A/N: Sorry that this chapter is a bit later than normal. Ines is being fantastic and forcing me to stop being such a lazy writer so I looked at it again, and I'm much happier with it now. Thank you for that, sweetie! I also posted two new things this week: a very angsty drabble and a new story! It's the Harry/ Charlie thing that I started talking about a while back and only just now got around to posting. You can find them both through my profile. Oh, and while you're on my profile page there's a rather lengthly personal update there too, if you're interested in my nice long ramblings!
Chapter 26- Team Gryffindor
"What time is it?" Harry murmured as he awoke, rubbing his eyes with his fists.
"A little after five," Draco said softly. He slipped back in under the sheets and curled around Harry's side. "Go back to sleep."
"I don't know if I can. Is Bear okay?"
"He was snuffling for a little bit, but he had a bottle and he's gone back down again now."
Harry yawned and nodded, taking Draco's hand and holding it against his flat stomach. Then pushed the hand down until it was pressing against his cock.
"Mm," Draco hummed. "Is this for me?"
"It is if you want it."
"I do."
Draco trailed his fingertips up and down Harry's length through his boxers, just softly, teasing, making him ache and leak. Harry dug deep and found the energy to roll over, palming Draco's cock in response; it , too, was growing harder.
They both kicked their underwear off and kicked the sheets down too, then laid naked on the bed facing each other. Harry instinctively took hold of himself and tugged a few times to ease the want. Draco's eyes (he could tell, from this short distance) widened and he instinctively wet his lips... a pink tongue licking over cracked pink lips.
Draco grabbed his own cock too.
"Don't stop," he said in a rough voice.
Harry shrugged. "Okay."
It was an old comfort, this, stroking himself in the early hours of the morning. It was something that hadn't changed in all the years he'd been doing it; through thinking he liked girls, from the confusion he felt looking at boys, to the times where he didn't think of anything at all but just did it because it felt good.
But this... doing it with someone watching...
Not just anyone watching, with Draco watching, was a new thrill. Another new thrill, something else that made his heart leap up and his stomach drop and something else, some other part of his body, zing with magical energy.
Draco's eyes fluttered shut and his neck arched back as he slowly thrust up into his own hand, the pink tip of his cock appearing through the gap in his fist before disappearing again. The movement was languid, sensual, undeniably sexual in its uninhibited wantonness.
"Did you..." Harry started before his voice cracked. "Did you ever think of me when you did this?"
"Oh fuck, Harry," Draco muttered, his eyes opening to focus on Harry's again.
"Did you?"
"Yeah."
"Tell me."
Draco groaned, his hand slipping down to cup his balls instead. "I imagined... I imagined you doing this. Touching yourself. Why have I never watched you touch yourself before?"
"I have no idea."
"Me either. I didn't think about fucking you. Or you fucking me. I wanted to see your cock, a lot. To see what you looked like."
Darker than me, Harry thought, filling in the gaps for a younger Draco. More hair. Darker skin. Shorter, thicker, more bumpy.
"I thought maybe one day I'd walk in on you wanking in the showers after a Quidditch match."
"Would you have watched me then?"
"Yeah. Kiss me?"
Harry leaned in and brushed his chapped lips over Draco's, once, back again, then softer, lingering. His fist tightened, teasing, maybe, or helping him hold back. There was something about the way Draco smelled... he smelled slept in, worn, a little sour, like clove cigarettes and the wind and the stuff he used on his hair.
He vowed, then, to spend more mornings not resisting the sight of Draco touching himself.
It was only when a finger circled his nipple that he realised his eyes had closed, the image behind his lids almost exactly the same as the one when he opened them. Draco was smirking, his thumb and forefinger poised ready to pinch hard but not, not yet, just rolling Harry's nipple gently.
He let out a breath in a grunt, not aware that he'd been holding it so long. Draco's eyes were fixed on Harry's cock and he seemed to be attempting to match Harry's stroke, either consciously or not, and Harry made a sound in the back of his throat that could have been a whimper.
