𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐇/𝐃/𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐄 2008

Bel-Fire

Title: Bel-Fire
Author/Artist: leela_cat
Pairing/Threesome: Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Warnings: None.
Word count: ~3,100
Summary: Dragged reluctantly to a Beltane celebration and then abandoned by his friends, Harry takes Luna's advice and remembers to hold on tight and listen when he finds himself on his knees before Draco Malfoy.

Sometimes, Harry thought, a stupid idea is just plain stupid. And allowing his friends, who were all paired up, to coerce him into joining them at the Beltane Festival struck him as just that -- a ridiculously stupid idea. Yet here he was, standing outside the main apparition point, staring at a bonfire bigger than any he'd seen on Guy Fawkes Day, and wondering what he was going to do with himself when they all went off and joined in the fertility rites.

Harry sucked his lower lip between his teeth. Why hadn't he answered Dawlish's plea for Aurors to work overtime or stayed home, curled up in front of his own private fire. Hermione might even have let him get away with that last, if he'd waited a couple more days before breaking up with Terry.

"Come on," Ginny yelled and grabbed Harry's hand. Lee Jordan grinned at him from her other side.

Luna took his other hand and smiled at him. A toss of her head had her dragon and phoenix earrings shooting illusionary flames that wreathed through her hair. "It's time, Harry," she said. "Just remember to hold on tight and listen."

Blaise, who held Luna's other hand, snorted with laughter and kissed her exuberantly.

Still trying to work out what Luna's dreamily vague pronouncement meant, Harry didn't resist as his friends dragged him towards the crowd gathered around the giant bonfire. Whatever else his friends were saying got lost beneath the crackling of flames, the thudding of feet against the earth, and the almost incomprehensible sounds made by hundreds of people talking, laughing, and singing.

As soon as his hands were released, Ron shoved a mug into one of them. Harry clasped it automatically and folded both hands around the warm stoneware. The rich scents of honey, apples, and spices were glorious, briefly overcoming the bitter, ash-laden smoke from the fire.

"Try this, mate. Mead'll help. I promise." Ron winked at Harry. "Just remember what I said, yeah? Nothing that happens here will come back to haunt you," he leered over at where Hermione was talking with Lee and Ginny, "unless you want it to."

Harry rubbed his side where Ron had dug an elbow into his ribs and watched his friends disappear into the crowd. So much for their promises to take him round and show him what was what. He shrugged and sipped his mead. He made a face and then sipped it again. After the third mouthful, the sweet drink finally started to taste all right. And, after that, it only got better and better.

A couple staggered past him, giggling and groping each other. Harry stepped out of their way and right into a group of five who seemed to be together. They swarmed around him, hands touching, lips inviting. He shook his head, and they released him back into the crowd with a fresh mug of mead.

Where the hell were Ron and the others and how could they have just abandoned him like this? Just because he was the only one in their group who wasn't attached didn't give them the right to leave him on his own like this. Harry gritted his teeth and stood on tiptoe, but couldn't see anyone he recognised through the swirls of smoke and strangers.

Dropping back down, Harry decided that the safest place had to be away from the flames, away from the crowds. He handed the mug to a guy in a mini-dress, who tossed back the contents and then reached for Harry's crotch. Clenching his fists, Harry turned his back on the guy and made for the tree line, fighting the urge to lash out and protect himself as he was pushed, shoved, yanked, turned around, and fondled by reaching, grabbing, demanding hands.