A Business Affair

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Chapter Twenty-four: Break the Fight


Hermione sat in a chair in her living room, looking out the window at the frost covered grass in the backyard. To her left Jamie was curled up asleep in his crib. Hermione sighed to herself and stared out at the dreary landscape.

The sky was a bright shiny grey, threatening snow that had not yet shown itself. She perked up when she heard the door click open in the foyer. As Hermione watched, Blaise came down the hallway and into the living room.

He leaned over to look a Jamie momentarily before coming over and kissing her softly in greeting. She gestured that he should sit down.

"How was your day?" she asked.

"It was good, didn't really do much," he replied. Hermione nodded, not really listening to his response.

"Blaise, I want to ask you something," she said, turning suddenly serious. He raised his eyebrows.

"What's that?"

"Has Draco become involved with anyone since his divorce?"

Blaise paused, millions of thoughts running through his head; thoughts of Draco and Harry, Draco and Michael, the "plan". Hermione was watching him carefully.

"Um... well," Blaise said, stalling for time to come up with a logical response. "He did mention something about Michael Corner last time I talked to him."

"Michael Corner," she repeated thoughtfully. "Does he think it wise to get involved with someone on the team?"

"I think Draco can handle it..." Blaise said, trailing away as his thoughts wandered back to Harry. "Why'd you want to know?"

"Well, it's just Harry came by a few days ago and he was acting kind of weird."

"Kind of?" Blaise repeated skeptically.

Hermione gave him withering look. "I mean worse than usual," she said.

Blaise smiled at his wife. "I know," he said good-naturedly. "I was just kidding."

"Right," she said distractedly. "I think we should keep an eye on him in any case."

"Sure," he said slowly. What Hermione took for dislike of Harry was actually worry for Draco's sanity and the problem of what would happen when the plot was found out by all.

***

The days passed and the weather got colder. Every morning, snow threatened to fall on the countryside and occasionally it threatened the city as well. Halfway into December, Harry could be found sitting in his kitchen staring longingly out the window at the grey city.

He sighed heavily as he silently willed the snow to fall. It hardly ever did. This was another reason why he disliked living in the city so much, but Ginny had insisted.

He wondered now why he had agreed. Sitting in the kitchen staring out at the desolate smog covered sky was not very appealing.

Harry heard Ginny come into the kitchen behind him and begin making breakfast. He didn't turn to look at her. Lately their semi-truce seemed to be slipping. They were getting on each others nerves more and more.

For Harry, it was because he could barely control himself not to tell her that he knew what she had done. It killed him to see her walking around as if nothing had happened. He didn't know why Ginny had decided to become snippy with him once again.

Perhaps it was because of the upcoming holidays. Christmas was less than two weeks away. And, of course, upcoming was the ever-dreaded Ministry Christmas party.

Harry hated going to it, but he'd never had the choice. Ginny always took the opportunity to flirt with every man available. Harry had never really noticed before but, now that he thought about it, he realized it happened every year.

While she flirted, he usually ended up in some corner with Ron muttering darkly about the proceedings while having his sixth drink. This year couldn't possibly be any better. He didn't know how anything would change.

Harry was brought out of his musings by Ginny rustling around with the pots and pans. He glanced at his watch and saw that it was time for practice. He made an indistinct noise to Ginny and left the room. Ginny barely looked up when he left.

He went outside and Apparated to the field. When he arrived, he saw that it had recently snowed on the pitch. The large fields were covered by a blanket of pure undisturbed snow.

He went in the locker rooms to join the rest of the team. He changed quickly, trying not to become cold since the changing rooms were not heated. Wood led them out to the pitch, none of his excitement lost in the freezing cold weather.

When they reached the middle of the pitch, Harry saw Draco sitting in the stands once more. He inwardly groaned but then caught sight of another head of blond hair, though darker, appear suddenly in the stands.

Harry couldn't help but grin to himself. Michael caught his expression and turned his gaze curiously to the direction in which Harry was looking. He saw the two blonds sitting near each other and was unable to suppress the very Slytherin-like smirk that appeared on his face.

He turned away quickly as Harry looked over at him. Harry shook his head, thinking he must have surely imagined Michael smirking. He mounted his broom and took off, forgetting all things related to the ground.

