"The Harry Problem" - a ficlet for Plu
The following ficlet was written for aome. She has been a source of inspiration, help and a wonderful beta to me for ages. Thanks to olivia_lupin for being a brilliant beta and for her ever-helpful comments.
I hope you enjoy it.
Rating: NC-17 (Slash) Adult themes
Summary: The Harry Problem is a Resolution futurefic. Draco returns home after a long meeting.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
The Harry Problem
The message was brief ... In the garden.
Draco stared at the scrap of parchment, a half smile slowly spreading across his face at the familiar spidery handwriting. He’d had, quite frankly, a frustratingly pointless day stuck in a meeting that had gotten nowhere, so to arrive home to a message that Harry was not only home but “in the garden”was enough to lift his spirits and ease away the beginnings of the headache that was throbbing at his temples.
Loosening his tie, he unfastened the top button of his shirt and crossed the lounge to the huge glass doors that took up most of one wall to give magnificant views of the gardens surrounding the house he’d shared with Harry for the past two years.
After years of living like nomads during the struggle with Voldemort, finally being able to settle down together in one place had been a monumental turning point in their relationship. With the Dark Lord at long last out of the way, and their lives supposedly no longer in danger, they had been surprised to discover that learning to live together was such a struggle. Their search for a home had taken the brunt of many arguments ranging from minor spats to out-and-out fights which they both thought their relationship might not survive.
Then they had found this place and Draco watched Harry’s expression change the moment they had Apparated into the garden. For a moment the green eyes had been guarded, then they had opened wider first in disbelief and then astonishment as he’d taken in the newly constructed Muggle building. Harry had looked from it to Draco and then back at the house and said simply, “You can watch the sunset from that upstairs window.” And then he had smiled ... the expression one of such delight that Draco had wanted to grab hold of him and kiss it into his memory.
The wooden and glass building was out in the middle of the countryside, miles from anywhere. Surrounded by ancient woodlands, the front opened onto a vista of fields and downland, which seemed to go on forever. It was the perfect hideaway for them both and ever since Harry had finally defeated Voldemort, Draco knew his lover needed somewhere to hide from everyone ... whatever side they happened to be on.
A smile teased at the corner of Draco’s mouth as he remembered giving Harry the key to the house for his birthday. After that initial visit, Draco had known it was what they had both been looking for and that he wanted to give Harry this sanctuary. It had been difficult to keep the secret, but worth it to see the look on Harry’s face when he’d unwrapped the small box and found the house key inside. They had spent the day ... Harry’s birthday ... in their new home talking about the future and making love.
It had been an idyllic two years since that day, but now it was all going to end. He glanced back over his shoulder at the packing crates that dotted the room. The powers-that-be at the Ministry had decided that they knew what was best for The Boy Who Lived and had deemed that Harry wasn’t safe here anymore, and that they should move out.
And Draco couldn’t bear it.
This house was more than just a wooden building ... it was his home ... it was as important as his childhood home ... maybe even more important. But he would give that up for Harry if he had to do so to keep his beloved safe.
Even though it had been over two years since Voldemort’s demise, there were still some of his followers lurking in the woodwork who wanted to see Harry dead. The death threats had been few and far between to start with, but then three months ago, on the anniversary of the final battle, they had suddenly become more numerous and sinister. Draco had a good idea who was responsible for them, but with no proof or even any idea where that person was there was nothing he could do about it.
Everyone in the post-war government had suddenly started worrying about Harry’s safety and ‘The Harry Problem’ had suddenly found its way onto just about every agenda at the Ministry. They (those who thought they knew best) quickly came up with ‘The Plan’. If the Boy Who Lived couldn’t be kept safe in his own home, then he would have to be moved to a place where he would be safe -- Hogwarts, for example. They’d known that Harry had never been particularly concerned about his own safety and wouldn’t move just because they were worried about him. So their way round The Problem was to keep the threats a secret from Harry and offer the wizarding hero a teaching post.
