Harry had never been to The Manor. He'd heard stories about it though, and it didn't cast the place in a welcoming light. Stories of walking dead, ghosts, and all sorts of evil beings flowed easily from the servants' lips, putting Harry off the place.
When they pulled up in front of Malfoy Manor, Harry was beginning to think the servants liked to make up things.
Malfoy Manor seemed to be a large place, put it wasn't dark and gloomy like he'd imagined. Multi-colored plots of trees and flowers lined the circular driveway and he could see 3 or 4 servants working in these gardens to maintain their beauty. He caught a glimpse of a pond near the left side of the house, situated between a group of elms that provided shade from the sun. Perfect spot for a picnic. He mused silently.
The carriage halted in front of the massive oak doors and a person he assumed to be a doorman came down the steps to open the carriage doors. He escorted Lady Malfoy out first.
"Welcome home, Mistress." the servant greeted warmly.
"Thank you, Nigel." she smiled. Draco exited the carriage next.
"Welcome home, M'Lord." Nigel smiled.
"Thank you, Nigel." Draco nodded. Draco turned to look at Harry, who was suddenly attacked by a case of nerves. "Come, love. The horses need to be seen to." Draco held out his hand, patiently. Taking a deep, fortifying breath, Harry accepted his hand and exited.
"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, Master Harry." Nigel greeted.
"Thank you." Harry replied in a small voice. He tried to pull his hand away from Draco's but Draco kept a firm grip on it. For once, Harry didn't argue, nervous as he was.
They went inside and Harry saw a line of servants leading into the large entry hall. He had to clamp down on the urge to turn around and run back out the door. Draco held on to his hand and led him down the row, each servant introducing themselves to their new charge. They all seemed friendly toward him and he relaxed slightly.
"Perhaps Harry would like a rest now, Draco. It's been a very tiring day." Narcissa admonished.
"Thank you, Lady Malfoy." Harry told her. She patted his shoulder affectionately.
"Please. Call me Cissa or Mother if it suits you. You're family now." She kissed his cheek and headed up the wide staircase to her rooms on the second floor.
"Is there anything you need, M'Lord?" Nigel asked, seeming to appear out of nowhere.
"No, thank you Nigel. I'll just take Harry to his room for some rest."
"Very good. Have a pleasant evening, M'Lord, Master Harry." Nigel turned to the other servants to dismiss them for the evening as Harry and Draco headed up to the third floor.
Draco kept glancing at Harry as they walked down the dimly lit hall, trying to gauge his mood. Every since they'd left Lord Lupin's, Harry was deceptively quiet. He knew his husband had to be nervous about what this night would entail and he only hoped he could make it special for him.
"Here we are." Draco smiled, stopping to open the door at the end of the hall. He let Harry enter the room ahead of him. Harry looked around at the room in awe. It was huge. The sitting room alone was larger than his at Lord Lupin's. But what held his attention was the canopied 4-poster King Edward bed in the center of the bedroom. His heartbeat sounded loud in his own ears.
"I shouldn't be here." Harry whispered. Draco wasn't sure he heard him correctly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I shouldn't be here." Harry repeated, louder this time. Draco was stunned.
"Why?"
"Because I feel like my life isn't my own anymore and it's your fault. I'm not ready to be a spouse. I was never ready for this. But you forced me into this 'sham' and now I have to live with it for the rest of my life. Why would you condemn me to this life?" The tears Harry had been trying to hold back all evening, finally freed themselves from his eyes.
"Harry. Why can't you understand that I love you?"
"No. Don't say things you don't mean, Draco. I don't believe you're capable of loving anybody but yourself." Harry wiped furiously at his eyes, hating to look like a weakling in front of this man.
"Let me prove my love." Draco begged, stepping closer.
"No. Stay away from me. I hate you, Draco Malfoy. I really and truly hate you." Harry moved to head for the bathroom he'd spotted and heard what sounded like a growl from behind him. Before he could take another step, he was roughly yanked back and pressed against the door, an angry blonde pressed against the front of his body. His eyes widened in shock.
"You may hate me, but I love you, you little fool." Draco hissed before claiming Harry's lips in a searing kiss.
Lord save me! Harry moaned as Draco's tongue plundered his mouth with his devilish tongue. Draco's fingers were tangled in Harry's hair, directing the kiss where he wanted it to go. At first it was hard and angry and Harry felt his traitorous body responding. He practically melted against the man and Draco changed this kiss. It became tender and sweet and Harry thought he was going to die from the sensation. Draco pulled back for air then swooped in again, attacking Harry's neck, licking and nipping gently, causing Harry to dig his fingers painfully into Draco's hips where they were resting. On and on the kisses went, Harry not knowing where one ended and another began.
And as before, Draco's hand on his most private area brought him to his senses like a slap. He struggled in Draco's arms, pushing him away forcefully. Their breathing was ragged.
Draco was satisfied to see Harry's lips were swollen with his kisses and those vibrant green eyes were filled with anger and lust. Harry wanted him, he knew he did. He just had to find some way to make Harry see that.
"I told you not to touch me, you pig!" Harry scowled, trying to control his body.
"You enjoyed my attentions, love. You may deny it with your head but your body doesn't lie." Draco smirked, his gaze falling to Harry's groin.
"Get out!" Harry snapped. "Just get out!"
"I don't think so, love. These are my rooms and as such, I decide who sleeps here."
"Then I'll find somewhere else to sleep!" Harry moved to the door again, but Draco held him back.
"I don't like the idea of my servants thinking I mistreated you. If my presence offends you so much, I will sleep on the couch. And I suggest you lock the door tonight or I may do something I'll regret." Draco turned on his heel and left the room, slamming the door behind him. Harry immediately locked the bedroom door, then collapsed on the bed, sobbing harshly into the pillows.
In the sitting room, Draco heard the sound and had to resist the urge to go an apologize for being such an ass.
"Why can't he see we are meant for each other?" he asked himself. "What am I doing wrong?"
Talk to your mother. A voice in his mind whispered. He nodded to himself, determined to win Harry's heart, even if it killed him.