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

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Chapter 20

Draco headed back into the party, torn between being excited about later and disappointed in himself for caving. When he had seen Harry kissing Ginny, he had been ready to march up to Harry and inform him he didn't want to see him until after his divorce was underway. But then he was smiling at Draco and looking gorgeous in the moonlight. Just being so close to him made Draco's heart race, and he couldn't bring himself to stay away. The large amount of alcohol he had consumed that night probably had something to do with it.

Draco stopped by the bar before making his way through the crowd to find Aiden. He had said he was just using the restroom and knew he had been gone much longer than socially acceptable for that particular task. He found him leaning against the wall, sipping his drink. The man was beautiful, all tanned skin, long limbs, and messy, sandy hair. He wasn't wearing his signature round, silver glasses tonight, and his deep blue robes accentuated his gorgeous eyes. In another life, Draco could see them together, but in this life, it had become abundantly clear to him that Astoria had been right. Aiden, along with all the other men that Draco had slept with over the years, was simply a second rate substitute for who he really wanted: Harry Potter himself.

When Aiden spotted Draco, he pushed himself off the wall with a smile. "There you are," he said softly, brushing a kiss to the corner of Draco's mouth. "I thought maybe you had abandoned me." He stuck out his bottom lip in a mock pout that made Draco want to lean forward and suck on it. He stopped himself. The situation with Harry might have been a little complicated, but it was worth it. He didn't want to jeopardize his chances just because he was drunk and had run into an old flame.

Draco chuckled lightly. "Not at all. Just ran into an old family friend and couldn't get away," he lied effortlessly.

Aiden gave him a sympathetic smile and pulled him onto the dancefloor. As they swayed along with the music, Draco let his eyes scan the crowd for a shock of messy black hair. He couldn't find the man he was looking for so he focussed back on Aiden who was looking at him with a tentative expression. Draco knew what was about to happen, but he wasn't sure how to avoid it. "So, it's just about time that I get going," Aiden began. Draco nodded in agreement. "Would you like to come home with me? You know, for old time's sake," he added with a playful wink.

Draco winced inwardly. He had known this was about to happen. "I'm actually really tired."

"Oh c'mon, Draco. Don't you miss me?" His exaggerated pout was back on his face.

Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry, Aiden. It was really great to catch up, but I'm kind of seeing someone right now so it just wouldn't feel right."

Aiden's face fell, and he pulled away from Draco. "I knew I shouldn't have waited so long after I heard about the divorce," he lamented with a wry smile. Draco wasn't sure what to say so he remained silent. "Well, if you ever find yourself single in the near future, you know how to reach me. It was nice to see you, Draco." With that and one last hug, Aiden walked away, and Draco found himself alone once again.

Draco downed the rest of his drink and searched the crowd once again for Harry. He spotted him near one of the doors talking to his wife. He made his way to that exit so that Harry would know that he was leaving. Harry's back was to him, however, so he decided he should stop and chat briefly. "Potter, Ginevra," he greeted politely.

Ginny's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and Harry spun around quickly in surprise. "Draco," Harry responded, barely containing a wide smile. "Heading home for the night?"

Draco nodded. "I am. Happy New Year to both of you."

"Same to you," Harry answered, his emerald eyes sparkling. See you soon, he mouthed, just as Draco was going to leave. He nodded briefly before heading out the door.

Twenty minutes later, Draco was nervously pacing around the entryway to Malfoy Manor. He wasn't sure how long it would take Harry to get away from his wife, and he didn't want to fall asleep in the meantime. Not that sleep seemed plausible at this point, but still. The last thing he needed was for Harry to show up and for him to be passed out somewhere in the giant house.

The time ticked by slowly, and just as Draco was about to abandon all hope, the fireplace roared to life and out stepped Harry. Draco couldn't contain the large smile that spread across his face. "Harry!" he exclaimed.

Harry smiled back and pulled Draco into a hug. "I have something for you," Harry informed him.

Draco raised one eyebrow in question. "Oh really?"

"Yes, here," Harry answered and handed him a small potions vial.

"What is this?" Draco asked in confusion.

Harry looked a little sheepish. "A sobering potion." Draco simply stared at him. "You don't have to take it. I've already taken one. I just realized that most of the time we've spent together we've been pretty pissed. I wanted you to know that even if the alcohol was what gave me the initial courage to make a move, it's not the only reason I like you."
Draco melted at his words and took the potion. He downed it quickly, shuddering at the aftertaste. And then just like that, he was stone cold sober. Harry smiled, clearly happy that he had taken the potion. "Should we move to the study?"

"In a minute, but first I think you owe me a midnight kiss," Harry said mischievously.

Draco smirked. "I hate to break it to you, Potter, but it's almost 2:30 in the morning."

Harry sighed. "Details, Draco, just details. Plus, I brought some supplies." With that, Harry enlarged the pocket watch that he was carrying in his pocket and levitated it above their heads. The hands were stopped 10 seconds before midnight.

"Well you just thought of everything, didn't you?" Draco asked, not even trying to hide his delight.

"Only the best for you," Harry whispered, brushing some of Draco's hair behind his ear. With the flick of his wand, the clock began to tick down. "10...9...8...7...6…" Harry moved closer wrapping one arm around Draco's waist. "5...4…" Draco moved even closer, pressing their bodies together. "3...2...1…" And then their lips met in a soft, passionate kiss. Fireworks that Harry had charmed to go off when the clock was done counting down exploded above their heads in a lovely display that neither man noticed. They were too busy exploring each other's mouths with their tongues. Harry moved his hand not wrapped around Draco's waist to tangle in the hair at the back of Draco's neck, eliciting a moan from the blond man.

In all of the excitement of the fireworks and the mind-blowing kiss, neither man registered the sounds of the Floo roaring to life. Nor did they notice the two figures exiting it. "Dad?!"

The men jumped apart in surprise, Draco's heart sinking. "Albus?" Harry croaked, eyes wide in surprise and panic. This was not how the end of the night was supposed to go.