Part III
It was early evening when Harry strode along the corridor with a slight frown. He recalled sections of his chat with Ginny that afternoon, and none of it was particularly helpful. If anything, she seemed to avoid talking about work with Justin. Having heard the way Justin talked about potentially interesting topics, Harry didn't blame her.
At Draco's door, he knocked, and entered when called to come in. He halted straight away.
The huge bed was rumpled. Draco was propped against the bed-head, reading a recent issue of WQ. His pale torso was bare, his hair dishevelled.
"Potter. It's just like being at work, seeing you so often." Draco hardly glanced up from his magazine.
"Malfoy, sorry to barge in. Hermione-"
"I thought Granger assigned you to Little Weasley?"
"I've finished with Ginny." Harry couldn't look at the bed. It was too distracting to see Draco clothed in nothing but a strategically draped sheet.
"What a coincidence. I've just finished with Harvey."
"Harry!" Harvey had returned from the bathroom, having heard voices in the bedroom.
At least he had some pants on, thought Harry. More's the pity. Harry had forgotten how buffed Harvey was, but was strongly reminded of the fact when Harvey leaned over to grab a shirt.
"Did you want something more specific?" Draco had been watching Harry, and noted the source of Harry's distraction.
"Hermione asked if we could meet up with her this evening. She's got an update for us," said Harry, thinking he couldn't possibly flush any more. He wasn't used to seeing this much of Draco without wanting to send a Bludger his way.
"The library after supper?"
"Yes. I guess I'll see you then." Harry started to move from the room.
"So, you're staying another night?"
"Looks like it."
"Just as well. I haven't read through those documents you brought, what with one thing and another." Harvey had settled back on the bed, and Draco curled an arm around the other man's shoulders.
This time, it was Harry's turn to leave without a word.
"Something going on? Seems to be an awful lot of subterfuge for a relaxed weekend." Harvey spoke in an undertone, realising how heavily Draco was leaning on him. "You're obviously knackered, and I know I had nothing to do with it this time."
"Just had some unexpected activity today, a form I'm not used to," Draco said as he sat back, feeling the full weight of his limbs. He had slept away most of the afternoon, frustrated at how drained he felt after holding Justin under the Imperius curse for that short hour or so. Even now, he felt sapped and his mind failed to focus.
"Should we order in? Or join the masses?" asked Harvey, leaning over Draco, his voice expressing concern, but edged with intent.
Draco managed a weary smile. "As long as you're not expecting to partake of anything other than a quiet meal."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Pansy drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair until Draco, not bothering to mask his irritation, reached out to still them. They were sitting in the library, with after-dinner drinks in hand. Draco and Harvey hadn't emerged for dinner, and Ron couldn't stop himself from making a comment. Harry had told him to shut it, surprising himself.
Ginny was perched on a chair nearest the fireplace, only willing to leave Justin's side because Ron assured her he'd take her place. Harry, Neville and Hermione waited till the last of their schoolmates left for the evening. Most of them had departed through the day, cheery farewells ringing through the halls at regular intervals. The rest were, even now, Flooing or driving away. A handful were staying till the next morning.
"Ok, so what have you got for us?" Pansy said without ceremony, looking at Hermione. Neville had muttered a locking spell on the library door, and settled himself near Ginny.
Hermione didn't like Pansy's tone, but decided that they were there for more important things.
"I got my assistant Amelia onto this earlier today. She did some checking, off the record, and there isn't a single senior Gilligan not under our round-the-clock surveillance."
"But that doesn't mean they didn't slip your watch," Draco remarked. "It's not that hard."
"It's not that easy, Draco. We've got wards and trackers, customised maps for persons of interest-" Hermione responded, heat in her voice.
He held up a hand. "Far be it for me to doubt your earnest measures, Granger. What I mean is that, yes, you have all those things and you function within a sprawling, inefficient bureaucracy. It's not that difficult to duck the Ministry's notice. I've done it many times in the past, not to mention a few times recently." His steady gaze was very much trained on Hermione, who looked slightly sheepish.
"Ministry protocols," she muttered.
"More constructive questions would be: who is senior and monied enough to order a hit, and why would a pro not fear for their own lives if they didn't carry out the job 100?" Draco continued, not reacting to Hermione's admission of surveillance.
"Well, the answer to the second question is that the one lining up the hit must be in custody," said Harry.