Sensibly they didn’t bother with the DADA post because they knew he’d turn that down. Instead they teased him with the Flying and Quidditch post. That had been about a month ago and just about everyone who was anyone had pushed Harry into taking it. Of course no one mentioned the death threats, or the fact Hogwarts was going to be a virtual prison for Harry.
Draco had been horrified at the thought of Harry being locked up anywhere, even for his own safety, and had told them so in no uncertain terms. At least Hermione had understood his point of view, but the whole experience had been an eye opener for Draco. He’d suddenly realised that even after all he’d done during the war ... all the protection he’d given Harry ... there were still people who didn’t trust him. No one actually said as much, but the inference was there ... Draco was a Malfoy, his father had never been caught and wasn’t blood thicker than water? Get Harry away from Malfoy’s influence and he would be safe.
In the end, Harry had accepted the job and agreed to move to Hogwarts again. Draco had worked hard on not showing his disappointment about leaving their home and had even agreed to Hermione’s request to not worry Harry with tales of what was happening.
And that had been the subject of the extremely long and tedious meeting today. Harry’s safety and Draco’s part in ensuring it.
‘The-Powers-That-Be’ now wanted Draco to move to Hogwarts as well, because it turned out that he, too, was a target. For the first time they had admitted that he had been named in the threats as well. Of course, Draco had no intention of letting Harry go off to the school without him -- he’d made a pledge to Dumbledore about protecting Harry and Draco had no intention of reneging on that promise.
But the difference between him and The-Powers-That-Be was the fact he knew Harry was safe here, in their protected home and that if they told Harry the truth, he wouldn’t want to leave. Draco had watched, mesmerized, as Harry had used his magic to surround their home with protection, and afterwards, he and Hermione had spent ages adding more traditional wards and unplottable magic. It had been a pointless exercise really because nothing they could invoke would match the magic Harry had surrounded the house with. Even after all the years he and Harry had been together, it still awed Draco to see his lover work with Earth magic. Each experience was as unique as the weather, and he’d watched the magic flow as gentle as a mountain stream and as ferocious as an Atlantic storm.
To be part of that ... to experience the sheer strength and beauty of the spells as Harry cast them always left Draco feeling both thrilled and terrified at one and the same time.
Harry had been locked up all his life and finally ... finally ... he now had the freedom he craved, and just when their lives where coming together in the way they’d both wanted, it was about to end yet again. What was the point, Draco wondered, in Harry risking his life to beat Voldemort if all it meant was his own imprisonment?
A soft breeze fluttering the light voile curtains which covered the door, and as he pushed them aside, he resolved to put the meeting out of his mind, at least for the time being. Today was Harry’s birthday, and Draco was determined to make this day in their home one Harry would remember. The rest of the packing could wait until tomorrow.
He let out a long calming breath and looked down at the little piece of parchment.
Harry was in the garden.
That meant his lover was either writing or painting or, if Draco was lucky, lounging in the late afternoon sunshine. The thought of Harry sprawled on the grass sent a glow of pleasure trickling through him. Nothing could brighten his day more than the sight of that bronzed, naked body basking in the open just waiting for him.
The tousled ink black hair. Inviting green eyes. The ridges of his collarbones and smooth skin of his chest leading down to those two perfect dark nipples. The hollow at the base of his throat that always pulsed with the beat of his heart. The taut muscles of his abdomen, dipping down into the sweet hollow of his navel. And, of course, the trail of dark hair leading from Harry’s navel all the way down ... an arrow Draco had once called it ... pointing the way.
Would Harry be half-hard as he waited for Draco?
Maybe if he were lucky he’d catch Harry stoking himself. Draco liked that ... liked watching his lover’s fingers wrapped around his own shaft working himself to orgasm.
Or maybe Harry wouldn’t be naked at all. Maybe he’d be wearing a pair of the little tight briefs Draco had given him. Ones that clung to every inch of his flesh and left nothing to the imagination. Or loose boxers, tented by the push of Harry’s erection against the material.
