Carridwen

"I'm in trouble,

I'm an addict,

I'm addicted to this girl.

She's got my heart tied in a knot,

And my stomach in a whirl" - "Trouble" NeverShoutNever!



What the hell had Draco Malfoy been thinking, sending that owl?



He was pulling at his hair, face in his hands, settled in his soft cotton pajama trousers. His flat was dark save for the large scattered floating candles, and the low lights of the kitchen, set at the far right corner of the flat.



Pansy was swaying her way through the kitchen corner, picking up a tray with her right hand and towing a bottle of chardonnay in her left, idling back to the comfortable living area Draco was lamenting in.



"Hon, what's the matter? Your hair is far too pretty for you to pull out like that." The dark haired girl arranged herself on a large cushion, placing the tray between herself and the blond.



Draco simply mumbled incoherently.



Pansy poured a glass of wine and handed the remaining bottle to the distressed man before her, who immediately took a swig.



"Panz." The blond wiped at the sheen of white wine on his lips. "I owled him. I owled Potter . What kind of Imperius was I under for that idea to even seem admissible in my mind?"



The slender girl beside him started to shiver, and then shake, and then burst out with full, crystalline laughter.



"Drakey Drakey Drake! Aww, you've got a crush on The-Boy-Who-Lived!" She took a tidy sip from the heavy glass in her hand and passed him a sugar-coated strawberry. "Boo, it's okay. I've seen the photos in the papers. He's quite a looker."



"Ugh," was Draco's only response, briefly taking the fruit from his friend and biting at it lightly.



"Aw. I'm not judging you, Drake." She took on a soothing tone, "We've come a long was from our days of bullying schoolyard rivals."



He muttered once more, drinking deeply from the expensive bottle.



Pansy peered at him, sidling herself in front of his down-turned eyes.



"Draco Abraxas Malfoy. It's perfectly alright to be infatuated with the Savior of the Wizarding World." She added with a smirk, "You never know, I could suffer a crush on Ronald Weasley!"



The sullen man before her couldn't hold back the boyish laughter that came bubbling from his lips.



"Ha! You with a Weasley?" He chuckled and pulled himself to sit upright, stretching his taut and uncovered torso.



Pansy smiled as he relaxed, "I'm not particularly attracted to gingers, but it could happen regardless. Who am I to challenge how I feel?"



"But Panz. Ha, what's he going to think of that owl? I mean, was it too forward? He did say... And what if he's more interested in Blaise?"



"Drake! Your letter was perfectly rational! I'm sure he'll think it's a fantastic idea. And Blaise," she started, a small smile playing at her lips, "Well, Blaise can be rather dreamy, but you! If he doesn't see that you're a better catch, then he's not worth the effort at all."



"I suppose you're right. No need for me to get flustered like this." He gestured to the bottle of wine in his hand, but took a careful sip regardless.



"Hmm." Pansy pulled a soft blanket around her shoulders, glad for all the world that the chief decorating principle behind Draco's flat was comfort.



"Well, mister DJ. Are you going to invite him to the party Friday night? Or are you just bringing me as your date?" She threw in a mischievous wink.



He started to smile, "I think that will be for you and me. I haven't really caught up with Potter yet, who knows what he'll think of me? Or of us. Slytherins and Gryffindors are historically opposing forces."



"Ah, oui, mon ami." The girl tilted her head to the side, her short bob of hair making a vertical line, "Besides, I'd rather spend my birthday with my two favorite boys in the world."



Draco took a moment to consider the meeting earlier that day at Isolde's, the posh international-style cafe Pansy had urged they convene at, where the three friends had briefly discussed the many possibilities for Pansy's twenty-first birthday, which would be occurring the very next day.



Draco began the conversation trepidatiously, "I don't see how I can get out of the gig tomorrow night, considering the contract Blaise had me sign last night..." and Pansy had looked distraught at Draco's words as the blond man glared blearily at Blaise. It still was far too early in the day for him, yet he knew the right words to get the desired reaction from her.



"Oh, Drake, but we must do something!" The smaller girl took a bite of the crepe before her, "Last year you were both gone. We need to do this right this year!"



