Captivation
Chapter 5: Falling Deeper
Once morning came, Harry went to the Owlry and saw that Hedwig was thoroughly enjoying herself among the other birds. There was plenty of room, all their perches were nicely polished (and could apparently float too) and their food bowls kept refilling magically. She was even a little reluctant to send the two letters out but with a nice scratch under the chin she agreed.
As he watched her fly away, he suddenly wondered if he should send an owl to Remus; he hadn't really spoken to him much since Sirius' death. A guilty pang clung to him upon thinking of the older man. Harry hadn't seen him since seventh year when he briefly spotted him with the other remaining Order members. It was during the time Minister Scrimageour contacted him to ask how his search for the Horcruxes had been going. Part of him had wanted to run up to Remus and talk to him, since the older man had acquired more gray hair and a sullen look, but he hadn't. For some reason he had distanced himself from Remus, probably because the older man reminded him of his Godfather.
Sighing heavily, Harry decided not to dwell on it for the time being. He knew Remus had survived the war and he was grateful for that. And although a part of him wanted to visit and make sure he was doing well, another part of him just felt like he couldn't…not yet anyway. Harry then made his way down to the dining hall for a quick breakfast before heading to class. Malfoy was there already, leaning back in his chair looking smug. Harry ignored him per usual, reminding himself that he had been invited to a very selective party, until the end of class. Right as Malfoy began packing up his books, Harry approached him.
"Malfoy, have you checked your schedule?" Harry blurted out, without even waiting for the blond to look up at him.
Draco swung his back over his shoulder and glanced up at Harry with a sly smirk. "You know, Potter, tonight won't work out since I've got plans to go to a party."
"Oh really? Which one?" Harry asked.
Malfoy sneered and swung his head back slightly to push his bangs from his face. "That's none of your business."
"That's alright, you know," Harry said as Malfoy made a move to leave. "Actually I have to go to a party tonight too, but I doubt it's the same one."
Malfoy snorted. "What's makes you say that Potter?"
"Well, the truth is that I've been invited to a senior party," Harry emphasized smugly, watching as Malfoy's smirk began to fade. "It's a very selective party, you know, since these few 'top seniors' throw one of the best parties of the year. Of course I'm invited. I suppose you were right about my fame. Anyway, I'll probably be out very late. We'll just have to plan our studying tomorrow."
With that, Harry gave him a look and walked out of the room not caring to see if the blond was showing his anger or not. For the rest of the day, Harry felt very confident and proud that he had finally gotten to say a comeback to Malfoy that most likely had the blond in a fury. Night time came quickly and after dinner Harry hurried to Quidditch practice, thankful that it didn't run too late. They practiced strategies together instead of an actual game (to Harry's relief so that he didn't have to be anywhere near Malfoy).
Immediately after practice, Harry decided to head to his room instead the showers where the other boys were. He could afford one more day of using the cleaning spell. Already he was worried he wouldn't be able to get ready in time for the party (since it started at eleven and it was already quarter past ten). As he ran up to his room, he thought about the clothes he had. He wanted to wear something nice since it was a very special party. After minutes of browsing, he chose the tight, silky-feeling black pants Hermione had almost forced him to get. He had been a little wary about buying them but they looked very nice on him (plus they were a dressy pair of pants and they were perfect for parties). He then slipped on a forest green, silky shirt. It was long-sleeved and had cuffs at the end, which he rolled up to his elbows.
Once he tamed his hair with the gel and got his bangs resting nicely over his forehead, he went downstairs to meet Tavis. The other boy was wearing dark velvet blue pants. They were made out of a very pricey wizard-world material that came from some water creature (but Harry couldn't remember the name of it). The feeling of the material was so soft it was almost like water and they were extremely comfortable too. And with it he wore a see-though silver tank-top.
"Wow Potter, love the outfit," Tavis eyed him with raised eyebrows. "Where'd you get the pants?"
"From Diagon Alley, the store called Beauté. It's my friend Hermione's favorite store. They sell clothes for both genders and apparently the French owner of the store makes all his material from that of Demiguise hair and other magical creatures."
"And this is Demiguise hair? Oh yeah, it's so silky," he said, feeling Harry's shirt. "I'll have to check that place out."
