Catch Me if You Can

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Harry shifted, feeling the silk sliding over his skin, like the caress of a lover’s hand. “I feel like a complete prat in this, Hermione.” He said simply, indicating the shirt.

Hermione smiled, looking at him. “You look very handsome, Harry. Draco will love it.”

Ron groaned. “Harry, do you HAVE to go with him? Why can’t we all hang out together?” He asked.

Harry flushed, looking down at his feet. “Well, um… That is… I…”

Hermione glared at Ron. “It’s a DATE, Ron. Harry and Draco need to learn more about each other if they’re going to be mated. Besides, we see Harry every day. Draco doesn’t have that luxury, and he NEEDS Harry, unlike us.” She pulled Ron out of the room, smiling at Harry. “We’ll leave you to finish getting ready. Try to get your hair to behave, for once.” She teased, shutting the door. She turned to Ron, suddenly serious. “Ron, I know you don’t want to hear this, but Harry IS going to be with Draco. He’s already falling in love with him, although he doesn’t see it for what it is, just yet. He needs our support, now more than ever. If you aren’t going to be supportive of him during this time in his life, then what kind of friend would that make you?”

Ron sighed, chastened. “Not a very good one.” He answered miserably.

Hermione sighed. “Exactly. Draco isn’t the same person he was last year, or any other year, for that matter. He’s changed, because he needs Harry’s approval and love more than he needs air. If Harry doesn’t accept him by December fifth, he’ll die. Arteminians only have six months to find their mate and complete the bond. Harry won’t get the kiss if he tried to have a relationship with him up until the end, but once he realizes what he’s lost, he’ll be crushed by the knowledge that it was his fault. Don’t try to pull them apart, Ron. I’m doing what I can to urge them together, slowly, for Harry’s sake. Either help me or stay out of my way, because THIS is exactly what Harry doesn’t know he needs.” She finished.

Ron pressed his lips tightly together, looking at Hermione with a pained expression. “I don’t want to lose Harry to him, Hermione. He’s my best friend, he’s the only one that knows me better than I know myself. And… I don’t want him to hate me because I’m a Weasley. Because if he mates with Malfoy, he’ll BE a Malfoy.” He said sadly.

Hermione’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Ron, you won’t lose him!” She said, pulling Ron into a tight hug. “He’ll always be Harry, even if his last name changes! He’ll still be your friend, and he could NEVER hate you!” She said firmly.

Ron relaxed in her arms, blushing and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “I hope you’re right, Mione. I really do.”

Hermione pulled back, smiling. “You’ll never lose EITHER of us, Ron.” She said, then brushed her lips over his, so lightly Ron wasn’t sure it was real.

Ron flushed brightly. “Mione?” He asked.

Hermione smiled nervously. “I was thinking that while Harry was with Draco, maybe you’d like to go on a date too? With me.” She clarified, blushing.

Ron stared at her, open-mouthed. He quickly shut his mouth and gulped. “Uh, yeah. I-I’d like that.” He stuttered.

“Me, too.” Hermione replied, taking his hand and brushing her lips against his again, just as the door opened.

Harry watched his two best friends share a chaste kiss, then glanced down at their joined hands, before grinning. “Finally. So, how did it happen?” He asked, smirking devilishly.

Hermione flushed. “Harry James Potter, that’s NONE of your business!” She said, smiling.

Ron grinned sheepishly and ducked his head, still flushing. “Mione asked me out.” He mumbled.

Harry laughed, slapping Ron on the back. “About time, too. You two look good together. You’ll need to be careful, Mione. This one has quite the temper.” He joked.

Hermione raised her eyebrows. “He’d better not let his temper loose on ME, or he’ll be sorry he ever MET me.” She said haughtily.

Ron groaned, covering his face with the hand Hermione wasn’t still holding onto. “Guys, come on. That’s not fair.”

Harry laughed again, heading down the stairs ahead of them. “Life’s not fair, Ronnikins. Get used to it.”

Harry stood near the front doors of Hogwarts, shifting nervously as he waited for Draco to show up. Ron and Hermione were standing a few feet away, waiting to walk with them to the coaches.

Harry’s heart skipped a few beats as Pansy and Blaise walked out, but Draco wasn’t with them.

Harry frowned. “Where’s Draco?” He asked Blaise.

Pansy giggled. “He’ll be out soon. He was finishing his preening when we left. He wants to look perfect for you.”

Harry flushed. “He doesn’t have to.” He mumbled. “There’s no way he can look worse than me.” He said wryly, patting at his hair.

