Dislcaimer: For the third time, they are not mine. Will never belong to me. They belong to J.K. Rowling.
Authors Notes: Review if you've got the time. I admit, I find them encouraging. Just like everybody else. And I'm sure you've all noticed that I mix magical profession with muggle style living and it just gets worse as the chapters come. Hmm, thats all. Enjoy...I hope.
Almost two weeks had passed since Harry's return and Draco had become increasingly comfortable with Harry's presence. Sure, he still wanted to shag Harry senseless but he no longer felt on edge. Nor did he feel like a bumbling idiot.
He simultaneously loved and hated every moment he spent with Harry. He felt like they connected intellectually and psychologically on levels that surpassed any he'd ever known. Such strong feelings were catastrophic because they were wasted on a platonic relationship, at least on Harry's part. Draco could honestly admit to himself that he did not have one single thought of Harry that was platonic, which resulted in immense guilt every night that he fell asleep next to Ron.
Ron wasn't pleased that he and Harry were spending so much time together and one Saturday morning he voiced it.
"You know…you really don't have to hang out with Harry so much." Ron growled from his place on the bed as Draco sat in a nearby chair and laced up his trainers. He had planned a morning jog with Harry and obviously Ron wasn't taking it well.
"We're friends."
"But you don't really have to be friends…it doesn't matter."
"Okay, but we are friends." Draco responded. He felt confused. Shouldn't Ron be pleased that they got on so well. Wouldn't it be more difficult for Ron if they loathed each other. Considering the living arrangements, Draco would have thought that Ron would be pleased of their burgeoning friendship.
"You're not going." Ron demanded, jumping off the bed.
"Excuse me," Draco said incredulously, putting a damper on any thoughts other than Ron's parentally laced demand.
"You heard me. Stop doing things with him when I'm not around. He's not a good friend for you."
"How exactly do you figure that. He's like your brother." Draco couldn't prevent the raised elevation of his voice.
"Yeah, for me. Not you."
"Are you jealous? Do you think I'm stealing your best friend?" Draco felt the juxtaposition of sympathy, guilt, and anger. He really didn't know which emotion was more prominent.
Ron didn't say anything, he just fumed. Draco swore there were clouds of steam floating above their heads. Draco just stared at him, waiting for a response.
"You're not going." Ron practically stomped his foot as he said this. Draco felt the anger succeed as champion of his emotions.
"You're not going to tell me what I can and cannot do. Stop acting like a petulant child" Draco said beyond angered. He was furious now. They glared at one another until Draco couldn't stand it anymore. He rushed out of the bedroom door and slammed it behind him.
He found Harry in the living room doing preliminary stretches and nodded to follow as he hurried out of the flat.
"Are you okay?" Harry questioned, concern etched in his voice.
"Yeah, Ron's decided to be a bitch this morning."
"Hmm, we don't have to…we could talk?" Harry said understandingly but Draco shook his head.
"I don't want to talk about it but I do want to run. Lets go." Draco left Harry on the sidewalk and set off at a brisk pace down the street.
Harry caught up in a matter of seconds, "We should go slower and warm up first."
"Can't. Too mad." Draco glanced at Harry and couldn't help but smile.
Harry winked, "Well in that case…race you to the park?"
"You're on!" Draco ran as fast as he could through the two blocks that would take him to the park where he normal ran. Harry never strayed from his side until they neared their destination and then he sprinted in a swiftness that Draco could not possibly have kept pace with.
When he finally caught up with Harry, he was leaning on the black iron railing that bordered the edge of the park. "I hate you." Draco teased as he regulated his breath. The he set a slow jogging pace down the white walkway that circled the entire commons.
"No you don't." Harry's grin lit his entire face as he once again joined Draco's side.
The next morning, Draco woke in his own bed. He'd gone home after his run with Harry and ignored Ron's calls for most of the evening. Finally, sick of hearing the phone ring, he answered and listened to Ron's apology. He accepted graciously but stayed in his own flat for the night. He had needed some time to himself.
He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep but it evaded him so he showered instead.
After a few hours of sitting in his study and reading muggle medical journals, a passion that Hermione had introduced him to, the phone rang again.
"I'm leaving for Ireland in the morning." Ron said abruptly. When Draco didn't respond, he continued, "for two days... I've just been called."
"It's to do with this case you've been working on?"
"Yeah."
"Is it dangerous? Should I worry?"
Ron was obviously pleased with Draco's reaction. Draco could hear the smile in his voice. "No, its all red tape and paperwork. Will you come over?"
"I'm on my way." Draco said and hung up the phone.
Draco found Ron in his bedroom packing, the rest of the flat was empty. "Where's Harry?"
"One his way back from Dublin, I'd imagine." Ron said without looking up. He waved his wand in the direction of his closet and a black pair of trousers flew out and into the duffle bag perched on Ron's bed.
"What? Why was he…when?" Draco was really confused. He'd just seen Harry the morning before.
"Late yesterday afternoon, Kingsley called him. He went to make an arrest. Now I have to go and deal with the Dublin government. Ridiculous." Ron explained.
