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It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

By: TheCoven
folder Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating: Adult ++
Chapters: 14
Views: 15,720
Reviews: 192
Recommended: 0
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.
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Regret

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: Envy

Beta: Miss Nikki, Graballz

Author's note--Thank you so much (again) to everyone who has reviewed this story so far and stuck with us! It seems as if we are settling into a rhythm now, so hopefully updates will happen every two weeks (at the latest...maybe earlier!) like clockwork. We really appreciate the support you guys have shown us. Sorry that the chapter's short, but get ready for another adventure!

I hope this helps to follow up on the angst and drama the previous chapter ended with. Also, Chapter 6 is now beta-ed, so you might want to go back and refresh your memory, just in case. *wink* Or if nothing else, go read the hot sex again!

Also, just a reminder that Draco is NOT living at the Manor. He left, but he DID get himself a nice, high-class (obviously non-Muggle) apartment with all kinds of luxuries, so...there you go. (Party at Draco's place! LOL)

~Graballz


Chapter 7

Regret

Draco lay in bed and listened to the grandfather clock in the hall as it struck the hour in slow long notes. The beginnings of a hangover were forming behind his eyes and he mused for the hundredth time about not going into work, ever again. He’d only been in the employment of the old wand maker for a few days and already had his life put in danger countless times.

Not to mention Harry Potter, the memory of what had happened in the room above the Excalibur caused a shiver to run down his spine. It had felt so right to give himself over to the strong hands and warm mouth while he was intoxicated. But therein laid the problem. He was the great Draco Malfoy, he wasn’t supposed to be gay, and he definitely wasn’t supposed to fancy the Hero of the Wizarding World.

Far worse than life-threatening situations and sexual frustration was the way he acted around the dark haired man. Draco thought he had left Hogwarts behind him and with it his animosity toward those who he had gone to school with. Yet just the sight of Harry Potter was enough to send him back to his old ways. It was childish. It was beneath him. It was something he couldn’t stop himself from doing.

Rolling out of bed he ran his fingers through his hair and yawned. There was no sense musing over the difficulties in life. He would have to face the world sooner or later. He just wasn’t looking forward to dealing with the disgruntled brunette when he got to work. Making his way into the private bath, he started the tap and pulled emerald green silk boxers from his narrow hips.

His mind wandered for the millionth time to what had happened the night before, of what he would say to the other man when he saw him. If Potter would even speak to him. Merlin, he had screwed the entire situation. He hadn’t meant to; the situation had just been too surreal. He hadn’t known what to say or do after the other man had finished with him.

Sinking into the steaming water of the overly large tub he groaned and tried to push the thoughts aside. His confusion wasn’t helping his hangover and he wasn’t even sure if he had any hangover potion in the mansion. Resting his head against the cool porcelain he allowed his eyes to drift shut. He would be damned if he was going to let Harry Potter keep him from enjoying his bath.

**********

It was close to ten when the pressed, dressed, and relaxed Draco Malfoy finally made his appearance within the dusty old wand shop, only to find it empty. He had been expecting an aggravated and moody brunette, or at least some sign of life, but as the soft chime of the bell faded into nothing he found only eerie silence.

“Hello? Ollivander? Potter? Where is everyone?” His voice sounded tentative in his own ears as it was absorbed by the stacks upon stacks of boxed wands.

“Ah! Good morning, Mister Malfoy,” came a sudden reply from among the dim lit rows. “Mister Potter said you might be feeling a bit under the weather this morning and that I should expect your late arrival.” The old man smiled brightly as he made his way behind the counter. “It’s good to see that yesterday’s unfortunate events have not caused you serious trauma. And you should be glad to know that Nicodemus will recover from the rather distressing fate of having half of him eaten. The man should know better then to go about keeping such creatures in his house. I’ve warned him, but I suppose some folks just have to learn the hard way.”

Draco was only half listening to the older man as he continued to rant on about the dangers of some magical creatures. Potter had already been in, yet he didn’t see him anywhere in the shop. The sudden fear that he had turned in his resignation do to Draco’s actions the night before gripped him, forcing all the air from his lungs.

