A/N: I have managed to get myself a beta. Yay! I am re-posting all my current stories now that Twisted-Kitten 90 has checked them over. Hopefully the newer versions of my stories will make for better reading.
She will also be checking all future stories. A huge thank you to Twisted-Kitten 90, much appreciated.
Chapter Two
Scorpius had not altered his opinion of his father's new boyfriend, the guy was an idiot. But no matter what he said his father refused to end things. Scorpius was currently sitting on Al's bed, sulking after a long rant about the situation.
His father had decided he wanted some alone time with his new boyfriend and had convinced Harry to take Scorpius for the night.
Al jumped up, excitement written all over his face, "I got it!"
Scorpius glanced up and smiled, "Yeah?"
"Yep. I have some of George's products here. If you're willing to take one, you'll become ill and then Dad will have to take you home. Then you will disrupt Draco and put a stop to his night. I'm sure your father wouldn't refuse to take you back if you were ill." He explained triumphantly.
Scorpius grinned, "Brilliant. Um what does this thing do?" He asked concerned, he had never eaten anything from the Weasley joke shop as his father always warned him to stay away from anything edible that they sell.
Al bit his lip, "Depends on which one you take. I'll get my secret stash out and you can have a look through them and pick which you'd prefer."
Al scurried over to his desk, opened a drawer, and then removed a false bottom that concealed a secret compartment. He pulled out a few boxes with 'Skiving Snackbox' written on it and dumped them on the bed.
Al looked over at Scorpius and noted that he looked unsure, "A Skiving Snackbox is a range of sweets to make the user appear to be ill. If you take one you will develop strange symptoms depending on the type of sweet eaten. Most come in two colour-coded parts: one that would cause you to become ill, and one that cures you." Al hoped the fact that there was an antidote that cured the sickness would convince Scorpius to take one.
Scorpius had picked up a few of them and was reading the side effects and what illness it caused when consumed.
"Your uncles' are geniuses. Mad, but clever." Scorpius complimented.
Al looked sad for a moment, "I never met Fred. But he was alive when the Skiving Snackboxes were invented."
Scorpius felt sympathy for Al; Al was from a very close-nit family and a loss of a prominent figure in the family must be difficult.
"Sorry." Was all he could think to say.
Al shrugged, "Thanks. So which one are you going for?" He asked, back to his cheerful self.
Scorpius grimaced, "Father won't see it as an emergency if it was only a nosebleed or something. So I need to go big...but I don't know." He didn't like the sound of the Fainting Fancies or the Puking Pastilles, but a Nosebleed Nougat wasn't severe enough.
"Maybe a Fever Fudge? You won't have to puke." Al encouraged, handing Scorpius the box of Fever Fudge.
"Okay." He reluctantly said opening the box.
"Once you eat the correct end you will develop a high fever in seconds. So maybe we should go hang out downstairs with Dad for a bit. You can drop hints about feeling unwell and play it up a bit, then sneakily take the Fever Fudge and you'll suddenly get a temperature." Al suggested.
Scorpius nodded, put the fudge in his trouser pocket, and re-arranged his features to show he was feeling unwell.
Al beamed at him, "Excellent! You're a natural actor."
Scorpius flashed Al a quick smile before returning to his gloomy expression. Al hid the remaining Skiving Snackboxes and they went downstairs.
When they entered the living room Al made a point of saying loud enough for his dad to hear, "Just get comfy on the sofa and I'll get you some cold water. Might help."
Scorpius nodded and sat on the two-seater sofa opposite the three-seater sofa Harry was sat on.
Harry frowned when he noticed Scorpius' expression, "Are you okay?" He asked kindly.
Scorpius shook his head, "No. I'm not feeling too well to be honest."
Harry could see that Scorpius wasn't himself. Al returned and Scorpius took a few sips of the water.
"Thanks Al." He said feebly.
They sat watching TV for a short time, then when Harry had left to refill Scorpius' glass Scorpius took the Fever Fudge. Al tried not to snicker at Scorpius' facial expression as he chewed the fudge.
Within seconds, Scorpius' face became flushed, and his forehead felt hot.
"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!" Al called panicked.
Harry rushed in, "What?"
