Walk of Shame (11/?)
Title: Walk of Shame (11/?)
Author: dracogotgame
Word Count: 2,000
Rating: PG 13
Prompt: slythindor100's 25 days of Draco and Harry: Prompt 14
Summary: An unexpected visit.
Warning: Nil
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Author's Notes: It took me way too long to flesh this out. Goddammit, RL! Thank you for sticking around, lovelies. Sorry for the delay! Part 11 of the Walk of Shame Series.
The world outside grew colder and bleaker by the day. A sharp and biting wind blew, clearing the icy streets. The WWN reported a possible blizzard, warning all listeners to stay indoors.
But at Draco’s place, there was no lack of cheer and warmth.
Mornings like this one were commonplace now, waking up in a warm bed to gentle smiles and sleepy kisses. Warm lips trailing soft paths down his throat and strong hands holding him in place. Gentle whispers and lingering touches that left him feeling warm, comforted and cared for.
Somewhere along the line, the final barrier had finally given way. Maybe the magic of Christmas had finally come to pass. Maybe Harry had worn his defences down. Or maybe, just maybe, this was how things were meant to be and he had finally realised it.
Speaking of Christmas, preparations for the season were in full swing at Draco’s home. He’d woken up one morning with a sudden sense of longing and nostalgia. Considering how stoically he’d avoided holiday cheer these past few years, it was a wonder he even found the old box of Christmas decorations in the closet. When Harry had discovered him putting up holly wreaths, hanging mistletoe and draping tinsel on anything that stood still long enough, he just laughed and popped out for a few hours. When he came back, he had a tree with him. They spent all evening decorating the tree and the better part of the night snogging under it, half hidden by the branches.
But today, there was something new on the agenda. It was Baking Day.
Draco tried and failed to cut cookies into star shapes. The dough was too soft and a bit sticky, so he wasn’t having much luck. That being said, Harry certainly wasn’t helping either.
“Stop it,” Draco scolded, trying to shove off his clingy…boyfriend. Boyfriend. It still sounded new and strange, but it made him smile every time. He was still smiling when Harry backed him against the stove and swooped in to claim another kiss.
Draco hummed and closed his eyes, giving Harry free rein to do as he pleased. Harry smiled against his lips and nipped at his lip, before soothing the mild sting with his tongue.
“So beautiful,” he murmured. “And you’re all mine.”
There was a thud and an unhappy mew.
Draco snickered and Harry rolled his eyes.
“Well, almost all mine,” he amended grudgingly.
Still, he didn’t relinquish his grip as Adelaide paced the counter restlessly, lashing her tail and leaving paw prints all over the cookie dough. She warbled plaintively and batted at Harry’s elbow, watching them with anxious green eyes.
“Adelaide, no,” Draco scolded distractedly. He was already tipping his head back, baring his throat to Harry’s ministrations.
“Shoo, kitty,” Harry grumbled, giving her a gentle nudge. “Go on now. I’m not hurting him.”
Still, he was remarkably gentle as he lifted the worried little cat and set her on the floor. Adelaide gave them a reproachful look and bounded away. Draco smiled and pulled Harry over, tilting his head for more kisses.
“Hey, hang on a minute,” Harry murmured, between soft pecks and teasing nips. He gave Draco’s hips a gentle squeeze and started to pull away. “I have to step out for a bit, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
Draco huffed and pointedly ignored him. Harry had been mumbling about going out for over an hour now. He hadn’t left yet and Draco planned to keep it that way.
“Draco,” Harry chided, trying and failing to take a step back. “Come on…”
“No,” Draco mumbled. “Stay with me, please?”
“It’s just for a little while, sweetheart.”
“But it’s freezing,” Draco argued. “They said there’s going to be a blizzard.”
Harry smiled and bussed a kiss to his forehead. “I know, but this can’t wait. I’ve been putting it off long enough.”
He pulled away, firmer this time. Draco frowned and let him go.
“What…”
Suddenly, the fireplace flared up. A familiar voice rang out from the hearth, cutting him off.
“Darling, are you in? Oh, never mind. I’ll just come through, shall I?”
Draco’s eyes widened in horror.
“Mother!”
Oh no.
Harry cocked his head, looking rather interested in staying put now. Draco watched as the flames went bright green.
She would be here in the next five seconds. He rounded up on Harry, well on his way to panicking.
“Quick!” he barked, acting on pure instinct. “Hide!”
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
That…was a good question. Draco paused and blinked. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t see why Harry shouldn’t meet his mother. They were dating, after all. It had to happen sometime.
