CHAPTER 8

Harry didn't know what had prompted him to greet Malfoy. When he heard Malfoy's gasp, followed by him saying his name, his eyes found the other man's, even through the crowd of people congratulating him for solving the case so well. Why they did that, he had no idea, nor did he want to know, because Malfoy had acknowledged his presence without a sneer or sounding condescending or groaning or in anger. He actually didn't say his name with any emotion, maybe except shock. He smiled widely and warmly at the fact that Malfoy had changed, and that he might actually be able to woo Malfoy; if he was gay. "Malfoy." He greeted warmly and made his way through the crowd of people congratulating him. Malfoy had looked shocked when he greeted him. In fact, he wasn't moving at all. Someone shoved Malfoy and he stumbled forward. Instinctively, harry shot out his arm and held Draco's forearms to prevent him from falling face flat on the floor. He could feel strong muscles beneath his palm. They felt tense and very nice and hard and strong. Malfoy recovered from his shock after his stumble, and pulled his hand away from Harry's grasp and righted himself.

"What are you doing here? I thought you weren't in the country." Harry asked curiously. Now, with Ginny out of the way (temporarily), he was genuinely curious about what had happened to the man. Malfoy just looked deep into Harry's eyes and didn't reply. Harry was just about to give up any hope of having a conversation with him when he replied. "I don't think it's your business to know what I am or what I was up to every single day of my life." He replied scornfully. There was the Malfoy Harry knew so well. He hadn't wanted him to change much, maybe be just a tad bit more friendlier with him would have been enough. It intimidated him, Malfoy being so scornful. Scornfulness and Draco Malfoy went together pretty well.

"Geez, calm down Malfoy! It is just so good to see you after all these years, that's all. Do you know how boring it gets to talk to people who talk to you because you're famous? I know pretty well that I can have a normal conversation with you, and be myself." He replied, trying to sound as truthful as possible. The other man raised an eyebrow (and such a prettily shaped one) in amusement, his lips twitched into the smirk only Draco Malfoy can pull off and look hot as hell. "So, famous Harry Potter wants someone to talk to? That's ironic." He said with a snort. He may have snorted, but his smirk slowly became a smile. "Yeah, I guess it is." Harry replied with a chuckle. The atmosphere between the two of them reduced considerably from one of anxiousness to one of complete ease.

"Hey! Harry! Where's the paperwork? You may have solved a case, but no celebrations until you hand in the paperwork for your latest little adventure." A bossy voice interrupted before Harry could say anything else. He turned around and looked down with a frown. Of course, the supervisor of his paperwork, the assistant of the Head Auror, Sandra had to interrupt the conversation with Malfoy. He looked down at the annoying lady's face. Even though she was a foot shorter than Harry, and basically half his gait, she was terrifying. She was exceptionally strict, a perfectionist, and pretty short tempered when it comes to late paperwork. He called her 'Umbridge Jr' behind her back, though he had never disclosed the fact to anyone. He opened his mouth to apologize to her, but she shushed him with a pointed glance. "No. You are not uttering a word to me or to anyone else until that report reaches my table. In fact, you aren't allowed to leave the office until the report reaches my table." She said. Harry shuddered at the thought. When Sandra threatened, it normally were facts she spewed. That's why he called her 'Umbridge Jr'. "And you, blondie, are not allowed to visit him in his office until I get the report. Sorry Harry, no flirting until I get what I want." She stated and left a very red Harry in her wake.

"Well," Malfoy said after a moment of awkward silence. Harry noticed he had turned a little pink. "Wonderful lady. You are one lucky person to have her as a boss." He said blandly, his words filled with sarcasm. "You don't know the half of it." Harry said with a sigh. "And besides, sorry about what she said. She's always pretty blunt and bossy. But, unless I finish that report, whatever she said will happen. So how about I meet you up for coffee later this evening? We can have a nice chat WITHOUT Sandra keeping a hawk's eye on me."

What was going on? Harry's brain was screaming. You just APOLOGIZED to MALFOY and asked him OUT TO COFFEE! He cringed internally, waiting for the rejection and most likely a condescending statement. He had just screwed up hugely, worse than Neville in Potions class. He braced himself for a sneer, but was surprised.

"Sure Potter. Time and place?" Malfoy had accepted! Harry's heart was beating hard, and his mind was whooping in joy. "Leaky at six? I hope I get it done by then. If not, I'll send an owl. Kay? Anyways, got to dash. She's already glaring. Bye." He said without waiting for Malfoy's reply. He could talk to Malfoy later, but the consequences if he didn't complete the paperwork? Nope. Not at all, thank you very much. After that short speech, he dashed off to his department. He could've sworn he heard Malfoy say 'Bye Potter', even though he had said it very softly.

HPDMHPDMHPDMHPDM

Draco tried his very best to not freak out. His thoughts normally were very maudlin when it came to thoughts about Harry. He had a vague idea that he might bump into his crush at some point while he worked at the Ministry. He remembered fifth year at Hogwarts, when McGonagall promised to make Harry an Auror. And he expected him to be one. He expected Harry to not bother about his existence when he saw Draco, but nothing happened as he had expected. He learnt all the basics at the intern center. That wasn't anywhere near the Ministry, but they had field days where they audienced Trials. And he had seen Harry in his first visit to the Ministry, and moreover, he actually had a CONVERSATION with him! Well, it wasn't very long, but at least he SPOKE to him! And when he couldn't talk properly with him, (because of that annoying lady), he had asked to meet him for COFFEE so that they could talk properly! That had to mean something right? Maybe Harry wanted to be his friend? As long as THAT happened, Draco could easily make Harry fall in love with him after they got on friendlier terms. He had had countless experiences to hone his skills in France, and he was willing to use ALL of it, just for Harry. He vaguely remembered clutching a pile of parchment. Why was he holding parchment? He thought frowning. He looked at the parchment and remembered the notes he had taken about the Trial. His instructor would be expecting a proper report today. He might not have mentioned it, but Draco had to work extra hard to get the job he wanted. Looked like Harry's not the only one who has to write a report. He sighed and walked towards the elevator. He didn't have to go back to the intern center. He could go home directly and write his report in peace. He decided to do just that. Then, Draco would groom himself and try to make him look as handsome as possible. After all, Harry did want to have coffee with him. He realized it was wishful thinking to think that as a date, but a man can have his fantasies right?