Chapter 4
Help me, I think I'm fallin' in love too fast
It's got me hopin' for the future and worryin' about the past
Draco stared at the selection of cat-food, overcome by indecision.
The food he usually bought for Merlin, the food that he had been buying since he had moved to this neighbourhood, from this SPAR - was gone.
He had asked a muggle employee and received the depressing news that the company of this particular cat food no longer produced it. Something about corruption and bankruptcy.
Which meant, he needed to buy a different one. Now here he was: wrapped from head to toe in warm clothing ( the late October weather meant it was freezing outside) and faced with a challenge he had not prepared for.
I don't know anything about cat food. Gluten free - does that even matter to a cat??
He couldn't google it either, since he had left his phone at home. Since Luna had given him the bloody number, he had been actively avoiding the blasted muggle contraption. This had both good and bad effects. Bad, because the damn things were very handy and he found he relied on it more than was comforting - and good, because his overall screen time had gone down. He had been meeting deadlines and reading books and going for unnecessarily long walks to take his mind off...things.
It was Thursday, four days after his run-in with Harry. Draco had to listen to the reprimands from both Luna, and Jolie and Latika. They all told him to just call Harry but now it had been too long and he felt it wasn't appropriate anymore. Anyway, maybe it was for the better - after all, the appearance of Harry in his life had only uprooted normalcy completely. He had a lot on his mind and work to focus on!
And the cat-food situation was not helping.
I mean, it's always been there- always the same one in the same shelf. Why now?
The adorable cats on the packaging of the cat food stared at him, each one trying to look more buy-able than the other.
"Excuse me, sir," It was the muggle employee woman from earlier. "Do you need any help? You've been standing here for quite a while."
She had large watery eyes and a bright smile. Draco nodded, defeated by the selection. "I have no idea what to get for my cat," He admitted and gestured helplessly at the shelf. "I mean how different can they each be, really?"
The woman laughed and then helped him select a new one, by asking questions about Merlin's hair-length and such things. When he hoisted two of the maxi-packs into his arms and thanked her, she waved him off, smiling hopefully - she had obviously not seen the small rainbow flag pinned to his bag.
Sorry to disappoint.
Ten minutes later, Draco was back at his apartment. Merlin was wolfing down the new pellets, it seemed to be a good choice, and Draco was picking gingerly at his miso-soup.
"Oh, Merlin," He sighed and pushed the bowl away. He wasn't very hungry. "Was meeting Harry Potter again the best or the worst thing to ever happen to me? I mean, everything is different now.."
Merlin continued to chomp on the pellets.
"I know, I know..." Draco stood up and put the soup in the fridge, for later. "I'm being dramatic. It's really only him being in my life and the cat food, that's different. Should I call him?"
Merlin licked the now empty bowl. Draco picked up the black cat and cradled him in his arms, stroking his soft fur. He walked to the living room and flopped down onto the couch.
"Ugh...indecision is the killer of all joy," Merlin stood up on his chest and arched his back, stretching. Draco played with the cat's ears and let his thoughts wander. "I wish he could call me. Then I'd be sure. Except - he doesn't have my number. What do you think, Merlin?"
Merlin yawned, exhaling his terrible breath right into Draco's face, and then jumped off his chest and padded out of the room.
"Are you abandoning me?!" Draco called after him, reproachfully. "No more snacks for you, mister! I mean it, if I-"
RING RING! RING RING!
He jumped up.
RING RING! RING RING!
Where was his phone?! Those blasted muggle devices...
"Accio phone!" He shouted, hectically.
RING RING! RI-
"Hello? This is Malfoy," He called into the speaker. The number had been an unknown one. For a brief moment he wondered...he hoped....
"Malfoy? It's Immelda. Immelda Zix." Disappointment coiled tight in his stomach as he recognised his boss' reedy voice.
"Oh. Hello, Immelda. What can I do for you?"
"Didn't you get my memo? I need you at the Ministry, NOW!"
