Longish chapter ahead, but I didn't want to break it up. :D

Sunday, December 24, 2006

The entire team gathered at 4:00 p.m. in the Cauldron, despite the holiday, even Brady, who waved away Harry's thanks and explained that his mother was watching his daughter until he returned. Harry hoped to have them all back home by 8:00.

"Draco will teach you the spell," Harry said briskly, face flaming when he recalled his own experience with that. His gaze darted to Draco and then away, but Draco was expressionless. "It's powerful, so be careful where you aim it."

Harry had spent an hour the prior evening filling out a Damage Report to explain his demolition of Training Room Four. He had also spontaneously dropped in on Kingsley and explained their plan, hoping to get last minute clearance. He didn't mind breaking the rules and putting his own position at risk—and obviously Draco was on board with that decision—but he wasn't comfortable allowing negative repercussions to fall upon his other teammates. Thankfully, Kingsley agreed to permit Harry's "experimental spell test" and accepted Harry's bald-faced lie that he had been unable to contact Head Auror Anders at face value.

Harry assumed Kingsley's house full of guests and festive in-progress party helped to speed the decision, along with the fact that Kingsley was well in his cups by the time Harry had knocked on his door.

Victoria successfully cast the spell first, picking it up with ease, and then helped the others. Rocco took the longest and Harry wondered at the emotional connection to making the spell work. Harry was able to cast his simply by channelling his unrequited admiration for Draco, thankfully with less force than he had used previously.

Within the hour, all of them were comfortable enough in their casting ability to feel ready. "Let's go!" Tim said and bounced in place. "I'm ready to fry those creepy bastards! Have some Christmas cheer, dementors! Ha!"

Harry shook his head and chuckled. Vic laughed, Rocco rolled his eyes, and Draco and Brady each cast one more practice spell before declaring they were both ready.

xx*xx*xx

Trafalgar Square was packed with Muggles. A bank of fog had rolled in, making everything below hazy and dim, which suited Harry just fine. The fog would help mask any spells they used.

The festive mood was tangible, even from where Harry and the others hovered on their brooms. The air was cold, however, and Harry's steadily renewed Warming Charms barely kept the chill at bay. There was no sign of a dementor. Had they chosen the wrong event?

Harry expelled a breath, forming a cloud in the air before it dissipated. He lifted his arm and gave a signal. The others spread out in groups of two and began to search the outlying areas. Draco flew with Harry, but remained far enough away that conversation was impossible. Harry tried to focus on the job, but his gaze kept lingering on Draco.

Draco did not seem to have any difficulty focussing. He pointed with his wand. Harry followed the direction of the movement and squinted into the fog. For long moments he saw nothing, and then he picked out a shadow, backlit for only an instant as it passed over a streetlamp.

Harry glanced at Draco and they both started towards the shape. When they got closer, Draco cast the spell before Harry could, ordering the dementor to call its brethren. Harry hoped the creature obeyed and had not learned to do otherwise from their previous encounter, during which one of their number had been lost.

The dementor paused and then glided towards them. Draco's wand rose.

"Wait," Harry called. "We need to see if it worked."

"I know that," Draco retorted. He cast a Stinger and the dementor halted again. Harry heard voices below—a group of Muggles was approaching; the sound drew the creature's attention, or perhaps it was the giddy emotion.

Harry called to mind his kiss with Draco and allowed the emotion to flood through him, pushing away the regret and focussing on the moment of blissful happiness it had conjured at the time. He cast a burst of concentrated emotion at the creature, not enough to kill, but only enough to lure it closer as he rose higher into the air.

Harry laughed low, drawing the creature's attention, as well as Draco's. "Come on," Harry said tauntingly. The dementor glided forwards with a sudden movement, quicker than thought, but Harry's reflexes sent him spinning away on the broom, giddy with the sheer joy of flying. He laughed again.

Draco rose also, matching his pace, but keeping a fair distance from the dementor, wand held ready. Harry drew the dementor higher and higher, until the glow of the streetlight far below became nothing more than a muted ball of pale light, gleaming through the fog.

Black shapes suddenly appeared around them as more creatures emerged from the darkness and the mist.

Draco flew closer. Vic and Brady were suddenly there, obviously having noticed their downward plunge earlier. Brady cast a Patronus, not worried about the Muggles for the time being. The swan sped away to call Tim and Rocco closer.

"Let's do this!" Brady said in a delighted voice.

The first dementor seemed slightly confused by the presence of the four of them, as if uncertain which one to go for.

Vic dropped down suddenly, pulling a pouch from her robes. She took out a handful of powder and scattered it into the air. The mist became an ally as the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder billowed and spread, clinging to the fog in thick clumps rather than spreading out; it would last far longer and help to mask their activity from the Muggles below.

Draco joined her and they scattered the powder over a large area while Harry and the others kept the dementors at bay with select Patronus Charms and Stingers. They milled semi-statically at first, as if communicating silently with one another and working out a plan of attack.

