A/N – Sorry sorry sorry for the delay on chapter posting, I've been a very slack author as of late and I do apologise. I've been on holiday and haven't been feeling all that inspired - until I received some lovely and encouraging feedback from a few people that has reignited my imagination. Will endeavour to get chapters written and posted as fast as I can. The plot is finished – just have to actually write it now. Thanks again for your patience and words of encouragement, it truly keeps me going. Hopefully the length of this chapter makes up for my tardiness.
Harry hummed to himself as he attempted to waltz around the lounge room, arms up and in position but without a partner to guide him.
It was Friday and Draco was still at work while Harry was busy practicing his dancing for the night's approaching party. His lessons with the aristocratic blond had gone quite well. Even without his sight, Harry could still tell that Draco was a fine dancer, and surprisingly, a good instructor as well. His store of patience seemed endless, and after an hour into his first lesson, Harry had relaxed into it and stopped expecting Draco to get fed up with him for tripping over his own feet.
As a result Harry was now quite a competent dancer. He wasn't the Fred Astaire that Draco was, but not bad for only having three days to prepare.
"Ow shit!" Harry swore as he unexpectedly stubbed his toe on the coffee table and began to hop about the room cursing.
He eventually released his foot and hobbled over to collapse into one of the large comfy chairs with a heavy sigh.
Harry rubbed at his temple, a bit of a headache was building which he attributed to the mounting stress with regards to tonight's party. It would be the first time that he would be at a social function without his sight. He didn't want people to pity the poor blind man - and he didn't want people to pity Draco either, thinking him a saint for dating a blind man.
This last thought irritated him. He knew Draco wasn't dating him for his image or personal gain, that the blond really did care for him, but he knew other people wouldn't always see it that way.
Harry sighed and leaned back in the chair. He had to stop worrying over what other people thought and just focus on himself, on what he could control.
Harry blinked. Then blinked again.
He slowly sat up with a concentrated frown, his heart in his throat.
There in front of him in the blanket of inky blackness was a sort of dark grey shape.
Harry slid out of the chair to his knees and slowly reached towards it. His fingers connected with the coffee table which fit perfectly into the strange grey outline in his vision.
Harry gasped, feeling the table all over with trembling hands. It couldn't be…
He lifted his head and looked around the room, trying to make out other objects. Harry squinted into the darkness and could faintly make out some other shapes that were slowly emerging out of the nothing.
Harry slowly stood up, feeling dizzy. He tried to rein in his mounting excitement and look at what was happening sensibly. Perhaps it was the power to 'borrow' Draco's sight that was at work here.
Harry placed his hand around the bracelet on his wrist but the metal was cool to the touch and there wasn't that same prickling sensation that accompanied the magic like the last time it had happened. He wasn't in danger and he certainly wasn't calling upon the magic on purpose.
Harry continued to look around the room in amazement as more and more grey blobs took shape in his field of vision.
Harry blinked quickly, tears beginning to gather in his eyes as he was able to make out some definition in the grey and black haze, the shapes beginning to actually mean something; table, lamp, chair…
Harry smiled through his tears, wanting to burst with the joy he was feeling but scared to as well. He felt as though he might jinx it, that it might go away as quickly as it was appearing.
Harry forced himself to sit down on the floor, breathing deeply and trying to ease his excited heart.
After a few calming minutes, Harry slowly got back to his feet. His vision seemed to have stabilised into its current state without any more changes. The shapes around the room now had sharp edges and definite differences in shading. There was even a brightish grey rectangle to his right that he knew was the large lounge room window.
Harry turned, feeling slightly off-balance, as he continued to look around him. He felt as though he was caught in a black and white dream.
Harry wandered into the kitchen and up to the bench, running his hands along the cool stone surface. He smiled when he came across the hanging pots and pans just above his head, their shape clear as day.
Harry laughed aloud, feeling giddy.
Next he meandered into the bedroom, again running his hand along the walls and doors and anything within his reach. He absently noted that he was still counting steps in his head when there was no need to. He could easily see where the doorways were located now.
Harry bit his lip as he hesitantly walked over to stand in front of the floor length mirror next to Draco's wardrobe.
He could see the outline of the antique mirror and then he could see a dark shape in the reflection. He raised a hand and waved at himself. Harry laughed and leaned in close. He couldn't make out any details, which he seemed to feel was maybe a good thing.
Harry jumped when he heard the front door open and then close.