"Scorpius doesn't look so good. He feels really hot too." Al pointed out.
Harry summoned the first aid kit and took out the thermometer. He was sure that there was probably a spell that checked someone's temperature, but he didn't know it so he had to use a muggle thermometer.
Scorpius pulled away when Harry tried to stick it in his mouth.
"It's okay Scorpius, it is a gadget that checks your temperature." He reassured.
Scorpius frowned, and Al added, "I've used one before—it's safe, I promise."
Scorpius opened his mouth as Harry instructed, "I'll place the tip of it under your tongue. Hold it in place and close your mouth. It has to stay like that until it beeps."
Scorpius nodded and lifted his tongue. After a short pause they heard a beep, Harry removed the thermometer, and read the digital screen.
"It seems you have a high temperature, a fever I'd say. Right...shit." Harry muttered.
Al chuckled, "Dad, language."
Scorpius stared up at Harry and put on his 'puppy dog' face and eyes, "I want to go home."
Harry ran his hand through his hair and paced a few steps, "Of course. Okay um let me pack up your stuff and I'll take you back." He left the room to do as he said.
Al gave Scorpius the thumbs up but didn't want to celebrate too much as Scorpius did look unwell. He'd be okay once he took the other end of the fudge.
Harry returned quickly, Scorpius' overnight bag in his hand. "Al stay here with James and Lily. I'll be back soon. Come on Scorpius let's get you home."
Scorpius felt bad for Mr Potter, he did look concerned for his health.
Scorpius diligently followed Harry to his front doorstep. Harry knocked and sent Scorpius a brief reassuring smile. Moments later his father opened the door and upon seeing Harry and Scorpius he frowned.
Harry looked nervous and a bit guilty, "Sorry to disturb you and Alex. It's just...um Scorpius hasn't been feeling too good, and he suddenly developed a temperature. I'm sure I could have handled it, but he requested to come home."
Draco's expression changed from irritation to concern in an instant. He reached out and felt Scorpius forehead, cast a quick spell that showed his temperature and sighed.
"I think it's a basic fever. Come on let's get you settled in your room." Draco announced, putting his arm around Scorpius.
Scorpius pouted, "I don't want to go to my room. I don't want to be on my own. Can I stay with you?" He pleadingly asked with perfect innocence.
Draco hesitated, obviously thinking that his evening with Alex was well and truly ruined.
"Please." Scorpius begged.
Draco nodded, "Very well."
Harry hesitated, "Here are Scorpius' things. I hope he feels better soon. Sorry I couldn't be of more help."
Harry turned as he heard footsteps and looked to his left to see Alex, who he assumed emerge from the living room.
"Draco what's taking you so...ah Scorpius, you're back early." He pointed out.
Draco looked apologetic, "Yes, he isn't feeling too well and has a temperature. He wanted to come home."
"I bet he did." Alex grumbled, but Harry still heard.
Adding in a clearer voice, "Poor boy. Shall I wait back in the living room while you settle him in his room?" He asked.
Harry could see why Scorpius didn't like Alex. He gave off a 'douche bag' vibe.
"No. Scorpius likes company when he is unwell, it's probably for the best if we cancel our plans and rearrange for another time." Draco coolly replied.
Alex looked annoyed, but seconds later he was smiling, "I understand. When a child is ill they want to be babied. I'll wait in the hall; come out and say goodbye alone." He ordered.
Harry waited for Draco to pull a face or retort that he wasn't someone who was usually spoken to in that manner. But Draco just nodded and ushered Scorpius into the living room.
Harry stared at Alex. "So you're the next door neighbour that Draco and Scorpius rave about. He mentioned your name was Harry but never said it was 'The Harry Potter'."
Harry rolled his eyes, "Why would he?" Harry snapped.
"Just thought it was something worth mentioning." He dryly answered.
Draco came back out and thanked Harry for being so good with Scorpius. Harry asked for an update on Scorpius tomorrow morning and Draco agreed. Harry bid him goodbye and left, ignoring Alex.
"He's a bit rude. Probably thinks he's too important to speak with a mere non-celebratory like me." Alex said amused.
