Heya. Sorry it took so long. Between computers crashing and my hotmail server going down there was no way I could post yesterday. Hope this is okay. It's the chapter before the last chapter and epilogue.
Warnings: SLASH! Hints of sex! (Hints because I didn't actually write it.) Abuse. And any other warnings from before as well. Don't like don't read, pretty simple.
Thanks for all my brilliant reviews! I think I got back to most of them. I'll update all the other stories when my exams are over but from now until the 26th (I think) I have exams so... Love you all!
"About time you two showed up. It's ten past eight!" Vernon said angrily glaring at Harry as the pair came down the stairs. Draco slid his arm around Harry's waist and steered him down the stairs making sure to show everyone that he did have his arm around Harry's waist firmly and securely. Harry gave him the barest hint of a smile and put their bag down on the floor.
"I'm sorry Mr. Dursley. It was my fault." Draco said with a small smile. "I slept through the alarm. Harry spent ages trying to wake me up. I just sleep like the dead sometimes." Vernon cleared his throat obviously at a loss of what to do since Draco was taking all the blame. Draco gave Harry a slight squeeze of reassurance from where his hand was resting on Harry's hip bones. "Is there any chance we could get some food?"
"Yes. Petunia darling, why don't you show him to the kitchens. Harry can help me get the blankets ready."
"Oh no need to trouble yourself Mrs. Dursley. I'm sure Harry can show me. Besides, I have to make sure he eats something lest he fades away. Come on Harry, lead the way." Harry nodded and walked towards the kitchens with Draco not far behind. Draco drew back his hand though and the pair just walked side by side to the kitchens. "Say Harry, do you know how to make pancakes? Because I really fancy pancakes."
"Sure. I was a master cook by eight Draco."
"Oh? Why's that?" Draco looked over at Harry who let his eyes flicker to the floor and Draco frowned at him. When they were finally out of earshot of the others Draco got his answer.
"I was cook and cleaner until I left for America." Draco narrowed his eyes and glared.
"Oh, right about now I'm about ready to kill them." Harry stopped in his tracks and looked up at Draco with a face of such innocence that Draco looked absolutely amazed.
"But Draco, if you do that your master plan will never work!" Draco stared for a moment before bursting out into loud laughter. Harry grinned at him feeling more himself and more relaxed than ever. Draco wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and made the man lead him to the kitchens still laughing loudly.
A few hours later Draco and Harry and the others made it to the country club and whilst some set up the picnic blankets and the food the others went to the tennis courts. Draco made Harry play and show him how to whilst the others showed off. Tommy and Dudley showed off their skills though they kept missing the ball every now ant then. Dudley just wasn't fast enough and Tommy's judge of distances was terrible. Draco and Harry in the other court were hitting the ball backwards and forwards between them. They each ran quickly for the ball and Harry managed to score against Draco several times. It took a while but once Harry got going he forgot anyone else was still there.
"Come on Harry, I need a rest. My stamina isn't that good!" Harry laughed with Draco as the blonde man rested his hands on his knees in an effort to keep himself up. Harry laughed through his panting and stretched out his muscles. After a few moments Draco followed suit and the pair left the courts together with Draco's fingers gently brushing Harry's neck.
"I'm sweaty Draco; surely you don't want to touch me now." Harry said in amazement. Draco smirked and shrugged continuing to gently stroke Harry's neck. Harry stared at him even as he looked away.
"That was a good game Draco. You never told me you played." Rose said with a charming smile. Draco gave her one back as he pulled Harry to sit besides him on the blanket.
"Well, it was never brought up in conversation. Besides I'm not brilliant, Harry's so much better than me." Rose looked ready to protest but Draco turned away and put his arms behind him to take his weight. Harry sat with crossed legs on the carpet but met Draco's stare when he felt it with bright and lively green eyes. "You know, you continue to surprise me."
"Well I'm not apologizing for that." Harry took a bottle of water out the basket near him and took a long drink from it. Then he reached for another one for Draco but just as he was handing out the full bottle to Draco did the blonde reach out and take his bottle and drink from that giving Harry a cheeky smirk and looked over at Rose who was looking slightly miffed.
"So," Draco said conversationally, "when are we going swimming? I'm so hot I could do with a cool down."
"We were all going after lunch." Rose said.
"So when's lunch?" Draco said with another easy smile.
"Now, we are just waiting for the boys to finish playing in the tennis courts. Help yourselves." Petunia said.
"Thank you, I believe I shall." Draco reached out and took two plates off the pile and piled them high with foods. First he put meat on his own before filling both the plates with vegetables and crisps and other things. "Here you are Harry. I don't want to see anything left on there."