"Harry?" Draco's voice echoed down the hall to him, causing Harry to smile.
"In here!" he called back.
Harry turned his head at the sound of approaching footsteps and couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face when Draco appeared in the doorway and made his way over. Draco was just a dark shape amongst all the greys but the sight made Harry's heart jump with excitement.
"Are you alright?" Draco asked as he approached. "I felt something strange in our connection and came straight home."
Harry raised his brows in surprise. "I'm fine," he replied. "What did you feel?"
Draco removed his black winter coat and laid it on the bed as he spoke. "I don't know exactly. It wasn't like the time you were in danger, it was more of a... a joyful feeling, of elation." Draco turned back towards him with a teasing smile. "Were you having a good time here on your own?"
Harry squinted, wishing he could see Draco's facial features.
Draco blinked and took a step towards him. "Are you sure you're alright? You have a strange expression on your face."
Harry laughed. "Move around the room," he said mysteriously.
"What?" Draco replied ineloquently. "Harry..."
Harry just grinned. "Do it. Just walk somewhere."
Draco's brow creased in confusion as he dutifully walked over to the window.
His expression soon cleared when Harry's eyes tracked his every move. It didn't take long for all the pieces to fall into place.
"Harry, can you... Are you seeing me?" he asked incredulously.
Harry just smiled and nodded. "Not perfectly, just a dark blob moving about really."
"Bloody hell..." Draco breathed in shock.
The blond quickly snapped out of his stupor and threw his arms around his partner with uncharacteristic jubilance.
Harry laughed and returned the joyful embrace.
"How?" Draco asked pulling back to look into Harry's face searchingly.
Harry shrugged. "Snape's potion perhaps?"
Draco nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, of course. So you can see… shapes?"
"Basically yeah. Just black with different shades of grey."
"But it's enough to see where you're going without help?" Draco asked.
"Yep." Harry nodded happily.
Draco smiled in disbelief. "We have to celebrate," he suddenly announced. "We should go out for dinner."
Harry chuckled at the Slytherin's enthusiasm. "Your dinner party's tonight."
"We don't have to go to that," Draco replied instantly. "This is big Harry."
Harry shook his head. "And waste all those sodding dance lessons? Not a chance Malfoy. I'm going to this party."
Draco laughed. "Fine, if that's what you want."
"I do," Harry said firmly, taking a step back. "Erm... I'll still need your help putting together my outfit though."
Draco's eyes lit up. "Of course."
Harry rolled his eyes as he walked over to his cupboard. "I don't need perfect vision to see your excitement over dressing me up like a Barbie doll."
"Barbie?" Draco scoffed, following him. "I'm not into drag queens Potter. You most certainly will not be wearing pink."
Harry laughed and opened the wooden doors to his cupboard.
"Now this I can handle," Draco said, grey eyes gleaming as he removed a pressed black tux. Draco gently placed the suit into Harry's hands. "Here you go love. You put that on and I'll quickly change and come back."
Harry pulled the silky tux to his chest with a smile, his heart flip-flopping at Draco's casual endearment.
. . . .
Draco and Harry arrived outside the opulent London hotel The Langham at precisely seven o'clock. The historic building was located in the heart of muggle London, but unbeknownst to the muggles, it played host to dozens of wizarding functions every year. No magic was to be used on the property and muggle clothing was to be worn at all times. Both rules were strictly enforced by the Ministry to ensure that the wizarding world could freely use the regal premises for their own purposes.
Draco lightly grasped Harry's arm to help him out of the sleek black car before stepping back to look up at the grand brick building. Draco adjusted his jacket slightly before turning to offer his arm to his partner. The blond loved The Langham and revelled in lavish parties such as tonight's.
"Looks big," Harry said tensely, squinting at the large dark blob rising up into the sky in front of him.
Draco smiled as he slipped his hand into Harry's and gave it a comforting squeeze. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. You're completely delicious in that tux Harry."
Harry laughed as they walked beneath the portico and through the doors into the hotel foyer.
The black and white floors reflected the chandelier lights above and well-dressed muggles strode importantly through the large room, the heels of their shoes clicking rhythmically on the shining marble surface.
Draco adopted his usual air of unimpressed coolness that came into use whenever he was in public, while Harry simply gawked openly at the shapes and sounds and smells around him. All three senses told him the place was excessively extravagant.
Harry swallowed his trepidation as best he could as he followed alongside Malfoy through the foyer towards the set of shiny gold lifts.