“Okay,” he conceded hesitantly. “Then…stay?”
Harry smiled and wrapped a comforting arm around him, just in time for Narcissa Malfoy to step out of the fireplace.
As always, his mother was elegance personified, in her expensive silk robes and Dragonhide gloves. She had only visited a scant few times, and it always surprised Draco how out of place she looked in his tiny, cramped flat. No, Mother was made for silks and furs and expansive ballrooms. As much as he loved her, having her over was always…surreal.
Narcissa’s eyes landed on them at once. She stopped in her tracks. Draco swallowed and Harry’s grip on his waist tightened ever so slightly.
The silence grew around them, thicker and tenser by the minute.
And then, Narcissa smiled.
“Darling, there you are!”
Draco stared in stunned silence as Mother glided over and wrapped him up in a hug. A nudge from Harry brought him back and he returned the affectionate gesture at once.
“Mother,” he greeted carefully. “You look well.”
“As do you, my love,” Mother murmured, brushing his hair back. Her smile was soft and genuine. All of a sudden, he realised that he’d missed her a great deal.
“The Manor isn’t the same without you,” Mother went on. She was looking him over as she spoke, smoothing out a stray wrinkle in his shirt when it caught her eye. It was something she’d done for as long as he could remember, and it made him smile. “You really should visit more often.”
Logically, he knew he shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving her all by herself in that decrepit old mansion. The Manor was the last place he’d wanted to be after the War, and even before that, it hadn’t felt like home in a long time. He had offered- more than once- to move her into a townhouse or a place in the country. She had refused every time, with a proud tilt of her chin and a renewed determination to keep the ancestral home and restore the Malfoy name to its glory.
Still, the guilt lingered and he squeezed her slim hand gently.
“My apologies, Mother,” he offered. “I’ve been… busy.”
“So I see.” Mother drew back and eyed Potter. Her smile turned perfunctory, her eyes sharp and assessing. “Good day, Mr Potter.”
Harry returned the greeting with a stilted nod of his own. “Mrs Malfoy,” he greeted coolly. “It’s been too long.”
Oh, wonderful. They were sizing each other up. Draco’s eyes darted from his boyfriend to his mother, wondering just how he was supposed to work around this.
“I suppose you’re the reason my son hasn’t called or visited for the past week?” Mother prodded. She turned to Draco, who tried very hard not to duck his head and shrink away. “Darling, you should have said something. I would have announced myself before barging in here!”
Translation: Why is this man living in your house and why am I just finding out about it?
Draco cringed inwardly but Harry was already on damage control.
“We appreciate the consideration,” he offered politely, “but you’re always welcome here, Mrs Malfoy.”
Narcissa’s expression seemed to suggest that she was looking at Harry in a new light. Draco could only gape at him. In just a few words, Harry had not only reasserted his place in Draco’s life but also deferred to Mother’s right to visit when she pleased. It was both challenge and proposition.
No Slytherin could have done any better.
“Narcissa,” Mother declared finally. “Please.”
Harry dipped his head. “Narcissa, then.”
The awkward tension lifted somewhat. When they finally broke eye contact, they both looked more relaxed. Draco heaved a sigh of relief.
Until Mother spoke again.
“Well, I must say this changes things.”
Draco’s eyes narrowed. “How so?” he demanded warily.
Mother waved him off. “No need to fret, darling. I was merely referring to our dinner plans. I did so hope to see you this Saturday. You haven’t visited in quite a while and I miss you so…”
And there was the guilt, right on cue.
“Of course I’m coming,” Draco blurted. He wasn’t a huge fan of their weekly dinner dates- it was usually just the two of them making idle conversation at a table which could easily seat twenty-but it was important to Mother, and he was reluctant to cancel on her. “Tomorrow night, nine o’clock. I didn’t forget, Mother.”
Mother smiled beatifically. “That’s wonderful. I do so enjoy our little visits. Now, will I be setting a place for one or two?”
Draco stilled. Harry was watching Mother in silence, the slightest smile playing on his lips. Mother returned the silent scrutiny with a pleasant smile of her own. Draco had the strangest sense that they both knew something he didn’t.
“If it wouldn’t be an imposition,” Harry responded finally.
“Not at all, Mr Potter,” Narcissa returned. “I would very much like for us to get to know each other.”
Harry didn’t return the sentiment in kind, but he didn’t argue either. “Tomorrow then,” he confirmed. “And please, call me Harry.” He nodded and took a step back, signalling an end to this conversation. “I’ll let you and Draco get on with it then. I hate to run but I have a meeting I can’t get out of.” He gave Draco a gentle squeeze. “I’ll see you soon, yeah?”
