A Love So Belated
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
46,685
Reviews:
358
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
46,685
Reviews:
358
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 34: Against the Wall
Chapter Number/Total: 34/44
Chapter Title: Against the Wall
Words: 3365 Words
Harry and Draco left the house around eight for Hogsmeade, making their way to The Three Broomsticks. It was snowing rather hard, so the warmth and golden light coming from inside the pub was looking very nice. Harry wanted to take Draco's hand as they went, but knew that he shouldn't enter that way with him, not if all of them didn't know. He didn't know if they should tell anyone at all about the true nature of their relationship. There were going to be quite a few people there, and it would be risking a piece in the Prophet if they were to spill it. He reached out with a gloved hand to open the door, gratefully stepping inside.
Draco followed Harry inside, closing the door behind them. He stood close to his lover, having to resist the urge to lay his hands on him. He was so used to touching him that it was difficult to resist. He stood waiting for his eyes to adjust, and then scanned for Harry's friends.
From across the room and in the corner where it was the loudest, Dean stood up, taller than everyone else, and waved them over. Harry raised his hand to show that he had seen. "Something to drink first?" he asked Draco, indicating the bar.
"I'll get it. What do you want?" Draco said.
"Umm, just get me some mead, I guess," Harry answered. "You want me to wait for you?"
"No, go ahead," Draco said, shaking his head as he clenched a hand against the urge to kiss Harry before he walked away.
Harry nodded, walking over to join his friends.
"How you been, mate?" Ernie MacMillan asked, holding out his hand from across the table.
Harry slipped his gloves into his pocket before he shook Ernie's hand. "All right," he said, noticing how almost everyone was looking over at Draco. "Yes, that's Draco Malfoy," he said.
"Figured that's who you were talking about," said Seamus a little stiffly.
Harry nodded.
"'Lo, Neville," Harry said next, smiling at the man and reaching to shake his hand as well. He glanced around at the faces of all their friends.
Draco ordered the mead but stood still for a moment, watching the scene at the table while trying to decide if he had been insane to agree with this. Sex had muddled his brain, that's what it was. He sighed, shook his head, and began to slowly make his way to the table.
Harry looked over his shoulder as everyone stared at Draco's approach. He Summoned a chair to place next to himself so that Draco could sit down.
Draco set the mead down in front of Harry and took the seat. He nodded to Harry's friends.
There were murmured words that were really only sounds, since not a single thing was discernible, and few nods in return.
"So," Harry said when everyone else simply sat there. "How have you lot been?"
"Good," said many voices, with "Fine," coming out in equal numbers.
"Ah," said Harry.
Draco glanced at Harry with a raised eyebrow that implied "told you."
Harry sighed.
"How have things been with you, Harry?" asked Hannah. "Haven't seen you since the last time we all got together."
"Well, I suppose I've been pretty good," Harry answered, not really wanting to get into a conversation about the Weasleys.
"I heard you broke up with Ginny," said Parvati.
Harry closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Yeah," he said flatly.
Draco sipped his mead and sat back in his chair, his expression neutral. He was silent, hoping to just sit and listen rather than intrude. He definitely felt like an intruder. Unsurprisingly, the only person there besides Harry around whom he felt remotely comfortable was Neville.
"Ron said that you ... left her for someone else," said Dean, giving Harry a shifty look as he swirled his drink around.
Harry flushed slightly. "So he's been telling all of you then?" he asked, voice a little bitter.
"Well, me and Seamus ran into him in Diagon Alley a few days ago," Dean explained. "That's how we know."
"Do you have a new girlfriend?" asked Hannah, obviously unable to see that Harry didn't want to talk about it.
Harry's flush deepened.
Draco studied the mead in his glass, not looking up.
"Is this really important?" Harry asked them all, his voice hardening now. "It's really not any of your business."
"Well, just asking who the new girl is." Seamus shrugged innocently.
"Yeah, she must be ... something," said Dean. "I mean ... it's Ginny you left."
Harry just sat there, his face red as he stared at his friends.
Draco shook his head, realising that Harry had walked into a kind of trap. No matter what he said now, he was either a liar or he was keeping secrets that would make his friends suspicious.
