It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: Chelleybelle

Beta: Graballz

Author's note--Apologies for not having this beta-ed sooner! There were a couple of (minor...VERY minor) inconsistencies with previous chapters, but those have been fixed. In accordance with previously mentioned statements, Harry is admittedly bisexual (hence why he keeps claiming he's "not gay") nor is he a virgin. (Aiden, remember?)

Draco, however, IS gay in that he likes men more than women but prefers not to be labeled as such. (It's a pureblooded thing...) Also, being a Malfoy, he hasn't really explored the ins-and-outs of his sexuality in detail...but as you can see, he has a tendency to do it while drunk and in the final scene, he's almost forced to. Hope you enjoy!!!

~Graballz

Chapter 6

Hidden Desires

Harry sat in the comfort of his living room while his two best friends stared intently at him across the room. He had just explained his day and what he had found at Nicodemus Macnair’s home. He reached down for his pint and took a long swallow. He wasn’t sure that there would be enough alcohol in all of Great Britain to numb the effects of what he had witnessed this day.

“Harry, why didn’t you just use your Patronus to repel the Lethifold? Everyone knows that the Patronus charm is the only effective way of repelling it,” Hermione stated with furrowed brows.

“Gee, Hermione, I was a little to busy prying the damn shirt off my head to remember what a Lethifold was, let alone how to repel it! I’ve never even heard of one anyway!” he said sarcastically as he raised his mug to his lips again.

“We studied them in Care of Magical Creatures, Harry,” she said.

“Actually, Hermione, I think we studied them about the same time as Hagrid was trying to save Buckbeak and Harry was gone from class a lot then. He could have missed it,” Ron said, defending his friend.

Harry raised his glass at his friend and then took another swallow. “Thanks, mate,” he said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. The two of them would never change. “So what did Ollivander say about all of this?” she asked.

“He didn’t say anything, just raced straight over to St. Mungo’s to check on Macnair. I don’t think he quite believed us when I told him that Macnair was missing both his legs. It was really quite disgusting.”

“I can’t believe Malfoy left you to deal with everything and raced to the kitchen to puke! What a git!” Ron laughed.

Harry shuddered. “Can’t blame him really, the smell was horrendous, and when Macnair came crawling down the hall looking the way he did…I’m surprised that I didn’t puke as well,” he said.

“Will Macnair live?” Ron asked. He still would have liked to have seen Malfoy’s face, but he really didn’t like things that smelled badly.

Hermione stood and walked towards the bookshelf looking for a specific topic. “Honestly, Harry, you need a better selection of books,” she said pulling down a thin tomb called Magical Accidents and Their Cures.

Harry snorted. “What for? I’ll just ask you if I have a question, no sense spending all of my time buried in a book,” he said. “I suppose they’ll just give him some Skele-Gro potion and he’ll be fine,” he shuddered. He could remember back to second year when he was forced to drink it after Professor Lockhart had made the bones in his arm disappear.

“I suspect that it might be worse than that, Harry,” Hermione said looking at her book.

Harry stood. He couldn’t rehash this anymore tonight. The smell and the sight of Macnair’s house were still firmly implanted in his memory and he couldn’t stand it anymore. He needed to forget. He thought about the Excalibur and knew that was where he needed to go. “Look guys, I have to go. I’ll stop by your place tomorrow,” he said walking towards the Floo.

“Where are you going?” Hermione demanded.

“Diagon Alley,” he said and promptly disappeared into the Floo.

“Should we let him go?” she asked, looking at her husband for support.

“Hermione, he is an adult. You can’t watch him for the rest of his life,” Ron said in exasperation.

“But, Ron!” she said walking towards the fireplace.

He grabbed hold of her and pulled him up against his chest. “I say we go home and forget about Harry for tonight. I have plans for you, Mrs. Weasley,” he said licking the side of her neck.

Hermione giggled and wrapped her hands around her husband. “What kind of plans?”

**********

Draco gazed into his empty wine glass incredulously and then motioned to the bartender. “Fill 'er up, mate!” He could have sworn that he had just had a full glass seconds ago.

The bartender brought a fresh bottle, clearing away the fourth empty one, and poured a new glass, setting it down in front of the snockered blond. “Shouldn’t you slow down there a bit, mate?” he asked. The young man had just downed four bottles in less than an hour, and the bartender was rather surprised he hadn't taken to drinking straight from the bottle.