In the stands, Seamus greeted Draco cheerfully.

Draco merely glared in return. "What are you doing here again, Finnigan?" he growled, clearly displeased at his presence.

"I came to see Harry, of course," he said as though it was obvious.

Draco's expression darkened. "But why?" he asked again more forcefully. Seamus turned to him with a half-annoyed expression on his face as if Draco didn't know anything.

"Isn't it obvious?" Seamus asked.

"Not really," Draco sneered, not believing he was wasting his time talking to him.

"Malfoy, Harry is hot. He is beautiful. Any gay man, or straight woman for that matter, is in love with him. And what makes him all the more appealing; he's unavailable, though, if everything goes according to plan, that won't be an issue much longer."

Draco's eyes widened as he gaped at Seamus. He snapped his mouth shut a moment later after reminding himself that it was not becoming.

So Finnigan was planning something, eh? Not on his watch. Potter was his to manipulate!

"And you think Potter would cheat on his wife just like that?" he sneered skeptically. Seamus bit his lip to stop from laughing at the irony of Draco's comment.

"No, Harry has some morals," he said. "But I've got a way to get him for my own."

Draco couldn't believe the audacity of the Irishman. He had no scruples when it came to stealing someone's husband. He could almost be a Slytherin.

Draco didn't respond to the last statement made. His mind was too busy with thoughts of wanting to kill the sandy-blond. Potter was his to do what he wanted with, not some stupid half-blood wizard too stupid to tie his shoelaces in the morning.

It enraged him that Seamus thought he could get Harry when he was clearly not available to him. He had Harry under his control. He wasn't about to let Seamus swoop in underneath him and steal his toy, ruining his ploy.

The match soon ended and the team reconvened on the pitch.

"As you all know," Wood said. "Next week is Christmas week; therefore, you get it off from practice. Tomorrow is the last practice before your week-long vacation starts. I expect you all to be just as good when you come back. Don't party too hard; you need to be in good condition to resume practicing."

The team perked up at the mention of vacation. Usually they got one week off at Christmas, a few weeks in the summer and just the major holidays off. Harry almost grimaced at the thought of it. What it meant was a week spent at home with Ginny... alone. He was not looking forward to it this year.

Wood ended his talk and sent the team away to change. Harry was turning back when a shout caught his attention. He turned around as saw Seamus walking towards him. Harry smiled, slightly surprised at his presence.

Behind Seamus, stalked Draco looking fairly displeased at the Irishman’s actions. Seamus grinned as he came up to Harry.

"Harry, you looked amazing out there!" he exclaimed overzealously.

"Thanks," Harry said. "You came again?"

"Yeah," Seamus said, smiling a seductive smile. "How could I miss seeing you?"

Harry blushed, hating that he couldn't control it. To the side stood Draco, sneering at practically every word Seamus said.

"So, Harry, how's everything going?" Seamus asked interestedly.

"It's going," Harry replied awkwardly, not sure of what to make of the situation.

"Well, that's good," Seamus said happily. "Harry, if you're not busy later, we should get lunch or something. It would be great to catch up."

Draco's eyes narrowed at the obvious come-on. Harry looked slightly flustered and Seamus couldn’t help but think he played the part of blushing virgin perfectly.

"I...um... sure," he said finally. Seamus grinned again and leaned on close to Harry.

"You're doing great," he whispered into his ear. Harry felt a wave of relief wash over him at those words. He'd been worried about how he was acting, if it would really work to get back at Draco.

Seamus started to pull back but, on second thought, planted a kiss on Harry's cheek. Harry blushed bright red again as Seamus moved away.

"I'll send you an owl, Harry," Seamus said before waving and walking away. Harry didn't move from where he stood. When he finally did turn around, he saw that Draco was gone.

He walked back to the changing rooms wondering if Seamus had been right. Malfoy didn't seem all that affected by his actions.

After Harry had showered and changed, he walked out of the changing rooms. He rounded a corner and was confronted with the sight of Michael pushed up against a tree and being kissed feverishly by Draco.

Michael made a noise of distress when he saw Harry. Draco broke the kiss and looked around to Harry.

"Do you mind?" he snarled. Harry's eyes were wide in shock as he watched Draco turn back to Michael and in a pop they disappeared.