Harry was thinking along the same lines as Draco. Why had he agreed to come out so soon after the break up? He should have known this would happen. He and Draco should have talked about it before they left. He had thought about it a little himself, but he hadn't really thought they would be so adamant.
"It's not important," he said finally.
They all stared at him.
"You're really not going to tell us?" Lavender whined.
"It's going to have to come out sometime," said Parvati.
"Why do you all care?" Harry asked.
Draco wished he had an excuse to leave but sat quietly instead. He put his concentration into controlling his facial expression. He looked at Harry, wondering if he would tell or not, and how the others would react if he did.
"Well, you are our friend," said Seamus.
"I think Harry has the right to his privacy," Neville spoke up. "He'll tell us when he's ready. And I can handle that."
Harry looked over and smiled at him.
Several people shrugged, looking at the table.
Harry found it delightful that Neville, who had once been the most ignored out of all of them, had become one of the, if not the most trusted, listened to, and respected out of all their friends.
"So enough of this, what are the rest of you up to?" Neville prompted.
"Well," said Justin, speaking up when it seemed no one else was going to. "I've personally just gotten into the Healer training program."
"I didn't know you were going into that," said Terry.
Justin nodded. "It's really great," he said. "A lot of work though."
"I heard there's a lot of potion work in that." Lavender frowned, sounding put off by the idea.
"Naturally," said Justin, nodding again. "I enjoy potion work though."
Harry glanced at Draco, but didn't actually think it likely that he would say anything.
However, Draco did look up at the discussion, nodding. "Potions are often much more effective and gentler on the system than spells for healing," he said.
Harry was surprised. He watched the others.
Justin nodded. "That's what they tell us.You were always rather good in Potions," he said in a tone of slight remembrance. "Are you still in it?"
"I have a lab and do some experimental work," Draco answered.
"Experimental?" asked Terry. "I'm doing experimental charms myself. They're looking for that right now in the Ministry. Wanting to completely renew all Security magic if they can, since most of it's been broken into with, you know, everything that happened. You ever had a look there?"
"What would be really helpful is if someone could find a spell or potion that could detect the Imperius Curse," Draco said, thinking aloud. "That was one of the major problems both during the war and now - trying to figure out who is really guilty and who was acting of their own free will."
"My dad said the same thing," said Lavender, and then blushed slightly, as if she'd just realised who she'd spoken to.
"Well, it's true," Harry agreed quickly to cover the awkward moment. "Using Priori Incantatem isn't solid enough proof. Pretty much useless actually. Anyone can pick up a wand and cast. There's no way to tell who did it."
"It would be helpful to have a way to screen Ministry employees and others to make sure they are not under Imperius," Draco continued. "Priori Incantatem requires the wand of the caster. It doesn't help us figure out who has been affected to begin with."
"They've been trying for years," said Seamus quietly, entering into the conversation as if slightly reluctant. "The properties of the curse are too complicated to make just one potion or spell for it."
"It affects the brain very deeply," added Anthony. "Almost impossible to trace."
"I have some theories on it, but they are still just that," Draco said. "I've been working on potions that allow for empathy and other types of sympathetic magic. It may not help with this problem but it is a different approach than Veritaserum."
"Well, Veritaserum can be tricked, so that's not even real proof when it comes to trials and things," Dean pointed out. "A new type of potion that people don't know about would be great for a time like right now, even if it could be figured out in a couple years or so."
Harry nodded in agreement, blushing a little at the thought of the Empathy Potion.
"I heard about experiments with the brain that they do at the Ministry," Draco said, glancing at Harry. "I would be interested to know if they have made any progress in that area. But since my area is really potions, I have been focusing on the potential there."
Harry glanced at Draco as well. He'd told him a bit about what had happened in the Department of Mysteries in fifth year, including the bit about that weird brain room.
"Well, I bet the people over in the Ministry would be interested if you've actually got good stuff," said Terry. "They really are looking for that right now."
Draco frowned. "I doubt they would be willing to talk to me," he said, shrugging.