Blaise sighed and sipped his macchiato, pulling a leather an gold cigar case from his blazer pocket.



"Look, we'll simply reserve The Loft for you. I'll call Remingford after brunch, " The Italian man surveyed his friend for approval.



Pansy dropped her fork in shock, "You... You would do that for me?" She looked from the darker man to Draco, seeing his face light up with a brilliant smile.



"Well," Blaise smirked, keeping the playfully haughty look in his eyes, "You'll have to invite enough people to fill the club to it's maximum capacity. But I don't think you'll have a problem with that, now, will you?"



Draco looked to see his best friend's stunned expression written clearly across her pixie-like features; mouth hanging open and eyes wide. In fact, reserving The Loft had been in the contract prior to Draco's signage, and invitations had been sent out in advance.



She suddenly jumped up and lunged at Blaise, enveloping him in a hug and knocking her chair over, gaining the looks of fellow diners around them in the process.



"I love you! Blaise! You're the best!" She smothered his cheeks in fuschia colored kiss marks, the lipstick she wore fading fast from her own lips.



Draco simply laughed as she stood calmly and smoothed her short, tight black dress, adjusting the cropped leather jacket around her shoulders. She was his own Alice Glass in the best of ways, some days.



She picked up her fork once again and smiled like she had just caught a snitch. "Can you imagine? Dancing at London's most exclusive club, drinking with my two favorite boys in the world, having Drake DJ the whole experience! This is going to be the best birthday ever."



Blaise simply smiled around the Toscano he was lighting, the small trail of smoke drifting above the table, as Draco snickered and made to bite into his Strawberries Romanoff saying, "And you thought we wouldn't be able to surprise you."



That night Pansy had taken the initiative to stay with Draco for what she claimed to be a much-needed slumber party between the two. She argued that she rarely saw him, what with his late hours and her job for the charity she and his mother started. As Vice-President of the Acceptance Institution for Females Endangered, she helped Narcissa give shelter, advice, and financial support to women, mostly in pureblood and conservative families, trapped by their families' dark magic beliefs or otherwise battered and abused by husbands, fathers, and boyfriends.



"Have you spoken to your mother lately?" The girl asked, picking at another piece of fruit on the tray. She attempted to steer clear of the strawberries, knowing Draco would rue the loss of his favorite fruit.



Draco looked at her, eyes lit with worry, "Not since yesterday, is something the matter?"



She smiled assuringly, "No, no. We've just been having some trouble with the charity, some missing paperwork. It shouldn't be anything too terrible."



"That's the only thing I miss about living at home, you know? I miss her every day."



Pansy smiled once more at him, "She talks of you constantly. I have to distract her with charity drives or fundraisers for her to stop bragging about her baby boy."



He laughed and flung a grape in her direction, "Psh. Then why is it when I do come home, all she speaks of is you and that bloody charity?"



She tossed a pillow at him in retribution, "Only because we're far more fun than you!"



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Draco woke up, his mind full of cotton from last night's drinking. It took him a minute to register the time glaring at him from the nightstand, but he tumbled from bed as he realized with a jolt that he would be late for their meeting.



"Ah! Merde!" He ran to the armoire that served as his closet and saw that Pansy had already left, placing a small square plate of fruit out for him and a note in swooping calligraphy that read Bonne Chance.



"Luck? I'm already making a imbécile of myself," he muttered, throwing on a charcoal colored sweater and white wool scarf with some dark wash jeans he found at the bottom of his belongings.



He blundered around his apartment, nearly tipping over the dark wooden dressing screens he'd placed around his make-shift bedroom, a simple elevated mattress in the far left corner of his apartment with only a thick dark shag rug underneath and a low night-stand. Grabbing his keys and wallet, he headed out the door in the direction of Carridwen.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



He felt a wave of de ja vu as he ascended the steps to the university's foreboding doors once again for the second time in two days. He strode forward with a false sense of confidence, arching his back and straightening his shoulders to trick himself into believing he wasn't nervous, and was met with an intense emerald gaze on the other end of the entrance.



"Malfoy." Potter greeted him with a look of quiet surprise, "I was beginning to wonder if you'd make it."