"How do you feel?" Draco asked once they were alone inside the lift.
"I'm alright," Harry replied tightly, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice.
Draco smiled a little and moved up behind him to place a kiss to the sensitive spot just behind Harry's ear.
Harry's breath caught in his throat as his skin tingled under the soft touch of Draco's lips and the caress of his warm breath.
"Better?" Draco breathed into his ear.
Harry swallowed and nodded, opening his eyes again, unsure of when they had fallen shut.
"Good," Draco replied quietly, voice dropping an octave. "Because you have nothing to worry about, I won't leave your side all night, I promise." The elevator dinged to announce the arrival at their floor. "Plus you're on the arm of the most influential wizard in here – not to mention the most handsome."
Harry snorted, instantly forgetting his nerves. "Now that's the Malfoy I remember."
Draco smirked and stepped away to a more respectable distance just as the lift doors smoothly opened upon the grand ballroom.
"Ah Mr Malfoy, so glad you could make it."
Draco stepped out of the lift, his left hand at the small of Harry's back, lightly guiding him towards one of his business partners; Mr Jonathan Ross.
Draco smiled cordially as he shook Mr Ross' hand. "Good evening Jon. This is my partner Harry."
Harry smiled tentatively in greeting, unsure of the other man's expression. He held out his right hand and was relieved when another hand grasped it.
"Pleased to meet you Harry," Mr Ross replied pleasantly. "You must be quite the man to have finally tied Mr Malfoy down."
Harry withdrew his hand with a smile. "I assure you it's quite the opposite sir, I'm not the one doing the tying."
Mr Ross guffawed in appreciation.
"This is Jonathan Ross, Harry," Draco smoothly interjected. "One of our more important business partners."
"I bet you say that to all of us," the older man winked teasingly. "I see Severus is a no-show as per usual?"
Draco nodded with a knowing smile. "He is a very busy man as I'm sure you can appreciate."
"And very difficult to get in touch with," Jonathan added. "It's good that he has such an efficient and pleasant wizard doing all his dealings for him then, eh Harry?"
Harry smiled, throwing a glance Draco's way.
"Well I shan't keep you from the party," Mr Ross said, clapping his hands together jovially. "Nice to meet you young Harry. Enjoy the party."
"Thankyou," Harry nodded in response, casually slipping one hand into Draco's.
"Jonathan." Draco nodded at the smiling wizard as he clasped Harry's hand and gently led them further into the room.
"He seems nice," Harry noted quietly as they manoeuvred between a few of the tables.
"He is," Draco affirmed. "He may be in his eighties but he's still sharp, and very influential. Not a man you want to cross or the entire industry will turn its back on you along with him."
Harry nodded as one of the passing waiters paused to offer the two wizards a flute of champagne.
Draco passed one to Harry before taking one for himself. The blond took a sip of the bubbly drink as he quickly scanned the room; assessing the gathered guests for any potential business connections.
Harry took a gulp of his drink as he squinted around him. He could clearly see the shape of wandering guests, as well as the tables and chairs. He looked up to see huge black tiered shapes hanging from the ceiling that he assumed were chandeliers.
"How are you feeling?" Draco asked him quietly. "If it gets to be too much let me know and we'll leave."
Harry smiled, never failing to be amazed at Draco's thoughtfulness. "I'm fine. Just remember I'm counting on you to let me know if I'm about to do something stupid or if my flies undone."
Draco snorted and glanced down at the front of Harry's trousers. "Still decent Potter."
Harry laughed. "Good," he replied before taking another swallow of the delicious champagne.
"Draco! When did you get here?"
Harry looked up and squinted a little as three human shapes walked over to stand in front of them. He could tell from their silhouettes that the centre person was female.
"Good evening," Draco greeted professionally. "How are you Bryce?"
"Couldn't be better, this little soirée is fantastic. Two greatest words in the human language are open and bar." The man Harry assumed was Bryce laughed and lifted his glass in the air. "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?"
"Of course," Draco replied smoothly. "Bryson this is my partner Harry. Harry this is my personal assistant Bryson."
Harry smiled in greeting and reached out to take the man's hand. He and Draco had decided to simply introduce him as Harry, hoping for a little anonymity tonight.
"Nice to meet you Harry," Bryce replied warmly, shaking Harry's hand. "I didn't realize you were spoken for Malfoy."
"You never asked," Draco replied with a hint of a smile.