The gently teasing fingers on his nipple clamped down without warning and he cried out then, squeezing hard to stop himself from coming and suddenly wanting to...
From the rocking of their bodies; hips forward and back, abs clenching, ass cheeks pulling in tight, the bed moved with them and like when they made love, softening and groaning around them. They both made gentle noises, want or need or probably both, little grunts and sighs when a thumb brushed over the sensitive tip of a cock or drifted lower, down between legs and the spot where it felt nice if you rubbed there hard enough.
"Oh fuck," Draco muttered and threw an arm (the one with the hand that had been pinching Harry's nipple) over his face, getting ready to come, Harry knew, and that wasn't okay.
"No," he said. "Look at me."
The forearm covering Draco's eyes pushed his hair back from his face and grey eyes widened, blinked, then with shoulders and heels digging into the bed and everything else arched up, Draco came... shooting hard up his stomach in thick spurts, crying out softly, his eyes unseeing but still looking at Harry.
Heavy, hard breathing joined the other sounds in the room and Harry was close, so fucking close when Draco murmured, "Your turn now."
A moment of blush- inducing self consciousness rushed through him as he realised that Draco was going to watch him, not that that should be a big deal because Draco had watched him come lots of times before, but not like this, not while he was fucking himself, and needed it...
His eyes screwed shut as the red flush crept down his neck and across his chest and he came too, crying out just as loud, panting for breath the same and the spunk, same as Draco's, oozing out over the top of his fist.
The blood was still roaring in his ears and his chest hurt from breathing so hard when a cold tingle told him that Draco had cast a half hearted cleaning spell, he was still a bit sticky but it didn't matter.
"I think," Harry said as they fit themselves back together, naked limbs wrapping around each other, "that I can sleep again now."
They did.
xXx
"Right," Harry said, dropping his quill and rubbing his sore wrist. "I think that's it."
Angelina looked up from the floor opposite him where she was painting her toenails with sparkly blue polish. "Okay, give it here."
Harry still scanned the parchment one more time before handing it over. She read it once and handed it back.
"Looks good to me."
Harry dropped his head back against George's sofa and groaned. "Why is this so hard?"
"That's what he said," George said, smirking as he passed Harry a mug of tea.
"It's all your fault," Harry muttered as he sipped. "You stole half my bloody team."
"Come on then, let me check out the competition," George said, snatching up the parchment.
The Hogwarts Alumni/ Phoenix Orphanage Quidditch charity tournament had attracted a great amount of press attention, mostly because of the fact that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were acting as joint hosts. As a result, they had had a huge number of ex- students express interest in taking part and it had been Harry's job to sift through the applicants and pick out his team.
Since he had only played with a select few during his time at Hogwarts he was relying (rather dubiously) on the recollections of Charlie Weasley of who was worth looking at, although he had Niko from the Blackhawks approve any suggestions. Charlie was, after all, playing for another team.
He had recalled the double team of Angelina and Katie Bell as two of his Chasers and Oliver Wood was his professional player and Keeper. Draco had agreed that it was a very good idea to put his pro player in a defensive position, although the professional who Draco had put on his team was playing Seeker.
"So, when do we start practice?" Angelina asked.
"Mm. Next week, Saturday lunchtime at the Blackhawks pitch," Harry said. "We'll have a meeting and figure out when is best for everyone, training wise, from there."
"Sounds good."
"What about Draco?" George asked. "Where are the Slytherins practicing?"
"He won't tell me."
"Bollocks."
"Really!" Harry laughed. "He's taking the whole thing very seriously."
"It was Bear's birthday match," Angelina said. "He's got it in his head that he's on some sort of winning streak."
"He won't even tell me who's on his team," Harry admitted. "It's all very hush-hush."
"Sounds like Draco," George said, rolling his eyes.
