Disclaimer; see in Part One.

Hidden Bridges
Ryoko Porter

Part Twenty-One

'It is only fair to state, with regard to modern journalists, that they always apologize to one in private for what they have written against one in public.'

Oscar Wilde

Rita Skeeter sat expectantly in the DADA private office, where she was due to meet with Harry Potter. Early by an hour, it didn't surprise her in the least that he wasn't yet here to greet her. However a stunningly gorgeous blonde man, who claimed to be a teacher, welcomed her. She didn't completely understand why in this place, but whatever the reason, she would wait as the man went to get her interviewee.

It wasn't another ten minutes before the man returned, with Harry Potter in tow. With them was another young man, who she immediately recognized as a Malfoy with his white-blonde hair. And at once, she started to dictate to her magic quill and pad.

'When I was invited to an interview with Harry Potter, I had imagined to meet a skinny child with glasses. But instead I find my hand being kissed by a soave and handsome man.'

'Hello Ms. Skeeter,' Harry said politely as he shook her hand.

'And following our heroic son, is the also devastatingly beautiful,' Rita stopped for a minute to look at Draco. 'Excuse me what is your first name?'

Draco was appalled, and threw his nose into the air with irritation. 'Draco,' Harry answered for him. He felt a bit sorry for his lover's hurt pride, but it was Draco who insisted that he come.

'The devastatingly beautiful Draco Malfoy,' the journalist continued. 'Who no doubt was seduced to fight for the Light, by our gracious champion?'

'I seduced him!' Draco maintained, forgetting himself a bit. Sure he'd joined Harry's cause, but it was he that had pulled him into bed.

'Ms. Skeeter, why don't we just start the interview?' Harry suggested. He hoped that he could pull the annoying woman's attention away from Draco, before he killed her.

'All right then! Why don't we start with school? How is that going this year?' she asked.

'Fine.'

'And what do you plan to do once you've graduated?'

'I plan to take a nice break. By then, the war will be over, and I will finally get the chance to just take it easy,' Harry elaborated.

'Well you certainly cannot live like that! What do you plan to do after this holiday of yours?' the woman pushed.

'Get married and start a family, I suppose.' As Harry said those words, Draco felt a brilliant warmth in his chest. Slyly he moved his hand, so that it could take Harry's behind their backs. As the two still stood before the woman.

'Well as we are getting to the subject, and it's what everyone wants to know anyways… How about your love life? Any girlfriends?' Rita tried to ask slyly. Though both Harry and Draco couldn't help the mocking grins that decorated their faces.

Harry then surprised both his lover and Rita, by pulling the hand that he held up to his lips to kiss. It was a slow and worshipful kiss across the fingers, which made Draco blush a bit with the intensity it held just below the surface. Though admittedly, it was Rita who was far more surprised.

'Oh my! The "Boy Who Lived" is gay? This is scandalous!' Rita cheered after she came out of her brief shock. Her quill was writing at a mile a minute as she spouted out some ridiculous description of the events of their affection. She didn't realize the danger that she put herself in however, when she started describing Draco as a "damsel in distress". It didn't matter if it was true; the idea of it being said aloud was humiliating to Draco. Luckily for the woman, Harry distracted him with a deep kiss. One that not only made Draco yearn for more, but the story hungry writer also.

'So before we continue,' Rita said suddenly. 'What is this condition that you'll put on me to use this story?'

'I thought you'd never ask!' were the smug words that Rita heard as she felt a hand grab the back of her neck.

♦♦♦

The next day on the front page of the Daily Prophet, there was a picture of a confident Harry Potter. And accompanying it was a headline that read; 'Harry Potter Challenges the Dark Lord to a Duel'.

End Part 21.

Sorry about it being so short, I really am. But I'm tired, (wouldn't go to bed without finishing it, so be grateful) and my hands hurt. I was thinking about writing the story, but the drafts were very bad. So I decided that the heading would do nicely. I got so few reviews last chapter, how about a few more? And so… Next time on Hidden Bridges; our heroes must say goodbye!

Ryoko Porter