"Actually I did - several times," Bryce shot back with a grin.
"That must mean it's none of your business," Draco smirked.
Harry listened to the two wizards banter, feeling slightly left out. Harry emptied his champagne glass and looked around for another.
"Are you going to introduce your friend's?" Draco asked, glancing at Bryce's companions.
Bryce snapped his fingers and turned to his friends. "Yes sorry, forgot you lot were here. This is my dear friend and flatmate Audrey."
"Hello," she chirped brightly, dark ringlets bouncing as she glanced at both Harry and Draco.
"Nice to meet you," Harry smiled politely.
"The pleasure is all mine I assure you," she replied with a twinkle in her eye. "You'll both have to save me a dance later, I don't know anyone here and most of the wizards here are old and stuffy."
Bryce rolled his eyes in amusement before indicating the other gentleman to his left. "And this is another good friend of mine, Tristan."
"Good evening." Tristan nodded cordially before snagging drink from a passing waiter.
"Evening," Draco replied before taking Harry's hand. "I won't keep you any longer Bryce, enjoy the evening."
""Don't forget that dance!" Audrey called after them as they moved away.
Harry smiled in response as he followed Draco to one of the large round tables and sat down beside him.
"Hungry?" Draco asked as he slid another glass of champagne in front of Harry. "They'll be serving dinner shortly."
"Famished actually," Harry admitted as someone approached the table.
"Excuse me gentlemen but are you Draco Malfoy?"
Draco glanced up to see a wizard that looked to be around their age with dark blond hair and tanned skin.
"Yes and you are?" Draco enquired after giving him a once over. One thing he knew for certain was that the man had money - and lots of it.
"Let me introduce myself," the stranger smiled smoothly, showing off a row of pearly whites. "I'm Lance Waverley of Waverley Imports."
Draco arched one brow, impressed. Waverley Imports was one of the most sought after wizarding PR companies in Europe.
"Pleasure to meet you Lance," Draco replied. "Won't you join our table for dinner?"
"Thank-you, I will." Lance smiled and pulled out the chair next Draco.
"This is my partner Harry," Draco introduced as Lance sat down.
"Good to meet you Harry," Lance replied, smiling at him as he shuffled his chair in and reclined back in casual repose.
"Likewise," Harry smiled politely in return. "What is it you do Mr Waverley?"
"Public relations. And please call me Lance," the blond added.
"Do you have a public relations guy Draco?" Harry asked curiously.
Draco couldn't help but smile at his partner. "No Harry, we don't. We're a relatively small company still."
Lance smiled at the exchange before leaning forward, placing clasped hands on the white linen table-top. "Small but very highly recommended," he said. "I've never heard such positive feedback from stockists."
Draco smiled confidently. "We aim to keep our clients satisfied."
Lance nodded. "Top notch product line you've got there Mr Malfoy. So Harry," he said abruptly. "What is it you do?"
Harry blinked at the sudden subject change. "Um I test fly quidditch brooms for Oliver Wood's company, erm... Oliver Wood the keeper for Puddlemere?"
"Yes," Lance nodded, looking fascinated. "Of course I know him, not personally mind you. What a fabulous job, you must be quite the talented flier to have landed that position."
Harry flushed a little as he shrugged. "He's a good friend of mine, from school."
Lance smiled. "Ever think of becoming professional yourself?"
Harry glanced towards Draco but couldn't see anything other than the vague grey outline of the Slytherin's head.
"Perhaps..." he replied with another shrug.
Draco blinked in surprise, this was news to him. He supposed he should've known it would be the next logical step if Harry's vision was fully restored.
"Well, I look forward to seeing you play in the coming years then," Lance said kindly.
Harry smiled a little, feeling slightly embarrassed.
Draco clasped Harry's hand under the table and gave it a squeeze, sensing his boyfriend's discomfort.
"So, back to business," Lance said, sitting back in his seat once more.
Harry released a breath of relief, happy to no longer be the centre of attention.
"After doing a little background check on your operation Mr Malfoy, we are quite impressed with your product line, and as I said before, the feedback we have received has been nearly one hundred percent positive. I don't have to tell you that that is very rare in your line of work."
Draco smiled serenely and took a sip of his champagne before replying. "Thankyou. We may be a small company but we are thorough, and very careful with whom we do business with."
Lance smirked. "As are we."
