No reason to celebrate

It hurt, just hurt. His head was surely being split in two and another force was trying to torture him with infernal noises. Bright light seemed to burn its way right through his skin and incinerate his eyeballs. Hell did exist and it existed right here with him.

Groaning and clamping his hand hard over his mouth, Harry struggled to sit up but failed miserably. Slumping back onto the bed he tried to breath deeply and forced down the urge to throw up. The memory of the last evening was foggy and only partially available for his mind. The only thing he clearly remembered was his outrageous behaviour in the morning and the unmentionable things he had done with Draco.

After a while Harry had collected all the strength he could muster and very carefully moved over to his bathroom. He relieved himself, holding tightly onto the washbasin beside the toilet so he wouldn’t loose his balance and pondered the idea of having a shower and what temperature the water should possibly have to make him feel a little better. He needed to look and act halfway presentable for Draco, not wanting the Slytherin to mock or taunt him.

It took him over an hour to get dressed and ready. After straightening his shoulder and taking deep breath he left his room and moved downstairs, hoping to find freshly brewed coffee waiting for him in the kitchen. But all he found was a short note from Draco telling him that he had gone into the city for a breakfast at the small café ‘Éclair magic’ in the rue Lourdice. Underneath the note he found another slip of paper and a sudden rush of heat followed immediately by a block of ice plummeted in his stomach. It was the sales slip of an obviously expensive liquor store showing the purchase of a very old bottle of whiskey. The whiskey Harry had so uncaringly drowned last night at Draco’s desk. The amount of gold coins was extremely high and Harry sat down heavily on a kitchen chair.

It was going to be a hard and long day. Maybe it was for the better if he left? Or should he stay and try to make it all better and really throw himself headlong into work and show Draco his gratitude for putting up with him. In the end the idea of working harder won and Harry brewed himself some coffee and took it with him into the study. The mess on the desk threw him back a little but he steadied himself and tidied the polished surface went to work.


Draco stared solemnly at the croissant beside his café au lait and wondered what he was supposed to do next. His anger had cooled off and by now he felt foolishly and regretted his hasty decision to leave the house and take his breakfast here. Not that he minded having a large café au lait in this wonderful little place but maybe he should have checked on his guest and taken him along. Then he would have had the possibility to talk to him and clear things up.

He had been livid after he had found Harry clutching the empty bottle of whiskey and had not ever wanted to speak to the dark haired wizard again. Of course it had been a stupid reaction. Even though the liquor had been very expensive, it was not that he didn’t have enough money, but the fact that Harry had snatched it from the cabinet without asking and to top it had drunken it straight from the bottle had infuriated him. Draco hated people with no cultural education and tended to show them very clearly what he thought of them. Then again, Harry had been pleasant to have around and his sudden and forceful sexual attack on him had impressed Draco deeply.

Now that the early midday sun warmed his shoulders, Draco made the decision to return to his home and settle things with Harry. Maybe it would be best to set up some rules and then maybe shag a little to make up. There was nothing better than an easy sexual partner who didn’t expect any responsibility and romance.

He would show Harry how generously he really was and would tell him that he didn’t really wanted a compensation for the whiskey. Since his mood was now considerably better, Draco decided to do some shopping on his way home, knowing full well that Harry would enjoy some good food as much as he himself did.

Spots of ink covered his fingers and about thirty scrolls, neatly rolled up and sealed, lay beside him when Harry heard the entrance door shut with a small bang. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself and quickly got up to greet his host. Surely Draco would accept his profound apology and then he would go and buy him another bottle of the, obviously extremely valuably, whiskey.

Slowly Harry walked towards the kitchen, where he could hear Draco clattering around. When he entered he heard the blonde humming to himself and unpacking three large shopping bags onto the kitchen table. He startled at the display. There were large king prawns, champagne, creamy looking Roquefort cheese, white bread, golden caviar and some smoked salmon.

“Hey there Harry.” Draco greeted Harry casually without looking at him.

“Hey.” Harry mumbled and moved further into the kitchen. “Draco, please can I have your attention for a minute?”

“Sure.”

“No, I mean, come on look at me.”

“Alright, if you say so.” Draco turned to Harry wearing a small smile.

“Look, I wanted to apologise to you. I clearly overstepped my boundaries here and had no right to just to take something from your cabinet and not tell you. I should have asked and I…”

“Shhh…,” Draco stopped him by placing his fingers against Harry’s mouth and shook his head. “just forget it alright? I shouldn’t have blown up at you like this. Next time just ask me if I want a drop too and get yourself a glass before you drink it. And forget about the sales slip, alright? That was a bit silly of my wasn’t it? I do have enough money.”

“No, I want to replace that bottle. And maybe, if you tell me what you like, I could see if I can find something nice for you as a compensation.”

“You shouldn’t”

“But I want to.”

“Griffindor!” Draco smirked and turned back to the food he was unpacking.

Harry watched Draco closely and mentally shook his head. Somehow he just couldn’t figure Malfoy out. One moment he was his old self, sneering, scowling and being a downright arsehole the next he was very gentleman like, caring, funny and very generous.

The soft patter of naked feet told Draco that Harry was leaving the kitchen. He sighed quietly and went to putting the food away into the fridge. Why on earth hadn’t he managed to tell Harry what he really had been thinking? Was he growing soft? No, it didn’t matter that much, Draco told himself and left the kitchen when he was finished, trying to find Harry. Maybe they could have a stroll downtown or a game of chess or cards. Something to take their mind off things anyway.

He found Harry in his study, bent low over a piece of parchment and dozens lay already finished at his side.

“Potter! When did you actually manage to write all those?” Draco pointed at the scrolls.

“This morning.”

“But you were totally out yesterday. Surely you slept longer”

“Not really, no. When I awoke I still felt somewhat plastered, but a long shower remedied that. So I thought I could make up to you a little and went straight to work.”

“Impressing.”

Harry leaned back in the high chair and stretched. “Yeah, quite admirable, don’t you think?”

“Quite.” The blonde cocked his head slightly and watched Harry’s chest expand when the dark haired man stretched. It looked enticing.

“Draco?” Harry asked nervously when he noticed Draco’s eyes seemingly raking his body up and down in a very hungry manner.

“Mhm…”

“Listen Draco. About that what happened yesterday…..” he felt sweat breaking out all over his body and Harry tried to squirm his way out of this situation.

“What about it, Harry?” Draco stretched the name languidly.

“Look, I didn’t really…., I shouldn’t have, … what I am trying to say is this…It shouldn’t have happened. I am sorry. But…”

“On the contrary, Potter. I believe it was supposed to happen, but I should have known, you Griffindors can do nothing just for the fun of it, can’t you?”

“What?”

“Like what I said. It was good wasn’t it? Why not have a repeat performance? Didn’t you enjoy it?”

“I…., I …. Yeah I did enjoy it, but still. It was out of place. Again. I should have at least asked you.” This wasn’t going the way he wanted it to go. Bad enough that this subject had come up anyway, but that Draco was actually suggesting doing it again was a tad bit distressing.

“Pity,” Draco suddenly interrupted Harry’s thought “and here I was hoping I could have a go at you.”

t.b.c