Midnight Magic

**Thanks to all of those who enjoyed Twisted Illusion and commented. I thoroughly loved all of the feedback I received. If this is your first time reading my Harry/Draco 'series' please check out Twisted Illusion. Also look forward to a Christmas continuation of their lives, followed closely by the New Year. Now enjoy!**

MIDNIGHT MAGIC

You all alone there in the dark

Shadows sinking into you

You're so afraid of everything

Is there something left for you

Why bleed for the wicked

If the wicked don't bleed for me

Got to stand up

Psych myself up

That's the way it's gonna be

Why can't I move

I'm tied up here

He said I've seen this

Pain before

Sometimes I want

To disappear

Got to tell ya

I'm feeling paranoid

What you gonna do

What you gonna be

When they're coming after me

I know that I'm feeling the lonely one

Drinking away

Smoking away

Anything to stop the noise

Inside your head

Numbness instead

Until your thinking

Finds a cure

Paranoid by Tantric

“What about this?”


A male laugh echoed through the darkened hallways. “I think that’s a little too much,” a second voice answered.


“Everyone would certainly be surprised,” the first voice replied.


“Maybe even scared.”


“Isn’t that the point of this holiday?”


“Not when children are involved.”


“I suppose you’re right, but I will not be something stupid either. You and you’re stupid Muggle holidays,” the first voice grumbled.


“Draco Malfoy-Potter! This isn’t just a Muggle holiday and you know it!”


“It’s your party, can’t I just…?” The voice now known as Draco asked.


“No, and that’s final.”


“Harry, I am not a child. Stop treating me as one,” Draco chided.


“If you stopped behaving like one then I wouldn’t have to treat you that way,” Harry laughed again.


“Well you should just let me show up in my Animagus form. Then I would have the best costume there,” Draco pouted.


“Yes you would, but we both agreed not to use them until it was an emergency,” Harry stated, tugging on a strand of blonde hair.


“This is an emergency. I have to win the best-dressed costume at the party. Malfoy’s always win,” Draco said, brushing his lips against his panthers’.


“That’s not going to convince me,” Harry said, almost folding.


“Yes it will,” Draco smirked, continuing his actions.


“Ewww!!” Came two voices, from the doorway, in unison.


Both men turned to see their twin six-year-olds standing there. Once the ‘gross’ display of affection was over, the twins leapt into the large king sized bed, where the parents were laying. Harry twirled a strand of Lily’s blonde hair between his fingers.


“So, my lovely Lily, what would you like to be for Halloween?” Harry asked.


“Silly daddy, a princess of course,” She giggled.


“Oh, is that right? You’ll make a beautiful princess. What about you Lucian?”


“A business man,” The boy stated simply.


Harry looked at his son, shocked for a moment. “What kind of business man?”


“A successful one.”


Draco started laughing. “Our children are Malfoy’s down to the core.”


“What do you think Papa should be?” Harry ignored his husband.


“A king,” They said in unison again.


Draco raised an eyebrow, obviously pleased with the idea. “Is Daddy going to be the Queen?” Draco asked, eyeing Harry hungrily.


“Nope, a panther,” Lily said. Lucian made an approving sound.


Harry seemed to be contemplating the idea, as Draco tweaked his nose.


“If I can’t be a dragon, then you can’t be a panther,” Draco said easily.


The blonde didn’t like the mischievous glint in his husband’s eyes.



******************



Harry and Draco sat outside on a small café patio, sipping at hot chocolate on the cold September day. The had only been dating for a few months, ever since the coma incident, but they both seemed content to take it slow. Or at least, that’s what Harry thought.


“Mother is holding a Halloween ball at Malfoy Manor this year. I would like you to be my date.” It wasn’t a question, yet Harry had avoided the last couple of Halloween parties, or anything to do with the holiday, so Draco wasn’t about to force him.


“What kind of ball is it?” Harry asked, genuinely curious.


“A masquerade ball. At midnight each person takes off their masks and surprises everyone,” Draco said, glad that Harry at least seemed interested.


“I’ll think about it. I’m not very good at dancing in general,” Harry laughed.


“Well, here’s the invitation, just in case,” Draco said, pulling the silver envelope out of his cloak pocket.


“Will you be disappointed if I don’t come?” Harry asked, tilting his head.


“A little, but don’t let that sway your decision in any way,” Draco said, leaning over to brush a stray strand of hair away from Harry’s face.


A moment of silence passes while they finished off their cocoa.


“I have a mission. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone,” Harry said quietly, his eyes avoiding silver ones.


Draco lifted Harry’s head, their eyes meeting. “Come back safe.”


“You’re not mad?” Harry questioned.


“No. You haven’t been on a mission since then. I’m sure you must be bored with deskwork. Just come back to me,” With that Draco kissed his boyfriend.



******************



Draco stood in the large ballroom, his elegant King’s costume complimented by everyone. It had been nearly an hour since the start of the party and the ‘hostess’, as it were, had yet to show up. Beside him stood his children, Lily in her just as elegant, but lightweight princess dress, and Lucian in a black pinstriped suit, a briefcase in one hand and a fake cell phone in the other.