Without warning, several of the dementors sprang forwards. Harry lifted his wand and his spell crackled straight at the nearest creature. He felt a surge of satisfaction as the dementor seemed to explode. That satisfaction helped to fuel the next spell and he magnified it accordingly. Draco's spell worked brilliantly.

The creatures began to flee almost immediately, obviously sensing the destruction of their fellows. The other Aurors threw themselves into the fray, sending spell after spell sizzling after the dementors as they twisted and dove in the air.

Far below, the Muggles carollers sang merrily, unaware of the battle taking place above them. The music was a strange accompaniment to the fight; the fog and the lilting tones of the Christmas songs became a surreal backdrop to the carnage they wrought amongst the magical creatures.

Tim and Rocco had joined them just as the original attack began. Rocco seemed to delight in using the command charms on the dementors, demanding they call more and more of their brethren to the battle even as they strove to flee. The creatures flew erratically, seeming confused by the mixed messages.

Harry was surprised at his exhilaration each time one of his spells destroyed a dementor. He thought he should feel some sort of remorse, but he could not help but recall the Inferi crawling from the pool where Voldemort had hidden Slytherin's locket; they were not living creatures, but constructs of magic, existing only to feed. His lack of pity became reinforced each time one drew too near; the flickering despair and flesh-crawling cold gave him the impetus to cast spell after spell.

The others seemed to feel the same as they relentlessly pursued every last dementor. The team followed orders and remembered their training, staying with their partners during each manoeuvre. Draco stuck close to Harry's side. Vic and Brady were an amazing team, as always, and seemed to anticipate one another's every movement. Tim and Rocco were meshing into and excellent duo, as well. He was less certain of his and Draco's interaction, but that might have simply been Harry's tension with Draco's presence feeding into his reactions. Despite his misgivings, there were no mishaps.

They pursued the creatures in pairs, leaving Trafalgar Square and chasing down as many dementors as they could locate, taking care not to be too obvious to Muggles once they left the concealment of the Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder. Disillusionment Charms were utilized and they didn't worry overly much about random Muggles catching the flash of Draco's charm. They would most likely explain it away as a flash of electricity, or even an unknown ghostly phenomenon.

If any of the creatures had escaped, it would be a simple matter for the team to stake out random Muggle events and destroy any stragglers. It was a satisfying thought to believe that soon there would be no dementors at all.

Eventually, there were no more to be found in the darkness and Harry called the others together high above Nelson's Column. Flushed with victory and laughing exuberantly, Harry watched with surprise as Brady leaned over and planted a kiss on Victoria's mouth.

She punched him in the shoulder, but immediately laughed and said, "It's about time, you stupid prick."

Tim burst into raucous laughter and even Draco joined in on the chuckling that followed. His eyes met Harry's for a moment and something seemed to crackle between them. Harry's throat went completely dry before Draco looked away.

"I think our splendid victory calls for a drink," Draco said. "If you don't mind, we can all Floo to the Manor and I will crack open a vat of my father's prized Armagnac. I might even be able to conjure some mistletoe for the lovebirds."

There was no dissention and they all Apparated back to the Ministry and put away their brooms before gathering in the Atrium. Harry sent a quick Patronus message to Kingsley to let him know what had happened, and promised to produce a full report as soon as the holiday break was over. Anders would most likely be unhappy that they had not consulted with him prior to embarking on the mission, but the fact that the Unspeakable's spell had proven useless while one of his own Auror's had come up with the solution would probably appease him. Anders would be able to gloat at Croaker for quite some time to come.

The plan was quickly enacted and soon they had all gathered in one of the fancy parlours inside Malfoy Manor, this one bedecked with a huge Christmas tree decorated in icy white and deep violet. It was an unexpected combination.

Draco went to the sidebar and poured the aged brandy into large snifters. Narcissa Malfoy appeared wearing festive-looking robes of burgundy trimmed in green and gold. She accepted a glass from her son and smiled at the others.

"Happy Christmas, everyone. You all seem to be particularly pleased with yourselves this evening."

Tim launched into an explanation of what they had been up to, embellishing at will, and making the others laugh at his increasingly outlandish descriptions. Narcissa seemed riveted by the tale and exhibited evident pride when Tim revealed that Draco had been the one to invent the spell that had taken down the creatures. Draco only rolled his eyes.

With the alcohol pleasantly warming Harry's insides, and Draco sitting far closer than Harry had expected, he allowed himself to bask in contentment. He was meant to have dinner with Ron and Hermione later, but for now he was happy enough to enjoy the company of his teammates and his enigmatic partner.

Harry was surprised Draco had chosen to sit next to him at all, considering how standoffish he had been since he had ignored Harry pleading words in the Ministry Atrium just after their molten kiss.

