Draco tried hard to ignore the reporters that were sitting just outside the little cafe Harry had picked in Hogsmeade. Some were writing furiously, others were taking pictures. He was sure they would be the cover of every wizarding journalism there was possible. Draco sipped his tea looking at his boyfriend. He was surprised that Harry was so relaxed with as much as he hated the press. He had a feeling, this was about showing Ron he didn't give a shit what the man thought. Harry was determined to smile in every photo and make sure the red head know he meant business.
"I'm glad the owner wouldn't let the swarm in." Harry offered seeing Draco looking outside at the mob. "At least we get a little peace." The man smiled brightly, his foot reaching under the table rubbing his lovers ankle playfully.
"Yeah, me too. It was bad enough getting here. Can you imagine tomorrows headlines already?" Draco asked watching Harry pick apart his blueberry muffin that he had slathered a ridiculous amount of butter on. "Death eater attempts to poison wizarding savior by muffin." He chuckled. While the headline sounded stupid, he wouldn't put it past the gits.
"You know, this was suppose to be a brunch. You are suppose to eat too." Harry pointed at the man's untouched croissant. "It worries me how little you eat sometimes. No wonder you are so skinny." Harry said softly.
Draco sent Harry a glare over his tea cup, "I am not skinny. I am lean. I never have eaten a lot. Growing up I was expected to maintain a perfect image. And getting fat was certainly not an option. You forget, my father had all these plans to marry me off to the family that would make us look the best. He couldn't do that if his son wasn't smart and good looking. He needed to prove that a marriage with me would have been beneficial. " Draco set his tea down and leaned forward a bit dropping his voice to a whisper. "I am pretty sure that you like my body just the way it is? I can recall numerous occasions where you complemented and worshiped my body. Shall I remind you of some of those times?"
Harry swallowed hard recalling just this mornings shower together. He had soaped up Draco's loofa and washed every inch other man spending time appreciating everything he could put his hands on. "I greatly appreciate your body Draco. It is more than perfect. As your partner, I just want to be sure you are healthy is all. I care about you. "
Draco rolled his eyes hard and ripped a piece off his croissant and stuffed it in his mouth. He chewed pointedly. "Happy?" He asked wiping his mouth with his napkin.
"I'm with you, of course I am. But I will be satisfied when you finish it." Harry then dug into his own breakfast letting a comfortable silence fall between them, his foot still running lines on the other man's leg. Harry had his suspicions that Draco had been battling an eating disorder for years. The man never ate more than a few bites at a meal, and what he chose to eat was always selected carefully. Harry noted after the second time they ended up in Draco's flat, that he could practically count every rib on the man, and his hip bones jutted out against his skin. He wanted Draco to live happy and confident.
Draco ate slowly, afraid that too much too quick would make it come back up. He hated that Harry was so Intuitive. Keeping secrets from the man would prove to be impossible. So what if he was careful with how many calories went in and out of his body. Even Harry would need a partner who was good looking at fit. They would be plastered together everywhere. Draco had to look his best.
Once the men had finished their tea and treats, Harry leaned across the table taking Draco's hand. "Mmm, let's go shopping. I want to cook dinner for you tonight, we can do it together. It will be fun."
Draco let Harry lace their fingers together, leaving money on the table to pay before Harry could argue. "I like to cook actually. When I was on house arrest those six months I taught myself. It was sort of like potions. I find that I am an excellent baker. "
Harry let out a laugh standing, keeping their hands together. "Why am I not surprised that you would be good at cooking. I guess it is kind of like potions isn't it. Well, I'm thinking we can make our own chicken stir fry tonight. Let's head to the market. We can give these guys a few kisses outside, and that should keep them content for a few days. Are you ready?"
Draco took in a deep breath and nodded as they strode through the door and met the swarm of Paparazzi waiting outside for them.
"Mr.Potter! Mr.Potter! A few questions if I may? Names Giselle Leekroot, I write for All Things Magic." A young woman came up with an eager smile and note pad. When Harry nodded, holding Draco's hand tightly, she flipped open the pad and looked up at the man.
"First could you confirm that you are in a relationship with Draco Malfoy, son of Notorious Death eater Lucius Malfoy?"
Harry took that moment to pull Draco to his body. He cupped the blond man's face bringing their lips together, ignoring the gasps and the clicking of cameras. Without looking back at the woman, when he pulled away he responded with, "I think that will more than confirm the relationship I have with Draco. Next question? Please be quick as my boyfriend and I have many plans today."
The woman looked up at the two men , "Oh! Of course Mr. Potter. Is it true that your engagement ended because you ended up in bed with Mr. Malfoy, where Miss Weasley caught you?"
Harry looked at the young and eager witch. "Ginny and I separated because we had two different dreams in life and neither wanted to hold the other back. She has accepted an amazing job opportunity and deserves to explore the world. We are still friends, there is no hate between us. Nor is there any hate between her and Draco. That is all I will say on the matter."
"Is it true you quit the ministry today?" An older man asked from behind a few reporters who were still taking some pictures and notes.
"Yes, I can confirm that I no longer hold a position at the ministry." Harry said easily.
"How can you be so sure that Mr. Malfoy isn't using you to regain his name and power in the wizarding world?" The same man asked shooting a look at Draco.