The conversation trailed off a bit from there and everyone sort of looked to the table again.
"Um, well, I thought you were going into the Ministry, Harry," Padma said.
Dean nodded. "Yeah, weren't you looking into being an Auror?"
Harry glanced at Draco again. "Well, I was thinking about it," he said.
Draco looked at Harry and shrugged.
Seamus raised an eyebrow at that. "Hasn't Ron been ... oh," he said, but stopped.
Harry shrugged like Draco. "Yeah, he is. I'm thinking about it, but there are a few things I'm taking into account that don't actually have anything to do with the job."
"Mm," Seamus hummed, nodding.
Luckily, the rest of the evening went without a hitch. The conversation was still cautious and careful. They were all obviously trying to avoid talking about the things that had happened in seventh year, and managed it fairly well. Harry was glad. He hadn't wanted the experience to be a bad one for Draco.
"I have to get up early tomorrow," said Dean when a few hours had passed. "I'm helping my dad paint his office. I make things go a lot faster." He smiled and took out his wand.
"Actually," said Anthony, "I better get going, too."
It hadn't been nearly as bad an evening as Draco had feared, but he was still relieved when it seemed to be breaking up. Everyone was standing and saying their goodbyes.
"Harry," Neville said, "can I talk with you for a moment?"
Harry raised his eyebrows lightly, shrugging. "Sure." He glanced at Draco as he got to his feet.
Draco nodded to him, showing he understood. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said, and made his way to the lavatory.
Harry stood looking at Neville, wondering if he should just sit down again or if he wanted to walk somewhere to talk.
Neville gestured for Harry to sit beside him at the table and waited for the others to leave. "I saw you two come in together," he admitted.
Harry was silent for a moment. "Well, I did say I was bringing him," he said, scratching the back of his neck.
Neville looked steadily at him for a minute. "I know you remember me differently," he began, "but I really did learn to watch people during the war. And I watched Malfoy a lot. He's good at hiding things ... except when he looks at you. His face completely changes then."
Harry went silent again for a moment. "What, um, what do you mean?" he asked, but he could already tell; Neville knew, or at least suspected.
Neville smiled. "I actually always thought he paid more attention to you than made sense," he admitted, blushing a bit. "But now, when he looks at you, he ... softens. He looks like a different person."
Harry bit his lip, looking down, and sighed. "Well, Ginny already knows," he said quietly. "And Ron." He looked up again, figuring that would be enough.
Neville nodded. "So it's mutual," he said, but it wasn't really a question.
Harry sighed again. "Yeah," he said with a nod. "He's ... the 'new girlfriend'." He rolled his eyes.
Neville laughed softly at that. "I can imagine how well that went over with Ron."
"What do you think is the real reason that Ron's not talking to me?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I figured it was something like that." Neville sighed. "A lot changed last year. You, Ron and Hermione ... I know you went through a lot, too. But there's so much anyone who wasn't at Hogwarts would have a hard time understanding. Telling about it just isn't the same, you know?"
Harry nodded. "He's ... tried to tell me, I think," he said. "It is sort of ... hard to imagine. I mean, I only saw it for that one day. And, I don't know, he's ... he must have had it really bad."
Neville frowned, looking a the table as if he was looking into the past. "When we came back that autumn, if it weren't for that hair, you might have thought he was a different person," he whispered. "And the Carrows ... well, they seemed to decide he was their slave or something."
Harry stared at Neville, frowning. "He's ... afraid," he said quietly, knowing that Neville wouldn't say anything. "He was even sort of afraid to come here. He did it for me."
"I can understand that." Neville nodded. "I can't think most people have been too nice to him with his background. And since he won't let me tell the Ministry what he did, he's still seen as a Death Eater collaborator."
"He keeps saying no one will believe him," Harry explained. "And I can't help thinking that sometimes he's right. Back when we first started talking, I had to get these two big blokes off him, right in the middle of them trying to beat the piss out of him."
"He may be right, Harry," Neville admitted. "Yeah, I told our friends, but that doesn't mean they've really changed their opinions of him. And people who don't know me aren't likely to believe me at all."
