Chapter 3
Harry blinked the lights out of his eyes as he walked off of the carpet, ignoring the pleas of the paparazzi for one more photo.
“This way Harry,” came Darla’s familiar sing song, “First I’ll need to introduce you to ….”
Harry tuned out as he usually did when Darla started rambling on about the people that he needed to talk to. He didn’t need to pay attention anyways because Darla would always say the first name of whoever they were greeting and then all Harry had to do was smile and be charming. People didn’t expect much of him.
As they walked through the door, Harry made a beeline straight for the bar and ordered his first drink. If he was going to put up with these socialites all night, he was going to have more than a few of these.
For the next several hours, Harry mingled. He hated mingling. The shallow small-talk and fake smiles drove him crazy. After all of these years he had never grown to like it. He was on his fourth drink, and his fifteenth group of people before he spotted the head of blonde hair that he had forgotten about. She was standing over by the door surveying the crowd, clearly looking for him, but not looking out of place. She was wearing a dark blue dress that flared slightly at the waist and fell just below her knees.
“Excuse me,” Harry said abruptly as he left the conversation, not really caring if it was rude.
“Luna,” he greeted when he reached her.
“Hello Harry,” she said. He liked the way her voice was soft but her eyes were sharp. She was smart, and he respected that.
“I’m glad you could make it, could I buy you a drink?” he offered politely.
“No thank you, I don’t drink when I’m working,” she said calmly. Harry let out a soft laugh.
“It seems I drink more when I’m working,” he explained with a wink.
“I see,” she said. Silence fell for a second. She had not laughed like most people would have, and Harry felt awkward.
“Er, well I’m not sure what you’d like to do, but mostly we just stand around and talk to each other until someone gets up and makes a speech,” Harry explained. He knew he wasn’t being very eloquent, but he had just enough alcohol in him to not care.
“You can do however you please, I can just observe, I don’t want to keep you from whoever you need to talk to,” Luna offered.
“Honestly I’d rather stand here and talk to you,” he admitted.
“Why, first the drink offer and now the compliments, are you hitting on me Mr. Potter?” Luna asked with a slight smile, “You really do live up to your reputation.”
Harry blinked.
Oh.
Harry let out a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Luna asked. Harry took a deep breath and collected himself.
“I’m sorry, I was not trying to hit on you, I genuinely would rather be talking to anyone else over the people here,” Harry explained, “Besides, I know you’re married, I wouldn’t do that. Neville Longbottom right?”
“That’s right, how did you know that?” Luna asked.
“I remember reading it in the Quibbler a few years ago… I was roommates with Neville for a while, how is he doing?” Harry asked. Neville had always been shy and quiet, and Harry remembered him fondly.
“He’s doing really well, he has a large garden that he sells plants out of, he’s hoping to be Herbology professor at Hogwarts some day,” Luna explained with a smile that Harry could tell was full of love and adoration.
“I’m glad to hear it. Herbology?” he asked. He couldn’t remember Neville being good at Herbology, though, he couldn’t remember Neville being good at much of anything academically. He couldn’t remember a lot of things from Hogwarts most of the time. He’d tried to forget about that part of his life.
“Yeah, he’s really gifted with plants, it’s his passion,” Luna said, “He asked how you were doing earlier… if you ever wanted to, I’m sure he’d love to have dinner sometime and catch up, of course only if you wanted, I know you’re very busy.”
Harry was touched that Neville had asked about him. He had assumed that everyone from Hogwarts had forgotten him and moved on. “Oh wow, um, that would be nice I suppose,” he said. He immediately regretted it, and blamed it on the alcohol.
“Ok great, I’ll talk to him when I go home and we can set something up, he’ll be very happy about this, and don’t worry, it won’t have anything to do with the story I promise,” Luna said. Harry hadn’t even considered that.
“Ok, yeah, sure,” Harry said, suddenly feeling awkward. What would he and Neville even talk about? They had never been as close as Harry and Ron had been. Was Neville still friends with Ron?
“Harry dear, what are you doing over here?” interrupted his thoughts. He looked over to see Darla making her way over to him. He inwardly groaned.
“I’m just trying to make sure Luna has everything she needs,” he said calmly, and then knocked back the rest of his drink. “What do you need?”
“Well, I’d like you to talk to-”
“Excuse me, could we get a picture?” They were interrupted by a girl in her early 20s wearing a short dress that was not leaving much to the imagination.
“Oh of course dear, Harry over here,” Darla commanded, grabbing him and pushing him next to the girl, all while taking the girl’s camera. Harry refrained from rolling his eyes and the girl plastered herself to his side suggestively. He put on the barely there smirk that he knew was the reason most people thought he was an ass. Or at least, whenever he saw the smirk in pictures, Harry thought he looked like an ass anyways.
