Chapter Three


"About time you two showed up. It's ten past eight!" Vernon said angrily glaring at Harry as the pair came down the grand stairs into the foyer. Draco slid his arm around Harry's waist and lovingly steered him down the last of the steps. Harry gave him the barest hint of a smile and put their bag down on the floor.

"I'm sorry Mr. Dursley. It was my fault." Draco said with a small smile. "I slept through the alarm. Harry spent ages trying to wake me up. I just sleep like the dead sometimes." Vernon cleared his throat obviously at a loss of what to do since Draco was taking all the blame. Draco gave Harry a slight squeeze of reassurance from where his hand was resting on Harry's hip. "Is there any chance we could get some food?"

"Yes. Petunia darling, why don't you show Draco to the kitchens. Harry can help me get the blankets and picnic baskets loaded."

"Oh no need to trouble yourself Mrs. Dursley. I'm sure Harry can show me. Besides, I have to make sure he eats something lest he fade away. Come on Harry, lead on." Harry nodded and walked towards the kitchens with Draco not far behind. Draco pulled a bit on his hand and Harry slowed down enough to fall into step with the other man.

"Say Harry, do you know how to make pancakes? Because I'd really really like some pancakes right now."

"Sure. I was a master cook by eight Draco."

"Oh? Why's that?"

When they were finally out of earshot of the others Draco got his answer.

"I was the house Maid and Cook until I left for America. The servants are a new thing. Think pre fairy-godmother Cinderella without a bunch of animals around and you'll have an idea of what things were like for me." Draco narrowed his eyes and glared.

"Oh, right about now I'm about ready to kill them." Harry stopped in his tracks and looked up at Draco with a face of such innocence that Draco looked absolutely amazed.

"But Draco, if you do that your master plan will never work!" Draco stared for a moment before bursting out into loud laughter. Harry grinned at him feeling more himself and more relaxed than ever. Draco wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and made the man lead him to the kitchens still laughing loudly.

An hour or so later, Draco, Harry and the others made it to the country club and whilst some set up the picnic blankets and the food the others went to the tennis courts. A number of guests that lived in the London area had come out to meet them and would be joining the family back at the Estate after. Tommy and Dudley took a court and started warming up. It seemed to Draco that they hadn't been on the courts in a while. Both were out of breath from running and kept missing the ball. After just a few minutes they decided that it would be more fun to just show off than actually try to play a game. Dudley just wasn't fast enough and Tommy's judge of distances was terrible.

Draco and Harry decided to take a court on the other side of the green divider wall. Both were in excellent shape but neither had played tennis in a while. They took some time to warm up as well and just hit the ball back and forth for a good fifteen minutes. When they both felt up to it, they started playing a one-on-one game.

They continued to play throughout the morning until finally Harry hit an amazing shot and Draco called time.

"Come on Harry, I need a rest. Let's go get some water and see if it's time to break open those picnic baskets." Harry laughed with Draco as the blonde man exaggeratedly made a show of resting his hands on his knees and breathing heavier than he needed to. Harry laughed through his own panting and stretched out his muscles. After a few moments Draco followed suit and the pair left the courts together with Draco's fingers gently brushing Harry's back.

"I'm all sweaty Draco; surely you don't want to touch me now." Harry said in amazement. Draco smirked and Harry stared at him even as he looked away.

"You looked really great out there Draco. You never told me you played." Rose said with her ever-charming smile. Draco gave her one back as he pulled Harry to sit beside him on the blanket.

"Well, it was never brought up in conversation. Besides I'm not brilliant, Harry's so much better than me." Rose looked ready to protest but Draco turned away and put his arms behind him to take his weight. Harry sat with crossed legs on the blanket but met Draco's stare when he felt it with bright and lively green eyes. "You know, you continue to surprise me."

"Well I'm not apologizing for that." Harry took a bottle of water out the basket near him and took a long drink from it. Then he reached for another one for Draco but he just shook his head and grabbed the bottle Harry had been drinking from. He took a swig of the cool water and gave Harry a cheeky smirk. Rose was looking slightly miffed from the sweet exchange.

"So," Draco said conversationally, "when are we going swimming? I'm so hot I could do with a cool down."

