Harry Potter and The Charming Prince (BP7)

Harry had taken particular care in dressing that day. He would never admit it to Draco, but it was to show up his 'competition,' whom Harry and Draco were meeting at a new restaurant in Diagon Alley. Honestly? Harry knew it was stupid. There wasn't any real competition at all, but he couldn't help himself. But, hey, he was going, right? Okay, so he actually wanted to go with Draco. He didn't like being without him for very long and he liked it even less when Draco would be going out with someone that Harry disliked, but he had to sit there and play nice and try not to picture Nott's lips on his husband's, or that stupid smirk the man had worn while looking at his husband. Harry had to take a deep breath even then. He would have much preferred to be there watching instead of part of the actual party, but he was going to do this for Draco, and he wasn't going to get angry. No. He wasn't. Because Draco was his and Nott only wished that he could .... No. Not going to get angry.

Harry looked at Draco and gave him a smile, wondering for how long he'd zoned out. They were already sitting at their reserved table and only waiting for Nott to arrive. Harry picked his glass of water up, clinking the ice cubes inside.

Draco nearly laughed at the play of emotions across Harry's face. He always wondered if the man was as transparent to everyone else as he was to him. He tried not to roll his eyes or make any other faces that would upset Harry. How could the man seriously think he would ever choose someone else over him? Just then he spotted Theo at the door and the Maitre'd escorted him to their table.

Harry spotted Nott as well and tried to arrange his face, like Draco could. He had no idea what the end result was though. He was going for polite.

Draco tried not to laugh at his husband, knowing it would just upset him. Instead, he stood and greeted Theo.

Theo smiled and took his seat at the table. Slytherin, he did not show any misgivings he had, but greeted Harry. "Good evening," he said, seeming to hesitate on whether to add Potter or Harry to the greeting, before doing neither.

Harry stood as well, just to prove that he really didn't want to be childish about any of this, and nodded. "Evening," he returned, still going for polite.

Theo shook his hand and then patted Draco's arm before sitting. He smiled. "I hope I wasn't late," he said.

"No, we only just got here," Harry answered, taking his seat as well.

Draco picked up his menu, glancing between the two men. "So have you eaten here before?" he asked Theo.

"No, I have been meaning to," Theo answered, arching an eyebrow and picking up his menu too.

"Friends of ours said it was rather nice," said Harry. He was talking about Bill and Fleur, who had eaten at the restaurant recently. It felt very odd sitting there. So ... formal almost. It wasn't company that Harry was used to, but then again, he wasn't sitting with an old friend. How else was it supposed to be? He sighed very quietly, reaching for his menu as well. Of course. French restaurant, French menu. He couldn't read it, but for some reason that he wasn't completely sure of, he didn't say anything, even though Draco knew Harry didn’t know French.

Draco sighed and leant over, pointing out a couple of items that he thought Harry would like and using the move to gently touch his husband's side.

Theo seemed to make his selection quickly and then sat impassively while Draco conferred with Harry.

Feeling only slightly disgruntled, and still not really knowing the reason for it, Harry nodded, but felt better when Draco touched him. He chose a dinner called Pot-au-Feu, which was something beef, so it was fine.

When the waiter came, Draco ordered for both of them and then nodded his head to Theo who also ordered in French. Draco ordered wine too, both because they had a good selection and because he hoped it would help Harry relax.

Feeling a prickle of annoyance at the French leaving Nott's lips, Harry sighed and shook it off. So much for trying not to let anything childish get to him.

"So, Theo, how is the new job?" Draco asked, trying to start the conversation on what he hoped would be safe ground.

"Well, I am through the probation period now and really getting into it," Theo asked. "At least, it is never boring."

Harry looked across the table at him. "What is it exactly you do?" he asked. Draco had never said and Harry hadn't asked before.

"Oh," Theo said with a larger smile, "I work in the Magical Accidents and Catastrophes Department."

"Mmm," Harry replied, shifting a little in his seat. "Must have a lot to do there."

Theo nodded, clearly warming to the topic. "In training, we actually had a section on you," he said.

Harry raised both eyebrows. "Oh? What was it?"

Draco blushed, shaking his head. He had a pretty good idea why.

"You gotta know that you are in all the books now; not just one, but two magical pregnancies. And the first one, at least, an accident?" Theo said, grinning.