“Are you still going out?” Draco blurted. He had forgotten all about that…
“I have to,” Harry said. “We discussed it, remember?”
Draco frowned. It was on the tip of his tongue to point out that two mentions and a four minute conversation was hardly a discussion, but Mother was still here. It would be awkward to bring it up with her hovering over them, and Harry certainly wouldn’t appreciate it. Besides, it wasn't that important anyway.
Probably just some work thing- Kingsley throwing another fit, most likely.
So he just shrugged, allowing Harry to kiss him goodbye and letting him go. Harry withdrew, and the door shut with a click.
Mother hummed thoughtfully in the silence. “He’s...different from what I remember,” she murmured.
Draco shot her a look. “Is that good or bad?” he asked, letting a warning edge creep into his tone.
“Mm,” she replied, her eyes glinting speculatively. “We’ll see.”
****
After a few pleasantries and the customary interrogation, Mother took her leave, but not before securing another promised visit from him. Draco was almost glad to see her go. He loved his mother dearly, but dear Merlin, the woman was exhausting.
He was just starting on dinner when he heard the door open.
Oh, good. Harry was home.
He turned around with a smile. Harry shuffled in, looking irritated and distracted. His jacket was undone, despite the freezing cold, and he was frowning at nothing in particular.
Draco’s smile faded.
“Harry?”
Harry jerked back and stared at him, as if just noticing him standing there. “Oh,” he murmured, approaching quickly and giving him a quick kiss in greeting. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Draco returned carefully. “How was your meeting?”
Harry’s expression went grim, just for a split second. But when he looked back at Draco, he was smiling.
“Funny thing,” he said lightly. “The bloke never showed up.”
Draco frowned as he processed that, but Harry seemed to have forgotten already. He gave Draco another kiss and nudged him with his hip, seamlessly taking over the cooking.
“So, about tomorrow,” he said. “What would your Mum like better? Flowers or wine?”
The conversation drifted from there, light and easy once again. Draco relaxed more and more as he threw out suggestions and ideas, filled Harry in on what Mother would expect. Slowly but surely, he fell back into the comfortable routine of cooking with Harry, exchanging occasional kisses as they talked.
And the moment from before- strange though it was- was soon forgotten.
Part 12
Author: dracogotgame
Word Count: 2,000
Rating: PG 13
Prompt: slythindor100's 25 days of Draco and Harry: Prompt 14
Summary: An unexpected visit.
Warning: Nil
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. This was written for fun, not profit.
Author's Notes: It took me way too long to flesh this out. Goddammit, RL! Thank you for sticking around, lovelies. Sorry for the delay! Part 11 of the Walk of Shame Series.
The world outside grew colder and bleaker by the day. A sharp and biting wind blew, clearing the icy streets. The WWN reported a possible blizzard, warning all listeners to stay indoors.
But at Draco’s place, there was no lack of cheer and warmth.
Mornings like this one were commonplace now, waking up in a warm bed to gentle smiles and sleepy kisses. Warm lips trailing soft paths down his throat and strong hands holding him in place. Gentle whispers and lingering touches that left him feeling warm, comforted and cared for.
Somewhere along the line, the final barrier had finally given way. Maybe the magic of Christmas had finally come to pass. Maybe Harry had worn his defences down. Or maybe, just maybe, this was how things were meant to be and he had finally realised it.
Speaking of Christmas, preparations for the season were in full swing at Draco’s home. He’d woken up one morning with a sudden sense of longing and nostalgia. Considering how stoically he’d avoided holiday cheer these past few years, it was a wonder he even found the old box of Christmas decorations in the closet. When Harry had discovered him putting up holly wreaths, hanging mistletoe and draping tinsel on anything that stood still long enough, he just laughed and popped out for a few hours. When he came back, he had a tree with him. They spent all evening decorating the tree and the better part of the night snogging under it, half hidden by the branches.
But today, there was something new on the agenda. It was Baking Day.
Draco tried and failed to cut cookies into star shapes. The dough was too soft and a bit sticky, so he wasn’t having much luck. That being said, Harry certainly wasn’t helping either.
“Stop it,” Draco scolded, trying to shove off his clingy…boyfriend. Boyfriend. It still sounded new and strange, but it made him smile every time. He was still smiling when Harry backed him against the stove and swooped in to claim another kiss.
Draco hummed and closed his eyes, giving Harry free rein to do as he pleased. Harry smiled against his lips and nipped at his lip, before soothing the mild sting with his tongue.
“So beautiful,” he murmured. “And you’re all mine.”
