"I can't believe he had Snodgrass debating against Whistleton! How was it?" Nathaniel leaned closer to his co-worker, obviously interested in the topic.

Folade just shook her head, her braids slipping to the side with the movement. "Amazing. Whistleton totally had him flustered and sputtering, flipping madly through his notes. It was epic."

Harry carried on to his own desk, and set a mug of tea in front of Ron. "Are they talking about Regina Whistleton, head of the Obliviator department?"

Taking a deep sip of the hot beverage, Ron gave an appreciative hum. "Oh yeah. Everyone's been saying she slayed at the Stormcloud last night."

"And who is Snodgrass?" Harry slumped down in his chair and piled his files to the side.

Ron shrugged, picking up a Priori Incantatem report a specialist had done on a suspect's wand. "Some hot new author. Hermione read his book and has been raving about it. Something about reversing the Secrecy Statute."

As Ron concentrated on his work, Harry looked back towards Nathaniel and Folade, still avidly discussing ideas at the foundation of the modern wizarding world. Young aurors, fresh on the job, who usually discussed Quidditch or relationship issues when they weren't talking about a case.

It wasn't the first time he had encountered this. At the cafe getting his morning coffee, at the pub, picking up groceries, everywhere. Conversations about deeper topics, passionately argued. Students, seniors, mothers walking their young children to school.

A few times a week, there were special events at the Stormcloud Cafe, adjoining Draco's bookstore. Tickets were highly sought after, and the events reported on thoroughly in the newspapers to those who hadn't been fortunate enough to attend in person. Often pitting an author against an expert holding the opposite view.

Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw and former DA member, was said to be running the special events. Slytherin Millicent Bulstrode had even been hired as extra security and crowd control to keep the audience in line.

Harry had found out far too much about the whole operation from these overheard conversations and the articles in the papers. He couldn't keep from reading what was published or walking out of his way to pass the store almost every day.

Pathetic.

It was almost like investigating a case. He had researched everyone involved, watched the store from a distance, kept up with the media. Most surprising was that the store was even busier now than when it had opened. Harry had expected it to be crowded for a week or two, while everyone checked out the novelty, soon to be replaced by the next new thing. But people kept coming back.

Draco had become even more famous, his picture appearing often at Stormcloud events, or going out to hot restaurants and nightclubs. He was being treated like a rock star. The man who had made reading cool again.

Now, it was grating every time Harry heard Draco's name mentioned or saw his pictures. Was this how Draco had felt about Harry in school? Irritated at all the people gushing on and on about him, and seeing all the newspaper mentions? Harry had always put it down to Draco being jealous of the attention, but seeing it from this side, it didn't feel like that.

It wasn't that Harry wanted the attention from people or the press directed back at him, away from Draco. He had been in the spotlight enough for ten lifetimes' worth.

Why did it bug him so much?

Harry just buried himself in his work, just needing to think about something other than Draco.

...

There was something nice about getting up early on the weekend, before everyone else was out. The cafe was quiet, and Harry leisurely ate a scone and sipped a large coffee as he read the paper.

Draco didn't make much of an appearance, just a second of him in the background of an image taken at a Stormcloud event last night. The debate had been over representation of women and minorities in the Wizengamot, and had gotten rather heated. Harry thought back to the time he had appeared before then for defending himself and his cousin against dementors. It had seemed to have a good variety of people.

He read on, catching up on Quidditch. Ginny was working as one of the coaches of a major team now, and seemed to enjoy it.

Afterwards, he toured around a farmer's market and bought fresh vegetables and herbs to make pasta sauce. He would go home, and make the sauce right away, letting it simmer and fill the house with the scent of garlic and tomato. He thought about inviting a friend or two over, but dismissed the idea. He was in the mood for a quiet night.

Deep in his own thoughts, he hadn't realized that he was walking past Draco's store until he was right beside it. It was still early in the day, with very few people out on Diagon Alley yet. Harry stopped, looking through the windows, and saw that the store looked almost empty.

Draco had been at the event last night, so Harry was betting he had some of his staff covering the store this morning. This would be the perfect time to finally go inside to look around. Finally satisfy his curiosity. Just a quick look, and then continue on home.

Heart already beating a bit faster, Harry didn't deliberate any longer. His hand was on the door handle, noticing it was in the shape of a snake, and pulled the door open. A bell gave a slight jingle.

Stepping into the store, Harry glanced around. It was a large space, with six foot tall bookshelves scattered among display tables. Bright book covers caught Harry's eye, making him pause and pick up a book to read the back. Large windows let in lots of morning sunlight, making the room almost glow golden. It was a quiet, peaceful, comforting space, and Harry could feel himself calming down.

There. He had seen the store. He had faced it, and survived. Time to go.