It didn’t matter, Draco mused, whatever Harry had on, he would reach down and release his lover from the confines and take Harry into his mouth, watching that expressive face and jewel-bright eyes as he brought Harry to completion.
And then...
Oh yes, and then it would be his turn.
Draco stepped out onto the patio into the full glare of the late July sun and pulled his sunglasses from the breast pocket of his shirt. He was aware of his own clothes tightening around his semi-hard length, and he let his hand run briefly over the hardness. The object of his desire was nowhere to be seen, the lounger on the patio was empty, as was the one under the shade of an ancient oak. But the garden was full of little nooks and crannies where one could hide, and he strolled across the lawn in his search. A screen of low bushes shielded part of the garden from the lawn, and as he passed between two of the flowering shrubs, he finally found Harry.
The man wasn’t sunbathing, but was down on his knees in a patch of newly turned earth.
Draco paused momentarily, a frown creasing his brow as he realised that Harry was currently gardening. The dark-haired man was kneeling beside the recently cultivated ground and appeared to be planting something ... and by the look of the empty trays scattered around him, Harry had been working for sometime. He watched for several minutes intrigued by the sight of Harry’s bare shoulders and lean, lightly muscled torso as it moved and stretched, and then finally stepped forward. “Love, what are you doing?”
It was clear to Draco that Harry had been aware of his presence. He hadn’t jumped at the words, but instead looked up and smiled.
“I’m gardening.” Harry sat back on his heels and brushed some of the dirt from his fingers before waggling them at Draco. “I’d get up and greet you properly, but then you’d end up with a very dirty shirt. How was the meeting?”
Draco shrugged, remembering Hermione’s words imploring him not to tell Harry about the worries for his safety. “Very long and very boring.” He pulled off his sunglasses and crouched down beside his partner, leaning towards the waiting mouth. The kiss started as a brief touch, but soon escalated into a building passion. Neither touched the other except with their mouths, an exquisite journey of caresses, nipping teeth and exploring tongues, somehow all the more sweeter for the utter focus of just that one touch on each other.
When Draco finally pulled away with an appreciative “Mmmmm”, he was aroused and the pull of his shirt across his chest rubbed against the sensitised flesh of his nipples. He wasn’t helped by the sight of Harry kneeling before him, both grimy hands resting lightly on the thighs of his cut-off jeans. The closed eyelids completed the look of quiet submission; dark lashes resting lightly against his cheeks. If he hadn’t already been hard, Draco knew that sight alone would have set him quickly on the road.
As the eyelids fluttered open, Harry let out a long breath and the smile on his face was mirrored in the green eyes. “You taste nice.”
“So do you.” Draco finally sat down, hoping the grass wouldn’t mark his clothes. “Harry, why are you doing this?” He gestured at the newly planted ground.
“I told you, I’m gardening.” He waited for Draco to speak, but when he didn’t, Harry continued. “Remember we talked about setting up a herb garden?”
“We did?”
Harry nodded. “After your last shopping expedition to get potion supplies -- you said how bad the quality was and that you could grow better yourself.”
“I know, but I was talking metaphorically, not literally. I didn’t mean you to actually start planting.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Harry shifted, mirroring Draco’s seated posture. He crossed his legs, the denim pulling tightly across his thighs. “This area is perfect for the garden and there’s space for a greenhouse over there,” he gestured to an area separated from the house by a low hedge, “and I’ve been talking to Neville about having something for night-flowering plants,” he grinned, “a ‘dark-house’ of sorts.”
“Harry....”
“What do you think?”
“Sweet, we’re leaving in a few days.” Draco reached out a hand and rested it on Harry’s knee. “We’ve almost finished packing.”
“I know.” Harry shrugged. “But I’ve changed my mind.”
A feeling of intense pleasure swelled in Draco, but he stamped down on it hard. Even if he didn’t agree with what those in authority planned for Harry, at least he could appreciate their concern. Plus he’d given Hermione his word that he wouldn’t try to sway Harry away from taking the job at Hogwarts.
