AN: This is one of my favorite chapters so far. I really enjoy the interaction between the two. I think it shows off their long standing relationship well. Took me forever to get this to where I was comfortable with it. I kept trying to put them in their school robes, so to speak. They weren't behaving as I thought they should when it finally dawned on me... They grew up! Of course they weren't going to act the way they did in school! So, yeah, once I figured that out, I think it turned out well.
BUT, I am always open to ANY feedback. Seriously, anything you have an issue with, let me know! I enjoy looking at things from a different perspective and hope to learn and grow with every paragraph I write.
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Harry didn't want to go back out there. Besides, his robes were probably wrinkled now from sitting on the floor and he would just get a lecture about it. Draco was always lecturing him about something; his hair, his clothes, his attitude. Harry usually took it with a grain of salt and appreciated that Draco cared about him. But now, he just wanted Draco to leave him alone. He wanted everyone to leave him alone. His special room sprung to his mind and he wanted to be there more than anything in that moment, safe and warm in his dark little room.
"You are ignoring your guests. How inexcusably rude. It puts a blight upon the Malfoy name."
"Shut up." Harry didn't even look up at whatever nasty portrait had reprimanded him. The paintings all mumbled to themselves and he caught smatterings of conversation, mostly related to his unsuitability as a Malfoy and how badly his hair was kept. When the door opened the paintings went silent. Now he was in for it. Someone would report back that Harry Potter was sitting on the floor and then the press would start rumours and he would never hear the end of it from Draco or Lucius.
Footsteps rang as they crossed the tiled floor. Harry kept his head down and hoped they wouldn't recognize him. Maybe he could pretend to be a random guest passed out drunk and they would leave him alone. When the hand touched his shoulder, though, he was so startled he looked up. Silver eyes gazed down at him.
"I'm sorry, Draco," he murmured. Draco squatted down next to him to hear every word. "I didn't know that man was going to be here. I wasn't trying to start anything. I was just walking and-."
A hand came over his mouth, stopping his babbling words. "Stop. I don't want to hear about that nit. Stop." Draco's voice was low and steady as he lowered his hand.
"I didn't mean to ruin our party. I know I was being a prat out there and everything but I really wouldn't-."
"Cool it with the babbling, will you?" Draco's tone was sharp but not in anger. He ran his hand over his own face and sighed in frustration. "Look, I got angry when I saw that bastard touching you. When you didn't come to me when I called I got even more hacked off. I didn't realize that you were too close to that git and I wasn't close enough. That's why I shouted at you. My blood was up. Are you alright?" His eyes dropped to Harry's arms where he had squeezed hard. Harry nodded and carefully put his hand out to rest it on Draco's thigh.
"I'm alright."
"Let's get out of here, yeah? Let's go home." Draco stood up and offered his hand. Harry took it but only rose to his knees. Slowly he leaned forward and rubbed his cheek against the soft material of Draco's trousers. He smelled so good. Harry didn't think he'd ever tire of Draco's unique scent.
"Harry..."
"You don't have any competition, Draco. I'm sorry that I made you think that you did." Harry rubbed along the thigh and placed a kiss on the seam at the apex of the strong legs. A hand ran through his hair and Harry smiled. With Draco's assistance he climbed to his feet and was pulled into strong arms.