"What's ridiculous?" Draco said, automatically feeling his blood pressure rise. One of them should have called to say that Harry was being ordered to a rendezvous with dangerous criminals in the middle of the night.
"Ron-" Draco began but was cut off.
"It's Nothing." Ron huffed. Oh. It only took him a second to analyze the reasoning behind Ron's annoyance.
Draco adopted a sympathetic expression, "You're upset that they sent Harry first and not you."
"Of course I am! It should have been me! I've been tracking this guy for weeks. Harry's been out of practice for years but he was perfect, apparently. Kingsley couldn't stop raving…he'll probably get a medal." Ron complained and slumped on the bed. Draco felt sorry for him. He guessed that Ron would always be in Harry's shadow somehow.
Draco leaned down and whispered in Ron's ear, "You're still a great auror no matter what Harry does."
Ron nodded, turned his head and captured Draco's lips in a kiss. Then, before he knew it, Draco found himself lying on Ron's bed, pants and trousers around his ankles and Ron's mouth attempting to swallow him whole.
His thoughts began to stray from Ron. He wondered what Harry kissed like. How would Harry do this? Draco thought as Ron continued his would be fantastic, Draco knew. He peeked down at Ron and imagined green eyes and raven hair. "Ohh" Draco inhaled deeply and pictured Harry on his knees before him. That did it. He came hard down Ron's throat more rapidly than he'd ever done before.
"Ron, I'm back, I have some papers you'll need for…" Harry's voice called out as he swung open the door to Ron's bedroom. Draco shoved Ron away and scrambled to cover himself but it was too late, Harry had seen.
"Fuck, I'm sorry!" Harry said in a panicked rush as he threw down the folder and retreated to the hall.
"Don't worry about it," Draco called out, a bit apprehensively as pulled up his trousers.
"Draco, I didn't know you were here." He said from the other side of the door, his voice strained.
"Its okay, Harry" Ron said, licking his lips. He leered at the door, it was still slightly ajar.
"I'll be in the kitchen," Draco heard Harry mumble and then heard his footsteps trail down the hall.
Ron laughed, "oops."
"I'm so embarrassed." Draco covered his hands with his face. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole. Or better yet, the fire of the underworld could spread through the earth and incinerate him.
"Why? You shouldn't be. Its not a big deal." Ron waved his wand toward his dresser, going back to his packing. Draco glared, without any real meaning, at his back and began to straighten his clothes. He whined mentally when he realized how wrinkled his trousers were.
He left Ron in his bedroom and trudged down the hall to the bathroom, and then finally into the kitchen.
"I'm really sorry," Harry said as soon as Draco sat down across from him.
"I know…it wasn't your fault. You didn't know."
"Obviously, and the door was cracked open. I just assumed…" Harry was pale, a sickly kind of pale. Draco couldn't for the life of him figure out why Harry was so upset. Sure, Draco was mortified with good reason but Harry looked completely distraught without the discomfiture of being caught with his trousers down.
Ron entered the kitchen with a broad grin plastered on his face.
"Let us refer to it as 'the incident' and laugh about it for years to come." Draco said concentrating on Harry.
Ron laughed and "Yeah," was all he said.
Harry just smiled feebly and nodded.
The next morning, after seeing Ron off at the crack of dawn, Draco set about making himself a cup of tea. He had more than enough time to read the Daily Prophet and have several cups of tea before leaving for the hospital. Halfway through his morning routine, Harry entered. He was already dressed in his auror robes but appeared to be slightly still asleep. He plopped down at the table across from Draco and rubbed both of his eyes like an child fighting sleep. It was adorable.
"Not awake yet?" Draco inquired.
Harry smiled, "No…I didn't sleep well last night." and then yawned.
"I'll make you some tea."
"Thanks."
"What are you doing tonight?" Harry asked nonchalantly.
"Probably order in something to eat and read a novel."
"A romance novel?" Harry sounded amused.
"Why, yes." Draco chuckled as he stirred just the right amount of milk into Harry's tea. It was such a trivial thing but he wanted it to taste perfect.
"I have an idea. How about you skip the romance novel and have dinner with me, my treat…in return for a small favor." Harry said coyly.
Draco was intrigued and turned to hand Harry the cup of tea. He raised one eyebrow and urged Harry to continue.
"I have a couple of appointments tonight to look at some flats. I could use a second opinion."
"Okay. Hermione was busy, wasn't she?" Draco inquired. Surely, Harry had asked Hermione to assist him first. Her opinion was as good as gold on most things. And everyone knew that.
Harry took a grateful sip of tea and absently rubbed one of his eyes. "I asked you first."
"Ah, well in that case, how could I possibly refuse." Draco grinned and took a swallow of his own tea.
"I hope this one is better than the last." Harry whined as he and Draco climbed three stories worth of stairs to look at yet another flat.
"You know, the more I see, the more I like that first one." Draco commented. The last two flats were atrocious, bad lighting, no closet space, and the décor was the worst. This was to be the fourth and final of the evening. And as much as Draco enjoyed spending time with Harry, he was exhausted. But, he wouldn't trade this evening for anything. He felt closer to Harry somehow, listening to him whine, complain, and knit-pick.