Draco arched an eyebrow, "I assure you that you have Harry's character mistaken and highly inaccurate. I must get back to my son. I'll owl you." Draco said dismissing Alex. He hadn't liked the way he acted around Scorpius for some time, but tonight was the final straw.
Alex lent in for a kiss and Draco turned his head so it landed on his cheek.
"Bye Alex." He icily bode goodnight.
Alex left looking confused and Draco shut the door on him for good. Scorpius had heard the conversation from the living room and smiled. He had thought about taking the second half of the Fever Fudge, but decided it would look too suspicious if he suddenly got better. He'd wait and maybe take it later once his father had given him some medicine. Then his father would think his temperature had decreased due to that.
Upon his return Draco made himself comfortable on the sofa, and Scorpius snuggled up against his side, with his father hugging him.
"I don't understand how someone can mistake Harry's character. He's such a great guy." Scorpius remarked.
Draco agreed 100% with his son, "That he is. So did you manage to eat the whole Fever Fudge? I've been told it tastes vile."
Scorpius sat up and stared at his father, stunned into silence. His father knew he was faking, that it was a Fever Fudge and that he was purposely making himself ill to ruin his night.
"Um, it wasn't very pleasant tasting, but I ate it all." He admitted looking at his father's knees.
Draco chuckled, "I did warn you to stay away from anything edible from that shop."
"How did you know? I swear Harry didn't know, he thinks I'm genuinely ill." He didn't want to get Harry in trouble.
Draco smiled, "I know. I can read you and Harry like a book. I knew the moment I opened the door. However I wasn't sure how you were faking it, until this fell out of your trouser pocket when you sat on the sofa."
Draco held out his hand palm up and there in the centre was the other half of the Fever Fudge.
Scorpius blinked at it, "Oh."
"Quite. Now you'd better eat this so your fever goes away and I'll go make us a hot chocolate. When I get back I'll read you some of the latest Roald Dahl book you've been reading." He squeezed Scorpius' shoulder as he stood.
He wasn't angry with Scorpius; he had shown initiative, cunning, and intelligence by coming up with that plan. Besides, Alex really was the wrong person for him, he knew it from the beginning but was just reluctant to admit it.
OOOoooOOO
The following morning on the way back from walking R.D, Harry and the children called in on the Malfoys.
Draco welcomed them in and set about making coffee. The children ran outside to play in the back garden with the dog.
"Scorpius seems better." Harry pointed out happily, he didn't like seeing Scorpius so forlorn.
Draco debated telling Harry, but then that would get Al in trouble as Scorpius had admitted it was Al who gave him the fudge.
"Yes, he made a miraculous recovery." He replied sarcastically.
Harry hadn't noticed, "Good. Alex seemed pretty peeved about the evening being cut short." He casually remarked.
Draco turned to finish making the drinks, smiling to himself—his back to Harry so he couldn't see. Harry wasn't pulling off cool indifference as well as he thought he was. Besides, his dislike of Alex clearly showed on his face last night. Draco could read Harry very well, but some things still confused him. He wasn't sure if Harry was being this way out of friendship or by some miracle he liked Draco as more than a friend.
He faced Harry once again and handed him his coffee, "Yes, I noticed Alex's attitude too. Let's just say I won't be seeing him again and leave it at that. I don't want the 'I told you so' speech, okay Potter." He warned.
Harry grinned, "I wouldn't dream of it." Suddenly Harry's day was looking up.
"Have you got all of Scorpius' school things ready? Not long until the new school term starts." Harry changed the subject.
Draco nodded, "Of course. I am super organised and would hate for him to go to school without something vital."
Harry suspected that Scorpius never went without anything, whether it was vital or not.
"Al hopes that Scorpius is sorted into his class. Maybe we should mention to the school that Scorpius and Al are friends and that Scorpius would probably settle in better if he was with Al." Harry suggested.
Draco agreed and said he would contact the school admin team later, at a more reasonable hour.
Harry ended up spending all morning and a good part of the afternoon at Draco's. Eventually he rounded up his children and returned to his house; he had some paperwork to deal with and the children were scheduled to go to an adventure play park with Ron, Hermione, and their kids. Most likely the invitation has been extended to include various other Weasleys and their children too.
