Rickey A (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} rickey_a) wrote,@ 2008-09-02 09:10:00 |
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Entry tags: | harry/draco, hp, my fic, romeo |
FIC: And an Owl Named Romeo Part 5 - Complete
Title: And an Owl Named Romeo - Part 5 of 5 (Complete)
Author: rickey_a
Genre: Romance, Drama/Light Comedy (Dramedy?)
Word Count: ~6700 (Part 5) / 26,500 total
Rating: NC-17
Warning(s): None
Summary: Draco breeds owls, Harry's an Auror, and an owl named Romeo is going to bring them together.
Author's Notes: Thanks to the wonderful and talented sansa1970 for the beta and to my friends at FFC and I.Smith for their honest opinions, encouragement, and lovely company. :) I'm going to post this story in 5 parts + a short epilogue.
Link to Part 1
Link to Part 2
Link to Part 3
Link to Part 4
Anxiously puttering about Grimmauld Place, Harry tried to keep himself occupied. Finally, at midnight, he gave up on patience. Romeo should have arrived in Wiltshire hours ago, and Harry couldn't wait any longer. He needed to take action. Surely Draco would realize that it was only fear keeping him from giving in to their mutual attraction. It was absolutely mutual, of that he was certain.
Remembering that his previous Apparition directly inside Draco's cottage had been an unmitigated disaster, Harry Apparated to the front step and knocked on the door. He waited several minutes and then cast a quick Detection Spell. He was surprised when it revealed that Draco wasn't at home.
Determined to confront Draco, Harry Apparated to the hangar. The door was unlocked, so he entered and called out. Instead of Draco, Romeo answered his call and flew down from the rafters to his shoulder.
"Hey, there. Do you know where Draco is?" Harry asked his feathered friend.
Romeo simply hooted and chewed on Harry's hair like he always did. Harry cast a Lumos and took a quick look around. He noticed his letter to Draco sitting open on the desk, but there was nothing to indicate where Draco might be. Then he remembered Draco saying something about flying above the Manor's groves. It seemed plausible. Flying, even at night, was something Harry had often done when he needed to clear his head.
"You stay here with your friends," Harry said to Romeo. He left the hangar in search of Draco.
The night air was unseasonably cold as Harry walked the grounds of Malfoy Manor. He cast a Warming Charm on his cloak and headed toward a large grove of trees off in the distance skirting the property surrounding the Manor. The moon was only a few days from full and the late winter sky was filled with stars. Harry took a moment to breathe in the crisp night air and admire how beautiful the constellations were when not obscured by the lights of Muggle London. He easily picked out Ursa Minor. It was then he saw Draco, both the constellation and the man. Harry's instincts had been right. Draco had taken his broom out for a night flight.
Harry entered the grove at a fast clip, but slowed by the time he neared the opposite end. It had been a rash mistake coming to Wiltshire. Draco obviously needed time to sort things out for himself. Pressuring him wasn't going to help the situation. He sat at the edge of a small copse and watched Draco dive and swerve with both speed and grace. The man hadn't lost form since their school days. He was still an excellent flyer, and Harry made a pact with himself that they would go flying together one day soon. It was this type of longing that strengthened Harry's resolve. He would convince Draco of their need to act on their feelings.
Laboring to his feet, Harry was about to Apparate when he was grabbed from behind and a wand was pressed to his neck.
"Drop your wand," a familiar voice said quietly.
"Not bloody likely," Harry replied, as he struggled against the strong arm that was wrapped in a vice-like grip around his torso.
"Come now. Yes, you're worth more to me alive than dead, but that doesn't mean I won't hex you."
"You're better off Apparating, Lestrange. There's a whole team of Aurors here," Harry threatened while trying to twist free.
"The Aurors are dead," snapped Lestrange. "They barely taxed my wand. Lucius' wards were more of a deterrent."
The news hit Harry like a ton of bricks. Desperately he tried to angle his wand to cast a curse at Lestrange.
"Uh, uh, uh, Crucio!"
The pain radiated out from Harry's chest and set off every last nerve ending in his body. He screamed in pure misery, but continued to grip his wand tightly as Lestrange held his body upright.
"I told you that I have no problem torturing you, but you are going to be my ticket out of here. You see I came here to make a withdrawal from the coffers of my dear old friend Lucius, but it seems that I'm no longer welcome. However, I suspect the Ministry will pay a handsome ransom and safe passage for your return. Whether you want to return whole or in pieces is entirely up to you. Now. Drop. Your. Wand."