"We're all going after lunch." Rose said.

"So when's lunch?" Draco said with another easy smile.

"Now, we're just waiting for the others to finish playing. You're the first back from the courts. Help yourselves." Petunia said.

"Thank you, I believe I will." Draco reached out and took two plates off the pile and piled them high with food. First he put meat on his own before filling both the plates with vegetables and crisps and other things. "Here you are Harry. I don't want to see anything left on there."

Harry rolled his eyes but set about eating. Draco smiled as Harry ate and he started on his own food quickly afterwards. When Harry was finished Draco stopped eating and looked him over.

"Have some more."

"No thank you."

"Fine then. But have some fruit for dessert, some grapes or an apple or something." Harry looked pleadingly at Draco who ignored it and instead leaned over and kissed Harry on the lips. Harry was stunned and he stared at Draco wide eyed. "The fruit Harry."

"Evil, manipulative bastard." Harry mumbled reaching for some food. Draco laughed merrily at that causing the people around him to stare.

"I've been called much worse, believe me!" Draco said happily. Harry shrugged meeting Draco's gaze and bit into his apple. Draco just smiled and Harry chewed and swallowed taking another bite before he saw something over Draco's shoulder. Draco watched as Harry's whole face lit up. He dropped the apple he was holding onto his empty plate and grinned, scrambling to his feet and running past the blonde. Draco looked over his shoulder just in time to see Harry run up to a man with long black hair and a matching grin. Draco smiled softly and rose to his feet picking up Harry's apple. He walked over.

"Well it's nice to see you too kiddo. How's America been treating you?"

"It's been…" Harry was interrupted by Draco's hand on his lower back.

"You still need to eat this Harry." Draco passed Harry the apple and Harry took it with a blush and a scowl. He took another bite in irritation but Draco merely smirked.

"Ah, it's been treating you well I see. About time too." The man with long black hair said with a wide grin. Draco smiled at the man and watched as Harry tried desperately not to choke. Harry eventually swallowed and glared halfheartedly at the black haired man. "Come on then squirt, introduce us."

"Fine. Draco Malfoy, my godfather Sirius Black. Sirius, Draco Malfoy my…"

"Date." Draco offered with an amused smile at Harry who nodded with a faint blush again and waved his hand in dismissal.

"Nice to meet you Draco. Now, let me warn you up front. If Harry comes to any harm because of you I shall personally see to it that my dogs are released into your rooms when you are sleeping with orders to kill, maim and harm you."

"No worries there sir. I'll make sure Harry is well taken care of and able to stand up for himself."

"You know, I think you and me are gonna get along just fine Malfoy." Sirius grinned before seeing something. "Oh! Have to go, there's cake over there and I could seriously do with embarrassing little Tommy boy. Excuse me." Draco watched as the long haired man bound over to the picnic area and stole some of the cake. Harry smiled and finished off his apple throwing the core into a bin near him.

"Well, I must say you are more relaxed now." Draco said wrapping both his arms around Harry's waist pulling Harry's back against his chest.

"Draco!" Harry said slightly alarmed. He really wasn't used to contact like this but even though he squirmed to get free Draco's arms didn't loosen their hold. Harry eventually stopped trying to get away and leaned back in something akin to a slump. Draco smiled at the victory and Harry put his hands over Draco's arms.

"So I take it your godfather is always nice to you?"

"Yeah. He never knew about the Dursley's… abuse. He did know that they weren't kind to me and that my brother and sister took to taunting me but he thought it was nothing more than occasional bullying and I've never set him straight. Why is it that I can tell you this when I haven't been able to tell anyone else?"

"Maybe it's because I'm still a stranger but you are learning to trust me?"

"Why do I feel stronger around you?"

"I don't know. Still, I really fancy a dip in the pool. Shall we see who's going to join us?" Harry sighed and nodded, releasing his hold on Draco's arms. Draco leaned down and kissed Harry's cheek before taking the man's hand and pulling him over to the blankets again. "Hey, we're going for a swim. Any of you want to join us?"