"What? Sorry, I haven't been checking my phone..." He hastened to the entrance, put his phone on speaker and slipped into his favourite oxfords (they had dark green laces).
Immelda made an impatient sound on the other line. "Well hurry up! I need those two articles immediately and the magical wards around the Ministry are getting fixed. This means we can't send any or receive anything via magic. Are you leaving yet, Malfoy?"
"Yes, yes! I'll apparate!" Draco fumbled with the buttons on his coat and grabbed a pair of gloves and a scarf - dark green, of course. "Sorry- why the Ministry and not our headquarters or your office?"
An irritated sigh. "I have an important interview with the Head of the Broom Regulatory Control department. His office is on level 6, find me here and be quick!"
"See you-"
"Bye, now. Bye." She hung up.
Draco summoned his keys, wallet and the two articles, then with a last glance into the mirror (his hair looked alright) he shouted a goodbye to Merlin and was out the door. His magical reinforcements meant he never needed to lock his apartment, they put themselves up automatically and locked the door for him - he just needed to open it when he came back. Draco whirled on the spot and apparated straight into the toilet entrance, which is what he called the Personnel entrance (how he despised this entrance). Technically he was not meant to use this entrance, however his status as a member of the Daily Prophet granted him a couple of luxuries. He was registered magically and would be recognised by the wards, no matter which way he arrived. That is, of course, if that part of the wards wasn't currently malfunctioning. Draco joined the short line for one of the cabins, smiling awkwardly at a man next to him. When it was his turn, he stepped as quickly as he could into the toilet and flushed.
He had always found this entrance terribly old-fashioned. The suctioning and whirling made you feel slightly sick once you arrived in the Ministry, which he felt was reason enough to change this outdated magic. But the Ministry of Magic adored its traditions. He wondered if he should bring it up with Hermione, maybe she could do something.
The moment he was in the grand atrium, a badge magically appeared on his chest.
So, this seems to work.
The badge read: DRACO MALFOY - DAILY PROPHET (VISITOR)
He charged through the crowd, which was surprisingly large for the middle of the day. Perhaps it was lunch time. Speaking of - he now felt the absence of the soup. His stomach growled weakly and he made a mental note to grab something to eat after the delivery.
Draco managed to squeeze himself into one of the elevators and press the button to the 6th level: Department of Magical Transportation. Now he just had to endure the ride.
Every time I go to the ministry, I remember why I'm never here.
The turbulent elevator ride did not mix well with his empty stomach and by the time he had appeared in front of the black door labelled Eliga Hornbeam: Head of Broom Regulatory Control Dept, he was out of breath and nauseous. Draco inhaled deeply and knocked loudly on the dark door. It swung open by itself. He stepped into the office and the door shut ferociously behind him.
"Malfoy!" Immelda barked at him. She was a very energetic woman, with a lot of frazzled black hair, dashed through dramatically with grey. She always wore a pair of square sparkly glasses, perched on the end of her long nose and had an acquired taste for surprisingly elegant suit robes paired with odd and garish shoes. Today she was sporting a dark pin-striped pair of suit robes and iridescent purple high heels with pointed toes. Her long nails were the same colour and her dark brown lips were frowning at him
"Sorry, I didn't get your memo," Draco said breathlessly.
Immelda waved him off and then snapped her bony fingers at him impatiently. "No worries, you're still on time! Here, do you have the articles? Yes, Eliga, I'm already here, see you in a minute!" The last part she called into her phone. Evidently she had been making a phone call before Draco came in.
"Yes," He handed her the folder he'd been carrying under one arm and she briefly shook his hand. She had a very strong grip.
"Thanks for coming! Sorry again for the short notice and the mix-up!" She smiled at him and then turned away, talking on the phone again. This was his cue to leave. Draco mumbled a quick goodbye and then left the office, the door shutting itself behind him.
He exhaled.
Merlin, that was overwhelming. Time to get something to eat.
