It's Just 12 Inches of Wood

It's Just 12 Inches of Wood by The Coven

Author: Miss Nikki

Beta: 2prettie

Chapter 8

Calm after the Storm

He sighed as he made his way through the dragon nests to the small cottage. The chance to have some time alone was a welcomed blessing which he silently thanked Ollivander for. It had taken some persuasion; he’d had to assure him that Malfoy would be late. And after waiting twenty minutes he’d been permitted to go alone. He needed the time to think about what he wanted and what he would do with the annoying blond prat.

Malfoy was infuriating to say the least and confusing to say the most. In the throes of passion one minute and ready to start a bloody argument the next. One minute he’d cling to him as if his life depended on it, the next it was like he couldn’t stand the sight of Harry. If he didn’t know better he’d swear that Malfoy was doing it to drive him mental. It was either that or the bloke had multiple personalities.

Harry knocked on the door and waited patiently for an answer. He knocked again when he received no reply. Pressing his ear against the door, he listened for footsteps. There seemed to be no movement from inside but there was the sound of a soft moan. Going around to a side window he peered in, turning away immediately while a blush crept across his skin. Changing direction he decided to wander the grounds, giving Charlie the time he needed to finish with his company.

Sitting on the shore of a small pond he cast a quick tempus. It was just after ten, he’d go back in twenty minutes. Not only to give Charlie privacy but to give him self time to think. He’d had a lot on his mind before, taking the position with Ollivander and Malfoy only complicated the matter.

Harry knew he wasn’t gay. Yes, he had a sexual interest in men but that didn’t mean he was gay. He had a healthy appetite for women too, but there were times when a soft body just didn’t do it. He knew he was playing around with technicalities but he really didn’t need new headlines about him appearing in the papers. He could see it now: “Wizarding Savior, Seasoned Ponce.” Harry chuckled at his own twisted humor.

‘What did he want from the blond?’ Harry silently questioned himself. Grunting softly in frustration, that was more sexual then anything else, he ran a hand over his face. The scene back at the cottage did nothing to assuage the sexual tension.

“I want to finish what we started,” he muttered to himself.

“What who started?”

Harry whipped around at the voice. He hadn’t heard anyone approach. Sighing he looked up at Charlie Weasley. “I didn’t hear you coming.” He offered a small smile.

Charlie smiled broadly in apology. “I didn’t mean to give you a start. I just figured you come here instead of sitting with a bunch of temperamental dragons.” He chuckled as he watched a light blush spread across his friend’s cheeks.

Harry looked away, immediately remembering what he saw through the window. He cleared his throat to speak but was saved when Charlie merely continued speaking.

“I caught a glimpse of you through the window.” Mischief danced in his eyes. “Never would have pegged you for a peeking Tom.” Charlie gave a hearty laugh when the blush deepened and spread to his friends ears.

“Don’t worry, happens to the best of us. Now let’s get some tea and those heart strings.”

The mood seemed to dampen with the mention of the heartstrings. Harry knew how Charlie felt about the dragons he cared for. They were like his children and it hurt him when one of them died. Harry felt for him, he was like a brother and to see him saddened made him sad also. He sat and talked for awhile, playing catch up but it was time to go all too soon. He chatted with Charlie walking to the Apparation point.

Harry arrived just outside of Diagon Alley shortly after half past twelve. Slowly, he made his way to the old wand shop. Anticipation mad his heart beat erratically for two reasons. One: he’d see Malfoy again and in a strange, I’m-not-sure-why sort of way he missed him. Two: being the biggest, the discussion that was bound to ensue whether he wanted it to or not. In the hours he’d spent on the mini mission he had figured out nothing. Well nearly nothing; he found he had an undeniable taste for Malfoy.

Entering the shop, Harry noticed it seemed deserted. He set the package on the counter with care before he looked around. He noted the packs that carried their supplies stacked in the corner beside two brooms. They looked new and expensive. ‘Has to be Malfoy,’ Harry reasoned before approaching them. Reaching out to run his hand along the wood he noticed a message tacked to one with a sticking charm. Tugging it away he read it out loud:

Potter,

I’ve gone to change. Please accept the broom as a form of apology for my rash behavior.

