Uh...oops? I lost track of the time hides head. To make up for it you can have 2 chapters! Please don't kill me!
Same disclaimers as before, same warnings etc etc etc.
Chapter 4
Harry came out for the shower a little while later with a big puff of steam. He had a towel wrapped firmly around his waist whilst he used another one to dry his hair. He refused to look at Draco as he walked over to the drawers and pulled out another pair of silk boxers, this time in black. Pulling them on but still keeping the towel in place Harry rummaged around in his side of the wardrobe and pulled out a pair of smart black trousers and slipped them on before letting his towel drop away. He then pulled out a silky red shirt and pulled that on making sure he did up his cuffs. Harry then picked up his towels from the floor and took them back to the bathroom folding them neatly. He came out of the room again but this time carrying his clothes from that day. He threw them into a basket next to the wardrobe and turned to his hand luggage.
"Mind if I take a shower?" Harry looked over his shoulder at Draco who was standing there undoing his shirt. Harry felt his face flame as his eyes locked silver ones.
"No, go right a head just be careful because if you turn the heat up a little too much then boiling hot water comes out." Draco nodded and pulled his shirt off and Harry quickly looked away flushing even more brightly. Draco didn't notice and hung his shirt up in the wardrobe as Harry found a small pile of CD's and walked over to a CD player next to the bed. Draco slipped off his trousers leaving him in just his white underwear and hung the trousers neatly in the wardrobe before walking into the bathroom pulling off his underwear as he went. All the time Harry refused to look around until he heard the door click and lock.
Harry inserted the CD into the player and closed it pressing play and switching to track three. The track started playing and Harry padded gently over to the wardrobe. Pulling a chair from nearby over he stood on it and fumbled around on top of the wardrobe before finding what he wanted and pulled down a dusty violin case. Smiling Harry put the chair back and grabbed his dirty washing out of the basket using it to clean off the case.
Putting the now dust free violin case on the bed Harry opened it and pulled out a beautiful violin. It was just a classic violin but it was so dark it was almost black though the varnish on it, as it caught the light, made the violin seem green. Harry smiled and reached his hand out to lift the beautiful thing from the case tenderly brushing his fingers along the neck of the violin.
"I've really missed you. Lets see how badly out of tune you are." Harry plucked the stings one at a time and he winced though he didn't stop smiling. Turning the violin over he fixed the black velvet shoulder pad to it and then raised the violin to his neck holding it in place with his chin. Reaching out he picked the top bow off the set of two. Both bows were opposites; one had a reddish glint on the wood and the other a green glint, one had gold and the other had white gold. Harry picked the red and gold bow and held it expertly.
"Fawkes." He whispered the name in recognition. Harry knew when he'd named his bows all those years ago that it was a silly thing to do but he did it anyway. After all, his instruments were his friends and greatest companions and therefore they deserved names. The green one was called Kevada whilst his red bow was affectionately named Fawkes. Harry had, of course, named his violin too. It was lovingly known as Fidelius.
Harry drew his bow across his hand finding no sticky white powder coming off on his fingers. Sighing to himself he opened a pocket in the case and drew out some string resin. Rubbing the soft amber stone across the horse hairs of the bow Harry smiled as the bow hairs turned from a slight yellow to white.
"Perfect." Harry drew the bow across the strings of the violin and began tuning till his violin was tuned perfectly. Harry then proceeded to play a few scales before resting his arm. All this was done in the four minutes it took for the CD to play track three and flick to track four. Harry smiled as a tin whistles music filled the room. Harry raised his bow to the violin strings with a smile. He waited and counted silently in his head. One two three four, two two three four, three two three four and…Harry started playing his notes matching the violin on the CD's perfectly.
A joyous and upbeat and incredibly fiddly. Harry's fingers were flying over the strings rapidly as he kept up perfectly with the tune. Lord of the Dance. It was Harry's favourite track. It never failed to cheer him up. He played fast and furiously getting every note, every sharp and every slur right. At the end of the song he slowly put his violin down feeling much better.
"You play very well." Harry spun around with a slight cry and found himself face to face with a nearly naked and still wet Draco Malfoy. Harry felt his face flame up and he turned around again quickly.
"Get some clothes on." Harry mumbled out weakly. Draco chuckled slightly behind Harry.