Several people said yes including Rose, Tommy and Dudley. Draco picked up his and Harry's bag and led the raven haired man to the changing rooms. Harry allowed himself to be lead and allowed Draco to put his stuff on the bench. He took his swim shorts and the towel and went into the nearest bathroom to change. Draco rolled his eyes and changed in the communal changing area. Piers and Dudley were changing near him as was Tommy so Draco guessed he knew why Harry left.

"So Draco, what has Harry said about us?" Tommy asked repeating the question from last night. Draco didn't look up he just continued rummaging through the bag with his clothes.

"He didn't say a lot. I didn't tell him what you said, if that's what you mean and therefore he didn't comment."

"We told you the truth!" Tommy said looking sincere. Draco calmly met his eyes with his own cold ones.

"Tommy, I seriously doubt that. I may not have known Harry as long as you have but the man I know is a very quiet individual who pays more attention to succeeding silently than to having any form of relationship with anyone. I highly doubt that Harry is or was a slut or a whore. He is far too reserved. Now, I really, really need to cool off so if you'll excuse me I'm going to find Harry so we can have a nice swim." Draco pulled his top off and flexed his back muscles as he did so before folding the shirt and putting it in the bag. Picking up the bag, Draco wandered into the bathroom where, after some serious whispered words Draco was allowed inside the cubicle with Harry. Harry had pulled on his shorts and his tanned chest was on view. Harry was nervous though, Draco could tell.

"It will be fine, I'm right here. Now come on, I smell and I need a swim."

"You don't smell Draco."

"Oh yes I do. I stink."

"No you don't." Harry said, honesty shining in his eyes. Draco looked down on him and let a small smile cross his lips. Harry was a really sweet guy sometimes.

"Well, at any rate I could do with a swim. Now come on handsome." Harry found his hand being grabbed and Draco pulling him out of the cubicle and into the pool area. Harry felt incredibly naked and stood there rubbing his arms. Draco smiled and stood back looking Harry over and grinning at the bright red blush that most definitely didn't stop at Harry's face.

Harry had a wonderful tan that contrasted with Draco's fair skin. His frame had no fat what so ever and his stomach was toned and ripped. Harry's arms had a good toning to them but they were still slender and Harry's legs were toned and almost hairless, Draco found himself wondering whether that was natural or if he shaved.

"A lovely physic. Now, come on." Harry was embarrassed at having been checked out. It was arousing, very arousing, but Harry stopped himself from getting too aroused as he didn't want there to be any evidence. He pulled Draco over to the rinsing showers and then quickly dove into the pool. They were the first into the water and as soon as Harry resurfaced he found Draco mere inches away.

"Draco!" Harry gasped again going to pull back only to have hands grip his waist as they both tread water.

"Harry."

"Draco, we're being watched."

"I know." Draco said moving closer. Harry took a shuddering breath in. Draco was closer now.

"Are you going to…?"

"Am I going to what?" Draco said with a smirk as he moved even closer. He then purposefully moved away.

"Never mind." Draco smirked.

"Yes I am." That was all the warning Harry got before Draco leaned forwards again and kissed him right in front of everyone. Harry gasped unable to believe it but his open mouth let in Draco's tongue and Harry found himself whimpering. It was a cross between a terrified sound and a needy sound. Harry shut his eyes and leaned in ever so slightly feeling Draco take that as a cue to continue. When Draco eventually pulled away, Harry nearly sunk but managed to get his legs working again. He stared, gaping at Draco who just smiled.

"Might want to close your mouth Harry, else I might take it as an invitation." The words reached Harry's brain but they didn't register.

"Uh…" Harry managed. "That… you… what?" Harry turned away and swam over to the other side of the pool. Draco smirked even more and followed him. Harry reached the edge of the pool and grabbed hold of the bar on the wall to keep him up. Draco swam up next to him and held himself up with one hand and watched Harry stare, completely embarrassed, at him.

"That… you… that was really unfair."

"That may be true but you enjoyed it."

"Uh, well…" Harry breathed unable to come up with a suitable reply. Finally he settled for a halfhearted scowl. "Fine, yes I did, but perhaps a little warning next time?"

"Warn you? Why would I do that? If I warned you what I was going to do you would have tensed up on me and I find kissing a Harry that's not expecting anything much more enjoyable than the thought of trying to kiss a Harry when he's tense."

