It had started ever since they first got to the club.
It was quite a good place. Loud music, big area to dance, lots of prospective lovers, if Draco wasn't already tied up. But it was nice to be in the presence of good-looking people, all the same. There was a good atmosphere, and Draco just wanted to drag Harry, who was looking like sin personified, onto the floor and dance like there was no tomorrow.
However, they had met up with Michael, as was planned, and apart from eye-raping him, which Draco couldn't helpy supressing a minor growl at, he was flirting, touching, laughing, and generally being very distracting to Draco's boyfriend.
Yeah, that's right, Draco felt like snarling, MY boyfriend.
'So, how are you two doing, then?' Michael asked, leering.
'We're fine.' Draco said, smoothly.
'Been having a lot of fun together?' Michael continued, smirking.
'Yes. We enjoy each other's company.'
Michael leaned into Harry and whispered conspiratorily, 'He's a good fuck, isn't he?' he asked, grinning.
Harry stared at him in shock.
'Bossiest bottom in the world, though, isn't he?' Michael continued, still grinning. 'Though you gotta love those sounds when you slide in just so-'
'Michael!' Draco protested. He didn't particularly like being discussed.
Harry blushed. 'I wouldn't know.' he murmured.
Michael snorted. 'Don't try and bullshit me, I know you're fucking. I can see it in your eyes.'
Harry blushed deeper. 'No, I meant...he's never bottomed.'
Draco cringed. Fuck.
'What?' howled Michael, looking gleeful. 'Draco!' he exclaimed, in an accusatory tone. 'You mean you can give it but you can't take it? You've been top the whole way through the relationship?'
Draco gritted his teeth, and flicked his eyes at Harry, who seemed to have found something very interesting on the floor, which he was staring at avidly. 'Yes.' he said, stiffly.
Michael laughed raucously. 'You fucking bastard!' he said. 'The whole time? You fucking arsehole! Don't you give a shit about Harry? Or have you got control issues? Inexplicable power needs?'
Draco was floundering, and he looked desperately at Harry.
Harry looked up, and stared at Draco with an unreadable expression.
'I'm not discussing our sex life with you.' Draco finally spat.
Michael laughed. 'Fine by me.' he said, and then leant into Harry. 'You make sure you ask him when you get home, Harry.' he said, in a stage whisper. 'This guy's screwing you over.' he said, with a nod towards Draco. 'Physically and mentally.' he added with a smirk.
Draco glared. 'Come on, Harry. Let's dance.'
Harry shrugged, with a lingering glance at Michael. 'Ok.' he said.
Draco smiled and, attaching himself to Harry, lead them to the middle of the dance floor.
o
Truth be told, Harry hadn't even thought about it before now.
There'd be too many other things to think about. The sex was something that made him stop thinking, and when Draco prepared him and slid into him, it felt perfect, like heaven, like that was what he needed, and it was. Draco above him, Draco filling him...he'd never thought about it.
But now that he did think about it...
Harry frowned, the music pumping through his veins, Draco gyrating against him, slipping his hands around his lower back. Why hadn't he?
All he could hear were Michael's words. Don't you give a shit about Harry? Harry didn't think that was it. Maybe Draco didn't think about it either? Maybe it justed seemed natural for him, like it seemed natural to Harry? But what disturbed Harry most was Michael's other comments. Or have you got control issues? Inexplicable power needs? Harry didn't think that was it. Draco didn't do it because he needed dominance over something, did he? He didn't have control issues.
Did he?
o
o
o
When they finally got home, drunk, slightly disoriented, and rather horny, Harry decided to bring it up.
'Don't.' Draco said, just as Harry's opened his mouth.
'Don't what?' Harry asked, frowning.
'I know what you're going to say; don't.' Draco said.
'Why not?' Harry said, recklessly. 'Why won't you let me fuck you?'
Draco winced. 'D'you have to use such crude language?'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Just a question! Why won't you?'
Draco stared at Harry for a long time. 'You never asked.' he said, finally.
Harry snorted. 'So you just figured you'd dominate till I begged?'
'No. I figured someone had to do something. Instigate it.'
'You figured I'm a wanton slut, is that it?' Harry retorted.
Draco rolled his eyes. 'Don't be ridiculous.'
'I'm ridiculous?' Harry howled. 'Well, if you think that-'
Draco clamped his hand over Harry's mouth. 'You want to fuck me?' he whispered.
Harry widened his eyes, then nodded emphatically.
Draco smirked. 'Then do it. What are you waiting for, emancipation?'
Harry just stared at Draco, and then a grin began to spread beneath Draco's fingertips.
'Really?' came a muffled reply, his eyes sparkling.
'See? You do need a master.' Draco teased.
Harry growled, and taking Draco completely by surprise, scooped him up in his arms.
'Hey!' Draco protested. 'Put me down!' he insisted. 'I'm not a fucking bride, Potter!
Harry smirked. 'This is going to be fun. I can feel I like it already.'
And Harry took Draco to the bedroom, and, throwing him unceremoniously onto the bed, launched himself on top of him, to feast upon his mouth with his own.
'Not sure I like this.' Draco panted, breaking away for breath. 'I feel rather...subby.' he teased.
'You don't like it?' Harry asked, incredulous. 'Let's just see if we can remedy that.' he said, and, grinning, started licking and kissing down Draco's neck. Draco grinned, and moaned, as Harry decended down his body
I think it's safe to say Draco's opinion changed rather drastically over the evening. Everything seemed to be going wonderfully, and when Harry came inside Draco, their choked moans (surely!) audible from all the corners of the Earth, he couldn't think of a better feeling.
Afterwards, Harry lay on top of Draco, breathing him in, neither of them moving, apart from their panting. Harry had never felt so content and happy.
It all came crashing down, however, when, still in the lull of the afterglow, Harry buried his face in Draco's neck and murmured,
'I love you.'
Draco froze. 'What?' he asked, hoarsely.
Harry giggled. 'I love you, you prick.' he repeated, his eyes half lidded.
Draco stiffened. Then pushed Harry off him.
'Hey!' Harry protested. 'Draco! W-what?'
But Draco had already stormed out the door.