True to his word, Draco even conjured mistletoe and sent it hovering over Victoria's head, until Brady finally laughed and gave in, leaning over to plant a kiss on Vic's lips.

The sight prompted Rocco to recall a strange case involving enchanted mistletoe and soon they were rolling with laughter again. Auror stories descended into tales of the oddest things they had seen. Rocco had seen the most strangeness, including several incidences involving rare creatures. During one case, a large-scale fire was found to have been caused by pet fire crabs.

"Why would anyone keep fire crabs as pets?" Vic asked.

Harry met Draco's eyes for a moment; he knew they were both thinking of Hagrid.

"Maybe his Animagus form was a fire crab," Brady suggested. "I once knew a Dane whose Animagus form was a sea slug." He laughed at their expressions of disbelief. "Yeah, he rarely transformed and was nigh unto useless when he did. The Danish magical scholars loved to study him, trying to find a correlation between personality and Animagus forms. He was rather slug-like."

Harry laughed with the others and sipped his brandy.

"What is your Animagus form, Harry?" Narcissa asked, nearly causing Harry to choke.

The alcohol burned as it trickled down his windpipe. He coughed until he could speak again and goggled at her. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, "Is it a secret?"

The others were staring at him. "Well, it was," he admitted.

"You're an Animagus?" Tim asked, sounding awed.

"Yes, Potter, tell us what your Animagus form is." Draco's voice was borderline purring and Harry looked at him with a glare.

"No, thank you," Harry said flatly.

"Oh, come on, Harry!" Tim coaxed. "I've never known a real Animagus!"

"How long did it take you to learn?" Brady asked, sounding awed.

Harry twirled the heavy glass in his hands. "Two years," he admitted. "Practicing nearly every day. It was tough." He looked at Narcissa, uncertain why she would bring it up. "How did you know?"

"I have a friend in the Improper Use of Magic office. She did not say what your form is, only that you were registered. I do hope she won't get in trouble for my speaking out of turn. I should not have had that last glass of wine."

Harry's eyes narrowed. If Narcissa Malfoy was drunk, Harry would eat the Christmas tree. He could not determine her angle for bringing up the matter.

"Hey, wait, I thought Animagus registry was public information!" Vic said.

"Not for Aurors," Draco replied. "They lose much of their usefulness as spies if the enemy knows what their Animagus form is."

"The Department of Mysteries is exempt, also," Harry added. "For the same reason. The Minister knows, and the Head Auror. Very few others."

"Surely you can tell your own teammates," Tim said. "We all have high level security."

Harry sighed with a sinking feeling. "Yeah, I suppose," he admitted. In truth, he had never utilized his Animagus form in a work capacity. Falcons were not exactly subtle creatures and his usefulness as a spy was limited. An insect form like Rita Skeeter's, or even a rat, would have been more advantageous.

Draco's hand dropped to Harry's wrist. Harry glanced at him in surprise. "Don't," Draco said in a low tone. "It isn't necessary."

Strangely, the warm touch had the opposite effect. Rather than calming Harry, he was suddenly annoyed at the whole situation. He wanted Draco, who was determined to marry Astoria Greengrass and have little Malfoy heirs and make his dead father proud. It was foolish to act like he had anything to lose.

Harry shook off Draco's hand. "It's fine," Harry said and got to his feet. Knowing it would be the death knell of whatever had been briefly between them, Harry set down his glass and shifted into his Animagus form.

A moment later, he fluttered over to the chair where Tim sat and perched on the backrest, careful not to scratch the wood with his talons.

"That's amazing!" Tim cried. He reached out to touch Harry, who took wing with a piercing cry and went to land near Victoria.

She smiled. "That's very impressive, Harry. Maybe we should all start working on that ability."

Harry lifted off again and fluttered over to land next to the Christmas tree. He turned back into his human self and studiously avoided Draco's eyes. Instead he looked at Narcissa, who looked smugly satisfied. Harry wondered at her ulterior motive. She obviously knew more than she was letting on.

With perfect timing, Rocco said, "Well, it's been fun hanging around with you nitwits on my day off, but I've got a bottle of Firewhisky with my name on it. I plan to get some shuteye while the night is still young. Draco, thanks for the invite. Narcissa, you're a damn fine woman to look at, and gracious, too. Goodnight." With that, he grinned at Narcissa, whose blush was a sight to behold, and disappeared into the green flames.

"I need to get home to Francis," Brady said and followed Rocco to the fireplace. He paused and looked back at Vic before holding out a hand. "Would you like to come along?"

She shrugged nonchalantly and got to her feet. "I suppose it won't kill me to spend some more time with you." She winked at Harry and bid Draco and Narcissa a polite goodnight before joining Brady in the fire and leaving.

Tim sighed heavily. "I suppose I should get home and listen to my stepfather tell my mother what a terrible job she did raising me. It's a tradition, you know. Thanks for the drinks, Draco. Mrs Malfoy. 'Night, Harry."

