To Love A Lion
Chapter Ten
AN: Yes it is I, the Angel-Wings6 story extraordinaire…not really! I can't believe how long since I last updated this fic but you have no idea what a complete bitch this chapter has been to write. I actually had to stop and start it so many times because it just wouldn't come out right. Not much to report since my last update other than the death of my beloved friend, I'm sure that she would have been happy with how this chapter eventually turned out. Anyway on to bigger and brighter things such as the new chapter, I hope you all enjoy and I have re-edited some of the last chapters so hopefully they read better. I'm not too good at catching mistakes; it's hard trying to do so since I suffer with dyslexia and I don't have a beta reader so I do apologise in advance for any mistakes not rectified and also thank you to twighlightangel61090 who pointed out that I'd wrote Alexia instead of Alexis…her name is Alexis.
"Hey baby, I've brought you some coffee."
Harry turned and smiled at his wife as she sailed into the room. Alexis had been in a surprisingly cheerful mood today, perhaps it had something to do with the lengthy phone call she'd had last night.
Accepting the mug she held out he smiled in gratitude and took a long swallow ignoring the slight burn. A strange aftertaste filled his mouth; it reminded him slightly of the cinnamon rolls he'd used to eat when sneaking into the Hogwarts kitchens during his school days.
"Did you buy new coffee?" he asked, for a moment her eyes looked shifty. He chanced a quick glance down at his cup then back up to her face again, the aforementioned look was now gone and she nodded.
"It's from Lou, it's his newest blend…you know how he likes to give us complimentary packs…do you like it" her voice was so honest that he had no reason to doubt her. Smiling he took another swallow, it was quite nice actually.
"Yeah, Lou always seems to get it just right when making his blends" he replied finishing the remaining coffee in one long gulp. Wiping his hand casually across his mouth he placed the empty mug on the coffee table.
"I actually came to talk to you about your outing tonight" Alexis said almost hesitantly. He beamed at her; he really was looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.
"I can't wait…it'll be so much fun seeing as though I haven't been out on a night with the lads in such a long time" he gushed. For a moment she seemed almost shocked at his response, and then a sly smile lit up her face.
"It doesn't bother you that Draco is going to be there?" she asked…was that mock confusion in her voice?
"Nope doesn't bother me in the slightest…ok well yes I am a bit bothered, but hey I'm only human. I won't let it spoil the night though, I plan to drink and be merry" he stated with gusto. For some reason there was a niggling doubt in the back of his head that he had not been this excited about the night mere moments before…he promptly pushed it away.
It was about time that he allowed himself some enjoyment. He was going to have one hell of a good night, maybe even flirt a little…the possibilities were endless.
"I'm glad that you feel happier about going out tonight baby…I have a surprise for you" Alexis said. She still wore the wicked smile upon her face as she turned and left the room, her heels clicking as she went.
He smiled.
Surprises were good; he hadn't had one in such a long time. Well that wasn't exactly true…the kiss he had received from Draco…that had been a surprise and he really shouldn't be thinking about that one.
He wondered what it was she had for him, would it be a nice surprise? He rolled his eyes, of course it would, this was Alexis after all and he doubted she would give him something that he didn't like…she knew him too well.
The sound of her footsteps echoed out and he smiled in anticipation.
He frowned when he saw she was carrying what looked like a muggle suit protector bag. Had she bought him a suit? He had tonnes of them in his wardrobe…but still it was nice of her to think of buying him something.
"Now Harry, I know that tonight is a fancy dress kind of thing and don't think I haven't noticed you panicking over what to wear. After seeing you sat in a pile of clothes yesterday…well I decided to take matters into my own hands" she mused.
He chuckled in response to that. He remembered the episode very well, Ron had called and sprung the fancy dress requirement on him and he'd immediately panicked and dove into his wardrobe for inspiration. Suffice to say he hadn't found anything suitable at all.
As far as he knew the list for what people were wearing were as follows; Ron was going as a cat boy, Blaise last he heard was going as a fairy of all things (he'd giggled for quite a while over that one). Severus was going as a schoolboy much to the amusement of Alexis when he'd told her, Draco was going as a horny devil…predictable but he supposed if anyone could pull such predictability off it was Draco.
He was unsure as to what the others were wearing, Ron may have explained it to him but by that point he'd gone into panic mode over what various bits of clothing he had in his wardrobe.
He'd just been surfacing from under the huge pile he'd managed to mount when Alexis had walked into his room, he'd blushed at how terribly gay he probably looked at that moment…throwing a hissy fit over having nothing to wear. However he hadn't thought she would get him something to wear.
"Now I made this myself, I was pouring through some muggle books the other day for a theme for my aunt's study…I stumbled upon a book of ancient myths."
He nodded and watched with anticipation as she slowly began to draw down the zip on the bag, he'd studied such books himself…he wondered what sort of myth had given her inspiration to make a costume for him. Would he be a god of some sort? Would he be a mythical creature? Or even a goddess?
