So Far Away

So Far Away
By: Gwen
Rating: NC17 overall
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Warning: AU/Slash/Drama/Angst/Romance
Betas: Tracy & Dorothy
Feedback: Much appreciated
Disclaimer: The "boys" belong to JKR. I just borrow them on occasion. No money is being made from this little adventure.

Summary: Interesting things can happen when you're away from everyone and everything you know.


Chapter 21 - The Bewitching Hour

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"What are you reading?" Draco asked as he made his way over to Harry’s bed. His silver orbs feasted on the sight of his lover reclining on his bed, back supported by the wall, booted right foot braced on the spread, his left leg stretched out in front of him.

"A letter from Ron and Hermione," he answered, his jewel-colored eyes leaving the piece of parchment that was propped on his right thigh to watch his boyfriend’s lithe body crawl from the foot his bed towards him. There were times when Draco moved that it reminded Harry of liquid, flowing wherever he went, but there were other times, like now, that the blonde moved like an exotic animal on the prowl, his sleek form stalking his prey.

Ever so slowly, Draco made his way up the body that was lying before him, using the long expanse of leg as his path, his hands and knees positioned on each side, his shoulders and hips moving seductively as he inched closer to his prize. His chest met Harry’s ribs and he slid upwards so that they were chest to chest, Draco’s semi-erect cock pressed intimately against a hip. Harry lifted his left arm a bit, allowing Draco to nestle himself against his side.

"Must you do that?" Harry asked as he returned his attention to the letter as his fingers twined through platinum locks, the soft strands sliding through his digits like silk. It seemed that since the first night they spent together, he had become obsessed with the feel of Draco’s hair and took advantage of every opportunity to touch it. If Harry had to hazard a guess, Draco also seemed to enjoy it if the purring sounds he made whenever Harry caressed his locks were anything to go by.

"I did nothing other than join you on the bed," Draco innocently stated.

Green eyes slid to Draco’s upturned face. "That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it," he said with a grin.

"You can act offended all you want, Harry, but I know the truth," he said as he rolled his hips against his partner. "It turns you on," he commented as his left hand slid into the raven hair and pulled Harry’s lips down to his.

"Maybe," Harry said against flushed lips when he finally broke away from Draco.

"So what’s the Weasel and Granger up to?" Draco said as he settled himself back against Harry’s side, his left hand resting over a strong heartbeat.

"Let me finish reading it and then I’ll tell you," he said as he picked up where he left off.

I just wish you could find someone who makes you happy, Harry, like Ron and I are. If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times - it’s about time - and I’m sure that you are saying the same thing. We just wish that you were here with us. Ron is shaking his head ‘no’ as I write this, although he thinks otherwise. He misses you, as do I. It’s not the same around here with part of our trio gone.

As for Quidditch news, Gryffindor beat Slytherin last week, as if we expected anything else, and it was strange not seeing you as Seeker. Ginny did a great job but Ron seems to expect her to be another you. I keep telling Ron that he needs to take it easy on her and that she’s doing as well as can be expected, but you know him, he never listens. He said to be sure that you tell Malfoy the news that we beat his team again and that even without him here, his team still loses.

How are things with Malfoy? Ron says that if he hasn’t done anything to you yet, he was sure that the snake was lying in wait. He also wants to know if anyone has taken him down a peg or two, or better yet, gotten rid of him altogether. Snape seems to be more malicious towards the Gryffindors because Dumbledore paired you and Malfoy together for the exchange program. He has been taking house points from us for the smallest of infractions. He even went so far as to take points away for someone sneezing in the middle of his class, citing that it was disruptive. Merlin, that man needs a girlfriend.

What are your plans for the holidays? Everyone will be at The Burrow for Christmas and Ron was hoping that you would be able to join us. No matter what your plans are, do be sure to let Dumbledore know so you can be reached if necessary.

It’s almost time for dinner so I’ll finish by saying take care, good luck, and be careful. Write us when you can, especially about your holiday plans.

Your friends,
Hermione and Ron

Harry smiled as he laid the letter on the table beside the bed and wrapped both arms around Draco. "It seems that Ron finally has asked Hermione to be his girlfriend and are now concerned about my dating status, Gryffindor beat Slytherin last week, Snape has been a right bastard because you are over here with me, and Hermione said that he needs a girlfriend," he said with a smile. "They want to know what my plans are for the holidays because we always get together at The Burrow for a few days."