Now that Draco wasn't rushing to meet a deadline, he wandered calmly back down the corridor, looking around curiously. He wasn't at the Ministry very often, in fact the memory of having to go to the 10th level at age 18 for his trials was the main reason he hated coming here. Too many bad memories. To his surprise, however, he found that level 6 was a lot more pleasant than level 10. The somewhat odd choice of the shiny greenish-black tiles on all walls, ceilings and floors, was counter-acted by an elegant purple carpet and magical windows which let in magical fake daylight. Many of the doors on this floor were either open or constantly being opened and closed, and there was general chatter and movement. Draco dodged a tall witch whose arms were laden with broomsticks, so her vision was obscured. As he strolled down the corridor towards the elevators, he listened in on snatches of conversation, most of which seemed to revolve around the current issue with the wards. It seemed they had been malfunctioning sporadically since yesterday and were difficult to fix.
While he waited for an elevator to arrive, Draco looked out of a window. The Ministry was entirely underground, but the magical windows still reflected the weather outside: Grey and a little dreary. A ping announced the arrival of a new elevator and he stepped aside to let the people stream out, leaving an empty elevator, much to his delight. He loved empty elevators. It was a small moment where he could be alone with his thoughts, while being in a public space.
The golden gates slid shut with a clatter and Draco pressed the button to level 8, which was where the atrium was located.
Why isn't it in level 1, right below the ground? That would make a lot more sense...
The button for level 7 was blinking, meaning he'd have to make a brief stop there, before continuing to the atrium. He clung onto the grab handles dangling from the ceiling and tried to keep any nausea at bay, as the elevator swooped first backwards, then left, then right and down at breakneck speed. It really was rather dangerous and uncomfortable.
As the 7th level came into view, so did two familiar figures, talking animatedly in front of the golden gate. Draco couldn't believe it: It was none other than Hermione Granger and Harry Potter.
How does this keep happening to me?!
The elevator violently lurched to a halt and the gates slid open. Hermione turned to enter and stopped mid-sentence when she recognised Draco.
"Draco?!" She exclaimed. Her curly hair was up in a head-wrap today and she was wearing her Deputy Minister's robes, a bulging folder under one arm and a coffee in the other hand.
Draco's eyes immediately flicked to Harry, who's eyebrows were raised in surprise. He was dressed in his Auror's robes - a practical navy two piece "suit" with a high collar and button straps crossing his chest. The uniform hugged his broad shoulders snugly and looked damn good on him. His arms were laden with a stack of paperwork.
"Hello, guys," He stepped aside to make room for the other two, facing them from one side of the elevator.
"Hey, Draco," Harry grinned. "I can't escape you, can I?"
Draco mirrored the grin easily. It felt comfortable. Natural. "As if you were trying to," He scoffed. "I honestly think you're following me around, at this point."
Harry laughed his easy laugh, shaking his head in amusement. "So? What brings you to the Ministry?"
The elevator swooped upwards and Draco held onto a bar. Hermione and Harry seemed unfazed by the sudden movements. Maybe they used some kind of spell.
"I had to bring something for my boss, who is here at the moment," He explained, gripping the bar with both hands now. "And now I'm going to grab some lunch. You two?"
Hermione sipped her coffee. "I just got off my lunch break and I have a meeting on level 5 which I need to be getting to." She gestured towards the buttons next to Draco. "Do you mind..?"
He pressed the button and the number 5 blinked. (Department of International Magical Cooperation)
"Press level 2 for me, thanks," Harry said. "I'm actually done for the day and about to grab something to eat as well. If you don't mind waiting for another 10 minutes, I'd love for you to join me?"
He phrased it like a question and Draco nodded, pleasantly surprised at the invitation.
Someone somewhere seems to be looking out for me.
"Yeah, sounds good," He answered and pressed the button for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Then he pressed the 8th button, to remove that destination (A trick he had learnt during his trials. 10 levels were very excessive and so this trick helped if you made a mistake or were in a hurry. After all, there were a lot more elevators that could be used.) and the elevator stopped and suddenly began speeding upwards. His stomach swooped uncomfortably.