Harry wasn't going, well not straight away. Hermione had offered to take all three kids so he could get ready to return to work. During the school holiday's he works from home, and only on paperwork. Never in the field. Once the kids returned to school he would be returning to his office and a more hectic work schedule.
He told Hermione that he would try and join them later if he managed to get on top of his work.
Everyone knew that Draco was Harry's new neighbour. In fact, a few of his friends and family had met him and had polite but inconsequential conversations with him. It was hard to not know, what with Al speaking of Scorpius constantly and occasionally Draco. Al was smitten with the Malfoys and Harry suspected that if Draco offered, Al would move in.
Harry packed all the essentials, gave the kids the standard 'behave' talk and then sent them through the floo with Ron and Hermione.
Three hours later and Harry had enough of the monotony of paperwork, he needed a distraction—even some noise. His house was eerily quiet without the kids, even R.D was being quiet. In fact, maybe a little too quiet—the dog snores.
Harry went in search of R.D and couldn't find him. He groaned when he saw that one of the kids must have left the gate to the back garden open, R.D could have just walked right out; he could have left hours ago.
Harry hurried over to Draco's, once again disturbing him. When Draco answered, he looked happy to see him and Harry didn't feel so bad for calling on him yet again.
"Hi." Harry opened up with.
Draco grinned, "Hi." He didn't elaborate further; he always found it more amusing to let Harry struggle on through the conversation.
After a pause, probably too long of a pause, Harry continued, "I've lost R.D. I don't suppose you've seen him? It's probably wishful thinking to hope he is in your garden again."
Draco thought for a moment, "No, I haven't seen or heard him. Come on through and we can check, if he's not here I'll grab my coat and help you look for him." He offered.
Harry followed Draco through to his garden, "Thanks."
R.D wasn't in Draco's garden or anywhere at Draco's at all.
"Shit. Maybe he's gone to the park down the road, that's where I usually take him on his walk." Harry pondered out loud.
"Let's go check there and see." Draco replied.
"Um don't you need to get Scorpius?" Harry realised that he hadn't seen him this evening.
"No, he's spending the night at his mother's. He felt lonely and bored without Al and his mother was a good distraction." Draco answered.
Harry felt strange; he and Draco were both childless for the evening. In fact, Harry suspected that James would want to stay at George's so he could 'chill' with Fred, Lily would either stay at George's too with Roxanne or at Ron's with Rose and Hugo. Al would be happy to come home, but if Harry asked Ron and Hermione to let him stay as well, Al would be happy to.
Harry decided that he would arrange for the kids to stay over at someone's house, giving him a whole night to himself. A whole night in Draco's company with no kids.
"I'll just pop home and grab a dog lead and my coat. Meet you out the front in ten minutes?" He asked.
Draco smiled, "Sure."
Harry called Hermione on her mobile and she was happy to take Al. James and Lily had already asked to stay at George's like Harry predicted.
Lily sometimes liked to stay at Percy's to play with Molly and Lucy, but she preferred to stay at George's with Roxanne as George was more fun and not as strict. He let them eat sweets before bed and stay up late. Even waking them at midnight, for a midnight feast—laid out on the carpet for George's legendary carpet picnics.
Harry grabbed a lead and his coat, locked up his house, and walked to meet Draco who was already outside waiting.
"Sorry. I had to check on the kids. They are staying with relatives for the night, so no worries there." Harry explained.
Draco offered him a smile that made Harry feel strange; a good strange, but strange all the same.
They walked most of the way in silence, until Harry couldn't stand it anymore, "I really like this park. It's dog friendly and R.D goes mad when I bring him here."
Draco chuckled, "R.D goes mad wherever he is. That dog is mental but surprisingly lovable."
Harry grinned, "That he is."
R.D wasn't in the park, or in the surrounding area between the park and Harry's house. Harry was starting to worry. Then a neighbour from across the road saw Harry and called him over.
"Oh, Mr Potter, I am so glad I found you. I tried your house but you weren't home." The friendly middle aged lady said, clearly distressed.
She was a muggle and had no idea that she shared her street with wizards; Harry found all of his neighbours to be lovely, friendly, and welcoming people.
"It's okay Mrs Holdsworth. What's the matter?" He calmly asked.