Panic seized Harry for a brief moment, and then he allowed his adrenalin to take over. Harry wrenched himself free and dove into a summersault on the ground.
"Stupefy!" hollered Lestrange, narrowly missing Harry, who deftly got to his feet and ran into a thick of trees for cover.
"Stupefy!" yelled Harry, but he missed.
Lestrange Disapparated but reemerged somewhere nearby. "I won't be captured. You're going to have to kill me, Potter."
There wasn't enough light to see where Lestrange was, but Harry could tell that the Death Eater was trying to lure him into more open space.
"You couldn't kill the Dark Lord, you won't kill me," Lestrange called after him.
"Hell or Azkaban, it makes no difference to me."
"Impedimenta!" yelled Lestrange, but the curse missed Harry by a mile.
Harry backed deeper into the trees and tried to gather his strength. He was still weakened from the Cruciatus Curse.
"Reducto!" yelled Lestrange. The curse blasted through several small trees, exposing Harry.
"Stupefy!" cursed Lestrange.
What was probably only a split second seemed to pass much more slowly. Harry raised his wand in a feeble attempt to cast a Shield Charm, when there was a loud screech and something came tearing like lightening through the sky.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Harry screamed the moment he realized that it was Romeo diving in front of the curse. Romeo went rigid in mid-air and fell to the ground with a loud thud.
The diversion was enough to startle Lestrange, giving Harry a moment of opportunity. He ran deeper into the grove and hid behind a large oak. He peeked out to see Lestrange wildly looking around trying to track where he had gone. Harry scanned the ground but could not see Romeo. His mind reeled with what he should do. He needed to go for help. He needed to find Romeo. What he wanted was to take Lestrange down. His thinking time was cut short when he realized that there was something else zooming through sky towards the thicket of trees at the edge of the grove.
It was Draco. Harry had to warn him. "Sonorus!" Harry said with his wand at his neck. "Draco, go for help. It's Lestrange. Go for—"
"Expelliarmus!" Lestrange yelled.
The spell grazed his elbow, not enough to disarm him, but enough that he jerked his arm down ending his own spell.
Harry moved towards Lestrange, whose back was now to him with his wand trained on Draco. Draco was diving down as if he was doing a Wronski Feint straight at Lestrange.
"DRACO, NOOOO!"
"Stupefy!" yelled Lestrange.
The curse missed as Draco Disapparated off of the broom at the last second. Harry had never seen anything like it. The broom continued on its trajectory forcing Lestrange to Disapparate as well. The broom shattered into a million splinters as it smashed into the ground. Wand at the ready, Harry watched vigilantly for Lestrange and Draco to reappear.
At the same time, they both appeared at the outer edge of the grove, too far away for his curse to reach Lestrange in time. Harry ran toward them at full throttle.
"Stupefy!" yelled both Lestrange and Draco the second they saw each other.
Draco's curse sailed over Lestrange's head, while Lestrange's was a direct hit. Draco fell to the ground and Lestrange rushed over to him.
"Stupefy!" yelled Harry, but he missed as Lestrange grabbed Draco around the waist and Disapparated.
"Damn it to all fuck!" Harry berated himself for not being faster. He crouched behind a tree, watching and waiting. His nerves were nearly shot when Lestrange and Draco didn't immediately reappear. At first he thought that Lestrange might have headed to the Manor, but something inside him told him to stay put, that Lestrange would come to him. He was right.
Lestrange Apparated holding Draco, who was bound in thick ropes with Lestrange's wand at his neck.
"Les jeux sont faits, Potter," called Lestrange "The game is up."
"That's not what it means, you stupid oaf," snarled Draco.
It gave Harry strength to know that Draco was still fighting.
"Silencio!"
Draco fell silent. Lestrange looked into the trees, but Harry was certain the Dark Wizard couldn't see him.
"I've been watching, Potter. Watching and biding my time," Lestrange called out into the darkness. "You've spent a considerable amount of time in Wiltshire these past few days."
Harry gripped his wand tighter and glanced out around the tree. Lestrange held Draco close. Harry couldn't risk firing off a curse from the current location. He needed to close the distance and quickly.
"Show yourself, and you can trade yourself for young Malfoy here."
Harry moved for cover behind an adjacent tree. His heart raced and he ached to use the full power of his magic to save Draco. There could be no negotiation. Lestrange had to be taken down.
"Or maybe I'll just use Draco to gain his father's cooperation."
Taking a deep breath, Harry steeled himself for battle. He crept one tree closer.
"Crucio!" said Lestrange with sadistic flare.