But if Harry refused of his own volition....
“Why?”
Harry gave a little shrug and shifted closer to Draco. “I don’t want to go. I’ll be at Hogwarts and you’ll be down in London, and we’ll only see each other at weekends and I don’t want to live like that.”
Draco allowed Harry to slip onto his lap, the dark-haired man’s legs sliding around his waist. Suddenly the fact Harry was dirty from his gardening didn’t matter as full lips pressed briefly against his own. He pulled back a little and brushed a lock of ink-black hair from Harry’s face. “I’ll be going with you. They’ve offered me a job as well.”
Harry’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“They want me to do Defense against the Dark Arts.” Draco gave a snort, his tone caustic. “I guess they think my background qualifies me for the role.”
“But you don’t want to do, do you?” Harry nipped briefly at Draco’s bottom lip. “Teaching isn’t your thing, is it?”
“No, not really. I’ll probably end up with the same reputation as Severus.” Draco shrugged. “But that’s not the point, Harry, even if I didn’t take the job, we can still live there. I can just as easily Apparate from Hogsmeade or even Floo. You can teach and we’ll still have all the time we want.” His hand moved down to cup Harry’s face, and he let his thumb brush along a cheekbone.
“But that won’t work, will it. I won’t just have to teach classes ... there’s all the other stuff as well. Don’t you remember what it was like when we were there? Did you ever see any of the teachers have a personal life?”
Draco shifted his hands, letting them trail down to rest on Harry’s waist. “No.”
“And I know, Draco.”
“What?”
“I know what’s going on and why I was offered the job. I know all about the threats and that they think you have some sort of hold over me and you’re the reason why I won’t do their personal appearances or take a place in the Ministry.”
Draco frowned. “How? It’s supposed to be a big secret.”
“Neville let it slip when he was here last week.” Harry’s hand reached up and pushed into Draco’s hair. “He was mortified when he realised what he’d said, and then I made him tell me everything, including the fact you’d been threatened as well. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because....” Draco chewed on his lip for a moment, remembering a time when they had still been at school. They had both promised not to keep things from each other, which was exactly what Draco had been doing. It seemed like a cop out to say ‘Hermione made me promise’. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to stop doing things just because of me.”
Harry laughed, a low chuckle that vibrated through Draco’s hands. “Draco, my love, have you ever made me do something I didn’t want to?”
With a little shrug, Draco smiled. “Well, there was that time I gave you a blow job in Hermione’s bathroom and you were panicking someone might come in.” The fingers of his right hand moved to cup the bulge in Harry’s groin, rubbing gently.
Harry’s eyelids fluttered closed briefly at the touch, and when he opened them again, the green of his eyes seemed brighter. “How can I forget that?” His fingers plucked at the front of Draco’s shirt, tweaking at a nipple through the material. “I wanted you to fuck me so badly afterwards, but you made me wait for hours.” There was a feral look in those green eyes now and he pressed his now growing erection into the hand still cupping him.
“Going to Hogwarts is more than just taking a teaching post.” Draco tried hard to keep the conversation on track. If he gave into Harry now, then it would be too late. “It’s about keeping you safe.” He could feel his voice breaking, husky with growing passion.
Harry’s arms wound around Draco as he shifted closer into the vee of his lover’s legs, and let his head drop to Draco’s shoulder. “Draco, I love you so much that sometimes ... sometimes it hurts and I don’t want to be away from you for any longer than I have to. But it isn’t just that.” He pulled away, once again looking deeply into the grey eyes of his partner. “This is where I want to be right now. I’ve spent all my life doing what other people want and expect. Finally, for the first time in my life, the only person I need to please to is you ... and me.”
“Harry....”
“Let me finish. It’s nice that everyone is worried about me. And the job would be great at some point, but I don’t want it right now. What I want is to be here...” Harry swept an arm wide, “in our beautiful home, with you and the cats and the garden. I want ... I need to be able to spend time with you and to write and paint and walk through the woods and feel things growing and full of life, instead of all the death and destruction.”