See you soon,

D. Malfoy

Harry examined the broom. Not only was it state of the art but it was built for speed. It was a work of beauty and definitely something Malfoy would have picked. “Maybe he’s not so bad after all.”

“Who’s not so bad?”

Harry spun around caught off guard for the second time that day. He was surprised to see Malfoy standing there as he hadn’t heard the bell ring. Unconsciously he licked his lips. Malfoy looked delicious standing there decked out in tight clothing resembling the Quidditch uniform.

“Am I talking to myself?” He moved toward the packs in the corner. Tucking a few more items away. He turned the classic Malfoy glare on Harry. “Well?” His impatience was written all over his face as well as his tone.

Harry began sputtering, his words racing to catch up with his mind. “Well, you see…. Um, about.” He hissed out a sigh of frustration and discomfort. Gathering his thoughts and taking a deep breath to fortify himself he began again. “Malfoy, I think we need to talk about last night.”

Malfoy turned his back and made a show of gathering his pack, taking care to secure the boom to the back. He carried on as if he hadn’t heard and began opening maps.

“Malfoy?” Harry waited for him to turn around. “Did you hear a word I just said?”

Settling his perfect Malfoy smirk upon perfect aristocratic features he turned toward the brunet. “I’ve heard you just fine, Potter. However, it’s neither the time nor the place to discuss the matter.” He turned back to regarding the maps as if he had settled the matter for once and all. “Further more, I think we should be comfortable enough with each other to forgo the use of surnames. Don’t you, Harry?”

Feeling his anger stir at Malfoy’s arrogant behavior, he took deep breaths to calm himself. Slapping a roll of parchment down atop the maps, causing his partner to jump, much to his satisfaction, he replied in kind. “You are correct, Draco.” The use of the name and the way it rolled off his tongue sounded anything but kind.

At Malfoy’s raised eyebrow, he began to explain. “These are the plans I’ve outline for the next mission. If we follow them we should be finished in a day. As this day is half gone and the travel will take up most of what is left that leaves us tomorrow to actually complete the mission. I’d like to be back in my home by tomorrow evening.” Narrowing his eyes in a silent challenge he let a brief smirk cross his lips. “Any questions?”

Summoning a quill and ink, Draco made a few changes. Walking to the door of the shop, he waited for his partner to follow. “No, no questions. But a few changes and suggestions.” Just because he’d saved the Wizarding world didn’t mean Draco would follow him blindly; although the plan had merit, he’d not admit it out loud.

Glancing down at the paper, Harry chuckled. “Very childish, Draco.” He picked up his pack and made his way to the door. “Just when I thought you’d matured. He laughed when Draco made the Muggle jester of flipping him off before walking out the door.

As they walked to the Apparation point, Harry thought of the note. He had a lot of things planned in the days to come and ‘going to fuck himself’ was not one of them.

The pair Apparated to the edge of the Isle of Man. It was illegal to Apparate straight into the wild life preserves, so they would be making the rest of the journey by broom and foot. Flying to early in the journey would bring out natural predators and they wanted as little trouble as possible.

“Any idea as to how we’ll catch them without harming them?” Draco swatted at a stray insect every now and then, casting irritated looks over his shoulder.

Harry shook his head while settling his bag down at the base of a tree. “I hadn’t thought of that yet. He pulled a small bottle out of his pack. “Here, catch.”

Draco caught the bottle that was tossed his way. After reading the label he held it up and shook it in question. “And this is suppose to do what exactly?”

“You haven’t noticed that the bugs haven’t been bothering me as they have you?” Hefting his pack onto his back he walked over to Draco. Grabbing the bottle he issued a mild command. “Close you eyes.”

Draco followed the command with little question, being that his mind was in other places. He still had to figure out a way to lightly broach the conversation he wanted to have with Harry before they got back to civilization. He squawked indignantly when a cold mist met his face, interrupting his thoughts. The smell of it stung his nose. “What is that awful stuff?”