It was while greeting Blaise that he caught sight of his tardy husband, at the top of the stairs. His heart sped up and a fire of desire ran through his veins. Harry was wearing the tightest and smallest black shorts Draco had ever seen, a black strip of fabric barely covered his chest. Black leg and arm warmers complemented the outfit, yet Draco’s eyes were drawn to the black collar with a silver bell and a long black leash. To make the outfit complete, two black ears were perched in the dark locks of hair, and a long black tail magically swayed behind him, as he descended the stairs.


Draco wasn’t aware that he had even moved, let alone pushed his way through the crowd to reach Harry’s side. Pale hands roamed over the well-ventured, exposed skin, and a low growl emitted from Draco’s throat.


“Tell me, what are you, that you felt the need to wear such scandalous clothes?” Draco growled, tempted to abandon the party.


“I thought it was obvious. I’m the King’s most prized possession, his faithful black panther,” Harry purred, pressing the leash into Draco’s hand.


Taking it, he pulled Harry closer; letting his other half feel his erection. The shorter man smirked, and pulled away from his dragon, leading him along to greet their guests. Draco’s eyes couldn’t leave his panther’s backside.



******************



Harry had been on his mission, only slightly concerned as to what could possibly go wrong. He’d spent days preparing for it, even going so far as for if he returned on time to go to Draco’s party. A black silhouette stared up at the huge mansion, in awe of the magical decorations. The Auror had seen the Malfoy Manor plenty of times during the day, but at night the place loomed in the darkness, looking eerie in a purple and orange glow. Knowing he was already late, Harry finally moved towards the entrance.


After handing his invite to one man, and his cloak to another, Harry was led into the main hall. It was crowded with people, all dressed in beautiful, multi-colored outfits. Masks covered faces, keeping Harry from knowing who was who. His hair had grown longer in the month and a half he’d been on the mission. It had come down to his ears, reminiscent of Snape’s back in school, but now it hung all the way down to his shoulders. With no time to cut it, Harry had just let it frame his face for tonight.


The silver mask looked simple, yet elegant against his dark skin, and matched his silver, green and black costume. Scanning the heads for the blonde he’d eventually find, Harry found the young Malfoy heir standing near the fireplace, talking with a handsome man, who looked a little older than them. A spike of jealousy raced through him, and he started making his way through the pack of people. When he reached the fireplace, the blonde was nowhere to be found.


Suddenly surrounded by a horde of strangers, Harry felt claustrophobic. After half a month of being pursued by the now-crazy Death Eater he’d been after, the Auror’s instincts were still on high alert. His chest froze, air locked in his lungs, his heart beating frantically. Spotting large French doors that more than likely led to a balcony, more importantly fresh air, he crossed the room once again. Stepping outside he took a deep breathe of the cool night air, leaning against the ornate black lattice railing. Finally his head cleared from the dizzy sensation that holding his breath had caused. Eyes caught a glimpse of a large garden lit up in the middle of the expansive grounds, and in the middle of that, was a gazebo, that was glowing purple and green. Upon finding the stairs leading down to it, Harry ventured down the gravel path, examining the statues as he passed. When the path he was following led to a huge fountain, lit with pale white candles, Harry could hear quiet whispers.


“I’m not ready.”


Harry recognized Draco’s voice and had to stifle a gasp.


“Come on, what could go wrong? I thought you were in love…” a second voice said, probably the brunette from earlier.


“I am, so much so, but don’t you think that this is moving too fast?” Draco’s voice replied.


“It’s love, nothing is too fast for it. Come on, just do it,” the unknown man said.


“What will I say to him?” Draco asked.


Harry couldn’t bear to here anymore and fled, the rocks crunching under his feet. Startled gasps could be heard as he ran, followed by someone calling his name. Ignoring it, Harry ran, unaware of his surroundings until his lungs burned with the need for air. Bent over, his hands on his knees, the dark-haired man struggled to tame his erratic heart.


When Harry looked up, he saw that he was standing on the first step into the open gazebo. To one side was a small table, set for a romantic dinner for two, and the rest of the space was almost like two could dance; lost in each other’s eyes. The sight made him sick to his stomach, knowing that this was all for someone else.


Unable to force himself into the carefully planned private party for another man, Harry stepped back onto the rocky pathway. Another crunching sound behind him and a breath heavily panting alerted Harry to Draco’s presence. Not wanting to turn around, Harry just stood there, incapable of speech.


“Harry. Harry, please, I can explain…” Draco’s voice was frantic.



******************



Draco sat at the head of a long table, slightly unnerved that his panther was currently sitting at his feet. The dark haired was splayed over the dragon’s thigh as Harry lay with his head on Draco. One arm was curled up, so that his hand was under his head, while the other one was stretched across Draco’s lap, dangling on the other side of him. If that wasn’t bad enough, his wicked panther was purring, occasionally rubbing his cheek against the dragon’s thigh. So far Harry had avoided his embarrassing erections, all while Draco prayed incessantly that he wouldn’t.