There was a thud and an unhappy mew.
Draco snickered and Harry rolled his eyes.
“Well, almost all mine,” he amended grudgingly.
Still, he didn’t relinquish his grip as Adelaide paced the counter restlessly, lashing her tail and leaving paw prints all over the cookie dough. She warbled plaintively and batted at Harry’s elbow, watching them with anxious green eyes.
“Adelaide, no,” Draco scolded distractedly. He was already tipping his head back, baring his throat to Harry’s ministrations.
“Shoo, kitty,” Harry grumbled, giving her a gentle nudge. “Go on now. I’m not hurting him.”
Still, he was remarkably gentle as he lifted the worried little cat and set her on the floor. Adelaide gave them a reproachful look and bounded away. Draco smiled and pulled Harry over, tilting his head for more kisses.
“Hey, hang on a minute,” Harry murmured, between soft pecks and teasing nips. He gave Draco’s hips a gentle squeeze and started to pull away. “I have to step out for a bit, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
Draco huffed and pointedly ignored him. Harry had been mumbling about going out for over an hour now. He hadn’t left yet and Draco planned to keep it that way.
“Draco,” Harry chided, trying and failing to take a step back. “Come on…”
“No,” Draco mumbled. “Stay with me, please?”
“It’s just for a little while, sweetheart.”
“But it’s freezing,” Draco argued. “They said there’s going to be a blizzard.”
Harry smiled and bussed a kiss to his forehead. “I know, but this can’t wait. I’ve been putting it off long enough.”
He pulled away, firmer this time. Draco frowned and let him go.
“What…”
Suddenly, the fireplace flared up. A familiar voice rang out from the hearth, cutting him off.
“Darling, are you in? Oh, never mind. I’ll just come through, shall I?”
Draco’s eyes widened in horror.
“Mother!”
Oh no.
Harry cocked his head, looking rather interested in staying put now. Draco watched as the flames went bright green.
She would be here in the next five seconds. He rounded up on Harry, well on his way to panicking.
“Quick!” he barked, acting on pure instinct. “Hide!”
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Why?”
That…was a good question. Draco paused and blinked. Now that he thought about it, he didn’t see why Harry shouldn’t meet his mother. They were dating, after all. It had to happen sometime.
“Okay,” he conceded hesitantly. “Then…stay?”
Harry smiled and wrapped a comforting arm around him, just in time for Narcissa Malfoy to step out of the fireplace.
As always, his mother was elegance personified, in her expensive silk robes and Dragonhide gloves. She had only visited a scant few times, and it always surprised Draco how out of place she looked in his tiny, cramped flat. No, Mother was made for silks and furs and expansive ballrooms. As much as he loved her, having her over was always…surreal.
Narcissa’s eyes landed on them at once. She stopped in her tracks. Draco swallowed and Harry’s grip on his waist tightened ever so slightly.
The silence grew around them, thicker and tenser by the minute.
And then, Narcissa smiled.
“Darling, there you are!”
Draco stared in stunned silence as Mother glided over and wrapped him up in a hug. A nudge from Harry brought him back and he returned the affectionate gesture at once.
“Mother,” he greeted carefully. “You look well.”
“As do you, my love,” Mother murmured, brushing his hair back. Her smile was soft and genuine. All of a sudden, he realised that he’d missed her a great deal.
“The Manor isn’t the same without you,” Mother went on. She was looking him over as she spoke, smoothing out a stray wrinkle in his shirt when it caught her eye. It was something she’d done for as long as he could remember, and it made him smile. “You really should visit more often.”
Logically, he knew he shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving her all by herself in that decrepit old mansion. The Manor was the last place he’d wanted to be after the War, and even before that, it hadn’t felt like home in a long time. He had offered- more than once- to move her into a townhouse or a place in the country. She had refused every time, with a proud tilt of her chin and a renewed determination to keep the ancestral home and restore the Malfoy name to its glory.
Still, the guilt lingered and he squeezed her slim hand gently.
“My apologies, Mother,” he offered. “I’ve been… busy.”
“So I see.” Mother drew back and eyed Potter. Her smile turned perfunctory, her eyes sharp and assessing. “Good day, Mr Potter.”
Harry returned the greeting with a stilted nod of his own. “Mrs Malfoy,” he greeted coolly. “It’s been too long.”
Oh, wonderful. They were sizing each other up. Draco’s eyes darted from his boyfriend to his mother, wondering just how he was supposed to work around this.
“I suppose you’re the reason my son hasn’t called or visited for the past week?” Mother prodded. She turned to Draco, who tried very hard not to duck his head and shrink away. “Darling, you should have said something. I would have announced myself before barging in here!”