“Mind your own business,” Draco answered haughtily. “I’ve had a rough day.” He seized the glass and gulped down a long swallow. He hoped that he would never have to face what he saw today again. Perhaps this job with Ollivander wasn’t really a good option for him. While Potter was being attacked by a shirt, he had been in the kitchen, throwing up his last meal. What was next, a head hunting troll?

The bartender swallowed hard as he watched the blond's Adam's apple bob as he swallowed, backing away. He was on duty now, no sense in dreaming. By the time he got off for the night, the blond would almost assuredly already be taken. “Suit yourself,” he said walking back towards the other end of the bar where friendlier patrons sat.

Draco looked around the room with blurry eyes and wondered why he had come to this hovel. If he was honest with himself, he had hoped that Potter would be here. He had seen the man’s fascination with the occupants the night before, and he saw the desire flare in Harry’s green eyes when he watched as one peon gave the other a blowjob. Draco refused to think of what the site had did to him, let alone the searing kiss (and then some) that Harry had given him in response.

He lifted the wine glass up to his lips and gulped down its entire contents. He sat there, staring at the empty glass for a moment debating on whether he could be trusted to pour another glassful successfully when he heard the door open. His heart raced as he turned, hoping it was Potter. He sighed in disappointment. It was a tall blond wizard that he didn’t recognize.

The blond wizard came in the door and shut it softly behind him. A house-elf popped in front of him and said, “A table for Master?”

The wizard nodded. “And company?” the elf asked, trying to please the customer.

The wizard shook his head. He looked around the room before noticing Draco up at the bar. “I see someone I know,” he informed the house-elf, who bowed low and disappeared. He stood staring for a moment and then walked with purpose to the end of the bar where Draco sat.

“Is this seat taken?” he asked in a deep voice.

Draco looked up at the taller man and shrugged. “I’m leaving anyway,” he said, starting to stand.

“What’s your hurry?” the other wizard asked. “I’ll join you for a drink,” he said signaling the bartender for another glass.

Draco looked into the piercing blue eyes of the stranger next to him and shrugged. Why not? He sat back down and said, partly out of habit and partly out of suspicion, “Who the hell are you?"

The wizard stared for a moment and then said, “I’m Campbell,” he said holding his hand out.

"Malfoy," Draco replied, and the stranger nodded with a degree of familiarity that Draco would have caught if he hadn't been pissed.

Draco ignored the offered hand and picked up his wine glass. He winked at the bartender, silently thanking him for the refill when he had brought Campbell's glass, and took a long swallow. He was sure that he had never met the man before, but there was something vaguely comfortable about him, which was unsettling to Draco.

“Where are you from?” he demanded.

“Around,” the wizard said, noncommittally.

“Do I know you?” Draco set his glass back down on the bar with more force than he intended.

The wizard grinned. “I don’t know; do you know me?” he asked, taking a sip of his wine and making a face.

Draco’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man beside him. He then sighed and picked up his drink again. He couldn’t concentrate. He had already consumed more alcohol in the last hour than he usually did in a month. “So are you gay?” he asked and then gasped. Where in the hell did that come from? He felt his face flame and then he quickly brought his glass to his mouth and finished off the contents.

The wizard grinned. “Do you want me to be?” he purred, rubbing his hand across Draco’s thigh.

Draco yelped and jumped up. “I have to go to the loo,” he said, and rushed towards the bathroom.

Harry watched as Draco raced off towards the bathroom in terror. He chuckled to himself and signaled for a beer, pouring the remainder of his wine glass into Draco's. He had used a Glamour that changed his hair and eye color and the Disillusionment Charm covered up his scar again. He really didn’t think that he looked all that different. Harry had expected the Slytherin to see right through him, as it were, but apparently Draco had been drinking enough to not recognize him.

“Your friend has been putting the bottles away rather quickly,” the bartender informed him as he set a pint down in front of Harry. Harry took a grateful swig, glad that the foul taste of the wine he had tried (for Draco's sake, even if the blond didn't know that) out of his mouth.

Harry nodded. “He’ll be fine, I’ll take care of him,” he smiled.

“When he passes out and you’re still not satisfied, I’ll be here,” the man purred, rubbing his hand over Harry’s arm.

Harry blanched. “Uh, thanks, mate,” he said pulling his arm away. The bartender wasn’t quite his type. He was a little too rough around the edges. He preferred his partners to be…well…cleaner. The bartender was a little too unkempt for his tastes, and besides, he had nothing on Draco.

