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In Harry's dream, someone off in the distance was beating a drum while he and Draco sat on the bank of the black Lake. Draco was reading poetry, but Harry could scarcely hear for the progressively louder banging of the drum.

"Answer that Potter," dream-Draco said.

"Sorry?"

Suddenly, Harry woke with a start. Someone was banging on the hotel room door.

"Shit."

He got out of bed, quickly finding his pants and putting them on. He looked through the peephole before opening the door.

"Fuck."

As soon as Harry cracked the door, Ron burst through.

"Did I wake you? It's almost ten."

"Come back to bed. I'm cold," Draco mumbled, pulling the covers up around him.

Ron glared at Harry. "Really? Get up Malfoy. I'm taking you to the Ministry."

"What? Why?" Harry asked.

"He's to give a statement, then I'm taking him to the safe house to stay with his mother. Now, Malfoy."

Draco rolled over. "Fine." He threw off the covers revealing his nude body, went to his pile of clothing, picked them up and walked into the loo.

"Fuck, Harry. I was hoping I was wrong," Ron chided.

Harry opened his mouth, but there wasn't any defense. There was no hiding the fact that he and Draco had been in bed naked.

"For Christ's sake, Harry, why did it have to be Malfoy? A witness? It could compromise your case. Or at least get you a reprimand."

"It's not as bad as it looks," Harry said.

"How? I know you're lonely. But you could have picked up some bloke in a pub. You could have even paid a prostitute, and I wouldn't have said anything. Or how about your goddamned hand?"

"It isn't about sex, Ron. I think I'm falling in lo–fuck."

Harry noticed then that Draco was out of the loo. Ron did too.

"Ae you ready, Malfoy?"

Draco looked to Harry. He seemed to be hesitating. Or perhaps he was looking to Harry for guidance.

"You'll be safer away from me," Harry said.

He was only slightly disappointed that Draco didn't protest. Perhaps he understood as well as Harry their budding relationship was a hinderance in this instance.

"So, I take it Shacklebolt decide to go with my plan," Harry said. "Is that why you're taking Draco out of here?"

"Yeah. Four Aurors will be staying in the hotel for the next week. I'll let it leak that you're here and you can identify him or her. He'll show up eventually, and we'll be ready to catch 'im."

"Will you be one of the Aurors?"

Ron nodded. "I booked the room across the way."

"I feel better knowing you'll be there."

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Harry. Come on, Malfoy. Shacklebolt is expecting you."

Ron began to lead Draco toward the door.

"Ron, I know I fucked up. But we don't have to tell Kingsley, do we?"

"Mate, I'm sorry. I told him I thought you were getting too close to your witness. That's why I'm taking him to the safe house."

"What if I refuse to go," Draco interrupted.

"Don't do that," Harry said. "It's for your own good. You should be with your mother. I can't imagine what she's been going through without your father or you beside her."

Draco looked as though he'd been verbally sucker-punched. Harry wondered if he had again forgotten his father was murdered. Harry figured it must have been some sort of psychological defense mechanism.

"You're right," Draco said quietly. He began to walk toward Harry, stopped, then backed toward the door. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Harry wanted more than anything to run to Draco and kiss him goodbye. He dared not while Ron was there. "You too."

"When I come back, I'll fill you in on everything," Ron said. "Expect me around two or so."

Harry only nodded. Then he watched his best mate and his new lover walk out the door.

hdhdhd

The remainder of Thursday was uneventful. Harry ordered breakfast through room-service and ate with the telly on for company. It was a poor substitute for Draco. After spending every waking and sleeping moment with him the past five days, Harry was lonelier than ever.

Has it really only been five days? Harry thought. How did he get so attached to the man so quickly?

Then Harry worried that it was only the close proximity that made Draco willing to be intimate with him. Would Draco's desire for him wane while they were apart? Would Draco tell his mother about their relationship? And would Narcissa try to dissuade him from pursuing it?

All of those questions ate at Harry, but he was powerless to do anything about them.

Ron showed up at two o'clock, as promised, to brief Harry on Shacklebolt's instructions. Harry was to continue wearing the Glamour, but only for Muggles. Magical beings would see Harry for who he was. Secondly, he needed to make himself a target by spending most of his time outside the hotel room. He was to eat every meal out; no more room-service. He was also instructed to use Muggle public transportation to travel around London, and walk the city streets.

Ron gave him plenty of Muggle money, which was a good thing because he refused to take much from Draco after going to the pawn shop the second time.

The four carefully-chosen Aurors took several rooms on Harry's floor. He trusted Kingsley and Ron to choose well, and it wasn't as though Harry had never had a target on his back, but he was a bit disconcerted about purposefully allowing himself to be a killer's prey.

By the time evening came, he was bored stiff. And tired. He'd walked all around London, going from shop to shop. Occasionally, he'd spot Ron or one of the other Aurors behind him, or across the street. They were Glamoured up, but he'd met up with them earlier so he could identify them, should he need help.