Harry saw red as he stalked away from the pitch. Seeing Draco with Michael was just infuriating.

Harry Apparated home, still angry. He slammed the door as he entered his apartment, momentarily forgetting that Ginny might be home. He grumbled to himself as he tried to take off his coat. It got stuck on his arm and angrily flung it to the floor.

Ginny appeared in the door to the kitchen, watching his struggle with the coat. He finally managed to pull it off and shoved it unceremoniously on the rack. He huffed rather loudly and turned around.

He nearly jumped when he saw her standing in the doorway. He willed his heart to calm down as he went over to the couch and sat down on it.

Ginny raised an interested eyebrow and moved away from the kitchen and into the living room.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"No," Harry snapped.

"Are you sure?" she asked, obviously not believing him.

"Yes, I'm sure," he replied scathingly.

"Doesn't seem like it," she said, her tone becoming accusatory.

"Well, maybe you don't need to know everything that's going on," Harry said forcefully. "Maybe some things are my own problem and I will deal with them."

"Maybe I can help you with it," Ginny said, her almond eyes narrowed in anger but she seemed to be holding it back for the moment.

"You really can't," Harry said darkly.

"If you'd just let me try," she said angrily.

"I don't want to let you try!" Harry exclaimed. "Okay?! This is my problem and I will deal with it!"

"What is the problem?!"

"I'm not telling you; it doesn't concern you," Harry practically snarled back. He wasn't about to tell her what the problem was. That would ruin everything.

"Harry, whatever concerns you concerns me," she said, the fire growing behind her eyes.

"No, it doesn't," he said. "There are some things that you just can't be involved with."

"Like what?" she asked dangerously.

"Nothing, Ginny, nothing," he said angrily, trying to control his temper. It wasn't quite working though. With the combined pressure of Ginny, his and Seamus' plot, Draco going off with Michael all the time and the constant inner battle between all that was going on, he found it difficult to stay calm sometimes.

"Harry, I don't know what you are hiding from me, but I can guarantee that is not in your best interest to keep it a secret," she growled. Harry scoffed as he thought of what it was he was concealing.

"How do you even know that's what's going on?" he asked, giving her a challenging look. Her eyebrows furrowed and Harry knew she wasn't sure. He felt a surge of triumph as she halted in her argument.

"It doesn't matter, Harry," she said finally. "You should be able to share things with me."

"Like you're sharing things with me?" Harry replied automatically.

"What?" she asked, caught off-guard. It was then that Harry realized what he had said.

"I don't know where that came from," he lied swiftly.

Ginny looked shaken but recovered soon after. "Whatever, Harry. It doesn't matter. I just know you're not telling me everything."

"And I always have to? I don't remember that being in the vows," he said scathingly.

"Harry, you have to trust that I'll be understanding!" Ginny yelled.

"Why should I trust you if you don't even trust me?!"

Ginny was breathing heavily from all the shouting matched with the emotion from the fight. She glared at Harry who refused to back down and stood his ground.

"I trust you, Harry!"

"Sure doesn't seem like it!" he retorted.

"Maybe if you gave me more reason to, I would!"

"I don't need to give you reasons!" he exclaimed. "You should just trust me on your own!"

Harry glared at Ginny, waiting for her to respond. When none was forthcoming, he turned and stalked away from her. He slammed the door shut to the bed room, growling to himself. She just enraged him! She couldn't even trust him, and he wasn't the one who had done anything wrong in the first place!

He walked over to the bed and sat down on it heavily. He was disgusted at the thought that he had ever loved her. What had he seen in her? He shook his head when he was unable to answer these questions. He sighed as he calmed down slightly. He wondered what the consequences of this fight would be.

He only hoped they wouldn't be too vicious on her part. He had almost let slip what he knew once. Who knew what would happen if he actually did it for real next time...


~~**~~


A/N: ... are we excited for Christmas? It's the most wonderful time of the year! According to the song... Anywho, since apparently I'm an insomniac, or really I just don't want to go to sleep, I'm posting this early! So I expect some pretty reviews when I wake up tomorrow ;) Oh, and I forgot to say, last week it snowed! in Arizona! Amazing, omg, it was awesome. Ahem... please review!