“Harry, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want. I’m ... concerned about the threats.”
“I’m here because I want to be. I know you need to work ... to be busy ... even though you could spend all your time here if you wanted too. I don’t mind that all, the most important thing to me is that you’re happy with what you’re doing. I’ll probably want to get back into something more constructive at some point, but not right now. As for the threats, we both know that this place is as safe as Hogwarts. I’ve made sure of that.” Harry reached forward and cupped Draco’s cheek in his hand. “I’ve made your face all dirty.” He tried to gently rub the fleck of dirt from the pale skin.
Draco leaned into the touch. “You know I’d go with you to Hogwarts even if I didn’t take that job.”
“Don’t you like it here?”
“Of course I do. It’s...” Draco took in a deep ragged breath. “It’s the best home I’ve ever had.”
“Then why leave?” Harry’s voice was almost a whisper as he carefully looped his arms around his lover’s slim waist. “I’m here because it’s my home. Everything I want is here ... with you.”
Draco felt fingers push past the waistband of his trousers and hitch at his shirt until they found bare flesh. His own arms wrapped possessively around Harry, holding the jeans-clad hips and pulling them towards him. Harry was so close now, pressed firmly against him, hardness against hardness. He groaned and subconsciously rocked against the pressure. “People are worried....”
“I know.” Harry kissed his chin. “Can we go in now? I need a shower and then I’m going to shag you senseless, or we can have a nice long soak in the bath if you prefer.”
“I’m not dirty, Potter.”
“Then you can help wash me, because I am filthy.” His hands pushed a little deeper into the back of Draco’s trousers, a fingertip caressing the top of the cleft between Draco’s buttocks. “And I’m quite sure I can get you suitably dirty as well, if you’d care to give me a few minutes.”
Draco moaned quietly as he pushed against Harry. “What about the job?”
“Shhhh, if you mention that again I might make you sleep in the spare room.”
“But...”
Harry suddenly pulled his fingers out and before Draco could stop him, had come onto his knees and pushed Draco to the ground. Straddling the blond’s hips, he pulled off his own glasses and leaned down to the supine man. “I...” he kissed the corner of Draco’s mouth... “...don’t...” ...his jaw... “want...” ...his throat... “...to...” ...the hollow of his throat... “...talk...” ...an ear lobe... “...about...” ...the corner of Draco’s eye... “...it...” Skilled fingers unfastened the belt catch and snaped open the button on Draco’s trousers. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes...” Draco hissed as Harry’s hand stroked him through the fabric of his trousers. His response was automatic and he flexed against the insistent hand, pushing his hard length into Harry’s palm.
“Good. I’m so pleased we’ve got that sorted out.” Harry eased off his partner, whose hips were already rising up with need and his eager fingers paused briefly before opening the fly and pushing into Draco’s briefs.
The resulting groan rumbled eagerly in Draco’s throat as Harry’s took hold of him, fingers dancing over his hard length. He shifted, lifting his arse from the ground as Harry pushed his trousers down to get better access, finally freeing Draco from the confines of his underwear.
“Oh, Harry...” Hot breath ghosted over his cock and time seemed shift into slow motion as Harry pulled back the foreskin and let his tongue flick back and forth over the swollen head. Draco sprawled back, eyes glazed, as he followed the journey of that tongue. “You are....”
“What am I, Draco?” Harry’s mouth closed over him, taking in most of the length before pulling back off, the action creating a wonderful suction that made Draco mutter sweet swear words and grip at Harry’s thick dark hair. Harry paused with just the tip still in his mouth and breathed gently, the sensation making Draco shiver.
“The devil incarnate, Harry.” The words dissipated in a long moan as Harry pulled away, and his hand still stroking Draco’s length, he gave Draco a long, hard kiss.
“Come inside.”
“What?” The request was so unexpected, that Draco was momentarily lost for words and he just lay on the grass as Harry pulled his clothes back into place and reached for his hand.
“Come inside.”