"You… I don't believe it! You…" Draco covered his lips quickly again and Harry gasped loudly again, though this time it took him a lot less time to recover from the shock. He closed his eyes and allowed the probing tongue in, meeting it with his own tentative one. When they pulled away that time Harry's face was bright red and his lips were full and swollen.

"Fine." Harry breathed and Draco smirked. "Have it your way, unexpected is better."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Harry grinned and splashed Draco hard and fast before swimming away as quickly as he could. Draco spluttered for a moment or two before giving chase. When he caught up with Harry he grabbed one of the man's ankles and pulled him under the water. Draco smirked down at Harry who choked under water. Harry quickly found his way up to the surface though and came up spluttering.

"Oooh! You arse!" Harry said in between coughs. "Are you trying to kill me?"

"Of course not!" Draco said completely horrified. "If you died then where would my English eye candy go? I'd be stuck in England and eyecandyless! It would be dreadful!"

"Prat." Harry whispered flushing red with embarrassment. Draco smiled.

"I'm going to get out for a moment. I could do with a drink. Did you want anything?"

"No thanks, I'm good." Draco nodded and swam to the edge of the pool pulling himself out and smiling at all the cat calls he received over his well-muscled body and six pack. Harry averted his gaze as per usual and started doing laps. Nearing the end of his third lap Harry found himself on the receiving end of a foot to the head. He stopped swimming in surprise and pulled back rubbing his sore head. Looking up he saw Rose sat on the edge of the pool wearing a strapless black bikini.

"Can I help you Rose?" He asked politely.

"No not really. Just wondering how things with lover boy are, that's all." Harry frowned fighting off a blush rather successfully.

"They're fine. How's Cedric?"

"Fine." Rose smirked. "Blaise is coming to the wedding." If Rose was expecting a reaction to that then she was sorely disappointed. Harry didn't even blink.

"Really? Good for him."

"Aren't you excited? He was your first love wasn't he?"

"No, no he wasn't." Rose looked puzzled and Harry went to swim away only she recovered.

"How are your wrists Harry? Are they better now? I suppose they've had a long time to recover from Blaise." Harry heard himself gasp and he stared at Rose in shock and hurt. Rose smiled cheerfully and swung her legs. Harry stared for a few moments more before tearing his eyes away. He quickly turned and swam away. He swam at top speed over to the steps and climbed out of the pool. On his way out he passed Draco but he didn't even turn around. Harry had only one thing on his mind, to get dressed and cover his wrists.

Draco, however, caught Harry by the arm as he made his way out. Harry turned, nearly bouncing on his feet with the need to run.

"What's the matter? Why are you so twitchy?"

"Let me go Draco, I need to cover up." Harry absentmindedly rubbed his wrists and Draco caught the motion. He narrowed his eyes.

"What happened?"

"Rose… she asked whether my wrists were better." Harry admitted still ready to run into the changing rooms at the first opportunity. "Let me go Draco."

"Harry, you obviously regret what happened but just because your sister made some stupid comment about your wrists doesn't mean you need to…"

"It's not just that." Harry confessed. "It's a lot of things. Please Draco."

"Tell me later then." Draco said still not relinquishing his hold on Harry.

"Why do you care?"

"I don't know." Harry stared at Draco.

"Fine." Harry jerked his arm away from Draco but the other man just tightened his grip. He found himself frozen in place as he watched his arm move up towards Draco's face. He could only stare as Draco used his other hand to help turn Harry's arm over so he could get a clear view of the scar that had haunted his date for years. Making eye contact with Harry, Draco brought the wrist closer and closer to his face and then gently kissed the scar. Harry felt his body relax suddenly and the dreadful need to run away and get dressed was gone.

"Go on then, go get changed." Draco released Harry's wrist but didn't turn away from the shorter man. Harry was still frozen, stopped in mid-dash. With his other hand he gently traced the area Draco's lips had been pressed against his skin.

"Earth to Harry! I said go ahead and get changed. But if you're just going to stand there, well." Draco smiled brightly and pulled the shorter man in for another searing kiss.