As he turned to walk around a bookcase, Harry stopped dead in his tracks. Draco Malfoy was standing right in front of him, holding a couple books in one hand. He seemed just as startled to see Harry as Harry was to see him, his eyes widening and he seemed stuck to his spot.

Harry's heart was hammering hard in his chest, and he stopped breathing, frozen just like Draco was. Desperately, Harry tried to think of something to say. Nice store, so many good books. Congratulations. Nice seeing you. Goodbye.

Just some polite bullshit like that and he could escape. Walk past Draco and out the door that seemed a mile away now. He could do this. Just talk and go. Talk and fucking go. Go! Talk!

"Um, I...um...good-" Harry started, his face flushing as the words came out garbled. He stopped, catching his breath, trying to get a coherent thing to say.

Draco stepped closer, and Harry's auror training had him automatically stepping back, his back bumping against a wall. He looked up as Draco took another step towards him, right into his space, and grabbed his head with both hands. His mouth came down, the kiss hard and intense right from the start.

Harry heard a dull thumping noise and then his arms were wrapped around Draco tight, pulling him right against him. Sinking into the kisses, giving as good as he was getting, the world beyond this man completely disappearing.

Draco was the one to pull back first, breathing hard and his lips already kiss-swollen. His eyes flicked up to Harry's, and he could see the raw desire there. It made long buried feelings jump to attention inside Harry, a powerful zing of arousal running through his whole body.

"Fuck..." Draco whispered, looking around and seeming to come back to realizing where they were. His hand grabbed Harry's hard as he stepped away, and pulled him towards the back of the store.

He leaned towards a burgundy curtain. "Willamina, I'm going upstairs. Will you cover the front?"

There was a grunt of assent from the backroom, and Draco immediately dragged Harry towards a door marked 'Private'. Pulling it open, Harry got a glimpse of a staircase before Draco was swiftly climbing it. His hand was still firmly holding Harry's, tugging him along.

It felt like he was caught in a whirlwind, from Draco kissing him to being suddenly in his upstairs flat, the door slamming behind them and Draco finally letting his hand go.

Harry barely had time to look around before Draco was on him again, arms holding him tight and his mouth crashing down on Harry's. He tipped his head back, pushing into the kiss with as much hunger, a moan of pure want escaping him as he shifted closer.

They were both falling then, Harry landing awkwardly on top of Draco on a queen-sized bed. Draco must have been maneuvering them towards it without Harry even noticing. Rolling away with a chuckle, Harry sprawled out on the bedspread beside Draco, trying to catch his breath.

"Draco, we should-" Harry started, but completely lost his train of thought when Draco crawled on top of him, his hair hanging down around his face, his eyes darkened and intense. It reminded Harry of that morning in the cabin, seeing such pure need reflected there.

Reaching up, Harry dug a hand into Draco's hair, pulling him down. The kiss was immediately deep and dirty, and Harry could feel Draco sinking right against him, bodies in complete contact. Draco was the one to moan this time, and Harry could feel himself getting completely hard in response.

This was wild and messy. Hungry kisses, hands going everywhere, clothes being tugged away. Draco let out a frustrated grunt, sitting up and hauling his own shirt off over his head. Harry was sure a button pinged off in the process.

The view was spectacular, a half-naked rumpled Draco straddling him. Harry's hands went to his jean-clad hips, and arched upwards, letting Draco feel how hard he was.

Draco's eyes were hooded, reaching down to undo the zipper on his hoodie and push his t-shirt up. He ran appreciative fingers over Harry's firm stomach, and slipped them down to his waistband.

Harry's breath caught and he closed his eyes tight when he felt Draco starting to undo his jeans. He was so aroused and this was so close to fantasies he'd been having for months. It was hard holding back, feeling a rush of desire as Draco ran a hand over his cock, only thin underwear covering it.

"Fuck..." Harry groaned, and rolled to the side. Draco shifted off him, his brow arched, but he settled on his back to watch with a smirk as Harry stood beside the bed to yank his t-shirt and hoodie off, almost choking himself in his rush. His undone jeans were already slipping down his legs, and he kicked and pushed them off impatiently, nearly falling over in the process.

When he looked up again, Draco had his hips lifted off the bed, working his own tight jeans downwards. Harry went to his side of the bed to help, watching avidly as his long legs were revealed inch by inch. Delicious torture.

Both now in just their underwear, they met in the middle of the bed. Sharing a couple hard kisses, Draco drew back slightly. "Are you sure this is OK?" He looked younger, a bit vulnerable, as he waited for an answer.

Harry just scoffed, rolling Draco onto his back and shifting to lie between his legs. "This is so fucking perfect, I'm scared I'll wake up any second."

