Chapter 1: The Auror and The Lawyer
A/N: Main point of views will be Pansy's, Harry's and Draco's.
~*~*~*~*~*~Five Years Later~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mr. Potter, Draco Malfoy is here to see you," Reed said, opening the door to his office. Harry turned to the Auror in training and smiled.
"Send him in. Reed you know you don't have to call me Mr. Potter, Harry is just fine," he said, making the young trainee blush slightly.
"Yes Mr. Pot-err Harry," he said, letting himself out. A tall and handsome blonde walked in, dressed impeccably in an expensive black Armani suit.
"I think the trainee rates you, Harry," Draco said, wittily.
"Draco, to what do I owe the honor?" Harry said, standing up.
"Well, I came by to tell you that Astoria and I are having a little get together at our home. We'd like it if you could grace us with your presence," Draco said, smirking slightly.
"Well, I'm not sure if I'll be able to but…since you asked so nicely I'll have to consider it," he said, grinning.
"Come on Potter, let's get a drink," he said, picking imaginary lint from his shoulder. Harry nodded and walked out of his office, finished for the day. The two walked out together laughing at something that had been said when, they ran into Ron.
"Hello, Weasley. Late start to the day, I see," Draco said, giving him a bored look. Despite the new friendships and changes, Draco and Ron just could not get along. They'd hated eachother for far too long. Ron looked at Draco, then Harry, and the disbelief and anger in his blue eyes was apparent. He merely walked to his own office without acknowledging them. Ron seemed to only talk to Harry when Draco was not around, these days.
Despite the fact that Hermione was not only friends with Draco but, they worked together in their joined Law Wizard Firm, Ron just wouldn't try. Noone had settled and won more cases than they had and still do. "Still hates me. He really needs to get over himself," Draco said, as they walked past a gaggle of older witches.
"Well, you know Ron. The bloke could hold a grudge. So, what exactly is this party for? Last year you dragged me to your housewarming party, engagement party, the Stag party, the Dinner parties, the birth of Jackson, and the Wedding. You two have more parties than anyone I know," Harry said, as they walked down the street past a couple of Muggles. They seemed dazzled by the Adonis-like look Draco seemed to have.
"If you must know, Astoria and I are expecting our second child," Draco said, feigning offense.
"Another one? Merlin Draco, Jackson is just a baby. Why would you want to have another one?" Harry asked in shock.
"I love Jackson and I'm going to love this one just the same. Children are a blessing Harry. There's no better feeling than the feeling of becoming a father, especially if you are in love," Draco answered, in an unusually dream-like tone.
"Hey, look. It's Scarlett Parker's new book. I've been meaning to buy it..for Ginny," Harry said, hastily. The truth of the matter was that Harry was the one infatuated with her books. She'd written three books in five years and they were the best he'd ever read. Despite the fact that they were more intended for women, the old and the young.
Nobody captured the true meaning, the essence of love and desire like Scarlett's words did. Draco smirked slightly at this but, entered Flourish and Blotts with him anyway. The cover of the book was dark, the male was pale and was graced with soft yet strong features, his eyes were the darkest of emeralds and his hair was as black as midnight. His arms were around an alabaster skinned beauty with long flowing dark tresses and clear green eyes. The title above them read: Just One Night.
Harry picked up the book and read the summary on the back. It was about two lovers, once enemies. They'd made love one night and the result was a beautiful little boy. Only, the man didn't know he'd fathered a child and the woman had had no intention of telling him. Until one day, they ran into eachother at a mutual friend's home. He smiled and knew that it would be a good book.
"Hold on a sec, I need to pay for this."
"Alright then, go ahead. But remember, we have drinks to consume," Draco said, smiling knowingly. To say that he had been surprised by Harry's reading of choice had been an understatement. The books were well written and full of passion and emotion but, if he knew who the author of these books was. Well, Draco was sure Harry would have the fit of a century. Draco waited, until Harry walked over to him with the book in hand. "You know, Astoria eats that crap up too. Scarlett Parker is one of her favorite author's. I just don't know how you can buy all of those books and read them. Shit, they even sell in the Muggle world," Draco said, shaking his head softly.