“Thank you so much, I’m like your biggest fan,” the girl squealed after the picture.
“I’m sure,” Harry commented dryly, “Excuse me, Luna, would you accompany me?”
He turned his attention away and offered his arm to Luna. She accepted, and Harry led them away to the bar. He knew Darla would be fuming at his behavior but he didn’t care, he didn’t want to talk to any more people tonight. He headed back to the bar and ordered two drinks.
“I told you I don’t drink on the job,” Luna reminded.
“Well, you can hold it for me until I finish mine then,” Harry said, “Help me try to salvage my reputation.”
“I don’t know if that’s possible,” Luna muttered. Harry felt a real grin break out on his face.
“You’re right,” he said.
“You seem more… more aware of your image than I had first thought,” Luna said slowly. Harry hid another grin. He could tell that Luna was once again trying not to offend him. She had been walking on eggshells since this morning’s initial interview. He knew it was not because she was afraid of him, but that she was eager to see what lay under his facade. Unfortunately, she would be disappointed because there wasn’t much beneath it, and what was there, well, Harry was going to keep that to himself.
“What do you think of my ‘image’?” he teased using air quotes with his free hand. He looked at her over the rim of his glass as he took another sip.
“I’m trying to stay unbiased for the story, so I’m not thinking too much of it at all,” Luna said, narrowing her eyes. “But I do think that you’re deeper than you would like everyone to think you are.”
“Is that so?” Harry asked, suddenly itching to get out of this conversation. He looked around the room for a distraction of some kind, “Well I’m sorry to disappoint, but I’m really just not that interesting.”
Luna opened her mouth to respond, but their attention was drawn by a clinking of a spoon against a glass at the front of the room.
Harry watched without interest as speeches were given, handshakes were exchanged, and a large check was presented to some person that Harry didn’t know, for some reason that he couldn’t care less about. It was all the same at these things.
Soon enough the event was winding down and Darla was ushering him to his car with Luna trailing along behind.
“Alright Harry, try to keep it together tonight yeah?” Darla reminded as the car pulled away from the venue. Harry rolled his eyes.
“Oh Darla, you know as well as I do that you love a good scandal, don’t pretend you don’t,” Harry joked without humor.
“I think you had too many drinks dear,” Darla laughed nervously, glancing quickly over at Luna, “I’m so sorry Ms. Lovegood.”
“You’re probably right, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true,” Harry laughed, and then to appease her, “It’s okay though, you take good care of me.”
“That’s right, I do,” Darla said with a sniff, “Now, it looks like we’re almost there, have fun Harry. Luna, you may stay as long as you like, this car will be waiting outside to take you home.”
Harry decided he was not needed for the conversation, so he leaned over to the doorside compartment that he knew was loaded with liquor and grabbed a bottle. He popped the top off and took a swig, and relished in the burn as it went down his throat.
“Are you not coming inside?” Luna asked politely.
“I’ll go in just to make sure everything is situated for him, and then I’ll head home,” she said, “Someone has to be up early tomorrow to put out any fires he may start tonight.”
“Again Darla, you act like you don’t love it,” Harry drawled, annoyed now. Darla ignored him. He fiddled with the bracelets on his wrists to make sure they were on correctly. He always wore them to the club, or anytime he wasn’t going to be completely sober. They restrained his magic so that there wouldn’t be any unwanted outbursts. He was the only one who could put them on or take them off. He frequented both muggle and wizarding clubs, but he wore them every time anyway.
It wasn’t very healthy for magic to be bottled up with the bracelets for extended periods of time, but he only wore them at night. And, he wasn’t normally sober enough to notice any negative side effects.
Harry took another big swig from the bottle.
“Oh, we’re here, Harry put that down!” Darla scolded, “Luna wait here for just a second so they can get their pictures.” Darla gestured to the flashing lights outside.
Harry took a deep breath and loosened his tie.
“I’ll see you later,” he bid goodbye to Luna and ignored Darla. He pushed open the car door and was met with the loud calls of the paparazzi.
“Harry over here!”
“Mr. Potter, look here please!”
On and on it went until he reached the door. The security guards stepped aside and pulled the door open for him. Standing just inside the door was his usual crowd that surrounded him at these events. Kristine came up to him first.
“Harry, I missed you!” she squealed in a tone that they both knew was fake. She would drop it the second the cameras were away.
“I saw you last night Kris,” he murmured as she kissed each of his cheeks.
“So sassy Harry,” she scolded.
He had known Kristine since he came back into the spotlight. Darla knew her through some connection. Kristine was Darla’s replacement when it came time for Harry to go to the clubs. Harry pretended that he didn’t know that Kristine got a chunk of his money for making sure that he didn’t get into too much trouble when he went out, and Kristine pretended that they were best friends who like to party together.