Under the insistent tugging, Draco allowed himself to be drawn back into the dark cool interior, up the wooden staircase and into the bathroom. Silently he let Harry undress him again and together they stepped into the shower, washing away the stress of the day. Touches turned into slow caresses, and as the water cascaded over them, they fell back into a leisurely intimacy of kisses.
When Harry pulled him to the huge bed, Draco didn’t hesitate and he revelled in Harry’s touch as he felt himself stroked and licked back to hardness. Stretched out on his back, eyes closed, Draco followed the journey of Harry’s fingers and mouth over his warm and still slightly damp skin. When those fingers pushed into him, he gasped, and finally reached for Harry.
“I love you.” Draco whispered as Harry crawled over his body, pressing against him, and when he repeated the words, Harry kissed them away. Draco let his legs fall further apart and finally met the green gaze.
“This is what I need, Draco. To be here with you. To wake up and find you here in our bed.”
“Yes.” He tried to keep his eyes open and listen, but the fingers inside him kept turning him to liquid.
“I don’t want to be hundreds of miles away teaching kids.”
“No.” The fingers left him and Draco felt the firm pressure of Harry filling him ... taking him ... claiming him ... with a single slow, steady thrust.
When he was fully sheathed inside his lover, Harry let out a long breath, which ghosted over Draco’s throat. He didn’t move, but let his fingers sneak between them to feather over his partner’s balls and cock. Draco shivered at the touch and felt himself tighten around the shaft inside him.
“Don’t send me away.” The words were kissed urgently into Draco’s mouth.
“You know I’d never do that.”
“Don’t you want this to be your home ... our home?”
“Harry...” Draco’s arms and legs wound around his lover, pulling Harry even closer. “Don’t you realise that my home is wherever you are? Whether it’s here or in some teachers rooms at Hogwarts, or anywhere, it doesn't matter.”
For what seemed like an eternity neither moved, then Harry began to thrust slowly, the movement sending sparks of liquefied pleasure through Draco. He wanted to hold on tightly to Harry, but the growing passion was turning his limbs to mush. He managed to open his eyes for long enough to see the adoring face of his lover as Harry made one last thrust, and he bore down, wanting to feel every single pulse of his lover’s release. And, with Harry still deep inside him, his own climax completed their moment.
Both gasping for breath, they lay in a tangle of limbs, neither willing to release the other.
Much later, as the shadows began to lengthen, Draco watched the sky turn a fiery red with the sunset ... Harry had been right ... you could most definitely watch the sun setting from the upstairs window. Cradled in his arms, Harry slumbered peacefully. He thought about waking his beloved, but was instead content to watch the steady rise and fall of Harry’s chest, the movement settling his own frayed spirits and calming him.
He thought about the gift waiting for Harry in his robe pocket and knew that the only real present he wanted to give Harry was that same key he’d gifted him two years ago.
Tomorrow they would unpack and go over all the wards and security spells.
But tonight they had each other, and that was all that mattered.
--------------------
Oh I am what I am • I'll do what I want • But I can't hide
I won't go • I won't sleep • I can't breathe • Until you're resting here with me
I won't leave • I can't hide • I cannot be • Until you're resting here with me
Dido - Here With Me
~fin~
March 2004
I hope you enjoy it.
Rating: NC-17 (Slash) Adult themes
Summary: The Harry Problem is a Resolution futurefic. Draco returns home after a long meeting.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
The Harry Problem
The message was brief ... In the garden.
Draco stared at the scrap of parchment, a half smile slowly spreading across his face at the familiar spidery handwriting. He’d had, quite frankly, a frustratingly pointless day stuck in a meeting that had gotten nowhere, so to arrive home to a message that Harry was not only home but “in the garden”was enough to lift his spirits and ease away the beginnings of the headache that was throbbing at his temples.
Loosening his tie, he unfastened the top button of his shirt and crossed the lounge to the huge glass doors that took up most of one wall to give magnificant views of the gardens surrounding the house he’d shared with Harry for the past two years.
