Exceptional love

Chapter 9

Harry finally left Tom's bed around noon, leaving the Dark Lord sleeping and figured the man needed it after being up late for the meeting and then up later than that for the fantastic rounds of shagging. And he knew the meetings would go on again that night so he didn't try to annoy Tom and get him out of bed. Though he had been sorely tempted to pounce on Tom like a cat just to see how mad he could get the Dark Lord when he was tired and cranky. He chose not to do that because he knew he would be pressing his luck, so instead he went to his own room, had another shower, and then dressed before heading down to the kitchen.

He'd been in the kitchen a couple of hours and was in the process of wrapping up another tray of fudge and wondering how they were actually going to ship it off when he heard voices approaching the kitchen. Loud bickering voices. He sighed just before plopping a square of fudge into his mouth from the bowl he placed on the counter full of his concoctions. Seconds later Draco and Hermione appeared in the doorway and Harry threw out a hand to keep them from entering.

"If you want to come in here, stop fighting. I'm in a great mood and I refuse to let anything ruin it."

Both his friends took a good long look at Harry. At his shining green eyes and the bright smile on his face. Draco smirked. "Must have been spectacular last night, Harry."

Harry blushed and refused to answer that. "Look! I think we have enough to start filling orders," he said, waving around at all the trays.

"Brilliant!" Draco exclaimed as he pounced in. "Last night Aunt Bella was going on and on about your fudge! I think she likes you now that she knows you are the creator. Mother too, though she's already warmed up to you..."

"How was last night?" Harry asked, watching as Draco and Hermione went to the bowl and snatched out pieces of fudge.

"It was great," Hermione responded.

"It was boring," was Draco's input. "Nothing was really decided. The vampires refused to say anything about anything! And we have another boring meeting tonight."

"You can't expect things to happen overnight, Malfoy!"

"Apparently some things do," Draco said, pointing to Harry's left ring finger. Hermione took one look and lunged forward to grab at her friend's finger. As she studied the ring, Draco leaned in for a closer look as well.

"Did you get a romantic proposal?" Draco cooed. "Did our Lord get down on one knee and profess his everlasting love?"

"Your Lord," Hermione muttered.

Harry pulled his hand back and snorted at the very thought. "Actually, he kind of snuck it on my hand when... I was distracted. Didn't ask anything." He then sighed like a lovesick fool, "completely Tom."

Hermione frowned. "Harry, I think you're moving too fast with this."

"Maybe," he replied with a shrug. "But it feels right." Hermione tisked and shook her head at Harry's utter lack of worry. "So the meetings went well then?" he asked, thinking to change the subject.

This made Hermione laugh and look at Drake, who scowled. "Voldemort was right to assign bodyguards," she said. "Nadia tried all night to suck Malfoy's blood. Especially after the Dark Lord left the meeting... in a hurry, might I add," she ended with a narrow look at Harry.

"That vampire is crazy," Draco whined. "She was purring down my throat all night!"

"Yeah, tried to warn you..." Harry studied Draco for a minute. The blond was staring at his ring. Frowning petulantly. Harry looked at Hermione. "Do you think you could give us a few minutes, Mione? Need to talk to Drake for a bit?"