"You look nice too," Harry smiled back politely. "Did you get laid last time?"
Laughing, Tavis shook his head. "No, not the last party, but like I said I'm hoping to meet an older woman."
"I'm sure they won't be able to resist that outfit," Harry teased mildly, giving him a grin.
Tavis swung as arm around his shoulders and winked at him while laughing. The two soon left by themselves and headed for the party. They walked down to the end of the hallway and Tavis tapped his wand five times on several different areas of the wall. To Harry's excitement, the wall opened up and let them through. It was another hall, but was definitely different from the stone walls of the castle. The stone walls were a darker grey with tints of red in them. Harry softly nudged Tavis and gestured to them.
"Why are these stones different?"
"Oh, yeah it's because they're magical. Throughout the castle people have said to find at least three or four secret passageways and all the stones are different. I think Blake said it's because the passageways are charmed. He thinks they move around a lot or something. So the color change is due to the magic."
"That's interesting," Harry mused as they came to a shimmering wood door.
"This is it," Tavis grinned, squeezing Harry's arm in excitement.
Knocking with his fist, Tavis then stepped back and waited. Seconds later a voice spoke from the other side.
"Who is it?" a deep voice asked.
"Tavis Rutherford and Harry Potter," he answered.
Seconds later the door opened and they were allowed inside. As they entered, Harry was completely baffled by the size of the room and the decorations. It was at least twice the size of the common rooms (of course due to it being a magical secret passage the seniors probably charmed the room to expand). There were floating scented candles and confetti was falling from the ceiling and disappearing before touching the ground. The floor beneath their feet changed color every so often and Harry saw there were at least twenty or so people already there.
In the back of the room, Harry saw there were a couple tables with alcoholic drinks of all sorts along with tons of snacks. Tavis eagerly dragged Harry toward the drinks and they examined all the different kinds.
"Whoa I can't believe this," Tavis exclaimed in excitement as he glanced at the bottles. "They've got everything…I mean, hell how'd they get this stuff in?"
Harry glanced at the bottle he gestured at. It was smaller than the Butterbeer ones and encased in a deep blue glass container.
"What is it?"
"It's amazing stuff…super expensive and I mean, I thought they only sold it Bournemouth, England! That's a hell of a way from here in Scotland. And you can't order this stuff, you actually have to fly out to the few stores in that city that have them. Even if you do that, they're so bloody expensive!"
"Is it stronger than the one with Lethal Violium?" Harry asked curiously.
"The thing is that it's not necessarily stronger. I mean, it's more potent in some ways but why it's so expensive is that it can literally make you levitate when you drink a certain amount. It fills you with such good feelings like confidence, happiness and everything. They even said in the past with people who gambled over who'd win Quidditch championships that if they drank this stuff beforehand they'd be confident enough to know who'd won. Of course, the ingredients needed in it are rare to find so there's not a lot of it anymore because it takes so long to make (if you grow your own ingredients) but hell it's so worth it! They call it the Black Dragon drink. It seriously tastes like heaven—it fills you with something more intense than Butterbeer. You have to try it Harry!"
"Alright," Harry shrugged, taking a bottle. "But I'm going to drink it slow just in case."
Tavis grinned. "Let me guess, you weren't the partier back in your old school?"
"No, Hogwarts didn't have any parties," Harry smiled and managed to refrain from asking when he'd have had time through studies and trying not to get killed.
Harry uncorked it, watching as a black mist erupted from it. Shrugging, he drank a sip and was bombarded with emotions. It filled him with such a hot, content sensation his legs literally began to feel like jell-o.
"You must be Harry Potter!"
Turning around, as Tavis took his own Black Dragon, Harry spotted a much taller and slightly older young man. He walked toward them wearing tight-fitted jeans and a black shirt with the blinking letters: Heidelberg Harriers (which Harry knew was the Quidditch team from Germany who was undefeated thus far).
"Oy Tavis," the young man greeted. "So Harry Potter, it's a pleasure to meet you. Name's Tori."
" 'Lo," Harry greeted, shaking his hand.
"Blimey, they weren't jokin' 'bout your eyes. They practically glow," he grinned.
Harry suddenly felt very childish compared to the older man (being since Tori was twenty or twenty-one). Smiling shyly, Harry remained silent unable to find anything to say.