The side panels of the bag finally fell open and he leaned forward to peer at the clothing inside. His breath caught in his throat when he looked over the exquisite detail she had put into the costume itself. She must have taken hours trying to get it just right.
"I knew that you'd go out in something shoddy or unflattering if I left you to get yourself ready" she mused. He supposed she was probably right, no matter what he would of picked it would not have come anywhere near as spectacular as the clothing she had managed to create for him…but would he be ok going out in such an outfit?
His body was well sculpted so he knew that he could pull it off, but would it be too outrageous for a night out in the Three Broomsticks?
He scoffed at the doubts that had begun to assail him, it was a stag do…a time to let hair down and bring out the sleeping party animal that resided in every person. He was no different that everyone else and it was high time he allowed himself a bit of fun.
"Thank you Alexis, I think I may have to let you make some alterations to my hair for the night but I think I can wear that" he stated grinning at her.
She beamed in response to him and for some reason he thought that he saw a look of triumph light her eyes, but then the look was gone and she was zipping up the bag with a flourish. He frowned momentarily then pushed his inkling feeling of doubt away.
Tonight was going to be so much fun.
Draco cursed whatever prick had invented alcohol and hauled his body from his bed.
The room spun violently and he swore, why the hell had he let himself get into such a state again? He was a Malfoy for fucks sake…getting sloshed to the point of lost sanity was meant to be beneath him.
Moving with as much speed as his throbbing head would allow he made his way into his bathroom, the bright light hurt his eyes and he cursed again. Switching the shower on as cold as it would go he stripped the sleep pants from his body and stepped under the icy spray.
He gasped as the droplets connected with his heated flesh, goose pimples rose to the surface of his skin and he did his best to ignore them. Dipping his head under the water he felt his senses come to life. Nothing beat a shower of ice after a night of drowned sorrows…however this had to be his last time, he refused to drink himself into oblivion…it solved nothing.
'So that's what you wanted, to fucking screw with me for the second time.'
Wincing he clenched his hands into fists, his nails bit painfully into his skin but he ignored it. Why couldn't he get over his last encounter with Harry, he was haunted by the pain he had seen clearly in those beautiful green orbs…a pain he himself had created with his totally selfish disregard for others in his youth.
'Love is hurt, its pain, its loosing control it's unfathomable…all the things that we fear. But its also joy, happiness, support, rapture, secure and eternal…all the things that we crave, it's a precious gift and you should give yours to Harry.'
He wanted the voices to stop, his head hurt enough already…but now it had Harry's voice whirling inside telling him that he had blown any chance of reconciliation with him. Then there were the voice of Alexis telling him to hold on, to fight for what he wanted because it was what Harry wanted too.
He felt so torn and so utterly confused.
He'd spent so much time wondering how to seduce Harry back into his life, wondering what plan to put in motion that would have the raven haired man falling in love with him again. But no matter what spin you put on it…it just didn't seem right any more. Draco wanted Harry's love to be given to him freely, not in a moment of lust induced passion, or in a drunken embrace he'd soon forget when sober.
"Face it Malfoy, you're a fucking mess" he scorned himself.
Switching off the shower he secured a towel round his waist just as a knock on his front door sounded. A frown stole over his features at the timing of his visitor…but the Malfoy in him would not allow him to ignore whoever was at the door.
Seconds later he was beginning to curse his mannerisms as his godfather stepped through the door followed closely by Ron Weasley. Why was it that they always seemed to call on him when he was in no mood to entertain them? Plastering a smile on his face he showed them to his sitting room and went to don some clothing.
He dressed with deliberate slowness, he knew that they had probably come to lecture him over his binges and he wanted to delay the moment.
Finally presentable in a soft grey cashmere polo neck and black pants he ran a comb through his wet hair and surveyed his reflection. As always he looked coolly elegant and sophisticated, it was his battle armour in a way, silly really how some things never changed no matter how much time passed.
Forcing a mask of neutrality onto his features he made his way into the sitting room. His head still throbbed painfully but he decided to forgo the usual hangover potion he took, he needed this ache to remind him not to get in such a state again.
"Good morning Severus…Ron, I trust you both have a perfectly good reason to be disturbing my solitude at such an hour" he asked pleasantly.
His visitors exchanged a look and Draco crossed his arms defensively. He had an inkling feeling he was about to get a lecture, he really didn't need his godfather and his friend fawning over his 'fragile' feelings…especially not this early in the morning.
"We came to discuss the plan for tonight" Severus responded completely taking the wind from Draco's sails so to speak.
"Harry has no idea that we're going to Eden's Gate, so we have to meet at the three broomsticks instead. You will be meeting with Blaise there, I will be bringing Harry and Severus will be meeting both me and Harry on the way to meet you and Blaise" Ron added.
Draco sighed at this and conjured a tray, pouring himself a cup of earl grey he offered both his guests a drink shrugging when they declined.
