Authors Note: I was a little sad to note that so many hit story alert but so few took 10 seconds to leave a comment. So I would like to thank GirlWhoLovesToReadBooks for reviewing both chapters and leaving behind words that made me happy I wrote this. =^-^=

Last Chapter Reminders

:Thoughts:

Disclaimer: I own some things. Just not the love of Draco and Harry.

Warning: this contains malexmale love. No slashy goodness but if you don't like boys kissing then don't read. AU of a Cinderella sort ;) HP/DM, RL/SB implied.

To Join the Dance

Riddles eyes went wide as he kept from lashing out. Instead he turned and walked away no doubt swearing vengeance against the blonde.

But that didn't concern Draco. What concerned him was the unconscious boy in his Orchard. As Draco kneeled beside him to swipe long tangled hair from his face one thought crossed his mind.

:What have I gotten myself into?:

He was comfortable. Comfortable and surrounded by warmth.

That was the first thing Harry noticed as he slowly gained consciousness. He was actually so comfortable that he was about to go back to sleep. Then it occurred to him that he never woke up slowly like this. Nor was he ever comfortable or warm in his freezing cellar with his hole-filled blanket. He peeled his fuzzy eyes open and attempted to squint at his surroundings. However, his lack of glasses made that extremely hard so he groped almost blindly around trying to figure out where they were.

The first thing he noticed was that he was in a bed. A Big bed that had several fluffy pillows and a thick blanket that looked like it was green with some pattern and was currently tucked in around Harry. He frowned in confusion as he shifted the quilt off of himself only to turn a deep crimson at the sudden realization that all his clothing was gone. His eyes went wide and darted around and he noticed what looked like some cloth folded up on the table next to the bed. When he grabbed them and felt around he was relieved to realize they were a pair of trousers and pants. Harry wasn't quite sure who they belonged to but he didn't particularly care as long as he didn't have to remain naked!

Harry quickly shifted under the quilt pulling the pants on blindly before carefully stepping out of the bed and pulling the trousers on. With one hand on the table and the other held in front of him he started shuffling around hoping to find a door and then maybe a person to tell him what the bloody hell was going on.

He was shuffling towards what looked like a door when said door suddenly swung open and smacked him across the face. Harry yelped and stumbled backwards clutching at his throbbing forehead nearly tripping over when he stumbled into a table. Whoever opened the door was cursing loudly and seemed to be moving toward him.

Harry froze when he felt a cool hand touch the side of his face and another hand peel his hand away from his forehead.

"I apologize about that. Let me see how bad it looks." A hand probed softly around Harrys' forehead making him wince slightly. "Looks like you're going to have a bit of a bump on your head but nothing too severe." The hands retreated and one wrapped around Harrys wrist. "Now sit down before you hurt yourself again."

Harry wanted to retort that it hadn't been his fault but the hand was leading him somewhere and without his glasses Harry could easily get hurt so he remained silent.

As Harry sat down on the edge of the bed he groped at the wrist of the hand so whoever it was couldn't pull away. "Who are you? Where am I? And what the bloody hell happened to my glasses?"

A quiet chuckle was his initial answer. "All very good questions. If you will give me one moment…" The hand pulled away and moments later Harry felt the cool metal of his glasses as they were slid onto his nose.

It took a moment for Harrys eyes to adjust but when they did he immediately focused on the man in front of him that was currently standing with his arms crossed and a weird sort of smile on his face.

"My name is Draco. You are currently in one of the guest bedrooms of my home. I ordered the maids to prepare it so you could rest until you gained consciousness.

Harry blinked in confusion. "Consciousness?" Harry suddenly remembered everything that had happened to him. He remembered running into an apple orchard and this man, Draco, stopping him right before he was grabbed by Tom. His last memory was Tom leaning over him and wrapping his hands around Harrys throat.

Harry stared at Draco incredulously. "H-he tried to kill me!"

Draco raised an eyebrow. "It seemed that way, but from how he tells it I can almost believe you deserved it. Then again, I find it easy to believe that Riddle is not telling the complete truth so perhaps you can enlighten me." As he was talking Draco had seated himself on the bed beside Harry.