Harry sighed. "I don't know," he said, looking down again. "He's ... moved in with me," he blushed, "but we're keeping a low profile. Not only do we know the press will go mad over this, but his dad doesn't know yet and Draco says he'll be furious."
Neville's eyes widened a little but he didn't look shocked. "Yeah, I can imagine his father won't agree with his choice. You do realise that anyone who is pure-blood is pressured to marry and have kids. Hey, even I get that and I am not from a family like his."
Harry sighed. "Yeah, that's what it is. His mum's willing to put up with me, but that's what she's worried about, too."
"Well, there are fewer pure-bloods now than before the war even," Neville pointed out.
Harry nodded. "His mum was wanting him to find one out of the bloody country," he scoffed. "He says he's not doing it though, so I don't know what he's going to tell his dad."
Neville looked up over Harry's head. "You can talk with me anytime, Harry."
Harry gave him a small smile. "I know. Thanks, Neville," he said, knowing Draco was approaching.
Draco stood beside the table, looking curiously between the two of them. He wondered what Neville had wanted to say.
Harry looked up at Draco. "You ready to head out?" he asked.
Draco smiled a little and nodded.
"I guess we're going to go," Harry said, standing and holding his hand out to Neville.
Neville stood too, shaking Harry's hand and then extending his hand to Draco. The blond hesitated but then shook it. Neville smiled. "See you soon, I hope," he said, and made his way to the door.
Draco watched him curiously. "Let's go home."
Harry smiled, wanting to take his hand again, but resisting doing so.
Once outside, Draco quickly looked around and when he didn't see anyone, took Harry's hand and pulled him aside into the shadows beside the building. "I love you," he whispered.
Harry slid arms inside Draco's cloak, pressing his hands against the small of his back as he leaned against the wall and pulled Draco to him. "I love you, too," he whispered back, their breath visibly mingling in the air.
Draco bent and tilted his head to kiss his lover. He felt the warmth of Harry's breath on his face and his body against his own, a contrast with the chill of the winter night.
Harry sighed, kissing Draco back slowly. "I was going mad in there," he said softly.
"Yes, my hands are sore from holding on to the chair to keep from touching you," Draco admitted, hands sliding over Harry's clothed body as if to reassure himself of his lover's presence.
Harry smiled at that, sliding hands over Draco as well. He moved his face forward for another kiss.
The blond kissed him again, tongue sliding past his lips this time and his heart beating faster.
"Mmm," Harry hummed, moving his tongue against Draco's and pulling him even closer.
Draco pressed Harry against the wall of the building, his own arousal pulsating against Harry's leg as he plundered his mouth.
"Baby," Harry whispered, about to say they shouldn't do that there, but the words caught in his throat as Draco kissed him.
Draco was so aroused that he completely forgot where they were. He was shaking as he brought a hand up to cup the back of Harry's head, allowing the other to slide between them and downward.
Harry gasped quietly at the movement of Draco's hand, opening his legs as he stood against the wall.
Draco's fingers caressed the bulge in his lover's trousers, and he rocked his own arousal against Harry's leg as he touched him.
Harry pressed himself into Draco's hand, kissing him with a hungry quickness as he clutched his shirt.
"Oh, baby, yesss," Draco hissed. He squeezed and stroked his lover's cloth-covered cock, trembling on the verge of his own orgasm.
Harry arched his neck so that his head rested against the stone, moving his hips firmly. He hissed through his teeth, thrusting out as he began to come, grasping Draco's shirt in a vise grip.
Draco closed his mouth on Harry's throat, moaning against the flesh as he came. His body spasmed and his hand in Harry's hair tightened.
Harry's pulse raced under the ministrations of Draco's mouth, his breath coming in pants. He moved a hand up into Draco's hair as well, stroking.
Draco sucked and licked Harry's neck, moving up until he reached his mouth again. "Baby, I love you and want you all the time," he whispered, chuckling a bit when he realised what they had just done.
Harry laughed breathlessly. "You're not the only one," he whispered back.
"Let's go home so I can fuck you in a warm bed," Draco suggested, smirking.