"Oh," said Harry, flushing a bit himself. No wonder Percy's girlfriend always seemed so interested in the pregnancies. "Yes, I suppose that would be a study in your department."

"Yes, I am fascinated by magical accidents," Theo explained. "They actually tell us a great deal more about the potential of magic than you might realise."

Draco smirked, agreeing with Theo but also a bit embarrassed at the "nature" of most of their accidents. Few people knew just how many they had had in their relationship.

"Yes, they can reveal some rather strange aspects of magic," Harry said, thinking of his and Draco's accident before April, which made him think of why that had been a problem for them anyway. The incident in October. He took a breath through his nose, but once again, tried not to show anything on his face.

Draco reached under the table and patted Harry's leg. He could feel Harry's magic flare with his emotions and tried to soothe him.

"Yes, and it's too bad we can't convince Draco here to work with us. Do you know how rare someone like him is?" Theo asked, seeming not to notice.

"Very rare as far as I've heard," said Harry, rubbing Draco's hand on his leg. He realised Theo was referring to Draco’s ability as a Sensitive to magic. "You've tried convincing him?"

Theo snorted and rolled his eyes. "This one never did like anyone else in charge," he said, waving a hand at Draco.

Draco didn't control his blush fast enough, thinking that Theo had no idea how much control he ceded to Harry and liked doing so.

"Right," Harry said with a nod, simply to nod. He knew Nott probably wasn't saying what he was saying on purpose, but it felt like a jab at Harry controlling Draco, because that had been what he'd thought before, right? Draco didn't like people controlling him, so they had thought that it had been magic doing it. Did he still think that?

Theo's eyes widened slightly at Draco's blush, but didn't comment. "I wish I had his gift," Theo said, shaking his head. "Wasted on all that business stuff."

"Well, it's hardly a waste," Draco drawled. "I like what I do, the Ministry has very little say in my life and I have time for my family."

Harry shifted again. He didn't do much of anything. Ron worked with Fred and George and was fighting to develop his broom line. Hermione had dozens of contacts in the Ministry and could enter into it any time she wanted, and Draco did do all of his business stuff, most of which Harry had no idea about. What had Harry done in nearly two years besides give a few speeches? Theo Nott had a job in the Ministry. Harry'd had two children and lived off Draco's money. He shifted yet again, feeling the frown trying to pull his lips down.

Draco could feel Harry's discomfort but not the why of it. Before he could puzzle it out, the waiter arrived with their food. He was given the wine to sniff before it was poured and then swirled it in his glass, nodding. Once everything was settled and the waiter left them again, he held his glass up. "To a prosperous future," he said.

Theo nodded and took a sip, smiling appreciatively.

Harry sipped as well, but his mind was still focused on his own troubling thoughts. All of his friends from Hogwarts had moved on and were making their own places in the wizarding world. Harry wasn't sure what he contributed anymore other than things that were now in the past.

"Well, if you two ever want to break your silence around those accidents of yours, you let me know," Theo said. "I would love to write a paper on it."

Draco nodded. They had had a lot of requests from both journalists and researchers alike for details about both the binding and pregnancy accidents. They had chosen to keep their privacy instead. "People already know too much about us as it is," he said. "And it's not like the study could be anonymous."

Harry looked up again. "Far too much," he agreed with Draco. "And they're ... personal matters that are hard to understand anyway. Not normal magic."

"I'll bet," Theo said, smiling as he ate. "So, Harry, what have you been doing these days?"

Harry's fingers tightened slightly on his fork. "Raising children, I suppose," he said lightly.

"Saw the article in the Prophet," Theo said. "Congratulations. Two kids in just over a year. Must be a lot to handle."

"They can be ... quite something," Harry said with another nod. He felt even more uncomfortable, as if Nott somehow believed that was the only subject he would be able to discuss. Even though he knew he was being ridiculous and defensive, it felt as if he was being patronized.

Draco frowned. Usually, Harry liked to talk about their children. The blond sipped the wine, thinking. "Valen is wreaking havoc on the furniture. We gave him one of those toy brooms. We had no idea the uses he would put it to."

Harry couldn't suppress a smile at that. He really did love sharing stories about their children. "The entire household has got very good at Cushioning Charms," he pointed out.

Theo laughed in delight. "After the two of you at Hogwarts, I can imagine," he said.

Draco nodded, smiling fondly at memories of playing Quidditch with Harry. "We still play games at the Manor these days," he said.