"You've paid for me you might as well see what you are getting." Harry's head jerked up but he didn't look around.
"Gah! Did you have to put it that way." He reached behind him and pulled out his violin case to put everything away. Once it was done he dared to turn around and saw Draco pulling on some trousers but still topless. Harry supposed that wasn't so bad but averted his gaze anyway. "Um…thank you."
Draco stopped what he was doing and looked at him. "Thank you for what?" He asked completely confused.
"For your comment about my playing. I didn't think you'd hear it though. I thought you'd be in the shower longer and…never mind." Draco stood up and put his hand around Harry's to get the raven haired man's attention. Harry looked up the slight height difference.
"You are welcome." Then Draco let go and went to the wardrobe to pull out a white shirt this time. When he was done he pulled on some clean socks and some shoes.
"When's dinner?" Draco asked as he turned around to see Harry doing up a metal bracelet. This bracelet was going around in fashion now in America. It seemed every man in Hollywood or seen in the magazines had one of those metal chain bracelets around their wrists.
"Now. We should go down." Harry said still not looking up. Draco nodded and watched as Harry finally did up the bracelet. Harry went over to his hand luggage once again and pulled out two boxes and then five tickets.
"What's that?"
"Presents. I couldn't exactly come back empty handed now could I?" Draco watched in amazement as Harry showed him what the tickets were for. They were to see a new film and go to the premier with the stars for whenever they liked. Harry had only bought the tickets to get in with the stars so the family would obviously have to pay for their own travel and lodging but just the tickets alone must have cost Harry a fortune.
"And those?"
"Presents for my Aunt and Sister. Are you ready? We don't want to be late…" Draco nodded and let Harry lead them out of the room. Draco slit one arm around Harry's shoulders and let his fingers brush over Harry's neck as they walked. Besides him Draco felt Harry stiffen.
"Relax Harry. Just relax, I'm not going to hurt you." Harry nodded.
"I know. I'm just really not used to it."
"To what?" Harry turned his gaze and met Draco's eyes with a sad smile.
"People touching me. My family were never the give hugs kind of people. I'll relax, I promise."
"It won't work unless you help me make it believable." Harry nodded and his smile became brighter.
"I guess it's time to start practising my acting skills." Draco smiled reassuringly and they continued walking.
"So, tell me something I should know about you."
"Um what…like anything?" Draco nodded and Harry continued. "Well we're nearly there but food wise I do not eat meat or any kind. I eat fish but nothing else. Um…I'm not allergic to anything thank goodness but I hate having to eat bread. I just don't like eating it."
"Very well." Draco nodded putting that on his mental list to help himself.
"What about you? Anything I should know?"
"Well I have no qualms about eating meat. I don't eat anchovies or olives and I dislike very strong foods but occasionally I don't mind spicy food."
"Aw that's a shame. I make a really nice vegetarian curry."
"Well should you ever cook one I will try it." Harry hummed his appreciation. Humming with a smile, Draco noticed, was Harry's way of agreeing and showing he was happy about something. Draco let his fingers gently caress Harry's neck as they walked around a corner and then through a pair of double doors into a large formal dining room.
They were met by Harry's family who were stood around waiting and talking happily amongst themselves. Harry noted that there were two people he hadn't met before and one he hadn't seen in a long time
One was a young man with brown hair and brown eyes. He was a fairly skinny man and tall and gangling. He didn't appear to have a beard though there were a few places where he'd missed when he'd shaved. He wore smart brown trousers and a cream shirt. He was later introduced as Piers Polkiss.
Next was a young lady with blonde hair that fell loosely in straight strands to her shoulders. She had bright blue eyes and was done up in very light coloured make up. She was pretty though not overly so and she wore a soft baby blue dress in light silk that clung to her figure showing her chest and her hips adequately. What Harry severely disliked about this fabric was that the material was thin and cold and the woman's nipples could be seen. He was glad when he designed dresses with those materials he put an extra piece of cloth before the silk so that his clients nipples didn't show at all. Since Harry had never met the woman he waited to learn her name and she was introduced as Sarah Louise Finnegan.
Finally was the one Harry recognised. A tall young man with a strong firm build and neatly done hair. He was very handsome with his grey eyes and his smart black trousers and tie with a golden coloured shirt on.