Harry rolled his eyes but set about eating. Draco smiled as Harry ate and he started on his own food quickly afterwards. When Harry was finished Draco stopped eating and looked him over.
"Have some more."
"No thank you."
"Fine then. But have some fruit for dessert, some grapes or an apple or something." Harry looked pleadingly at Draco who ignored it and instead leaned over and kissed Harry quickly. Harry was stunned and he stared at Draco wide eyed. "The fruit Harry."
"Evil, manipulative bastard." Harry mumbled reaching for some food. Draco laughed merrily at that causing the people around him to stare.
"I've been called much worse, believe me!" Draco said happily. Harry shrugged meeting Draco's gaze and bit into his apple. Draco just smiled and Harry chewed and swallowed taking another bite before he saw something over Draco's shoulder. Draco watched as Harry's whole face lit up. Harry dropped the apple he was holding and grinned, scrambling to his feet and running past the blonde. Draco looked over his shoulder just in time to see Harry run up to a man with long black hair and hug him tightly. Draco smiled softly and rose to his feet picking up Harry's apple. He walked over.
"Well it's nice to see you too kiddo. How's America been treating you?"
"It's been…" Harry was interrupted by Draco's hand on his lower back.
"You still need to eat this Harry." Draco passed Harry the apple and Harry took it with a blush and a scowl. He took another bite in irritation but Draco merely smirked.
"Ah, it's been treating you well I see. About time too." The man with long black hair said with a wide grin. Draco smiled at the man and watched as Harry tried desperately not to choke. Harry eventually swallowed and glared half heartedly at the black haired man. "Come on then squirt, introduce us."
"Fine. Draco Malfoy, my godfather Sirius Black. Sirius, Draco Malfoy my…"
"Date." Draco offered with an amused smile at Harry who nodded with a faint blush again and waved his hand in dismissal.
"Nice to meet you Draco. Now, let me warn you up front. If Harry comes to any harm because of you I shall personally see to it that my dogs are released into your rooms when you are sleeping with orders to kill, maim and harm you."
"No worries there sir. I'll make sure Harry is well taken care of and able to stand up for himself."
"You know, I think you and me are gonna get along just fine Malfoy." Sirius grinned before seeing something. "Oh! Have to go, there's cake over there and I could seriously do with embarrassing little Tommy boy. Excuse me." Draco watched as the long hair man bound over to the picnic area and stole some of the cake. Harry smiled and finished off his apple throwing the core into a bin near him.
"Well, I must say you are more relaxed now." Draco said wrapping both his arms around Harry's waist pulling Harry's back against his chest.
"Draco!" Harry said slightly alarmed. He really wasn't used to contact like this but even though he squirmed to get free Draco's arms didn't relent their hold. Harry eventually stopped trying to get away and leaned back in something akin to a slump. Draco smiled with the victory and Harry put his hands over Draco's arms.
"So I take it your godfather is always nice to you?"
"Yeah. He never knew about the Dursley's…abuse." Harry stuttered. "He did know that they weren't kind to me and that my brother and sister took to taunting me. He thought it was nothing more than bullying occasionally but he never knew to the extent it was. Why is it I can tell you this when I can tell no-one else?"
"Maybe it's because I'm still a stranger but you are learning to trust me?"
"Why do I feel stronger around you?"
"I don't know. Still, I really fancy a dip in the pool. Shall we see who's going to join us?" Harry sighed and nodded, releasing his hold on Draco's arms. Draco leaned down and kissed Harry's cheek before taking the man's hand and pulling him over to the blankets again. "Hey, we're going for a swim. Any of you want to join us?"
Several people said yes including Rose, Tommy and Dudley. The older people declined letting the younger ones have their fun. Draco picked up his and Harry's bag and led the raven haired man to the changing rooms. Harry allowed himself to be lead and allowed Draco to put his stuff in the bench. He took his swim shorts and the towel and went into the nearest bathroom to change. Draco rolled his eyes and changed in the communal changing area. Piers and Dudley were changing near him as was Tommy so Draco guessed he knew why Harry left.
"So Draco, what has Harry said about us?" Tommy asked repeating the questions from last night. Draco didn't look up he just continued packing the bag with his clothes.
"He didn't say a lot. I didn't tell him what you said, if that's what you mean and therefore he didn't comment."
"We told you the truth!" Tommy said looking sincere. Draco calmly met his eyes with his own cold ones.
