Over My Head

So let these tiny acts of charity
become common ground on which to build a monument
to commemorate our time

Saving Hermione Granger had been a last minute decision.

Draco had already been planning on betraying his father. Betraying Voldemort and his followers. Draco had never, really, been keen on joining their group of murderers. He didn't tell anyone that, though. He couldn't let is leak out that Draco, what he truly wanted to do, was damn his father and all the other deatheaters to Hell. No, he had to wait for the opportune moment. War. He got the stupid dark mark that would always be a part of him, now and did everything he was asked of. Although helping the "good side" had been on his agenda...going out of his way to save his enemies, was not. But, something inside of him couldn't bear to watch her die. He wasn't sure what it was. But he had done it and, in return, Harry had helped him. Led him around in their little posse and kept him from collapsing on the ground due to the insatiable burning in his wrist. He had felt like his wrist was being sawed off. And he knew it wouldn't stop until Voldemort was dead.

He felt like an ass when he couldn't help Harry.

When the time had come for Voldemort to die.

All he could do was lean against a tree. He had been dizzy. He had puked a few times. The pain had been unbearable and he almost considered killing himself so he wouldn't have to deal with it anymore. But, he hadn't needed to. He couldn't see due to his dizziness but an hour later of Draco trying to relax and Hermione kneeling next to him trying to soothe him, the pain had stopped and everything was silent. Then he was rushed to the hospital and he never saw Harry again. Hermione, however, visited everyday and, at first, it annoyed the hell out of him and he pushed her away and treated her as he always had. Then things changed. She came to the hospital everyday to visit him, brought him real food and helped make it less boring while he was shut up in the white room of the hospital. Soon, he let her in his life, sure of the fact that she was never going to leave him alone. Their friendship had progressed quickly from there.

And, now here he was. At her wedding.

When he had first seen Harry he almost didn't recognize him. He was, by far, one of the most gorgeous creatures on the earth - no lie. He heard about him a lot from Hermione over the months. Draco was pretty sure she was trying to find out what his feelings about the subject of Harry were. And, to be honest, seeing how perfectly gorgeous the man was? Well, he'd let all negative comments that he had been prepared to throw at him disappear. Harry was just too damn good looking to act like an ass towards him today. No, today, he'd try his best to not get horny at the mere sight of him. Which would be a very, very hard task. He looked stunning in a tux and, not to mention, a million times better with his stupid, ass ugly, round glasses replaced with newer ones. Draco suddenly wished he hadn't been such a bastard towards him over the years. Maybe if they had been friends, Draco would have had the chance to make Harry his. All his.

After Harry pulled his hand back in his lap, Draco continued looking at him. Studying every inch of Harry's face. And, not to look like he was staring, Draco said the first thing that came to mind. "So, Hermione and, not to mention, the daily prophet, tell me that you're gay." Yes, it was blunt but he didn't care. Draco was a blunt person. Harry stared at him questioningly for a moment before nodding. Everything Harry seemed to do around him was very hesitant. That was to be expected. After all, Draco couldn't expect them to just jump right into friendship and start bloody holding hands after just a few seconds of their agreement. "Yes. I'm gay." Harry raises an eyebrow. "Hermione also tells me that you like it from behind." Pause. Had Harry just said what Draco thought he said? Yes, Draco was very blunt tonight but he had never expected Harry to turn around and decide to dish it back out at him, too. Draco smirked, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

"Actually, I don't like it. I love it."

Harry didn't say anything but he didn't miss the slight pink color in the Gryffindor's cheeks.

"So, you talk about me, do you?"

Harry quickly shook his head. "No, we don't talk about you. Hermione does. To me. She's obsessed with you. She never shuts up about how perfect and single and whatever else you are." A smile suddenly flew up onto his face. "She tells you I'm single? Interested, Potter? Trying to score a date?" Draco wished. Then, after the date, he would be sure somehow talk his way into getting Harry into his home. Draco watched as Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure, that's it." Draco smirked and looked down at his fingernails, acting as if it was deeply interesting. "I'm sure it is. Everyone wants me. Even the straight ones."

