Tiger & Dragon
By loverstouch
Disclaimer: All the characters belong to J.K Rowling. The story is based on Rowling's work, but the plot of 'Tiger & Dragon' comes from my own sick brain.
Summary: In the summer after his fifth year Harry is taken from the Dursleys to live with the Malfoys. The next day the Daily Prophet's headline read 'Boy Who Lived Died In Death Eater Attack' …
Rating: R
This is my first "Slash" fanfiction and the first fic I have published at all, so please go easy on me.
The story begins in the summer after Harry's fifth year, which means yes; it is post OoTP, but has nothing to do with HBP.
I'd like to thank Draeconin for being the beta for my story. I'm really grateful for your help.
Hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 27 - Remus' Birthday
"Are you sure this is okay, Tiger?" Remus asked sceptically, as he walked beside Tiger to the gates of Hogwarts. "After all, what student takes his teacher out for dinner on his birthday?"
"Me. And yes, it is okay. Professor Dumbledore said so. And I don't think anyone would recognize us there. It is, after all, Muggle, and another country."
"And obviously very expensive, if my clothes are any indication," Remus interrupted him. "I can't believe you bought me this," he said, indicating the new black suit and red shirt he was wearing. He'd been totally taken aback when Tiger had given it to him this morning, together with the invitation to dinner and the request to wear his new clothes.
"Not this again, Remus. Why can't you just accept it and enjoy the day?"
"Because it is too much," Remus protested.
"I told you I can afford it."
"But you gave all your money to the Weasleys and me," Remus countered, and added in an afterthought, "I should arrange to transfer it back to you."
"Don't you dare," Tiger said seriously. "It is your money. It should have been yours anyway. Sirius would have wanted it to be yours. And anyway, I still have enough to last a very long time."
"What did you tell Draco about where you are going?" Remus asked, changing the subject.
"The truth, of course. Actually, he was the one who recommended this place."
"Where are we going, anyway?" Remus asked, as they stopped just behind the gates.
"You'll see," Tiger said, as he pulled out a small golden pocket watch from his suit jacket. He wore a dark blue suit with a dark green shirt. "Hold on to it," he told Remus. The moment they both had their hands on the watch, they felt a pull on their navels, and the world vanished in front of their eyes.
A moment later they landed in some dark alleyway. Tiger pocketed the watch, and together they left the small alley to enter a sunny street full of little restaurants and-
"Is that the sea?" Remus asked, surprised. He looked around a bit more before he continued. "We're in France, aren't we?"
"In Nice, to be precise." Tiger smiled at Remus' astonished face.
"I thought so," he said, more to himself than to Tiger, looking around once more before he turned back to Tiger. "But why Nice? Why not London, or somewhere else in Britain? Why France?"
"For one thing, there are definitely no Death Eaters here; and because I wanted the weather to be warm and sunny. And because, like I said, Draco told me about this place."
"It's really beautiful," Remus said about the sight before them. The sun was shining high over the sea, which shone a deep turquoise. There were only a few small white clouds that looked like candy floss. "Just like the last time," he added quietly, but Tiger heard it.
"You've been here before?" he asked, surprised. Then he watched, perplexed, as Remus started to walk towards the promenade without noticing him at all. "That's the wrong direction, Remus," he said, smiling. "Remus?" Confused, he followed his friend when he didn't react to his calling.
Remus stopped at the stairs that led down to the beach, and ran a hand over the small wall that separated the beach from the promenade. "I've been here before," he whispered more to himself than to Tiger, who had just arrived beside him. He descended the stairs and walked a few meters - the length of the wall - until he reached a small alcove in the brickwork.
Tiger followed him, and watched as Remus traced his hand over a small engraving in the stone.
"It's still there." The moment Remus' fingers touched the engraving, his face shone brightly from happiness. Even Tiger felt the warmth flowing through his body, and memories of Remus and Lucius played in front of his inner eye.
All this happed within a few seconds, and left a happy Remus and an extremely blushing Tiger. He had got such an insight into Remus' and Lucius' private life, which he'd never thought he'd ever have.
'Oh, my god; they were so hot,' he thought, as he adjusted his trousers uncomfortably.
"You okay, Tiger?" Remus asked with a bright smile on his face. He laughed as he saw Tiger blushing even more. "I'm sorry. I didn't know the outburst would be so intense that you'd feel it, too."
"What was that?" Tiger asked, as he got his first real look at the engraving.
"Everything and more – L+R," he said as he read what was written on the wall. The moment the last word left his mouth, he realized what it meant.
'Oh my god. They've been here together in the past. I wonder if Draco knew. Hopefully it won't ruin Remus' birthday. But he seems to be happy.' He was interrupted in his thinking as Remus spoke.
"You don't seem to be really shocked about what you've just experienced," Remus said softly.
"Oh believe me, I am. What was that?" He asked again, and reached his hand out to the engraving.