Harry felt somewhat awkward being the last one to remain, but it would have felt cowardly to rush out with the others. Narcissa came towards him and held out her hands. Harry took them as she leaned in and placed almost-kisses on both of his cheeks. "Thank you for coming, Harry. I am sorry to have made you uncomfortable. It was not my intention."

He wanted to ask what her intention had been, but he was entirely too conscious of Draco watching him. He nodded. "Thank you for your hospitality. Happy Christmas." He made to step away, meaning to enter the fireplace and flee, but Draco's voice stopped him.

"Harry. Wait."

The words rooted him to the spot, mainly because Draco had used his first name.

Narcissa moved to the door. "Well, goodnight, Harry. Goodnight, Draco. Happy Christmas to you both." She smiled fondly at Draco and went out.

When the door closed behind her, the silence was absolute but for the crackling of the flames in the fireplace. Harry struggled for something to say, some words that would enable his escape, but then Draco was walking towards him and all possible linguistic combinations shrivelled away.

He focussed on Draco's clothing to avoid meeting his eyes. Draco's Auror robes had been unbuttoned to the waist to expose a plain white vest beneath. Only twenty more buttons and the robes would fall open completely, ready to be pushed away from broad shoulders…

"I remember the first time you came here as a falcon, Eroe," Draco said.

Harry opened his mouth to explain, to make excuses… something.

"I knew you it was you right away," Draco admitted.

"I—what?" Harry goggled at him, meeting Draco's grey eyes for the first time since the word "Animagus" had entered the conversation.

Draco smiled. "I knew it was you. You have a rather distinctive pattern of dark feathers… here." He lifted a hand and drew a long finger over the scar on Harry's forehead. "Did you know?"

Harry shook his head. He had looked at himself in the mirror a few times, as a falcon, but his mind as a bird had been more intent on preening than picking out small details – he had been far more riveted by the pattern of light and dark on his breast, and the wicked sharpness of his talons.

Draco's hand did not fall away, instead, his fingers traced down the side of Harry's face, causing the breath to catch in his throat.

"But… how could you know it was me? You didn't know I was an Animagus."

"I did know," Draco said and his fingers touched Harry's cheek. His thumb moved over to swipe lightly at Harry's bottom lip. "I knew shortly after you registered. It's the reason I took up falconry."

Harry's thoughts were sluggish. He was having a hard time processing Draco's words with the languid heat that began to steal through him from the touch of Draco's thumb on his lip as it caressed one direction and then the other.

"You… knew?" he breathed.

"Borrowing books from the Auror library and cheating on my admissions exam are not my only transgressions, Harry. I've been known to bribe a Ministry employee or two in order to get what I want. Knowledge is power, after all."

"You knew," Harry repeated.

Draco nodded. "I knew the first time I saw you in falcon form, and I knew the night I took you to my room and you transformed and then kissed me. I thought I'd dreamt it—except I found a feather on the floor in the morning."

"You were such a prat the next day," Harry said and mourned the loss when Draco's hand fell away.

"I knew you had been there, I knew you had kissed me, but I didn't know why. Why come to the Manor at all?"

"I wanted to see you," Harry admitted, somewhat heartened when Draco's hand did not go far; it dropped to the front of Harry's robes and toyed with the golden buttons.

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to Crucio Astoria Greengrass and thought that might land me in Azkaban. You were the next best thing," Harry admitted, suddenly finding his tongue again.

"Lovely Astoria? Why would you want to hurt her?" Draco asked, sounding innocent.

Harry reached out and grabbed Draco's hipbones fiercely. "Because she was touching you. Because you spoke so casually of marrying her, and I could think of nothing but you in her bed… I wanted to… Well, it was a bit of a shock at the time. What are you doing?"

Draco's fingers had been busy opening more of the buttons on Harry's robes. They were uncomfortably close to Harry's crotch now, much to the interest of Harry's cock.

"Undressing you," Draco replied in the same tone he's used in the past to ask Harry if he'd signed paperwork. It was disconcerting.

"Un. Un… wha—?" The power of speak having apparently deserted him once more, Harry could only stare as Draco sank to his knees.

"I'm undressing you, Harry." And there was the tone Harry had been waiting for, the sultry purr that had turned Harry's blood to flame before their kiss in the training room. Draco's eyes locked with his and the intensity there took Harry's breath away.

The last of the buttons came undone and Draco's stare left Harry's, his attention diverted back to Harry's clothing. Draco opened Harry's robes to expose the waistband of his trousers, held in place by a thick leather belt. Harry watched as Draco's nimble fingers pushed the leather through the loop and then tugged it free of the centre pin of the buckle.

"Okay. Um, why?" Harry wondered why he was still talking, when he had no problem with allowing Draco to carry on with what he was doing—except on a logical level, and really, logic was starting to feel vastly overrated.