“You look fine to me, Harry. I’ve never had any complaints.” Draco’s voice preceded him. The blond stepped out of the doorway, turning and stopping dead when his eyes landed on Harry. “Dear Merlin.” He whispered in shock.

Harry’s thoughts were running along the same lines. Draco was wearing black trousers and a crimson silk shirt, his shoulder-length hair tied up with a strip of leather. ‘Oh, Merlin, it’s my very own sexy elf!’ Harry thought, his mouth going dry.

“Do you ever clean up good, Potter.” Draco said, smirking.

Harry cleared his throat. “Wow.”

“I’ll assume you feel the same.” Draco said, walking up to Harry and taking his hand. “Shall we go?” He asked.

“Uh, yeah.” Harry said, flushing when he realized he had been staring.

The three couples headed toward the coaches, each whispering between themselves.

“What do you have planned for us?” Draco asked in a whisper. “Anything specific?”

Harry smiled. “It’s a secret.”

Draco pouted. “That’s no fun.” He grumbled.

Harry chuckled. “You look gorgeous, Draco. Mind if I ask why you’re wearing Gryffindor colors?” He teased.

Draco flushed, though he’d never be able to match the color of his shirt. “It looks good on me. Why? Do you not like it?” He asked worriedly. The Arteminian in him lived for Harry’s approval.

“I love it.” Harry replied. “But I didn’t think you would.”

Draco smiled. “If you like it, I like it.” He said simply.

They found a coach together, Hermione and Ron in front of them, Pansy and Blaise in the one behind.

Draco smiled. “Well, isn’t this cozy?”

Harry gasped as Draco pinned him against the side of the coach, smirking.

“How about a kiss for your mate, hmm?” Draco purred, then claimed Harry’s lips hungrily, fisting his hand in Harry’s riotous hair, pulling gently.

Harry whimpered, opening his mouth eagerly under the assault, moaning when Draco’s tongue touched his, gentling, leading his own in a slow, sensuous dance of pleasures long since cast aside in favor of quick gratification through bodily release.

Draco finally broke the kiss, adding one more quick peck on Harry’s lips, before pulling away, sighing happily. “You’re a wonderful kisser, Harry.” He said.

Harry blushed. “I hate to be the one to inform you of this, but you’re the one doing all the work.” He said.

Draco chuckled. “And yet, you join in, and with such natural ability!”

Harry sighed, inwardly pleased that Draco thought he was good at kissing. He didn’t want Draco to think he was a BAD kisser. Because Draco’s kisses were VERY nice, and Harry enjoyed being the recipient of them.

Draco sighed. “Can you at least tell us where we’re going, if not what we’ll be doing?”

Harry bit his lip. “I’m not very good at this whole dating thing, Draco. I just thought we’d go somewhere that’s important to me, first, and talk for a while. There are some things we need to learn about each other, and this feels like a good time to start.” He said.

Draco raised an eyebrow. “I hope you realize that you’ve been on more REAL dates than me, so I’m even less prepared. Besides, just being with you is fine. I don’t care where we go.”

“Even if it’s the shrieking shack?” Harry asked grinning.

Draco paled, remembering third year. “Um, Harry, that place really IS haunted, and the spirits there aren’t particularly fond of me.”

Harry chuckled. “I happen to know the spirit you’re talking about VERY well, and he’s rather fond of you now, actually. As a matter of fact, he brought his invisibility cloak with him.” Harry said, pulling out said cloak.

Draco’s face flushed, and he glared at the laughing Gryffindor. “Harry, that’s not funny! That was YOU? You arse!” He shouted, lightly punching the brunette.

Harry sobered, still grinning. “Now that you know, would you like to join me? I can even promise complete privacy.”

Draco sighed, rolling his eyes. “I suppose, you great prat.” He said in an amused tone.

Harry chuckled again.

*****

Harry led Draco to a spot he thought would be a comfortable place to sit, and far enough away that they would see anyone around before they were in danger of being overheard. He pulled out the invisibility cloak, keeping it close in case they needed it.

“I wanted to tell you about something important, so that there won’t be a long discussion if it comes up at a bad time.” Harry said nervously. “It’s something I feel you should know, since we’re together.”

Draco frowned. “What, Harry?”

Harry took a deep breath. “I was abused by my aunt, uncle and cousin.” He said abruptly.

Draco stiffened. “What?” He hissed softly, angry.

