Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and characters belongs to J.K. Rowling, unfortunately not me.

A/N: Thanks to all the favorites, follows, and reviews. :) So glad people are enjoying this story because I'm certainly enjoying writing it!

Chapter 19

Harry smiled to himself as he slipped through the crowd away from Draco. He knew that he shouldn't have abandoned his wife without any notice to go talk to Draco, and he certainly shouldn't have asked him for a midnight kiss, but he couldn't help it. He had seen the other man hug him and had immediately decided to go interrupt. He knew it was ridiculous. He was there with his wife for Merlin's sake. He had no right to be jealous, and he definitely didn't have the right to sabotage Draco's evening if he wanted to spend time with the gentlemen he had been conversing with. All of these things had run through Harry's head as he made his way over to his favorite blond haired ex-Slytherin, but it hadn't made a difference. Luckily, Draco hadn't seemed to mind the interruption, and it had all been worth it to see his reaction. He couldn't wait until later when they could be alone for real.

Harry's smile faded as he came face to face with an irate looking Ginny. He sighed inwardly. What else was new? "Where have you been?" she hissed.

"I was socializing. Isn't that why we're here?" he responded, knowing that it would only make her more mad. He couldn't bring himself to care. Maybe if he made her mad enough, she would stomp away. Then he could spend the rest of the evening with Draco.

Ginny huffed in frustration but didn't say anything more on the topic. She pasted on a fake smile and hooked her arm through his. "Well from now on, we'll be socializing together."

The tone in her voice warned Harry not to argue. He too managed a fake smile as he was dragged over to the Minister of Magic by his wife.

The rest of the night seemed to be moving at a snail's pace for Harry. He had socialized with everyone his wife had dragged him over to, and now all he wanted to do was go home. Or Draco's for the midnight kiss he actually wanted, as the case may be. It was finally almost midnight, and he would no longer be obligated to stay at the party.

"Harry, let's go dance," Ginny said, breaking him out of his thoughts of Draco. Harry nodded and followed his wife out to the dance floor. He pulled her close as they began to sway along to the slow melody being played by the orchestra. "This is nice."

Harry pulled her a little closer and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "It is."

"We should go dancing more often," Ginny suggested, laying her head on his chest.

Harry made a noncommittal noise, not wanting to disrupt the peace of their dance but also not wanting to commit to anything he knew he didn't mean. Despite how nice to was to be enjoying his wife's company and how nice she felt leaning against him, he knew this wouldn't change anything. It was too late to save their marriage. "10...9...8…" Harry shook his head to clear his thoughts. "7...6...5…" He looked around the room, trying to find Draco but didn't see him. "4...3...2...1." Harry gently pulled Ginny's chin up and pulled her in for a chaste kiss as fireworks were set off above him. As Harry was about to pull away, Ginny leaned closer to deepen the kiss. It was a nice enough kiss, but it was nothing like kissing Draco. It was also a much longer kiss than he had intended.

When he finally managed to pull away from Ginny, Harry's eyes locked with Draco's, who was watching him with an unreadable expression. Harry was contemplating what to do to reassure Draco. He didn't have the chance, however, as the next moment Draco was pulled into the embrace of the man he had been talking to earlier, and then the man placed a not so chaste kiss on his lips. Harry turned away, a pit forming in his stomach. He took a deep breath and told Ginny he needed some air. He stopped at the bar and ordered himself a firewhisky before heading out the doors to the balcony that overlooks the Ministry grounds. He leaned on the railing as he sipped his drink and stared out into the darkness.

A moment later, he felt rather than heard someone approach. "Potter," Draco greeted.

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to look at his companion. "Draco," he responded with a small grin.

Draco didn't smile back. "Shouldn't you be inside with your wife and all your adoring fans?" he asked with more venom than Harry had heard in his voice since their Hogwarts days.

Harry wasn't quite sure what to say. It was obvious that Draco was bothered by his kiss with Ginny, but he had to know that Harry didn't have a choice. He also didn't appreciate the throwback to their former rivalry. Harry gave Draco a gentle, playful shove. "Am I supposed to insult you now, Malfoy? Maybe start a duel?"

Draco winced. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out so bitter."

Harry smiled and leaned into his companion for a brief moment. "So to what do I owe the honor of your presence?" he asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Honestly? I came out here to ask you not to come over tonight." Harry felt his heart drop. "But now that you're standing so close to me, I have no idea why I would ever ask you such a thing."

Harry couldn't help the smile that broke out. "Well, I for one am glad you've changed your mind." Draco turned a light shade of pink but smiled back. "I'm sorry about the kiss. I didn't intend for it to be anything more than a chaste kiss, and I certainly didn't intend for you to watch the whole thing."

Draco sighed. "I know it's none of my business, and I obviously have no right to talk. It still...stung a bit. I can't help it. I just want you all for myself." The last bit was whispered in Harry's ear, Draco's lips brushing against his ear briefly.

Harry's eyes fluttered closed and slowly pulled back. "Why, Mr. Malfoy, I think you may be drunk." Draco giggled, only reaffirming Harry's accusation. "So who's the guy? I'm sorry I interrupted earlier, I didn't realize that you were interested in him."

Draco shook his head. "I'm not. That was Aiden. He and I...dated for awhile," he responded with a shrug. "But to answer your question, yes I'm rather intoxicated."

Harry chuckled in response. "So am I. You see, there's this bloke that I think I'm pretty crazy about, but I'm here with my wife. If that isn't enough of a reason to drink then I don't know what is."

Draco started to lean closer but seemed to think better of it. "We should probably be heading back to the party."

Harry nodded begrudgingly. "Can I come see you later?" he asked hesitantly.

"You better," Draco responded softly. He looked around quickly before dropping a kiss onto Harry's cheek. And with that he disappeared back inside, leaving Harry in a much better mood than he had been in when he first stepped onto the balcony. He drained the rest of his drink before heading back inside as well, a plan of how to sneak away as soon as possible slowly forming in his mind.