Into Darkness - Moment by Moment Book #1 (Harry Potter, Drarry)

Pushing the Boundaries

The carpet still tickled his bare feet, no matter how many times Harry walked up and down across the room. He'd found clothes hanging in the wardrobe, black silk shirt and leather trousers, but nothing practical like shoes or underwear: he suspected the outfit was Draco's, and what it revealed about his host had not made him feel comfortable about dinner. He'd said yes to the talk, because he had recognised the need in both of them. However, coupled with the memory of Malfoy's intense gaze that morning, the feel of the expensive leather and nothing else against his skin was making the young man wonder if his visitor was going to have other ideas than just chatting. He'd put those thoughts off by reading Quidditch Weekly, all four copies, from cover to cover as many times as he could before he had them memorised. However, the table and all the trimmings had arrived in the space between the bed and the fire about half an hour ago and now he had minutes until his guest arrived, and his imagination was doing overtime. Hence, he was testing the pile of the carpet.

When the door opened, Harry was wound like a clock, and as wary as if he'd been expecting one of his torturers. He stood on the far side of the room, the table between himself and the door, and hovered on his toes. He knew it was irrational, since the stabbing, Draco had offered, thus far, nothing but friendship; that thought struck him soundly between the ears: the prisoner had not even considered what to call this fledgling relationship, and he denied the idea that it could be comradeship. This was a mutual lowering of hostilities, nothing more, that made him feel a little less vulnerable to his emotions. Harry realised that his warring thoughts must have been all over his face, because when his visitor had closed the door behind him, and turned to greet the dark-haired wizard, his smile faltered.

"Harry, is everything alright?" Draco asked, his hand still on the door handle.

The captive opened his mouth, but knew he had nothing that would come out coherently. It didn't help when his companion frowned in concern. Draco's bright eyes were very attractive framed by his angular face, and everything confused in Harry at once. The young man knew he had to stop the new emotional railroad to disaster before it got any further; he'd been working himself up for too long, guessing and second guessing, and he chose the direct approach. Harry couldn't look at his dinner guest, his eyes flew to the ceiling for a moment, as he took a deep breath and asked, "What are your intentions?"

The gasp came out of Draco like a laugh, but it was just an admission of nerves, the same way Harry could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he forced his eyes back down to earth. The blond man hadn't moved, his hand was still on the door, but his face showed an immediate indignation. Harry just looked at him, unsure what emotions were showing on his own features. Whatever they were, Draco seemed to understand them, because his mouth opened, and his lips curled in a shocked smile: it was vaguely sad, as if he'd been disappointed, but his companion was glad for the clarity which came with that effect.

"Harry," the young man began, not coming further into the room, but slipping his hands into his pockets and slouching a little, "I find you attractive."

Harry's heart thundered that little bit faster, and his feet rooted to the spot under the heavy gaze that Draco let show.

"But, despite your experience of me so far, I always ask first."

Harry hadn't realised he was holding his breath until it escaped in a snort similar to his visitor's tension release. Draco raised an eyebrow, but seemed to take what became a cough as a good sign, and stepped further into the room. He pressed on honestly, "I think we need to talk, that's all."

The dark-haired wizard nodded, and then glanced at the breathing bottle of red wine on the table.

"I think a drink would be a good idea," he relaxed a little, and pushed himself over to the table.