Harry was amazed to feel another shiver go through him. He smirked too. "Yes. Let's."
Chapter Title: Against the Wall
Words: 3365 Words
Harry and Draco left the house around eight for Hogsmeade, making their way to The Three Broomsticks. It was snowing rather hard, so the warmth and golden light coming from inside the pub was looking very nice. Harry wanted to take Draco's hand as they went, but knew that he shouldn't enter that way with him, not if all of them didn't know. He didn't know if they should tell anyone at all about the true nature of their relationship. There were going to be quite a few people there, and it would be risking a piece in the Prophet if they were to spill it. He reached out with a gloved hand to open the door, gratefully stepping inside.
Draco followed Harry inside, closing the door behind them. He stood close to his lover, having to resist the urge to lay his hands on him. He was so used to touching him that it was difficult to resist. He stood waiting for his eyes to adjust, and then scanned for Harry's friends.
From across the room and in the corner where it was the loudest, Dean stood up, taller than everyone else, and waved them over. Harry raised his hand to show that he had seen. "Something to drink first?" he asked Draco, indicating the bar.
"I'll get it. What do you want?" Draco said.
"Umm, just get me some mead, I guess," Harry answered. "You want me to wait for you?"
"No, go ahead," Draco said, shaking his head as he clenched a hand against the urge to kiss Harry before he walked away.
Harry nodded, walking over to join his friends.
"How you been, mate?" Ernie MacMillan asked, holding out his hand from across the table.
Harry slipped his gloves into his pocket before he shook Ernie's hand. "All right," he said, noticing how almost everyone was looking over at Draco. "Yes, that's Draco Malfoy," he said.
"Figured that's who you were talking about," said Seamus a little stiffly.
Harry nodded.
"'Lo, Neville," Harry said next, smiling at the man and reaching to shake his hand as well. He glanced around at the faces of all their friends.
Draco ordered the mead but stood still for a moment, watching the scene at the table while trying to decide if he had been insane to agree with this. Sex had muddled his brain, that's what it was. He sighed, shook his head, and began to slowly make his way to the table.
Harry looked over his shoulder as everyone stared at Draco's approach. He Summoned a chair to place next to himself so that Draco could sit down.
Draco set the mead down in front of Harry and took the seat. He nodded to Harry's friends.
There were murmured words that were really only sounds, since not a single thing was discernible, and few nods in return.
"So," Harry said when everyone else simply sat there. "How have you lot been?"
"Good," said many voices, with "Fine," coming out in equal numbers.
"Ah," said Harry.
Draco glanced at Harry with a raised eyebrow that implied "told you."
Harry sighed.
"How have things been with you, Harry?" asked Hannah. "Haven't seen you since the last time we all got together."
"Well, I suppose I've been pretty good," Harry answered, not really wanting to get into a conversation about the Weasleys.
"I heard you broke up with Ginny," said Parvati.
Harry closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Yeah," he said flatly.
Draco sipped his mead and sat back in his chair, his expression neutral. He was silent, hoping to just sit and listen rather than intrude. He definitely felt like an intruder. Unsurprisingly, the only person there besides Harry around whom he felt remotely comfortable was Neville.
"Ron said that you ... left her for someone else," said Dean, giving Harry a shifty look as he swirled his drink around.
Harry flushed slightly. "So he's been telling all of you then?" he asked, voice a little bitter.
"Well, me and Seamus ran into him in Diagon Alley a few days ago," Dean explained. "That's how we know."
"Do you have a new girlfriend?" asked Hannah, obviously unable to see that Harry didn't want to talk about it.
Harry's flush deepened.
Draco studied the mead in his glass, not looking up.
"Is this really important?" Harry asked them all, his voice hardening now. "It's really not any of your business."
"Well, just asking who the new girl is." Seamus shrugged innocently.
"Yeah, she must be ... something," said Dean. "I mean ... it's Ginny you left."
Harry just sat there, his face red as he stared at his friends.
Draco shook his head, realising that Harry had walked into a kind of trap. No matter what he said now, he was either a liar or he was keeping secrets that would make his friends suspicious.