"So, Draco, how's life been?" Hermione said conversationally. "I heard you were at Harry's the other day." She smiled innocently, but her dark eyes twinkled.
Draco felt his ears flush. "Yeah, he was a great help," He replied, matching her tone. "And life's been good. You know, normal, I suppose. How's W- Ron?"
"A bit stressed," She took another sip and the elevator made a turbulent jerking motion to the left. "He's in the middle of a case, in which a young muggle-born girl was put on the street by her parents. The girl is safe, given her circumstances, but they can't track down her parents to wipe their memories or try to have a conversation with them. It's all very complicated with the new tracking laws and such things, you know?"
Draco made a sympathetic noise. "Tell him I said 'hi'," He said, as the elevator pinged to a halt and Hermione got out, robes swishing. She waved with her coffee and disappeared around a corner with the words, "I really hope we'll see you again soon, Draco! Have fun, boys!"
The gates slid shut and the elevator jerked back into motion. They were alone.
"And then there were two..." Harry said, smirking at Draco. The blonde man chuckled. There was a brief silence in which Draco feverishly tried to think of something interesting and/or funny to say. His brain betrayed him - nothing.
"You know you left something at mine," The other man interrupted his thoughts.
"I did?" He asked, confused.
"It was this photo album thing," Harry hoisted the paperwork in his arms up a little. "I didn't look at it, I only saw the first page because I was wondering what it was." He grinned and added, "You were really an exceptionally adorable baby!"
Draco buried his face in his hands and laughed. "Oh no, don't tell me..."
"Yep, baby Draco - naked apart from a pair of socks," The other man laughed and he joined in.
"Here, let me take some of that," Draco plucked a stack of folders out of Harry's arms, who smiled gratefully. He looked at the titles of the folders: all abbreviations of some sort. Nothing that made any sense to him. He looked up at Harry, who was watching him with a fond amusement. "What the fuck does this all mean?" He asked.
"Those are files of open cases in the red one and the rest are for departments within my level," The Auror explained as the elevator swooped past level 3. "Misuse of muggle artifacts, improper use of magic and so forth."
"Oh," Draco considered the folders in his hands for a moment. He wondered if Harry had ever had his own file or his father's, but didn't ask. He didn't want to know the answer. The elevator had arrived and the gates slid open. Draco followed Harry onto his floor. The 2nd level had a thick dark blue carpet with the Auror's emblem of the crossed wands printed on it in a faint pattern. There were some wanted posters and shelves attached to the walls. Some doors were open, revealing people pouring over books or chatting, and others were shut. Only their plaques let you know what might be going on behind the door. As the two men strode down the hallways side by side, people greeted Harry as he passed them. Other Aurors, some of which eyed Malfoy with surprise, interns, people wearing courtroom attire and simple office robes.
"You're popular," Draco commented, raising a teasing eyebrow.
"Or I'm just the boss and they have to be nice to me," Harry stopped in front of a door labelled Harry J. Potter: Head Auror. He beckoned with his chin at the blonde man. "Can you grab my mail, please."
There was a small letterbox attached to the wall next to Harry's door and after Harry unlocked it with a spell, Draco took a small stack of letters and one parcel out of it. In the meantime, Harry had opened his door and Draco hurried in after the tall man. The door shut softly behind them and Harry immediately went to his desk and set down the stack of paperwork. He groaned and rolled his shoulders. They made a popping noise.
Draco placed the folders and the mail on Harry's desk as well and then looked around curiously.
"Don't mind me, I just need to change into normal clothes," Harry said and vanished behind a door set in the wall of his office. Probably his bathroom. He called from the other room, "Look around, if you like! I have nothing to hide!"
Draco laughed softly.