"Time to reboot that brain of yours. I know! It's massage time. I'm going to drag you over to the reclining chairs and give you a nice massage. Then I'm going to see if I can get one in return and perhaps convince you to join me in the sauna room."

"Hmm." Harry hummed with that smile again and Draco's smile widened. Holding hands again, fingers caressing the soft tanned skin of Harry's wrist, Draco lead the younger man over to the strand of reclining chairs along the edge of the pool.

"I'll stop if you ask me to okay? But trust me; you're in very safe hands." Harry hummed again and offered Draco another soft smile. Draco waited until Harry was face down on the chair before delivering a kiss to Harry's back. "Now..."

Draco straddled Harry's hips and before Harry could protest he started rubbing along the muscles around Harry's neck and shoulders. He rubbed out the tension and left them soft and malleable. As he moved down Draco worked diligently and with a smile as he and Harry chatted quietly.

"Hey Draco… how old are you?" Draco's hands stilled slightly but then he continued as if nothing had happened.

"I'm twenty nine. You are twenty… seven, right?"

"No." Harry laughed lightly. "I'm twenty five." It was Draco's time to hum as he moved a little further down to the middle of Harry's back. "What did you always want to be? When you were younger I mean, what did you want to be when you grew up?"

"I always wanted to go into politics or law just like my father but then I got older and they died and I had all this money that I didn't want to use. In the end I used it to pay off my college loans and bought myself a wonderful apartment in Manhattan near Central Park. Since I was only just twenty two and I didn't want to take a serious job I became an escort. It was fun when I started, it is still… interesting. I always used to be rather… sex orientated. I didn't mind whether they were male or female so long as I could bed them. To be honest that attitude didn't last long. I then became more interested in accompanying people to parties. I was very good at analyzing people, knowing what they needed. I only used to do what I needed but now it's more about the other people. Now I wouldn't mind quitting my job and staying with a more long term partner."

"Hmm." Harry smiled. "I always wanted to be a fashion designer or a musician but most of all I always wanted to get away from here. I've accomplished a lot in my life but music, I don't know... I love playing but I don't know if I'm good enough to join an orchestra or something. I'm just happy that my company is a success and I've got three orphanages funded and well kept."

"You've done remarkably well for someone your age. In five years you have built a lot more than most ever could." Harry laughed. The chatter died down but the atmosphere didn't become tense.

"Draco, could I ask you a more private question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"I guess so..."

"Um... How many people have you slept with?" Draco stilled his hands and pulled back. Harry immediately wriggled and tried to turn around. Draco lifted himself off Harry and sat on the chair. "I'm really sorry, you don't have to answer. I'm sorry."

"Shh, Harry, it's okay." Draco laughed slightly. "It's fine. Don't worry. I don't know how many people I've slept with. I lost count years ago. All of it was protected of course but I've lost count."

"Uh… that many huh?" Harry said nervously. Draco smiled and brushed Harry's hair back. The twenty five year old smiled and swung his legs around so he was sat next to Draco.

"Yeah, that many. I've slept with lots of people, both men and women though I can tell you I've never been bottom. I am always in control." Harry smiled again albeit rather nervously.

"I'm not really surprised. You don't seem the type to give away any control." Draco grinned.

"I've only slept with five people. My first was a boy my age named Blaise. He slept with me once then dumped me because he said my sister was a lot prettier than me. That's fine though because I'm a guy so I'm not supposed to be pretty. Besides, we were fifteen at the time. Blaise was the one who actually told Rose that I'm gay. She went on to tell Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. I can't ever forgive him for outing me without my permission. Then was a guy called Joe. He seduced me with the 'I'll protect you, you are safe with me speech' but even though I told him I wasn't ready, he took advantage of me one night. I left him because he took advantage of me. Recovered from that on my own. Then came Nate, an Australian guy that was in London for the summer. He was a nice guy, a truly nice person. He was the last one I had here in England before I left for America. He was my secret and I still miss him occasionally. After I settled into my first apartment in LA, I went clubbing and got drunk and therefore laid. Didn't catch that guy's name. The last guy was six years ago and his name was Luke. We met at a fashion catwalk. He took me out and three months later he managed to finally get the walls down enough to bed me. He was twenty three and I was nineteen. He lasted all of six months till I opened William Jameson and then he left. He liked fashion enough to watch the cat walks but he couldn't cope with my loving it so much. He said I worked too hard and didn't care about myself or my family. I was in another brief relationship two years ago but it never got serious enough for sex."