Harry was thinking along the same lines as Draco. Why had he agreed to come out so soon after the break up? He should have known this would happen. He and Draco should have talked about it before they left. He had thought about it a little himself, but he hadn't really thought they would be so adamant.
"It's not important," he said finally.
They all stared at him.
"You're really not going to tell us?" Lavender whined.
"It's going to have to come out sometime," said Parvati.
"Why do you all care?" Harry asked.
Draco wished he had an excuse to leave but sat quietly instead. He put his concentration into controlling his facial expression. He looked at Harry, wondering if he would tell or not, and how the others would react if he did.
"Well, you are our friend," said Seamus.
"I think Harry has the right to his privacy," Neville spoke up. "He'll tell us when he's ready. And I can handle that."
Harry looked over and smiled at him.
Several people shrugged, looking at the table.
Harry found it delightful that Neville, who had once been the most ignored out of all of them, had become one of the, if not the most trusted, listened to, and respected out of all their friends.
"So enough of this, what are the rest of you up to?" Neville prompted.
"Well," said Justin, speaking up when it seemed no one else was going to. "I've personally just gotten into the Healer training program."
"I didn't know you were going into that," said Terry.
Justin nodded. "It's really great," he said. "A lot of work though."
"I heard there's a lot of potion work in that." Lavender frowned, sounding put off by the idea.
"Naturally," said Justin, nodding again. "I enjoy potion work though."
Harry glanced at Draco, but didn't actually think it likely that he would say anything.
However, Draco did look up at the discussion, nodding. "Potions are often much more effective and gentler on the system than spells for healing," he said.
Harry was surprised. He watched the others.
Justin nodded. "That's what they tell us.You were always rather good in Potions," he said in a tone of slight remembrance. "Are you still in it?"
"I have a lab and do some experimental work," Draco answered.
"Experimental?" asked Terry. "I'm doing experimental charms myself. They're looking for that right now in the Ministry. Wanting to completely renew all Security magic if they can, since most of it's been broken into with, you know, everything that happened. You ever had a look there?"
"What would be really helpful is if someone could find a spell or potion that could detect the Imperius Curse," Draco said, thinking aloud. "That was one of the major problems both during the war and now - trying to figure out who is really guilty and who was acting of their own free will."
"My dad said the same thing," said Lavender, and then blushed slightly, as if she'd just realised who she'd spoken to.
"Well, it's true," Harry agreed quickly to cover the awkward moment. "Using Priori Incantatem isn't solid enough proof. Pretty much useless actually. Anyone can pick up a wand and cast. There's no way to tell who did it."
"It would be helpful to have a way to screen Ministry employees and others to make sure they are not under Imperius," Draco continued. "Priori Incantatem requires the wand of the caster. It doesn't help us figure out who has been affected to begin with."
"They've been trying for years," said Seamus quietly, entering into the conversation as if slightly reluctant. "The properties of the curse are too complicated to make just one potion or spell for it."
"It affects the brain very deeply," added Anthony. "Almost impossible to trace."
"I have some theories on it, but they are still just that," Draco said. "I've been working on potions that allow for empathy and other types of sympathetic magic. It may not help with this problem but it is a different approach than Veritaserum."
"Well, Veritaserum can be tricked, so that's not even real proof when it comes to trials and things," Dean pointed out. "A new type of potion that people don't know about would be great for a time like right now, even if it could be figured out in a couple years or so."
Harry nodded in agreement, blushing a little at the thought of the Empathy Potion.
"I heard about experiments with the brain that they do at the Ministry," Draco said, glancing at Harry. "I would be interested to know if they have made any progress in that area. But since my area is really potions, I have been focusing on the potential there."
Harry glanced at Draco as well. He'd told him a bit about what had happened in the Department of Mysteries in fifth year, including the bit about that weird brain room.
"Well, I bet the people over in the Ministry would be interested if you've actually got good stuff," said Terry. "They really are looking for that right now."
Draco frowned. "I doubt they would be willing to talk to me," he said, shrugging.
The conversation trailed off a bit from there and everyone sort of looked to the table again.
"Um, well, I thought you were going into the Ministry, Harry," Padma said.