"Cedric!" Harry said with a warm smile. Cedric's grey eyes looked up and met bright green. A large grin made its way across Cedric's face.
"Harry Potter. So the long lost Potter finally returns from his escapades out in America." Cedric walked proudly across the room and pulled Harry into a manly hug with a grin. When the pair pulled away Cedric and Harry were still grinning at each other. Draco watched in silence though he had a small smile on his lips as he watched Harry. "You have NO idea how much I missed our competitions together. It's been dreadfully dull without you! What kept you away so long?"
"Well, you know. This and that. I've been busy Cedric. My boss keeps me on my toes." Harry said with an innocent smile that made Draco frown. Whenever Harry was lying blatantly he tended to smile innocently. The strangest thing was Cedric, and seemingly the rest of his family, bought the lies.
"Well, come on then introduce us to your dashing man." Before Harry could introduce them though Cedric held out his hand with a welcoming smile to Draco. "Cedric Diggory at your service."
"Draco Malfoy. It's nice to meet you Cedric."
"Oh ho ho! I say, he's polite for a Yank isn't he!"
"Yes well…" Harry gestured his head towards the table. "Shouldn't we be eating soon?" Cedric jumped and went over to a chair quickly and pulled it out gesturing for Rose to come over.
"Yes, sorry. I got side tracked. You okay there dear?" Rose smiled brightly and nodded at Cedric giving him a chaste kiss before facing forwards. Everyone sat down with Draco sat opposite Harry. Harry ended up sat next to Dudley who sat next to the little boy Evan with Piers on the other side of the little boy. Petunia was next to Tommy who sat next to the other Blonde woman and Cedric next to the blonde and opposite Rose. Vernon sat at the head of the table.
They ate amongst reasonably friendly chatter. It was friendly to everyone except Harry, Draco noted. Cedric was seemingly oblivious as was the blonde woman and Evan but everyone else gave Harry questions about his life that were designed to have a small stab at the green eyed man. Harry answered each question with a smile that was sometimes innocent and sometimes just a smile.
"Do you remember the time you tried to run with a twisted ankle Harry? I can't believe you tried to run with it. It was swollen up and still you refused to sit out. Just goes to show you how high Harry's tolerance for pain is doesn't it. You nearly beat me too if I remember correctly. You didn't though, that was my one and only victory over you."
"You came damned close a couple of times though didn't you?"
"Yes I did but I can never beat Harry. He runs like there's something dreadful chasing him." Harry smiled innocently over at Cedric.
"Well you weren't far away were you. I couldn't hang around."
"Oh you!" Cedric laughed putting his palm flat against the table with a slight bang. "Do you still run Harry?"
"Yes, when I find time."
"Your boss sounds like a workaholic."
"No not really, he just keeps everyone else busy."
"What's his name again? I keep forgetting."
"William Jameson." Harry said with an innocent smile. Cedric nodded in between taking a bit of his beef steak.
"Oh yes him. He's famous now, I suppose that's why he keeps you so busy. He's in high demand." Harry nodded with his innocent smile once again.
"Why have you not got a promotion yet Harry? Haven't you been working for that man for five years, ever since he started wasn't it?"
"Just after William set up yes."
"Well why aren't you promoted yet. You're still just a lowly designer aren't you? You aren't even working with the celebrities or any customers. You should work harder to get a promotion."
"Well I've never really thought about promotion. Besides you have William at the top and the designers that work with the customers then you have the designers that feed ideas upwards. I'm quite happy to stay tucked away rather than work with the customers."
"That's what I never liked about you Harry." Cedric interrupted before Vernon could speak again. "You always settle for what you have and never fight to be the best. Even with running if there was the slightest chance anyone else could have beaten you then you'd immediately back down and say they won when you were clearly the better in the race. Stand up for yourself Harry, come on."
"I'll try then but I really don't think William needs me as a customer clothes designer." Harry smiled innocently again and turned back to his food accidentally meeting Draco's eyes as he turned his gaze. Swirling silver eyes trapped him and Harry felt himself blush slightly under the scrutinising gaze. What he saw wasn't reassuring. The silver eyes told him that Draco knew he was lying. Harry gulped and offered Draco a smile before quickly turning back to his gaze back to his food and eating his way through his salad. When Harry was done eating the salad he put his cutlery on his plate and leaned back slightly. His family merely glanced at his plate before continuing to eat.