"Hmmm, I wonder," Draco said in an offhanded way.

"About what?"

"About Weasley and Granger getting cozy now that you’re out of the picture," the blonde said as his left hand roamed over Harry’s chest, his fingers pale against the forest green of the t-shirt below. "Seems awfully convenient, don’t you think?"

Harry laughed quietly. "Please don’t tell me that you thought there was something between us. Draco, she is one of my best friends. That would have been just too strange," he said as he shifted his body down the bed a bit so that he was now lying on his side, draped partially across the warm body beside him. "And besides," he said as he let his fingers roam over the blonde’s face, "if you haven’t noticed, girls just do not do anything for me."

Draco smirked. "I’m sure that all you have to do is ask them and they would do anything for you."

"No thank you. Everything I need is right here," he said as he slid his fingers into the soft hair and pressed his lips to Draco’s, his tongue sliding against its partner.

"Jeezus, would you two get a room for Merlin’s sake?" Chad asked as he and Allen walked in, "or at least lock the door if you’re planning on getting naked."

Harry reluctantly pulled away from a pair of pliant lips and looked up. "This is my room too, if you haven’t forgotten, and there were no plans of getting naked."

Draco laughed. "Maybe not yet, anyway," he offered.

"Whatever," Chad said as he and Allen went into the other room. "Just be sure you’re ready to go by 6:00," he called out. "Dinner and a movie in Fairfield tonight, in case you’ve forgotten," he said before closing the adjoining door.

"What time is it anyway?" Draco asked as he craned his neck to see the clock.

Harry looked at his watch. "Almost 4:30, which means that you should probably start getting ready now," he said with a grin, his emerald eyes twinkling.

Draco snuggled into the body lying partially on top of him. "I’d much rather stay here with you and investigate Chad’s idea about getting naked."

"If you’re not ready to go by six, Draco, they are not going to be happy," Harry said as he sat up, only to be pulled back down by a strong pair of arms.

"Fifteen minutes, that’s all I ask," Draco said as he pulled Harry’s body back to his.

Harry’s right arm braced him on the bed, effectively halting his progress. "No, Draco. That fifteen minutes might end up causing problems later," he said. "As much as I want you to stay here right now, you can’t and you know it. An hour and a half is more than plenty of time for three of us to shower and change, but you require a bit longer than that. So," he said as he sat up again, "I’d suggest you get that arse of yours moving so we can go out."

Draco’s lips formed a perfect pout.

"That doesn’t work on me," he said as he stood and pulled Draco up with him. "Now, go," Harry said as he gently pushed Draco in the direction of the adjoining bathroom.

"Fine. I’ll go get ready now because I choose to, not because you ordered me to," he said, his blonde mane snapping around his face as he turned and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Harry chuckled to himself. Draco was worse than some of the witches he knew when it came to his looks, although he had to admit that the time his boyfriend took never failed to leave him breathless. It didn’t matter if he was wearing a pair of faded jeans and t-shirt or his dress robes, he loved looking at him. But none of that could compare to the way Draco looks when he gives in to his desire and comes undone in Harry’s arms.

They slept together on the weekends, moving back to their own room during the week because they both knew that if they stayed together on the weekdays, they would not be up in time for class the following day. There were times that they just held each other, talking quietly into the early morning hours, and then there were other nights that Harry was sure they could be heard even through the silencing charms that they had set. He never knew that he could be as vocal as Draco, but there were a few times that he felt he came close to it. Never had anyone taken him to the edge as masterfully, or repeatedly, as his lover could, only to be denied his release until he was deemed worthy enough to have his wish granted. He lost count the number of times they threatened each other to within an inch of their lives while they teased mercilessly.

Harry’s cock twitched in his loose-fitting jeans as these thoughts swam through his mind and wondered what Draco would do if he joined him in the shower. Take him against the wall, more than likely. Too bad he didn’t send Draco off to shower earlier, he thought with a smile. He’d file that one away for another time.

* * * * *

After a lively dinner that included a breadstick duel at a muggle Pizzeria found on the far end of Fairfield, the boys made their way to the cinema that was a few blocks over. Draco had never been to a muggle cinema before and was pleasantly surprised to find that he was enjoying it. After procuring the standard movie snack of buttered popcorn and a soft drink, everyone made their way to the theater where they were showing "Alexander". He had no idea what the movie was about, but he was open to just about anything.