Draco cried out and fell to the ground. The trees cast long shadows in the moonlight, and Harry could barely make out Draco writhing in agony at Lestrange's feet. Anger swelled in the pit of Harry's stomach. The urge to cast the one spell he never dared overwhelmed his senses. He clutched his wand tighter and crept to the edge of the copse. If it was to be hell or Azkaban, Harry was thinking it might indeed turn out to be hell.
"Come out. Come out," taunted Lestrange. "Enough games, Potter. Draco can join the Longbottoms in St. Mungo's for all I care."
Harry ducked into the shadows and crawled for cover behind a large apple tree at the border of the clearing. He would only get one shot at this.
Lestrange pointed his wand at Draco. "Cru—"
Concentrating all his magical energy, Harry leapt out from the behind the tree and yelled, "Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!" a third voice commanded.
Lestrange was squarely hit by both spells in tandem. The force knocked him off of his feet as his wand flew from his hands.
"Incarcerous!" the other voice yelled, and long chords appeared and wound themselves around the unconscious Lestrange.
Harry could just make out Lestrange's roped body on the ground next to Draco's. He cast a Lumos and saw Lucius Malfoy, his wand outstretched, standing twenty feet away. Harry scrambled over to Draco and quickly banished the ropes.
"Draco? Draco?" Harry fell to the ground and pulled the other man into his arms.
"Try Ennervate," Lucius suggested, keeping his wand and his attention on Lestrange.
"It's all right, father. I'm…" Draco took several panting breaths. "I'm awake."
"Thank God." Harry hugged Draco tighter. "And thank you, Lucius."
"Nobody raises a wand against my family."
Of course, Harry knew that there was someone who had, but now wasn't the time or place to make that point of correction.
Draco tried to sit up, but fell back with a loud moan against Harry's chest.
"Just stay still. I'll go for help." Harry gently rubbed Draco's arm and kissed the top of his head.
"The Aurors should be here soon," Lucius said, looking away, obviously uncomfortable at the sight of Harry being so openly affectionate with Draco. "Narcissa went straight to the Ministry."
"How did you know?" Harry asked.
"The Manor wards were tripped. I went to investigate and found a dead Auror in the rose garden."
"Who?" Harry asked solemnly.
"I'm sorry, I don't know his name." Lucius kept his wand trained on Lestrange, who was beginning to stir. "You're quite lucky, Rabastan. If Potter weren't here, you'd be dead."
Harry heard the unequivocal truth in Lucius' statement.
Lestrange was about to spit back a reply, but Lucius cut him off by gagging him with the flick of his wand.
The sound of multiple Apparitions crackled off in the distance. Harry conjured his Patronus and sent it to bring the closest Aurors to their location. He then cast another Lumos and tried to examine Draco. He looked shaken, but didn't appear to have any other visible injuries.
"As soon as they're here, I'll have someone take you to St. Mungo's," Harry said to Draco, cradling the other man tighter in his arms.
"No St. Mungo's. I'm okay," Draco said weakly.
"Draco," Harry pleaded.
"I've experienced the Cruciatus before, and from more powerful wizards than Lestrange." Draco took a deep breath and then shifted in Harry's arms. "I saw an owl take a curse for you. It was Romeo, wasn’t it?"
A lump formed in Harry's throat. He could only nod his response.
"Go find him."
"I will. I just want to wait for the Aurors." Harry looked into the distance and saw the shimmering light of his stag galloping towards them. There were at least three figures running behind his Patronus.
They turned out to be Ron, Auror Milquest, and Narcissa Malfoy. All three had their wands drawn.
"We're okay. We have Lestrange," Harry called to them.
As soon as Narcissa spotted Draco, she rushed ahead of the others.
"Draco," Narcissa cooed as she wrapped her arms around her son, displacing Harry. "Thank the stars you're all right. I'd never forgive—"
"I'm fine, mother."
Ron took in the scene of the captive Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy and then looked over at Harry. "I bet you've got quite a story."
"I do," Harry said, getting to his feet. "But it'll have to wait. I need to find Romeo, first. He's injured. He… he…" Suddenly, Harry couldn't speak.
"I'll help you," Ron said, his voice calm and full of reassurance. "John, you wait here for the others."
Milquest nodded. "Umm, Harry? About Malfoy?"
"Lestrange hit him with the Cruciatus."
"I meant Lucius," Milquest clarified, inclining his head in the direction of the armed Lucius Malfoy. "Billings, Diandra, and Parveux are dead."