Harry had always felt a connection to Draco; he loved the blond's elegance, even though he would never admit it. Harry had always been very casual in appearance so perhaps that was why Draco had always appealed to him. He thought of their kiss the night before, which had been fantastic, and wondered how far he was willing to take it, or how far Draco would let him take it. The Gryffindor in him was cautioning that Draco was in no condition to give consent, but Harry's Slytherin side whispered that he would have consented the other day...

The bartender winked and strutted back to the other end of the bar. Harry took a few sips of his beer and looked around the room. The lights were dimmed and he could see several same sex couples sitting around various tables.

There was soft music playing in the background and the atmosphere was pretty mellow. He turned towards the hallway and watched as Draco stumbled out of the men’s room door, leaning against the opposite wall for balance. He smiled when he saw Draco nervously glance in his direction. He set his drink down and decided it was time to play.

He stood up and walked over to Draco. “Can I help you back to the bar?” he asked in a low tone.

Draco swallowed hard and nodded, trying not to show his nervousness as the stranger looped his arm around Draco's waist, pulling the blond's arm across the man's shoulders.

Draco had been shocked when the wizard had touched his thigh and raced to the bathroom. He had stood in front of the mirror, staring at himself while demanding silently that he make a decision. He decided that he would go back out to the stranger and see what happened. At least Harry bloody Potter wasn’t around to make it worse. And that brought feelings of guilt, since he and Harry HAD...fooled around...the other day and not spoken about it.

“I would rather sit at a table instead of the bar," Draco informed his companion arrogantly. "The bartender makes me uneasy."

Harry pointed to a table that was tucked back in the corner and said, “How about that one?”

Draco nodded and they stumbled to the table. Harry retrieved their drinks from the bar, hoping that the blond wouldn't notice the change in Harry's drink. Draco watched as the wizard moved confidently through the room and again wondered what about him was so familiar. He was tall, athletic, handsome and had a great smile. His mind immediately went to Harry again, thinking about the Gryffindor's smile, and Draco cursed. Draco felt himself harden at the thought of Harry and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Why couldn’t he get the boy out of his mind? Perhaps this Campbell fellow could help.

Draco didn't realize how hard he was scowling until his companion came back, setting Draco's mysteriously full wine glass and bottle on the table, and touched his pale cheek in concern.

“Bad day?” Harry asked sympathetically.

“You don’t even know,” he said miserably.

Harry pulled his chair close to the blond man, reaching his hand out to knead the back of Draco's neck in a gentle massage, and whispered seductively in his ear, “Tell me about it.”

Draco gulped when a shiver of hidden desire raced from the man's hand down his spine as he suppressed a groan at how good it felt to be touched.

“You don’t even want to know,” he said taking another sip. His stomach rolled and he wondered if he should eat something. He couldn’t remember the last time that he had eaten. “Are you hungry?”

“Only for you,” the wizard purred, licking Draco’s earlobe as his other hand snaked across his thigh.

Draco's moan escaped as the house-elf popped up in front of their table. “Do Masters require food?” he asked.

Draco nodded at the same time Harry said, “No.” They turned and looked at each other and Harry shrugged. A menu appeared before them, and Draco squinted at the blurry words.

“What’s good?” he asked. At this point, he just needed some food and to put some space between himself and the sexy wizard (who was not Harry bloody Potter!) sitting so close to him.

“We have Cornish Pasties tonight, sirs,” he said proudly.

Draco set the menu down. “Fine,” he said indifferently.

Harry nodded. “That’s fine for me as well,” he said, smiling. He hadn’t had Cornish Pasties in months and the thought made his mouth water. He hoped that this establishment made them as well as Molly Weasley did. “Could we get some chips as well?”

The house-elf disappeared along with the menu, and Draco concentrated on not overheating as they waited for their food in silence. Blessedly, the stranger seemed to pick up on the fact that Draco needed a bit of space and at least quit touching him in the way that clouded Draco's thought process. Two plates were soon in front of them, heaped with chips and pasties. Harry realized he was hungrier than he originally thought, abandoning their game of teasing to dig in.

Draco’s mouth watered at the rich aroma of the Cornish game hens mixed with the succulent vegetables and creamy sauce the filled the flaky pastry. He tore the pasty in half, allowing the middle to cool before delicately placing one half in his mouth, sighing in ecstasy when the first bit of flavors poured over his mouth. “Mmmm,” he said in drunken happiness.

