Title: A Torturous Reminder
Chapter 7: Driven Emotions
Rating: M
Warnings: H/D SLASH, HBP SPOILERS
DISCLAIMER: We do not own Harry Potter! Characters (except those created by us) belong to the amazingly talented J.K. Rowling, WB, and the publishing companies. Don't sue us! We are just bored teenagers having a go at poor Harry and Draco!
Draco was in front of Harry's apartment, knocking on the door, furious that Harry hadn't been ready.
"Potter? Potter!" he yelled, banging on the door. "Fine, I'm going in," he warned, opening the door and stepping into Harry's apartment.
He worked his way over through the living room, to the kitchen, then through other rooms. 'Where is he…' he thought, when he opened the door to what appeared to be Harry's bedroom. He walked in and found a sleeping Harry on his bed.
Draco looked down at him. Harry lay on his bed, shirtless, with only his pajama pants on and hugging his pillow tightly. His messy hair fell in disarray all over his forehead. Draco stared at Harry's toned chest rising and falling with every breath before snapping out of it. Smirking, he drew to Harry's side.
"Harry…" he whispered into Harry's ear, his lips lightly brushing against his ear.
Harry stirred but remained asleep.
"Oh Harry," Draco tried again, "I have a little surprise for you."
Harry stirred once more but to no avail. He remained asleep on the bed, like without a care in the world.
Draco sighed. 'He sleeps like a log,' he thought. He knelt besides Harry to be at face level with him and drew nearer to him.
"Harry, time to wake up," he said and was rewarded at last for his efforts.
Harry woke only to see Malfoy's face inches away from him, smirking at him.
He immediately drew back, rather he jumped back, at the sight of Malfoy.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, grabbing his glasses and looking at a rather pleased Draco.
"Did you forget our trip to Boston?" asked Draco, his smirk still plastered on his face. "You apparently didn't wait where I told you to."
"What! And was this your punishment?" asked Harry.
Draco shrugged, "No, that was just fun. Now go and change. We're already late as it is, and I'd prefer your chest covered. It's rather distracting," Draco said, staring discretely at Harry's chest.
Harry blushed, cursed, then walked to his shower. In a few minutes he was out and ready to leave.
"So, where are your suitcases?" asked Draco, getting up from the couch he was sprawled upon.
"You mean suitcase," said Harry, picking up his suitcase in the living room.
"That's your suitcase?" asked Draco incredulously. "I thought that you'd followed in Alex's footsteps and gotten a bag."
"Oh, shut up," said Harry, a dark look creeping into his face at Alex's name. It did not go unnoticed by Draco.
"Something wrong in paradise?" he asked, as they went down the elevator.
"Nothing I want to share with you at the moment," said Harry, getting out immediately and walking to Draco's car.
Draco walked after him, curious now, and opened the trunk for Harry.
"How many people are going with us!" exclaimed Harry at the sight of 4 suitcases.
"Don't be a git," Draco said, "those are mine."
"What are you taking?" Harry asked.
"The necessities, " Draco said, grabbing Harry's suitcase and stuffing it into the back before quickly closing the trunk.
"Seems like all of your belongings," said Harry, "are you planning to stay there forever or what?"
"I happen to take care of myself," said Draco, "more than your average person."
"Wow, Malfoy, I would have never thought of that!"
"Just get in the car, stupid."
After a lot of traffic and cursing from Draco, they got out of New York City and drove along the countryside, the red and yellow leaves fluttering in the wind. Draco looked over at Harry. He hadn't said anything for about an hour. Ever since they got out of NYC, Harry still had a dark look on his face and scowled at random moments. Fed up with the silence, and curious as to why Harry was so upset. He decided to question him, and hopefully have some fun in the process.
"Come off it, Potter, what's wrong? You know the first rule for a good relationship is good communication."
"What relationship?" said Harry withdrawing his eyes from the window.
"Well, what do you call this then?" asked Draco, signaling to the both of them.
"A mutual agreement."
"The rule still counts…"
"Malfoy, just leave me the fuck alone," said Harry moodily, turning back to stare out the window.
Draco gave an exasperated sigh and continued driving, the silence becoming more and more unbearable.
"Potter?"
"What?" snapped Harry, turning once again to look at him.
"So what happened?"
"Malfoy! How many times do I have to tell you to leave me alone? Just drop it!"
"I'm going to keep on bothering you."
Harry uncharacteristically didn't say anything. Although two minutes later…
"Is it Oliver?"