"You've had it rather rough haven't you Harry? Not a good lot in life at all." Harry shook his head with a smile.

"Doesn't matter. I've have what I need… mostly." Harry looked away and Draco smiled gently.

"Well, I said I'd try and get you to give me a massage so how about it?" Harry laughed but nodded.

"Okay, but my hands are nowhere near as talented as yours are." Draco shrugged and switched spots with Harry. The brunet started off carefully before building up his confidence with Draco's encouragement. Eventually Harry had Draco nearly falling asleep, just as Draco had had him.

"Draco! Come on Dray wake up." Harry said laughing slightly. Draco groaned and pushed himself up.

"Dray? You shortened my name?" Harry blushed.

"Sorry."

"Nah, it's okay. Call me Dray if you want." Draco yawned. "Man I'm tired. I think the jet lag is finally catching up with me. I wonder what time we're going back to the Estate. Come on, let's get showered and dressed."

"Uh… how about we shower at home because there are only communal showers here."

"Harry, you've paid for the package!" Draco said quietly so only he and Harry could hear.

"It's embarrassing… I don't like anyone seeing me without my clothes on. This is the most naked I've been in front of strangers in over a decade. Please Draco?"

"Oh you! Fine. Spoil my fun why don't you?" Draco pulled a spluttering Harry along behind him to get dressed. Harry immediately grabbed his clothes and towel and fled to the changing rooms.


The next day they were rudely awakened by Tommy at just after nine in the morning. They'd been more affected by jet lag than they'd realised and had completely slept through their alarm.

They dressed quickly and met the rest of the guests who had spent the night in the dining room where a breakfast buffet had been set up. It was full of delicious looking options and the pair filled up their plates and found seats. They spent breakfast getting to know a couple of Cedric's friends from university.

After breakfast Petunia cornered Rose, Cedric, Tommy, Dudley, Peirs, Draco and Harry. She started handing out assignments to them like they were candy. Rose and Cedric were to make sure that the final preparations for the wedding were being completed. Tommy was to check on the caterer and make sure the servants had everything they needed for the influx of guests that were to be arriving shortly. Dudley and Peirs were sent off to the nursery to check on Evan and keep watch over the other children that had come with their parents. She expected Harry and Draco to help the servants greet arriving guests and show them to their rooms over the course of the day.

Harry just shrugged and took the direction in stride. She could have assigned them much worse things to do and they wouldn't actually have to interact with the family. Win-win as far as he was concerned.

Everything went smoothly, but Draco was a bit shocked at the sheer number of people that had been invited to stay and even more shocked that they all fit into the manor without it feeling crowded. It was much larger than he'd thought at first.

After dinner they were able to beg off staying for drinks claiming jet lag.

When they got upstairs Harry turned to Draco.

"Do you want to get out of here tomorrow and go do some of that sightseeing we were talking about at the airport? I don't think I can take another day like today. It was exhausting."

"Absolutely. I'd do anything not to have to walk up that staircase again."

"I know! It kept getting longer and longer every time we had to take another guest up to a room didn't it?"

"Longer and steeper." Draco grimaced.

"Ok. Let's brainstorm a bit here." Harry went over to his desk and grabbed a sheet of paper. "We talked about going to a museum, the park, and a ghost tour right? Let me write down a list of the things I'd enjoy doing and you can pick out your top three or four things for us to go do tomorrow. I'll call the Taxi Company and order one to pick us up at the gates around seven. We can sneak out before anyone wakes up and thinks of something else painful for us to do."

Draco grinned and nodded. "Sounds like a plan."


They were up and out of the house long before anyone else was awake. The two had happily walked down to meet the Taxi and eagerly got in and gave the driver their desired destination.

The Taxi took them into central London and dropped them off at a lovely little cafe/bakery that was already open.

"Are you ready for breakfast Harry? Do you want to go in and get something now or go wander Hyde Park first?"