Draco's eyes swept up the man's worn jeans and fitted plaid shirt, cuffs rolled at the sleeves. He was briefly reminded of his french bohemian acquaintances, and he smiled at the thought.



"I am truly sorry. Had a bit of a late night, and honestly I didn't know if you would meet me." He ran a hand through his blond hair, mussing it more than intended.



Potter seemed surprised at his admission, and the ruffled brunette bit his bottom lip nervously, "So, where's this cafe you mentioned?"



Draco sighed inwardly, flush with relief. He'd been holding his breath throughout the entirety of his run to the university and was pleased that Potter was accepting him after all this time. Unlike many from their illustrious past, this man had seemingly forgiven Draco of their history together.



But so have I, thought Draco as he moved to open the door for the raven haired man.



"Well, it's down the block a bit. I hope you don't mind the walk," he hated the hopeful tone in his voice, his sudden infatuation with his former rival thoroughly confusing his sense of propriety in these situations - he had no idea how to act around the man.



"No, no. I like walking," Potter admitted slowly, as if nervous of his own words. Was he intimidated by Draco's looks? Or was he confused from their past rivalry?



The blond fidgeted a bit, fighting the urge to offer Potter his arm, thinking it too forward, before setting off in the direction of the cafe and motioning for Potter to join him.



"So how have you been? It seems the years since the war have treated you well," Draco allowed himself the opportunity to look once more at his former rival and enjoy the way his shirt stretched tightly over his chest. Is it really so cold that I can see his nipple? Draco pondered this, looking at the left side of his chest as they walked.



"Ha, you could say that. Just, trying to live a normal life after all that... havoc," Potter waved his hand a bit, as though that one gesture could encompass the war.



"I can understand that... But I don't think normalcy is ever truly an achievement. Normal is entirely subjective, and I'd rather be objective, don't you think?" Draco glanced at the green eyed man to his right, hoping their small talk wasn't getting too heavy for a first luncheon.



There was a slow smile that spread over Harry's face and he looked down at the pavement beneath their feet, "You've changed, and yet you haven't, Malfoy. It's rather impressive."



Draco smirked, and Harry laughed at the familiar expression on the blond, "So I'm the same, only different, am I? Potter, there is so much of me you haven't seen."



Draco had opened the door of a warm cafe as he spoke, and Harry stepped forward, the lingering scent of bergamot washing over him as he looked at Draco and spoke, "Then how about you show me?"



The taller man's hands nearly slipped on the door and his mouth grew dry, Does he know what he's asking? There was something so deep in those emerald eyes before him...



"Draco! Potter! What a pleasant surprise!" The two turned to the street and saw Blaise Zabini's lean figure striding towards them, dressed in dark Armani and a half smoked Toscano in hand.



Draco gulped and noticed Harry turn from the door as he blushed and said, "Oh, Blaise. What are you up to?"



Blaise turned his charm up and smiled winningly at the smaller man, "Grabbing a coffee. Interested?" His words seemed to wink for him as his eyes merely leered attractively.



Draco groaned inwardly. What the hell, Blaise?



"Oh. Sure," Potter was stumbling on his words, "I mean, if you don't mind, Malfoy?"



"Yes, yes, Draco, come with! We have much to discuss for tonight, as well." Blaise looked from Draco to Potter as if estimating prices for a gig that he didn't want to calculate until opening night.



"Alright..." Draco let the door in his slender hand drop and shut off the warmth of his favorite cafe as they headed for the Italian cafe another two blocks over. The group traversed in silence, and not without a sense of awkwardness - or so Draco felt.



Upon arrival, Blaise ordered drinks, setting a cappuccino in front of Potter and a warm cup of Earl Grey before Draco.



"No caramel latte with extra foam, Malfoy?" Potter lightly made a joke of Draco's snobbery in school.



"No, Potter. Nothing bests a properly prepared Earl Grey." The blond noticed green eyes surveying him carefully, and he had to tear his attention from the man to look at Blaise.