“Where is Potter this morning?” He finally asked, his voice slightly choked.

“Hmm? Oh I sent Mister Potter off to fetch some wand ingredients this morning. He should be back by noon I’m sure,” the old man answered absently. “Then I’ll be sending you both out for a much harder ingredient to find.”

“You sent Potter alone to get you something? Are you mad? What if he gets hurt?” Draco stammered his mind racing. If the heroic Harry Potter got himself killed then he would never be able to figure out the strange feelings he had for the dark haired man.

“Now, now, Mister Malfoy. I can guarantee you he is in no danger. I had him go down to Romania to fetch me dragon heartstrings from Charlie Weasley. I received an owl from him early this morning saying that one of their dragons had passed away and that he had a small shipment of them for me. It only made sense, since Mister Potter is so close with the Weasleys, that I send him for the shipment. Plus it looked like he need some time away. He seemed rather disheveled when he came in.”

Draco finally released breath he had been unconsciously holding, his shoulders sagging slightly. “He didn’t look well?”

“Poor lad. Seemed to have had a rough night, by the looks of it. Not that you look a whole lot better, why not sit down to a nice cup of tea and I can tell you a little about what I’ll be wanting you to fetch me this time.” Ollivander offered, once again seeming to know more about what was going on with the two boys then either wanted to admit.

Draco nodded, following the older man through the rows of wands into the back of the shop before slumping into one of the old wooden chairs arranged around an equally old table.

Ollivander took up two tea cups and pot, setting everything on the table before seating himself opposite the young blond. “Well, this time around I’ll want you to bring me Snidget tail feathers. Now mind you these creatures are protected by the ministry, so you mustn’t harm them, and you can only take one feather per bird without harming their ability to fly.”

Draco sighed and sipped his tea before responding. “How are we supposed to find these things?”

“Oh, flushing the little critters out is the easy part, I assure you. It’s catching them that will be the challenge. You’ll want to bring a good broom. But I am quite sure that you and Mister Potter are more than capable of completing this assignment without much trouble. You might even find it a bit of fun.”

The blonde just nodded; there was nothing to be done. He would have to continue to spend time alone with the annoying Gryffindor prat. But somehow he found it a better alternative then spending time alone.

Glancing at his watch he sighed; it was only a quarter to eleven. Another hour would have to wind its way by before Harry Potter would make his reappearance in the shop, perhaps longer. That was an hour he had to think of what he would say to the other man, and an hour to fret over what would be said to him when he finally had to stare down those intense emerald eyes. He wasn’t ready; he wasn’t sure he ever would be. But sooner or later he would have to face the other man, or quit the job at the wand shop. Either way he looked at it, he had just over an hour to decide.

**********

Author's note--See? Don't worry...there will be MUCH sexual tension between our boys before they end up being comfortable with each other. But isn't it sweet that Draco's concerned for him? LOL

iwantdraconow--Crab legs and Taco Bell, huh? WOW that was a great analogy, and just wanted to say thanks!

Arieru--The Occamy was more of a character in the original Chapter 5, yes, but it is now rewritten, so please go back and reread so that you are not confused. The Occamy is STILL in the story (in Chapter 4) but it stays in the forest, where it belongs. Thanks for your review.

Silverkitten--Your wish is our command! lol Glad that you like this story so much, and just to let you know, it'll probably continue to be updated about every two weeks, maybe give or take a day. Thanks for joining us!

Just wanted to also say a HUGE thank you to those who reviewed regarding Chapter 5!!!! We are so glad that you liked it, as well as Chapter 6! Thank you for sticking around!

iwantdraconow--Thanks for your second review, and we are really sorry that you feel that way. Some of the specific things that you mentioned have already been changed, and we feel that you make valid points in your arguments. They are being taken into consideration, and Chapter 6 will more than likely be revised to (hopefully) reflect more of chelley's tone that you found so lacking in the edited version. Please be patient with us; sadly, she is rather busy with school at the moment, but she will be back soon.

~Graballz
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