"Mr. Malfoy is making his own name for himself. He works hard at his job and that has nothing to do with myself. You could argue that any witch or wizard is merely with me for my fame or money." Harry pointed out easily.
"Draco Malfoy is a known death eater himself, does this not concern you Mr. Potter?" Rita Skeeter asked with a sickly sweet smile.
"Draco is no more a death eater than you or myself. He was cleared of most charges, and the minor ones that involved the damage of Hogwarts was repaid with community service and house arrest. Draco has stepped back into our society head held high, and example of what happens when we pressure our kids to do things they shouldn't against what the believe themselves. Draco Is a free man in many senses of the word and should be treated as such. I have no concerns about Draco's past. "
Rita Skeeters quill was going crazy on her pad as she watched the couple in front of her. "Just one more question Mr. Potter if you will?"
"No, I will not. I've entertained everyone here long enough. You have enough pictures and information to write your stories. Now if you will excuse us, we have somewhere to be." With that Harry pulled Draco through the crowd and to the apparition point. "Hold on tight." He whispered to Draco wrapping his arms around him and in a moment they were gone.
--
"What in bloody hell are we even listening too?" Draco let out a laugh watching Harry dance around his kitchen like a fool. He had never seen Harry so... so free. He was being probably the most honest version of himself he had ever seen.
Harry stopped in his tracks watching Draco cut up the green beans and broccoli. "I'm going to show you a whole new world when it comes to muggle music. This lovely lady is a country singer, big in the states, Shania Twain. "
Draco laughed as Harry came up dancing on him a bit making him drop the knife to the cutting board to be whisked away and arms put above his head forcing him to participate in this awful movement Harry called dance. "Harry James Potter, if you keep distracting us, dinner won't be done until midnight!" Though he was lecturing him, it was half heartedly. Draco couldn't remember the last time he had fun. Sure, being in bed with Harry was fun, but it wasn't like this. This was the first real time him and Harry let loose and it didn't involve sex.
"Shhh we have wands, we can get it done. I love dancing with you. Your body just fits with mine so perfectly. We should go to a muggle night club. I bet you would have so much fun." Harry let the blonde go with a smile.
"A night club? Why a muggle one?" Draco asked getting back to cutting the veggies.
"We can dance, kiss, sweat in privacy. There won't be any reporters to take our pictures. No one will recognize us. We can just be Harry and Draco. " Harry now moved to slicing the chicken in thin strips. "It doesn't have to be today or even this weekend. I just think for a future date night it will be fun."
Draco glanced over at him. "Okay, yeah that sounds like it could be fun. Maybe we could invite Blaise? Or even Ginny?"
Harry looked at the man that was quickly taking over his heart. "Really? You wouldn't mind inviting others?"
"No, not at all. And to be honest, Blaise kind of has a thing for your ex. I'm sure he would love an excuse to rub all over her." He shrugged.
"Wait, he's not gay? I always just assumed..."The dark haired man looked confused.
"Gay?! Oh god no. He only talks like that to me. He most certainly likes women Harry. Wait, did you think that... Blaise and I?" Draco made a face when Harry blushed. "Oh god no! Besides, even if Blaise had decided to bat for my team he would most certainly be a top."
Harry set the knife down turning to look at Draco. "But you're a bottom... so that would make sense."
Draco shook his head, "No. I'm usually a top. I never... well until you... I had never. " Draco just shrugged at that point.
"You were a bloody virgin that night? Holy hell Draco. I was so damn rough. I didn't even know what I was doing! You just let me have at it!"
Draco bit his lip and stopped looking at Harry. "It's not a big deal. I wanted it as much as you did. You handled me just fine. I have no regrets from that night. So please, let's just move on. Invite Blaise and Ginny okay?"
Harry nodded letting the topic drop for now. But he knew there was more to visit with in it.
"I meant to tell you that I heard back from a few places. I have to go look at flats tomorrow. You can always come with me." He offered the pale man behind him.
"Or you... you can just stay here. I mean, it's working out pretty well I think. And our relationship already started out strange. So what if we skip a few steps and just live together or -" before Draco could finish what he was rambling on about Harrys mouth was crushing Draco's after spinning them around. The kiss left Draco breathless and his eyes half lidded.
"Yes, a million times yes." Harry held him his chin with his thumb and pointer, now pecking his lips over and over. "Our flat, means it will be our kitchen, our living room, our bed." He pulled back reading Draco's face. The man's eyes spoke volumes when Harry had said 'our bed.'
"Potter, you will be the death of me you know that?" He teased licking his puffy lips. "Please, let's finish cooking so that way we can retire to 'our bed.' I would like my boyfriend to end our amazing date day with an orgasm to remember."
Harry let the man go with a laugh, "I always deliver you an orgasm to remember. "
Draco looked over his shoulder as Harry got out the pan and oil to start cooking. "That's true, I wouldn't have let you back in my bed if it wasn't rememberable."
Harry swatted his back side playfully rolling his eyes. Draco was going to be a handful, but at least it would never be boring.
Authors note: Thanks for reading along so far. So in the next few chapters there's somethings to unpack. It will be time to return to the burrow, and Draco spent time with Arthur and Molly. New jobs. Some bad press and don't forget, Ron's not quite done having a go at the boys yet! See everyone soon!!