Harry's office was not particularly large, but it wasn't small either. The space was a rounded shape and one "wall" was almost entirely made up of a magical window, letting in loads of natural daylight. There was a large bookshelf, with books and files. A filing cabinet, a coat-hanger, a broom-stand and two chairs near the door. Probably for visitors. One wall was dedicated to a pin board covered in posters, a calendar, pieces of paper and strings. Near the window, in the middle, stood a large wooden desk and a black leather chair. Harry's desk was a bit of a mess, what with the paperwork and all the other things. He had a lamp, a small bisexual flag, a wand-holder, two empty coffee mugs, a pair of handcuffs and two framed photographs on the surface as well.
Draco moved around to stand behind the desk and picked up the photographs to get a better look. One was a picture of a smiling couple swaying and sharing a loving kiss on an autumn day. Draco recognised the tall brown-skinned man with the glasses and messy hair immediately as Harry's father James. He really looked a lot like Harry, just that Harry's skin was a little lighter and he had green eyes. That meant the woman with the red hair must be his mother Lily. Draco watched the two people, so obviously in love, and felt a small pang of sadness. Sometimes he forgot how much Harry had already got taken away from him at such a young age.
The second frame included two photographs with a very similar vision. One was faded and had folded creases, the other one was in a little better condition. Both were pictures of a group, smiling and looking very determined. Draco spotted Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Mad-Eye Moody, Hagrid and more. On the other one there were a lot more younger people as well. He heard the door open and looked up to see Harry walk back in.
"Are these the two Orders of the Phoenix?" He asked and Harry nodded. The taller man was now wearing official looking clothes, a white shirt with a sweater vest and tie and a pair of suit pants. He pulled it off as well.
"I like having them here as a reminder for why I do this job," He quipped and put on a long coat. Draco set the frames down and walked over to the other man. Harry smiled at him and said, "What do you want to eat, then?"
Draco took the Gryffindor scarf off the coat-hanger and wrapped it around the other man's neck. Harry stared at him, perplexed. A slight blush appeared on Harry's face and Draco slapped his cheek lightly and sauntered past him to the door with smirk. "You choose, Mr Big Bossman," He called sweetly over his shoulder.
"Any preferences?" Harry jogged after him and they entered the corridor, the door shutting and locking behind them.
"Just tall, broad men with tattoos and glasses," Draco said with a grin. He was feeling bold.
Harry laughed and elbowed him lightly in the side. "Lucky me," He remarked, then added, "So, sushi alright then?"
Draco nodded. "Perfect."
***
"Favourite romcom?"
"Love Actually."
"Draco, you would be a very basic muggle, you know that?"
"Well, then it's lucky I'm not a muggle. And besides, I saw on Readit that it's a classic!"
"Readit? What the fuck is readit?"
"Readit? Readee? Reddit? Whatever."
Harry snorted, "Reddit?" Draco glared playfully at him across his ice-cream. The two men were strolling casually down a street. They had already gotten sushi and Harry had talked about his job, how it was a lot of work but he enjoyed it.
"It's rewarding, you know? Of course it's also incredibly draining, but since I'm Head Auror I can just call in sick whenever I like," The last part he had grinned mischievously and then snatched one of Draco's salmon-avocado uramaki rolls from his plate. Draco had tried to grab it from him but he wasn't quick enough.
"Bastard!" He had poked his tongue out at Harry (who had gloated, "What can I say, Auror reflexes...") and then looked around to check if they were being too loud. An older woman had been looking at them with amusement and otherwise no one seemed to care.
Draco had taken one of Harry's spider-crab rolls in retaliation. It was delicious. "Hmmm, this is amazing!" He had exclaimed. "Merlin, how have I never tried this before?!"
Harry had chuckled in agreement and then asked Draco about writing. "Do you enjoy writing for business and stuff? Sounds a little boring to me, if I'm honest."
Draco had tutted. "That's because you're a go-getter and not a go-thinker."
"Thanks."
"I mean it as a compliment," Draco had smiled and Harry had smiled right back. His stomach had felt fluttery and warm but he felt incredibly comfortable around the other man. "Anyway, it's what I studied because of my mother, but I do actually find it interesting. Either way, I feel like I can help people in their daily struggles with money and landlords and such things. I also write my own creative stuff, so it doesn't get too monotonous."