His prayers seemed to be unanswered, as his husband extended out his other hand, ‘accidentally’ brushing the erect member. Draco jumped, his knee banging with the underside of the tabletop, causing everyone to stare at him. Finally the dinner was over, and the tables vanished, making room for dancing.


When someone asked Harry to dance, the younger man politely declined, and told him that his ‘master’ kept him on a short leash. Encircling Harry in his embrace, Draco dragged the slender body as close as he possibly could. Powerless to keep his hands off of the uncovered flesh, Draco touched everything in reach, causing vibrating purrs to emanate through his panther.


Silver eyes closed in an attempt to control his emotions, but Harry obviously had other ideas. Lightly grinding his hips into Draco’s, unnoticeable to everyone but the blonde, Harry stood on his tiptoes to nip the taller man’s earlobe. Draco swiftly led them off of the dance floor, pressing Harry against the wall, kissing him fiercely.


“You’re such a tease…” Draco said his voice filled with passion.


“I’m a naughty kitty. I must repent,” Harry grinned at him, showing him an elongated canine that the dragon had not noticed earlier.


Before Draco could ask what he meant, the panther had dropped to his knees, now eye-level with the blonde’s crotch. The dragon shuddered, suddenly feeling a cool breeze on the painfully strained appendage brought some sense back to his lust hazed mind.


“Panther…? What are you…?” Draco gasped, his head falling forward, both hands using the wall for support.


“Shh…no one can see me with your cape in the way. Try not to moan too loud, now,” The devilish smile was back.


“Malfoy’s do not moa—” His sentence was lost when Harry’s mouth descended.


Silver eyes struggled to stay open as his panther brought him to absolute and utter completion. Once he was safely tucked back into his pants, Harry stood, madly grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Draco pulled him into his arms.


“What was that for?” Draco asked, breathless.


“Happy Anniversary, my dragon,” Harry kissed him.


Draco frowned. “It’s not our anniversary.” He knew exactly when that day was.


“No, but it is the first day that I knew exactly how much I love you.”


Draco leaned down, kissing his panther passionately just as the upstairs grandfather clock struck midnight.



******************



Harry felt like his heart was literally breaking. The world had stopped spinning, although his head was making it up for him. His lungs burned with the need for air, but Harry wasn’t sure when he had stopped. With the fear that he would completely shatter, Harry did not turn to look at the blonde.
He had only been gone a month and a half. Perhaps Draco had grown tired of waiting for him. The dark-haired man should have counted on that, after all, if he was going to continue working as an Auror then there would always be more waiting. Draco touched his shoulder, but the shorter man wretched it out of reach.


“Harry, I didn’t think you’d make it today,” Draco said, his voice soft.


~Obviously.~ A dark thought whispered in his mind. He couldn’t speak, afraid that he would start crying.


“I don’t know what you heard, but I’m sorry you had to find out this way,” Draco continued.


~He doesn’t mean that. The cold-blooded dragon just wants it to be over, he doesn’t care for you at all.~ The dark voice ghosted across his feelings. Harry was inclined to believe the strange voice.


“This is awkward…won’t you please look at me?” Draco asked.


~No! He wants to see you break! Take pleasure in our pain!~ Darkness seeped into his mind. Harry squeezed his eyes shut.


“I can’t blame you for being angry, I had the whole thing planned perfectly,” Draco said, and there was a sound, a shifting sound.


~He wanted to bask in our pain! Flaunt his ‘love’, break us, torture us, throw us away.~ The shadows loomed heavily in his mind.


“Harry James Potter, will you give me your hand in marriage?” Draco’s voice was clear, confident.


Harry’s eyes flew open, the darkness ebbing away. ~He’s tricking us! Don’t let him deceive us!~ Forcing the thoughts from his head, Harry subdued the black evil. ~Not us. Me, he loves me. You’re not welcome here anymore.~ Very slowly, he turned, no longer afraid that this was a cruel joke. Yet there, upon one knee in the dirt, was Draco, a ring held out in front of him.


“You’re…proposing?” Harry’s shock was reflected in his voice.


Draco looked surprised. “Of course I am. What did you think I was going to do?”


“I though you…” Harry couldn’t finish the sentence, opting for silence instead.


“Did you think I was going to cheat on you?” Now silver eyes were wide.


“I heard you from when you said, ‘I’m not ready’…”


Pale lips broke out into a smile, before standing up and gathering a shocked Harry into his arms. “We were talking about me proposing to you. I thought you might say no, and I wasn’t ready for that rejection,” Draco said, placing feather-light kisses into the dark hair.


“I’m…sorr…I don’t know what to say…” Harry said, still stunned.


Draco put his hand under Harry’s chin, green meeting loving silver eyes.
“Say yes. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to help get rid of your darkness, of your pain. I’ll be the one to hold you up, to comfort you, to please you in anyway. For the rest of our days, let me be that one, my love,” Draco said, his voice filled with emotion.


“Yes. Yes Draco, always,” Harry agreed, smiling.


The blonde leaned over and kissed his ‘light’ fervently. As a clock somewhere in the Malfoy Manor chimed midnight, Draco slipped the ring on his eternal love’s finger.