Harry nodded like Draco. Merlin, he had to try to relax, or at least to pretend like he was relaxed. "I beat him most of the time," he teased. It was a lie though. He and Draco were pretty evenly matched.

Theo raised both eyebrows and Draco smirked, not verbally disagreeing with his husband. "To the only man to ever beat me," Draco smiled, waggling his eyebrows as he lifted his glass.

Harry chuckled quietly, taking a sip of wine before kissing Draco's cheek. "To you for putting up with me," he said, taking another sip and then kissing Draco again.

Theo blinked, looking away but drinking as well.

Draco kissed his husband back, hoping Theo would get used to it.

Harry went back to his food, picking at it. He'd noticed the way Nott hadn't looked as he and Draco kissed, and had honestly not kissed Draco for that purpose. It was an automatic thing, but he did feel a tingle of vindictive pleasure. It wasn't very strong though. He wasn't entirely sure why.

Draco sighed, wondering if his ex-lover and his husband would ever feel comfortable together. He supposed they didn't have a lot in common except Draco, and that was a sore spot for both of them.

The rest of the meal had gone by quickly enough, along with the expected small talk. Harry and Draco had parted with Theo with words of possibly making more plans. Harry had to admit, it hadn't been horrible, but he still didn't especially like Nott. They weren't exactly fast friends. At least they hadn't fought with one another.

The dinner had definitely brought up things Harry hadn't really been thinking of before. Mostly, that he hadn't done anything in two years. What had ever happened to wanting to become an Auror? Oh, right. The fact that he'd had enough of that. But had he? And it wasn't as if that were the only option anyway. He could do something else, right? Something? He sighed, handing the appearing house-elf his cloak as usual.

Draco handed his over as well, and cocked his head looking at his husband. He reached out and slid his arm around Harry's waist, waiting to see what the other man would say.

Harry looked up at Draco, absently raising a hand to touch his hair. "It wasn't so bad," he said.

"Well, neither of you tried to hex each other," Draco drawled. "So, I guess it was a success."

Harry snorted. "I told you I could handle it," he said.

"And you did well," Draco said, amusement in his tone. He reached up to run his fingers through Harry's hair.

Harry sighed quietly with the touch, leaning his head slightly into it. "We should go and get Valen and April," he said after a moment, pulling back again and taking Draco's hand.

"It's late. They are probably asleep by now," Draco answered, but took his husband's hand, leading them down the hall to check on their children.

They were asleep, and Harry and Draco carried them each up to bed after thanking Ron and Hermione. Harry didn't know what they would do without them. It was hard to imagine what it would be like without their two friends living with them.

Once in his and Draco's own bedroom, Harry sat down on the edge of the mattress, thinking again.

Draco slowly undressed himself, watching Harry carefully and waiting until the other man was ready to voice what was going on.

"Draco?" Harry asked after a moment, staring intently at a spot across the room and then slowly looking to his husband.

Draco was naked now, still wearing the silver hand. He put his hands on his hips and arched an eyebrow. "Yes, love," he asked.

Harry stared at the lion on his skin for a few seconds. "Do you think I'm ..." He paused as he tried to think of the best words to convey his problem. "Do you think I'm a moocher?" He sighed. "Maybe not that," he said. "Do you think I just ... sit around here all day? That's all I do."

Draco almost laughed, a small snort escaping before he realised it. He stepped close to stand in front of Harry and tipped his face up to look at him. "Where is this coming from? You gave birth to and are raising two very spirited children and you think that isn't enough work?"

"It's not like I do it on my own," Harry replied, frowning a bit. "You're their other parent and Ron and Hermione help all the time too."

"And the giving birth part?" Draco asked, arching an eyebrow.

"It wasn't even that big a deal with April," Harry mumbled. "And it wouldn't have been with Valen if we hadn't been taken. And I don't even have to deal with the full nine months."

Draco continued to stroke his lover's hair. "Harry, I don't work at a job either," he said.

"Yes, but you do things," Harry countered. "You're writing things all the time. And you meet people. And you deal with the stuff from the Prophet." Draco owned the Daily Prophet but kept that a secret from the public.

Draco cocked his head. "You haven't seemed bored," he said.

"I'm not bored," Harry said, sighing. "I just ... I don't know. I'm like a house-wife, only without more than half the work because there's usually an available babysitter and I have an army of elves to cook and clean."

"Sounds good to me," Draco smirked. "And lots of time to fuck your husband a couple times a day."