"And there's only one who fits the cashed up, incarcerated old boys profile. That'd be Jerome Gilligan. He's very old school, would be just the type to hire a hit." Hermione's quill was flying across the parchment as she took even more notes. "Though, if it is him, I don't like the pro's chances of staying alive when Jerome finds out the job's botched."
"My ex's dad was called Jerome," Neville murmured, sporting a gloomy expression.
Hermione patted his arm, and continued reading from another note, "He's due before the Wizengamot next week. Justin was working on another case that was being brought against him. That's what Harvey said, wasn't it, Draco?"
Draco nodded. "And, if that's the situation, isn't it time we handed this over to your Department, Granger?"
"Already done." Hermione flicked out yet another scroll. Even Ginny, who was listening intently and looked very drawn, suppressed a smile at that. "I've informed the relevant people and they're working on it. There's still one rather large issue, though." She fell silent and fiddled with her quill.
"Out with it, Granger," Pansy said, leaning forward.
"What is it, Hermione?" Harry looked up from his contemplation of the fireplace.
"They'll probably try to get Justin again."
Ginny gasped and half-stood. Hermione touched the younger woman's arm. "It's ok, Ginny. I've specially warded Justin's room, and Pansy's property has its own set of defences."
"Best that galleons and influence can buy. Justin's safe as long as he stays on the estate." Pansy favoured the room with a smug smile.
"That's not quite true," Draco murmured. "Justin's safe on the estate as long as it's an intruder that's the problem."
"What? Do you really think this could've been one of our schoolmates?" Ginny stared at him, appalled.
Draco shrugged.
"I'd have to agree with Malfoy." Harry looked less than happy about doing so. He was also eyeing Draco in a speculative way. "How well do any of us know everyone who was here?"
No-one spoke for a moment.
"We could always keep watch at Justin's door," Ginny suggested.
"We could do that," Hermione said, looking slightly pained. "It'd be unnecessary with the wards I've installed but-"
"You can't be serious." Pansy arched her brow at Ginny, and looked around at the others.
"If putting Justin under Imperio is no big deal, then this is nowhere near a bigger one." Ginny's tone was adamant, and her eyes narrowed with anger.
Pansy looked ready to tell Ginny exactly what she could do with that line of argument.
"Why not?" Draco sat forward and put his tumbler down. "I'll take first watch."
A roomful of surprised expressions swivelled to focus on him.
"I'll be on first as well."
A roomful of even more surprised expressions landed on Harry, none more startled than Draco's. Startled, and intrigued.
"I'll take second watch. You and me, Neville?" Hermione suggested.
Neville nodded. "I'll set a waking charm for 4am."
The gathering broke up shortly afterwards, Pansy sweeping from the room without a word. Ginny returned to Justin's room. She must have filled Ron in on the plan because, as Draco and Harry were settling in for their watch outside Justin's doorway, he stepped out.
"S'ok, Malfoy, I'll take first watch with Harry."
Having just conjured a sleek, supportive stack of cushions and lowered his lean frame into them, Draco looked up at Ron with a slight frown. "S'ok, Weasley, I'm on first watch with Potter," he retorted, matching Ron's dismissive tone.
The habitual tension between them was a familiar and unwelcome guest.
Harry sighed. He'd transfigured a nearby pot-plant into a bean-bag, and made himself very comfortable. "Look, Ron, it's ok. I volunteered to be on with Malfoy. Er, why don't you spend some time with Hermione? I think she's kind of stressed about all this." He gestured broadly around them with his ready wand.
Ron opened, then shut, his mouth. "Right. I'll see you tomorrow, then." He nodded curtly to them before disappearing into the quiet gloom of the corridor.
"I think he's jealous."
Harry could hardly see Draco, beyond the occasional silvery flash of his hair as the other man shifted around. He didn't respond to Draco's jibe. The silence dragged. It couldn't have been more than a few minutes but it felt like time wasn't shifting in the muffled night.
"So, you're still under surveillance by the Ministry?" Harry finally asked.
"Of course."
"At the Ministry?"
"Probably. Though it's not that hard to follow someone who has a high profile brief, and the ear of the current Minister."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"You're so predictable, Potter. I said that for your benefit. I could almost hear you roll your eyes." There was a pause. "Quite a few Aurors don't believe a Malfoy can change his spots."
"Everyone does wonder why you're working when you don't need to."