As they were talking a little head poked around the back of the sofa. Titan was still an extraordinarily quiet child but was slowly coming out of his shell with some characteristic Weasley family love. Angelina had told him, when Harry had been put on babysitting duty, that they couldn't put the child in a crib at night – he would scream blue murder if they tried. Instead he slept in a bed, albeit one that was close enough to the ground that he wouldn't get hurt if he fell out.
From what they could tell, Titan was probably a few months older than Bear, although since there was no birth certificate for him, they couldn't be sure. He was walking but not talking, although Ruth (who had taken a professional interest in all of the children who had been rescued from Lady Yaxley) said that this wasn't uncommon.
With his dark hair and big brown eyes and soft, caramel coloured skin, Titan could almost pass for being George and Angelina's biological son. Ruth had said his mother was Greek and practiced several ancient forms of magic from the region, probably the reason for Lady Yaxley's interest in Gaia's son.
"Hey, sweetheart," Angelina said softly as she noticed Titan, opening her arms to him. Slowly, and clinging to the sofa for support, he walked towards her. The last few steps turned into a run and he flung himself into her arms.
She laughed softly, then cradled him to her chest, rocking him slowly.
George stood and nodded his head towards the kitchen, indicating for Harry to follow him.
"What's up?" Harry asked as they both hopped up to sit on kitchen counters facing each other.
George looked at his feet, which were swinging back and forth, before speaking. "This is kinda hard for me to talk to you about..." he started.
"Is it about Titan?" Harry interrupted.
"Yeah," George said on a sigh. "We're going to apply to be his foster parents officially… the last motion was filed as an emergency circumstance and if we want to keep him we need to make it official."
"That's okay," Harry assured him.
In fact, he and Draco had already talked about it, a few nights before.
"Are you sure? I mean, you've had Bear for a lot longer than we've had Titan. I know that you're pissed off that you can't make him yours."
"It doesn't mean that Titan shouldn't have a family though," Harry said.
George shook his head. "Why are you being so nice? You have no reason to be this nice."
"Honestly?" Harry asked. "We were expecting it. Bear is our own battle and we know we'll probably be fighting it for a long time. Andromeda understands…it just makes sense for him to stay with us."
"Angie quit her job," George admitted.
"What? Wow."
"Yeah," he said. Harry frowned. "It's not like that," he rushed to explain, "She just wants to spend more time here, with Titan. She's going to be a partner in the business, get more involved with the shop and stuff."
"When are you going to propose?" Harry teased.
George blushed furiously.
"Shit, did you propose already?"
"Shut the fuck up," George muttered through clenched teeth.
"Your mum is going to go mental," Harry offered.
"I know."
"Congratulations," Harry said, smiling wickedly as he jumped down from the counter. "Honestly, mate. If anyone deserves all of this it's you."
"Thanks."
"And anyway," Harry continued, "I've already signed Angelina up to Team Gryffindor. There's no way you're stealing her away."
George laughed. "No chance of that. She can't wait to play against me."
"And beat you."
"Oi," he warned. "None of that in my own house, thank you very much."
"Do you have a ring yet?" Harry asked.
"No. Do you want to come shopping with me?"
"No," Harry said, teasing. "Of course I will."
They made arrangements for a lunch hour when Angelina wouldn't be around and Harry could safely leave Bear with Draco. It was only when he was heading home that he realised it should be Fred, not him, taking his brother engagement ring shopping. For the first time in a while, the grief hit his stomach like sickness, and it was all he could take not to throw up in a gutter in Diagon Alley.
xXx
Daily Prophet Quidditch Tournament Special Edition from 6th June 1998
The Hogwarts Alumni/ Phoenix Orphanage Quidditch Tournament will launch this weekend with the two hosts of the tournament, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy each captaining their former house team. Potter, playing Seeker for Team Gryffindor will not play directly against his partner as they did in their schooldays; Malfoy is playing out of position as a Chaser in order for Bulgarian Viktor Krum to take the Seeker's role, a move he claims is "purely tactical" (but those in the know claim is a move designed to upset the 'Team Weasley' Keeper as his girlfriend once dated Krum in their schooldays.)