"Yeah, I'm still of two minds about that one. It's definitely a possibility."
They reached the door to the flat and the real estate agent was there waiting. She ushered them inside excitedly and began raving about the buildings amenities. Harry was nodded politely but Draco wasn't listening. The second he passed the threshold, he gasped for breath. It was amazing.
Draco wandered off on his own while the agent provided Harry with a professional tour. They crossed paths a couple of times and Draco smiled at Harry's expression. He must be in agreement. It was a beautiful flat, decorated in old world Tuscan colors and Draco practically drooled over the interior.
Once they were all back in the foyer, Harry turned to Draco.
"You like it, don't you?"
"Like it? Harry, that would be an understatement. This is love." he expressed his opinion and concluded with a heartfelt sigh.
Harry turned to the gleeful agent. "I'll take it."
"God, my feet are killing me." Draco complained as he and Harry arrived back at Ron's flat. They collapsed on the sofa and toed off their shoes. Draco threw his feet up onto the coffee table.
"Yeah, it feels like we've walked for eons." Harry sighed.
"We have."
Harry turned toward Draco and propped his elbow on the back of the couch, allowing his head to rest inside his hand. "I'm glad you liked it so much."
Draco smiled and faced Harry as well. "Yes, we may have to discuss a trade. I'll move into your new flat and you can have mine."
Harry laughed and reached out a hand to ruffle Draco's hair. Draco giggled and grabbed Harry's hand in his own and lowered them both to the couch. Harry entwined their fingers before Draco could let go. His hand fit perfectly within Harry's and the realization of that wrought mixed emotions. He suddenly felt like butterflies with wings the size of Saturn were doing the conga inside his stomach.
He glanced at their hands and then up into Harry's eyes. Harry's expression was soft and he smiled gently before lowering his face close to Draco's.
Harry was going to kiss him. He'd dreamt of this moment for years and the actuality of it was better than anything he could have imagined.
Draco gulped once before Harry's free hand slid to grasp the back of his neck and Harry's chapped lips were on his own soft ones.
Harry unhurriedly stroked his tongue along Draco's bottom lip urging Draco to open his mouth and once he did, Harry claimed him. He plundered every nook and cranny of Draco's mouth as if trying to memorize it. The moment their tongues discovered one another was staggering and Draco met him caress for caress and dance for dance.
The kiss had started out unhurried and tender but quickly turned enthusiastic and heated. Harry's hand slid from Draco's neck and roamed down his back, adding the slightest bit of pressure, urging Draco forward, closer.
Draco felt like he was running on auto pilot. His body had taken complete control as he maneuvered onto Harry's lap and straddled him. He threaded his arms around Harry's neck as devoured each other.
Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and pulled him flush, chest to chest and erection to erection. They both moaned heavily into the kiss. Suddenly, Harry's hands seemed to be everywhere, gripping his hair, stroking his back and abdomen, and Draco couldn't keep track of them. But he could feel them It was magnificent.
In the distance, Draco heard the phone ring. He ignored it as Harry's snaked a hand between them to cup Draco's erection through his denims. He cried out at the first intimate touch.
"Harry, are you there? Have you seen Draco?" It was Ron's voice and Draco tore his mouth away from Harry's and glanced across the room toward the answering machine. Harry's hand stilled. "I've tried his flat but he didn't answer. Give me a call when you get this." Ron hung up and the machine beeped.
"Oh my god." Draco breathed.
"Draco, don't-" Harry began but Draco cut him off, "What am I doing?" Draco scrambled to get off of Harry as quickly as possible.
"panic," Harry finished in a dead tone.
"I've got to get out of here." Draco mumbled as he reached for his shoes.
"We should talk" Harry said sitting up straighter on the couch and clasping his hands in his lap.
"No, we shouldn't. This never happened, alright? I need to think. God, this was so wrong." Draco said frantically even though his mind was screaming at him that it was very right indeed. Nothing in the history of the world was as right as kissing Harry.
Harry sat silently as Draco fumbled his way through putting his shoes on and searching for his keys. Draco spared one last glance at Harry before he walked out the door but his head was down and Draco couldn't see his face.
Draco jogged down the crowded London sidewalk, trying to concentrate on where he was going while dodging baby strollers with doting mothers and awestruck tourists proudly displaying 'Mind the Gap' novelty tee-shirts and carting around maps and bottled water. He was so distracted by that kiss with Harry and the onset of the tremendous guilt that swept through him at hearing Ron's voice that he barely recognized where he was.
He realized that he had to get his wits about him stop behaving like an idiot. He slowed down gradually until he was walking a brisk pace and reached into his pocket for a cigarette. He smoked dramatically, taking deep drags and barely exhaling before he inhaled again. He mentally chanted Ron's name. It became his mantra to keep him from running back into Harry's embrace.
Around twenty minutes later, after a short and uncomfortable ride on the tube, Draco reached his apartment building in a bit of a daze.