"Don't." Remus held his hand back. "I don't know what will happen if anyone but Lucius or I touched it. Let's go back, or I might be tempted to touch it again." Remus led Tiger from the beach and onto the promenade, where they sat down on a bench.
"It's magically sealed, isn't it?" Tiger asked, after they'd sat down.
"Yes, it is. How do you know?"
"Yours is the only engraving in the whole alcove. Normally this would be the perfect place for Muggle couples to declare their love; just like you did." He watched, astonished, as Remus' face lit up even more. "What caused the memory flood?" he asked, and waited again as he noticed Remus remembering his happy past with Lucius again. 'Hopefully there'll be a happy future for them, too.
"It's a spell that makes us remember every happy memory together if we touch the writing. We touched it together once, and it was the most intense feeling I've ever felt," he explained dreamily.
Tiger smiled brightly at his friend's happiness. He hated himself for what he had to ask now to not give away that he already knew about their relationship.
"I never knew you were together. You must still be, for how you're glowing with happiness. Why haven't you told me? Why hasn't Lucius? Does Draco know? You sure as hell did a good performance the day when you threw me out of your rooms after I confronted you about your feelings for the Malfoys." He waited for Remus to fall into depression, but to his great surprise and relief, there was only a little waver in his smile.
"We aren't together anymore: haven't been for nearly twenty years."
"But you're so happy right now." Tiger could punch himself for his nosiness, but he just had to know.
"That's because the spell prevented us from being sad or angry about the other, regardless what our feelings for the other are at the moment we touch the stone. As much as I'd try I couldn't be unhappy at the moment. For all I care, Voldemort could come and kill me right now, and I would welcome him with a smile."
"I don't know but I should be sorry for bringing you here for your birthday. Of all places, it had to be the one where you have the most precious memories about Lucius."
"Don't be sorry, Tiger. To be honest, this is my first really happy birthday in many years. But you're wrong on one point; they are not my most precious memories of my time with Lucius."
"No?" Tiger asked, confused.
"Oh, they are certainly very fond memories, but the most precious one is right here." He laid his hand over his heart. "The stone was like a sort of pensieve. We put a lot of our memories in it, but we both knew that this one memory in particular was too valuable to file away somewhere in the farthest corners of our minds."
"Because every memory that is put into a pensieve would vanish into the depths of one's mind, and probably be totally forgotten."
"Yes. That's exactly the reason."
"But what about all the other memories?"
"Believe it or not, there are enough memories left in my mind to fill three pensieves. And most of them are still pleasant ones."
Tiger watched his friend silently for a while before he remembered why they had come here in the first place.
"We should go, or our reservation will expire."
"Just one minute longer," Remus said, and looked out over the width of the sea. The sun was still high in the sky – it was only six in the afternoon – and promised a wonderful sunset later that day.
They enjoyed the sight a little longer before Tiger led Remus down the street to an expensive looking restaurant.
"I hope you're hungry." Tiger smiled at Remus as the man at the entrance opened the door for them. He never heard the response; whether because there was none, or he just didn't notice, he didn't know, because the moment they entered the restaurant he was greeted with one of the most beautiful sights he'd ever seen.
The room was everything one expects from a romantic restaurant. The walls were decorated with cloth of the finest material, and here and there hung some of the fabric from the ceiling, separating the tables from each other. The only light in the room came from candles - hundreds of candles. Some stood on the tables, but most of them hung on the walls or from the ceiling.
"Monsieur." Tiger snapped out of his amazement, and turned to the maitre de.
"Excuse me. Eh, I mean excuse moi. Bonsoir," he said, remembering where he was. He thought a moment what Draco had taught him to say to the 'garcon' when he entered the restaurant. "Je m'appelle Tiger-"
"Please, sir. There is no need. You can talk in English with every one of our waiters," the maitre de said.
"Thanks to god," Tiger sighed in relief. "And here I thought I'd have to struggle through all this." He smiled, slightly blushing.
"Do you have a reservation?" the man asked.
"Yes. My name is Tiger Ryan. I've-"
""Ah, yes, Mr. Ryan." He waved a waiter over to them, and told him a few things in French before he turned back to Tiger and Remus, but the older man was too occupied examining the room to pay attention. "This is Pierre," he said, pointing to a young man who wasn't much older than Tiger himself. He will be your personal waiter tonight."
"Thank you," Tiger said, and turned to the waiter.
The maitre de had to give the young man a slight shove to get his attention.
Blushing, the boy looked away from Tiger for a moment, and addressed Remus, who had finished his examination of the room. "Would you please follow me?" He led them to a table in the far corner of the restaurant, where a small chandelier hung directly over the table. The chairs stood facing the sides of the restaurant, not the front and back, so that the patrons wouldn't be distracted by new arrivals.
The waiter held out a chair for Remus, but the Professor was already behind the other chair. It didn't matter, though, because the young man only had eyes for Tiger. "My name is Pierre. I'm you're personal waiter tonight," he said, as he helped Tiger with his chair.