"You see, according to Riddle, you not only are defiant but are taken to threatening physical harm against noblemen."

Harry gaped at him a moment before protesting, "I-I never threatened anyone! I was doing the laundry when he tossed pig slop all over me. The only 'physical harm' came from when I pushed him after he had insulted my family and made me angry. He started it!" Harry winced at how childish and shrill his voice became at the end but was distracted when he noticed Draco smirking and nodding to himself.

"I knew Riddle couldn't be trusted and your story sounds a lot more believable than a scrawny half-starved boy threatening someone who was in better shape." Harry felt a flush down his neck at Dracos description of him. "This reminds me, you haven't properly introduced yourself."

Harry blinked at Draco blankly before his flush deepened. "S-sorry. My name is Harry-" Harry paused and it crossed his mind that perhaps telling Draco his last name might be giving him too much information. He had helped Harry so far but that was no guarantee that he was trustworthy. "-Longbottom." Harry concluded after a short hesitation. If Draco noticed the oddity he didn't comment. His lips twitched in amusement at the name but nothing else.

"Well, Harry Longbottom," Dracos lips twitched again like he wanted to laugh and Harry scowled at him. "You have been through quite the ordeal. You should rest and later I shall send Tilly to bring you down for a proper meal before you go on your way."

Harry frowned as Draco stood up and moved as if he was going to leave. "Wait, I appreciate your help and all but I really should go now. If I could just get my clothes back…." Draco turned to look at Harry with a raised eyebrow.

"My maid, Tilly, has taken your clothes to be cleaned and repaired as much as possible. They smelled from all that pigs slop that was on it. No doubt it will be ready for you by the time you will be brought down for lunch." Harry opened his mouth to protest but Draco talked over him. "There is a small bowl of apples on the table over here that you can snack on until then."

As Draco spoke he gestured to a small round table off to the side that had a glass bowl overfilled with ripe red apples. Harry felt his mouth watering at the sight of the food and his stomach growling. Harry turned to thank Draco for the apples but he had already slipped out the door. Harry blinked and stared at the door a moment before shaking his head and standing to grab an apple.

It wasn't until the apple was in his hand that Harry realized Draco hadn't given him a full name. Just his first. That gave Harry pause for a moment as he thought to himself. :Draco is obviously a noble, which means this is an estate. And that Orchard belonged to him and I know someone mentioned which family to me. If only I could remember which….: Harry briefly wondered why Draco hadn't told him which family he belonged to. Most nobles loved to show off their nobility and prestige. The simple thought of it had Harry rolling his eyes and he determined that would be something he would question Draco about… once he had some clothes.

As he returned to the bed to sit down and eat he considered what possible reason Draco could have had for helping him. It was three apples later and he still didn't have an answer when there was a sharp knock to the door before it swung open revealing young woman with brunette hair wearing a grey dress and holding Harrys clothing in her arms.

"Good Afternoon Sir, my name is Tilly. Master Draco has informed me that you are to dress yourself and when you are done I am to be escorting you to the Secondary Dining Hall." Tilly had a very thick accent and it seemed to make her words mesh together. By the time Harry had figured out what she said she was already sweeping out of the room, not giving Harry a chance to thank her at all, the folded clothing having been passed to him while she was talking.

Harry scowled and wondered if leaving like that was a habit in this household but he sighed and stood up to dress himself in his own clothing and out of what he assumed were Dracos clothes. True to his word, the clothes were completely clean and had obviously been scrubbed thoroughly. Harry almost swore he could see a white spot again and despite the fact that he knew there had been tears, the needlework was so fine the tears were hard to locate. Harry shook his head and quickly dressed before stepping out the door.

Tilly was standing just outside as if she was playing guard and when Harry stepped out she turned to look him up and down critically. Harry nervously fiddled with his raggedy shirt under her intense scrutiny and was greatly relieved when she sniffed and turned around stating, "Follow me, Sir."