"Have some more Harry." Harry looked up startled at the voice and saw it was Draco who had spoken. Draco wasn't looking at him because he was cutting his steak neatly but Harry knew it was the blonde who spoke.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said have some more."
"W…" Harry was about to ask why but silver eyes met his gaze and Harry found himself backing down slightly though not about to reach for any more food.
"Because you didn't eat on the plane. Now, please have some more. That salad wasn't very big as it was and wouldn't feed a child. Have some more." Harry frowned crossly but reached out to get some more salad. Vernon and Petunia watched, as did everyone else as Draco put down his cutlery and watched Harry take some food.
"Take some of this Harry." Cedric offered passing over a plate with some new potatoes and spring onions in. Harry sighed but nodded and took the bowl piling two potatoes onto his plate before handing it back to Cedric who took it with a smile. Harry then looked over at Draco with a cross look on his face. He gestured silently to his plate with his hand and Draco nodded going back to his own food. Harry rolled his eyes and started eating.
"If you don't mind my asking, what was that about?" Tommy asked next to the blonde girl. Draco turned his calm silver eyes to him and Harry flicked his eyes over to meet his brother's curious gaze.
"When Draco and I first…got together he told me I had to eat at least three times a day."
"Yes and he didn't eat at all on the plane. He said he wasn't hungry and I assume it was because of the plane journey. Now, however, he has no excuse and he is skinny enough as it is. One would think, by the way he starves himself sometimes, that he didn't eat well enough as a child." Draco noticed Harry winced but Vernon looked outraged.
"Are you suggesting Mr Malfoy that I don't feed those under my care?" Draco gave the man a curious smile.
"Or course not. That would be ridiculous. Of course you fed them after all your son turned out fine did he not? I think Harry just tends to get a little side tracked and sometimes forgets to eat. I meant no insinuation sir." Draco said politely and Harry watched out of the corner of his eye as the angry red of his uncles' face turned back to its normal shades. Draco's smile was disarming and Harry met his gaze across the table. Harry looked away quickly and went back to eating but he knew the eyes that Draco had met were dull and sad.
"So, tell me again Draco. Why is it you are with my brother? You could do so much better." Draco kept his eyes on Harry but answered Rose's question.
"I find him simply fascinating. He is a very talented musician for a start, he is handsome and he has a lot of talent with it comes to designing clothes. From what I can gather from Cedric Harry is also a talented runner. He has many talents, don't you think so Miss Potter?"
"Please call me Rose. And I never really knew much of Harry's talents. He never showed them to us. He was always the underachiever at school, never quite meeting Dudley, Tommy and my grades at school and he never showed a particular interest in things until of course he up and left to go to America to do fashion designing."
"Oh, well Harry has obviously been hiding in the closet so to speak." Harry jerked his eyes up and his wide green eyes met Draco's calm grey ones. Draco watched as fear flooded into Harry's eyes and he frowned slightly adding things up quickly in his mind. With realisation Draco's eyes widened slightly and he quickly put down his cutlery keeping his gaze locked on Harry's eyes searching for something and obviously finding it. Harry snapped his gaze away and looked over at his uncle.
"May I be excused Uncle? I'm really tired from the flight still."
"Eat your food first."
"Really uncle, I've eaten enough."
"Very well but we need you at eight tomorrow morning to help prepare for the outing to the park we are all going on. Fun and games tomorrow with friends."
"Very well. Eight o'clock. Good night everyone." Harry stood up and put his napkin besides his plate before leaving the room at a quick pace running his hand through his hair again. He closed the doors behind him without so much as looking back. Draco watched him leave with a slight frown of confusion.
"I wonder what that was about." Cedric asked frowning in confusion. Vernon and Petunia exchanged a glance before looking over at Draco who put on his best confused glance.
"I have absolutely no idea. Perhaps I'd better go and wee if I can help him." Draco went to stand but Rose protested slipping her arm through Cedric's.
"Oh no, just let him rest. When he's tired he always gets a little moody. We'd just love it if you joined us all for wine later." Draco frowned slightly but nodded his head in agreement and sat back down. Vernon and Petunia exchanged another glance but went back to their meals.