After years of living like nomads during the struggle with Voldemort, finally being able to settle down together in one place had been a monumental turning point in their relationship. With the Dark Lord at long last out of the way, and their lives supposedly no longer in danger, they had been surprised to discover that learning to live together was such a struggle. Their search for a home had taken the brunt of many arguments ranging from minor spats to out-and-out fights which they both thought their relationship might not survive.
Then they had found this place and Draco watched Harry’s expression change the moment they had Apparated into the garden. For a moment the green eyes had been guarded, then they had opened wider first in disbelief and then astonishment as he’d taken in the newly constructed Muggle building. Harry had looked from it to Draco and then back at the house and said simply, “You can watch the sunset from that upstairs window.” And then he had smiled ... the expression one of such delight that Draco had wanted to grab hold of him and kiss it into his memory.
The wooden and glass building was out in the middle of the countryside, miles from anywhere. Surrounded by ancient woodlands, the front opened onto a vista of fields and downland, which seemed to go on forever. It was the perfect hideaway for them both and ever since Harry had finally defeated Voldemort, Draco knew his lover needed somewhere to hide from everyone ... whatever side they happened to be on.
A smile teased at the corner of Draco’s mouth as he remembered giving Harry the key to the house for his birthday. After that initial visit, Draco had known it was what they had both been looking for and that he wanted to give Harry this sanctuary. It had been difficult to keep the secret, but worth it to see the look on Harry’s face when he’d unwrapped the small box and found the house key inside. They had spent the day ... Harry’s birthday ... in their new home talking about the future and making love.
It had been an idyllic two years since that day, but now it was all going to end. He glanced back over his shoulder at the packing crates that dotted the room. The powers-that-be at the Ministry had decided that they knew what was best for The Boy Who Lived and had deemed that Harry wasn’t safe here anymore, and that they should move out.
And Draco couldn’t bear it.
This house was more than just a wooden building ... it was his home ... it was as important as his childhood home ... maybe even more important. But he would give that up for Harry if he had to do so to keep his beloved safe.
Even though it had been over two years since Voldemort’s demise, there were still some of his followers lurking in the woodwork who wanted to see Harry dead. The death threats had been few and far between to start with, but then three months ago, on the anniversary of the final battle, they had suddenly become more numerous and sinister. Draco had a good idea who was responsible for them, but with no proof or even any idea where that person was there was nothing he could do about it.
Everyone in the post-war government had suddenly started worrying about Harry’s safety and ‘The Harry Problem’ had suddenly found its way onto just about every agenda at the Ministry. They (those who thought they knew best) quickly came up with ‘The Plan’. If the Boy Who Lived couldn’t be kept safe in his own home, then he would have to be moved to a place where he would be safe -- Hogwarts, for example. They’d known that Harry had never been particularly concerned about his own safety and wouldn’t move just because they were worried about him. So their way round The Problem was to keep the threats a secret from Harry and offer the wizarding hero a teaching post.
Sensibly they didn’t bother with the DADA post because they knew he’d turn that down. Instead they teased him with the Flying and Quidditch post. That had been about a month ago and just about everyone who was anyone had pushed Harry into taking it. Of course no one mentioned the death threats, or the fact Hogwarts was going to be a virtual prison for Harry.
Draco had been horrified at the thought of Harry being locked up anywhere, even for his own safety, and had told them so in no uncertain terms. At least Hermione had understood his point of view, but the whole experience had been an eye opener for Draco. He’d suddenly realised that even after all he’d done during the war ... all the protection he’d given Harry ... there were still people who didn’t trust him. No one actually said as much, but the inference was there ... Draco was a Malfoy, his father had never been caught and wasn’t blood thicker than water? Get Harry away from Malfoy’s influence and he would be safe.
In the end, Harry had accepted the job and agreed to move to Hogwarts again. Draco had worked hard on not showing his disappointment about leaving their home and had even agreed to Hermione’s request to not worry Harry with tales of what was happening.