"It's your dog. He was a street over and just ran out in the road. Someone ran him over—poor man was shook up. He couldn't break in time. He took him to the vet. I heard someone talking about it, and recognised it as your dog. I told the man I would find you. He's at the vet's, the one that is on Charlton Road." She rushed out, she was clearly upset about R.D being ran over.
Harry paled; he had never had any problems with R.D and hadn't needed to take him to the vets, other than for his annual check-up.
Harry vaguely heard Draco thank Mrs Holdsworth and he felt a warm hand on his arm, and a quite, soft whisper in his ear, "Come on Harry, we need to go to the vet."
Harry nodded numbly and let Draco lead him away. Harry vaguely registered that he had climbed into a car...but he soon came out of his dazed shock and stared at Draco. Draco, who was sat comfortably behind the steering wheel, driving with ease and skill.
"You drive?" He blurted.
Draco smirked, "No. This is my first time, a natural aren't I?" He sarcastically answered.
Harry smiled, he couldn't help himself, and said "You look good behind the wheel." He wasn't sure if it was the shock of R.D being ran over, that had his brain malfunctioning, causing him to blurt things he wouldn't usually say.
Draco glanced sideways at him, "Thanks."
"I can drive too. I have a car, but we rarely use it." Harry commented, without Draco asking.
"I found having a car useful, especially since I do business with muggles and having a car is an essential." He clarified.
Harry gave Draco directions to the vet's and they parked. Draco put a hand on Harry's leg as he went to get out, halting him.
"We don't know how serious the accident was. R.D could be in a bad way, you need to try and keep your head. I'm here with you, we'll get through this." He reassured.
Harry liked the feeling of Draco's hand on his leg, he also liked the warmth in his eyes and the concern in his voice. He knew that Draco had sincerely meant the we'll part, meaning them together. It was nice having the support.
They approached the reception desk and asked the lady there for an update, explaining that Harry was the owner of the St Barnard that had been involved in an accident.
The receptionist said that R.D was being operated on and that a vet would be out shortly to explain the procedure. She apologised for not getting Harry's permission before they operated, however it was a matter of urgency and couldn't wait for the owner to arrive.
Harry thanked them and made himself comfortable on the standard issue waiting room chairs. Draco sitting next to him and offering his comforting presence.
Moments later, a young man—who looked barely old enough to drive—walked over to them.
"Hi. I overheard you tell the receptionist that you are the owner of the St Barnard. I was the person who hit him. I am so sorry. He just ran out into the road; I tried to stop but didn't have enough distance between us. I feel awful. I've been with him since the accident and I will cover any vet fees. It really was an accident." He rushed, looking ready to cry.
Harry felt sorry for him, he was still a young boy. Harry would wager he was still a teenager, he probably hadn't been driving long and he had done the decent thing and stopped, even taking R.D to a vet instead of leaving him to his fate.
Harry smiled to show that he wasn't angry, "Accidents happen. Try not to get yourself worked up over it. I'm very thankful that you stopped and even took him to a vet. I wouldn't ask you to cover the vet fees; I have pet insurance it's fine."
The boy looked relieved; he probably didn't have the funds to pay any expensive vet fees but it was kind of him to offer.
"Do you mind if I stay to how the dog fares?" he sheepishly asked.
"Of course. His name is R.D and I'm Harry." He kindly replied.
The young boy sat down on the other side of Harry, "Thanks. I'm Shaun. They've been operating on him for some time now. They should be done soon." Shaun said to fill the silence.
Harry nodded and waited in silence. It was awful; the waiting and fearing of the worst. R.D was one of the family, the kids would be devastated if something was to happen to him.
After what felt like an eternity, but was only a quarter of an hour, a vet came out and called Harry into an examination room.
Harry gave Draco a look say, 'come in with me' and he silently followed without protest. Shaun remained in the waiting room, anxiously waiting for news.
"Mr Potter. It was touch and go for a while. However the operation was successful and R.D should wake and make a full recovery. It may take some time though, he has various injuries which I will explain in a moment. Do you wish to go see him? He's still under, but is now in a dog cage." Harry appreciated the offer, he suspected the vet dealt with many worried owners and knew they would be anxious to see their beloved animals.