"Would one of you please be so kind as to explain how we will get Harry to agree to go to Eden's Gate?" he asked as he sipped delicately from his cup. Eden's Gate was probably the raciest club in the wizarding world, it was frequented by witches and wizards of all sexual orientations and the club goers had no qualms about completely letting lose.
"That's were you come in" Severus replied and Draco raised a brow in response.
If he couldn't get Harry to speak to him personally then what chance did he have of getting to go to a sexually deviant club? Anybody who was anybody knew what Eden's Gate was well known for…come to think of it why the hell Goyle had chosen that as his location for their destination he couldn't work out.
"Yeah you're the only one who can force a reaction out of Harry, if you challenge him on his refusal to go then you can guarantee he'll go if only to prove you wrong." Ron had an earnest look in his eye as he spoke and Draco repressed a snort.
He grudgingly admitted that there was logic to their madness. He'd always been able to drive Harry just as Harry had always been able to drive him…Ron and Severus were probably right in their assumption that should he call Harry up on his hesitancy to go to the club then Harry would retaliate by agreeing to go.
"So basically you want to use me as the means to get Harry to agree to a night of total depravity" Draco asked coolly. He placed his cup down on the table and eyed his two companions.
Severus looked over at Ron who in turn looked back at Severus; they seemed to be communicating something through their eyes. Draco waited patiently until they turned and looked at him before finally nodding slowly at his question.
"Well why fucking not…count me in."
Sitting cross legged on her bed Alexis reached for the telephone and dialled the number she knew off by heart. Chewing anxiously on her lower lip she waited for the call to be answered.
"Severus hi, it's me" she said softly when at last the other man picked up his end. His voice always sounded so husky down the line, a small shiver rippled down her back and she shifted about. She had to concentrate on the plan…she would worry about other things later.
"Yes he's actually gushing about his outfit at the moment, wants me to do his hair and his make up as well" she giggled. A picture of Harry batting his eye lashes at her and pretending to fawn over his hair as he'd asked her to do him up was just a disturbingly funny mental image…one she planned to tease him on in years to come.
"Yes I managed to slip it into his coffee this morning, gave him some story that it was a new blend that Lou had made and he accepted that easily enough." She grimaced a bit at that being that she did not like lying to Harry, but it really was for his own good.
"How did things go with Draco" she asked. She let his voice sink soothingly through her as he confirmed that Draco had agreed to be the catalyst to get Harry to agree to go to Eden's Gate.
"I think that it'll ware off before he goes out, but by that point Ron will turn up in his outfit which will make him feel better. Also he has nothing else to ware so I think its pretty safe to say that he won't back out…besides he knows I'll kill him" she chuckled at the last part causing Severus to laugh as well…god how she loved that sound.
"It'll be soon I promise you, I know that Harry still wants to be with him. I only hope that Draco realises that what a chance we're giving him and won't screw it up, he needs to understand that Harry doesn't need to be seduced…he just needs to be loved" she said softly.
She knew that this would all turn out alright, that Draco was smart enough to realise that Harry was not to be played with. Harry was vulnerable when it came to his feelings, and when he loved it did it with all of his heart and soul.
No matter what Harry said she could read between the lines and easily see that he still loved the blonde.
"I'll have him dressed to impress for when Ron gets here, and I know for a fact that he'll show that Slytherin of his just what he's been missing out on. It'll be fun to picture Harry in the role of innocent tease…he really is so naïve in many ways" she laughed.
"So I hear your going as a schoolboy" she teased and held the received away from her ear at the growled response.
Tonight was going to be the start of something, something that would shape the days to come. She wanted to make sure that everybody knew where they stood so that when the time came everything would fall effortlessly into place.
AN: so there we have the set up for the big night out, sorry its such a short chapter after such a long wait but I needed a chapter to set up the next one. You will be pleased to note that the next chapter will not take as long to get out as I already have half of it written out on paper (My job is so boringly dull that I actually write out chapters on paper whilst I work). So now all I need to do is get that typed up and add to it...here's a little teaser just to tie you over!!!
The lights flashed and bodies moved provocatively against one another. Flesh on flesh, hands touching glistening skin, lips moulding together in a way that left him breathless. He could feel himself flush as he watched the scene before him unfold…he wanted to be a part of it…to taste and to and touch it.
Blonde hair stood out amongst the crowd and he smiled slyly, so it would seem that Draco was determined to play it cool. Well he'd had enough of sitting on the sidelines, for one night he was going to let his inner Slytherin out to play.
Keeping an eye on the blonde he began to thread his way through the gyrating bodies. His gaze became hooded and his breath quickened as he got closer, he was dancing with danger and he didn't care…he just wanted to forget his pain for one night, just wanted to feel something other than his misery for just one night.
He'd worry about the consequences in the morning.
AN: ok bit of a long teaser but still. Anyway please review for this chapter and I'll get started on the next chapter. Thank you all for being very patient with me and if any of you read my 'When Veela's Collide' you will be pleased to note that the new chapter is nearly done and that should be up soon as well. You all rock!
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