"Tommy, I seriously doubt that. I may not have known Harry as long as you have but the man I've met is a very quiet individual who pays more attention to succeeding silently than to having any form of relationship with anyone. I highly doubt that Harry is or was a slut or a whore. He is far too reserved. Now, I really, really need to cool off so if you'll excuse me I'm going to find Harry so we can have a swim." Draco pulled his top off and flexed his back muscles as he did so before folding the shirt and putting it in the bag. Picking up the bad Draco wandered into the bathroom where, after some serious whispered words Draco was allowed inside the disabled cubicle with Harry. Harry had pulled on his shorts and his tanned chest was on view. Harry was nervous though, Draco could tell.
"It will be fine, I'm right there. Now come on, I smell and I need a swim."
"You don't smell Draco."
"Oh yes I do. I stink."
"No you don't." Harry said honesty shining in his eyes though he wasn't looking at Draco. Draco looked down on him and let a small smile cross his lips. Harry was a really sweet guy sometimes.
"Well, at any rate I could do with a swim. Now, come on handsome." Harry found his hand being grabbed and Draco pulling him out of the cubicle and into the pool area. Harry felt incredibly naked and stood there rubbing his arms. Draco smiled and stood back looking Harry over and grinning at the bright red blush on Harry's cheeks.
Harry had a wonderful tan that contrasted wonderfully with Draco's fair skin. He had a sleekly toned physic. His frame had no fat what so ever and his stomach was wonderfully hardened with four muscles standing out clearly. Harry's arms had a good toning to them but they were still slender and Harry's legs were slender and almost hairless, Draco found himself wondering whether that was natural or whether Harry shaved. Toned and well sculptured muscles stood out on Harry's body but everything was well defined and sleek.
"A lovely physic. Now, come on." Harry was mortified at having been looked over so blatantly and scrutinizing. It was arousing, very arousing, but Harry stopped himself from getting too aroused as he didn't want there to be any evidence. Quickly he dived into the pool following Draco's lead. They were the first in the water and as soon as Harry resurfaced he found Draco mere inches away.
"Draco!" Harry gasped again going to pull back only to have hands grip his waist as they both treaded water with their legs.
"Harry."
"Draco, we are being watched."
"I had realized." Draco said moving closer. Harry took a shuddering breath in. Draco was merely inches away.
"Are you going to…"
"Am I doing to what?" Draco said with a smirk as he moved closer. He then purposefully moved away.
"Never mind." Draco smirked.
"Yes I am." That was all the warning Harry got before Draco leaned forwards again and kissed him right in front of everyone watching. Harry gasped unable to believe it but his open mouth let in Draco's tongue and Harry found himself whimpering. It was a cross between a terrified sound and a needy sound. Harry shut his eyes and leaned in ever so slightly feeling Draco take that as a cue to continue. When Draco eventually pulled away Harry nearly sunk but managed to get his legs to tread water again. He stared gaping at Draco who smiled.
"Might want to close your mouth Harry, else I might take it as an invitation." The words reached Harry's brain but they didn't register.
"Uh…" Harry managed. "That…you…oh my god." Harry turned away and swam over to the other side of the pool. Draco smirked even more and followed him. Harry reached the edge of the pool and grabbed hold of the bar on the wall to keep him up. Draco swam up next to him and held himself up with one hand and watched Harry stare completely embarrassed at him.
"That…you…that was really unfair."
"That may be true but you enjoyed it."
"Ph, well…" Harry breathed unable to come up with a suitable reply. Finally he settled for a half hearted scowl. "Fine, yes I did, but perhaps a little warning next time?"
"Warn you? Why would I do that? If I warned you of what I was going to do you would have tensed up on me and I find kissing a completely unexpecting Harry much more enjoyable than the thought of trying to kiss Harry when he's tense."
"You…I don't believe it! You as…" Draco covered his lips quickly again and Harry gasped loudly again though this time it took him a lot less time to recover from the shock. He closed his eyes and allowed the probing tongue in allowing it to meet his own tentative one. When they pulled away that time Harry's face was bright red and his lips were full and swollen.
"Fine." Harry breathed and Draco smirked. "Have it your way, unexpected is better."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Harry grinned and splashed Draco hard and fast before swimming away as quickly as he could. Draco spluttered for a moment or two before giving up chase. When he caught up with Harry he grabbed one of the man's ankles and pulled him under the water beneath Draco. Draco smirked down at Harry who choked under water. Harry quickly found his way up to breathe though and came up spluttering.
"Oooh! You asshole!" Harry said in between coughs. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"Of course not!" Draco said completely horrified. "If you died then where would my English eye candy go! I'd be stuck in England and eyecandyless! It would be dreadful!"
