Chapter 26
When they arrived back at Grimmauld place Draco bounded up the stairs without a word to either Harry or Narcissa.
“I’m going to take a nap before dinner.” Narcissa told Kreacher as he took her shopping bags.
Harry climbed the stairs slowly and looked down the hall towards the second set that would lead him up to where Draco was probably still pouting. He didn’t want to go up them, didn’t want to argue.
What happened to just wanting to kiss me? Harry sighed.
He went instead into his workshop. He took the little wrapped box from his pocket and set it on a table along with his sweater. He untucked his shirt and sat down at his work bench, pulling his project book over to him. He opened up the grid lined pages and looked over his various plans. Then turned to an empty page and began sketching. A house appeared before him with two levels and rambling bushes. He drew a small dog in the yard, smiling as he remembered his drug induced suggestion. That night seemed to be forever ago now.
The door clicked open and Harry stopped. Draco entered and then shut the door behind him, leaning back against it.
“Are you done being cross with me?” Harry asked, shutting the notebook and rotating the stool seat to face him.
“Not really.”
“What do you want then?”
“I don’t know.” Draco didn’t move from the door. He looked down at his feet and scuffed the bottom of his shoe against the floor.
“You have to talk to me, if you want me to understand.” Harry said.
“My mother knows.” Draco said at last.
“Yeah, she surprised me too. Nearly choked to death.” Harry let out one small laugh.
“And everyone at the ministry knows, and soon the whole damn wizarding world will know, and…”
“And what?”
“And now what if everyone is going to think I got my ministry position by sleeping with you!”
“Oh.” Harry hadn’t considered that.
“Yes and now all the hard work I’ve put in is all tarnished.” Draco slammed his hands against the door and cursed.
“You’ve more than proved yourself, I don’t think anyone will really believe that… plus Hermione recommended you not me.”
“I’m not sure, I get this feeling people are just waiting to see me fail. Waiting to discredit me.” Draco slid down the door and sat with his knees bent. Harry crossed the room and sat next to him.
“I’m sorry.” Harry whispered. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
“Well it’s not so much the kissing as the timing… and the setting… can we maybe not do it again at work?”
“So you’d still like to do it again?” Harry tried not to smile and Draco rolled his eyes.
“Yes.” Draco leaned across the small space between them and gently laid his lips against Harry’s cheek.
“Are you busy next weekend?” Harry asked, filled with the warm feeling of Malfoy’s gentle kiss.
“I don’t know, why?”
“I’d like to take you out.”
“Like a date?” Draco seemed confused and Harry nodded a confirmation. “I’m not sure Harry, what if someone saw us?”
“So what? It’s not like we can un-crack that egg.”
“I don’t know.” Draco looked away but Harry forced him to look him in the eye before he spoke again.
“I want to take you on a date. I don’t care who sees us, I don’t care what they might say, or what someone might think. When someone makes you feel the way I feel when I’m with you, they deserve to be taken out on a date, properly.”
Draco didn’t answer Harry right away, he just searched Harry’s eyes for something. Harry tried with every fiber of his being to convey that his words were true.
“Where are we going?” Draco asked at last.
“Is that a yes?” Harry smiled.
“It’s not a no.”
“I’ll pick you up Saturday at six.”
“Pick me up? From where? Upstairs?” Draco laughed.
“You just be ready.” Harry laughed with him. “I got you something today.”
Harry waved his hand as he spoke and the small package drifted over to them. Grabbing it from the air he handed it to Draco.
“What is it?”
“You know that answer can almost always be answered by opening it up.” Harry said sarcastically. Draco frowned and opened the box. He pulled out the thin leather bracelet and Harry helped him tighten it around his wrist.
“It reminded me of that book you have downstairs, with the green cover.”
“I…” Draco started to say something but he shook the thought from his head. “Thank you.”
Harry shrugged and they sat in silence as Draco spun the bracelet around his wrist with his finger tips.
“I’m not reversing my stance on how I feel about you spending time with my mother but I do appreciate that she was rather happy today.”
“It was nice.” Harry stretched his legs out in front of him.
“I don’t understand how she can be happy… I mean he just… he’s…” Draco couldn’t get the words out.
“Have you talked to her about it?”
“We’re not talkers… we’re not really programmed for that.” Draco sighed.
“I think you should try it. I think she’s got the same confusion you do… I’m not sure anyone but the two of you will ever be able to understand that.” Harry grabbed Draco’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Can I ask you something?” Draco pulled at Harry’s arm to make him turn towards him. The look on Draco’s face made Harry want to scream ‘no’.
“Sure.”
“Am I broken?”
“What?”
“If I’m not sad… am I broken?” Draco’s eyes were more tired and sad than Harry had ever seen.
“I don’t think there are any rules for something like this… I’m not sure there’s any right or wrong way to feel. I think you should-“
“Talk to my mother?” Draco finished Harry’s suggestion. Harry smiled and nodded. There was a knock on the door behind them.
“Dinner is served.” Kreacher called.
“Alright.” Harry answered, annoyed. He stood and pulled Draco up by the hand he was still holding.
“Oh I almost forgot…” Harry closed the door Draco was opening and pressed him against it. He kissed Draco in a way that made his knees hurt. He grabbed the back of Draco’s neck and pulled it forward, making his head tilt up. From this position Harry poured himself even more fervently into the kiss. Draco made an appreciative noise and parted his lips even more, as if to drink Harry in completely.
“But we can finish that conversation later.” Harry teased, pulling himself away. He kissed Draco once more on the forehead and headed out the door. He walked slowly down the stairs, giving his blood time to settle before he had to face dinner.