Harry's heart sank at the confirmation of his co-Auror's fates. "Lestrange killed them. Lucius helped me capture him. You can check their wands," Harry stated. He turned to Ron. "I saw Romeo on the ground about fifty yards that way."
It didn't take long for them to find the Romeo. He was still stunned, but he was alive. Harry rushed him over to Draco.
"Can you help him?" Harry asked, kneeling next to Draco and holding out Romeo in his arms. The seriousness as well as déjà vu of the situation finally caught up with Harry, and tears began to flood his vision.
Narcissa must have Summoned Draco's wand. She handed it to him. He held the wand out over Romeo's prone form and cast a series of diagnostic charms.
"I'll need to take him to the hangar." Draco met Harry's eyes. "He'll be all right."
Standing, Harry wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. "Ron, can you—?"
"I'll handle things here. You come back once you have Romeo settled," Ron said without hesitation.
"Thanks, mate." Harry turned to Draco. "Can you stand?"
Carefully, Draco started to move. He was unsteady, and Narcissa helped him to his feet.
"Hand Romeo to me," Draco said.
"I can Apparate us all there," Harry said, putting an arm around Draco's waist.
"Do you know how to Apparate with an owl?" Draco snapped.
"Umm."
"It's not the same as basic side-along. Let me take him. You follow us there."
"Are you sure you can?"
"I'm fine," Draco said with gritted teeth.
"I'll come along as well," Narcissa added.
Harry nodded and placed Romeo into Draco's arms. "I'll be right behind you." He waited until Draco and Narcissa had each Disapparated before heading to the hanger himself.
Draco had Romeo out on his desk and was already Summoning several potions when Harry arrived.
"You can heal him, can't you?" Harry asked.
"Shh, let me work." Draco administered several drops of two different potions and continued to cast diagnostic and healing spells. "He has a few broken bones and some internal bleeding, but I think he'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Harry reached out and gently stroked the top of Romeo's head.
"I'm sure. He's going to be fine," Draco said, sounding confident. "Okay, now stand back. I'm going to wake him."
Harry took a step back from the desk and nearly bumped into Narcissa, who was standing behind him.
"He's quite good at his work," Narcissa whispered with overwhelming pride into Harry's ear.
"Ennervate!" said Draco.
Romeo's eyelids fluttered open and he scrambled to his feet. Draco reached out and petted him with the slightest touch of his hand skimming over Romeo's feathers. "Shhh," cooed Draco. "Shhh. You've had quite the adventure."
Romeo took several wobbly steps across the desk and up onto Draco's forearm. "You are one brave bird," Draco complimented.
Harry could feel the relief washing over him. It was overwhelming. Everything caught up with him at once – the aurors who died, Lestrange's capture, Romeo taking a curse for him, Draco being tortured – it was all too much. Tears pooled in his eyes and his jaw began to tremble. Harry turned away and covered his face with his hand.
"Harry?" Draco asked gently.
Harry desperately tried to rein in his emotions, but to no avail. Falling to his knees, he let out a loud, choked sob. There was a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Narcissa looking at him with a gentle smile and kind eyes.
"It's over, Harry," she said in a motherly tone. "Let it out."
Draco knelt by his side and held out Romeo, who let out a soft trill when his eyes met Harry's.
Harry reached out and caressed Romeo's feathers. "Thank you. Thank you," Harry said, letting go and blinking several tears loose from his eyes. In his mind he was thanking both Romeo and Draco.
"I should go see if Lucius needs me," Narcissa said softly.
Harry could tell that she was giving them a moment together and he truly appreciated it. He collected himself. "Please tell Ron that I'll be along shortly."
"Certainly."
"Thank you."
"And, Draco," Narcissa said, "please find me before you retire for the night."
"I will, Mother."
"Goodnight," she said, then took several steps backward and Disapparated.
"I like your mother. I realized that just now," Harry said, wiping the tear tracks from his face.
"That's good, because she likes you. She didn't shut up about you at dinner."
The thought made Harry smile. "You talked about me?"
"Yes. Well, she talked. At me. She said I was being a stubborn old goat."
Harry laughed.
"I resent the comparison. I'm not old," Draco stated and gave Harry a wink.
Harry let the quiet moment linger. They stared and smiled at each other until Romeo interrupted them with a loud woot.
"I'll take him home with me tonight," Draco said.
"I need to go and sort everything out. It'll probably take all night. I'll tell them you need your rest and to put off your interview until tomorrow."
"I could drop Romeo off at home and go with you."