Dean nodded. "Yeah, weren't you looking into being an Auror?"
Harry glanced at Draco again. "Well, I was thinking about it," he said.
Draco looked at Harry and shrugged.
Seamus raised an eyebrow at that. "Hasn't Ron been ... oh," he said, but stopped.
Harry shrugged like Draco. "Yeah, he is. I'm thinking about it, but there are a few things I'm taking into account that don't actually have anything to do with the job."
"Mm," Seamus hummed, nodding.
Luckily, the rest of the evening went without a hitch. The conversation was still cautious and careful. They were all obviously trying to avoid talking about the things that had happened in seventh year, and managed it fairly well. Harry was glad. He hadn't wanted the experience to be a bad one for Draco.
"I have to get up early tomorrow," said Dean when a few hours had passed. "I'm helping my dad paint his office. I make things go a lot faster." He smiled and took out his wand.
"Actually," said Anthony, "I better get going, too."
It hadn't been nearly as bad an evening as Draco had feared, but he was still relieved when it seemed to be breaking up. Everyone was standing and saying their goodbyes.
"Harry," Neville said, "can I talk with you for a moment?"
Harry raised his eyebrows lightly, shrugging. "Sure." He glanced at Draco as he got to his feet.
Draco nodded to him, showing he understood. "I'll be back in a few minutes," he said, and made his way to the lavatory.
Harry stood looking at Neville, wondering if he should just sit down again or if he wanted to walk somewhere to talk.
Neville gestured for Harry to sit beside him at the table and waited for the others to leave. "I saw you two come in together," he admitted.
Harry was silent for a moment. "Well, I did say I was bringing him," he said, scratching the back of his neck.
Neville looked steadily at him for a minute. "I know you remember me differently," he began, "but I really did learn to watch people during the war. And I watched Malfoy a lot. He's good at hiding things ... except when he looks at you. His face completely changes then."
Harry went silent again for a moment. "What, um, what do you mean?" he asked, but he could already tell; Neville knew, or at least suspected.
Neville smiled. "I actually always thought he paid more attention to you than made sense," he admitted, blushing a bit. "But now, when he looks at you, he ... softens. He looks like a different person."
Harry bit his lip, looking down, and sighed. "Well, Ginny already knows," he said quietly. "And Ron." He looked up again, figuring that would be enough.
Neville nodded. "So it's mutual," he said, but it wasn't really a question.
Harry sighed again. "Yeah," he said with a nod. "He's ... the 'new girlfriend'." He rolled his eyes.
Neville laughed softly at that. "I can imagine how well that went over with Ron."
"What do you think is the real reason that Ron's not talking to me?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I figured it was something like that." Neville sighed. "A lot changed last year. You, Ron and Hermione ... I know you went through a lot, too. But there's so much anyone who wasn't at Hogwarts would have a hard time understanding. Telling about it just isn't the same, you know?"
Harry nodded. "He's ... tried to tell me, I think," he said. "It is sort of ... hard to imagine. I mean, I only saw it for that one day. And, I don't know, he's ... he must have had it really bad."
Neville frowned, looking a the table as if he was looking into the past. "When we came back that autumn, if it weren't for that hair, you might have thought he was a different person," he whispered. "And the Carrows ... well, they seemed to decide he was their slave or something."
Harry stared at Neville, frowning. "He's ... afraid," he said quietly, knowing that Neville wouldn't say anything. "He was even sort of afraid to come here. He did it for me."
"I can understand that." Neville nodded. "I can't think most people have been too nice to him with his background. And since he won't let me tell the Ministry what he did, he's still seen as a Death Eater collaborator."
"He keeps saying no one will believe him," Harry explained. "And I can't help thinking that sometimes he's right. Back when we first started talking, I had to get these two big blokes off him, right in the middle of them trying to beat the piss out of him."
"He may be right, Harry," Neville admitted. "Yeah, I told our friends, but that doesn't mean they've really changed their opinions of him. And people who don't know me aren't likely to believe me at all."