Although Potter and Malfoy remain reluctant to discuss their relationship, it seems clear to those in the know that neither is playing nice when it comes to their team selection. Potter has appointed his former team captain Oliver Wood, now of Puddlemere United (and tipped for the England team) as his Keeper and his fellow teammates Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell return as Chasers. Only Alicia Spinnet, the third Chaser from the former Gryffindor team, will not return due to her job (curse inventor at Gringotts) not allowing time off for practice.
Unfortunately for Potter, he "lost most of [my] sodding team" to George Weasley's 'Team Weasley'. In an emotional announcement last week, George (so called not out of disrespect, but due to the ridiculous number of Weasleys mentioned in this article, in a move so attempted to not confuse our readers) announced that the Fred Weasley Memorial Team would play as a fifth team against the four traditional Hogwarts house sides. Fred, George's twin brother and business partner at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, was killed last year during the Battle at Hogwarts. His four brothers, younger sister and sister- in- law will be joining George to make up a team with no professional player but a lifetime experience of playing together behind them.
As Potter stated, in his days on the Gryffindor team he played alongside Ginny, Ron, Fred and George Weasley (although not at the same time), whilst Charlie, the second eldest brother, was tipped to play Seeker for England before deciding to pursue a career working with dragons in Romania. The savvy punter (and indeed, betting man) will not discount Team Weasley from the competition. Fleur Weasley (nee Delacour) was recognised by no less than fourteen awards for her Quidditch skills during her time at Beauxbaton Academy, including Best Seeker, Best Captain, Best Sportswoman and Best Opponent Intimidator.
On paper, considering the Slytherin and Gryffindor teams, this sports reporter is hard pressed to find much between the teams in terms of skill and talent. It is with regret that this former Ravenclaw notes that Malfoy's team slightly tips the balance in terms of accolades and ability, but the team is disjointed, with no more than two of the players having ever played together before.
In contrast, what Potter's 'Team Gryffindor' lacks up in skill they make up for in heart, experience and sheer grit and determination. The players know each other socially and as players which will undoubtedly have made training sessions much easier. Potter has now famously refused to sign for Tutshill Tornados until the end of the tournament, lest he be in breach of the one professional player per team rule (one he himself instigated). The Tutshill Tornados, amused, I daresay, have agreed to let their new First Team Seeker delay his contract until dangerously close to the beginning of next season.
Every player on every team is doing so for free, giving up their own time to train and play. Similarly, the grounds where the matches will be played have donated their resources without charge so that every last knut made by the tournament will go straight to the children who need it most.
Most excitingly, in a move designed to ensure that every child has an opportunity to see these games, Potter and Malfoy have set in place a ticketing system where each ticket is priced "as much as you can afford". With no set price scale in place demand has soared and donations have been rushing in.
George Weasley, in a move undoubtedly designed to drum up support for his team, has started selling 'Team Weasley' merchandise at his Diagon Alley store, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The truly lurid orange and purple striped scarves, hats, banners and replica robes are available now.
For more information on how to sponsor a team, buy tickets or make a donation, please owl us at the Prophet. Full match analysis of each game will appear in the Prophet the day after the match; get your repeat order in by owl post today and make sure you don't miss a single one!
xXx
As was his habit, Draco was awake early, had checked on Bear and made himself strong coffee to drink at the kitchen table while lazily flicking through the Prophet's Sunday supplement. The wards to the house were more relaxed these days but still, he didn't expect anyone quite so early in the day.
With a pop, Hermione Apparated into the kitchen.
"Right," she said, slapping a pile of books down on the kitchen table.
"Christ, Granger, too early," Draco mumbled into his coffee. "Go away."