Harry had never seen Draco so impressed with food before. He was usually indifferent about everything or picking on Harry for HIS choices. Harry wondered about this bit of emotion that the other man showed, chalking it up to the alcohol. He picked up his pasty with his fingers and took a large bite. It was warm and he had to gulp a swallow of beer to cool off his mouth. The crust was buttery and flaky, just like Molly made and filling was full of flavor. He took another smaller bite and sighed.

“This is great,” he muttered with a full mouth.

Draco looked up suspiciously. He watched as Campbell stuffed almost an entire pasty into his mouth and then gulped down his beer in a single swallow. He only knew one other person who ate like that. He stared intently at the wizard's face and then almost fell over in shock. Why didn’t he see it before? It was so obvious! The hair and eyes were different, but sitting before him WAS Harry Potter!

For an intoxicated moment, Draco was outraged and he almost stood up to confront the man. Luckily his Slytherin instinct kicked in and overpowered his self-righteous, alcohol-fueled anger, a small smirk appearing on his face. Two could play this game. If Potter thought that he was going to trick Draco into his bed for the night, he would get a surprise.

Draco wasn’t going to sit back and be the passive little virgin any longer. He knew that he was attracted to Harry and had been so for years. He knew that it was Harry’s touch that made his blood boil and he was finally tired of running from it. Tonight, Harry Potter was going to be his, and luckily, Draco felt himself sobering just enough from the food. He took a long, hard look at Harry and then picked up a chip.

He dipped it into his ketchup and then held it above his head as he licked the ketchup off the end. He put the chip half way into his mouth and then pulled it out again, moaning in pleasure. Draco knew the second that he had Harry’s attention.

“Don’t you love ketchup?” he asked innocently, repeating the process again. He watched Harry’s eyes bug out as he wrapped his lips around the potato and sucked.

Harry gulped and reached for his glass, almost tipping it over in his haste, cursing inside when a mere trickle emptied into his mouth. He couldn’t believe what Draco was doing! Harry wasn't sure if he was turned on or upset because Draco thought he was someone else.

Harry watched as the wizard wrapped his pink tongue around the vegetable and daintily licked the end. He felt his trousers tighten as his body swelled and he shifted in his seat. How the hell did Draco do that so fast without even touching him?

“Ketchup isn’t really my thing,” Harry said, clearing his throat and thumping his pint glass on the table.

“Hmm, what do you like to dip your…chip in?” Draco purred back.

Harry felt his cock immediately twitch at the sexual innuendo. He tore his eyes away from Draco for a second to thank the bartender as he brought over a full pint. He stared into Draco's eyes as he dipped his own tongue into the foamy head.

“Usually something…wet,” Harry smirked.

“Do you like your…chips…large or small?” Draco matched him stride for stride, licking the salt from his fingers, slowly, making each digit disappear completely into his mouth.

Swallowing hard, Harry said, “Thick, definitely thick. They…dip…better that way.”

“Hmm,” Draco said in contemplation. His pale finger idly began rimming his wine glass, and he cheered on the inside as Harry's eyes darted from his face to his finger. “I like my…chips…long. That way, when they…dip…they can get into the…ketchup…all the way,” he said, biting on his lower lip.

Harry watched Draco's finger circling the edge of his wine glass, practically groaning with desire as Draco’s moist tongue darted out over his lips and suddenly Harry couldn’t stand it.

He grabbed the Slytherin and pulled him closer, kissing him soundly like before, in the alley. His lips crashed into Draco’s, bruising and punishing the blond for cock-teasing him. Harry thrust his tongue inside the other boy’s mouth and chased his hot tongue with his own. Desire flared through him as he tasted Draco’s unique flavor, driving him toward the edge of sanity.

Draco felt his world spin off its axis. He couldn’t breath; all he could do was feel. He felt Harry’s strong arms wrapped around him; he felt Harry’s full lips crushed against his; he felt Harry’s hot tongue swirling with his own; and he felt the tell-tale bulge of Harry’s cock as it ground against his hip.

“Gods, Potter,” Draco hissed, pulling back to gasp for air.

Harry was too far gone to notice that Draco had called him by name. “Let’s find somewhere else to go, Draco,” he replied, moaning against the other man’s lips.

Draco nodded. “Where?” he asked. He couldn’t very well take Potter to his 'snooty' apartment and he wasn't sure if he was comfortable enough to go to Potter’s hovel.

The house-elf appeared again and bowed. “Masters, rooms be upstairs for rent if you is wanting a place to go,” he said with a knowing smirk on his little face.

Harry looked at Draco. “Upstairs?”