Harry had looked impressed. "What about?"
"Oh, you know," Draco had felt his ears burn. He didn't usually share this with other people. "Mostly what I observe or know about people and things in the world. I also write fiction and short stories. Some of them are published under a pseudonym, actually. And," He had cleared his throat self-consciously. "Some...poetry."
Harry hadn't laughed at him, he had looked delighted and interested. "That's so cool! You have to show me something someday!"
"So you think there will be a someday?" Draco had raised an eyebrow, but internally he had been squealing like a little child. "Cocky, don't you think?"
Harry had shrugged. "I think so - I hope so, anyway."
Draco had nodded and held the green gaze. "Me too."
The conversation had drifted to sillier topics and after their lunch Draco had found out that Harry was a miserable singer, but an adequate guitar-player (Harry's words), allergic to walnuts and a movie fanatic. He laughed a lot and freely, had no problems giving or receiving compliments and was constantly keeping himself busy. Whether he was fiddling with something, drumming his fingers, twitching a leg, running a hand through his hair or pushing his glasses up his nose - he was in motion. Draco found that watching Harry move and talk elaborately with his hands, his emotions so clear on his face and in his body language, was all the entertainment he'd ever need.
Harry was interested in him and his life. He was interested in Draco's piano playing, his interest in fashion, Merlin, Jolie and Latika. He was scandalised when Draco revealed the missing cat food and amused at Draco's distress of how wrong muggles were about magic.
"I mean it comes in about a million different forms according to them!" Draco had protested, as they had found the only ice-cream shop seemingly still open in late October. Harry had chosen dark chocolate and Draco pistachio. "They can't even decide about what vampires look like, do, or how they function!"
Harry had thrown him a knowing look. "Twilight or Vampire Diaries?"
"I don't know what Twilight is, but I'm watching Vampire Diaries and it's so silly!" Draco had said, as they turned a corner towards the Thames.
"Hmm, and yet you watch it..." Harry had raised his eyebrows at him.
"Easy entertainment, what can I say."
"So, you've really never watched Twilight?" The other man had asked.
"Nope."
"Don't sound so proud, it's a cult-classic," Harry had dodged a lady walking six dogs. Then he had fallen back into step next to Draco. "Since you're immersing yourself in muggle culture - I have some questions."
"Fire away, Potter."
Five questions later, Harry was now laughing at him for calling 'Reddit' 'Readit'.
"Moving swiftly onward," Draco said and elbowed Harry playfully. "It's already getting dark, let's go the river, it's nice there."
They continued down the street, chatting. As the light slowly seeped out of the sky, people were streaming out onto the street, their collars turned up and their noses buried in their scarves. Draco felt indifferent to the cold October wind; he was warm. Harry was easy to talk to - no, fun to to talk to. He was having a brilliant time. As they strolled on, they commented on the various people or shop windows, occasionally stopping to look at something for longer. Draco shared his irrational fear of pigeons and Harry's only reaction was a very solemn, "I'm so glad you shared that. It was, dare I say, fierce of you.", to which Draco sighed dramatically, "Yes, well, the muggles do say that pigeons are cameras from the government." He looked at Harry. "Do you believe that?"
"I do," A nod.
"Good, me too."
They exploded into laughter and turned the corner, giggling like school girls. Suddenly Harry grabbed his arm and pointed excitedly across the street. In confusion, Draco let himself be pulled by him, narrowly swerving a bus and then they stopped in front of a costume shop. It was called Magic, Monsters & More. The sign was painted in fading gold and the costumes on display looked shabby. It was obviously an old muggle store that probably didn't see many visitors.
"Err, why are we looking at this?" Draco furrowed his brow.
"Halloween!" Harry gestured eagerly at the sexy nurse costume. "I just remembered!" He turned to continue walking and Draco fell into step next to him, wondering what on earth he was on about. The other man was practically skipping.
"Yes, what about it?" He asked.