"Still the egotistical brat I know. Thank Merlin something about you is still the same."

"Oh, don't go callin' me names, Harry. It's not my fault that I speak the truth."

Suddenly, Harry got a very curious look on his face. "How is it, Mal-Draco, that you're single? If what you claim is true and everyone wants you, then where's the man of your dreams?"

"I'm very picky with whom I date."

"So, you don't just use them and dump them."

"What gave you that idea?"

To be honest, Draco was slightly dumbfounded at that. He watched Harry shrug and saw the smile on his lips. His plump, pink, gorgeous lips. He and Harry may have hated each other for several years but that didn't mean that Draco didn't notice how sodding gorgeous the guy was! Even more so when the Gryffindor smiled. "Oh, I don't know. In school you were always considered the Slytherin Sex God. Or Slut. Either way." Draco snorted and took a sip of his wine. "I'm no slut. Though, I won't deny that I'm a God when it comes to my sex life." Harry snorted, though he didn't doubt that Malfoy - Draco! - was good in the sack. Not that he would say that out loud. "I'm sure you are." Draco's lips curved up into a sly smile. "Do you doubt my abilities, Harry? I'm sure I could give you a surefire demonstration of just how great I am." Harry mentally kicked himself as he felt his cheeks grow hot from the innuendo that Draco wasn't trying to hide. At all. Bastard. Harry rolled his eyes trying to regain some control over the situation.

"You sound eager to show me, Draco. If I'm not mistaken, I'd say you want me."

There. He had regained control.

"What if I said I did? After all, you're gorgeous."

Harry choked on the wine that he had been drinking. Ok, so his control had obviously slipped. He doubted he'd be able to regain anything right now because, somehow, Draco knew just how to push his buttons. Harry set his wine down on the table and racked his brain for something witty to say. Or maybe he should just get up and walk away and tell Hermione he didn't feel well and all he wanted to do was go home and hide under his comforter. Harry glanced over at Draco and realized that the blond looked very, very pleased with himself and his skills at pushing his buttons. He quickly looked away. It was obvious that he wouldn't be able to think of anything to say to Draco. So, he remained quiet. There, take that! His silence allowed his mind to think, which wasn't always a good idea either. Gorgeous? Him? He'd never thought of himself in that way. Sure, he'd never thought he was ugly, per say, but never gorgeous. Draco was obviously pulling his leg. Or something.

Draco smiled slightly at Harry's silence. Harry was obviously shocked at his blunt confession. Draco was sure he could get the Gryffindor to talk someway. "Nothing witty to say?" Harry frowned, which only made Draco more pleased with himself at pushing Harry's buttons too correctly. To Draco's dismay, Harry didn't say anything. He only shook his head and gulped down the rest of his wine. Hmm, maybe he could get Harry drunk? Draco could only imagine all the fun he could have with Harry if he was to get him drunk. But, Draco decided against it. Soon he'd get Harry to open up. Soon, he might be able to show Harry just how good in the sack he was. Smiling down at him, Draco stood up from the table taking his wine with him. This gathered Harry's attention and Draco could see that he was confused as to why he was leaving.

"I'll talk to you later, Harry."

"Alright."

At least Harry didn't decline. That was a step. Maybe they'd become friends after all.

"You're getting out of this office and coming out to lunch with me."

"And Malfoy."

"I'd never set you up like that."

"You're a really bad liar."

Harry raised an eyebrow at his best-friend as she stood in the doorway to his cubicle. He was bent over some paperwork. Hermione wrinkled her nose at the enclosed cubicle and messy desk. "Harry, you seriously need to take me up on my offer. It's not like you need a job anyway." Harry sighed, noticing that Hermione had dropped the subject of Draco entirely but didn't say anything about it. "Hermione, I can't just work for you." Hermione placed her hands on her hips and offered him a stern look that clearly said, 'why the hell not?' Harry laughed and stood up from his desk with the major need to stretch. He had been sitting for hours nonstop and he was very, very uncomfortable. "I'd just feel uncomfortable taking a job from you just because we're friends." Hermione glared at him. "Harry, you'd help me if you worked for me. Do you know how many gay men come into my shop? If you were there selling coffee I'd probably sell loads more than I already do. Also, girls love you. So there's more coffee and books." Harry followed her out of the cubicle.