"Damn it, Malfoy," said Harry annoyed with Draco's questions.
"Just tell me, I can be very annoying."
"I bet," muttered Harry under his breath, scowling.
"Let it out, Potter, can't let your head get bigger than it is."
Harry finally gave up. Malfoy sure knew how to get what he wanted from him: annoy him.
"How do you know about Oliver?"
"I saw it in a newspaper."
"Oh, and I suppose your going to say 'I'm sorry'," said Harry sarcastically.
"No, why would I do that? You don't need anyone's sympathy, plus I'm not sorry you broke up with him. What do I care?" added Draco quickly, mentally slapping himself. Where had that come from?
Harry stared at him in surprise, "Yea, I don't need any sympathy, it's my problem."
"Oliver isn't all that's in your mind, is it?" inquired Draco.
Harry sighed and lowered his head, placing his hands on his face, "No…it's Alex."
"Aha, so there is trouble in paradise."
"It was never a paradise," whispered Harry.
"So what did Bloom do to you?"
Harry shrugged, "As you put it, I saw a naked Alex on top of a naked Perkins."
Draco looked at him incredulously, "Wow, that was quicker than with me. Alex must sure be getting needier."
"We did start something…then I ended it abruptly. That's probably why, although it's still no justification for what Alex did," he said, his hands drawn into tight fists.
"Hmm, so you had to see the all too familiar sight. Not very pretty." Draco said.
"Are you thinking about it?" asked Harry, his corners of his mouth turning up slightly.
"What! No! Please Potter, I'm trying to figure out where the store is. I think I remember. Oh well, we can always ask when we get there," Draco said, "So before, you were ready to begin anything with Bloom?"
"No, it had to do with Oliver. I actually stopped before it got too far because of Oliver," Harry said.
"Oh. You still love him, don't you?"
Harry turned to Draco at his statement, wondering why he would ask a question like that. He turned back around, sighing, "I'm wishing I didn't."
A silence took over the car after Harry's last statement. Draco focused on driving, his mind somewhere else and Harry looked out the window admiring the scenery, and thinking why he had told Malfoy what was on his mind.
"So, Malfoy?" Harry said, breaking the silence and snapping Draco out of his thoughts.
"What, Potter?" Draco asked.
"Why exactly did you turn to the 'good side'" Harry asked, facing Draco to watch his expressions.
Draco turned to him, surprised at the question, then turned his eyes back to the road. He shrugged, shifting uncomfortably a bit in his seat.
"I don't know. I got tired with my father, and Voldemort never really bought me with his talk. Sure, he was powerful, but it had to do with courage. If there were enough courageous wizards to stand against him, he would probably had been stopped much sooner. So when I saw wizards uniting against him, I thought this could be my freedom."
"So you joined for freedom?"
"What did I just say, Potter?"
"I don't buy it. There was something else involved."
"Don't buy it then, but that's what I said and that's the truth."
"I thought we were supposed to be honest with each other for the good of our relationship," said Harry, trying not to laugh.
"I am being honest, Potter. You're the one not trusting me."
Harry shrugged and stared out the car window again. A few minutes later, though, he turned back around to Draco.
"Yes, Potter?" Draco asked, observing him from the corner of his eyes.
"Why did you move to the US? You just seemed to disappear after Voldemort was defeated."
"I didn't know you'd cared. How many sleepless nights did you have wondering about me?"
"None. So why did you leave?" Harry asked, wanting a straight answer out of him.
Draco shrugged, "I didn't really feel like there was anything left for me back home. After my father sealed the Malfoy manor, what could I do?"
"You did help out."
"Yea, but so did a lot of others that are barely remembered. My father's actions are more infamous than mine are famous."
"So you came here to try your luck?"
"I guess you could say that, I had a pretty good inheritance and the main office here wasn't prejudice against me. It all worked out."
"Are you really happier here?" Harry asked.
"I'm much better off."
Harry stared at Draco a few more seconds, then turned back to the window.
"My turn to ask questions," Draco said after a while.
"OK," said Harry, wondering what Draco wanted to know.
"Why did you accept this mission?"
"I thought you'd know that. After the way the death eaters destroyed my life, I'm not resting until every death eater is locked away."
"I thought so."
"Then why did you ask me?"
"I didn't know what else to ask and the silence was making me uncomfortable."
"Oh…alright."
"So…" Draco said after a few minutes of silence, "Is Oliver the only one you've ever gone out with? Guy, I mean?"