Once the lights lowered, the movie began. He had some idea of what to expect since he was taking Muggle Studies this year, but actually seeing someone on the large screen was very impressive. Not to mention that said star of the movie was a walking wet dream. Those long, golden locks flowing over his shoulders coupled with a pair of amazingly muscled thighs that gripped the horse he was riding was almost more than he could take.

Almost.

His eyes slid to the body sitting next to him and he smiled. This one was his downfall. This raven-haired wizard was the one who could reduce him to begging, and never before had Draco Malfoy begged. 'More', ‘harder’, ‘faster’, ‘please’ was fast becoming part of his life with Harry, and he loved every torturous minute of it. He slid his hand into Harry’s and settled back in his seat, watching everything that was happening on the screen.

After a quick visit to the restroom that he didn’t want to take for fear of missing a particularly good part, Draco settled down into his seat again, his hand sliding back into Harry's. Leaning over the plastic seat divider that also served as a drink holder, he whispered, "What did I miss?"

The brush of soft hair over Harry’s cheek startled him, but Draco’s warm breath of the whispered words calmed his senses, and turned him on. He had to take a moment to gather the thoughts that had just scattered into the four winds. As Draco turned his head to watch the movie, Harry tilted his head just a bit and recounted the things that Draco had missed, his own breath sliding across Draco’s cheek as he whispered.

Their quiet conversation was interrupted by a few pieces of popcorn being tossed over the back of their seats and quickly escalated into what they assumed were handfuls. The two looked behind them at their roommates who were trying to act innocent and failing miserably.

"What do you say to a bit of retaliation?" Draco whispered with a grin as he leaned over and retrieved his tub of popcorn from the floor.

After a quick nod from Harry, they tossed a few pieces back at Allen and Chad. They paced themselves and knew that at the rate the others were going, they would be out soon. After a few more rounds, their prediction came true. For a few minutes, there was no popcorn being tossed back and forth.

"Was that another movie going tradition?" Draco asked as he set the tub back down on the floor.

"I guess it is for them. I’ve never been in the middle of a popcorn war before in a theater," Harry said.

Draco turned and was about to say something to Harry when something stopped him. Slowly, he lifted his right hand and brought it towards Harry’s face, sliding his elegant fingers through inky black locks and dislodging a stray piece of the fluffy snack. His thumb caressed the soft skin of Harry’s cheek and traveled the span of flesh back to the shell of his ear. Draco chanced a look at his lover and was lost as Harry’s dark eyes bore into his. It didn’t matter that they were in the middle of a theater with people around them, Draco was going to kiss is boyfriend. Slowly, he moved to capture the ruby lips but a hand on his arm stopped him.

"Not here, Draco," Harry said quietly.

"Why not?" he asked, his silver orbs searching emerald.

It was Harry’s turn to reach up and caress Draco’s face. "Because I won’t be able to stop there. I want you so much right now that a kiss will only make things worse."

"Are you sure it’s me you want and not the blonde Adonis up on the screen?" Draco asked as his thumb teased his boyfriend’s ear.

"I’d have to say you because I wasn’t hard until you started that whispering thing a few minutes ago," he said before placing a kiss in the palm of Draco’s hand. "Let’s finish the movie and then we’ll head back to the dorm so I can make you pay for what you’ve done."

"What I’ve done? You’re just as guilty, if you must know. Merlin, Harry. Haven’t you figured out by now that my ears are as sensitive as yours?" he whispered to his boyfriend, who shuddered from the warm breath caressing his skin.

"Stop it, Draco. I’m serious. You don’t know how worked up I am right now," Harry said as he shifted in his seat in an attempt to make himself a bit more comfortable.

Draco’s hand dropped into Harry’s lap and stroked him through his jeans a few times. "I think we need to skip the rest of the movie," he said as he pressed his hand against the hardness he was stroking.

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his body’s reaction to his lover’s touch. "Draco, please," he said one last time, his eyes pleading with Draco’s.

Draco realized that Harry was close to losing it and removed his hand. "You win this time, Harry. But you owe me when we get back," he said with a smirk.