“Please, Draco, calm down. I don’t have to go back there, now that Voldemort’s gone, and the past can’t be changed. Please, just let it be. At least they hardly ever hit me. It was mostly emotional and verbal.” He said softly.

Draco narrowed his eyes at Harry. “Did they ever hold you when you cried? Pat you on the head, rub your back, anything like that?”

“No.” Harry frowned. “Why?”

Draco sucked in an angry breath, his eyes bleeding silver. “That goes beyond verbal and emotional abuse, Harry. That is sheer NEGLECT.” He hissed, hands clenching into fists as he filled with righteous anger on his mate’s behalf.

Harry stared at his hands, which were folded in his lap. “Draco, it’s okay now. I’m fine, really. I’ve moved past it.”

Draco huffed. “Well, than that’s it!” He decided, gabbing Harry’s hand. “We’re going shopping! I’ll make sure you’re never neglected again, most especially by your own mate!”

Harry smiled as Draco proceeded to drag him into store after store, buying him sweets, new clothes, joke items, Quidditch supplies (though nothing better than his own) and even…

“You need a pet.” Draco said firmly. “Some kind of familiar. BESIDES the owl.” He added when Harry opened his mouth.

“Well, then what do YOU suggest?” Harry snapped.

Draco smirked. “Mind telling me what this reminds you of?” He pulled up his robe’s sleeve, showing the feather on his wrist.

Harry’s eyes widened. “That’s a phoenix feather!” He breathed. “There’s a feather from a phoenix in my wand.” He explained.

Draco smirked. “Good.” He walked up to the counter and leaned against it. “So, Jeff, are you going to give me trouble this time, or did my father have that little chat with you?” Draco asked.

Jeff, the man behind the counter, sighed. “What do you want NOW?!” He asked.

Draco raised an eyebrow. “We want to see your phoenixes. Only the unbonded ones. My mate is here to get his familiar.”

 Jeff glanced up. “I can let you back, but he’s not cleared.” He whispered furtively.

Draco sighed. “Harry, can you show this idiot your scar so he’ll let you find your familiar?” He drawled.

Harry stepped up next to Draco and lifted his hair out of his face, rolling his eyes.

Jeff flushed. “Shit. How about I give you a ten percent discount and you NOT tell Kent about this, Mr. Malfoy?”

“That sounds fine to me.” Draco said smugly.

Draco and Harry followed the man to a back room, where the exotic (and mostly illegal) pets were kept.

Harry stared around in wonder. “Wow.” He whispered.

Draco smirked. “Fire phoenixes, ice phoenixes… Is this..?” He reached out to touch one, then snatched his hand back, looking at Jeff in shock.

Jeff nodded. “Shadow phoenix. And a feisty one at that. Best not touch him. Has a temper.”

Draco nodded, walking over to look at the baby dragons they had. “Harry, when you find the one that calls to you the strongest, just come get me.” He said over his shoulder.

Harry nodded, dazed, as he looked at each phoenix in turn. They were all beautiful.

Suddenly he heard a trilling call from the corner of the room. He looked over and saw a silver phoenix sitting high on a perch, looking intently at him.



“What kind of phoenix is THAT?!” He asked in awe, as it flew down to land on his shoulder.

“She’s albino. She hasn’t demonstrated any kind of elemental affinity, so we’ll cut a bit of the price off.” Jeff explained.

Harry smiled happily when she nipped at his hair. “She’s the one, Draco.”

Draco smiled and joined them. “She’s lovely. We’ll have to keep her especially safe.”

Harry just stared at her, unable to tear his eyes away, as Draco led him back out to the main shop, paying for the phoenix.

“Gorgeous bird, you are.” Draco crooned to her as they left the shop. “Harry, you need to name her.” He said.

Harry smiled. “Niveus.” He said softly.

Draco smiled. “Snowy-white? She’s more silver, if you ask me.” He pointed out.

Harry smirked. “You’re only saying that because silver is one of your house colors.”

“I LIKE silver.” Draco said.

Harry shook his head. “How will we explain her?” He asked, stroking Niveus’ feathers.

Draco smiled, laying a hand on her wing. “She came to you.” He said simply. “Go to Hogwarts, girl. Seventh year Gryffindor’s dorm.”

Niveus trilled at Draco, then nipped Harry’s ear and took off.

Draco watched her fly, smugly. “At least you can be spoiled now. Anything else you need?”

Harry flushed as his stomach grumbled. “Food?” He suggested.

Draco laughed. “Good idea.”