Chuckling he misted over of it onto the blonds front and back, lingering longer then necessary on his arse and legs. “It doesn’t smell too pleasant but it works longer then a charm.”

They settled into a comfortable silence as the continued walking. Each lost in their own thoughts of what was to come. Occasionally Harry would stop and pick up a feather, which he placed in a jar labeled: ‘fallen.’ Ollivander hadn’t specified specifically whether they could be fallen feathers or if he wanted them fresh. Although his warning to bring a good broom hinted they’d be wanted freshly plucked.

His thoughts idly wandered as they walked. He’d had a lot on his mind the past couple of days and at the middle of them were Draco. If he’d thought that his life couldn’t get any more trivial it was because he’d not factored the blond into the equation. There were just some things in life that weren’t expected; his strong lust of Draco being one of them.

He was prematurely dragged from his thoughts when Draco whipped past him. Looking up he saw Draco astride chasing after a golden blur. He watched the chase for a while, silently rooting for the Snidget. He laughed silently at his own childish antics. Putting his pack down; he unhooked the broom before mounting it.

Taking to the air, he hovered and watched Draco fly toward him. “What’s wrong? Little guy giving you a hard time?” Harry teased as Draco stopped in front of him.

Cheeks redden by the chase he panted a little. There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes as he smiled. The thrill of the chase had his heart pumping excitement through his veins. “The game has begun, Potty! And as always, I’m in the lead.” He held up the golden tail feather before taking off at a blinding speed.

Harry easily kept pace with him, shouting against the wind that rushed over his face. “Since when is this a competition?”

Draco laughed and looked over his shoulder. “It’s always a competition with us. Nothing’s changed just because we’re on friendly terms.” He arched his broom up and flew away after his next mark.

Harry waited till Draco looked his way again. He hovered with his arms crossed at the wrist on the broom stick, forcing the blond to make his way back to him if he wanted to hear what was said. “What are the stakes?” His tone seemed passive never giving voice to the anxiousness just below the surface of the sun kissed skin.

“Name your price and I’ll name mine.” Draco’s reply we delivered airily with just a hint of something lurking beneath the surface.

“Alright. The stakes are set. Let the games begin.” Harry flew off just a bit before turning back toward Draco. “Oh, and that feather doesn’t count.”

“It does too!” Draco flew slow circles around Harry. “How are the stakes set? Neither of us specified what we wanted.”

“Fine, I’ll allow you that point. And the stipulations will be named at the end as I know I’ll emerge victorious.” At the blond scoff he continued in a lazy tone that bespoke amusement and teasing. “I was the best Seeker at Hogwarts. As you were only the second best you’ll know what you owe me when this is over.”

Draco’s feeling warred in his mind. He wanted to shine in light of the compliment, no matter how backhanded it seemed, and frown at the insult in the backhanded compliment. The latter won out and he frowned lightly but kept the teasing air.

“Whatever, Gryffindork. We shall truly see who the best Seeker is!” He took off after his win shortly after a nod of affirmation from his competition.

Harry sat stride his broom and watched the trees. Every now and again a branch would sway drawing his attention. The longer he watched the more he took in. Soon he’d pinpointed a large group of nests that he made a mental note of before nightfall forced him to the ground.

Draco dismounted his broom, proudly, if a bit arrogantly, displayed his small cache of feathers. When his taunts and teasing didn’t get a reply of any kind out of Harry be began to stalk toward him more then slightly irritated.

Harry stood facing the sunset. As the last rays of light disappeared he saw small flashing lights. Moving in for a closer view he was able to see that they were faeries. They weren’t the faeries he’d seen in picture books as a child but they were beautiful in their own right.

It appeared as if they were peeling themselves straight from the trees and foliage. Thus some of them had the coloring and textural patterns of bark and foliage. They stretched and yawned as they woke up. Harry was so engrossed in the scene before him that he didn’t see of hear Draco come up beside him.