Not wishing to fall prey to her eyes again, Harry wisely followed after her as she led him down long twisting corridors and down what felt like a dozen different staircases before they finally ended up in front of a pair of moderately sized double doors. They were intricately carved with a serpent motif depicting some type of snake entwining around more snakes and trees to make it look like the door was made of plants and snakes. It was faintly disturbing and largely intimidating to Harry at least, and the fact that the door opened in the middle of the mess made Harry feel like he was about to walk into a snake pit.

When Harry stopped paying attention to the door he realized that might be an accurate description.

Draco was standing just inside the room, ramrod straight and completely still with his arms against his sides as if he could stand there and be fine standing there forever. Harry wondered if he had been standing there since he left Harrys room but then dismissed that idea as ridiculous. There was no reason for him to have been waiting specifically for Harry.

Draco turned to him and nodded cordially. "This looks much better now that your clothes are clean and repaired." Draco dismissed Tilly with a wave of his hand, not even looking at her. She bowed silently and backed out of the room. For some reason that irritated Harry and helped rid him of his nerves.

"Yes, and I'm so glad you have such a positive opinion of me now." Draco barely seemed to register the obvious sarcasm in Harrys voice before taking Harry by the elbow and leading him to the table in the center of the room. Harry wanted to jerk his arm away but reminded himself that Draco had saved his life and let Draco steer him to a seat where a plate and utensils had already been placed.

Harry took his seat and once he was settled, Draco moved away and around the table to take his own spot, which was directly across from Harry. Harry watched him with curious eyes wondering what Draco would do next but he remained infuriatingly silent. Finally, Harry couldn't take it anymore and spoke.

"Who are you?"

Draco blinked slowly at him and gave him such a look that Harry felt a flush creep up his neck.

Draco spoke slowly and almost carefully, "I believe I have already told you who I am."

Harry gritted his teeth. "Your name. You told me your first name but not your last. You're obviously a noble but which one? I noticed the snake door and figured your crest might be a Viper since those were all over the door but I don't know enough about your lot to figure out which family you are."

Dracos eyes seemed to spark with amusement before they went carefully blank. "I am indeed a noble and am, in fact, Heir of the Noble House of Malfoy. The 'snake door' as you put it was a gift for my parents upon their marriage. A combination of the two symbols of their houses. The cunning Viper for the Malfoy family, my fathers side, and the strong Oak for my mother's side."

Harry stared at him a moment. The Malfoys weren't really famous but they were well-known. They had plenty of influence everywhere and while they weren't the closest to the throne they had the most influence with the royal family in court. The fact that the Heir to the family was about to have a casual lunch with Harry after rescuing him was… unnerving. Harry suddenly very much wanted to leave as he felt his nerves return.

"Look, Malfoy, I-"

"Draco."

Harry blinked at him caught off guard. "What?"

Draco smiled at him slightly with his eyes partially lidded so his expression was unreadable. "We have called each other by our given names this whole time. I see no reason to change it. Please, call me Draco."

Harry swallowed nervously and gave him a hesitant nod. "Um, alright Draco, but I really should be go-"

Just then a door that Harry hadn't even noticed before opened and in walked a few men. One carried a glass pitcher full of some red liquid, another carried a large platter with a lid covering whatever was on the platter, and the last carried a tray with two bowls that had steam curling up from it. Harry was instantly hit with several different aromas and his mouth filled with so much saliva that he had to swallow some to keep from drooling.

Draco watched Harry with an almost amused tilt to his head that instantly made Harry stiffen in his chair.

"I hope you weren't about to suggest leaving, Harry. You really should try the food before you reject it." For some reason, when Draco was speaking, a weird feeling like his stomach flipping hit Harry. He couldn't tell if it was because of the smell of the food or from the way Draco had said his name. Harry mentally shook his head and told himself to stop daydreaming.

"I was, in fact, going to suggest just that, Draco. I have to be getting back so that maybe I can salvage this situation Tom has pushed me into. I don't really have the time to sit around for a nice chat and eat fancy food."

For some reason, Harrys angry words seemed only to fuel Dracos amusement. "I assure you Harry. The time it will take you to eat a proper meal will not be so great as to make a significant difference." Harry had opened his mouth to speak but Draco continued in a smooth tone. "Besides, considering that I saved your life, I don't think it would be too much of me to ask that you at least try the food I have had prepared." At those words, Harry snapped his mouth shut with an audible click and tried not to grind his teeth.