"No. And make me one of those," she said, gesturing to his mug. "I've figured out how we're going to approach the Wizengamot about you adopting Bear."
"Don't you have NEWTs to study for like the rest of us?"
"I'm making time for my friends." She smiled sweetly. "The devil makes work for idle hands. Come on."
"I don't understand," Draco groaned. "Why can't this wait until later?"
She just quirked an eyebrow in response.
For all of Draco's moaning, they got a lot done before Harry descended with a freshly changed Bear, ready for his breakfast. Hermione's version of 'research' involved sifting through case studies of previous adoptions and compiling evidence, a work method that frustrated Draco no end, especially since (as far as he was aware) he was supposed to have left school.
"Morning," Harry said, slipping Bear into his high chair and kissing first Hermione, then Draco on the cheek. "What're you doing here?"
"Thank you," Draco said. "She was here at an obscene time this morning."
"How did you get out of school?" Harry asked.
"It's Saturday," Hermione said with a shrug. "I got permission from the Headmistress to spend a few hours out of the grounds."
"And you're with us rather than your boyfriend? I'm touched," Draco grumbled.
"Ron's in Johannesburg, as you well know," Hermione said primly. "And you need me more than he does."
"I doubt that," Draco muttered. Hermione chose to ignore him.
"Is there a plan?" Harry asked as he pulled eggs and bacon out of their chilled pantry.
"There's something that's rapidly starting to look like a plan," Hermione said. "It's risky, but the best plans often are."
"Ah," Harry said. "So I did teach you something."
"Shut up," she said lightly.
"So, what are we going to do?"
"Eat breakfast?" Draco suggested. He was ignored.
"What we are going to do," Hermione said, "Is go through all of the normal channels of legal adoption, paying absolutely no attention to the laws that state that two men aren't allowed to adopt."
"Right..."
The smell of sizzling bacon started to fill the room, and Harry stuck several slices of bread under the grill to toast.
"The first thing to do is file the paperwork. Basically, if we get past that stage it'll be a bloody miracle. They'll either accept it, which moves you on to the next stage, and which I highly doubt, or reject it and then we'll have to go through the entire appeals process. Or, they might throw it to the Wizengamot."
"And what do we want them to do?" Harry asked.
"We want them to accept it, of course, but they won't," Hermione said, standing and setting the coffee pot to brew. "I think, because it's you, they'll pass it on to the Wizengamot."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yes. Because then we get to stand up and say exactly why you and Draco are the most suitable parents for Bear, any ancient laws be damned."
"Okay..." Harry said, frowning.
"What they'll do is challenge it. Challenge you, I suppose. They're going to try and find every reason why you shouldn't be allowed to adopt him, so all we need to do is make sure our reasons are better than theirs."
"See? Easy," Draco said. He was ignored. Again.
"Fried or scrambled?"
"Scrambled," Draco said. Harry looked back over his shoulder and smiled.
"I don't know, Hermione," he said. "Shouldn't we... I don't know. Hire a lawyer or something for this?"
His suggestion was met with a deathly sort of silence.
Harry turned slowly back to the kitchen table where Hermione had folded her arms over her chest and was fixing him with a stony stare. Draco had rocked his chair back on two legs and was sporting what could only be described as a shit- eating grin.
"Am I not good enough to handle this?" Hermione asked in a low voice.
"No, it's not that at all," Harry said in a rush.
"Because I can, you know," she said. "I can more than handle it. I'm doing eight NEWTs and spent a year as Head Girl, and stayed active in the Order and on top of that," (her voice was raising to alarming levels now) "practically been your PR woman for the entire Quidditch tournament. So don't tell me, Harry Potter, that I can't handle this."
"You should consider a career as a lawyer, Granger," Draco said sweetly.
"Stop sucking up, you," she said, rounding on him.
The legs of Draco's chair hit the stone tiles with a thunk.
"It was just an idea," Draco said, wounded. "Don't burn the bacon, Harry."