Draco again came through his front door at eight o'clock in the evening the next day. He again gave his coat to the coat tree and went in search of his husband. In his hand he held a colourful book. And again, he found Severus sitting on the settee in the sitting room looking over essays and tests.
"Where's Harry?" Draco asked, looking about the room. He was glad that they would be buying all new furniture for their new home. He didn't want Harry reminded of this house. Draco realized that he had been an utter fool to agree to this living arrangement. All he had thought of was no living expenses other than food and such. Which, at the time, the deal between he and his father had been perfect since Harry had just begun at the muggle zoo and he had just started as an apprentice at the Ministry. Unfortunately, he had not thought it through in the long term. He had not seen that his father would use it as an excellent tool to keep tabs on him and Harry. And, of course, to move out on their own when they were being given a free roof would have been inexcusably rude. Draco sighed as he again looked over the furniture. Thankfully, he had played his cards right, manipulated the right amount of people and had given him and Harry a way out. It wouldn't be much longer before he would no longer need to endure another of his father's increasingly strict lectures, as he had the night before.
"He's not asleep, is he?" Draco asked, bringing his thoughts back to the present. "I have a gift for him. And it was a bloody nuisance to get, too." Draco stalked to the armchair and sat down with a whoosh. "Do you know those foolish muggles want your address on their lists before they give you a bloody catalogue?" he grumbled. "I should think it enough that I would even consider looking at their products."
"And what products would those be?" Snape asked without looking up from his papers. "I hope it isn't maternity clothing?"
Draco snorted. "Harry nearly tore my head off when I happened to mention that idea. Instead, I have had to endure the sight of some horribly ridiculous clothes on him. Do you know he actually wanted to wear something called "sweats"? As if one would wish to perspire while simply wearing the clothes." Draco rested his right ankle on his left knee. "I overruled that, of course. Unfortunately, I stupidly left him to deal with the tailor that created those ridiculous trousers of his. Their only saving grace is that they are quite easily removed." Draco smirked.
"Then what muggle products catalogue did you require, then?" Snape asked into his notes.
"Toys." Draco let his head fall to the back of the chair. He studied the ceiling as he spoke. "Harry has mentioned a few times about some toys that he had wanted as a child. I thought he and I could look through this catalogue and order a few of them. Give him something to do." Draco's eyes narrowed and then he frowned. He looked about the room and surreptitiously breathed in the air.
"Something's not right," he murmured. He picked his head up and looked at Snape. Something's... off."
"Oh?" Snape murmured carelessly.
Draco's eyes narrowed and he stood up. "Where's Harry?"
"In the den."
Silver eyes widened in sudden understanding. He spun and headed toward the door.
"I wouldn't go up there if I were you," Snape said and put the parchment roll down. He looked intently at Draco. "He's locked the door. Any tampering and you will be as acquainted with the opposite wall as I was."
Draco's hands opened and closed at his side, but otherwise he did not betray the riot of emotion inside him. "How long?"
"He had been pacing all morning. He went in there just after lunch." Snape looked down at his notes. "I noticed his extended stay in there another hour after that. At that time I attempted to enter and was thrown back. I do not believe it was a preset spell, but a reaction on his part."