"No," Harry said gently. "You get some rest. Someone will probably contact you tomorrow morning. I guess that's later today, isn't it?"
Draco nodded as Harry cast a Tempus. It was almost two thirty.
"Draco." Harry reached out and cupped the side of Draco's face with his hand. "You were brave, too."
Harry could see the tears well in Draco's eyes as he leaned forward to kiss him. It was a short tender kiss, but it held the promise of something more.
"I'll come back as soon as I can. I… I need…"
"You never give up, do you?" Draco whispered.
"No, I don't."
"You're a fool."
"Probably, but I'd rather be a fool than never trust people," Harry stated definitively.
"Not people. Me."
"You. Yes, I trust you."
"Why?"
"I trust my instincts. It's worked for me before."
"That's what owls do."
"Huh?"
"They trust their instincts."
Harry smiled. "That's a good thing, then."
Draco nodded, and Harry took it a signal that it was okay to kiss him again. He cupped Draco's face with both his hands and kissed him with every last ounce of emotion that had been warring inside him. Romeo let out a loud whistle causing both Harry and Draco to laugh.
They helped each other to their feet. Romeo chewed on Draco's hair.
"I don't want to go," Harry said.
"I know, but you have to. It's your job."
"This could take a while," Harry said with a long sigh.
"Send me an owl," Draco said with a smile.
"I'll do that." Harry stroked Romeo's back and gave Draco one last kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight."
It wasn't until after three in the afternoon when Harry finally got a minute to write Draco a letter. He sent it off with Banquo, thinking that the owl might enjoy a trip to the hangar.
March 6, 2003
Draco,
I've been debriefing at the Ministry the entire day. I'm finally heading home. I feel like an Inferius and need to get a few hours of sleep. Ron told me that you came in for your interview at noon. I hope it went well and that you're feeling all right. I haven't stopped thinking about you all day. Can I come by your cottage tonight? I want to see Romeo. I need to see you.
Hopelessly yours,
Harry
March 6, 2003
Harry,
Romeo is healing quickly, as am I. We'll be expecting you.
Draco
Harry slept like the dead until Kreacher, as instructed, woke him at nine in the evening. He showered and quickly ate a sandwich before Apparating to Wiltshire.
Harry knocked on the door of Draco's cottage several times before Draco finally answered.
"Hello," Harry said and nervously waited to be invited inside.
"Hello. Come in, please," Draco said stiffly. "It was getting late, and I wasn't sure you were still coming."
Harry removed his cloak and hung it on a hook by the door. "I needed to get some sleep."
"Are you feeling better?" Harry asked as he followed Draco into the sitting room. He immediately saw Romeo sitting on the perch that Lysander had occupied the day before and went over to pet him.
"I'm fine. I should ask the same of you."
"Huh?"
"All your fussing over Romeo and me, and you neglected to tell me that Lestrange had cast the Cruciatus on you as well. I found out about it during my interview."
Harry stroked Romeo's back feathers. "It didn't seem important. It still doesn't." Slowly, Harry approached Draco. "I want to talk about last night, but not about Lestrange."
Draco nodded.
"I came here last night because you didn't answer my letter," Harry stated and took another step toward Draco.
"I…" Draco closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Harry waited patiently for him to collect his thoughts.
"I…" Draco continued. "I made a mistake."
"It wasn't—"
"Let me finish," Draco admonished. "Merlin, you're impossible."
"Sorry."
"What I was trying to say was that I made a mistake pushing you away. Last night… before everything happened… I had already decided—"
Harry pulled Draco into his arms and silenced him with a passionate kiss. Romeo whistled at them.
After the kiss had run its course, Draco pulled back and said, "You never wait for explanations, do you?"
"Not when I don't need them." Harry kissed Draco again, holding him close and feeling the weight of his body in his arms. Over and over he captured Draco's lips and mouth with his own, staking his claim.
"I'm feeling lightheaded," Draco whispered in between long drawn out kisses.
"Good," Harry replied with a sly smile, and kissed Draco again. "I have something for you."
"Yes, I can tell."
Harry blushed. "No. Well, yes, but not…" He pulled out his wand and Summoned the box he had brought from his cloak pocket. "Last night I wanted you to come over so I could give you this."
Draco stared at the box with a confused look on his face.
"Go on, take it," Harry urged, holding out the long slender box. He could see the suspicion on Draco's face. It was obviously a wand box, and Draco was intelligent enough to put two and two together.
Hesitantly, Draco reached out and took the box. When he opened it, his face flooded with emotion. "My old… you didn't have to—"
"It's yours. I should have given it back to you a long time ago."