Translation: Why is this man living in your house and why am I just finding out about it?
Draco cringed inwardly but Harry was already on damage control.
“We appreciate the consideration,” he offered politely, “but you’re always welcome here, Mrs Malfoy.”
Narcissa’s expression seemed to suggest that she was looking at Harry in a new light. Draco could only gape at him. In just a few words, Harry had not only reasserted his place in Draco’s life but also deferred to Mother’s right to visit when she pleased. It was both challenge and proposition.
No Slytherin could have done any better.
“Narcissa,” Mother declared finally. “Please.”
Harry dipped his head. “Narcissa, then.”
The awkward tension lifted somewhat. When they finally broke eye contact, they both looked more relaxed. Draco heaved a sigh of relief.
Until Mother spoke again.
“Well, I must say this changes things.”
Draco’s eyes narrowed. “How so?” he demanded warily.
Mother waved him off. “No need to fret, darling. I was merely referring to our dinner plans. I did so hope to see you this Saturday. You haven’t visited in quite a while and I miss you so…”
And there was the guilt, right on cue.
“Of course I’m coming,” Draco blurted. He wasn’t a huge fan of their weekly dinner dates- it was usually just the two of them making idle conversation at a table which could easily seat twenty-but it was important to Mother, and he was reluctant to cancel on her. “Tomorrow night, nine o’clock. I didn’t forget, Mother.”
Mother smiled beatifically. “That’s wonderful. I do so enjoy our little visits. Now, will I be setting a place for one or two?”
Draco stilled. Harry was watching Mother in silence, the slightest smile playing on his lips. Mother returned the silent scrutiny with a pleasant smile of her own. Draco had the strangest sense that they both knew something he didn’t.
“If it wouldn’t be an imposition,” Harry responded finally.
“Not at all, Mr Potter,” Narcissa returned. “I would very much like for us to get to know each other.”
Harry didn’t return the sentiment in kind, but he didn’t argue either. “Tomorrow then,” he confirmed. “And please, call me Harry.” He nodded and took a step back, signalling an end to this conversation. “I’ll let you and Draco get on with it then. I hate to run but I have a meeting I can’t get out of.” He gave Draco a gentle squeeze. “I’ll see you soon, yeah?”
“Are you still going out?” Draco blurted. He had forgotten all about that…
“I have to,” Harry said. “We discussed it, remember?”
Draco frowned. It was on the tip of his tongue to point out that two mentions and a four minute conversation was hardly a discussion, but Mother was still here. It would be awkward to bring it up with her hovering over them, and Harry certainly wouldn’t appreciate it. Besides, it wasn't that important anyway.
Probably just some work thing- Kingsley throwing another fit, most likely.
So he just shrugged, allowing Harry to kiss him goodbye and letting him go. Harry withdrew, and the door shut with a click.
Mother hummed thoughtfully in the silence. “He’s...different from what I remember,” she murmured.
Draco shot her a look. “Is that good or bad?” he asked, letting a warning edge creep into his tone.
“Mm,” she replied, her eyes glinting speculatively. “We’ll see.”
****
After a few pleasantries and the customary interrogation, Mother took her leave, but not before securing another promised visit from him. Draco was almost glad to see her go. He loved his mother dearly, but dear Merlin, the woman was exhausting.
He was just starting on dinner when he heard the door open.
Oh, good. Harry was home.
He turned around with a smile. Harry shuffled in, looking irritated and distracted. His jacket was undone, despite the freezing cold, and he was frowning at nothing in particular.
Draco’s smile faded.
“Harry?”
Harry jerked back and stared at him, as if just noticing him standing there. “Oh,” he murmured, approaching quickly and giving him a quick kiss in greeting. “Hi.”
“Hi,” Draco returned carefully. “How was your meeting?”
Harry’s expression went grim, just for a split second. But when he looked back at Draco, he was smiling.
“Funny thing,” he said lightly. “The bloke never showed up.”
Draco frowned as he processed that, but Harry seemed to have forgotten already. He gave Draco another kiss and nudged him with his hip, seamlessly taking over the cooking.
“So, about tomorrow,” he said. “What would your Mum like better? Flowers or wine?”
The conversation drifted from there, light and easy once again. Draco relaxed more and more as he threw out suggestions and ideas, filled Harry in on what Mother would expect. Slowly but surely, he fell back into the comfortable routine of cooking with Harry, exchanging occasional kisses as they talked.
And the moment from before- strange though it was- was soon forgotten.
Part 12