"Because I want you. I want to see you naked, and I want to touch you. I want to taste your skin. I want your cock in my mouth." As Draco spoke he worked the rest of the leather through the metal buckle. When the belt hung free at last, Draco's fingers moved to the button of Harry's trousers.

Although his mind was half-blown by Draco's words, niggling doubt demanded to be heard, forcing words into Harry's mouth. "But, what about Astoria?" Harry wished he could have bitten his lip in time to forestall that question, because he really, really did not want Draco to stop. His cock was in full agreement with that, straining painfully at the material so close to Draco's hands. But Harry's conscience had a mind of its own and, unfortunately, control of Harry's vocal cords.

"What about her?" Draco asked impatiently, tearing at the button and forcing it through the loop. Harry's trousers opened and his cock seemed to burst through to freedom; stretching the fabric of Harry's blue briefs almost comically.

Draco seemed to fixate on the sight and a sudden rush of discomfiture caused Harry to reach down and grab Draco's blond hair. "What about her?" he repeated. "You're planning to marry her, remember?"

"Potter, I assure you, releasing me will be to your benefit at this point." Draco's eyes were intense and gleamed with amusement.

Harry's hand loosened almost reflexively and his body made an approving shiver, but then he tightened his grip once more. "Draco," he said warningly.

"Potter…"

"Harry," he corrected.

"Harry. I am not marrying Astoria."

The answer was brilliant, blissful, but Harry did not let go. Undaunted, Draco trailed his fingers over the fabric concealing Harry's cock. It made Harry's words an octave higher than normal. "Why not?" he asked before telling himself to shut up, just shut up.

"She's not my type," Draco replied and then pushed forward, heedless of Harry's hand in his hair, in order to mouth Harry's cock. Harry's fingers relaxed—went completely nerveless, really—and he made an undignified whimper. The sound seemed to energize Draco, who nipped and bit and licked at Harry's hard length until the material of Harry's pants was a tortuous barrier.

With a quick yank from Draco's hands, Harry's trousers slipped to his ankles. Harry, lost in a daze of sensation, blinked at the whisper of sound. "Oh god," he said, "What if your mum comes back?"

"She won't," Draco said matter-of-factly. He backed away from Harry's cock long enough to pull his wand from his wrist-sheath and cast a spell. A thick rug slid across the floor from the fireplace to bump into Harry's feet. "Lie down."

"How do you know?" Harry asked as his knees buckled of their own volition. His hand left Draco's hair and he braced himself as his arse hit the cushioning wool of the rug. Draco tugged at Harry's left boot, pulling until it came free of Harry's foot.

"Because that whole Animagus conversation was her way of telling me to get on with things." Draco tossed the boot aside and then worked the second one free. As soon as it joined its mate, Draco grabbed the hem of Harry's trousers and dragged them off, as well. Harry should have felt more self-conscious, wearing only his Auror robes, a shirt, and pants, but the eager-intense look on Draco's face left no room for anything other than desire… and confusion.

"Get on with what things?"

"These things," Draco growled and crawled between Harry's legs. He lifted the waistband of Harry's pants and pulled until Harry's thick, rigid cock sprang free. "Fuck," Draco said on a breath, and Harry hoped to hell that meant he liked it, which seemed to be the case as Draco's head descended and then his lips wrapped around it.

Harry fell back onto the rug with a guttural sound, unable to formulate further questions with Draco doing that—oh god, his tongue was enormously talented. It wriggled delightfully over every sensitive ridge on Harry's cock as Draco's lips moved up and down the shaft.

Harry's hips shifted upward, unconsciously driving himself deeper into Draco's hot mouth, but Draco's hands clamped abruptly onto his hips, stopping that nonsense. Harry whimpered and his fingers dug into the thick fibres of the carpet, desperately seeking purchase in an attempt to hold himself still.

"Oh god, oh god, Draco," Harry half-sobbed. He tipped his head up to watch and the sight was nearly his undoing. Draco's blond hair fell messily over his forehead and Harry's cock disappeared and reappeared into Draco's mouth with each stroke that sent quivers of delight shivering through Harry's entire being.

Their eyes met for a moment and Harry could feel the smirk. He nearly laughed aloud until another swipe of Draco's amazing tongue sent his eyes fluttering shut, blocking out that penetrating stare.

Harry didn't last long after that. He had wanked mercilessly over the past few days, but even that had only taken the edge off his overwhelming desire. He reached out blindly and touched Draco's soft hair, clutching it as he whispered a warning. "Draco, I'm—"

The words seemed to urge Draco on and he sucked harder, took Harry even deeper. The back of Harry's head thumped on the carpet as his back arched and his body convulsed. His fingers twisted in Draco's hair as he choked back a scream of delight. He came explosively and felt the shuddering tingle all the way to his toes; the orgasm went on and on, spurred by Draco's continued motions until Harry's pleading gasps begged him to stop.