"I can't."
Harry removed the hawthorn wand from the box and placed it into Draco's hand. "How does it feel?"
"Incredible," Draco said, closing his eyes. "Different, yet… like… coming home."
"Try it," Harry urged.
Draco tapped the wand to the box, banishing it from sight. Draco gasped. "It works better than my current wand. The magic flows easier – more naturally."
"Then that's the wand you're meant to have. The wand chooses the wizard, and so do I. I trust you, Draco. I trust you with that wand and I trust you with my life. Last night prov—"
Draco's mouth devoured his words and wiped out all thoughts except what an utterly fantastic kisser Draco was.
"I don't need explanations either," Draco said. His hot breath tickled Harry's ear.
Clutching the hawthorn wand in his hand, Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and whispered, "Let's see what else this baby can do?"
The pull of the Apparition hit Harry immediately. In an instant, Draco's bedroom came into focus. They kissed again, pressing their bodies as close together as possible.
"Mmmm," sighed Harry. "There's something else I wanted to show you last night."
"Rather presumptuous, aren't you?" Draco teased.
Smiling wide, Harry steered Draco to the bed and sat him down on the edge. "Actually, it's not what you're thinking. You'll see. Accio Draco's hair brush."
A silver handled hairbrush came zinging out of the bathroom. With lightning-like reflexes, Harry caught it as he would have a Snitch.
"What are you—?"
"Shhh," Harry cooed and sat on the bed next to Draco. He turned Draco's shoulder so that he was facing away. "Shhh, just let me."
Harry removed Draco's hair tie and placed it on the bed next to his wand. Draco's hair fell across his shoulders and down his back to the top of his shoulder blades. Harry drifted the palm of his hand over the length of Draco's hair. "I've wanted to do that for quite some time."
"Touch my hair?"
"Yes, God yes." Harry placed one hand gently at the top of Draco's scalp to steady his head and raised the brush to the top of his hair. He brushed downward in long smooth strokes.
"Sweet Slytherin's ghost," Draco moaned.
"Do you like this?"
"I've never… yes."
With reverent repetition, Harry brushed through Draco's fine hair while holding his head so as not to pull on the hair too hard. A powerful feeling washed over Harry. He believed that he had never been so intimate with another human being. He felt connected, and despite the act being so simple – so innocent – it was exceptionally erotic. He peered around and saw that Draco had his eyes closed. Harry continued to brush all of Draco's hair until it shone brightly in the shimmering light from the fireplace. Setting the brush aside, Harry ran his fingers through the luxurious tresses.
"Mutual preening often leads to copulation," Draco said after several minutes of nothing but the sounds of their breathing and the crackling fire.
"I was hoping."
"Mmm, keep that up. Feels good."
Draco tilted his head to the side, extending his neck. Harry slid his fingers through the soft underside of Draco's hair, massaging the base of Draco's neck and scalp.
"I think it's working," murmured Draco.
Moving all the hair off to one side, Harry kissed and sucked on the curve of Draco's neck and the top of his spine.
"Mmm, off," Harry whispered, tugging at Draco's shirt.
Draco waved the hawthorn wand and banished the unwanted piece of clothing.
"Better," Harry murmured, and wrapped his arms around Draco while still nuzzling his neck. Harry kneaded Draco's chest and sought out his nipples. When he found them, he gave them each a little pinch. Draco practically jumped off the bed. Harry chuckled.
Draco turned around and launched himself against Harry, tackling him to the bed. "This foreplay is going to be the death of me," Draco said, and ground his erection against Harry's.
"You're the one with the handy Banishing Charm."
Draco banished the remainder of their clothes with a lascivious smile. "Is that what you had in mind?"
The heat of Draco's skin blanketing his own was amazing, and Harry was excited beyond any semblance of control or shame. There was only Draco and immediate need.
"Draco, please," Harry begged. "Lube."
"Accio lube." The bedside table drawer popped open and a bottle of lubricant flew out and into Draco's outstretched hand.
"I want you in me. I trust you," Harry said while meeting Draco's surprised stare.
"I don't want you like that," Draco whispered.
"Like what?"
"Wanting to bottom because you're trying to prove something."
"That's not—"
"Sure it is."
"It's…" Harry chewed his lower lip. "We'll see what happens. Just let me—" Harry reached out for the lubricant, but Draco pulled his arm back.
"Harry, listen to me. You say you trust me. Then trust me when I say there will be another time – probably many more times – but tonight, I need to feel you. After last night, I need to feel alive. Make me feel alive. I've been dead inside for so long. I want to let you in, Harry. I need to let you in. Trust me."