"Indeed? Do they wonder the same thing about you? I'm sure the rumours about your vault in Gringotts, while embellished, have a solid basis." Harry could feel Draco's intense gaze on him. "Or do they spend more time wondering why someone who's been offered all manner of top-shelf, cushy appointments chooses to be a cog?"
"It's no-one's business what job I want to do and, anyway, it's not like what I do isn't important-"
"Come now, Potter," Draco interrupted in a low voice. "Don't run that line with me. I know why you're doing that job."
Harry blinked, not knowing how to respond.
"You can't be Joe Bloggs. You're not like everyone else." Draco sniffed. "And why you'd want to be utterly eludes me."
"Why did you volunteer for this?" asked Harry.
Silence.
"Hermione told me about everything that happened before I arrived."
"I'll bet she did."
"Are you doing this to make up for that?"
"You've got to be joking. Nothing happened."
"Then why are you here, rather than having a cosy last evening with Harvey? You're no fan of Justin's."
"Good god, Potter. Just because I think Finch-Fletchley's an unbearable, sanctimonious prick doesn't mean I want him dead." Draco's laugh sounded genuine. "Sounds like you're mistaking me for one of my father's friends."
"You're dodging the question."
"Yes, I am."
Harry knew that they were looking straight at each other, even though he couldn't properly see Draco's face.
"Ok, I give up." Harry sighed. "Keep your secrets."
"More to the point," Draco said quietly, after a long pause, "why are you here, on this particular shift?"
Because no-one else would want to be paired with you, Malfoy. Harry bit back his immediate response, glad the darkness hid his expression. It was starting to feel close in that corridor. Not claustrophobic, just close.
"I'll trade you." Harry lowered his voice even further. "Answer mine and I'll answer yours. The truth, though, not some lame comment or a lie."
"I rarely lie."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Off to a good start, aren't we?"
Another bout of silence.
"This is against my better judgement," muttered Harry.
"It's a relative scale, your 'better judgement'-"
"Now who's being predictable?"
Harry thought that was the end of it. It didn't really surprise him that they couldn't get past the sniping.
A few minutes later, he heard, and felt, Draco lean towards him.
"All of this stays between you and me, right?"
"Fine. Works both ways remember." Harry saw Draco's terse nod.
"I'm here because I deliberately antagonised Finch-Fletchley and, as Harvey said, played a part in his eventual departure. But I'm not here for him as much as little Weasley." Draco seemed to speak more freely now.
"Ginny? Why?"
"She's had a crush on me for years."
"Yes, I know." Harry knew Draco's eyebrow was rising. "I do notice things. Anyway, why's that relevant now?"
"I exploited it."
"How? Actually, no, I don't care how. Why?"
"For a bet."
"A bet?"
"You said you wanted the truth."
"How could you bet on something like that?"
"For fun."
Harry couldn't speak for a moment. A bet. For fun. "And was it?"
"What?"
"Fun."
"For a while."
"Then what?"
"It was too easy. Not much of a challenge."
"Who were you betting with?"
"Not part of the deal."
Harry knew there was only one person Draco would trust to be co-conspirator. Pansy. "Ok, so you're doing this because you're guilty about messing with Ginny?"
"Guilty? Who do you think you're talking to, Potter? A Gryffindor?"
"Well-"
"I'm doing this because Granger suspects something, and I'd much rather she didn't find out or spread it further. I'm thinking of it as a form of social insurance."
"I don't believe it can be only that, and what if I tell Hermione?"
"As I said before, I rarely lie and, as we all know, you are irritatingly true to your word." Draco had leaned in even closer. "And now, to you: why volunteer for this shift with me?"
Harry hesitated. Even if it was Malfoy, it was hard to tell someone this kind of truth. "Because no-one else would want to be on with you."
Draco was quiet for a while. "That's the reason?"
"Yes."
"All of it?"
It was Harry's turn to sit in silence for a few moments. "How do you know Harvey?"
"I knew it!" Draco's gleeful snigger was ill disguised. "I knew this was something to do with Harvey."
"Well?"
"I first met him in a bar, around the corner from Gringott's. I hadn't seen him there before, and he made it quite clear he was very interested from our first drink. Had no idea he was even at Hogwarts at the same time as us. We had a very good time."
"A one night stand?"
"What's with the avid curiosity? Want me to ask you how many times you've done it with Harvey?"