The smile that curved Draco's reddened lips was well-earned and Harry pulled him up to kiss him hard, not caring that he could taste himself in Draco's mouth. He thought himself lucky to still have the use of his lips—every other part of him seemed to have been drained of energy; he wanted nothing more than to curl up on the rug, wrap himself around Draco, and doze off.

He wanted nothing more than that until he felt Draco settle himself atop him. Draco's erection was hard and hot against Harry's skin, even through the confines of Draco's clothing.

Harry broke the languid kiss. "You. I need to touch you." His hands pulled at Draco's robes—they were too thick and far too in the way. Harry wanted them gone.

"Yes," Draco breathed. He rose slightly to tug at the buttons, but Harry tugged his wand from his sleeve with a determined grin.

"Evanesco," Harry said.

Draco snorted on a soft breath. "I hope you can bring those back, Potter. Auror robes are expensive."

"I know. I've had to buy six of them already." He would buy a dozen more if it meant he could see Draco Malfoy naked. The vest was still a problem, though. He lifted his wand.

"Don't! I like this shirt." Draco sat up and dragged the vest over his head. Harry admired the play of muscles as he moved. Draco was ridiculously fit. His stomach was flat and his chest was… bloody hell, his nipples were perfection. Harry wanted to fasten his mouth on them and… He was momentarily distracted by the faint, pale line of a scar that traversed Draco's torso, but Draco leaned in and kissed him again, quickly eradicating all emotion other than lust.

"You," Harry said between frantic, biting kisses, "Gorgeous."

"Mmm," Draco agreed and pushed into Harry's hand, which had found Draco's cock, still criminally covered by dark silk. His other hand still gripped his wand. "Don't you bloody dare," Draco murmured, breaking the kiss long enough to wriggle out of his pants.

Harry watched with delight as Draco's cock finally became visible, jutting from a tangle of pale curls. It was as beautiful as the rest of him, long and slender and curving just enough to be unique. Harry dropped his wand and wrapped both hands around it, earning a lovely groaning sound from Draco.

He felt amazing in Harry's hand, but his expression was even better. Draco's eyes were closed, as if to savour the feel of Harry's hands exploring his cock. His mouth was partially open to emit soft, gasping breaths. His lips, already red, seemed to beg for more kisses. His eyes snapped open and Harry thought he might drown in them.

Please, he thought desperately, please don't let this be a one-time thing.

Draco moaned when Harry twisted his wrist and then sent one hand questing lower to stroke over Draco's testicles.

"I want you," Draco said throatily. "I want you so much, Harry."

Harry shifted his hips in acquiescence. He was up for anything Draco wanted, without question. "Yes," he said aloud, leaving no doubt.

Draco's eyes fluttered closed again and he bit his lip. His throat moved as he swallowed and Harry lurched upwards to attach his mouth to the slender column; he pressed desperate kisses to Draco's pulse point before capturing his lips again.

Draco used his hands to capture Harry's and linked their fingers for a moment as they kissed. Harry fell back to the carpet again and Draco followed. His mouth teased eagerly at Harry's.

"Are you certain?" Draco asked when they broke apart to breathe.

"Yes, god yes."

Draco located his wand and sat up. He touched the tip of his pale wand to the hollow of Harry's throat before slowly trailing it down over Harry's breastbone. Harry had never thought of a wand as an erotic instrument before, but he supposed it was a day for revelations.

"What sort of wood is it?" he asked, curious.

Draco blinked at him for a moment and then looked at the wand as it continued its path over Harry's skin.

"Larch," he replied. "It was a bit tricky to use at first, but I think it likes me now."

Harry smiled at him and Draco smiled back. "Are you going to…?" Harry asked and shifted.

Draco shook his head. "I don't think you're ready for that. Is this your first time with a man?"

"Yes, but—"

"Don't be such a Gryffindor. We can save it for next time. Now, come here."

Next time. Harry nearly collapsed onto the carpet with relief at the words. Next time. Draco grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a sitting position. Harry immediately renewed the motion of his hands, tugging and stroking at Draco's cock with greater ease of movement. Draco cast a spell and suddenly all was slippery beneath Harry's fingers.

"Oh, that's better," Harry said approvingly.

"So much better," Draco agreed as his head lolled back.

Harry drank in the sight of him, torn between staring in fascination at the head of Draco's cock slipping in and out of his clenched hand, and admiring of the rest of his long, lean body.

Soon Draco was holding Harry's shoulders with both hands, fingers digging in deeply enough to bruise, and gasping breaths caused his chest to hitch with each inhalation. Harry delighted in every quiver and he moved his hands faster, knowing how he liked it, and only vaguely wishing he had given Draco a blow job. The more he considered it, the more he wanted to.

Next time, he thought. Next time and all the next times to follow.