Harry glared at Draco a moment before his shoulders loosened and he gave an almost imperceptible nod. He had barely finished the action before the three men had swooped in to place their food on the table. The man with the bowls was the first forward as he delicately lifted the bowls and placed them in front of Harry and Draco without spilling a drop. It appeared to be a cream soup of some kind with mushrooms in it. The man with the pitcher stepped forward to fill their goblets and when Harry gave a tentative sip he almost choked at the taste of wine that filled his mouth.

Luckily, there was also a goblet of water that Harry immediately took advantage of. When the pitcher man had stepped aside the man with the platter stepped forward to place it on the table to the side of Harry and Draco. When he lifted the lid Harry was greeted with what looked like a roasted duck with cooked carrots and broccoli artfully placed around the duck. Harry felt his eyes widen. He had always kind of wanted to try duck but Snapes stingy ways would never have allowed it.

As the man started to cut the duck up and place the meat and vegetables on their plates, Harry took a tentative sip of his soup. His eyes widened when he realized it actually tasted good. He quite happily finished it off. When he looked up he realized that the server had gone and his plate was ready so he glanced over at Draco. Draco was taking delicate sips of his soup without making a sound or looking anything less that graceful. Harry stilled for a moment to watch the simple action of Draco lowering the spoon and then lifting it from the bowl to his lips to take another sip. When Harry looked up a few moments later and noticed Draco watching him with an almost amused look he felt himself flush yet again and turned back to his own food.

Harry had no idea why he had just been staring like that. It was just that he had never seen anyone make eating look graceful the way Draco so effortlessly did. It was… interesting.

Harry shook his head sharply and grabbed a knife to cut a generous piece of the duck to take a bite. At his bite he literally froze and his eyes fell shut at the burst of flavor. This wasn't just good. It was great! Incredible, even! Harry was pretty sure duck was his new favorite food. He instantly tore into the food enthusiastically. He was nearly done when an odd prickling down his neck made him look up to catch Draco staring at him instead of eating.

Harry blinked at Draco a bite of the meat halfway to his lips. He frowned slightly. "What?"

Draco just smiled and said, "I will have to congratulate the chefs. It's not often someone enjoys their cooking so much." Harry flushed again and resolutely turned back to his food determined not to look up again. The action was chased by a soft chuckle from Draco.

Despite his resolution, Harry caught himself glancing at Draco and watching him eat from time to time. He couldn't help it. When they were both done eating the servers seemed to materialize next to them and take away the dirty dishes. Harry glanced around the room suddenly nervous and itching to make a run for it.

"From your enthusiasm earlier I suppose you enjoyed your meal?" The softly spoke words instantly pulled Harrys attention to Draco and he nodded in confirmation.

"Yes, I don't think I have eaten food that delicious before. Thanks for the meal."

Draco nodded his acceptance of the thanks and Harry narrowed his eyes at him.

"But why did you feed me? I don't mean to sound ungrateful because I am. But you saved my life, had my clothes cleaned and repaired, had me cleaned, and then you fed me. I just don't understand why you did all this and I would really like to know."

Draco leaned forward to place his elbows against the table and fold his hands together in front of his chin and mouth. Harry tried not to show how uneasy Dracos continued silence was making him but he figured Draco would know. He seemed to be too observant for comfort.

"Harry…" Harry met Dracos eyes and couldn't look away as he spoke. "I saved you because no matter the reason he attacked you, I couldn't simply allow that to happen in front of me. As far as having you and your clothing cleaned I had that done as a simple courtesy considering the majority of that likely happened during your escape from Riddle. As for the food..." Here a full smile crossed Dracos face and it seemed to Harry to be less of a happy smile and more of a mischievous one. "I simply felt like feeding you. You are entirely too skinny for your age. Now that I have had a much better look at you I assume you are around sixteen?"

Harry blinked and nodded mutely. "You're right. I'm supposed to turn seventeen in a few months."