He walked into the lobby and decided to eat his supper there. The restaurant hostess seated him, handing him a menu at the same time. Several minutes later, Ron and another Auror came in. They sat across the room, but Harry could still see them. Ron smiled as he talked to the other man. Harry was jealous. He missed talking to Draco. He missed learning all the little things he never knew. He even missed being teased.

Going to bed alone was the hardest part. The bed was cold. The room was too quiet without Draco's soft snores. And he dearly missed the snuggles.

Friday was similar to Thursday–mind-numbingly similar. Harry went to different sections of London, and into different shops. But the experience was equally empty. At the end of the day, Harry went to the same pub he and Draco had gone. He sat at the bar instead, though. Shortly, Ron took the empty barstool next to him.

"You shouldn't be drinking," Ron said without looking at him.

"I know. I just wanted one. I won't get pissed."

Ron flagged down the barmaid. "Bud, please."

"What happened to not drinking?" Harry smirked.

"It's been a long fucking day. Did you have to stop in every single shop you passed?"

"Kingsley said to make myself visible."

"I doubt our killer was lurking around a pet shop."

"You never know." Harry chuckled.

They each nursed their respective beers for a while, not speaking. Someone watching from the outside wouldn't have suspected they were best mates. It took Harry his entire beer to work up the nerve to ask Ron what he had been wanting to know since the morning before.

"So, uh, how was taking Draco to the safe house?"

"Fine." Ron downed the last few drops of his Bud.

"You really don't want to talk about it, do you?" Harry sighed. "He's different now, you know."

Ron nodded. "Maybe so. But you were supposed to be guarding him, not shagging him."

"I didn't–

Ron turned and looked at Harry for the first time since sitting down. "Don't even try to deny it. You crossed a line by getting emotionally involved."

Harry looked sufficiently scolded. "I didn't mean to."

Rubbing his hand down his face, Ron shook his head. "I know. Didn't he get on your wick, though?"

Harry laughed. "Sometimes. But he was also funny and kind. And generous. And vulnerable." He sighed. "It makes me wonder . . . we may have been good pals if we hadn't been on opposite sides of the war."

"Right. Is that what you want to be, pals?"

Harry looked away, then got off his stool. "No."

"Well, I suppose we can't help who we fall for. I just hope this doesn't come to bite you in the arse." Ron didn't move from his seat. "Rhodes is going to follow you to the hotel. See ya later."

Harry took his time on the short walk. He gave a small wave to the woman with the purple hair as he entered the lift. Just before the doors closed, he caught a glimpse of Rhodes strolling into the lobby.

Alone again in his room, Harry tried to recall more details from the night he and the Malfoys were attacked. Perhaps he had been wrong about the Auror robes. It could have been a civilian wearing red. Ron said he and Shacklebolt discussed at length the possibility of the vigilante being an Auror. Neither could come up with a suitable suspect. Then again, neither could Harry. However, even if the perpetrator wasn't an Auror, the plan was still a good one.

After his nightly routine, Harry got into bed and turned out the lights. He lay, staring at the ceiling, tired but unable to sleep. Harry felt isolated and depressed. Even knowing Ron was close by didn't help much. He feared his best friend didn't approve of his feelings for Draco. Would anyone?

Suddenly, Harry heard a noise out in the hallway. It could have been another hotel guest, but it seemed to linger outside his door. He strained to listen.

There was small creak.

Harry stealthily got out of bed and retrieved his wand. At the bottom of the doorjamb, a small sliver of light from the hall got through. A shadow moved across, then back again. The handle to the door jiggled ever so slightly. If Harry hadn't been so attuned, he may not have even noticed.

Another sound came, one that Harry couldn't identify immediately. It almost sounded as though someone was running their hand down the surface of the door.

Harry's heart pumped faster. Though he didn't want to be stuck in a hotel room waiting for an attempt on his life, he wished he felt more prepared to take on a killer. Standing there in his boxers, he probably didn't appear particularly threatening.

Then he thought he heard his name whispered. That seemed an odd thing for a murderer to do. He crept silently toward the door. The shadow hadn't moved. If Harry could make it to the peephole, he could identify the killer and alert Ron.

But when he looked, it wasn't an Auror at all. It was Draco.

Harry quickly opened the door and pulled him inside.

"What are you doing here? Was there anyone else in the hallway?" Harry whispered.

"No. Just me."

"You put yourself in danger coming here." Draco bit his lip. "I couldn't stay away. I heard what you said to Weasley."

Harry flushed. Everything had been moving so quickly between them. He wasn't certain he was ready to talk frankly about his feelings.

"I, I don't know what–

"Please don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about."

Harry swallowed. Draco looked so vulnerable standing in front of him. The man had been through a great deal lately. The least Harry could do was be open and honest with him.

"I didn't intend for you to hear what I was saying to Ron."

"Why not? Did you not mean it?"

"I meant what I said. Er, what I almost said. But I didn't think you'd be ready to hear it." Harry sighed. "I don't know what this is to you. Is it a fling? A momentary lapse in judgement? Something you've been wanting for years?" He chuckled nervously.