"God, you're beautiful," Harry said impulsively and Draco's eyes flew open just as he came. If Harry had thought him gorgeous before, it was nothing next to watching him come undone beneath Harry's hands. He made a mental note to buy a Pensieve so that he could watch it over and over again.

Draco fell against him, knocking them both back onto the carpet. Harry was breathing almost as raggedly as Draco and his arms ached pleasantly. The motions had been familiar, but the angles had been all wrong.

Draco's weight, sweaty and panting, felt brilliant atop him and Harry would cheerfully have remained there for possibly the next epoch, except for the niggling knowledge that Narcissa Malfoy was in residence and could push the door open at any moment.

Thinking of her reminded Harry of his earlier confusion. "You said your mother wanted you to get on with things," Harry said.

"Mentioning my mother is a terrible way to ruin the afterglow, Potter."

"I'm sorry, but I'm very confused."

"It is your natural state," Draco said and Harry pulled his hair. "Ouch, do not make me prematurely bald. Fine, if you must know, she caught me practicing my Patronus Charm. It caused her to take an unwelcome interest in my love life. Or lack thereof."

Harry wrinkled his nose, even more confused. "Your Patronus?" The horrible peacock Patronus that was a glowing reminder of Draco's loyalty to his father?

"It has changed," Draco said.

Harry's breath caught. "It changed?" He cast his mind back to the battle, but could not recall Draco using any Patronus Charms. All of his spells had been Stingers or Dementor Death.

Draco sighed heavily and levered himself up onto one elbow. "You know, we could give up conversation and go up to my bedroom to do some more interesting things, and then sleep."

"Or you can cast a Patronus right now," Harry said resolutely, silencing the screaming voices in his head that yelled a definitive affirmative at Draco's suggestion.

Draco muttered under his breath, but he sat up and located his wand. He pouted in a lovely manner before casting the charm. He watched Harry through half-lidded eyes as the bird sprang free of the wand and flew lazily around the room.

"A falcon," Harry said, awed.

Draco threw down the wand as though disgusted. "Yes. I'm fairly bloody sure it's you."

A smile threatened to split Harry's face in half. He thought it might become his new default expression.

"You need not look so smug," Draco said.

"Yes. Yes, I think I do."

Draco sighed and then leaned in for a kiss, which Harry happily supplied. When Draco pulled away he looked slightly more pleased and said, "Mother questioned me mercilessly about the change, apparently already suspecting I was smitten with you. She finally told me to stop living in the past and… Well, she said several other unflattering things and told me I should do what I wanted or else she would take matters into her own hands."

"What does that mean, exactly?"

"Well, you saw what happened when she was merely meddling. If she had actually decided to do something, it would likely have involved the newspapers, several illegal spells, and possibly a few different governments. I consider myself lucky."

"Not as lucky as me," Harry decided and wondered what sort of Christmas gift Narcissa might like, because Harry apparently owed her a very nice one. "Now, what were you saying about your bedroom?"

Monday, December 25, 2006

Harry checked his appearance for the fifteenth time and tried to tuck a wayward hair into place again. It slipped right back over his ear and he gnashed his teeth.

"Harry, you look fine," Hermione said. "Stop fussing."

"Malfoy," Ron moaned again, "Does it have to be Malfoy?"

Hermione gave him a stern look. "Stop it, Ron. It's Christmas. Ginny was very supportive, so the least you can do is stop caterwauling."

Harry snorted. He knew Ron's protests were half-arsed. Harry had spent far too long gushing over Draco's good qualities, prior to sitting down for Molly's excellent Christmas dinner, for him not to have realized Harry was serious.

"I know, I know, it's just… Merlin, the git is going to be smirking at me every bloody time I see him."

"He sort of does that anyway, Ron," Harry said.

"But it will be worse now, all right?"

"Ron," Hermione warned.

Harry laughed. It had been good to spend the day with his friends—he had Flooed Hermione to cancel Christmas Eve dinner the night before, which had prompted Hermione to nearly choke holding back her questions. Harry had only told her he was spending the night with someone before closing the Floo connection and hurrying back to Draco's bed.

He glanced at himself once more and shook his head; it would have to do. He wiped his hands on his trousers and tried to still the butterflies in his stomach. Had it been a fluke? Draco had been perfectly wonderful last night (the memory still gave him heart palpitations and brought an instantaneous warm glow to his cheeks), and even this morning when they had spent a ridiculous amount of time kissing each other goodbye prior to Harry hurrying home in order to change and head for the Weasleys', but what if a few hours of absence had caused him to rethink everything?

"I guess I'm ready," he said and let out a breath.

"Good," Hermione said and gave him a sturdy clap on the shoulder. "Off you go."

"He's not going off to battle, Hermione," Ron said dryly.

"It's a very good thing you got me an excellent gift, or you would be sleeping on the sofa tonight," Hermione told him.