"You git." Harry whispered flushing red with embarrassment. Draco smiled.
"I'm going to get out for a moment. I could do with a drink. Did you fancy anything?"
"No thank you." Draco nodded and swam to the edge of the pool pulling himself out and smiling at all the cat calls he received over his well muscled body and six pack. Harry averted his gaze as per usual and started doing laps whilst Draco left. Nearing the end of one of his laps Harry found himself on the receiving end of a foot on the head. He stopped swimming in surprise and pulled back rubbing his slightly sore head. Looking up he saw Rose sat on the edge of the pool wearing a strapless black bikini.
"Can I help you Rose?" He asked politely.
"No not really. Just wondering how things with lover boy are, that's all." Harry frowned fighting off a blush rather successfully.
"They are fine. How's Cedric?"
"Fine." Rose smirked. "I heard Blaise could make it to the wedding." If Rose was expecting a reaction to that then she was sourly disappointed. Harry didn't even blink he just remained calm.
"Really, good for him."
"Aren't you excited? He was your first love wasn't he?"
"No, no he wasn't." Rose looked puzzled and Harry went to swim away only she recovered.
"How are your wrists Harry? Are they better now? I suppose they have had a long time to recover from Blaise." Harry heard himself gasp and he stared at Rose in shock and hurt. Rose smiled cheerfully and swung her legs. Harry stared for a few moments more before tearing his eyes away. He quickly turned and swam away. He swam top speed over to the steps and climbed out of the pool. On his way out he passed Draco but he didn't even turn around. Harry had only one thing on his mind, to get dressed and cover his wrists.
Harry, however, got caught on the arm by Draco as he made his way out. Harry turned nearly bouncing on his feet with the need to run.
"What's the matter? Why are you so twitchy?"
"Let me go Draco, I need to cover up." Harry absentmindedly rubbed his wrists and Draco caught the motion. He narrowed his eyes.
"What happened?"
"Rose…she asked whether my wrists were better." Harry admitted still ready to run into the changing rooms at the first opportunity. "Let me go Draco."
"Harry, you obviously regret what happened but just because your sister made some stupid comment about your wrists doesn't mean you can…"
"It's not just that." Harry confessed. "It's a lot of things. Please Draco."
"Tell me later then." Draco said still not relinquishing his hold on Harry.
"Why do you care?"
"I don't know." Harry stared at Draco for a while.
"Fine." Harry then went to walk away and yank his wrist from Draco's hand except he found himself being abruptly pulled around again and his wrist lifted. Harry watched wide eyed and fearful as Draco slowly lifted Harry's wrist all the time looking at Harry. Draco raised the hand up till his was level with his face and used his other hand to help turn Harry's arm around so he could clearly see the scars. Still looking at Harry Draco kissed the scar. Harry felt his body relax suddenly and the dreadful need to run away and get changed was gone.
"Go on then, go get changed." Draco released Harry's wrist but didn't turn away from the shorter man. Harry couldn't move for a moment he just kept staring at his escort. With his other hand he gently traced the area Draco's lips had been pressed against his skin.
"Um…what are you doing?" Draco smiled brightly and pushed his hand behind Harry's neck pulling the shorter man closer again and delivering a kiss to his lips.
"Well, first I'm going to drag you over to the reclining chairs and give you a massage. Then I'm going to see if I can get one in return and perhaps convince you to join me in the sauna room."
"Hmm." Harry hummed with that smile again and Draco's smile widened. Keeping his arm around Harry's neck, fingers caressing the soft tanned skin, Draco lead the young man over to the bed chairs and got him to lie down.
"I will stop should you ask me to okay? But trust me; you are in very safe hands." Harry hummed again and offered Draco another smile. Draco waited until Harry was lead down before delivering a kiss to Harry's back. "Now..."
Draco straddled Harry's hips but before Harry could protest Draco started rubbing along the muscles around Harry's neck and shoulders. He rubbed out the tension and left them relaxed. As he moved down Draco worked diligently and with a smile as he and Harry chatted quietly.
"Hey Draco…how old are you?" Draco's hands stilled slightly but then he continued as if nothing had happened.
"I'm twenty nine. You are twenty…seven, right?"
"No." Harry laughed lightly. "I'm twenty five." It was Draco's time to hum as he moved a little further down to the middle of Harry's back. "What did you always want to be? When you were younger, what did you want to be?"
