Always

Chapter Twenty Four

"I said not to touch me."

The bed shifted and Harry smiled before settling again.

"There will never be a next time - Ever, Potter! - But having a reunion snog would be nice, you know."

Harry turned his head to look at his husband. "Your head is on my pillow," he replied calmly.

Gritting his teeth, Draco slid back onto his own third of the bed and Harry resettled himself before smiling again.

"I have never despised first stage more than I do at this moment."

"It's only another day," Harry answered. "Then I'll be all yours."

"And Maia shall be ready as well."

"Damn it!" Draco jumped out of the bed and glared at Snape, who was on the other side of Harry. "I'm going to kill her!"

"You won't touch her!" Harry snapped, sitting up.

"I was talking about O'Neill!"

"So was I!"

"Look, Potter, just because she decided to stall them a bit doesn't mean she was actually helpful."

"It was her intent that meant the most. She could see Maia wasn't with me anymore. She could have walked away. But she thought of Maia's future happiness and acted in a way that would make sure it happened." Harry leaned over to the nightstand and put his spectacles back on. "That means a lot to me. It makes me trust her."

"Trust her?!" Draco shouted. "This is ridiculous! You would think after being duped enough times you'd grow some brains!"

Snape rolled his eyes and rode the shaking of the bed as Harry shot off of it to face off with Draco.

"Bastard! You bloody bastard! You know what, Malfoy? Kellas shows a lot more promise than you did at her age! In fact, she shows more than you do now!"

"I'd watch your mouth if I were you!"

"And I'd watch your head," Snape commented as he watched.

"You," Harry began nastily, "are an arrogant and mean bastard! Kellas, on the other hand, seems to really love and care for Maia! Do you hear me, Malfoy? She cares for our daughter! Having been courted by a monstrous prick, I am happy for Maia and will make sure she gets what she wants!"

"She's just as arrogant as I am- was!" Draco shouted as he flung his arm out to point at the missing person.

"No. She's confident. There is an enormous difference! Kellas is willing to bend for Maia! Kellas wants Maia to be happy!"

"And you're saying I don't want you happy? Is that it? That I didn't go insane worrying about you for the past two days?"

"I was just your property gone missing!"

"Which you do an awful lot!"

Harry's eyes welled with tears and it made him even angrier. "You...!" He shoved Draco hard in the chest and moved quickly to the other side of the room. Draco watched warily, waiting to dodge or duck, but Harry just stood facing the wall.

Snape stood and grabbed something from the other nightstand before walking towards Harry. A foot away from him, Snape held something out to him. "Here, Harry," he said calmly. "You haven't had anything in a while."

Harry shook his head and didn't speak. Snape held the small candy out to him again, but was ignored. Draco frowned and stepped a bit closer. "Harry?" he called out softly. "Love, you all right?" He hadn't meant to have an argument, no matter how common they were during this time of the year.