"You know, you were more serious back in NYC, what happened?"
"Nothing, you're just getting to spend more time with me and I'm bored. So answer the question."
"Yea, Oliver was the first guy I was with. My relationship with Ginny didn't last. It was almost awkward at the end."
"So you turned gay right after Ginny? Hah, was she that bad?"
"Of course not! I guess you can say I did turn gay after her, but it happened months after I had broken up with her."
"And how did you become gay? In Hogwarts I never would have thought you'd be gay. You know, the whole image of you marrying Ginny and having lots of kids like a Weasley was literally engraved on a lot of people's mind."
"I never really had thought about it, but when I met Oliver and we just started to know each other, it sorta just happened. I don't know," finished Harry rather lamely, uncomfortable of Oliver being brought up again.
"So Malfoy, how many boyfriends have you had?"
"Oh well not really boyfriends, just some guys…hmmm that would be about twenty, give or take a few," said Draco easily.
"What? Malfoy are you serious? Well…knowing you it does make sense…"
"No! Potter, I'm joking. What do you think I am? A man-whore? I haven't had anything serious, a fling with Alex and another guy, that's all. And what the hell do you mean 'knowing you'? Potter you don't know me, you don't know me at all."
Harry opened his mouth but closed it abruptly, Malfoy was right, they didn't know each other very well.
"Well, maybe we can change that."
"Maybe," said Draco, surprised at Harry's attempt to make ends.
Another silence ensued until Draco pulled into a diner along the way.
"Where are we?" asked Harry, sitting up straighter in his seat and looking around.
"Somewhere that hopefully serves decent food," said Draco, unbuckling his seatbelt and getting out of his seat. Harry followed suit and followed Draco into the diner.
Draco picked a booth near the far end and Harry sat down facing him when out of no where, a short, stout, red-haired lady came in with a tag that read, 'Hi! My name is Mabel'.
"What would it be, boys?" she asked them, taking out a pen from her unruly curly hair and a notepad from her apron.
"What do you have Mabel?" asked Draco.
Mabel produced two small menus from her apron and placed them before the two.
"I'll have the breakfast special," Draco said.
"And your friend here?"
"He'll have the same," Draco interjected before Harry could open his mouth.
After Mabel left, Harry spoke up.
"Why'd you order for me?" he asked a bit furious.
"It seemed like the safest thing on the menu. I really don't want to have my partner with stomach problems on our way, however short it is now to Boston."
Harry was about to retort when Mabel suddenly appeared.
"Here you go," she said, setting down the plates before them and shuffling off.
"Fast service," Harry said astounded.
"Yes, now eat," Draco said, "before your food gets cold."
"What are you? My mother?" snapped Harry.
"Believe me, if you were my child you wouldn't be the way you are."
"What's that supposed to mean?" said Harry furiously, grabbing a napkin from the container Draco had been trying to get.
"Potter, be a gentleman."
"A gentleman? To you? Ha! Don't make me laugh."
"True, you'll never accomplish such task."
Harry gave Draco a glare before beginning to eat.
They ate in silence and 15 minutes later, Draco beckoned Mabel.
"Could we have the check please?"
"Sure thing dear, here you go," she said, getting out her order list and giving it to Draco.
Draco glanced at the amount, placed the bill on the table, and started rummaging through his pockets.
Harry made a grab for the check, while Draco was busily looking through his pockets, and produced his wallet from his pocket.
"What are you doing? I'm paying."
"I'm not letting you pay for me."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Oh, but Harry, I need to pay for our first date, it's only fair," pouted Draco, looking entirely convincing.
Harry just stared at Draco, wanting no more than to choke him right then and there.
Mabel gave a laugh and patted both their heads, "Both of you boys make a lovely couple, I can see it, and I'm never wrong!" she said, beaming, "Now," she said turning to Harry and pointing at Draco, "don't let this one go."
"Were not together! Augh…no way!" said Harry in a scandalized manner.
Mabel's smile fell, "Oh! I'm sorry, I just thought…since…well never mind," and with that she left, taking the bill Draco had beaten Harry to pay.
Soon both left the diner and were back on their way to Boston. Harry felt a bit guilty for exploding, but he did have a right, didn't he? He glanced at Draco and noticed how tired he looked. He had never paid attention before, but Draco's face was very pale and his eyes held the appearance that he had not slept in the past days.
"Do you want me to drive?" Harry asked Draco, trying to get Draco to look at him.