"Please." He replied, not able to say any more.
R.D was indeed passed out. But Harry could see the steady rise and fall of his chest and was comforted to see he was alive. The vet opened the cage door so Harry could stroke him and told Harry to close the door and come back to the examination room when he was done.
Harry stroked behind his ears and felt overwhelmed and emotional, "Sorry. You probably think I'm being silly. Overreacting like this." Harry apologised to Draco.
Draco tutted and reached in to stroke R.D's belly, "No need to apologise. You love R.D and he is a part of your family. I can understand why you are feeling overwhelmed. I feel out of sorts myself." He offered as reassurance. However, Draco suspected it wasn't just because R.D had been in an accident, but more so seeing Harry upset has caused him to feel Harry's anguish and the urge to want to help, but feeling helpless.
He wanted to make it all better, to pull Harry in for a hug and tell him it will all be okay and that he was here by his side. However, he had no idea how to be so open and honest with his emotions and settled on trying to comfort Harry as much as he could.
"I feel awful. I should have made sure that the gate was closed, that R.D was safe. I should have noticed he was missing sooner. I..." Harry felt so guilty.
Draco removed his hand from the cage and placed it on Harry's shoulder, making eye contact, "Hey. Enough of that. You are not to blame, just as Shaun isn't to blame. These things happen. It's clear you care deeply for R.D and getting yourself in a state isn't going to help anyone, most of all yourself." He said kindly but sternly.
Harry nodded, he needed someone like Draco in his life. Someone to call him on his behaviour and steer him in the right direction. To offer his support and understanding. In that moment, looking into Draco's warm grey eyes, Harry realised that he felt something for Draco. Feelings that could not be attributed to being just friends.
Harry closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Draco's shoulder. He didn't care if it was crossing the line, if he was making Draco feel uncomfortable. In that moment he needed Draco and he couldn't bare looking into Draco's eyes, so he settled on leaning on him instead.
To Harry's surprised Draco didn't stiffen when he leant on him; in fact, he shuffled forwards slightly and put an arm around him.
It took Harry a few moments to feel ready to go in and listen to the vet list R.D's extensive injuries and any medication he would need. Being held by Draco gave him enough courage to continue though. He pulled away, looked at Draco hoping his eyes showed Draco how much what he had just did meant to him. Draco petted R.D one last time, closed the cage, and they headed back to see the vet.
She explained why they operated, what injuries R.D had sustained, and the healing time it would take for him to recover. She prescribed medication and told Harry that R.D would obviously have to stay for a day or so, but should be able to go home soon.
Harry thanked her and headed back out to the reception to collect the required prescription and sign some paperwork.
Draco reiterated what the vet said to Shaun. He looked sick, he had caused those injuries. Harry joined Draco and Shaun and reassured Shaun that R.D was going to be okay, he was a fighter and would pull through. Harry gave Shaun his home phone number and told him to call him if he wanted to check up on R.D's progress. Shaun looked happy, he obviously felt attached to R.D and appreciated being included and kept up to date.
"What about your car?" Harry suddenly thought. R.D is a big dog, he was bound to have done some damage.
"Um don't know, I'll phone the insurance company. Hopefully I'm covered. My parents are going to be pissed, I only got that car a month ago. Oh well. Better go call Dad for a lift and arrange for a garage to come collect my car. Thanks for being so understanding Mr Potter, Mr Malfoy. Hopefully we'll speak soon. Bye." Shaun left shoulders slumped.
"Nice kid." Draco commented.
Harry agreed, "Must be difficult. Running over someone's pet and all that, I feel for the kid."
Draco smiled, "You worry too much, he'll be okay and so will R.D. Lets go home and get a strong alcoholic drink—I sure as hell need one, and I do believe you do too."
Harry liked the sound of that. He climbed back into Draco's car and Draco drove them home. Harry went over to Draco's, not wanting to see all of R.D's toys and dog bed reminding him of his absence.
Harry settled on the sofa and Draco fetched them their drinks, joining Harry on the sofa.
"Fuck! What am I going to tell the kids? R.D will be at the vet's for a day or two at least." Harry exclaimed.