"Oh trust me, I think we’re even on that count," his boyfriend said as he linked their fingers together again. They watched the rest of the movie, but if anyone asked they would not be able to recount what happened from that point on. Their thoughts were on other (and definitely more interesting) things to come.

* * * * *

Harry only had one word for Draco when they entered their rooms a bit later.

"Strip," he said with a voice that brooked no argument.

Draco turned to find a very calm and composed Harry leaning back against the closed bedroom door, feet crossed at the ankle, hands behind his back. His eyes were now a deep forest green, a color that Draco had come to love on him because the blonde was the one who could drive Harry to this level of desire.

An evil smile graced pink lips as he walked back to Harry, his hands itching to touch his lover. This was something new and he wanted to see how far he could push before Harry lost his cool. As he stood before Harry, he lifted his hands to a tapered waist and slowly slid them upwards, catching the soft fabric of a shirt and raising it as he went. The cool air of the room hit Harry’s skin and he drew in a deep breath, hissing a bit as he exhaled when he felt Draco’s fingers caressing his skin.

With more control than Harry realized he had, he slowly gripped Draco’s wrists and held them away from his body. Before Draco could protest, he found their positions reversed, his hands pinned to the wall above his head, Harry’s body touching his from chest to toe.

"I don’t recall giving you permission to touch me," he said as his eyes took on a feral gleam. "I think I told you to strip."

"And if I refuse?" Draco asked, defiance etched in his features.

"If you refuse," Harry said as he moved both of Draco’s hands into one of his, the free hand now trailing down his arm, stopping at his lover’s neck to squeeze gently, "you get nothing tonight. I will not touch you and if you try to get yourself off, your punishment will be much worse, I can assure you," he finished as he ground his hardness into Draco’s.

Draco’s eyes widened at Harry’s threat and wondered if he was serious. He looked serious enough, but was Draco willing to take the chance that he could be wrong? He loved it when Harry took control like this and it only made Draco want him more. He wasn’t willing to take the chance that Harry would follow through with his threat, so he closed his eyes in defeat and nodded.

Harry smiled and slid his cheek along Draco’s. "That’s what I thought. Now strip for me," he said as he pulled the fleshy lobe between his tongue and teeth, worrying it for a bit before stepping back to release his lover.

He caught Draco’s eye as he slowly raised his own shirt over a lean torso and pulled it over his head quickly, tossing it to the floor at the end of his bed. He quickly cast the silencing and locking charms around the room and then settled himself on the crimson and green comforter, toeing off his trainers and letting them fall to the floor.

"Well?" Harry asked as he propped his pillow up behind him and prepared to watch the show.

Draco hesitated for a moment as he took in the vision before him. Harry was vibrating with sexual tension and he could feel it where he was standing in the center of the room. This was going to be good, he thought as he slowly reached down, unbuckled his belt, and slid it through the loops on his jeans, tossing it to the floor. Long, elegant fingers pulled the hem of his shirt from the waist of his jeans, and for a split second, Harry caught a glimpse of his lover’s pale stomach. Draco grabbed a chair from the desk and sat down to take off his boots and socks, and then stood again.

His silver gaze never left Harry’s own as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt, his nimble fingers caressing the exposed skin as he went. When the last button slid free, Draco slowly parted the shirt, revealing a pale torso, his stomach muscles clenching as his lover’s eyes caressed his skin. Next he popped the button of his jeans and slid the zipper down, and Harry could see the damp spot on Draco’s boxers where his cock was weeping. Merlin he couldn’t wait to taste him.

With a roll of his shoulders, Draco’s shirt slid down his arms to land behind him. He took a moment and let his hands roam over his sculpted torso, teasing not only his nipples but Harry as well. Harry, in the meantime, had unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, his own erection pulsing against his stomach, pre-cum smearing against the dark hair that ran from his navel downward. He wanted to stroke himself but knew that would come later, after Draco had finished his show.

Slowly, Draco slid his hands between his boxers and his heated skin and pushed downward, his cock springing forward as it was released from its confines. In that moment, Harry almost forgot about the game. His tongue slid between his lips, moistening the plump flesh as his mouth watered at the sight of his lover standing before him with his pants pooled around his ankles. His cock jerked as the blonde stepped out of them and kicked the clothing aside, the long column of pale flesh bobbing to the side as he did so.