"This is Harry's first time drinking Black Dragon," Tavis winked, nudging Harry in the side.
"Oy, really?" Tori's eyes widened. "Blimey mate, you ain't been livin' then. Don't leave without tryin' the Red Rose either."
Harry nodded. "Alright, thanks."
"No problem," Tori grinned, ruffling Harry's hair like a kid. "Can't believe a kid like you saved the world and all. It's amazin'."
"Err…sure," Harry shrugged, trying not to show his embarrassment.
Tori just laughed and pulled Harry into a one-armed embrace. Harry, who was startled couldn't really react but didn't have to anyway as Tori pulled away.
"Be seein' you two. Have fun now!" he winked, patting both Harry and Tavis on the head.
Harry watched him go then turned to Tavis with raised eyebrows.
"He does that to everyone who's younger than he is," Tavis rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I'm going to go over and see what drinking game those guys are playing. You wanna come?"
"Not yet. I think I'll just look around a bit," Harry smiled.
Tavis winked then left him alone. Harry then took another sip of his drink, feeling his whole body flutter with a content sensation as he walked around. A few other people came up to shake his hands, but they didn't stop to talk to him or ask him zillions of questions (which he was grateful for). For being such a small school, it was still amazing how much time it took to meet everyone. Most of the people there Harry didn't recognize. He wondered how many students at Hogwarts he had never seen.
After he'd finished the potent drink, he stuck to the different flavors of alcoholic Butterbeers. His first choice was the Toffee Butterbeer, which melted in his mouth and down his throat so smoothly he let out a sigh. He was so content that he stepped backward without even looking and collided gently into someone. Harry almost fell and lost balance but he caught himself by placing a hand on the person's chest. It was obviously a guy, to his relief.
"Sorry," Harry said, turning around.
His emerald eyes locked into familiar silver orbs and he was suddenly at a loss for words. The young man's lips curled into a smirk.
"Tipsy already, Potter?" Malfoy's eyes glistened in the dim light.
Harry's mouth was slightly open in shock and he suddenly realized his hand was still on Malfoy's chest. Yanking it away like he had been burned, Harry stepped back one.
"Malfoy! You…how did…you weren't invited!" Harry finally blurted out.
With an amused expression, Malfoy leaned against the table, exposing a little bit of his chest because of the shirt he was wearing. It opened right below his neck and it was another silky shirt only black. Malfoy obviously wore it so that it contrasted with his fair skin and light eyes, making them stand out even more. He had on his dark, expensive jeans as well and he stared at Harry's attire.
"Nice clothes Potter. I see that you're trying to look expensive with clothes that aren't genuine. If I were to get shiny pants like that, I'd get the actual charmed leather ones from Knockturn Alley," Malfoy smirked, leaning his head back a little.
"Are you posing for some magazine or something?" Harry asked darkly, glaring at him.
"At least if I were I'd know they'd compliment my style compared to yours," the blond shot back, grabbing a bottle from the table and opening it.
Harry watched as he took two large gulps of the Red Rose and then stared at him with the same smirk.
"I see you can't handle this stuff," Malfoy glanced down at his drink. "It's understandable. We wouldn't want you to humiliate yourself again by throwing your clothes everywhere, now would we?"
Clenching his fists, Harry's gaze darkened. "As I recall Malfoy, at the very last party you were so drunk I bet you don't even remember anything."
Sneering, Malfoy gave a snort. "Please, Potter. It's takes a lot to make me not remember something."
"Oh really?" Harry crossed his arms. "Do you remember our fight?"
Malfoy swallowed another sip and stared at him through narrowed eyes. "I didn't see you at the last party Potter."
Harry laughed aloud, though he was very relieved. "You don't remember that even? Do you at least remember Blake dragging you back to your room?"
Malfoy set his bottle down and leaned back against the table with both hands propped on either side of his body.
"So what if he did? What's that prove?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well let me clue you into what happened at the last party. You came over to me still pissed about my new broom complaining that you were a Chaser. Then you tried to punch me but you were so drunk you could hardly stand. All I had to do was move just out of the way and you fell onto the couch," Harry said, as Malfoy stared at him silently. "After a few minutes where I thought you had knocked yourself out, you threw-up everywhere. Then Tavis went to get Blake to take you back. Even ask Tavis if you don't believe me. So don't talk to me about humiliating myself," Harry finished, crossing his arms confidently.