Draco simply replied, "Tell them the truth. R.D survived and should make a full recovery, they deserve to be treated like grown-ups."
Harry knew that, be he also knew it would be hard being the bearer of bad news.
"Thanks for everything you've done. I probably would have done something stupid in my panicked state, like apparate straight into the vet's or something." He joked, leaning back against the sofa and rubbing his face as he spoke.
Draco laughed, "You were in shock. Besides it's the least I could do, I felt so helpless." He admitted.
Harry turned his head to the side to regard Draco. It wasn't like him to admit that he wasn't in control, that he felt helpless in a situation.
"You were extremely helpful and your shoulder is surprisingly comfortable. Not at all bony and uncomfortable as I expected." He playfully quipped to lighten the mood.
Draco looked affronted, "What do you mean like you expected? You expect me to be all skin and bones!" He pretended to be outraged.
Harry grinned, "That is exactly what I expected." Harry confirmed.
Draco huffed and Harry laughed, "I said you weren't bony. I may have assumed you'd be, but you aren't. Which is surprising, as you look all bony and pointy."
"Do you want a shovel? So you can continue to dig yourself a hole. Talk about backhanded compliments." He groused.
Harry stopped smiling unsure if Draco was being serious, "No, you suit the pointiness."
"Right. Keep digging." He remarked, face blank.
Harry sat forwards, face pleading, "No! I meant it as a compliment. You're sculptured—pointy and straight lines, in an attractive way. Symmetrical." He didn't think he was helping matters.
Draco smiled inwardly, Harry had said he was attractive, "Symmetrical?"
Harry jumped on it, Draco no longer sounded annoyed just curious, "Yeah, you know there is a formula for facial beauty involving symmetry? It happens to be the standard for learning to draw portraits. You know like when an artist will draw a face, a typical good looking person—they always draw them with a symmetrical face and features. You, um, are symmetrical." He finished lamely.
"Oh, well I've never been told that before. Thanks...I think." He remarked, pouring them another drink.
Harry relaxed once again, Draco no longer seemed peeved at him. Although he probably should watch what he says around Draco, he wouldn't want Draco to be freaked out by his comments.
"Do you want to say something insulting to me? You know, to even the playing field and all that." Harry asked, voice teasing.
Draco smirked and eyed Harry, "Only one thing. Gosh..."
"Oi! Cheeky git." Harry remarked.
"Let's see. You have very big and bushy eyebrows. There, take that Potter!" he laughed afterwards. It was true, but just because they were big and bushy didn't mean they weren't unattractive, in fact Harry was a very attractive person.
Harry frowned, "I do?"
"Uh-huh, totally." He said seriously, fighting his smile.
Harry conjured a small mirror and looked at his reflection, "I guess I do. I've never given them much attention before." He vanished the mirror and took a large sip of his drink.
Draco bumped his knee against Harry's leg, "Are you sulking now?" He asked playfully.
Harry pouted, "No."
"Good. Because that would be awfully rude of you considering you gravely insulted me earlier." He reminded Harry.
"Pour me a large one and I'll forgive you." He informed Draco, holding out his empty glass.
Draco did as instructed, pouring himself an equally large one.
"What are eyebrows for anyway? I mean what do they do exactly?" Harry asked, the drink starting to get to him.
"Lots of reasons. You can tell what someone is thinking by watching their facial expression, especially the eyebrows." Draco reasoned.
"How?"
"Like frowning, or eyebrows raised to show surprise or shock, or even my trademark one eyebrow lift." He pointed out, demonstrating said trademark.
Harry grinned, "Fair point."
"Also, scientifically, I think we evolved and developed eyebrows to keep the moisture and sweat out of our eyes." He added in a know-it-all tone.
"Then having thick, bushy eyebrows is to my advantage. You must get sweat in your eyes all the time." Harry retorted.
"I hardly do anything that warrants having bushy eyebrows. I mean, I don't particularly work up a sweat often."
Harry laughed, "Get your mind out of the gutter Potter. I was referring to exercise."
"Sex is exercise!" Harry cried in protest.
"Hardly." Draco replied.
"I'm not saying it is a substitute to exercise, but it must count towards your exercise quota. I mean you must burn some calories doing it." He debated.