"How charming of you."

"I'm serious. Then, we'd see each other everyday."

"And you'd invite Draco over every day during break time for lunch."

Hermione didn't say anything. She only looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, which confirmed Harry's suspicions. "C'mon, you guys became friends at the wedding, just admit it." Harry shook his head. Hermione was majorly messed up in the head sometimes. "No, not friends. Polite acquaintances." He couldn't see it but he was sure Hermione had rolled her eyes. "Harry, I demand you take the job. I need someone anyway and all the kids that come in for the job suck. They're all immature and just...not right. You're perfect, though. Please? It'd be better than being cooped up in an office all day, wouldn't it?" She did have a point. He smiled over at Hermione and shrugged. "Hermione, if you shut up about it, I promise that I'll think about it." She let out an excited squeal and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, back to my earlier statement. Draco's going to be there, isn't he?" Hermione only nodded, smile on her face.

Harry hadn't seen Draco since the wedding - which had been three weeks ago - and he wasn't sure if he wanted to see him or not. The affect that the blond had had on him the last time they had been together had confused and shocked him. And Harry didn't like being confused. Or shocked. "Hermione, when are you going to give up?" She pushed him on the shoulder as they walked down the sidewalk towards her car. They could have apparated but Hermione loved driving for some reason. He didn't question it. "I saw you guys. You have chemistry." Harry made a 'blah' sound and frowned over at her. There was no chemistry going on between him and Malfoy. Not then and not ever. Hermione grinned amusedly at him. "There was, Harry. Ron even said so." Harry gaped at her and pulled her to a stop.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I don't believe you. Ron hates talking about me being gay so I highly doubt that-"

"Harry, you said yourself that I suck at lying. I'm serious. He said you did."

Harry let go of her and a moment later they were traveling down the road towards Hogsmeade, and parking in front of a small eating establishment. Hermione grabbed his hand as they walked inside. "C'mon, Harry. It's ok. It's not a big deal." Harry made an 'hmph' sound that showed he clearly disagreed with her. This was a big deal. Draco and him. No. It didn't matter if Draco was good looking and it didn't even matter that Malfoy was...different now. There was no way they could ever have a relationship. That'd be weird and awkward. Harry quickly lost time to think about the matter longer because they were standing in front of the table and Draco was sitting there, small smile on his face. Harry was once again, shocked, to see that he was wearing muggle clothes. Was he in some kind of parallel universe? Harry was wearing muggle clothes too but...Harry was Harry. He's always worn muggle clothes. Draco, on the other hand, muggle clothes were not him. At least, they weren't a long time ago.

Harry sat down and Hermione sat next to him.

"Hello, Draco."

She was practically singing. Bloody hell.

"Hi."

He, on the other hand, was not singing. They'd be lucky if 'hi' was the only word they got out of him. Draco looked slightly amused but only told them both hi and then they were ordering. Harry suddenly wasn't very hungry but ordered anyway. He wouldn't let either of them know that he was...nervous. Yes, he was nervous and slightly peeved about what Ron had said. Chemistry? Yeah, bloody, right! Thirty minutes into eating, Hermione had to go to the bathroom. Now, Harry couldn't tell her she couldn't so there was nothing he could do but stay at the table - ALONE - with Draco Malfoy. Once she was gone, Draco grinned amusedly at him. Harry rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "I knew you were going to be here but I still came. Obviously a mistake." Draco didn't look at all offended by the statement. He only smirked. "Why? Why is it a mistake? Because I'm so stunning that you can't even speak. That's a major compliment." Harry rolled his eyes.

"I know you love yourself, Draco, you don't have to remind me."

"You remembered."

"Remembered what?"

"To call me by my first name."

"Yes, well, I do have a good memory."