"Thank you." Tiger smiled at him, which caused the young Frenchman to blush again.
"Yes, we want to look at the menu, thank you," Remus said, to bring Pierre back from his drooling.
"Eh, yes. Sorry." He blushed even more, and handed them both a menu. "Do you want something to drink?" he asked, avoiding both their eyes.
"We'd like a bottle of your best red wine, please," Tiger said sweetly.
"Red wine; yes. Well. I will get the bottle," the boy stammered, and turned away. Before he took his first step he turned back and looked at Tiger again. "Red wine. In a bottle."
"That would be too kind," Tiger responded in a sexy voice.
"Well - I'm going then," Pierre said, before he left for the bar, nearly running into one of the other waiters.
"Do you have to do that?" Remus asked, a smile plastered on his face.
"Do what?" Tiger asked innocently.
"The poor boy is totally beside himself. Do you know if there was some Veela essences in the potion Draco gave you?"
"What; you don't think it's my natural charm working here?" Tiger asked, in a playful hurt tone.
"What natural charm?" Remus laughed at the angry look on Tiger's face.
"Here is your wine." Pierre's voice interrupted Tiger's retort. The boy served the wine and then took their order.
Remus ordered for both of them, because Tiger was teasing Pierre again by moaning about not knowing what to choose. He stuck his lower lip out and pouted liked a two year old. Pierre's eyes were glued to this pout, so he didn't notice when Remus tried to get his attention.
Annoyed, Remus grabbed the waiter's arm, and pulled him around to face him. He ordered a four-course meal for both himself and Tiger – to Tiger's immense surprise doing so in perfect French – before berating the boy to pay better attention to his job – or something like that. Tiger couldn't understand a word, but from Pierre's expression it must be so. And then Remus sent him on his way.
The moment Pierre was gone, Tiger started his questioning. "You speak French? Why haven't you told me? You could have talked to the maitre de. What did you tell Pierre? And most importantly, what did you order for us to eat?" Tiger asked, skipping through the menu, searching for anything that looked like what Remus had said.
"Don't bother searching: it isn't on the menu," Remus said calmly, ignoring all of Tiger's questions.
"Then how do you know they serve it here?" Tiger asked, confused.
"Lucius and I often ate here together. We always sat at this table under the chandelier, and I always sat in this place," Remus said dreamily.
"Oh. I didn't know. Sorry. I told you, Draco-"
"Yes, you told me Draco recommended this restaurant. And I told you that I can't be sad or angry about Lucius. So stop worrying, and let's enjoy this evening." Remus smiled.
"You're right," Tiger said, and lifted his wine glass. "To your birthday," he toasted.
"To a wonderful evening with a good friend," Remus replied, and clinked his glass to Tiger's.
Tiger and Remus had a pleasant time together while waiting for their meal. They talked a lot about Remus' past, his time at school, his friends, and so on.
Just as Pierre started to serve the first course, a second waiter led new patrons to the table next to hem.
"Cette table vous est-elle agreeable, monsieur Malfoy?"
Tiger didn't turn around to look who had just arrived. The look on Remus face told him which 'Monsieur Malfoy', exactly, stood there. And from the waiter's repeated question of 'Monsieur Malfoy?' he assumed that said Malfoy had noticed him, too.
"Lucius," Remus whispered breathlessly.
"Remus." Lucius sounded as surprised as Remus.
Tiger looked from Remus to Lucius, and noticed the same love and longing in both their eyes.
"Come on." A voice brought him out of his staring. He turned around and found Draco standing beside him, holding out a hand to him. Tiger took it and let himself be led away from the table, and out of the restaurant. At the door, they turned around and saw that the two men hadn't moved a bit. Lucius was still standing in front of the table, and the two were looking at each other.
"Wait here a moment," Draco said, and walked back to the table.
"What are you doing?" Tiger asked after him, but the blond just smiled at him and walked on.
From the entrance, Tiger watched as Draco led his father to Tiger's vacated chair, and sat him down. The elder Malfoy complied without really noticing anything but the man across the table. Now Draco put a fork in his father's left hand, and a knife in his right hand. He repeated the process with Remus, and Tiger could hear him say "Bon appétit," before he turned around and walked away from the table. In an afterthought, Draco turned back around and grabbed the wine bottle from the table before he once again turned and walked over to Tiger. On his way, he grabbed two glasses from an unoccupied table before he joined Tiger.
"Let's go." He smiled at the dark haired boy, who looked a bit confused.
"But-"
"No buts. Come on." He held the bottle and glasses in one hand and with the other, he took Tiger's and led them out of the restaurant. At the door, he nodded at the receptionist, who nodded back in understanding. And the moment the two boys left, he called one of his waiters to give him a new assignment.