"Let's get food first, I need some coffee."

"Coffee does sound good. Coffee and a waffle. And fruit and hmmm something else. I need to look at the menu. Let's go in."

They ended up getting their coffee and breakfast quickly and ate the delicious food with relish. The chef had done a great job.

"Ok, so first we're going to wander Hyde Park right?"

"Yes, and then we're going to ride the London Eye?"

"Absolutely! That's one attraction I've never been to before. It wasn't built yet the last time I was here." Draco grinned. He loved ferris wheels.

"Have you ridden it Harry?"

"Nope, not yet. I checked it out online though and it looks amazing. I hope the line isn't too long. We are going early after all.

"Either way it's going to be more fun than walking up that freaking staircase again."

They enjoyed talking about the various places they had visited around London in their youth while they wandered Hyde Park. They were surprised when they finally made it to their goal: the Peter Pan Statue. Usually it took a lot longer to walk over to that area from the entrance they'd chosen.

Draco pulled out his phone and the two posed for pictures, Harry blushing all the while. He did get a good one of Harry, sans blush, watching the swans in the lake on their way out of the park.

After the park, they headed over to the London Eye and to their joy, the line only had a twenty minute wait. They didn't even have to buy a fast-track ticket. Draco pulled out the brochure he'd picked up at the booth and the two put their heads together to look at the labeled map. Harry was excited. Today was a gorgeous day and with the high visibility they would be able to have an amazing and unique view of Westminster, Big Ben, the South Bank and the Thames. He'd been to all of these place in the past of course, but perspective was everything.

They ended up spending the entire trip glued to the windows trying to point out interesting buildings and places they recognised. On the way down, the guide told them to pose for a photo-op and Harry liked the resulting photo so much he ended up buying a copy. It went straight into his messenger bag along with the ticket stubs.

From there, Draco and Harry walked over the bridge and found a restaurant where they could stop and get some lunch.

"Draco, where do you want to go next?"

"The British Museum for sure."

So off they went. They ended up wandering the halls of the huge museum all afternoon. Draco got to see the traveling exhibition that he wanted to go to and Harry dragged him over to the History of Clothing gallery. They both enjoyed the Greek and Roman exhibits and Draco held Harry close as they wandered the Mummy room.

They chatted and got to know each other better over the course of the day and both were surprised with just how much they liked the other man.

Their last stop for the day was to get tickets for the Jack the Ripper tour. Both were fascinated by the history of the Whitechapel Murders and the mystery of Jack the Ripper.

After a very quick stop at a pub where they got some dinner, they returned to the gathering point and were swept along by the tour guide into the story of the horrors that had been committed.

"The death of one woman began a reign of terror so horrifying that the world still remembers the events to this day. Follow me as I conjure up images of a bygone time, of gas lit streets, fog ridden alleys and a hunt for a demon who's legend still lingers around the East End today... JACK THE RIPPER."

Draco wrapped his arm around Harry as they followed the guide and Harry just sank into the embrace. He blushed when another couple glanced over at them and giggled, but he was comfortable damn it. They could laugh all they liked. At least he hadn't been recognised and asked for a picture. No one was expecting him to be in London, so he wasn't. How liberating.

As the tour wrapped up two hours or so later, the two men decided to bite the bullet and catch a Taxi back to the Estate. They'd been gone for over twelve hours at this point and their reception was bound to be negative. They would just have to enjoy the time left out of the relatives' presence.


One Taxi ride later and Draco was pulling a reluctant Harry up the house steps. He really really really didn't want to go back inside. He was so nervous that he didn't even register the throng of vehicles lining the driveway.

As they opened the doors, they were met by a blast of lights and sound. A party was in full swing and everyone was more than half drunk. Apparently they hadn't gotten the memo that that evening was supposed to be Cedric's Bachelor Party.

With a huge sigh of relief, Harry smiled and turned to Draco.

"I guess it's time to join the other guests and mingle."

"We can do that, but come here for a sec."

"What is it?"

"Oh nothing..." Draco said shiftily as he leaned in and captured Harry in a surprise kiss. "Let's party!"


Thank you for reading! I hope you liked the third installment of this story :). I'd love to read any reviews you leave for me.