Draco seemed to glow at that comment, reaching up a hand to tangle in Harry's thick, messy hair, and tug him down. Harry gave him a slow, firm kiss, just wanting to really feel it, but the way Draco writhed beneath him made it difficult to concentrate. His hands pushing Harry's underwear down made it clear Draco didn't want to take things slow.

Harry returned the favor, and it felt wonderful to be naked in bed with this man. The golden sunlight seemed to make Draco too beautiful to resist, and Harry kissed his way down his chest, worshipping every inch of his skin.

Taking a moment, Harry looked up to admire Draco naked and sprawled out against his pillows. Draco's eyes opened, and he put a hand on Harry's head, pushing him firmly where he wanted him.

Harry loved it, getting a sample of Draco's dom side, and obediently opened his mouth to take Draco in. He watched his expression as he sucked him deep, and then bobbed his head fast, really getting Draco going, before pulling back to lick and suck at the tip. Teasing him.

Draco was too aroused for that, and he simply grabbed Harry's head and pushed in deep, almost choking him. He didn't let up, humping his hips up off the bed, using Harry for his own pleasure. It was dirty and nasty and completely selfish, and Harry was totally loving it.

He snuck a hand down to his own cock, precum making it slick enough to fuck his own fist as he struggled to suck Draco and still breathe. His eyes were watering, his head hurt where Draco was tugging on his hair, and he wasn't sure if he would pass out or cum first.

Draco arched up with a throaty moan, and Harry was right with him, his own orgasm ripping through him and leaving him gasping against Draco's heaving chest.

Once he had his breath back, Harry rolled off to the side and crawled up to lie beside Draco. Draco reached over to grab his wand, and cleaned them up with a chuckle, before pulling the sheet over them.

Harry looked up at the ceiling, feeling a bit lost for words. What could he even say? I guess you are happy to see me again?

He was saved from saying anything by feeling Draco kissing his shoulder. The blond met his eyes, and moved to kiss along his collarbone. Even though it was so soon, just having this man exploring his body felt too good to do anything but lay back and savor it.

All the rough, frantic urgency was gone, and Draco was gentle and thorough. Harry had never had a lover kiss and nibble all over his neck, discovering spots that made him shiver in response. Draco seemed to delight in these, returning to those places, his caresses a little more intense each time.

By the time he had teased his way down his chest, Harry was completely hard again. The thought of Draco going down on him was such a frequent fantasy, he was practically holding his breath in anticipation.

Draco seemed to know it, his glances full of sinful promise that practically had Harry begging for it. When he finally took hold of him, stroking him slowly, Harry sighed in relief. But it wasn't long until he was needing more, moving his hips to hopefully speed Draco up.

Instead, Draco took his hand away entirely. Harry grunted in frustration, getting Draco to look up at him with a smirk. Still holding his gaze, he lowered his head, and gave the tip of Harry's cock a long lick.

He stopped teasing Harry then, using his hands and mouth in perfect harmony, pulling moan after moan from Harry. It was fantastic, but over far too fast.

Harry took several minutes to be able to breath properly again. "Holy shit, Malfoy."

That made Draco grin as he stretched out beside Harry, looking quite pleased with himself. "You were quite impressive yourself."

That was good to hear, but Draco had definitely been guiding him. Perhaps in time he would learn exactly what Draco liked. Would there be time to learn that?

"Um...what just happened...um, today...," Harry started, not quite sure how to complete his question.

Draco seemed quite amused by Harry's awkwardness. "The sex? Yes, what about it?"

Harry blinked a few times. It still caught him by surprise the way men could be more straightforward about the subject than women he had known. He decided to be straightforward too.

"Arewegoingtodothisagain?" Harry said, the words coming out in a rush. He cringed inwardly at the awful delivery.

Draco didn't laugh, but one corner of his lips lifted slightly. His eyes fell to Harry's mouth, lingering there, before returning to his eyes. "Well, I'm game for it if you are."

His words were casual, but the way his eyes were going down his body, making Harry feel very conscious of his nakedness under the sheet, showed his interest.

"I didn't mean right now. I meant in the future," Harry said quickly.

Draco chuckled, sitting up on the edge of the bed. He lifted his arms up in a long stretch, sighing. "Yes, I suppose I should go back to work eventually." He turned his head to look back over his shoulder coyly. "Perhaps we could get together on the weekend."

The way Draco was sitting had twisted the sheet so it pooled around his waist in the front, but left his back and ass totally exposed. Harry enjoyed the view, his eyes traveling down that beautiful expanse of pale, bare skin.

He sat up behind Draco, and kissed a line from his shoulder to his ear. "Or you could lie down and let me kiss my way down your spine."

Draco's gaze warmed, and he was soon stretched out facedown on the bed. Harry grinned to himself as he took it all in. This could take a while.

...

-A/N: Yay! Sexy times finally (told you it was a slow burn).