Harry took a deep breath. "Point taken. What you've just said, though, makes me wonder. About what we were saying in the library about how well we know-"
"You think Harvey's suspect? Because he slept with me?"
"No - well, yes, actually." Harry held up a hand to stop Draco's splutter of outrage, and realised Draco wouldn't be able to see the placating gesture. He chanced a light hand on Draco's shoulder. "Hold on. Hear me out before you get on your well-ridden high horse."
The touch stilled Draco, especially when it stayed.
"When I first met Harvey, I'd just started at the Ministry after Recent Events. He approached me at a café, my usual." Harry spoke quietly and quickly. "We, er, went home together that night. We were together for about two months. Then-," he stopped.
"Then?" Draco prompted.
"I broke it off." Harry crossed his arms and sat back in the bean-bag, slightly nonplussed by Draco's proximity. "It was too, I don't know, easy to be with him. He seemed too perfect. Liked everything I liked, fitted in with everything I wanted to do."
"Those are the attributes of a good partner, just for future reference."
"I hardly think you're one to comment on good partnerships," Harry observed.
"Did he ask you about what you're working on?" asked Draco, after another pause.
"All the time."
"Hmm."
"Are we going where I think we're going with this?" Harry shook his head. "This is just coincidence."
"If there's one thing worth learning from the Death Eaters, it's that there are no coincidences. Your kind of 'usual' haunt and mine are vastly different, I'd imagine. Yours would be, er, very democratic I'm sure. He approached you when you started at the Ministry. He approached me when I was first appointed to your Department."
"But he's working directly with Justin."
"This may not only be about dear Justin. Think about it, think of who we are, and spare me the false modesty."
"So, where's Harvey right now? In your bedroom?" Harry asked, shifting a leg that had fallen asleep.
"Apparently." Draco stood. "Might just go check."
"Hang on, what if something happens?"
"I'm sure you can handle it, Potter."
"Er, no, I meant to you." Harry tried to stop the smirk that crept across his face. "You've been wiped ever since this morning when you put Justin under Imperius. Don't think I didn't notice."
Before Draco could retort, they heard a commotion from another room nearby - the one that was now Neville's. Harry was already down the corridor by the time Draco snapped around at the sharp sounds. Draco ran after him, closing the gap in a second.
When they reached Neville's room, they found the door flung open and Neville, eyes shut, pinned at the wand-tip of a figure cloaked in heavy black. Draco immediately levelled Expelliarmus at the attacker. The shot of light flashed and dissipated on the figure's hand.
"He's shielded!" yelled Harry. "Stupefy!"
Harry's spell hit the figure square in the chest, enough to jerk it backwards. Neville fell to the floor, unconscious but breathing. Instead of being stunned, the attacker leapt towards them.
"Crucio!" The voice was flinty, deep and oddly familiar. A wand was pointed over Harry's shoulder.
"Malfoy!" Harry spun around to see Draco unsuccessfully duck the spell. It hit his shoulder. Draco's wand dropped as he fell to the ground, writhing.
"Get him!" Draco gasped, crawling behind the bed to avoid being an easy target.
Harry's next spell caught the attacker full in the face and threw him out the window. The fading sounds of falling glass shards were followed by a crack of Disapparation. Harry swore as he rushed to the broken pane and scanned the empty path outside. The attacker was gone.
Hermione was suddenly in the doorway, her quick assessment of the scene leading her straight to Neville's prone form.
"What took you so long?" Harry asked her, before dropping to his haunches beside Draco. "You ok? It only caught you a glancing blow, right?"
Draco grimaced and pushed himself up on the bed with obvious effort. "I'm fine."
"Thought the attack was on Justin's room," Hermione muttered as she checked Neville over. "Hurry up and tell me what happened!"
Harry and Draco exchanged a look.
"You do it," Draco muttered, his voice slightly shaky.
Harry took in Draco's hunched form. "I thought you hated me taking the limelight."
"No, Potter, I hate you being an insufferable git. Get on with it!" Draco's voice didn't have its normal edge. He ignored Harry's proffered hand, pulling himself upright using a bedpost.
Harry filled Hermione in as he watched Draco regroup. Ron appeared at the doorway somewhere during Harry's recounting, a tousled Ginny in tow.
"Nothing going on at Justin's," Ron said, taking in the chaos in Neville's room. "Is he ok?"