Malfoy tilted his head and stood up. "Fine Potter, so I had one night of getting smashed. Big deal. At least I don't get drunk so easily."
Harry ignored the comment. "How did you get in here? If the seniors didn't invite you, you could be kicked out," Harry threatened.
"Please Potter," Malfoy sneered. "Don't even try. Blake was invited and since I'm one of his good friends I came too. Seems my invitation had just been misplaced."
By the sly grin on Draco's face as he finished off his drink, Harry knew what the blond had done. He felt his anger grow instantly. Somehow after Harry had bragged about being invited, Malfoy probably went to Blake demanding he be invited as well. Draco got up and left his bottle there.
"Well Potter, I'm going to go play some drinking games. I advise you not to try any of them since I'm sure you'll do something stupid in a matter of a bottle or so," Malfoy's eyebrows shot up in amusement.
Harry was so fed up with him the words just slipped out. "I'll challenge you to one."
Malfoy had started to walk away but he turned and smirked. Slowly, he approached the table nearby Harry. Then he reached out and grabbed some bottles.
"Let's go Potter," he said, levitating the bottles with his wand.
Harry followed, wondering what he had gotten himself into. They went through a small crowd (since many were preoccupied with the game the seniors were playing) and came to two plush chairs with a board in between. Malfoy let the bottles levitate down and separated them. On Harry's side, as well as Malfoy's, there were five bottles: two Red Rose, two Black Dragon and one with Lethal Violium. The two sat down in the separate chairs and Harry glanced down at the game.
"Know how to play Potter?" Malfoy's lips curled into another smirk.
"No, I've never seen this game before," Harry admitted as casually as possible.
Malfoy smirked knowingly. "It's simple, Potter. Of course it could be too much for you."
Harry's jaw clenched. "Just explain the rules, Malfoy."
Sitting back smugly, Draco spoke: "We each have twenty pieces that all have certain magical abilities. They can only move a certain way as well. We can challenge each other's pieces and either capture or destroy. If you destroy the piece you can only acquire its ability for three turns, but if you capture it you can constantly use it. However capturing is more difficult because you have to set traps for your opponent. The point of the game is to protect the gem on your side. You have to give it to one of your players for safe keeping and your opponent has to find it, destroy whoever is holding it and take it without breaking it. This board has three levels to it: Limbo, Heaven and Hell."
Harry raised his eyebrows and Draco just smirked back and continued: "On each level you can acquire more powers and even switch your gem to another player, if you want. However, you cannot gain players back if they're destroyed and it's almost impossible to save them if they get captured. You'd have to have gained lots of powers, including invisibility which is the number one power that most people can't get. An expert on the game, like Tori, can accomplish this but rarely anyone else. And the more players you lose the weaker your army becomes."
"And if you want your piece to avoid confrontation?" Harry asked.
"Simple, Potter. If you're clever enough you can find secret passageways to avoid your enemy. The way the board is set up is so that I can't see where your army is walking, unless you fall into one of my traps or I figure it out. Sooner or later, in Hell usually, our armies clash and that's when we fight and see who has gained the most power and skill. Of course you can confront them on any level, if you run into them. And whosever army destroys the other takes their opponent's gem and uses both gems to open the sacred gates of Hell to escape.
"There are other characters in each level such as vampires, giants, prophets and so forth. Some of them help you right away and some of them you either have to bribe with magic or something else. There are also dark creatures that like to eat you, so your players can be destroyed by them too. And some creatures just steal some of your magic."
"So, let me see if I get this. We have twenty characters: ten different mages and ten warriors. And there are three levels we journey across where we earn powers, try and make deals with other characters of the game, collect items while trying to avoid your opponent, traps or dark creatures then at the end confront each other to destroy the other's army and take your opponent's gem to beat the game," Harry said as Malfoy stared at him silently with crossed arms. "I thought you said it was simple."
Malfoy's lips quirked and he shook his bangs from his face. "It is for those who have played it before."
Harry suddenly felt that it might be a bad idea to play it, but there was no way he was backing out now.
"Fine, where does the drinking come in?" Harry asked, leaning back.