Harry looked around the room, quickly losing interest in the conversation as the talk turned to the intricate dealings of business partnerships and expectations. He hoped the food would arrive soon to keep his stomach from rumbling too loudly.
"You look as though you could use a drink young Harry."
Harry looked up and quickly placed the voice as that of Mr Ross, the nice gentleman he'd met at the beginning of the evening.
"Hello again." Harry smiled. "Are you joining us for dinner?"
Draco glanced over to ensure that his partner was alright before turning back to reply to one of Lance's questions.
"I think I will," Mr Ross replied affably as he pulled out the chair next to Harry.
"Good evening Jonathan," Lance greeted as he looked up to see the older wizard joining their table.
"Hello Mr Waverley, head-hunting are we?"
Lance laughed, unconcerned. "Never waste an opportunity I always say."
Mr Ross smiled and shook his head at the younger man as he signalled for one of the passing waiters.
"Here we are Harry," he said as he took two glasses off of the tray and placed them on the table. "Cheers!"
Harry clinked glasses with him before happily taking another large gulp of the expensive champagne.
"Never shuts off that one," Mr Ross noted quietly to Harry, his gaze on Draco. "You'll have to teach him to relax Harry my boy."
Harry smiled and squinted in Draco's direction, watching the blond lean in towards Lance, deep in discussion, hands moving about in demonstration.
"He loves his job," Harry said, oblivious to the fondness lacing his words.
Jonathan smiled at the look in Harry's eyes. "Love is certainly in the air."
Harry turned back towards him quickly, brow furrowed in puzzlement.
"He's lucky to have you."
Harry smiled, an odd swelling in his chest, not knowing what to say.
"Now," the older man said loudly. "More champagne I think."
Harry noticed in surprise that his glass was indeed already empty. "Goodness…"
The other man laughed, noting Harry's astonishment.
A loud giggle escaped before Harry could quickly clamp his mouth shut again. Maybe he'd had enough already. It had been some years since his last taste of alcohol.
Mr Ross just laughed louder as he flagged down another waiter and placed another glass of champagne in front of the tipsy Gryffindor.
Harry grinned as he took another swig of the bubbly stuff.
Lance paused in his conversation to smirk in amusement at Harry. Draco followed his gaze and couldn't help but laugh at Harry's happy glazed expression. He'd never seen the Gryffindor drunk before. He hoped Harry wouldn't let anything slip in his inebriated state that he would regret later.
"I think you need some water love," Draco said, taking the glass of champagne out of Harry's hand.
"Okay," Harry replied, still smiling. "When are we going to dance? You gave me all those lessons and we haven't danced yet."
"Sorry Harry, that's my fault," Lance apologised. "I've been taking up all of Draco's time with business. We can discuss this further on Monday Mr Malfoy."
At that, the waiters began to emerge from the kitchen with trays of dinner plates.
"Looks like you'll be eating first," Mr Ross said with a gleam in his eye as he took in the steaming plates of food.
"Yum!" Harry exclaimed as the delicious aroma of hot food hit his nostrils causing his stomach to rumble in anticipation.
A few other people joined them to fill up the table as the dinners were passed around but the four gentlemen were mostly silent as they ate, making idle chit chat in between chewing.
Harry dug into his dinner with fervour; thoroughly enjoying the marinated beef, mashed potatoes and steamed spinach. He hoped the food would soak up the alcohol a little and stop the room from spinning whenever he turned his head. It was even more nauseating in his current state of blurry greyish-black sight.
"Ready for that dance now Potter?" Draco whispered in his ear when he'd placed the fork on his empty dinner plate and sat back.
Harry smiled, turning his head slightly towards him. "Bring it on Malfoy."
Draco smirked and took Harry's hand as the brunette got to his feet.
"Whoa…" Harry swallowed and closed his eyes as he swayed a little on his feet.
Draco chuckled and grasped Harry's elbow to steady him. "You light-weight," he teased.
Harry opened his eyes, feeling slightly more stable, and glared towards the smirking blond. "I'll have you know that I hold my alcohol just fine Mr Malfoy."
Draco laughed as he tugged Harry towards the dance floor where quite a few couples were already dancing to the music.
Harry happily slung his arms around his partner, still feeling tipsy, and laid his head on Draco's shoulder.
Draco rolled his eyes, slightly embarrassed by Harry's extra-cuddly behaviour in public. "Do get ahold of yourself Potter."
Harry laughed and lifted his head, squinting blearily up at Draco's face. "Sorry Lord Malfoy, I'll try not to embarrass you too much."