"I'm fine, Weasley. Thanks for asking." Draco leaned somewhat heavily on the wall, a light smirk in place.
"I was talking about Neville, Malfoy." Ron shot Draco an impatient look.
"He'll be ok," Hermione said, standing up. "I'm starting to think we need to call in some people on this one. Two attacks in close succession."
"Don't tell me we'll be hosting your colleagues as well?" A disgruntled Pansy appeared behind Ginny.
"Someone just tried to kill Justin again. I think a slight inconvenience is justified," Hermione said.
Draco and Harry exchanged a look.
"We should let everyone get back to bed. Hermione, can you ward this room like Justin's?" Harry started shepherding the others out of the room, and got Ron to help him carry Neville back to bed before bidding him goodnight, again. Harry dashed to check on various rooms, finding Draco's room door wide open.
Back in Neville's, he caught Draco's sleeve as Draco was leaving. "Stay. We need to talk." Harry checked the corridor to make sure everyone had wandered off, then shut the door.
Hermione was busy securing the windows. It took her a while to realise Harry and Draco were waiting for her to finish setting the wards.
"What? Can't this wait till tomorrow."
"Hermione, it is tomorrow." Harry tried to suppress a yawn. He gestured to Draco, who had collapsed with relief into one of the room's armchairs. "We've been talking, and we might have a theory."
"This I've got to hear." She quickly finished the primary wards before hurrying over. "Draco, you look terrible."
"Trust me, Granger, being Crucio'd will be the new black this season," Draco said, resting his arm across his chest.
Harry filled her in on the gist of his and Draco's deliberations about Harvey, carefully leaving out the other knowledge he'd acquired. "And I've just checked. Harvey's not here any more."
"Surely it's just coincidence? Or, maybe, not coincidence that he approached you two, but that he didn't have sinister intent," she said.
"Without sinister intent? He deliberately stalked us, sought us out, and had relationships with us, but that's not sinister?"
"Oh, Harry, what I mean is that he may just be, er, into celebrities."
"Oh, that." Draco looked thoughtful. "No, it didn't feel like one of those."
"You've had this happen to you before?" Harry's voice rose.
Draco looked confused. "Haven't you?"
"Of course not!" Harry frowned. "Well, not that I knew about."
"Really, Potter, you amaze me. Ever more so because you keep proving you are the Boy Who Lived But Doesn't Have a Clue-"
"For argument's sake," Hermione broke in, "let's say Harvey's got something to do with it. He would know that this isn't Justin's room anymore. Why would he make that kind of mistake?"
"He wasn't after Justin. He was after me." They all turned at the interruption.
Neville was sitting on the edge of his bed, his head in his hands. His face was ashen, and angry red welts from the attack were splashed across his neck.
"How on earth do you figure that, Neville?" Hermione watched him for signs of collapse. "Are you sure you're feeling ok?"
"Because he told me, and I'm feeling ok enough to remember what he said."
"Which was what?" Draco had sat up in surprise, his pains momentarily forgotten.
"'This is for Jane.'"
"So, it wasn't anything to do with the Gilligans? This was your ex getting back at you?" Harry asked.
"I never met her family. One of the reasons why things didn't, er-anyway, all I know about her dad is that he was always away, and Jane didn't want anything to do with him. As I said before, her dad's name is Jerome, though."
"What's her mother's name?" Hermione flicked out a scroll from a side-pocket.
"You carry those things in your dressing gown?" Draco raised both brows in astonishment.
"Her mum's name is Rose," Neville offered.
"Jerome and Rose Gilligan. Premier family in the clan. Rose in hiding as well, rumour has it, somewhere in Majorca." Hermione clutched the scroll in her hand. "Seems like we've cracked this."
"But why go after Finch-Fletchley?" Draco looked at Neville.
"Well, I'm not sure about that one. Maybe it did have something to do with the upcoming case-"
"No, it's the car," Harry interrupted. "You drive something that looks like Justin's car, don't you, Neville?"
"Well, usually I have a black hatchback, but I'm test-driving a new Renault from Austin Miggins' Automotive this weekend-"
"And I did mention that you were leaving that day, because Seamus and Dean weren't staying on, and I assumed you wouldn't be either." Hermione paced as she spoke. "I'll get Amelia onto a file for Harvey straight away."