“What are you looking at?” Draco peered into the trees watching as the faeries took form.

“I’ve never seen them before.” Harry looked at Draco without turn his head.

“Well as long as you only look they shouldn’t cause any trouble.” Draco turned to go back to the fire.

“Their wings look so soft. Almost like tissue. I only want to feel them. Just once.” Harry took a step forward and held out his hand toward the faeries.

“No. You can’t tou-” Draco turned around to see Harry lightly fingering a wing. “No! Stop touching it!”

Harry jerked back as if burned. He turned to look at the blond, not really seeing. He moved forward not in control of his own body. His movements jerky as he walked pass Draco and further into the woods.

Draco sighed and turned to follow him. There was little he could do till it wore off but keep him out of trouble. He made a mental note of every turn so that he could keep track of where camp was. It wouldn’t do to be lost in the woods. After an hour of walking, Harry stopped.

‘Finally,’ Draco thought. He had taken to marking trees with his wand with all the turns his partner had taken.

“What happened? One minute you were yelling at me to stop and the next I couldn’t get control of my body.” Harry looked around.

“I told you not to touch them. You just wouldn’t listen, would you?” Draco sighed in exasperation. “Faeries like the ones you saw cast some what of a spell on anything or anyone that touches them. It’s similar to the imperius curse.”

His eyes widened. “I always thought they were a playful bunch.”

“That is their idea of playing. They get you to do things that they would never do for their own amusement.”

Harry watched as a faerie flew overhead giggling. “I don’t’ get it. What’s so funny about a walk?” Harry looked at Draco but the blond wasn’t looking at him.

“Lumos!” Draco had pulled his wand, while backing up. “Harry, walk slowly toward me. Slowly.”

Harry did as he was told and made his way to the blonde’s side, drawing his wand as he went. “What’s wrong?” He turned and saw a creature lurking just beyond the light of the wand. “What’s that?”

“What does it look like?”

“Why do you have to be so condescending?”

“Why do you ask so many obvious questions?”

“I know what it is. I just meant what is a Gytrash doing here?”

“Let’s see. We are in a forest, on a path, in the dark.” Every word dripped with sarcasm.

“I just figured that since these forests aren’t traveled much that the Gytrash wouldn’t be here.”

“Did you pay attention in any of your classes?”

“Um, I was a little busy.” Harry didn’t want to mention the war or anything leading up to it.

Sighing, Draco grabbed Harry’s arm and lead him backward checking for the marks on the trees. “Let’s just get out of here before more show up.”

Keeping his grip on Harry he turned only to discover that he’d spoken to soon. Using the light from his wand he kept them at bay; know it wouldn’t last long as they were exposed on two sides. As he watched more seem to rise from the ground.

“We have to find some way to lose them; contact with them can be deadly.”

“Any ideas?”

“You’re the one with the savior complex. You should have the ideas of how to save our arses.”

Harry let out a low growl. Things had just started to get better and now they seemed to be going down hill. “Well if I remember anything, Gytrashs can’t fly. So all we have to do is take to the air.”

“And what do you expect us to fly on?”

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake!” Harry whispered a spell that sent a burst of light flying toward the ghostly creatures causing them to scurry back several meters. It gave him enough time to cast nox and call for the brooms. “Accio brooms! Lumos!”

“That’s never going to work. We’re too far.”

“Have some faith, will you.”

A few minutes passed without the brooms appearing. “I told you it wasn’t going to work!”

“Well, we were walking for a while. Give it some time.” His word held true as the brooms zoomed toward them, dodging branches and swerving around trunks.

“How, did you do that?”

“Never mind, just get on!” He waited for Draco to mount his broom before taking to the air.

It was nearly midnight when they made it back to camp. Both tired and irritated. They ate in silence and got ready for bed without a word to each other.

‘Hopefully things will be better in the morning.’ Harry thought to himself as he laid his head on the pillow.