Draco couldn't believe they were having this discussion.
"Okay, so that may be true. But what if you were a 'go slow' kind of guy? That can't burn too many calories." He pointed out.
Harry blushed, "Are you the 'go slow' kind of guy?"
Draco plastered on a sultry look, "I can be. Sometimes going fast doesn't always win the race. Going fast may bring someone to climax but you may not give them an orgasm. The longer you stimulate your lover—and the slower you take things—the more likelihood of getting them to orgasm." He explained.
Harry suddenly felt all hot and bothered.
Draco was either oblivious to Harry's plight, or he knew and was determined to get Harry worked up.
He continued by saying, "I'd like to think I am a good lover. I've learnt that the slower you take things, and the more times you get close to the edge without going over, the more powerful the release will be when you finally climax."
He turned to face Harry fully and asked, "What do you think?"
Harry worked his throat, shifted in his seat, and finally answered, "Yeah. Yeah I agree."
"I hope Alex appreciated your obvious knowledge and skill." Harry commented.
Draco frowned, feeling slightly intoxicated. Now on his...his...Merlin knows how many drinks he's had.
"Alex? No! He and I...we didn't...we never...things ended before they'd even really begun." Draco hurried to explain. He wanted Harry to know he hadn't slept with Alex.
Harry smiled slyly, "Good to know."
Draco suspected that Harry was flirting with him. He wasn't 100% certain that Harry was into men, but he was maybe 90% sure that he was.
He spent a lot of his time with Harry nowadays and he felt that they had chemistry. He felt the perfect mix of sexual tension and emotional and intellectual engagement between them. If anything, their chemistry and sexual tension escalated after each meeting.
They often engaged in playful flirting. Throwing insults and antagonising one another—teasing. Their exchanges would become all about the struggle for control and dominance: who holds the upper hand in the interaction. Their flirting was fun, verbal sparring rather than any actual fighting.
Draco looked back on his school days and could see a similar pattern, he just never knew at the time that he was seeking Harry's attention. Almost obsessive, he just put it down to 'hating' him. How wrong he was; and now that he had grown up, he realised that he was attracted to Harry.
As Draco heard Harry reply, 'Good to know' he made eye contact with him and could see the desire and playfulness in them. Harry had what he referred to as 'bedroom eyes' just one look from Harry could convey sexual subtext without Harry uttering a word.
Fuck, he wanted Harry—he wanted Harry desperately.
Harry was starting to feel slightly drunk and the looks Draco was sending him wasn't helping his intoxication. He was doing it now, giving Harry a penetrating gaze. A look that said not only was Draco seeing through him, but he was picturing Harry naked and the insane things that the two of them could be doing.
"Draco..." Harry uttered lustfully not sure what he was going to say.
"Yes Harry?" He answered, subconsciously moving closer to Harry.
Draco almost cast a bombarda at his fireplace when it roared to life, but he managed to refrain from doing so upon seeing his mother's head in the flames.
"Mother!" He exclaimed, standing quickly and getting a head rush. Feeling slightly dizzy he moved in front of the fire.
"Don't sound so surprised Draco. I told you last week I'd be calling." She chastised.
"Sorry Mother, I had forgotten." He admitted.
"You're forgetting a lot of things lately. I take it even though Scorpius is at his mother's, yes I know he is as I had a talk with Astoria moments ago, I take it that you and he are still coming over tomorrow for lunch as agreed?" She asked, eyeing Draco. Most likely wondering if he had forgotten their plans too.
"Yes, of course, wouldn't miss it for anything." Draco replied, with a hint of sarcasm.
Draco was just about to cut the call short when his mother launched into a conversation about Scorpius starting his new school, and Draco hated to interrupt his mother mid-sentence. She didn't seem to take a break, or breathe.
By the time he had finally ended the call, he turned around to find Harry gone and a note in his place. The note said that he had probably drunk too much and was going home to sleep it off, that he'd see him soon.
Draco swore; his mother had unfortunate timing. He was sure that he and Harry were going to kiss. Reluctantly he cleaned away the glasses and headed to bed himself, trying not to think about the fact that he may have not been alone in his bed if he and Harry had kissed.
- TBC-