His throat constricted, and Harry could only nod his acceptance. Draco lay back on the bed and set the bottle on the bed beside him. Harry crawled up Draco's body and when they were face to face, he kissed him gently. Picking up the lube, he coated his fingers. He wanted this.
The sounds of Draco's moans were intoxicating and evolved into begging by the time Harry had worked in two fingers.
"Just fuck me. Please," Draco choked out in between heavy breaths. "Need. Need. You. Now."
Harry coated his cock and positioned himself in between Draco's wantonly spread thighs. He guided the tip to Draco's entrance and pushed. Draco pulled his legs back, lifting up his arse. The change in position gave Harry a better angle to push forward through the tight muscle.
"Oh God," Harry moaned when he had pushed inside several inches. He looked at Draco's face. His eyes were closed, but he looked relaxed, and was breathing steadily. Harry rolled his hips and pushed all the way inside.
"Fuck, yes," Draco moaned. His mouth hung open and he took several short breaths.
Leaning over, Harry kissed Draco's open mouth while moving his hips in slow, short thrusts.
"Harry," Draco muttered against his mouth.
"I'm not going to rush this," Harry said emphatically.
"All right. Just…"
Harry pulled back slowly until half the length of his cock was unsheathed and then carefully slid back inside.
"Fuck, so good," Draco moaned and tossed his head back.
Harry sat back on his knees and spread them wide. He lifted one of Draco's thighs over his shoulder while Draco's other leg spread even wider for him. Harry then proceeded to fuck with a deliberate and restrained rhythm – gently pulling back and pushing forward, savoring the feel of Draco's arse clutching every inch of his prick. He balanced himself on one arm and with the other touched every expanse of Draco's smooth skin within his reach. He glided his fingers over Draco's chest, stomach, and neck. He caressed his shoulders, arms, and hip bones and basked in every moan and sigh Draco gave him in return.
Continuing their coupling at such a measured pace became more and more difficult. Harry could feel his orgasm pooling in the pit of his stomach. His toes tingled. His blood pulsed in his crotch.
"Draco," Harry moaned. "Can't. Need."
"Fuck me hard. Fuck me until you come."
Harry drove himself into Draco, his hips snapping forward of their own accord. They both moaned louder and louder with every thrust. Soon Harry was sweating profusely and grunting from the exertion. Draco fisted his own cock faster and faster. Harry could feel Draco's insides tensing around him – every last bit of their bodies winding tighter and tighter like a coiled spring. Draco shivered as he came spurting over his stomach and chest. Harry pounded away, frantic for release. He closed his eyes and cried out as the spring released and his climax overtook him. His thrusts slowed, and he felt his body coming back under his own command.
Leaning forward, he kissed Draco, not wanting the moment to end. They kissed over and over. Draco tugged on Harry's lower lip and did wicked things with his tongue. A moment of disappointment crept through the euphoria when Harry felt his softened prick slip from Draco. He rolled to the side and rested his head against Draco's shoulder.
"That was…" Draco said breathily with his eyes still closed.
"Wow," Harry sighed, then heard a strange clicking noise. He sat up to find Romeo walking across the bedroom floor. Harry tapped Draco on the stomach, and the other man finally opened his eyes.
"How'd he get up here?" Harry asked, feeling oddly exposed.
"He had to have walked up the stairs. He can't fly yet."
They watched Romeo nonchalantly walk along the floor, hop up onto the desk chair, and then hop up to perch on the top of the backrest.
"You little voyeur," Draco playfully yelled at him. He turned to Harry. "Your owl is a perv."
"Hey, he was your owl first."
"Did you get an eyeful?" Draco asked Romeo. "Well that's your last. Next time I'm closing the door."
Harry chuckled, and Romeo wooted and whistled. Draco collapsed back on the bed. That seemed good enough reason for Harry to roll on top of him and kiss him some more.
"It's a good thing I'm a cuddler otherwise I'd find you smothering," Draco stated in between kisses.
"So… what do owls do after they copulate?" Harry asked.
"They go to bed."
"Really?"
"No, but I'm shagged out, and you should be, too."
They managed to push back the bedclothes and crawl underneath the covers.
"Goodnight," Harry whispered, nuzzling against Draco's neck. "Are you going to be okay in the morning?"
"I'll be fine. Goodnight, Harry." Draco pressed a quick kiss to Harry's cheek.