"Well, it's coming up and I just remembered that I was going to ask you if you wanted to be my plus one for Hermione and Ron's Halloween party this weekend. It's on Saturday and it's a medium sized gathering. You'll know most people there, I suspect," He faltered in his excitement and turned to the surprised Draco. "What I'm trying to say is, will you come to this party as my date?" He looked at Draco hopefully and pushed his glasses up his nose. In that exact moment the street lamps switched on. The one directly above them bathed Harry in a yellowy light, his glasses flashing gold.
"Is it with costumes?" Draco asked, biting back a smile.
"Of course!" Harry scoffed. "What kind of Halloween party wouldn't have costumes?!"
"Yeah, alright," The blonde man blushed happily. "I'd love to."
"Brilliant!"
"What are you dressing up as?"
"Not telling..." Harry stuck his tongue out at him and Draco rolled his eyes.
"Fine, be that way." Draco was doing internal somersaults. Harry had asked him out! Officially! Then, suddenly, he felt anxiety invade his happiness. What do I wear? "What should I wear?" He asked, wracking his brains.
Harry shrugged. "It can be magical or muggle related, as long as it's a little over the top. Hermione and Ron always do the most iconic couples costumes. Like one time they went as Kim Possible and Monique and another time they did Velma and Shaggy."
Catching Draco‘s confused expression, Harry sighed in defeat, “Don’t even worry about it…”
Draco laughed and watched the other man's face light up as he talked about his friends.
"I don't know what they're doing this time, but I'm sure it'll be excellent," Now he winked at Draco. "And whatever you choose, I'm sure it'll be excellent too."
"No pressure," Came the mumbled response.
Now I have to think of a bloody costume. Urghhh.
Draco glanced to the left at Harry, his nose reddish and his silly crooked smile plastered across his angular face.
Well, it'll be worth it, I guess.
An hour or two later, they had found themselves walking along the side of the Thames. Now they were standing by the railing and looking out over the river. The sky had since faded from a pale grey to a dark smokey city night-sky. The river gleamed with the specs of light coming from the city, like little fish writhing near the surface but never truly breaking through.
"It doesn't really get dark in the city," Draco said wistfully and pointed into the sky. He was huddled against the cold, arm to arm with Harry as they faced the river and the other shore. "When we were at Hogwarts, we used to be able to see so many stars. Back at Malfoy Manor, it's the same."
Harry followed his gaze and nodded. "Whenever I'm at the Burrow I'm always reminded of the amount of stars in the sky. It feels impossible when you look up in London, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," Draco smiled. He turned to the bespectacled man and admired his profile as he continued to stare upwards and across the river. "I like it though, it's comfortable. Like a blanket."
Harry caught his eye and grinned. "You are aware that it's just light pollution, right?"
"Yes, thank you, oh wise one," Draco dead-panned.
"Oh, don't worry about it," Harry yawned lazily and shrugged with a superior smile on his face. "I do what I can to help the less intelligent."
Draco huffed in fake insult and turned on his heel, as if to walk away. Harry laughed, "Nooo, come backkk. I didn't mean it!" The Auror grabbed his sleeve and pulled him back, whirling him around. In a heartbeat, they were chest to chest and suddenly Draco knew exactly what was going to happen next.
Harry's green eyes bore into his, a small smirk on his crooked lips. Draco's heart was hammering like that of a teenager and he willed it to calm down. All around him everything seemed to have frozen, the noise of cars and people drowned out and plunging him into a small bubble of expectation and tension with the other man. It was like being sucked under water suddenly, all the while flying too high for anyone to be able to see them.
"Hi," He breathed and Harry chuckled softly.
"Hi," The taller man's eyes flicked down slightly and then carefully, almost hesitantly - he kissed him. Draco closed his eyes automatically and after a moment, sighed and felt himself melting into the kiss. He slung his arms behind Harry's head, pulling him closer and burying his hands in his soft dark curls.
Help me, I think I'm fallin' in love again
When I get that crazy feelin',
I know I'm in trouble again