"I always wanted to go into politics or law just like my father but then I got older and they died and I had all this money that I didn't want to use. I used it in the end to pay off my college debts and bought myself a nice big, modern flat. Since I was only just twenty two and I didn't want to take a serious job I became an escort. It was fun when I started, it still is…interesting. I always used to be rather…sex orientated. I didn't mind whether they were male or female so long as I could shag them. To be honest that attitude didn't last long. I then became more interested in accompanying people to parties. I was very good at analyzing people, knowing what they needed. I only used to do what I needed but now it's more about the other people. Now I wouldn't mind quitting my job and staying with a more long term partner."
"Hmm." Harry smiled. "I always wanted to be a musician but most of all I always wanted to get away from here. I achieved the second one but the first wasn't something I wanted to come out with. I was just quite happy to play on my own…I still am. I love my job though. I've done so much. My company is a success and I've got three orphanages funded and well kept."
"You've done remarkably well for someone your age. In five years you have built a lot more than most ever could." Harry laughed. The chatter died down but the atmosphere didn't become tense.
"Draco, could I ask you a slightly more private question?"
"Uh, yes I guess. I can't guarantee I'll answer though."
"Um... How many people have you slept with?" Draco stilled his hands and pulled back. Harry immediately wriggled and tried to turn around. Draco lifted himself off Harry and sat on the chair. "I'm really sorry, you don't have to answer. I'm sorry."
"Shh, Harry, it's okay." Draco laughed slightly. "It's fine. Don't worry. I don't know how many people I've slept with. I lost count years ago. All of it was protected of course but I've lost count."
"Uh…that many huh?" Harry said nervously. Draco smiled and brushed Harry's hair back. The twenty five year old smiled and swung his legs around so he was sat next to Draco.
"Yeah, that many. I've slept with lots of people, both men and women though I can tell you I've never been bottom. I am always in control." Harry smiled again albeit rather nervously.
"I'm not really surprised. You don't seem the type to give away any control." Draco grinned. "I've only slept with five people. My first was the first person I loved. His name was Blaise. He slept with me once then dumped me because he said my sister was a lot prettier than me. That's fine though because I'm a guy so I'm not exactly going to be pretty. Besides, we were fifteen at the time. Blaise was the one who told Aunt and Uncle that I was gay. That, I can't really forgive him for. Then you have a guy called Joe. He seduced me with the 'I'll protect you, you are safe with me'. I got rid of him because he raped me. Recovered from that on my own. Then came Nate. He was a nice guy. He was the last one I had here in England. He lasted two months. He was kindest to me and he helped me out loads of times. He was my secret. He left to go to Australia though and I went to America. When I got there I went clubbing and got drunk and therefore laid. Didn't catch that guy's name. The last guy was six years ago and his name was Luke. We met in a fashion catwalk. He took me out and three months later he managed to finally get the walls down enough to bed me. He was twenty three and I was nineteen. He lasted all of six months till I opened William Jameson and then he left. He liked fashion enough to watch the cat walks but he couldn't cope with my loving it so much. It was okay when we slept together in the beginning but in the end he couldn't take it. He said I worked too hard and didn't care about myself or my family. He was a family guy so he left me. Got married I think."
"You've had it rather rough haven't you Harry? Not a good lot in life at all." Harry shook his head with a smile.
"Doesn't matter. I've got what I need…mostly." Harry looked away and Draco smiled gently.
"Well, I said I'd try and get you to give me a massage so how about it?" Harry laughed but nodded.
"Okay, but I'm not as good as you are." Draco shrugged and led down. Harry started off carefully before building up his confidence with Draco's encouragement. Eventually Harry had Draco nearly falling asleep, just as Draco had had him.
"Draco! Come on Dray wake up." Harry said laughing slightly. Draco groaned and pushed himself up.
"Dray? You shortened my name?" Harry blushed.
"Sorry."
"Nah, it's okay. Call me Dray if you wanna." Draco yawned. "Bugger I'm tired. Wonder what time we are going home. Come on, let's get showered and dressed."
"Uh…how about we shower at home because there are only communal showers here."
"Harry, you've paid for the package!" Draco said quietly so only he and Harry could hear. Harry blushed hotly.
"It's embarrassing…I don't like anyone seeing me without my clothes on. This is the most naked I've been before my family for over a decade. I'm not going to be seen naked. Please Draco?"
"Oh you bloody! Fine. Spoil my fun why don't you." Draco pulled a spluttering Harry along behind him to get dressed. Harry immediately grabbed his clothes and towel and fled to the changing rooms.
I have a wonderful beta now! Hope you all enjoyed it! Will see you soon. Hopefully I'll update this one in a few days. Because I've got all the chapters written I'll just get them betaed and post 'em. Love you all!
Gemxx