Draco couldn't help but laugh. Harry drunk was very amusing indeed.
They continued to dance for awhile, Harry dancing easily amongst the crowd with Draco there to safely guide him. After a few songs had passed, Draco figured it was time for a water break and they headed back to their table.
"How about that dance now Harry?"
Harry looked around to see Audrey standing next to him, flanked by Tristan and Draco's assistant Bryson.
Harry smiled as he swallowed another gulp of cool water. "Sure."
"You don't mind do you Mr Malfoy?" Audrey said as she latched onto Harry's arm and began to drag him away.
Draco shook his head with a smile.
Harry allowed himself to be dragged off to the dance floor. Unfortunately Audrey snagged two glasses of champagne on the way and passed one to Harry, who took it and immediately began to ingest it.
Draco shook his head but remained quiet. He didn't want to ruin Harry's good time since the reclusive Gryffindor wasn't one for crowds or parties, he thought this experience would be good for him – doubtless he would pay for this evening's indulgences tomorrow morning though.
"He's quite the catch Malfoy," Lance commented as he sidled up to the blond.
Draco smiled a little as he watched Harry dance with the short curly-haired girl. "Yes he is," he replied mildly.
"He looks familiar," he continued. "Has he always been in the quidditch industry?"
Draco didn't bat an eye as he replied. "Yes, he has been in a few magazines with the team, perhaps you saw him there."
"Hmm… yes perhaps. I think I have seen a photo of him in a magazine or newspaper at some time."
Draco nodded casually, hoping the man would leave it at that.
"Where did you two meet?"
Draco cursed inwardly and took another sip from his glass of water. "Through Oliver Wood actually. He's a good friend of mine and he gave me tickets to one of the games and there was Harry, sitting in the manager's box next to me."
Lance smiled. "Fate."
Draco returned the smile and glanced back out towards Harry as the song finished. "If you'll excuse me, I must rescue my boyfriend."
Lance chuckled and nodded. "I'll talk to you Monday."
Draco nodded and gratefully made his escape, meeting Harry halfway to the dance floor.
"Sorry Audrey, must steal my partner back," Draco said, flashing her a charming smile.
Harry merely grinned as Audrey thanked him for the dance and took her leave.
"I think it's time to go my love," Draco whispered into Harry's ear as he lightly grasped his elbow.
"Aw… why?" Harry whined.
"Because you are drawing too much interest from certain parties and they are asking questions."
That sobered Harry up pretty quickly. He nodded in agreement and allowed Draco to lead him through the room to the lift.
Draco stopped quickly to speak to his assistant on his way past. "Keep an eye on that Lance Waverley character. He may be doing some background checking and digging around where he shouldn't be."
Bryce did well not to look in Lance's direction before answering. "No problem boss. Consider it done."
Draco nodded shortly before continuing their journey to the gold lifts and stepping inside. He breathed a sigh of relief as the doors smoothly slid shut in front of them and they began their descent to the ground floor.
Harry laughed as he swayed with the quickly dropping lift.
Draco snorted and grabbed onto his arm to steady the inebriated Gryffindor.
It was dark outside by the time they arrived back home at their flat in Godric's Hollow.
"That was fun!" Harry surmised loudly as they wandered down the hall to the bedroom.
"You won't think so tomorrow morning," Draco muttered under his breath as he opened his wardrobe.
"And why is that Mr Malfoy?" Harry slurred, having suddenly come up behind him.
Draco began to undo his tie as he replied with ultimate patience. "Because you are completely wasted Mr Potter and you will have a bastard of a hangover tomorrow."
"Will not," Harry replied grumpily.
Harry blinked, trying to focus on the blurry images around the room. His heart leapt again as he thought about the possibility that Snape's potion might actually be working, and that perhaps one day soon he would be cured completely.
"Thanks," he said suddenly, the alcohol fuelling his emotional side.
"For what?" the blond replied, his back still to Harry.
"For helping me… for taking me to Snape and trying to cure my sight."
Draco turned his head to smile at him. "It's my pleasure, but you should really be thanking Severus, he's the genius behind the miracle cure."
Draco neatly placed his tie in the drawer before reaching for the buttons on his white shirt.
"Let me do that," Harry said, recognizing the movement and turning him around to help.
Draco licked his lips and swallowed as Harry slowly began to unbutton his shirt.