Harry liked her better than Darla, because Kristine did like to party, and she was closer to his age.
“Let me go say hi to your manager and then we can get started,” Kristine said and passed him to go check in with Darla. Harry knew that they were confirming all of his ‘rules’. Basically it consisted of him actually getting home at the end of the night and not leaving with anyone. That was a rule that Harry himself had created. If he was going to be getting so fucked up, he didn’t want to chance waking up in somebody’s bed, or somebody he didn’t know waking up in his.
Next came Rob. Harry liked Rob a lot. Harry wasn’t sure if Rob liked him, but he didn’t think Rob was ever sober enough to like anything. Rob was always there, because Rob supplied any of the drugs that the group wanted to use. He made sure that they were safe and weren’t laced with anything.
The two nodded at each other and Rob turned to help Harry weave through the club. The music was pounding and the lights were going. They made their way to a back table where they normally started their night. Their usual group was seated around the table playing cards.
“Ah look who decided to show up,” teased Molly, “We missed you.”
“You always miss me,” Harry laughed. Molly was… well, she was nice. There wasn’t a lot there. She was almost like a child, innocent somehow. Well, as innocent as you can be when sleeping with most of the population of the single UK, and experimenting with every substance you could get your hands on. Still, Harry felt protective of her.
“Get in here,” Molly squealed. Harry fondly rolled his eyes and squeezed in.
“Do you want to play?” she asked.
“I’m alright, I can watch, or do you want my help?” Harry asked knowingly. Molly batted her eyes ridiculously.
“You’re the best Harry,” she cooed in his ear, and then nipped at the tip of his earlobe.
“Molly, ew,” he complained half-heartedly. She laughed.
“Just a warning everyone, Harry has a reporter here, watching him,” Kristine appeared
from nowhere, “So, do with that as you will.”
“What’s she gonna learn that everyone doesn’t already know?” teased Tyler. Tyler was the other main component to their group. He was tall, taller than Harry, and had the classic frat look. He had sandy blonde hair and tan skin with bright blue eyes.
Harry had slowly gained this group of people over the past few years. It was always the five of them, and then the rest of the people came in and out. Harry honestly didn’t even know anyone else’s name and he didn’t really care. He liked Molly and Rob, and tolerated Kristine. Tyler was unique. Sometimes Harry felt like they were dating, but they weren’t. He didn’t have strong feelings towards Tyler as far as attraction went, but Harry really wasn’t attracted to anyone. He normally ended up in Tyler’s lap at the end of the night, and it was normally Tyler sticking with him until the sun came up. They never hung out while Harry was sober, but they were hardly separated when he wasn’t.
Harry wasn’t under the illusion that Tyler wouldn’t love to sleep with him. He would as soon as Harry allowed it. He flirted. Harry flirted back. However, Tyler knew that Harry never slept with anyone, and never really tried to push it. Tyler slept with other people. He flirted with them in front of Harry, and Harry really didn’t care. He did the same thing. So yeah, he wasn’t sure what you would define their relationship as, it just was what it was.
Right then, Tyler was pushing his usual drink over to Harry, and Harry accepted it with a grateful nod.
“There you are,” Kristine cooed as Luna approached the table.
“Hello everyone,” Luna greeted, “Don’t mind me, act as if I’m not here.”
“Come sit down,” Tyler offered the seat next to him with a flirtatious smile.
“She’s married Ty, don’t try anything,” Harry warned with a smile.
“Aw, man,” Tyler whined jokingly. Harry looked around and waved down one of the bouncers.
“Hey man, would you be able to make sure this beautiful woman isn’t bothered by anyone and can leave safely whenever she wants?” Harry asked, fishing out a wad of cash from his pocket.
“You got it,” the bouncer said gruffly, and took a spot on the wall where he could survey them.
“You didn’t have to do that Harry,” Luna protested, “I can take care of myself.”
“I know, I just want to make sure you’re safe,” Harry replied.
“Well thank you,” She said.
“Let’s play now please!” Molly whined.
With that, the game started up. Harry didn’t pay too much attention, chipping in only when Molly asked for advice. He finished another drink and was buzzing pretty well when Rob started passing around the first blunt.
After some time, the group decided to get up and dance a bit. Dancing had never been Harry’s favorite at first, but after a time, he grew to enjoy moving to the rhythm. He made his way onto the dance floor and laughed as Molly started grinding on him. He knew that it was only to catch the attention of the other men on the floor as there had never been anything between them. Eventually Molly moved on, and Harry jumped between partners. He didn’t discriminate between men and women. Harry did not care to hide his sexuality. He had fooled around a bit with men and women, and had never taken things too far with either of them.