The morning dawned bring and new. With it, it brought the small annoyance of waking early after a late night. Neither occupant rose with the sun, each choosing to roll over and bury their face in their respective pillows. As the forest awoke around them they slowly raised, the noise disrupting their sleep.

Harry was the first to leave the tent and headed toward the pond. He wanted to freshen up before he got to work for the day. When he returned to camp there was a small fire going and a pot of water for tea. He was surprised to say the least.

Making himself comfortable on a stump he dug through there provisions in search of something that would make a quick yet delicious breakfast. Pouring himself a cup of tea, he waited for Draco to appear. As the minutes ticked by, suspicion kicked in with no blond head emerging from the tent. Getting up, he checked the tent only to find it empty with a note on his pillow.

Picking up the note he checked his surroundings for signs of a struggle. Finding none he read the note, stifling a scream of frustration he moved to pick up the broom in the corner. After snuffing the flames from the fire he took to the skies.

Draco was already chasing the quick birds. Harry took the hovering position he had held before, watching the trees. Draco dropped into his line of vision, hovering just in front of him. The blond grinned at him cheekily.

“Finally decided to join me?”

“Finally decided to resort to cheating?” Remembering the head start the blond had gotten yesterday he raised an eyebrow. “Again?”

Draco scoffed. “It’s not cheating. The early bird gets the worm.”

“Or in this case the lead by sneaky means.”

“Merlin, Harry. You’d think you were about to lose everything you own the way you’re carrying on.”

Smirking, Harry replied smoothly hinting at everything and nothing at the same time. “Not everything. Only a piece of something important.”

Narrowing his eyes in suspicion Draco said nothing but moved on. Harry resumed watching the trees. After a while he took out his wand and cast a simple spell.

Moving slowly he headed for the den of trees. Settling himself among the branches, he sat in wait again. It wasn’t long before his spell started to work and he began his task soon after.

Three hours of flying later and Draco was on the ground. His hair mussed and face flushed from the wind. He pulled out the corked jar that was brimming with feathers and sat it on the ground before setting about starting a fire. One incendio later and the water was on for tea.

Writing a short note he placed it in the jar and put it in a corner of the tent. Gathering a change of clothes, he headed to the pond. A cleaning charm would do in tight spots but nothing quite replaced water and a good bar of soap. While a pond would not have sufficed for him years before, the war had left its subtle changes. And Draco had changed his views and opinions on many things.

Going to the small pond that was kept clean with filtering spells; he tested the water with his hand. A few warming charms later and it met his approval. Undressing he waded in after a few languid laps he began washing. The smell of his jasmine shampoo mingles with the scent of his sandalwood soap letting his mind and body relax. In his relaxed state pleasant memories overrode his mind. The most prominent being his shared intimacy with Harry.

His body responded to the mental images immediately. Sinking beneath the surface of the water, he removed the suds from his hair and body. Moving to the bank, he settled himself on the soft grass. Draco let his hands ghost down his body fanning his desire. His finger tips brushed his nipples sending a light shudder down his spine before traveling lower. His left hand traveled down his leg and teased the sensitive skin on the inside of his thigh, traveling higher. Lightly skimming his fingers over his sac he felt it tighten slightly and bit back a moan.

His right hand had buried it’s self in the soft hair at the base of his weeping cock. Teasing but not touching. His breath came in short gasp when his fingers touched the sensitive skin just behind his sac. Bringing his fingers up to his mouth he sucked them in slowly, swirling his tongue around the appendages. Lacing his tongue around them he soaked them with saliva before bringing them to the cleft of his arse. Playing with his whorl elicited a breathy moan and a finger slipped in easily in his excited state.

Before he knew it, Draco was pressing two fingers into himself as far as they would go. His free hand grasped the base of his weeping member. Sliding it up to the head he swirled his thumb over the slit spreading the pre -come that dripped from it. The natural moisture made the glide of his hand easier and smoother. The fingers in him had begun to move faster, harder and deeper. As he rode his own fingers a wave of blinding pleasure shot through him causing his body to clench around his fingers and his hand jerked ever so slightly around the head forcing his orgasm from his body.