Harry snuggled up against Draco's side and closed his eyes, still feeling weight of Romeo's gaze.
Epilogue: One Year Later…
March 8, 2004
Dear Harry and Draco,
How about the two of you come to dinner this Saturday? You haven't been over in months. Also, I'm not sure if you realize, but Angelina is due next week. Poor thing looks like she might explode. I invited them over as well. They might come depending on how she's feeling. I'm planning on making chicken, if Draco would like to choose the wine. The last one you brought was delightful.
Also, Draco, could you look at Linus' right foot before you send him back? I think he's got something wrong with his center talon. It seems to be bothering him. Thanks in advance.
Love,
Hermione
March 9, 2004
Hermione,
Saturday night is perfect. I know an excellent Pinot Grigio that I think you'll like.
I clipped Linus' talons. They were all too long. There's a charm you can do on his perch to make it hard and abrasive. It will keep his talons trimmed if he's not getting outside enough. I'll show it to you on Saturday.
See you then,
Draco
"Everything's delicious," Harry complimented.
Hermione beamed. "Thank you, and Draco, this wine is fantastic."
"Thank you. It's one of my favorites." Draco knew that he really should have complimented the meal, but just didn't have it in him. What Harry thought passed for good food – well maybe he did know, but liked to make his friends feel good.
Weasley stuffed his face and kept from looking directly at him as usual. After Harry had told Hermione and Ron about being a couple, things had become quite strained. Draco was certain Ron kept from looking at him to avoid conflict, and now that they managed to get along, albeit tenuously at best, he still had the habit of never making eye contact. Things were only slightly less stilted with Hermione. He managed to stop thinking of her as simply 'The Mudblood' months ago and realized that she made for more intelligent conversation than her weasel husband.
Despite Draco's discomfort with being around the Weasley clan, he knew he had the better end of the deal. To their credit, they tried to tolerate him for Harry. Lucius on the other hand, did not. His mother had forged an immediate bond with Harry, but his father couldn't hide his disdain for Harry or his dissatisfaction with his son. On the rare occasions that they did join his parents for dinner at the Manor, Draco spent the evening counting the number of times that his father's facial tick made its appearance. The record was two-hundred-and-forty-six twitches of his right cheek and eyelid.
Tonight was slightly more relaxed because George had taken Angelina to St. Mungo's. Draco didn't much care for more overpopulation of Weasleys, but at least that left a quieter dinner table. The difficulty of an evening with Harry's friends was proportional to the number of Gryffindors or Weasleys present.
Draco choked down another bite of the rubbery, breaded chicken and contemplated feeding the rest of it to Romeo under the table.
Hermione and Ron had loaned Linus out to the senior Weasleys so they could send him to Romania and use their owl for the local birth announcements. In turn, Harry insisted on loaning out Romeo to Hermione and Ron. Now that Harry had moved into the Wiltshire cottage, Romeo didn't get out enough.
When Draco was certain he wouldn't be able to stomach one more bite, he was saved by the sound of an owl pecking at the window.
"Oh," Hermione said, rushing to let the bird in. "That's Molly's new owl, Zolan."
"She purchased a Boreal?" Draco asked.
"Yes, she always thought Romeo was adorable, so when she went to Eeylops to get a new owl last month, she picked out Zolan. I think he's lovely."
She fed the owl a treat and excitedly opened the letter. "It's a boy! They've named him Fred. Healthy. Mom and baby are fine."
Draco offered his arm to the strange owl. Zolan immediately jumped onto it and gave a friendly woot. Inspecting the legband, he saw that the owl had come from an Irish breeder. Draco supposed Eeylops needed to find a new source now that so many of his owls went to the Ministry. Draco stroked the bird's head and then set him on the large perch next to Romeo.
Harry picked up his wine glass. "A toast: to Fred Weasley."
They all raised their glasses and toasted the newest Weasley. Draco took a large sip and noticed Ron's stoic expression and red eyes. The sad memory of his brother had obviously shadowed the happy occasion. Harry and Hermione also looked wistful.
The silence was broken by the noise of several loud trills, and everyone turned their heads towards the owls. Draco could not believe his eyes. Zolan was cleaning the feathers on the back of Romeo's neck. Romeo appeared to be thoroughly enjoying it, letting out trills of pleasure.
Harry let out a loud gasp. "Oh my God. Will you look at that?"
"What?" Ron asked.
"Mutual preening often leads to copulation," Harry stated.
Ron groaned.
Hermione giggled.
Draco sneered in disgust. "Romeo, honestly. A Weasley?"
*The End*