Draco didn't say anything. He only took a sip of his water. Harry raised an eyebrow. "Why are you wearing those clothes?" Draco smirked, "You noticed?" Harry didn't say anything. He knew exactly what was coming next. "Been checkin' me out, Potter? I knew you wanted me." Harry slumped down in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "Sure, whatever you say. You can answer my question now." Draco sighed and set his glass back on the table. "Fine, Harry, if you must know, though I don't know why you care so much, if you haven't noticed I haven't really been present in the Daily Prophet anymore. The reason for that is because I don't reside in the wizarding world anymore. I guess I live as a muggle." Harry gaped at him. Right. And he was straight. "Very funny, Draco." Draco raised an eyebrow.

"I'm serious. I have my wand but I don't use it. I have a decent sized house and I,"

"You cook and clean?"

Draco snorted.

"In your dreams. They have hired help for that."

"I should have known."

"Yes, you should have. I'm surprised Hermione hasn't told you."

"Yeah, me too. I'm surprised she hasn't given me your address and your phone number just on the off chance that I want to have a sleep over."

Harry's voice dripped of sarcasm. Draco grinned and shrugged. "I bet if you did have my address you would have called to have a sleepover." Harry shook his head and began to pick at his food. "In your dreams."

"Yeah, you're right. Definitely in my dreams."

Why? Why did Draco have to know the exact words that clicked on his button that made him blush? What had he done to deserve this sodding crap? And where was Hermione? She was obviously doing this on purpose. He heard Draco chuckle as Harry stared down at his food, which he still hadn't finished. Finally Hermione came back, smiled at the two of them and started up her own conversation, which consisted of telling Draco that she was trying to get Harry to quit that boring job of his and work of her. Draco thought it was a great idea. Of course he did. Harry rolled his eyes and wondered if he could order a beer because he really, really wanted one. Harry suddenly pushed his chair away from the table. "Uh, I have some things I gotta do..." Hermione shook her head and Harry could tell that she didn't believe him.

"And what would that be?"

"Um, incase you've forgotten, I still have to paint my living room."

Which was true. But he hadn't been planning on doing it today. Now he was, though. He knew Hermione would probably stop by to see if he was telling the truth. "Erm, thanks for lunch, Mione." He bent down and kissed her on the cheek before looking over at Malfoy. "Bye...Draco." Then he quickly got out of there before he gave into his urges and got drunk. He apparated home as quickly as possible. He, too, lived in the "muggle world" but he hadn't given up magic. But he liked what things muggles had of offer. TV, stereos, video games and stoves. One of Harry's favorite things to do was cook. So, yeah. Harry had apparated himself in his living room where cans of paint were already sitting on the living room floor. He quickly set about to laying newspaper out on the floor and then set to painting. It took him a few hours but he didn't stop once. Not even to take a break. And not even to ease his hurting back. It hurt like hell.

When he was done he collapsed on the sofa on his stomach.

Suddenly there was a knock at his door. He knew it was Hermione. And he wasn't getting up.

"Come in!"

He heard the door but he didn't open his eyes.

"Harry,"

"Holy fuck, Malfoy! What the hell are you doing here?"

Harry practically leapt off the couch, which did not do good things to his back and he let out a cry of pain. God almighty. He was going to kill Hermione. How could she do this to him? Giving his address to random strangers. Ok, so Draco wasn't a stranger but...still. Draco, to say the least, looked very, very amused. Harry, caressing his lower back with one hand, ran a hand furiously through his hair. "You scared the shit out of me, Malfoy. What the hell are you doing here?" Draco nodded towards the carton of food he was holding in his hand. "Hermione had to go to work. She just told me to give this to you." Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I bet she did. Fucking witch." He stepped forward and took the carton from him and strode past him and into his large kitchen. He set the carton on the counter and decided that he was going to kill his best-friend. Merlin. Draco followed him and sat down on chairs that he had at his small table. It could only fit two people and since Harry lived alone it was perfect for him.

"Nice place."

Harry shot him a guarded look.

"What are you still doing here?"