Harry slowly slid from the bed and walked around the body standing before him, deciding where he should start first. He stood behind Draco and placed his hands on his shoulders, fingers gently traversing down long arms and back up, repeating the process several times as he watched the body in front of him shiver.

"Lay down," Harry commanded, his voice tinged with desire.

Draco covered the few steps to reach Harry’s bed and placed one knee on the mattress, and then he looked over his shoulder and grinned. Slowly, he crawled to the head of the bed, giving Harry a perfect view of his arse and bits that were swaying below as he moved. Every so often Harry would catch site of the dusky hole nestled between his lover’s cheeks. Once he had reached his destination, he slowly turned over and propped himself on the pillows that Harry had vacated, his right heel digging into the comforter, his left leg laying flat, his cock resting against it.

As Harry approached the bed, he smiled. "Very good. Now finish undressing me," he said.

Silver eyes gleamed as Draco moved to the side of the bed and braced Harry between his legs, his hands going to the waist of Harry’s jeans. Leaning forward, he placed a kiss to the right of Harry’s navel, licking and teasing the flesh there as he slowly tugged the jeans and boxers down. Harry’s scent hit him full force and he closed his eyes for a moment to savor it, oranges and spice, and musk.

"Good. Now lay back," Harry said as he stepped out of the clothes pooled at his feet. He would allow Draco that one infraction since he had stripped for him so nicely.

Draco did as he was told and reclined back on the pillows again, eager to see what Harry did next. With a quick wave of his hand, the lights dimmed and Harry crawled onto the bed with him, Draco effectively hemmed in by an arm and leg on each side of his body. Their faces were inches apart.

"Kiss me," Harry breathed. Draco’s hands came up to frame Harry’s face as he laid claim to the lips before him. He took command of the kiss only because Harry allowed it. His tongue danced with its mate, roamed over two rows of straight teeth, his own nipping at kiss-swollen lips. Over and over he assaulted Harry’s mouth, reveling in the fact that he was allowed this freedom. His cock was weeping with need and he could feel the clear fluid dribbling down the shaft and settling on his stomach. Merlin, he had never been this turned on before.

Harry shifted his weight onto his left arm as his right hand settled on Draco’s clavicle, his fingers caressing the flushed skin there. Draco moaned into the kiss at Harry’s touch and knew that he needed more. He smiled against Harry’s lips as he felt the hand moving lower, to his chest and groaned when a nipple was teased. Harry rolled the rose colored bud between his thumb and forefinger and squeezed gently.

"Like that?" Harry asked as he pulled away from Draco and tugged on his bottom lip.

"Yessssss," Draco hissed in pleasure.

Harry’s hand traveled across and applied the same treatment to its twin. "And this?" he asked.

Draco nodded. "Oh Merlin, yes," he mumbled.

The dark-haired wizard grinned. "Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy what’s coming next," he said as moved back a bit and lowered his lips to the offended piece of flesh. Draco’s hips bucked upwards automatically, his cock brushing Harry’s. Harry used his teeth and tongue to tease the hardened nub further, causing Draco to moan and writhe under him. Dragging his tongue across the sternum, Harry latched onto the other nub, giving it the same attention.

Harry moved lower yet again, placing open-mouthed kisses in a line that ran from his chest past his navel, leaving a trail of red marks in its wake. He smelled Draco’s arousal, a thick and heady scent that he loved.

"Hmmm, what do we have here?" Harry asked as he moved even lower, his mouth mere inches from Draco’s cock. "Eager, are we, my dragon?" he asked as his tongue slowly lapped the clear fluid from the taut stomach, causing Draco to gasp in pleasure.

"Potter, I swear to Merlin …" Draco started, only to have the sentence die on his lips as he watched Harry straighten and move away from him.

"You were saying?" his lover asked as a dark eyebrow lifted.

Draco laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. He had just buggered it up and now Harry was going to leave him. Slowly he opened his eyes and searched for Harry. He hadn’t moved, but he still looked annoyed.

"I’m sorry," Draco offered quietly. "I shouldn’t have done that. But Harry, you have to understand … Gods, I’ve dreamed about this so many times and you were almost there and I wanted more and now I’ve completely buggered it all," he said in a rush.

"I wouldn’t go that far," Harry said as he slowly moved back into his previous position. "Although you threatening me is not a good way to get me to finish the job. I could bind you with ‘Petrificus Totalus’ and make you watch as I get myself off."

