Chapter Eighteen: The Hangover

AN: Thanks to all, for the lovely reviews.

Lexi: MOARRRRRRRRRR

Fiona: I think I've got a bit of it back. PM me later though, I'd like you to read something I did lose inspiration on. I do love it when you call me Ms. Kitty :D I've had this penname since I was a small child and dial up was fast. I adore it.

Guest who's review has disappeared: Yes, yes he is. Draco love all around.

THIS chapter is a bit fluffy. I normally don't do fluffy, as I feel that Draco sodding Malfoy is in no way fluffy. Usually. I tried to keep him in character though.

"Oh Merlin, did I jump off the Hogwarts Express?" Harry growled, eyes clinched tighly shut as he awoke. Maybe he'd just jumped in front of it. Normally, it took him quite a bit to wake up, he was not a morning person at all. This morning was different, a splitting headache and the urge to vomit had awoken him like a cold splash of water to the face. He tried opening his eyes, smashing his glasses on his face, and spotted a small phial on his nightstand, 'Hangover Potion'. "Oh bless you, Draco, bless you." he whispered, uncorking it with his teeth and downing it like a shot. Immediately, his symptoms began to disappear and he lay back down, rolling over to snuggle his Veela friend. Yet, Draco wasn't there. As last night's events came flooding back to him, Harry groaned. Had he really done that? Merlin help. He laid still a few more moments before getting up. Might as well face the day right? Afternoon, whatever.

Dragging into the kitchen, looking as though a three year old had dressed him was Ron. He was wincing with every step, in terrible need of coffee which Harry willingly provided.

"Draco didn't leave you any hangover potion?" he asked, giving his friend a once over. He still hadn't seen the blonde or Hermione. He really hadn't looked yet either.

"Shhhh, no. Hermione won't give it to me. Says I need to learn my lesson. No talking. Shhh." Ron whispered, voice hoarse, as he sat down. Harry just grinned, glad that she hadn't seen his or she'd have taken it too.

It was at that moment they heard the door open and two pairs of feet coming down. Ron snarled in pain, throwing an arm over his head as he layed it on the table. The other arm pulled his cup of coffee to him, appearing to snuggle it. Hermione swung the door open, her intense gaze focusing on both the boys.

"There you are! How are you two feeling?" she asked, a bit louder than she ought to. She had a mischievious glint in her eye.

"Morning 'Mione, I'm doing great. Ron's not so well though, how are you?" Harry asked, and immediately grinned at her obvious irritation. Draco was smirking behind her. She gave him a withering glare before practically bouncing into the chair beside Harry. Draco stood, leaning in the doorway, watching in amusement.

"You know," Hermione said, again loudly, "I think we should fix some *lunch*. Draco, would you like to do the honors or shall I?"

"Oh, I'd love to fix lunch," Draco replied, standing straighter and strolling into the room. He immediately began banging pots and pans together- even though he was merely fixing soup and sandwiches. There was no need for moving all six pans in that cabinet. Harry smirked, watching him over his shoulder as the blonde worked. Hermione just watched Ron, still huddled over his coffee, wincing with each noise,

"oh, thank you, Draco! That's so sweet!"

"That's very Slytherin of you, Herms." Harry commented, sipping his coffee. Ron whimpered in agreement. Finally, lunch was ready and Draco placed it on the table in front of them, nodding in reply as they thanked him. Ron looked a bit green but took a spoonful of soup anyway. Harry watched with interest, scooting his chair back and getting ready to dive for the trash pail if Ron spewed the soup back up. Instead, everything about the ginger changed, seeming to calm and he began eating normally,

"Thank you, Malfoy. Seriously," he muttered. Draco only nodded once while Hermione huffed.

"You didn't!" she hissed, glaring at the Slytherin. He shrugged,

"I've been there. It's a terrible hell."

It was then that Harry realized Draco wasn't making eye contact with him at all. Nor had he spoken to him. He sighed, maybe he should have really jumped in front of that train.

"This is good, Draco," he said, polishing off his sandwich.

"It's leftovers from yesterday," Draco said, fixing him with a strange look. Harry shrugged, sipping his coffee again.