Draco released a low moan and a breathy word before lying back on the bank. Bringing his come splattered hand to his mouth as his body shook with sate pleasure. Licking a finger he tasted himself, enjoying the heady taste before slipping back into the pond to freshen up.

Hearing his name dragged him out of his orgasmic haze. It was whispered gently and while it surprised him it put a smile on his face. Casting a quick cleaning charm, Harry headed back to camp to wait for the blond.

Draco returned to the camp site feeling refreshed and relaxed. He saw Harry making a lightly lunch of sandwiches and finishing up the teas he had started.

After lunch Draco produced his jar and handed Harry the note from inside. “That is what I want.” A self assured grin crossed his face. “So how does it feel to lose?”

Harry sipped his tea and leaned back against a tree trunk. Smiling, he shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t know. You tell me.” He pulled out not one but three jars brimming with feathers.

Draco stared at the jars slack jawed. He tapped them to make sure they were real. They were solid enough and varied enough to suggest that a duplication spell was not used.

“I win.”

“And how’s that?”

“Simple. You cheated.”

“You never could accept defeat gracefully.”

“How did you do it?”

“That’s for me to know.” Him knowing consisted of the spell he’d cast to draw the birds to him. After that the rest was just a matter of slowly collecting the tail feathers.

“Well I’ll find out sooner or later.”

“I’m sure you will but the fact remains that you lost.”

“We’re still debating that fact.”

“No, you’re debating.”

Draco sat silently for a while. He hadn’t really thought about what he had to lose. Surely Harry wouldn’t want money; the git had enough of his own. That settled it. He’d want him to do something publicly humiliating.

“Okay, what do you want? I admit defeat.”

“To talk.”

“That’s all? You just want to talk? Of all the things you could have asked for, all you want to do is talk. That’s ridiculous, we’re talking now.”

“Over dinner.”

“Oh.” Surprise crossed his face.

“A formal date.” Harry clarified; watching the blond through is lashes.

Draco sat utterly still and silent. He’d been steeling himself to do something utterly embarrassing but alas he should have known better. This, while it would probably be embarrassing, it wouldn’t be public. Well too public.

“Done,” was all he said as he moved to begin packing up camp.

Harry was surprised that the blond had agreed with little argument. Things could only get better from here. He moved to help Draco, smiling to himself.

It was roughly after three when they returned to Diagon Alley. Entering the wand shop they found Ollivander helping a customer. Silently they moved to the back of the store and set the jars on the table. Chatting idly they waited for Ollivander to finish.

They didn’t wait long. The tinkling of the bell alerted them that the customer had left and Ollivander appeared shortly with a smile gracing his face.

“That felt wonderful. Another wand found a home.” Looking at the boys smiling and relaxed in each other’s presences bought another smile to his face.

“You two look much better. I take it the assignment and travel agreed with you.”

Nodding, Harry was the first to respond. “Yes. It was thrilling to take to the air again."

“And I presume you left the Snidgets unharmed?”

“Yes. The little devils put up hell of a fight but everyone escaped unscathed.”

“Good, good. That’s wonderful, Mr. Malfoy.” Ollivander put the jars on a shelf before turning to speak again.

“I took the liberties of writing down the next assignment as it’s a bit more detailed. You should rest tonight and be ready to leave in a day or two. Enjoy the rest of your day, boys.” He swept through a door to what they presumed to be an office without waiting for a response.

Standing out side of the shop, Harry turned to Draco. “I’ll be picking you up tonight. Be ready around eight.”

Harry was gone before he had a chance to reply. Glancing down at the papers he held, he skimmed them as he sauntered off.

They’d be going to the Lycian Valley to a sacred wizarding burial ground. It was on an island, and they'll have to boat across as there was no Apparation allowed on the island. They’d be spending a lot of time together which left a lot of time for discussion.

‘So much for easy going missions. But first I must get through this,’ he gave a mental shudder of anxiety. ‘Date.’