-------
"Where are we going?" Tiger asked, as Draco led him around the restaurant through a dark alleyway. "Do we have to go back already? I'm still hungry, and I'd hoped to see the sunset over the sea tonight. I've never been to the sea before."
"You grew up in California," Draco joked.
"Very funny. Well, if you want to know, I was too occupied snogging my various boyfriends every night to notice anything around me, let alone a mere sunset, when I was floating in the stars with my lovers," Tiger countered, with a smirk.
"That's not funny." Draco stopped abruptly and pulled Tiger close. They were standing chest to chest, and Draco's eyes burnt into Tiger's. "You're mine, and mine only," he said and, with a hand on the back of Tiger's neck, pulled the other boy into a passionate kiss.
Tiger felt his knees going weak, and he knew he'd have fallen if Draco hadn't wrapped his other arm around his waist. He felt the wine bottle pressed into his lower back for a moment before the feeling ceased, and Draco's flat hand was placed on his bottom. Absentmindedly, he wondered what happened to the bottle, but then all thoughts left him as Draco pulled his bum closer, pressing their growing erections together.
"Mine," Draco repeated.
"Now and forever," Tiger replied, moaning against Draco's mouth, and bucked his hips forward, pressing even harder against Draco.
"And don't you ever forget it," Draco said in a serious voice, and took a step back.
"What?" Dazed, Tiger opened his eyes and looked at him. "Why did you stop?" he whined.
"I don't know what you mean. I just kissed you. That's all," Draco replied, in a very good imitation of Tiger's most innocent voice.
"You bastard, you did this on purpose," Tiger growled. He stepped closer to Draco and tried to kiss him, but the blond took another step back.
"Oh no, you don't," Draco said, and placed a hand on Tiger's chest to keep him away. "Just a little taste of your own game," he said, and turned around. He grabbed the wine bottle and the two glasses from where they stood on the ground, and then pulled out a silver chain with the Malfoy crest out of his pocket. "Hold on to it." He held out the chain to Tiger.
"But I wanted to see the sunset," Tiger whined, still upset from Draco's teasing.
"You will, trust me." The blonde smiled and leant closer to whisper in Tiger's ear. "I promise you won't regret it."
Intrigued, Tiger grabbed the chain and instantly felt the familiar pull of the portkey activating. A moment later they landed again, and Tiger had to close his eyes against a bright light.
"Fuck, what's that?"
"The sun, of course, stupid," Draco said as he turned Tiger around to face him. "You alright?" he asked softly, as he pried Tiger's hands away from his eyes.
"You could have warned me, you know," Tiger grumbled. "I-" But when he got his first good look at where he was, words ceased to leave his mouth.
They were standing on the terrace to an enormous house. It wasn't nearly as big as Malfoy Manor, but big enough to house ten, if not twenty people. He turned around and gasped as he saw the terrace border on the beach. The finest white sand beach – not these little stones there - were in Nice. The sun was already setting over the sea, promising a beautiful light show when it hit the water.
Tiger felt arms wrap around him from behind, and a chin resting on his left shoulder. "Do you like it?" Draco asked, as he held out a glass of wine to Tiger.
"It's beautiful," Tiger said, as he took the glass and turned in Draco's arms to look at the blond. "Where are we?" He asked as he once again looked at the house in front of him.
"Malfoy beach," Draco said proudly.
"Malfoy beach?" Tiger asked in disbelief. "You have your own beach?"
"Yes. It's really cool. It's just a few miles away from Nice, but because of the Muggle repelling charms, no one knows about it. And of course the first thing Dad did when we bought the house, was charm the beach to what you can see now. I refused to play on those dreadfully sharp stones that were here before."
Tiger raised his hand to stroke over Draco's cheek. "Spoiled little brat," he teased, before kissing the blond's lips.
"I know," Draco whispered against Tiger's mouth, before he pulled back. "Let's drink to a wonderful evening for two," he said, as he lifted his wine glass.
"And to a romantic evening under the stars of Nice," Tiger added, and clinked his glass to Draco's.
They kissed once more, and then Draco led Tiger the few steps down to the sand, and to a small table that stood on a wooden platform, decorated just like the tables in the restaurant had been.
"What?" Tiger asked, surprised, as Draco held a chair out for him. He was even more surprised when, after Draco had seated himself, Pierre, the waiter from the restaurant, appeared with a 'crack' and served them dinner.
The young man smiled at Tiger slightly, but when a growl led him to turn around and look at Draco, he shied away. Unfortunately for him, Draco grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him close.
"Tu es ici pour servir le dîner, rien davantage, rien moins. Nous sommes-nous compris?"
"Oui, Monsieur Malfoy," Pierre stammered fearfully.
"Good. Now go. I'll call for the second course."
"Oui, Monsieur Malfoy. Bon appétit." The waiter bowed, and apparated away.
"What did you tell him?" Tiger asked, smiling at Draco's jealousy.