Ron leered at her and nudged Harry with an elbow. "No sofa for me," he said in a low voice. "She gushed over that necklace for an hour. I'm pretty much guaranteed a satisfying—"

"I think I'll be going now," Harry said in a loud voice, having no desire to ever picture Ron and Hermione's sex life. He suppressed a shudder.

"Goodnight, Harry. Happy Christmas. And… say hello to Draco for us."

"Hello and Crucio," Ron muttered, but Harry pretended not to hear him as he tossed the powder and Flooed to Malfoy Manor.

A house-elf was waiting for him when he stumbled out of the fireplace, feeding Harry's anxiety. "Welcome, Mr Harry Potter, sir. Please to be accompanying Crassly to Master Draco's study."

Harry swallowed and nodded. Draco's study, not his bedroom. Harry tried not to be disappointed. They couldn't spend all their time in bed, even though Harry still held out hope for many upcoming next times.

Draco lowered the newspaper he had been reading and Harry's heart thumped in time with his growing relief when Draco's gaze turned warm and inviting.

"Hi," Harry said.

"Hi, yourself," Draco replied and gave Harry a slow once-over that made Harry glance at the house-elf, hoping it would leave so that Harry could drag Draco over the desk and divest him of his clothing in the next ten minutes or so.

The elf ignored Harry's pointed stare. "Is Master Draco needing Crassly to be bringing anything, Master Draco, sir?"

"No, that will be all."

"Thank you, Master Draco, sir. Goodnight and Happy Christmas, Master Draco and Mr Harry Potter, sir."

"Happy Christmas, um… Crassly," Harry said, but the elf had already disappeared.

Draco tipped his head and frowned. "There is something wrong with your appearance," he said.

Harry froze and then reached up to push at the errant strand of hair. "It won't stay! I've tried everything."

Draco chuckled as he got to his feet and rounded the desk. He reached out and grabbed a handful of Harry's shirt in order to haul him closer. "I meant you are wearing far too many clothes. Let's do something about that, shall we?"

Before Harry could do more than nod, Draco Apparated them to his bedroom where he adjusted Harry's appearance into something more to his liking. Apparently his liking was dishevelled and panting, which was just fine with Harry.

xx*xx*xx

Sometime later—still Christmas, but barely—Harry yawned and then blinked when Draco placed a small, wrapped box on his chest.

"What is this?" Harry asked, struggling to sit up. The mound of pillows on Draco's bed was immense, even though many of them had fallen to the floor.

"Your Christmas gift."

"I thought I already got my gift," Harry replied and leered.

Draco rolled his eyes. "Sexual favours, while always an excellent gift, are no substitute for a thoughtfully chosen and tastefully wrapped present."

Harry sat up completely and held the box as he frowned, suddenly serious. "I didn't get you anything." It sounded terrible said aloud, but he hadn't known Draco was going to… Well, he simply hadn't known, and buying Draco a gift would have felt pathetic and sad.

"You didn't get me anything yet," Draco said and smiled.

"Yet," Harry agreed with a vigorous nod.

"The shops will be open again tomorrow. Now, open it."

Harry obediently tore at the wrappings, somewhat surprised that the paper was gold instead of silver. He tossed the paper aside and slowly opened the box.

"It's a bracelet," he said in surprise. He reached in and picked up the length of braided leather. It looked too large, and had several short, dangling bits of leather attached.

"Sort of," Draco said and reached out to take it from Harry. The item was attractive, fashioned of multiple strands of leather in dark brown and green, with small silver rings dangling from the laces. He lifted his hand to take it back, but Draco held it out of reach. "It's an ankle bracelet."

Harry frowned. "An ankle bracelet?" he asked dubiously.

Draco nodded. "And when you turn into a falcon, the bracelet becomes your jess."

"Oh." Harry's eyes widened at the implication. "Oh!" He looked at the leather and felt a surge of something warm and unexpected. A leather jess; basically a mark of ownership. The silver varvels would be engraved with Draco's name. Harry would belong to Draco as both man and falcon.

"It is a bit presumptuous," Draco said quietly and took the box, as though to put the bracelet away, but Harry covered his hand and then extracted the item.

"Will you put it on for me?" Harry asked and kicked his feet free of the confining sheets.

Draco nodded and a pink blush tinted his cheeks. It heartened Harry to see it; despite his confident demeanour, Draco was obviously not entirely certain that Harry wanted to be with him.

Harry handed it back to Draco, who loosened the leather and slipped it over Harry's foot before tightening it around his ankle. It resembled a shackle, but Harry had no problem whatsoever with being so bound. In fact, the thought of actual shackles was anything but disturbing and Harry pushed the idea aside for later, wondering just how kinky he was underneath his bland exterior.

"Now you're mine," Draco said and let his fingers trail from Harry's ankle up over his calf to curl around his knee. "All mine."

"I've been yours for quite a while," Harry admitted.

"Good, let's see that it stays that way, Eroe."

"Your wish, my command," Harry said and kissed him.

~END~