"No, Potter. I value my car and putting it in your hands goes against all my reasoning."
"But I thought we were supposed to trust each other, actually supposed to be a couple?" said Harry rather suggestively, shocking even himself.
"Don't pull that crap on me. You didn't actually agree with me back there."
"Don't you want to rest?" insisted Harry.
"While your driving! Don't think I'll be able to."
"Fine," Harry said, slumping down in his seat and closing his eyes, "keep your eyes on the road."
"I have them on the road."
"No. I could feel them like two coals burning into me."
Draco scoffed. "Don't be a baby."
"I'm not being a baby."
"Yes you are."
"Well, then be the mature one and stop," Harry scoffed, looking at the window again.
"You know, that window's becoming your crutch."
Harry, though, remained immobile, his eyes expressionless.
"Is Potter mad?" Draco said sarcastically, though still got no response. "Annoying, silent git," he muttered, continuing to drive and occasionally throwing a glance in Harry's direction.
After a while, Harry came back from his thoughts, slowly turning around to Draco, "Why'd you pretend to be my boyfriend?" Harry asked curiously.
Draco was shocked, not expecting this question from Harry, but was able to mask his expression without Harry noticing his initial surprise.
Draco shrugged in response, "I don't know. You're reading too much into things, Potter. I was just doing it for a bit of fun. It's always fun to torment you. It wasn't anymore than that."
Harry continued looking at him then turned away; masking the mixture of emotions he was feeling.
"How much longer do we have?" Harry asked, not looking at Draco anymore and sounding tired.
"A bit over an hour left, why?" Draco asked, "Do you not want to be in a car with me anymore?"
"Hmm…that could be it," he said, meaning it as a jest but finding his voice lacking emotion, "No, I'm just tired," Harry said, snuggling to a comfortable position in the car seat.
"What did you do last night?" Draco asked, but was awarded with no response.
"Potter!" he said, slightly annoyed, and turning around, faced what seemed to be a sleeping Harry. He sighed and faced the road again, wondering how Harry had managed to accomplish this act of sleep so quickly. He turned once more and saw Harry's chest falling and rising at a slow, constant pace. Draco turned once more, his eyes fully on the road and his mind reeling.
"Ow," Harry muttered for the tenth time. Honestly, he was trying to sleep but someone was poking him incessantly.
"What… I'm awake…. what do you want?" asked Harry groggily, looking at Draco.
"We're here you dolt, and I need you to ask for directions on how to get to 'Midnight Rarities.'"
"Aren't we going to get a place to sleep?"
"That's all you think about, sleep."
"No, but I don't fancy sleeping in a car with you. You probably snore a lot."
"I don't snore!" said Draco, scandalized at being told such thing, "You're the one who snores!" 'Well actually,' Draco thought, 'you don't snore but I will not be telling you that.'
"I do not!"
"Fine, lie to yourself, like always."
"Don't speak to me in riddles! What the hell are you implying?"
"Nothing at all."
Harry clenched his teeth and stared moodily at Draco who seemed to not be bothered.
They drove though Boston, Harry looking at the many buildings, and, while it was very modern, there was still an old city charm to it.
Draco stopped in front of a luxurious hotel. He elegantly got out of the car, opened the trunk of car, gave his keys to the valet, and their belongings were escorted inside.
"So, we're getting separate rooms?"
"No we're not. Policy has it that we need to stay together, just in case."
"And since when do you follow the rules, Malfoy?"
"Since the rules are made to protect me."
"Ah yes, always you, typical slytherin."
Draco shook his head and started talking to the attendant, his voice sultry and low, 'God, he's flirting with her. What an ass, he doesn't even like women!' he thought, for some reason very annoyed at Draco's antics.
Malfoy had been talking to her for five damn minutes. Making his mind, he walked next to him.
"Are you done?" he said icily, glaring at Draco.
Draco turned to him and flashed him a wide smile, "Yes, I am, I was just telling the lovely young lady how pretty she is." The girl blushed behind him, looking very pleased at being complimented.
"Well, honey, don't want to give her the wrong idea, now do we?" Harry said, his voice overly sweet. He grabbed a hold of Draco's hand, and dragged him to the elevator, though not before Draco turned and winked at the girl, who to Harry's pleasure, now looked crestfallen.
A/N: Well and there's that! What do you all think! Oh we have a question for you all…Where do you want Harry and Draco to travel to next! It has to be in the United States…any city you see fit! Tell us which one in your review! Until next time…