"That he is here to serve us dinner; nothing more, nothing less. The bastard all but ravished you with his eyes."
"Oh, you're so sweet when you're jealous," Tiger teased, and reached across the table for Draco's hand. "Don't forget," he said as he lifted Draco's hand to his lips, "I'm yours," he kissed the hand softly, "now, and forever."
Draco stroked his fingers softly over Tiger's lips. "Now and forever," he whispered, before he pulled his hand back. "Let's eat," he said, and the two started a wonderful dinner.
After they finished their main course, Draco called once again for Pierre. Moments later the waiter appeared, and with a swish of his wand, cleared the dishes from the table.
"We will take dessert down on the beach, Toby," he called out, and with a pop a house elf appeared beside Draco.
"Yes, Master Draco."
"Have you done what I told you this afternoon?"
"Yes, Master. Everything is ready."
"Very well. Please show this man where he should serve the dessert."
"As you wish, Master." The house elf led the waiter away, and Tiger turned to Draco.
"That was one of the Manor's house elves, wasn't it?"
"Yes. We don't have separate house elves for Malfoy beach. We aren't here often enough for own house elves here. Sometimes Toby and Dipsy or Timky and Dimply come here to look after the house."
"Holidays for the house elves," Tiger laughed.
"Come." Draco stood up and held his hand out to Tiger. "Let's eat dessert and watch the sun sink into the sea."
Tiger took his hand, and they went down to the water, where a blanket had been spread out for them. Beside a big ice-cream sundae there was a bottle of champagne and a bowl of fruits. Around the blanket were candles placed into the sand, and a single rose laid at the top of the blanket.
"Trying to seduce me?" Tiger teased, as they sat down on the blanket.
"Just making your first sunset at the sea unforgettable," Draco said, as he handed Tiger a glass of champagne.
"Oh, now I know what you're trying to achieve. You want to get me drunk, so you can ravish me."
"I don't have to get you drunk to do so," Draco purred, and leaned over to kiss Tiger. "It's nearly time."
They turned their heads around and watch the sun slowly sinking into the sea. They moved so that Tiger was sitting between Draco's legs and leaning against his chest, while the blond had conjured a thick, fluffy pillow that supported his back. Tiger held the big sundae in his hands, and Draco was feeding them both.
"Look, the water is burning." Tiger pointed to the horizon, where the sun seemed to be touching the sea, now. The water was glowing with a fiery red light.
Draco took the ice-cream from Tiger's hands and put it aside. Then he wrapped his arms around the other boy, and pulled him against his chest. He whispered in his ear,
"You know, there is only one thing I don't like about the sunset over the sea."
"What?" Tiger asked curiously, turning in the arms of his boyfriend to look him in the eye.
"The sun should be emerald green. Because this moment represents everything I see when I look in your eyes: just, the colour isn't right."
Tiger looked him deep in the eyes and asked, "What do you see?"
"I see fire, coolness, and power, but also passion, mischief, and innocence. Combine them, and it's like the sun that sank into the sea. Perfection." He whispered the last word against Tiger's mouth before he kissed him lovingly.
They lay there for a long while, kissing and just holding each other in their arms. By the time they separated, the sun was already totally gone.
"Do you think Remus and Lucius had as nice an evening as we did?" Tiger asked, as he stroked his hand through Draco's hair.
"I don't know. Do you think we should see whether they are still in the restaurant?"
"You just want to know what happened this evening."
"Don't tell me you don't."
"Of course I do," Tiger smiled. "Let's do it."
So they stood up, and Draco pulled the chain out of his pocket. As they both touch it, they were instantly transported to the dark alleyway beside the restaurant.
The entered the building and asked the receptionist about Remus and Lucius. After the man told them that they had left an hour ago, the two left again and walked over to the promenade, where they sat down on a bench.
"What do you think they are doing right now?" Tiger asked after a while. "Do you think they've talked about what has happened?"
"I'm sure they have. I'm sure they're sitting somewhere in a dark corner of a bar right now, and talking about their relationship."
"I hope so."
"I'd really like to see them now. How I wish I knew where they were."
"I think I know where," Tiger said all of a sudden, and stood up. He grabbed Draco's hand, and pulled him after him.
"Where are we going?" Draco asked, confused.
"You'll see," Tiger said mysteriously, and led Draco down to the beach and along the wall until they saw the alcove in the brickwork where two people lay arm in arm, talking softly to each other.
"Oh, my god, they're-"
"Shh…" Tiger shushed the excited blond, and pulled him away from the two adults.
"Did you see? Did you see?" Draco jumped up and down in front of Tiger as they stood on the promenade again. "They were holding hands! And I think Dad's other hand was stroking through Remus hair."
"Draco, either you are really, really happy for them, or you had too much wine," Tiger laughed, and pulled the blond into his arms.