"I vaguely remember there was a Harvey Peeke at Hogwarts, but whether it's this same guy is another thing-" Harry stopped suddenly and looked at Draco. "He knows where we live."
"No-one gets past Manor wards unless I want them to," Draco said.
"I can specially ward your place if you want, Harry," Hermione offered. "Until we get him. I'll probably get Neville's and Justin's places done, too. Except your place is a bit more tricky, what with people knowing you and all-"
"Potter's welcome to come stay with me," Draco said, a challenging glint in his eye. "If his reputation can withstand it."
Hermione didn't look thrilled with that particular suggestion. "You may not be targets at all, you know. They might just be keeping an eye on you. Harry could come stay with Ron and me if he doesn't want to stay where he is."
Harry's expression must have spoken volumes.
"Well, if you'd rather stay with Draco, go ahead," Hermione said, shocked, and hurried from the room after checking on Neville one last time.
"That's not what I meant!" Harry called after her.
Neville asked politely, in a very strained voice, if they could leave him to sleep off the night's adventures.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It was past lunch time by the time Harry packed his things. He'd just swung his satchel across his shoulders when Ginny and Justin showed up, holding hands.
"We're just about to go, Harry. Just wanted to say goodbye." Ginny gave him a close hug. Justin hobbled only slightly as he crossed the room to shake Harry's hand.
"Everything all right, then?" Harry asked, looking at each of them in turn.
"Nothing like a life-threatening situation to put things in perspective, Harry." Justin put his arm around Ginny and kissed her on the forehead. "I've learned a good lesson."
Ginny rolled her eyes, then grinned wickedly at Justin. "I'll be quoting that back to you the next time you take exception to salaciousness."
Justin blushed a brilliant red shade. "Well, there'll be no need for that, love. Not now."
Harry raised his brow in astonishment. Did that mean what he thought it meant?
Ginny winked at Harry, laughing with Justin as they made their way to the foyer.
Harry shook his head after they'd gone. Some things, such as their relationship, he'd never understand. He grabbed his overcoat and was looking for his scarf when Ron and Hermione came in, also holding hands.
"We're off now. Hermione's got to set up the wards at Justin's place, then we're going straight on to Neville's." Ron put an arm around Hermione and hugged her. She leaned into him easily, resting her head on his chest. Harry watched their body language, saying nothing. He was just glad they weren't arguing or avoiding each other any more.
Ron caught Harry's glance and grinned. "We've had a long overdue chat, Harry. Let's just say my time last night was better spent with Hermione than saving you from Malfoy."
Hermione blushed slightly. "You can still come stay with us, Harry. If you'd like." Harry could tell that it was an effort for her not to push the point. "Or I could come to ward your place after Neville's-"
"It's fine, really, Hermione," Harry said, hopeful of skirting another awkward moment. "I'm not sure what I'll do just yet."
She nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "Just make sure you do something. We'll see you soon, though, won't we? Before you go away again?"
"Sure. I'll be staying put for the next little while." Harry could tell that he'd be getting an invitation to dinner the next week. "See you in a few days, Ron. Did Seamus tell you about the Quidditch tickets?"
"Before he left the other day, just." Ron grinned. "I'll get you a spare, in case you want to bring anyone."
"No, there's no-one to bring. Just one's fine." Harry smiled tightly.
"We'll see, eh?" Ron clapped him on the shoulder and left the room with Hermione. Harry could hear their light banter continue up the hallway. He suddenly felt a little empty.
Harry left the room after gathering all his things. One loose end to tie up, and the reason why he'd been at the reunion at all - those pesky documents. Harry had no luck trying to find Draco in the library or the main sitting room. At Draco's room, he found the door ajar. A neatly packed trunk sat against the foot of the bed. The thick sheaf of parchment Harry had brought was perched on a nearby desk.
Draco was in the far corner, trying with difficulty to unknot the fastenings on his travel-cloak.
Harry couldn't resist watching for a while. It was so rare to catch Malfoy without his haughty assurance.
"Happy just spectating, Potter?" Draco didn't look up from fumbling with the cloak. He swore softly under his breath when it fell from his hand for the second time.
"Effects of Crucio not entirely worn off, Malfoy?" Harry smirked, finding himself at Draco's side. "You've made a mess of this." Harry picked up the cloak, setting to work on the knot. He was overly aware of Draco watching his every move.