Harry sighed. "I don't know," he said, looking down again. "He's ... moved in with me," he blushed, "but we're keeping a low profile. Not only do we know the press will go mad over this, but his dad doesn't know yet and Draco says he'll be furious."
Neville's eyes widened a little but he didn't look shocked. "Yeah, I can imagine his father won't agree with his choice. You do realise that anyone who is pure-blood is pressured to marry and have kids. Hey, even I get that and I am not from a family like his."
Harry sighed. "Yeah, that's what it is. His mum's willing to put up with me, but that's what she's worried about, too."
"Well, there are fewer pure-bloods now than before the war even," Neville pointed out.
Harry nodded. "His mum was wanting him to find one out of the bloody country," he scoffed. "He says he's not doing it though, so I don't know what he's going to tell his dad."
Neville looked up over Harry's head. "You can talk with me anytime, Harry."
Harry gave him a small smile. "I know. Thanks, Neville," he said, knowing Draco was approaching.
Draco stood beside the table, looking curiously between the two of them. He wondered what Neville had wanted to say.
Harry looked up at Draco. "You ready to head out?" he asked.
Draco smiled a little and nodded.
"I guess we're going to go," Harry said, standing and holding his hand out to Neville.
Neville stood too, shaking Harry's hand and then extending his hand to Draco. The blond hesitated but then shook it. Neville smiled. "See you soon, I hope," he said, and made his way to the door.
Draco watched him curiously. "Let's go home."
Harry smiled, wanting to take his hand again, but resisting doing so.
Once outside, Draco quickly looked around and when he didn't see anyone, took Harry's hand and pulled him aside into the shadows beside the building. "I love you," he whispered.
Harry slid arms inside Draco's cloak, pressing his hands against the small of his back as he leaned against the wall and pulled Draco to him. "I love you, too," he whispered back, their breath visibly mingling in the air.
Draco bent and tilted his head to kiss his lover. He felt the warmth of Harry's breath on his face and his body against his own, a contrast with the chill of the winter night.
Harry sighed, kissing Draco back slowly. "I was going mad in there," he said softly.
"Yes, my hands are sore from holding on to the chair to keep from touching you," Draco admitted, hands sliding over Harry's clothed body as if to reassure himself of his lover's presence.
Harry smiled at that, sliding hands over Draco as well. He moved his face forward for another kiss.
The blond kissed him again, tongue sliding past his lips this time and his heart beating faster.
"Mmm," Harry hummed, moving his tongue against Draco's and pulling him even closer.
Draco pressed Harry against the wall of the building, his own arousal pulsating against Harry's leg as he plundered his mouth.
"Baby," Harry whispered, about to say they shouldn't do that there, but the words caught in his throat as Draco kissed him.
Draco was so aroused that he completely forgot where they were. He was shaking as he brought a hand up to cup the back of Harry's head, allowing the other to slide between them and downward.
Harry gasped quietly at the movement of Draco's hand, opening his legs as he stood against the wall.
Draco's fingers caressed the bulge in his lover's trousers, and he rocked his own arousal against Harry's leg as he touched him.
Harry pressed himself into Draco's hand, kissing him with a hungry quickness as he clutched his shirt.
"Oh, baby, yesss," Draco hissed. He squeezed and stroked his lover's cloth-covered cock, trembling on the verge of his own orgasm.
Harry arched his neck so that his head rested against the stone, moving his hips firmly. He hissed through his teeth, thrusting out as he began to come, grasping Draco's shirt in a vise grip.
Draco closed his mouth on Harry's throat, moaning against the flesh as he came. His body spasmed and his hand in Harry's hair tightened.
Harry's pulse raced under the ministrations of Draco's mouth, his breath coming in pants. He moved a hand up into Draco's hair as well, stroking.
Draco sucked and licked Harry's neck, moving up until he reached his mouth again. "Baby, I love you and want you all the time," he whispered, chuckling a bit when he realised what they had just done.
Harry laughed breathlessly. "You're not the only one," he whispered back.
"Let's go home so I can fuck you in a warm bed," Draco suggested, smirking.
Harry was amazed to feel another shiver go through him. He smirked too. "Yes. Let's."