"I'm really happy. I never told you, but when I was younger, I would often rummage around the Manor in search of a pirate's treasure. Dad always told me stories about pirates, and how they found treasures or took them from others. I always thought Dad was a pirate, too, so I searched the Manor for the treasure he had captured.
I found letters from what I presumed was a beautiful lady who was devoted to Dad, but now I know they were Remus' letters. They were full of love, and I always hoped for them to come back together. I never asked Dad who 'she' was, because I saw him once reading the letters, and he was crying. I do so hope they'll get back together." He laid his head on Tiger's shoulder and kissed him on the neck. "Thank you."
"For what?" Tiger asked, confused.
"It was you who found out about them. Thank you for making my Dad happy." Tiger just held the blond for a long time.
"I think we should go back," Tiger said eventually. "I don't want them to know we saw them. Let them have it out with each other before we confront them. Do you think they will spend the night at Malfoy beach?"
"Hopefully," Draco said, and the two of them made their way back to the alleyway beside the restaurant, from where they portkeyed back to Malfoy beach.
"Let's take a walk," Draco said as they arrived at the terrace.
"Wait." Tiger bent down and took off his shoes and socks, and pulled his trousers' legs up. "I don't want to ruin the new clothes."
"Have you ever heard of the words 'cleaning spell'?" Draco smirked, but then he, too, took off his shoes and socks, and pulled his trousers' legs up. "Let's go." He took hold of Tiger's hand, and together they wandered through the sand.
After they'd walked for about thirty minutes, Tiger asked how far the private beach reached.
"It's magically enlarged," Draco explained. "You can go as far as you want, and you would never come to an end. But," he stopped and turned Tiger around, who gasped at what he saw. "The house will never be further away than 200 feet." The house was still in clear sight, although they had walked at least a mile.
"Incredible."
"I know. Come on, I want to show you something." Draco led Tiger to the edge of the sea, and the moment his feet touched the water, a small rowboat appeared.
"How?" Tiger asked, puzzled.
"Magic." Draco showed him his wand. "Do you want to row a bit?" he asked. "Or what about…" With a swish of his wand, there was a blanket in the boat big enough for the both of them to lay beside each other.
"Yeah." Tiger smiled, and they entered the boat and lay down on the blanket. With a swish of Draco's wand, the boat moved out on the sea.
The two of them just lay there and enjoyed the small movements the boat made in the waves of the sea. They were holding hands and watching the stars, when Tiger sat up and looked down at Draco.
"Let's swim."
"What? No! It's far too cold," Draco replied, and pulled Tiger back down.
"Oh, come on, Draco." Tiger purred, and started to unbutton Draco's shirt.
"I won't complain about what you're doing," Draco said, and started to unbutton Tiger's shirt, too, "but I won't go swimming." He pulled Tiger's shirt off and reached for his trousers, but Tiger swatted his hand away and stood up.
"Are you sure you don't want to?" he asked, and started to open his trousers.
"No," Draco said, and lay back down, his hands behind his head, "I'll just enjoy this wonderful view." His eyes wandered up and down Tiger's body.
"You're a spoilsport, Draco Malfoy," Tiger said, as he balanced on one foot to take off his trousers. He was about to pull off the trousers completely, when a wave hit the boat and he lost his balance. Flailing his arms, he tried to steady himself but failed, and with a loud splash he fell into the water.
"Tiger!" Draco sat up abruptly and looked for his boyfriend, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then the legs of Tiger's trousers broke the surface of the water, but as Draco pulled them out, he found no one attached to the other end. "Tiger? Tiger!" Horrified, Draco threw his unbuttoned shirt off and jumped into the water. "Tiger?" he shouted again, before he dived. Seconds later he came back up, without Tiger. "Tiger?" he cried again.
"Yes?" an amused voice asked from the inside of the boat. Tiger was sitting there and smiling down at Draco. He held out his hand and pulled the blond back in the boat.
The moment Draco was onboard and had regained his balance, he gave Tiger a forceful push, which landed the dark haired boy back in the sea. "You bastard," Draco spat. "You stupid bastard!"
Tiger looked up at him from the water, not knowing what was wrong with Draco.
"Do you have any idea what I thought just happened to you? I thought you'd drowned!" Tears of despair were running down his cheeks as he glared at Tiger.
Now the dark haired boy realized that he'd gone too far. "Draco, I'm sorry. It was just a joke." He tried to climb back into the boat, but Draco shoved him away.
"You wanted to swim; now you can swim back to the strand!" With that, Draco waved his wand, and the boat started off in the direction of the beach.
Tiger followed him as fast as he could, all the time apologizing. As Draco reached the sand Tiger wasn't far behind. "Draco, wait, please."
"Fuck off," the blond said without waiting, and walked away.
The moment Tiger felt the sand under his feet he took off in a run to catch up with Draco. He grabbed his boyfriend's hand and stopped him. "Please, Draco."
"Don't touch me." The blond pulled his hand away and started to walk again, but Tiger grabbed him around his waist and pulled him against his chest.