"The emotion Draco. She captures every little emotion in her stories. It's like the characters are people you know," Harry answered, as they walked off toward the Muggle Bar/Restaurant. It was called, The Opera Lounge. Only people with money could afford the outrageously priced food and drinks there. It was also very hard to get in if you didn't have the right look or knew the right people. Draco didn't reply when he thought of how true Harry's words actually were. Only he didn't know.
"Right well, you find us a table while I get the drinks," Draco said, deliberately ignoring the statement.
Harry found an empty table near a couple of model-like women. He looked at them and they giggled coquettishly. He should have been interested. But he wasn't, and even though he had broken up with Ginny over two years ago and even though they were friends, he felt that he just wasn't ready to date again. The fact of the matter remained that, Harry felt like something was missing. He'd felt that way since that night five years ago. Never in a million years had Harry thought that Pansy Parkinson would make him feel the way he did. But she did.
Only, Harry had never told anyone. Not even Draco. So, it was impossible for him to confide these things in a man who he'd come to think of as a brother. Draco showed up a second later with the drinks and sat down across from Harry. "Here you go mate," Draco said, not paying attention to the scantily clad woman. Harry smiled, wishing that he'd find what Draco found with Astoria. While Astoria was by no means a beautiful woman, she was still one of the purest of hearts Harry had ever met. She was a loving wife and a doting mother.
Noone was a better match for Draco. He wished he'd find it too. But, that didn't look like it was bound to happen anytime soon. "Thanks. To the future Baby Malfoy," Harry said, raising his glass to Draco.
"And to Harry Potter finally getting laid," Draco said, smirking.
"Funny, just drink up you prat," Harry said, taking a sip of his drink.
They were just discussing Draco's newest case when one of the women from the table near theirs came over. Well...sashayed over more like. Maybe she was a model, she did look like one. "Hi. My friends and I were wondering if the two of you want to join us?" she asked, looking at Draco in lust.
"Sorry, my client and I are in an important meeting and, as you can clearly tell, I am married," Draco said, raising his left hand. She took one look at the obscenely expensive wedding band and turned away, looking offended.
"Nice going Draco. I thought for a moment that you were going to try to set me up with her. Like every other time I've gone for drinks with you," Harry said, as he took a drink from his glass.
"I need to ask you a favor, Harry," Draco said, looking up at his friend.
"Sure, anything," Harry said, straightening in his seat.
"I'm going away for a few days to a Law conference in Dublin. So, I was hoping you could look in on Astoria while I'm gone. She's going to need some company. I'll be leaving the day after the party," Draco said, abandoning his drink.
"Yeah, I'll take care of her. Don't worry mate," Harry said, reassuringly.
"Thanks, you're a good bloke. Now come on, let's get the Hell out of here before we get hit on some more," Draco said, as they stood up.
"Alright. Thanks for the drink," Harry said, patting his back.
"Oh, I forgot to say this. Scarlett Parker's doing a book signing here in Muggle London this week. Astoria wanted to know if you would accompany her," Draco said, making Harry's eyes light up.
"Yeah, that'd be great. Scarlett Parker's never done one ever, there's never even a picture of her on the insides of her books. I can't wait," Harry said, trying to not sound overly giddy.
"Somehow, I don't think you will be too happy when you go," Draco said, quietly.
"Did you say something, mate?" Harry asked, as they walked past a group of highschool girls. The sight of Harry and Draco made them stop in their tracks and giggle uncontrollably.
"Nope, absolutely nothing"
A/N: And so here it is. Chapter One. Again, it did not turn out how I wanted but, it never really does. I suppose it'll do. Thanks to those of you who have favorited or at least put it on your alerts list. I hope I don't disappoint you too much. Chapter two is currently being written.