At some point Rob joined him and discreetly slipped him a little pill. Harry didn’t ask what it was and took it.
Before long he found himself wrapped in the arms of Tyler. They swayed together to the beat.
“So pretty baby, you’re so sexy,” Tyler murmured in his ear. Harry wasn’t really listening. He laid his head back on Tyler’s chest and let his mind go fuzzy as he stared up at the lights.
He was broken out of his trance when another couple knocked into them, almost making Harry fall to the floor. Harry felt Tyler grab him by the waist to keep him upright as he blinked hard to fight the dizziness.
“Why don’t we go sit down for a while?” Tyler suggested. Harry nodded, and the pair made his way over to the back rooms. There were nice couches back there, and it was a more private audience. The bouncer guarding the door let them in without question and they went to their usual spot in the back. Harry sat down and sprawled out, breathing hard from all of the dancing.
“Having fun?” came a familiar soft voice to his right.
“Luna, I forgot you were here, how did you get back here?” Harry asked.
“Kristine let me in,” Luna explained.
“Ah I see, is she around here somewhere?” Harry asked.
“Yeah I think so, listen-,” Luna said.
Harry was distracted by Tyler pouring out some white powder onto the table, “Mmm okay.”
“Harryyyy,” came Molly’s voice as she plopped herself onto his lap. She took a hit off of something in her hands and then grabbed his face and blew it into his mouth.
“Thanks babe,” Harry laughed.
His head immediately started spinning in a rush. He laid his head back against the couch to try to steady himself. He lost track of the voices around him. Eventually the weight on his lap left him. When the head rush stopped he opened his eyes to see another game of cards was being played around him.
Two girls who he didn’t recognize were on either side of him.
“Welcome back sweetie,” one of them cooed in his ear. They had their hands on his thighs, but he didn’t care.
He stared listlessly into space and someone put another drink in his hands.
He realized that there were lips on his neck, and he let them connect to his own lips. He lost himself in the kiss, not really paying attention to it. At some point he felt like a pill might have been passed into his mouth but he didn’t really care.
The next time he became aware of his surroundings he was laying flat on his back with another girl on him grinding against him while attacking his mouth. He broke his mouth away to breathe and tried to look around.
“Hey..” he slurred and tried to gently push the girl away.
“Quiet silly, I’m going to make you feel so good,” she whispered.
He tried to shake his head but she didn’t stop. She started moving downwards towards places that Harry did not want her to go.
“Alright, I think that’s enough, get out of here,” came Tyler’s voice Harry thought. The girl pouted and climbed off of him roughly. The movement made Harry’s head spin and he squeezed his eyes shut.
He felt someone sit down and lift his head so he was resting his head in their lap.
“Dizzy babe?”
Harry nodded.
“Here.”
A hand opened his mouth and slid another pill inside, which Harry dutifully swallowed. He didn’t ever question what was given to him. He didn’t really care.
Eventually he opened his eyes and looked up at Tyler lazily. His eyes drifted around. There were only a few people left there.
“Luna?” he asked with difficulty.
“She left a long time ago,” Tyler said.
“Mkay, can we go home?” Harry slurred.
“Yeah come on,” Tyler answered. Tyler stood and helped Harry to his feet. He swayed dangerously but Tyler held him upright. Harry pushed his face into Tyler’s neck to try to steady himself. He didn’t like not knowing where he was or what was going on. He just wanted to sleep.
“Give me a kiss baby,” Tyler murmured, as he tilted Harry’s face up with his hand. Harry closed his eyes and submitted to the kiss obediently.
Harry didn’t know how long they stood that way. He lost track of time for a while. Before he knew it, he was stumbling out of the car at his apartment, Tyler holding his arm to make sure he didn’t fall.
He blinked again and he was in his apartment laying on the couch cuddled up with Tyler who had one arm around his waist and another in his hair.
“I don’t feel good,” Harry murmured. He didn’t know if the words even came out of his mouth. His stomach rolled and he tugged away from Tyler, and fell off of the couch.
Tyler gave an exasperated sigh.
“Again Harry? You’ve already thrown up three times,” he complained. Harry didn’t listen and pushed himself off of the floor to stumble to the bathroom. Tyler continued complaining from the living room, “You know maybe I need to talk to Rob about what we’re giving you, this is annoying.”
Harry didn’t listen as he heaved into the toilet. Nothing came out, but his stomach hurt. He felt tears come out of his eyes at the strain. Before he knew it, he was sobbing.
“Harry, calm down,” snapped Tyler from the other room, “You’re fine.”
Harry hiccuped and laid down on the cold floor to try to stop the spinning.
Eventually the sobbing and the spinning ended and Harry fell into unconsciousness.