"So, do you think Longbottom will choose less homicidal partners in the future?" Draco asked, making an attempt at conversation.
"Oh, Jane had nothing to do with it. Neville heard from her this morning. Apparently, her father had one of his accomplices owl her about Neville's impending demise." Harry painstakingly pulled one section of the fastenings apart. "It was her birthday present."
"I should check that we're not related to the Gilligans," Draco commented.
"They're meeting up at Neville's place later today."
"Is reconciliation in the air?"
"Seems to be the done thing just about everywhere else. Justin and Ginny. Ron and Hermione," Harry said with uncharacteristic asperity.
There was a long pause.
"Draco, darling, are you-" Pansy swept into the room, and stopped when she saw Harry. Her mouth was a perfect 'O'.
"Am I what, Pansy?" Draco prompted, sounding irritable.
"So sorry to interrupt." She smiled, making a show of looking from Harry back to Draco. "I was going to ask if you were still going to the Cannons/Knights match next week."
"It's sold out. I had my assistant check the other day," Draco said.
"I'll probably have a spare couple of tickets, if you're keen on going," Harry said, without thinking. "Ron's getting some for me, but I'm not that big a fan."
"Isn't that lovely, Draco? You can go with Harry!" Pansy looked delighted.
"Oh, no, I meant you and Draco could go instead of, er-" Harry stumbled, seeing Draco momentarily shut his eyes at the excruciating situation.
"Well, wouldn't you know it? I was about to tell Draco I wouldn't be able to go with him." Pansy frowned slightly. "This weekend's set me back on all fronts, and I have a new beau I want to entertain that evening. So, you must take him, Harry. It would be such a pity if you missed out, Draco."
When she was gone, they both stood silent for a moment.
"Don't worry about the match, Potter. If there's one thing that's refreshing about our relationship, it's the lack of common courtesy we need to exhibit." Draco busied himself with the last of his things from the cabinet nearby.
Having observed Pansy's archness, Harry stared at Draco with dawning suspicion. "How many bets did you have this weekend?"
Draco froze.
"Was I a bet?" Harry heard himself almost squeak the last word.
Draco took a while to respond. "You started as a bet of sorts, yes."
Harry looked appalled.
"Please note the emphasis on 'started.'" Draco said.
"Surprisingly, I'm still listening." Harry's attention was focused on Draco's resigned look. "Go on."
"I never confirmed the bet," Draco said. "It wasn't one I could make."
"Does she know that?"
"No."
"Why wasn't it one you could make?"
Draco finally looked up, his gaze steady and intense. "Do I need to spell it out for you?"
Harry looked away after a moment, returning his attention to Draco's cloak. The taut silence extended.
"Is Granger going to ward your place?" Draco asked softly.
"No, told her not to bother. She's already doing Justin's and Neville's." Harry frowned as the knot seemed to tighten even more stubbornly. "I'll get someone in to do it soon."
Finally, the knot unravelled and Harry shook out the cloak. "Right, I suppose you can't put this thing on yourself." Harry threw the cloak around Draco's shoulders, and squinted at the fastenings. "Who in blazes designed this thing? It's a nightmare."
"I'll have you know, Potter, that this is from Barnaby's Best Belfry-"
Harry couldn't help grinning as he tied the cloak with clumsy fingers. "Malfoy, just stop right there. I don't care how much money you spent on it or where it came from, and I don't care how many people would bed you because of it."
With a slight frown, Draco checked the knot Harry had tied in the mirror. "What do you care about, Potter?"
Harry's surprise was evident as their gazes met again.
"If our pact from last night still held, I'd tell you that I deliberately sought out an appointment in your Department," Draco said quietly.
Harry looked at Draco, wondering where these confidences would lead. There was a long, silent pause as a myriad of thoughts flashed through Harry's mind. He was never one to shirk a challenge.
"If the pact still held, I'd tell you that those documents didn't really need signing this weekend." Harry was stirred to see Draco returning his frank gaze without a trace of a smirk.
"My offer last night was genuine. You're welcome to stay at the Manor until your place is properly warded," Draco said. "I can promise you I won't be agreeable, or fit in amenably with any of your plans. You won't have any grounds to be suspicious of my motives."
Harry nodded, knowing that Draco was suggesting much more than accommodation. "I'll think about it."
"Take the risk, Potter." Draco half-smiled. "I'm worth it."
- END -