Draco nodded. He wanted to feel more of the handsome man before him. He had dreamed of this moment for so long that he couldn’t think of anything else except the consummation. He needed to feel and taste Harry and he needed him now. “Upstairs,” he agreed.

**********

The house-elf grabbed onto each of their hands and a second later, they were standing in a room that was monopolized by a giant canopy bed covered in dark blue curtains. “Here Masters be,” the elf said. “The drawer in the nightstand is having what Masters need."

Harry and Draco looked blankly at each other as the elf disappeared. Harry walked across the room and opened the nightstand drawer. He blushed and slammed it shut again.

“What’s in the drawer?” Draco asked curiously.

Harry turned a deeper shade of red and muttered, “Nothing.”

Draco was intrigued. He knew that not much ruffled the Golden Boy, and he was curious as to what could have put that delightful cherry color onto his face. He walked over to the nightstand and smiled up at Harry. “What’s in there?” he asked again.

Harry pulled Draco into his arms and whispered, “I’ll show you later,” and then soundly kissed the blond man.

“Mmmm,” Draco moaned, pressing his pelvis against Harry. Desire flared through him, and he was tired of pretending. “Oh gods, Harry, I can’t control this anymore!”

Hearing his name a second time, Harry noticed this time. “You knew?” he demanded, looking at the blond.

“Well, of course,” Draco rolled his eyes and thrust against Harry again. “I want you now,” he said. He reached in his pocket for his wand and flicked it at the two of them. Seconds later they were both standing naked entwined in each other’s arms.

“Are you sure, Draco?” Harry asked as he ran his hand down the man’s naked backside.

“Just shut up,” he said and gently bit the side of Harry’s neck.

Harry moaned in pleasure. A second later Harry felt himself being pushed backwards onto the soft mattress. He looked up into Draco’s brilliant silver eyes and felt the desire for him race straight to his prick.

“I want to see your eyes, Harry,” Draco said, looking down into 'Campbell's' eyes. He missed the deep green emeralds that he had spent so many nights dreaming of.

Harry sat up and grabbed his wand. He flicked it at himself and he was once again Harry Potter.

“I love your eyes,” Draco said seriously, staring into them.

Harry pushed Draco back onto the bed and straddled him. He kissed Draco's lips thoroughly and then slowly worshiped each inch of his beautiful body. He found the hollow spot in the pale neck and gently nibbled, trailing kissed down to his smooth chest. Harry licked one nipple, then the other, sucking tenderly, pulling it into his mouth. He flicked his tongue over the pert nub and smiled when he heard Draco groan.

Harry ran his tongue further down to Draco's abdomen and then by each hip, leaving wetness behind. He could feel the slight goose bumps rise on Draco and Harry knew that the other man was enjoying his touch. He trailed more kisses down one thigh and then the other, completely ignoring the throbbing member that was jutting out between them.

He reached his hand up and fondled Draco’s heavy sac. The desire to feel Draco, taste him, and know him completely and intimately overwhelmed the Gryffindor. Harry leaned into him and ran his tongue up the shaft of his cock. He felt Draco shudder and licked down the other side.

“Gods, Potter,” Draco's hands automatically twined into Harry's messy black hair.

Harry flicked his tongue over Draco’s weeping head. He tasted the salty flavor of his soon-to-be lover, and it aroused him as nothing had before.

He expertly took the other man's tool deep into his mouth, stopping when it hit the back of his throat. He used his tongue to swirl around and moved his head up and down, creating a friction that left Draco whimpering in pleasure.

Harry squeezed Draco’s sac a little tighter and increased the pressure his mouth had on the other man's throbbing member. He ran his teeth along the sides, gently massaging the pulsating veins. Harry felt Draco's hand tighten in his thick hair, and Harry once again increased the pressure.

“Harry!” Draco cried out, blissful but pleading. “I can’t control this; slow down!"

Harry ignored his words and continued his ministrations. He could sense that Draco was at his breaking point and he briefly thought of stopping, teasing him longer and prolonging the other's release. He quickly decided against it, not wanting to wait. He needed to taste him, to know that when Draco screamed out his release, it would be Harry's name that he was calling. He was gripped with the unstoppable desire to make the indifferent Draco Malfoy come undone.

“Harry...I’m going to cum in your bloody mouth!” Draco warned, feeling like someone had set fire to his entire body as he fought back against his orgasm.

“Then do it,” Harry growled his consent against the side of Draco’s cock, deepthroating the blond one last time and knowing that even Draco couldn't hold back against that any longer.