"Simple. Every time a mage of yours is captured you take two gulps from a bottle. If a mage is destroyed, you take five. If your warrior is destroyed or captured you drink three gulps always. If you are poisoned by a Forest Demon, one of the dark creatures, you have to chug one of your bottles. It doesn't have to be full, but you have to finish whatever's left. Then of course whoever loses in the final confrontation has to drink the rest of their bottles and their opponent's within ten minutes," Malfoy's eyes glistened. "Oh yes, and if you lose you also owe your opponent a favor."
"Are you just making that up, Malfoy?" Harry glared.
"No Potter. Ask anyone here. The senior's actually made it up to make the game more fun. Sometimes they play for money so whoever wins gets the money, but seeing as how I don't need any more money I'm requesting a favor."
"Fine," Harry agreed reluctantly. "What's your favor?"
Malfoy twirled his wand in thought and let a small smirk show. "Very well Potter. If I win, you have to give me an hour long massage."
Harry stared at him and raised an eyebrow. "You want me to give you a massage?"
"Yes Potter. It'll be payment for taking my Seeker position."
"Right here?" Harry asked, glancing around.
"Not here, Potter! Use your head," Malfoy snorted. "Why, Potter? Surrendering already?" he smirked.
"No," Harry glared.
Malfoy continued to smirk. "What's your favor Potter? Force me into making a deal to work on our presentation?"
"I thought we already discussed that," Harry said dryly. "I'm not including school in this, Malfoy but if you want to fail an assignment and see what Niall does be my guest."
Malfoy remained silent, pursing his lips and Harry thought for a few seconds. "Alright, Malfoy. If I win I want you to write a one page thank-you letter," Harry smirked, remembering the blond's joke about it.
"A thank-you letter?" Malfoy drawled.
"Yes, it'll force you to be very polite to me thanking me for allowing you to use my Firebolt for saving your life and so forth. Then I'll frame it," Harry smiled, leaning back.
The blond gave him a nasty look and snorted. "Agreed. If you win, I'll write you that thank-you letter you so desperately want."
"I know how much it'd kill you to write nice words to me," Harry smirked.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "You won't be winning, Potter."
"We'll see," Harry countered. "Who starts?"
"The board chooses for us. Just tap your wand on your players and they automatically move to their starting positions," Malfoy drawled.
Harry did so and watched as his mages and warriors lined up according to power. Malfoy couldn't see it because of how the board was divided. Once Malfoy's was set up the board glowed on Harry's side, allowing him to go first. Immediately after choosing him, the board expanded and opened up to the first level: Limbo. It was a fairly large board with some land and caves and all sorts of hills and mountains. There was an invisible barrier set up so that Malfoy couldn't see his pieces and vice versa, at least not until they confronted each other or fell into traps.
The game began slowly and Harry took his time trying to figure out how the pieces moved and what he should do. It was simple in the way that Harry knew the options he had and what he had to do, but doing it was a different story. Malfoy seemed very confident he knew what he was doing and that made Harry even more determined. Unfortunately, as Harry found ways of gathering items and even bumped into a prophet, he found out Malfoy had somehow gotten a vampire on his side and had sent him to attack. The vampire smelled him out and attacked one of his men, sucking much power from him. Harry had to take a couple gulps of the Red Rose for being weakened.
Malfoy was smirking the whole time until Harry got lucky and convinced a giant that Malfoy's troops were after him. The giant then used his magical black-jack to send a lightning bolt which killed one of Malfoy's mages. Harry was so smug watching as Malfoy angrily gulped down his share that he thought there was a good chance he could win. Unfortunately, as they progressed into Heaven he realized just how much more difficult it became to acquire helpful items and powers. He had to go on all these little side-journeys for some hags and a demon, not to mention one of his warriors had gotten eaten.
By the time they came to Hell, Harry was convinced he was going to lose. Although he had gotten Malfoy to drink quite a bit, the blond was still ahead in that he had more alcohol left than Harry did. He was starting to feel really light-headed now but thankfully he was sure his tolerance was higher than the last time. It was almost impossible to avoid dark creatures at this point. Sometimes ten of them would attack his men, drag off two then disappear. Malfoy had similar problems, but he knew how to avoid some of them (which was a tip the blond hadn't offered to tell him).