"Please, Draco; I'm really sorry," he whispered in his ear. Draco turned in his arms and glared at him.
"You should have thought about that before your little stunt," he said, before he shoved the dark haired boy away.
Tiger was caught by surprise and landed face first in the sand. Sputtering, he stood back up and turned to Draco.
"Damn, Draco, that's gross," he said, as he tried to clean his sandy face with his likewise sandy hand, which caused him to swear quite colourfully.
Draco couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous scene Tiger made.
"Oh, you're enjoying yourself?" Tiger asked, annoyed.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Draco smirked. "Now I hope you will never do such a stupid stunt again."
"I promise," Tiger said reasonably. Then his eyes acquired a mischievous glint to them, and he opened his arms warmly to Draco. "Let's give us a hug and make up." He took a step forward, and Draco' smirk froze.
"Oh, no, you don't." He took a step back, and before Tiger could make another forward, he turned around and ran, Tiger not far behind.
"Oh, Draco," he purred, as he caught up with the blond – just a few feet away from the terrace - and looked at him from the side. Surprised, Draco turned his head to him, and shrieked as the dark haired boy jumped him, bringing them both to the ground. Laughing, the two of them rolled in the sand, trying to pin each other down.
Eventually Tiger won, and pressed Draco's wrists, with one hand, into the sand. He straddled the blond, and with his other hand carefully wiped sand from each of their mouths before he bent down and captured the blond's lips in a deep kiss.
An audible crack startled them, and Tiger sat up abruptly. There, at the edge of the terrace, stood Lucius and Remus, arm in arm, and looking down at the two boys, bemused smiles playing on their faces.
"Remus!" Tiger smiled, just as Draco said,
"Dad!" The blond sat up, and threw Tiger off of him.
"Ouff. Hey, dummy." Tiger pushed Draco, and the two started to brawl again.
"Come," Lucius said, turning to Remus. "Let's go inside. I think I promised you a glass of our 'Château Petrus'." They were about to start walking, when Draco's shout stopped them.
"Château Petrus?" Draco asked, stopping midair with a handful of sand. "You're going to open the 'Château Petrus'? Oh, father, please! You promised to allow me a glass when you taught me about the purity of the wine. Remember?"
"Ack," Tiger gagged, putting his finger into his mouth to emphasize his opinion. "You're talking like some snot-nose. 'Purity of the wine'? Ha! Next you'll be walking like someone had placed a stick up your arse," he laughed.
"Impertinent git." Draco stood up and started to brush the sand from his body, without success. He crossed his arms and held his head high, looking at his father for an answer. What he saw, shocked him.
Remus shook with silent laughter, his head buried in Lucius neck, and even the elder Malfoy had a hard time fighting a smile. Irritated, Draco looked from one to the other, and then to Tiger, who now stood behind him, still laughing heartily. Draco couldn't help himself; he started to laugh, too, and soon all four of them were laughing.
After a few minutes their laughter subsided, and Draco once again looked at his father questioningly. Only when Remus gave him a poke in the ribs did Lucius answer his son.
"If you'd like, you may join us," he said, before he turned to Remus and held a hand out for him. "Shall we?"
"With pleasure." He laid his hand in Lucius', and the two made their way to the house.
"Let's go." Draco grabbed Tiger's hand and followed the adults. At the door, Lucius turned around and looked at his son sternly.
"You will not enter my house like that. Go clean yourself first."
"I've forgotten my wand in the boat, Dad. Couldn't you?"
"Oh, very well. Accio wand."
While they waited for Draco's wand to appear, Tiger had another idea how to clean them. Silently he stepped behind Draco, and with the reflexes of a seeker, grabbed the other boy and carried him down to the sea. Before Draco knew what was happening to him, they landed together in the cold water.
Struggling against Tiger's grip, Draco unintentionally kicked between the other boy's legs, causing him to cry out in pain. Draco apologized instantly, but it was too late. With a gleam of mischief in his eyes, Tiger jumped him, and therefore started a full out water war. Only when the two simultaneously swallowed the wrong way and started to sputter, did they stop.
Tiger, in just his underwear, and Draco, still retaining his trousers, helped each other clean the last bit of sand from their bodies before they made their way back to the house. On the terrace, they both found their wands on their neatly folded clothes on the table.
Draco used his wand to dry them both, and Tiger followed with a spell that magically clothed them.
"Let's go inside," Draco said, and took Tiger's hand. Together they walked through the door into the house. Tiger gasped at what he saw.
They stood in a big library with three armchairs and two sofas, which were placed around a big fireplace. The walls were lined with shelf units full of books.
"Wow." Tiger didn't even notice Lucius and Remus sitting on one of the sofas watching him. He let go of Draco's hand and wandered around to look at the books. "Are these the same as in the Manor or the Castle?"