Harry paused for a moment upon hearing Draco's breathing speed up. His own heart rate increased a fraction as he continued downwards.
Harry reached the bottom and pushed the shirt open. He couldn't see the smooth pale planes of Draco's chest but he could envision it perfectly as his hands seemed to glide of their own accord up Draco's warm torso.
Draco froze, wondering where Harry was going with this but not wanting him to stop.
Harry slid his hands up over the top of Draco's shoulders and pushed the crisp white shirt off so that it fluttered to the ground at their feet.
Draco's breath hitched as Harry took a step closer.
"What are you doing?" Draco asked breathlessly.
Harry swallowed and stopped an inch away from Draco's mouth. "I don't know…" he whispered, warm champagne infused breath ghosting across the Slytherin's lips and chin.
Harry stopped trying to make out Draco's facial features and closed his eyes, leaning in to soundly press his lips to Draco's.
Draco's eyes widened in surprise before his body reacted and he wrapped his arms around Harry and returned the heady kiss.
Harry stepped closer, pressing the length of his body up against Draco's, causing the blond to moan quietly into the kiss.
Harry turned them around and forced Draco back towards the bed, following the startled blond as he pushed him back onto the mattress, keeping his body on top as he continued the passionate kiss.
Draco gave in to the pleasure for a full minute before his eyes snapped open when Harry slid to his knees on the floor and reached for the zip on his trousers. Draco pushed Harry up away from him.
"What's wrong?" Harry panted in confusion.
Draco swallowed and collected himself for a moment before replying. "Firstly, you're pissed Potter."
"Not that much," Harry protested crossly.
"And," Draco continued. "You don't want this."
"What makes you say that?" Harry asked stiffly after a pause.
"Because you were just thanking me for helping you and this is obviously how you thought you'd repay me."
Harry's mouth opened in outrage and he stumbled back off of the bed and stood glaring, hands balled into fists at his side.
"Just because I was a whore at one time does not mean that I will always use my body as payment!" Harry bit out angrily.
Draco sat up, regretting his choice of words but not the meaning behind them. "Harry, you've had too much to drink and it's getting the better of you. You know you don't really want to do this yet. You're not ready."
Harry's eyes blazed. "So how is this relationship supposed to work then Draco? Any time I want to have sex with you you're going to assume it's for the wrong reason!"
"Harry," Draco said quietly. "You weren't even hard."
Harry's cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. He turned and quickly stormed from the room, the door to the second bedroom slamming shut seconds later.
Draco sighed and ran a hand through his blond hair. It had been such a good evening and now it was a complete disaster. Harry had shown more emotion in the past few hours then he had in the past few weeks. He just hoped this argument wasn't going to set back their fragile relationship.
Draco took a quick shower before getting into bed. He left the bedside lamp on and picked up a novel that he'd been working his way through, but merely stared at the same page lost in thought.
He didn't even hear the tentative knock at the door a little while later.
"Draco?"
Draco startled and looked up to see Harry standing at the doorway in his boxers and a t-shirt, hands twisting together uneasily.
"Can I come in?"
"Of course." Draco sat up and set his book aside as Harry walked over and perched on the edge of the bed.
Harry let out a breath of air, facing down towards the floor. "I just wanted to apologise. You're right, I wasn't ready and I did it because I thought that's what you wanted and I just wanted to make you happy for a change."
Draco sighed and shuffled over towards the forlorn looking Gryffindor. "You do make me happy Harry, every day. Your coming to the party tonight was more than I ever expected. You don't need to do any more."
"Ever?" Harry asked with a small smile.
Draco smirked, relieved to see his partner's teasing side again – but not the meek and timid Harry that always broke his heart and frustrated him at the same time.
"Maybe not quite that long…" Draco replied.
Harry smiled and looked back towards his hands.
"Will you be staying the night Mr Potter?" Draco asked, shuffling over and pulling open the blanket.
Harry smiled and nodded before climbing in and settling down on his side, facing Draco.
Draco lay down beside him. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier, I didn't mean for it to come out like that."
"S'ok," Harry accepted easily.
"So… how's the vision going now? Any change?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "Looks like it's levelled off for now. Hopefully it gets better."
Draco smiled. "It will. Did you take your potion for tonight?"
"Yeah, maybe I'll wake up to perfectly clear full-colour vision tomorrow," Harry replied as he closed his eyes with a yawn.
Draco secretly hoped Harry's words would prove prophetic come morning as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to drift off.