Harry's army was fairly strong, but because he had lost five warriors and three mages, his total amount of power had weakened. For his first time, he had to admit he did very well but Malfoy still won in the end. Harry scowled darkly as he had to finish off what was left in his last bottle then a bottle and a half that Malfoy had left.
"Alright Potter," Malfoy smirked. "Let's go."
Trying not to show that he was drunk, Harry got up slowly and carefully followed the blond out. It was already past one in the morning and the alcohol was making him disoriented and sleepy. Thankfully, he hadn't levitated out of his chair through the game. When they stopped (Harry nearly collided into Malfoy as they did), he realized they were at Malfoy's common room. Following him inside, Harry looked around as they walked up the stairs. The blond tapped his room door and walked in, leaving it open for Harry.
Sighing heavily, Harry entered his room. Malfoy turned around and smirked in Harry's direction.
"There are some scented oils in the bureau, Potter. You better make this good. And remember, I'll be timing you."
Harry rolled his eyes as he approached the bureau and browsed for some oils and creams to use. The blond wasn't going to let him forget this for a while; that much was obvious. All of them were magical items so Harry had to guess which ones might be used for massaging. There was the Glinda's Invisible Body Butter, Phoenix-Feather Cream among others. Harry chose a few and then turned around to let Malfoy know he just wanted to get it over with. Malfoy had apparently changed out of his clothes into a towel and was situating himself on the bed face down. The blond folded his arms for a pillow for his head and glanced over at him.
"Come on, Potter. I haven't got all night."
Walking over to him, Harry set the bottles down realizing that his drunken state was not making it easier for him to stand.
"So you want me to massage your back then?" Harry blinked a couple times.
"Potter, it's a whole body massage which means my legs, arms, back, neck, understand?"
"For a whole hour?" Harry asked, feeling another urge to strangle the blond.
"Yes, Potter, for a whole hour. That was the deal," he drawled.
"Fine," Harry glared. "But I'm going to have to kneel on the bed to do this."
"Just don't get any of the creams on my sheets," Malfoy said, resting his head down on his arms.
Biting his lip to keep from retorting nastily, Harry took off his shoes and settled on the bed next to the blond. He picked up one of the bewitched oils and poured it on the blond's back. He noticed that it glistened and it must've sent heat through Malfoy's muscles because when Harry's fingers began massaging him his back felt warm. Harry smoothed the oil over the expansion of his back and began kneading every muscle.
"Put more force into it Potter," Malfoy drawled, his head turned away from him and still resting on his arms.
Out of frustration, Harry pressed down really hard and began pounding the muscles.
"Watch yourself Potter," the blond said, raising his upper body to turn his head and glance at him.
Harry sighed irritably. "What do you want Malfoy? Hard or soft? Make up your mind!"
"Is it too difficult for you to understand how to give proper massages?" Draco drawled sarcastically while pushing his bangs out of his eyes. "Really Potter, you're supposed to put pressure on the muscles but don't pound on them like an imbecile. If you don't get this right then I get to change my favor to something bigger. So if you can't understand how to give someone a massage, then perhaps you'll understand how to lend me your new broom."
"Never!" Harry suddenly spat, unable to control his temper. "You can't do that over a stupid game, Malfoy! It's not your broom!"
Malfoy's lips quirked upward. "If you're going to be a sore loser, Potter then you shouldn't challenge me. Perhaps you're not forced to lend me your new broom, but you'll be in my debt. As the rules go, you have to do a favor for the winner. If you'd like I can change it to you writing me a letter about how much you admire me and how you think I should've gotten that Seeker position. Then instead of framing it, I'll give it to Rita Skeeter and have her publish it for the whole world to see."
Harry clamped his jaw shut as his eyes narrowed. "No!"
"Then do it right," Malfoy smirked, laying his head back down.
He was furious, but he didn't want to be in Malfoy's debt. Harry leaned back over him and began putting pressure down as he kneaded the muscles. Although the blond wasn't showing signs he was enjoying the treatment, he also wasn't complaining (to Harry's relief). Time passed slowly as Harry concentrated on smoothing out Malfoy's fair skin. He noticed that for the most part, Malfoy didn't have much hair on his body. Harry didn't have much either, except some in his nether regions, but he had a little on his arms unlike Malfoy.