Draco quickly shook his head at the thought. "Please Harry, do not ever do that to me," he begged.

"Then keep that snarky mouth of yours quiet and I won’t have to," he said as he leaned down and nuzzled the fine hair that surround the base of the blonde’s cock. "Merlin, Draco, do you have any idea what your scent does to me?" he asked as he breathed deeply.

"Probably the same thing that yours does to me. Drives me absolutely insane," Draco commented as he watched what Harry was doing.

"You’re right. It does," he said as he gently tugged at the soft hair with his lips, causing a groan to spill from Draco’s lips. "Like that?" Harry asked.

Draco’s head fell back onto the pillow as he closed his eyes. "You have no idea," he said before his cock was swallowed by wet heat. A loud groan filled the room and Draco was in heaven. No, he would be in heaven once he found the nerve to look down, but he couldn’t bring himself to do that right now. He wanted to look, needed to look, but knew that if he did he would come instantly and that was not something he wanted to do yet. His hands grabbed the coverlet in an attempt to stay grounded, but he realized that his control was fast floating away.

As soon as Harry’s lips closed around his lover, he knew he was lost. It was everything he had imagined it would be, the taste, the feel of him on his tongue, all of it. He slowly pulled off of him and slid his tongue between the head of Draco’s shaft and the foreskin, earning another gasp from the blonde. Slowly, Harry pulled the skin down and sucked gently on the tip, his tongue massaging the large vein as he went. Draco’s moans were becoming alarmingly louder and knew that he wouldn’t last much longer.

Harry was close as well and desperately wanted to come in Draco’s mouth, but there is no way he could last that long, so he turned his attention back to the body that was now writhing below him and tried to make this as perfect as he could for Draco. He did everything that he loved having done to himself … he teased the slit, then swirled his tongue around the head before taking him deep into his mouth, using the flat of his tongue on the vein as he came back up. Everything he did wrung a moan or a gasp from the blonde. After a few minutes, Harry felt his lover’s cock swell just a bit and knew he was close.

"Oh fuck … Harry … I … fuck …. close …." he said as he slid his hands into the raven locks and braced himself for the inevitable. Slowly pumping his cock into the inviting heat, he finally looked down to find a pair of emerald eyes looking up at him, the faint scar peeking from below black fringe … his fantasy come true. He let go and slammed his shaft deep into Harry’s throat. "Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh," he screamed as he coated the back of Harry’s throat with his essence, Harry greedily accepting everything he had to offer.

Draco collapsed as Harry sucked him dry, taking in deep breaths in an attempt to calm his racing heart. Somewhere in his lust-filled brain he realized that Harry hadn’t come yet. Where the strength came from, Draco had no idea, but he summoned it and before Harry knew what hit him, he found himself flat on his back, Draco’s mouth wrapped around him. It didn’t take much, just a few well-placed licks and the pressure of lips in the right place and he was shouting at the top of his lungs as he emptied himself into his lover’s mouth, something he had thought was lost to him, at least for the time being.

They both collapsed in a spent heap on the bed, arms and legs tangled, both breathing harshly in a post-orgasmic haze. Neither one could form a coherent thought; much less speak at the moment, so they lay there in the silence, the room smelling of sweat and sex, another intoxicating scent to add to their list. They had smelled it before, separately, but never like this. This was their smell, the one they created together. This was Draco and Harry, and it would be forever etched in their senses.

"Draco," Harry rasped, his eyes closed as his mind drifted.

"Yes?" came the equally breathy response.

"Just … checking," he stuttered, as his breathing was still erratic.

"Are you okay?" Draco asked as his breathing slowly calmed. He opened his eyes to find his lover sprawled across the end of the bed, appearing as though he would topple off if he moved the wrong way.

A nod. "Fine … just need … to lay … here," Harry said as he shifted a bit. A hand on his arm stopped him from tipping over. "Oh …thanks," he said as he was pulled further onto the bed by a warm pair of arms.

"Come on, let’s get under the covers and then we can pass out," he said as he scrambled on the bed to find the top of the comforter and sheet and pull them down. Two exhausted wizards crawled into the bed, wrapped themselves around each other, and promptly fell asleep. There would be time enough for talking in the morning.

TBC