"Well, maybe that sounds good to you," said Harry with a small half-smile. He grabbed Draco around the waist and pulled him closer. "But how does it sound to people when they ask what I'm doing? Oh, just hanging around a mansion, shagging the day away."

Draco petted his husband's hair, sighing as he held him. "I know you don't want to hear this," he began cautiously, "but I think I know where this is coming from."

Harry looked up at Draco, thinking he already knew what he was going to say.

"It sounds like something your uncle would have said," he said softly.

Harry made a face, having not expected that. "My uncle?" he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Yes, you told me he always made you feel like you didn't deserve to be fed or clothed, let alone anything else. Made you work and still treated you badly," Draco said, frowning and trying not to get angry with a dead man.

Harry frowned as well. And he'd been thinking Draco was going to say something about him being jealous of Theo Nott. He didn't know what to say.

Draco waited, petting Harry. "You have done more than anyone should ever have had to do, no matter what age," Draco continued. "Anyone who thinks you don't deserve to do whatever the fuck you want now is an imbecile and I would gladly teach them a lesson," he added fiercely.

Harry smiled a strange sort of smile at Draco's protectiveness. "Maybe you're right," he said quietly, trying to work it out in his own head. It was true that Harry did feel a strange sense of guilt at knowing he could relax and spend his days with the ones that he loved. Most people didn't have the luxury of that choice and those that had died in the war never had the opportunity to make that choice.

Draco gently slid to his knees so that he was now looking up at Harry's face. "If you find something you want to do, I will do anything you want to make it happen," he said. "But never, ever feel like you haven't earned every happiness you have."

"I still can't believe I have you," Harry said softly, cupping Draco's cheek.

Draco's smile was full of all the besotted joy he felt when Harry said such things to him. "You think you can't believe it?" he teased.

Harry chuckled. "You make me feel better about everything," he whispered as he leant down and in to kiss Draco softly.

"Now that is my real job," Draco grinned, still on his knees in front of his husband.

"Oh, then you should be the richest man in the entire universe," Harry said wistfully, smiling.

"Oh, I am," Draco agreed, his body trembling just at the touch and smile of his lover.

"Shall I punch the clock for you?" Harry asked. "I think it's almost time for your shift." His smile spread into a grin.

Draco frowned, not getting the reference. "Punch a clock?" he asked, brows drawn down.

Harry laughed with real amusement as he realised Draco wouldn't understand the Muggle reference. "Never mind," he said, kissing Draco again.

Draco hummed happily into the kiss, completely forgetting anything else.

"Why are you beautifully naked while I'm still clothed?" Harry whispered, kissing to Draco's ear. "And why are you on the floor while I'm on the bed?"

"Worshipping you," Draco whispered, panting at the feel of Harry's breath against his ear.

"You should be worshipped," Harry continued quietly, though his heart fluttered with Draco's words.

"I like kneeling before you," Draco replied. "I think that is something no one else will ever understand. Binding or no binding, this is where I always wanted to be."

"But I want you next to me," Harry told him reverently. "You're my equal. Merlin, if not more than that."

Draco smiled, getting to his feet and pulling Harry up with him. "Better?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, since you're a bit taller," Harry said, teasing lightly. He felt a strange, incredible sense of happiness right then.

"Strip for me," Draco whispered.

Harry's clothes were gone in the next second. "Anything for you," he whispered back, truly meaning it.

Draco gasped, delighted by the spark of magic and the feel of his husband's now naked skin against his own. "You thrill me like no one and nothing else could," he whispered.

"Is it selfish that I love that?" Harry said quietly, sliding an arm over Draco's shoulder.

"Yes," Draco smirked, "but as I said, you deserve to be selfish."

One side of Harry's mouth quirked into a smile. "Whatever you say," he whispered, pressing a kiss a little bit under Draco's jaw.

"Now I want to be selfish," Draco said, voice dropping deeper as he rubbed his now hard cock against his lover's body.

Harry bit his lip at the powerful wave of arousal that swept through him. "If I deserve to be, you certainly do," he said huskily.

"Anything I want?" Draco asked, an edge in his voice.

Harry took a deep breath to keep his knees from buckling at that. "Yeah," he said breathlessly. "Anything."

"Good, because I want to tie you up again," Draco said.

Harry had to take another deep breath. "Yeah," he said again. "Be selfish for me, Draco."