Through his drunken haze, Harry managed to get all the muscles of his back and began on his legs next. It was awkward touching Malfoy's nearly hairless legs and rubbing his hands up and down them, but it would be over in forty-five minutes. Malfoy was making sure his wand took care of the time, which of course would alert him to let him know how long Harry had worked on him. He went no further than the blond's mid-thigh and his stomach began to feel a little strange. He thought perhaps it was the alcohol or something.
The blond let out a soft noise and Harry's heart nearly stopped. He wasn't sure if it was just a sigh or just because he was moving his head, but he was again reminded of the party when Malfoy had fallen on top of him.
"Keep going Potter," the blond grumbled.
Harry immediately continued, not having realized his hands had stopped moving. He got some different cream for his feet and felt that his hands were getting tired. It was hard work massaging someone continuously. Harry soon went to Draco's other leg and began slowly kneading the calf then he worked his way up. The alcohol was beginning to make him feeling drowsy, but he didn't want to stop in case Malfoy took up the favor of forcing him to write the letter. Suddenly, a beep sounded and Harry nearly fell off the bed. The blond moved and began to turn over.
Malfoy's eyes were closed, but he was obviously somewhat awake since he had rolled over. Not wanting to have to write a letter that would no doubt ruin his life, Harry immediately grabbed some more cream and began working on the front of Malfoy's arms. Draco's eyes remained closed as Harry continued to work, despite his stiff fingers. He realized he still had a half-hour to go but hopefully it would pass by faster. Harry noticed that Malfoy did have a bit more muscle than he did (which was probably what he was referring to when he told Blake that Harry could afford to put more on). The slightly older boy had a lean stomach with a six-pack of muscles protruding through when he tensed. Although Malfoy's biceps weren't much bigger than his, Harry had to admit he only had a four-pack.
Yawning, Harry continued down the blond's arms then onto his stomach, where he kneaded the firm packs of muscles beneath his abdomen. Malfoy released a soft sigh and Harry glanced at him, wondering if he had fallen asleep. Even if he had, his wand would still let him know come morning if Harry had done an hour. Still, he lessened the pressure on Malfoy's muscles to give his hands and arms a little less stress. Perhaps it was because of the alcohol, but Harry began letting his mind wander as he began down at the front of Malfoy's legs.
He didn't realize how long he had zoned out until his fingers brushed up against something that was definitely not a muscle. Harry blinked and his vision was still kind of fuzzy but he managed to snap out of his daze. His heart nearly fell out of his chest when he saw that his fingers had hiked up Malfoy's towel and had been massaging the top of his thigh just below the hip bone. His right hand had brushed up against Malfoy's penis, hidden beneath the towel, since he had massaged the thigh muscle between his hip and groin. Harry froze, taking his fingers from beneath the towel. Although he couldn't see anything, Harry hoped that Malfoy was asleep.
The blond hadn't said anything or moved and Harry didn't want to stop for fear that Malfoy would wake up so he continued back down the thigh and the rest of the leg. His cheeks were flushed in embarrassment and he prayed that Malfoy hadn't noticed. The blond suddenly shifted and let his head roll to the side. He must've fallen asleep, it seemed. Harry breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the numbers floating in mid-air. He still had thirteen minutes left.
As Harry finished up his massage, he glanced up at Malfoy's face to see him breathing softly. His head was turned to the right so his bangs had fallen around his forehead. Harry stared at him even as he worked his hands subconsciously. Suddenly, Harry got up on his knees and worked his way back up, brushing across the towel without realizing it. He was so out-of-it that he didn't notice that he was bending down toward Malfoy. The blond's face was closer now as Harry peered down over him. Malfoy's lips were slightly parted and slow, steady breaths were coming out.
The breaths were hot and still smelled of the sweet Red Rose. Harry's own breathing was warm and it mingled with that of the blond's. It wasn't until Harry felt warm air inside his mouth that he registered what was happening. Harry shot his head up, pulling his lips away from Malfoy's in a panic. Draco moaned softly, seemingly asleep and suddenly the timer on his wand went off. Malfoy's eyes opened upon hearing the beeping noise. The blond locked eyes with him and sat up. Harry's heart beat furiously in his chest. He swallowed, trying to appear calm as if nothing had happened. If Malfoy had felt what he had done…it was all over for Harry. The blond would never let him live it down.