"Training today?"

"Not today, we're in need of supplies and I'm sure Draco's getting tired of hexes," Hermione said absently, reading over the Daily Prophet. Harry sighed, he'd been speaking to Draco.

"I need to finish paperwork from the office today too, Harry, you?" Ron said.

"Got mine done two days ago, Ron. You're running late."

"Yes, boss." Ron said, giving him a mock salute. Harry just rolled his eyes at his friend.

"I'm looking into finding ways to dispell hexes and curses from fabric. For cloaks, so we can go out more. Wanna help me, Draco?" Hermione asked, setting down the paper. He shrugged,

"Maybe later, I'm not feeling up to much. Might go lay down actually," Draco replied, getting up and leaving. Harry felt bad, watching him go.

"I'll go check on him," he said at Hermione's pointed look and he got up and followed.

Draco was sprawled out on the couch in the living room, potions tome in hand when Harry walked by, nearly missing him.

"Thought you were going to lay down?" he asked, leaning in the doorway.

"Is that not what I am doing?" Draco asked, gesturing to the couch. Harry snorted and shook his head, crossing the room and lifting Draco's legs easily. The blonde made no argument, allowing Harry to manipulate him and merely watched as Harry sat down, laying Draco's legs in his lap.

"I'm sorry about last night, I was very, very drunk," he said to the back of Draco's book. The Slytherin sighed, closing it and sat it down. He hadn't believed Harry would actually bring it up if he even remembered it. That was Gryffindor courage for you. "I did mean it though, Draco, really I did. It's your choice, but I was serious."

He didn't make eye contact with Draco though, Gryffindor courage be damned. He felt more like a nervous Hufflepuff, finding the threads in Draco's black slacks very interesting indeed. Draco didn't speak, just watched him. After what felt like hours to Harry, that were merely only moments, he nearly snapped, "would you say something, Draco?! You're making me nervous!"

"Sorry, I was thinking. Speaking before you think things out is like speaking with your mouth full. It's rude," Draco replied, "I care about you, Harry. I would love to be your boyfriend-" Harry's head snapped up, nearly giving him whiplash as he looked at the smirking blonde, "*but*, Harry, you have to understand that I'm a Veela."

"...and one day you might leave for your Chosen." Harry finished.

"Interrupting is also rude. I was *going* to say that a relationship with a Veela is a long term thing, you should consider that." Draco snapped, reaching for his book.

"I *have* thought about that, thank you very much." Harry said, puffing up a bit. Draco drew his hand back, returning his attention instead to Harry.

"Oh?"

"Yes. Oh. I have. I don't care. I'm completely okay with that. You can be as high maintenance as you'd like Draco, I don't care. It's nice that someone doesn't think of me as the boy who lived. I don't feel any serious expectations from you other than to educate myself to protect myself."

"And sit straighter," Draco joked, smirking.

"Yes. That too," Harry smiled. Draco smiled back at him, an open- honest smile that Harry adored though it was rarely seen. He shrugged slightly, something else he rarely did.

"Then, in that case, it's whatever you want. This should be interesting." Draco said, just so accepting of the situation though he was still staring at Harry, gauging his reaction.

"That's it? Just like that?" Harry asked, shocked.

"Just like that," Draco said, relaxing a bit. Harry hadn't even noticed he'd tensed up. Draco picked the book back up, opening it to where he'd left off. Harry just stared at him, that was it?

"Well. In that case," he said, leaning forward and pushing the book down, he captured Draco's mouth with his. He vaguely registered Draco dropping the book onto the floor as two pale arms circled around his neck. Draco met the force with his own, moving his legs to pull Harry closer. Harry obliged, practically laying on the blonde's chest. Neither man felt he could breathe, their hearts exploding in unison, as their tongues fought for dominance. Harry moaned, his fingers sliding into Draco's sily hair. Draco reacted to the moan, rising a bit to put more pressure into the kiss. Eventually, the need for air broke them apart, gasping. Their cheeks were flushed, their breath ragged, and both grinning like mad.

"I could get used to that," Draco said, his breath hitching as he spoke. Harry grinned, leaning back in for more.