Draco nodded without his eyes ever leaving Harrys face. It was starting to make Harry very uncomfortable. "You are around the same age as myself then since I am turning seventeen in a few days." Harry just blinked at him wondering about this odd conversation.

"Um, right. That's really interesting and all, congratulations on the birthday and, uh, hope it all goes well. If you ever, you know, need something done that I can do to, er, repay you for the food please let me know." As Harry spoke he had stood from the chair finally fed up of this huge house and the odd people it seemed to be filled with. "If you don't mind pointing me to the door I would like to be on my way."

Draco closed his eyes a moment before standing swiftly and walking around the table towards the snake door. "Very well, I shall walk you out. Follow me, Harry." Harry quickly grabbed his water to take a gulp from it and hurried after Draco.

What followed was yet another walk down several corridors, though thankfully no stairs this time, until they reached what appeared to be a very impressive set of front doors. They weren't carved with snakes but they had a very elegant look to them and were made of some white wood that matched the marble floors and cream colored walls beautifully.

Draco stepped forward and swung the door open turning to face Harry.

"Erm, thanks again for the rescue and food. I'll, uh, be seeing you." Harry turned and stepped out the door thinking he could finally get out of there when he felt a gentle but firm hand on his elbow. He turned to see Draco stopping him with an odd look on his face. "Yes?"

"You said that if there was something you could do to repay me for the food that I should let you know. Well, I have something you can do." That instantly made Harry feel uneasy but nodded carefully. "My birthday is in three days time. That night my father has arranged for a party to take place, what he has called a Masquerade Ball, that is going to last late into the night. Come to the party."

Harry gaped a moment before snapping, "Are you mad?"

Draco raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. "Not as far as I know. Did I say something that sounded mad?"

Harry shook his head sharply. "I am as good as a servant and you're a noble. I can't just turn around and show up at a party like that. I won't fit in and I will probably end up embarrassing us both."

Draco tilted his head. "I highly doubt that. However, if you are determined not to come I can't force you." A smile reappeared on his face making Harry narrow his eyes suspiciously. "However, you have made it obvious that you do not enjoy my company. Come to the party and you need never see me again. I will not bother you or seek you out for any reason. It will be like we never met. However, if you don't come I promise you that I will start visiting Severus's estate more often. That would be enjoyable for me but I imagine you would not enjoy it overmuch."

Harry stared at Draco. Draco was blackmailing him. That was obvious blackmail and they both knew it. Harry scowled fiercely at the other boy wondering what in the bloody hell was his problem and why he couldn't he just leave Harry alone already?

"I come to this party of yours and you go away?" Harry spoke through gritted teeth. Draco was more than weird, he was bloody annoying!

Draco nodded at Harry, amused. "It's a Masquerade party so you can disguise yourself if you like and we can make it a game to see if I can find you. However, you must give me your word that you will be there."

Harry looked at the other boy a moment with his back and shoulders stiff with tension and irritation as he considered the deal a moment before giving a decisive nod.

"I'll be there. I promise."

Draco smiled wide and released Harrys elbow stepping back into the doorway of the manor. "Then I shall hope to see you in three days Harry." Harry watched him close the door to the manor and turned away walking down the steps of the manor thinking furiously to himself.

:What have I gotten myself into?:

Authors final Rant: I wasn't quite sure how to get from last chapter to the end of this chapter so winged it. Hope it turned out okay. For those who don't know: The British refer to Underwear as Pants and Pants/Jeans as Trousers. I was confused the first time I saw this so I'm writing this so you won't be. Feel free to thank me.

Also, I don't normally beg but I am now! PLEASE, leave a review. It takes ten seconds and is a serious encouragement and ego boost. Both of which I need! Even if it's an error you noticed I would appreciate the input!

P.S. So you can understand why this took so long and why it may sound awkward I want you to know I had to write this chapter TWICE! I had it finished in one inspired writing spree and when I hit save at the end something must have gone wrong…. Because my save got deleted. Then I got angry and depressed and couldn't look at my laptop for a while, hence the lateness. But rejoice, you have read the chapter!