Malfoy slipped off the bed and smirked. "I wonder what your friends would think if I told them you had to massage me like some House Elf?"
Harry felt some relief flood through him. "They'd say you illegally brainwashed me and that you should be locked up in Askaban," Harry retorted hotly.
Malfoy approached him within seconds, leveling their gazes. "Don't challenge me Potter. After all, it's obvious who would win," Malfoy said, sneering.
"It was just a game," Harry said, though the anger inside him boiled.
The blond smirked widely. "It shows that the famous Harry Potter can be beat."
"Whatever, Malfoy. I'm done," Harry said coolly.
"Then get out of my room, Potter," Malfoy said.
Harry tried to keep his eyes on Malfoy's face and glared at the blond. But he could see the blond's well-toned abdomen in his peripheral vision. Harry turned around quickly, hoping that Malfoy couldn't see that his face was beginning to flush. He walked out of Malfoy's room.
In the hallway, he was trying to calm his racing heart. He made it to his common room as quickly as possible. Once he was safely in his room, Harry shut the door, threw off his clothes and crawled into his bed. He lay there for several minutes trying to comprehend what happened. He had tried to kiss Malfoy—that much was certain. Harry was so grateful the blond was asleep. He knew he was drunk and the alcohol was making him feel warm and sleepy, but it had been an hour so it had already begun to wear off. It was then that it dawned on him. Harry sighed deeply as he stared up at the ceiling and nodded to himself.
"I think I might be gay," he whispered aloud.
He had a hunch that was the case. It made sense that that was part of the reason Harry had lost interest in Ginny. Harry knew he felt more comfortable around boys than girls. In fact, that's why he hadn't returned any of the flirting some girls had done at the parties. It was probably also the reason he wasn't remotely interested in Ambreen. Obviously, his drunken state of mind forgot he was with Malfoy. Harry wasn't positive he was gay, but he was pretty sure.
"Still, even if I am gay and drunk or not I can't believe I almost kissed Malfoy," Harry let out a groan, praying once more that the blond would remain oblivious.
It was all a bit confusing, but it made a little bit of sense. Harry hadn't had time to experiment with girls or boys growing up so it was very possible he could be gay. Not to mention, despite his first French kiss being with Malfoy it had been a lot better than any of Ginny's kisses. And even though he didn't like Blake as more than a friend, it was more appealing to think of kissing him as well compared to Ginny or Ambreen. He supposed it wasn't terrible being gay. Blake seemed to be gay so perhaps Harry could talk to him about it. Blake was a friend after all. And as long as Malfoy didn't find out, Harry was fine with it.
TO BE CONTINUED…
To Reviewers:
The Earth Mystic: Awww, that's so nice! That's why I'm trying to update every few days so I don't make you guys wait too long. Lol! Oh yes, flying can be dirty! I'm so glad you thought of that because that's what I had in mind, teheheh! Lol! Yes, well I will tell you Ron and Ginny aren't completely out of the picture. You will see them again later. So your questions about that might be answered. :-)
Meka: Lol! Yes, alcohol indeed. It seems to be the only way to get these two to let their guard down. I'm such an evil authoress! :-)
Branwen777: Thank you! Hope this was a fast update!
Dragenphly: Yep, you were right about Draco finding his way to that party. Oh yes, building it up is so much more realistic. I've read some Draco&Harry fics out there where Malfoy suddenly turns all gooey, they have loads of sex and that's it. Lol! Oh yes! The Firebolt issue will come up soon enough, trust me! I'm glad you're thinking ahead though!
GreenEyedCatDragon: Thanks! Lol! It could be Draco's frustrated because of more than one thing, or something he doesn't even know consciously. :-)
Frogginginsanity: Thanks! I'll update asap!
Peaceful Angel: Thank you! I'm so glad you like how I portray Draco. I hate when he's overly cruel or when he all of a sudden turns all gooey. But don't worry he won't remain entirely an asshole like he is right now. :-)
Kin Pandun: Aww, thanks! I have been updating each chapter no more than three days after one another so I've been doing pretty good so far. So you shouldn't have to wait long for the next.