"Hermione said that I didn't have to leave no matter how rude you're being to me."

Harry groaned and turned to reach into the fridge. He knew he'd need one, so he grabbed a beer with his free hand. "What's wrong with your back?" Harry rubbed his back unconsciously. "It hurts." Draco asked why and Harry wondered why the hell the blond was still here. God. Harry nodded towards the living room, "Painting for hours. Now I regret it."

"So you really did have to paint."

"Yes, I really did."

"I thought you were just trying to get away from me."

"That too."

Draco smile and got up from the chair.

"I'm really good with my hands."

Harry backed up, shaking his head.

"Yeah, ok, I'm sure you are but no way. Stay over there."

Draco smirked and stepped closer. "Merlin, Harry, what are you? Scared of a little massage?" Harry was not scared. And he didn't like being called scared, either. Harry wasn't a chicken. Especially of a stupid massage. And Draco knew that he didn't like being called chicken either. Harry suddenly realized just how much of a manipulative bitch Draco was. "No." Draco stepped a tad closed, smile still on his face, eyes flashing with amusement. "Then what's wrong? It'll help you feel better." Harry stepped back again and his butt met the edge of the counter. "It's already starting to feel better." His lie was given away when he moved a tad to walk around the blond and a wince escaped him. Draco laughed at him and shook his head. "C'mon, Harry. I swear I won't rape you and steal away your precious innocence." Harry scoffed.

"You think I'm a virgin?"

"You aren't?"

"No, actually, I'm not."

Draco truly looked shocked. "Who?"

"What?"

"Who was it?"

Harry rolled his eyes and slowly walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room. He could not believe he was having this discussion with Draco Malfoy. Of all people. "C'mon, who was it?" Harry slowly and gently laid himself down on his stomach when he reached the sofa. Merlin, his back was killing him. He was never, ever painting again. And, if his wand wasn't all they way down the hall and in his bedroom, he'd use a quick healing spell. "Why the hell do you care?" Draco didn't say anything for a moment. "I don't know. I'm just curious. Was it someone I know?" Harry shook his head and let out an exasperate sigh. "No, Draco, you don't know him. It was some random kid. I was drunk. He was drunk. I screwed him. End of story." He felt Draco sit down next to him and he was about to tell his arse to get up off his couch but Draco started talking before he could.

"So, you're a top."

"Why the hell are you asking me these questions?"

"Like I said, I'm just curious."

He jumped when he felt hands on his back. "What the hell-" Malfoy shushed him. "Shut up, Potter and relax. God." For the first time he actually sounded like the old Draco Malfoy, which was oddly comforting for some reason. "Fine, but no funny business." Draco let out a laugh and it just ruined the old Malfoy image. But not in a bad way, mind you. "Funny business? I can't imagine you fucking anybody." Harry glared over at him. "Shut up. I don't want you imagining anything having to do with me and that word either." Draco rolled his eyes and his hands began to work their magic on his spine. Before he knew it the pain began to slowly ease away and he was suddenly very, very glad that Hermione had made Draco stop by. This felt very, very good. Harry made sure not to say that, though. It'd only boost his ego even more. "See, it's not that bad." Harry only groaned. He could probably fall asleep if Draco continued doing that with his fingers.

"Whatever."

"Just admit it."

"I'm not admitting to anything."

Suddenly Draco's hands stopped and Harry felt his body leave the couch. "I have to go." Harry raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you have a busy schedule and all, Draco." Harry was obviously being sarcastic. Draco only shrugged, headed towards the door and was gone before Harry could say another word. Yawning, Harry slowly got up off the couch and headed back into the kitchen. Now that he was gone he could eat in bloody peace without his mind going a million miles a minute. Harry opened up the carton and saw that it was his left over lunch. Smiling slightly, Harry microwaved it and ate it. Then - bed. His sweet, wondrous, comfortable bed. Before sleep totally took over him he grabbed his wand, made his back feel one-hundred percent better. Then he let sleep take over him.

I don't know if I like this chapter. I'll leave it up to you, though.