Draco fidgeted with his fingers. "Is it all right if I don't quite know yet?"

Disappointed, Harry said, "Of course." He was feeling fairly vulnerable himself. "But are you willing to carry on to see where this might go?"

Smiling, Draco asked, "Why else do you think I'm here?"

Harry grinned. "I've missed you."

"How much?"

"Much more than I would care to admit. But I can show you."

Harry took Draco's face in his hands, pulling him into a kiss. Draco's mouth tasted slightly of butter beer. He missed those soft, smooth lips. Kissing Draco was felt like a quenching rain after a drought. Harry felt revitalized, full of passion. He wanted nothing more than to get lost in the pleasure of Draco's body.

Already down to his boxers, Harry proceeded to undress Draco.

"I know you're not ready for shagging, but I can make you feel good in other ways."

Nodding, Draco said, "Yes, please."

Once Harry had removed all of their clothing, he led Draco to the bed. He lay Draco down, admiring his fair, lithe body. He hadn't the opportunity to truly examine it earlier. Beginning at Draco's feet, which were surprisingly clean and soft, Harry made his way up. Fine, pale blond hair covered Draco's legs, leading to the patch of wiry, darker hair surrounding his cock. Harry intended to work his way all the way up to Draco's mouth, but he found the cock too inviting to pass up.

Descending on the dark pink head, Harry used his tongue to swirl around it, causing Draco to gasp. Harry sucked Draco root to tip, then back down again. The moans Draco made encouraged Harry to speed up.

When Draco arched his back, Harry knew he was going to cum soon. Harry wanted very much to take himself in hand and cum with him. But he held out, hoping Draco would want to take care of that for him.

"Oh, fuck. Harry."

Suddenly Harry's mouth was filled with thick, slightly salty, slightly sweet liquid. He swallowed as more flowed into his mouth.

Beneath him, Draco writhed and moaned. When he was spent, he sighed heavily.

"That was fucking amazing. Where in Merlin's name did you learn . . ."

Harry looked up to see why Draco stopped talking.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know anything," Draco picked at his nails.

"That's not true," Harry snickered.

"I mean about sex. I've never had a boyfriend. Just a few groping sessions with other horny misfits."

"That's all right." Harry took one of Draco's hands. "It's not like I'm that experienced either. But I could show you what I know. And the rest, maybe we could learn together."

Draco gazed into Harry's eyes. In that moment, Harry could see a future for the pair of them. Damn the consequences. He would shout from the rooftops to claim this man as his own.

Draco finally spoke. "Could you . . . tell me how to . . . do what you just did?"

Harry tried to keep from grinning. The thought of Draco's mouth on him made his already swollen cock stiffen even more. Before lying down on his back, he gave Draco a long, hard kiss.

As Draco leaned over, he hesitated.

"You're not going to hurt me," Harry said. "Unless you bite." He laughed, but Draco didn't.

"Is there a trick to it? Something I should do? Or shouldn't do?"

"Try not to use your teeth. And don't try to take too much at once. If you don't like it, stop. I enjoyed your hand very much the other night, so I'd be more than satisfied with that."

Staring at Harry's cock, Draco nodded. "I have to admit, I've been wanting to see what it's like."

He swallowed nervously, then descended.

Harry gasped at the first contact. He was so incredibly aroused that he thought Draco would barely have a chance to give it a go before he exploded.

Draco was tentative at first, but became bolder in time. Slowly bobbing up and down on Harry's cock, each time he took a bit more. The slow tease drove Harry wild, but he was glad it wasn't over too quickly, as he had feared.

"Oh, Draco, I'm going to cum soon. You might want to finish with your hand. It's a bit of a jarring experience at first to have someone cum in your mouth."

Disengaging for only a moment, Draco said, "I want to try. Just warn me."

With renewed fervor, Draco sucked and bobbed. Harry was on the edge as his pace quickened.

"Oh, now. I'm coming now." Harry gripped the sheets, attempting to keep from bucking up into Draco's mouth. "Fuck, yes."

Draco coughed and sputtered, clearly not quite prepared for Harry's load. Harry didn't mean to, but he laughed.

"I tried to warn you."

Wiping his mouth, Draco replied, "It was quite a bit more than I expected. It doesn't seem like that much when I–" He blushed.

"When you wank? We all do it. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Draco moved up and lay beside Harry. "Do you like it? The taste, I mean."

Harry shrugged. "It's not bad. I wouldn't want spunk flavored biscuits or anything. But it makes clean up easier."

"And . . . was it . . . all right? Did I do it right?"

Gently caressing Draco's cheek, Harry told him, "You were brilliant." He lay back and sighed heavily. "We should dress, just in case. But believe me, there is nothing I would rather do than lie here with you, feeling your skin on mine."

"But we have to be practical."

No sooner had they finished dressing, Harry heard a noise outside in the hall. It could have been another hotel guest coming in late from a bar. It could have been Ron or one of the other Aurors checking up on him. His instincts, however, told him it was neither of those things.