Blaise simply smiled wolfishly at Potter and started speaking lyrically, his tone whenever flirting shamelessly, "Potter, you do look rather becoming today. I hope the weather's treating you well?" He took a moment to allow his eyes free rein to drift across Potter's body, and Draco felt a flare of anger run through his limbs as he clutched his tea far too tightly.



Draco cleared his throat and Blaise turned full attention to his friend, slipping into a professional tone, "Ah, yes. So, for tonight, Draco. We need to arrive and set up by 5, I think. There should be enough time to leave and get dinner elsewhere, and you should bring a pre-recorded tape to play before our guest of honor arrives."



Potter looked simply lost in the discussion.



"Mhm. And I've called the limo to pick her up from the Manor. I think one of us should escort her to the club, though. Make it more personal. She'll like that." Draco took a sip of tea, but had to lick the back of his teeth to rid himself of the taste - Italian cafe's were no good with Earl Grey.



"Perhaps you should, so I can make sure everything is set with Remingford." Blaise squinted a bit, "That man is far too attracted to you to actually do business with you. I'll handle everything with him from here on."



Draco chuckled and shivered and the thought of the older man, "Good. I don't want anything to do with the business end. I'll have fun with my music and you can have fun with your social circles."



Potter cleared his throat loudly.



Don't worry, Potter. How could I possibly forget you were there?



Blaise looked on sympathetically as Potter licked his lips, readying to question the men before him.



"What are you two going on about? What's happening tonight? What business end?" He seemed almost suspicious, but more curious than anything else.



Draco smiled and looked down to his tea cup, "Sorry. We're getting ahead of ourselves... It's Pansy's birthday party tonight. And the business end, well, we're using our jobs to give us an advantage on making this the best night of her life."



Blaise slid a crisp black business card across the table to Potter, saying, "Ah yes, the business end. Swing by and see us for yourself sometime, if you're interested. I'm sure you've heard of The Loft."



Potter blushed once more, and looked at the two men before him muttering, "I'll see if I can make it sometime..."



Potter stood abruptly, nearly knocking over his untouched cappuccino, "Damn, I'm running late! I'm sorry to cut this short, I'm supposed to meet someone!"



Draco took the opportunity to take off his thick scarf and rub along his warm neck, remembering he wasn't wearing an undershirt with this v-neck sweater, "Something about running into me always seems to make you late, Potter."



Potter smirked, though his eyes were trained on Draco's exposed neck, "I wouldn't say that just yet, Malfoy. We've only met twice, now. Maybe next time I'll concur."



He turned to Blaise and stuck out his hand, "Good seeing you, Zabini," and after shaking the Italian's hand he turned to Draco, "And you, Malfoy," and their hands touched just that moment too long before Harry rushed out of the cafe, as inelegant as he ever was.



Blaise turned distractedly to his business partner and smirked slightly defeatedly, "He's all yours, Drake."



Draco pulled his eyes from the door, "Hmm?"



"The Golden Boy," Blaise laughed now, "He's yours to chase. I'm not one to spoil a friend's pursuit. Especially when I would simply, what's the muggle expression Pansy favors... hit it then quit it?"



Draco burst out laughing, and wiping a tear of mirth from his eyes, "Blaise. I don't know if I ever want to hear you say that phrase again."







A/N: is this good or not? i feel pretty confident with it. but, i'd like some feedback. i really have no idea what readers think about it, and if it's legitimately any good...



Also, to those who've been reading thus far, I went back and edited Chapter 2! just a small thing, but i hateddd the name DJ Dragon, so now it's DJ Aeval. It's more congruent to the idea behind the story. afterall, Carridwen is a celtic goddess of wisdom and fate, and the acronym for the charity (Aife) is for the celtic goddess/faery queen who gave the alphabet to humans (i thought it was cool to link this rebel deity to the charity, as the charity helps give abused women tools to elevate their place in life, just as the alphabet gave humanity elevation in life). Aeval is a goddess of sexuality and retribution, so it worked pretty well, methinks.



MonsterOfMalice: hope you enjoyed it! the next chapter gets a little more into the political thing with Kingsley, and manages to push Harry and Draco into an interesting situation together! plus, we see a bit of Ron. i've totally made him a sap, haha.

reviews are appreciated!