"No." Lucius voice came from the sofa, and for the first time, Tiger noticed the two adults in the room. "There is no book duplicated in our possession. Most of them are the very first book of the series, or even originals," he explained. "Now, would you like to join us for a glass of 'Château Petrus'?"
Tiger opened his mouth to answer, but Draco put a hand over it.
"Yes." He took Tiger's hand and pulled him over to sit with his father and Remus. But before he was pulled too far away, Tiger's eyes fell on one book.
"Amazing," he said, as he pulled the book off the shelf.
Draco ignored him, and pulled him along to the couch opposite of Remus and Lucius.
"We'll gladly join you," he said, as he glared at Tiger, who was engrossed in the book. He reached for the two glasses Lucius gave him, and poked Tiger in the ribs to take one.
"Oh, thanks." Tiger took the glass and swallowed the contents in one gulp. "Hm, that's good," he said without looking up. (Whom?) "Do you know that this book was thought to be forever lost, after the last known exemplar was destroyed in the Great Fire of London?"
He looked up when he got no answer, and found two disbelieving, and one amused face staring at him. "What?" He asked looking confused at the three.
"You just gulped down an expensive, 500 Galleon wine, and all you said was 'that's good'. You philistine," Draco said, disgusted. He stood up and looked down his nose at Tiger.
Blushing, Tiger looked from his empty glass to the other three, almost full ones. "Oh, sorry. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing; it's just that this book is really rare."
"Don't you think a 500 Galleon wine is rare, too?" Draco asked, annoyed. He sat down on a free armchair and ignored Tiger pointedly.
"Now, now, Draco," Lucius soothed his son. Actually, he, too, was a bit annoyed with Tiger's lack of knowledge of wine, but he'd noticed what book Tiger was talking about, and now he was watching the young man intently.
Tiger was once again engrossed in the book in his lap. He traced his fingers over the title of the book. "The Magic of the Serpent – by Salazar Slytherin."
"You can read it?" Lucius asked in disbelief, and walked over to sit beside Tiger. Remus had also noticed which book it was, and sat down on Tiger's other side.
"Of course I can read it," Tiger said. "Why shouldn't I?" He looked questioningly from Lucius to Remus.
"Because this is nothing more than lines and symbols to me," Lucius said, and Remus nodded in conformation.
"Then it is true," Tiger said, more to himself.
"What is true?" Draco asked, as he looked over from where he sat.
"It's written in Parseltongue," Remus said from Tiger's other side.
"But there isn't such a thing as written Parseltongue. Snake's can't write." Draco asked confused.
"Obviously there is," Tiger stated. "After all, Salazar himself wrote the book."
"Let's open it and see what's written in it." Remus said curiously.
"That won't be possible," Tiger said. "The book won't open." He demonstrated that he couldn't open the book, and after everyone had tried it without success, Tiger put the book aside and said. "I'm sure there is some kind of spell or password to open it, but that could take hours, if not days, to decipher. Let's just sit together and talk. And maybe drink some more of this exquisite wine?" Tiger smiled at Lucius innocently.
"Oh, no, you don't," Draco intercepted before Tiger could charm Lucius to do what he wanted. "Toby," he called, and with a pop a house elf appeared.
"Master Draco?"
"Please bring the cheapest bottle of wine for Master Tiger. He won't notice the difference anyway."
The house elf bowed, and popped away.
"That's not fair," Tiger pouted. He stood up and walked over to the other sofa where he sat with crossed arms.
Draco followed him, and sat beside him. "But the truth," he whispered in Tiger's ear, before he pulled him close to him.
Tiger struggled half-heartedly against him before he rested his head on Draco's shoulder, his arms wrapped around his waist.
"You two really look good together," remarked Remus from across the room.
"Thank you," Tiger mumbled against Draco's neck.
"He's a bit shy when directly talked to," Draco explained, and tightened his hold on Tiger.
"I'm tired," Tiger said against Draco's neck. "Do you think we should let them alone so they could talk some more?"
"But my 'Château Petrus'," Draco whined.
"Well then, stay," Tiger said, and sat up. Then in an afterthought he leaned back to Draco and whispered in his ear. "I'm going to take a shower. I thought you might want to join me, but if you don't want to..." He licked seductively over Draco's ear before he stood up.
"That's a good idea." Draco said instantly and he, too, stood. "We're going to bed. Enjoy the rest of the 'Château Petrus'." He looked longingly at his half full glass.
"Empty it or I will," Tiger said, and grabbed for the glass.
"Don't you dare," Draco said, and emptied his glass in one gulp. He moaned slightly from the taste of it.
"So good?" Tiger asked, smiling.
"Better," Draco replied, and before he knew it, had Tiger's lips glued to his.
"Mmh. You're right; it's really good." He licked his lips to capture the last traces of Draco and the wine. He turned to the adults and was about to say good night when he saw them looking each other deep in the eye. He indicated it to Draco, and the two left the room silently.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
A/N – That's it for now. What do you think?