Draco needed no further encouragement. His body spasmed and let go, shooting his seed deep into Harry’s willing mouth. “Harry!” Draco cried in delight. "Oh my god, Harry!"

Harry felt the flood of Draco’s desire fill his mouth. Hearing the blond's epithets made him smile proudly, which almost interfered with his swallowing, but he managed to suck the last bit of Draco's release from his swollen cock. Harry savored the salty taste and felt his own desire growing. He winced a bit when Draco pulled his hair, but continued to suck and squeeze until Draco’s body relaxed. He sat back, reaching down to his own erection, and gently jerked himself, waiting for the blond to recover and (hopefully) return the favor...if Draco didn't pass out first...

He didn't. If anything, Draco's release helped to sober him up, and the blond's eyes flew open as his semi-rational mind processed what had just happened.

“Where did you learn how to do that, Potter?” Draco demanded, sitting up quickly and putting a shaking hand to his temple when the room spun for a moment.

“I’m...experienced,” Harry grinned mysteriously.

“I thought that you said you weren’t gay,” Draco said irritably. Potter had a Chestershire Cat smirk, which was insufferable to Draco.

“I’m not,” Harry's hand slowly fell away from his cock as the mood in the room changed.

“Then what the fuck is this?” Draco demanded, gesturing between them. He was gradually growing more horrified the longer he thought about how he had acted while drunk, and he covered with anger and waspishness.

“I think, Malfoy, that it was called a blow job.” Harry realized warily that they were probably about to have another fight, which upset him because he had hoped that Draco might return the favor, but even if he didn't, Harry was alarmed at Draco's negative reaction.

Draco glared at Harry. “If you’re not gay, then what are you doing? Giving a bloke a blow job fits the criteria for 'gay' if you ask me.”

“Does this really matter right now, Malfoy?” Harry questioned, trying to keep calm.

“How many men have you been with, Potter?” Draco demanded.

“What do you mean 'how many men have I been with'?” Harry asked incredulously. "I just told you I’m not gay!” His calm 'everything's under control' voice, his 'Hermione' voice, turned into a shout. Judging from Draco's reaction, that had been the Slytherin's first blow job (from a guy?), and Harry was ashamed that he wasn't a virgin. Now that he thought about it, he would've saved himself for Draco, had he realized their attraction earlier.

“Then what are you doing sucking on my cock?”

“You’re the gay one! You just stuck your cock in my mouth!” Harry shouted defensively, regretting the words as soon as they left his mouth.

“I am not gay!” Draco was livid. He grabbed his wand, redressing himself with a violent flick.

“Could have fooled me, Malfoy! Who just came where?”

“You stupid fucker!” Draco blushed a deep red at the reminder, which made him angrier. He pointed his wand at Harry, who ducked and grabbed his own wand.

“Don’t!” Harry warned. “You know that you can’t win against me!” He quickly put his own clothes back on.

“So that's what this is about, Potter?” Draco suddenly got the man's game, and he had to admit, it was quite Slytherin of him. "It was all about winning, wasn't it? You always have to win, don't you? Gryffindor whore."

Draco couldn't even describe the abyss he had just fallen into at the realization that he was nothing more than a conquest to Potter. He wished he could have been disgusted with Potter for that...but really, he was disgusted with himself for falling for the git's act. He had to get out of there before Harry saw how much he had been hurt. Draco abruptly turned and left, wrenching the door open and slamming it brutally behind him. He wasn't bothered as he ran blindly, finally finding an exit, and he Apparated away.

Harry's mouth dropped open in shock at the insult, but Draco was out the door in the next instant. He sank back down onto the bed, covering his mouth and trying to choke back the pain. How had Draco gotten THAT idea into his head? He thought that Harry had only sucked him off to 'win'? He didn't realize how much Harry cared for him?

As Harry sat there staring in shock, wondering how in the hell their fight had happened, the house-elf popped back into the room, holding out a piece of parchment. The creature seemed to understand, staring at him pityingly as Harry sniffled. It was the tab from the bar and their room bill.

It was so unexpected that Harry let out a short bark of mocking laughter. Bitter irony filled him as he fumbled in his pockets for the Galleons he owed the establishment. It didn't occur to him NOT to pay it, since he was too Gryffindor to embarrass Draco by making the house-elf seek him out for payment. He kept the receipt as a perverse reminder of the bitter-sweet encounter, slowly making his way to the street to head home.

**********