And that had been the subject of the extremely long and tedious meeting today. Harry’s safety and Draco’s part in ensuring it.
‘The-Powers-That-Be’ now wanted Draco to move to Hogwarts as well, because it turned out that he, too, was a target. For the first time they had admitted that he had been named in the threats as well. Of course, Draco had no intention of letting Harry go off to the school without him -- he’d made a pledge to Dumbledore about protecting Harry and Draco had no intention of reneging on that promise.
But the difference between him and The-Powers-That-Be was the fact he knew Harry was safe here, in their protected home and that if they told Harry the truth, he wouldn’t want to leave. Draco had watched, mesmerized, as Harry had used his magic to surround their home with protection, and afterwards, he and Hermione had spent ages adding more traditional wards and unplottable magic. It had been a pointless exercise really because nothing they could invoke would match the magic Harry had surrounded the house with. Even after all the years he and Harry had been together, it still awed Draco to see his lover work with Earth magic. Each experience was as unique as the weather, and he’d watched the magic flow as gentle as a mountain stream and as ferocious as an Atlantic storm.
To be part of that ... to experience the sheer strength and beauty of the spells as Harry cast them always left Draco feeling both thrilled and terrified at one and the same time.
Harry had been locked up all his life and finally ... finally ... he now had the freedom he craved, and just when their lives where coming together in the way they’d both wanted, it was about to end yet again. What was the point, Draco wondered, in Harry risking his life to beat Voldemort if all it meant was his own imprisonment?
A soft breeze fluttering the light voile curtains which covered the door, and as he pushed them aside, he resolved to put the meeting out of his mind, at least for the time being. Today was Harry’s birthday, and Draco was determined to make this day in their home one Harry would remember. The rest of the packing could wait until tomorrow.
He let out a long calming breath and looked down at the little piece of parchment.
Harry was in the garden.
That meant his lover was either writing or painting or, if Draco was lucky, lounging in the late afternoon sunshine. The thought of Harry sprawled on the grass sent a glow of pleasure trickling through him. Nothing could brighten his day more than the sight of that bronzed, naked body basking in the open just waiting for him.
The tousled ink black hair. Inviting green eyes. The ridges of his collarbones and smooth skin of his chest leading down to those two perfect dark nipples. The hollow at the base of his throat that always pulsed with the beat of his heart. The taut muscles of his abdomen, dipping down into the sweet hollow of his navel. And, of course, the trail of dark hair leading from Harry’s navel all the way down ... an arrow Draco had once called it ... pointing the way.
Would Harry be half-hard as he waited for Draco?
Maybe if he were lucky he’d catch Harry stoking himself. Draco liked that ... liked watching his lover’s fingers wrapped around his own shaft working himself to orgasm.
Or maybe Harry wouldn’t be naked at all. Maybe he’d be wearing a pair of the little tight briefs Draco had given him. Ones that clung to every inch of his flesh and left nothing to the imagination. Or loose boxers, tented by the push of Harry’s erection against the material.
It didn’t matter, Draco mused, whatever Harry had on, he would reach down and release his lover from the confines and take Harry into his mouth, watching that expressive face and jewel-bright eyes as he brought Harry to completion.
And then...
Oh yes, and then it would be his turn.
Draco stepped out onto the patio into the full glare of the late July sun and pulled his sunglasses from the breast pocket of his shirt. He was aware of his own clothes tightening around his semi-hard length, and he let his hand run briefly over the hardness. The object of his desire was nowhere to be seen, the lounger on the patio was empty, as was the one under the shade of an ancient oak. But the garden was full of little nooks and crannies where one could hide, and he strolled across the lawn in his search. A screen of low bushes shielded part of the garden from the lawn, and as he passed between two of the flowering shrubs, he finally found Harry.
The man wasn’t sunbathing, but was down on his knees in a patch of newly turned earth.
Draco paused momentarily, a frown creasing his brow as he realised that Harry was currently gardening. The dark-haired man was kneeling beside the recently cultivated ground and appeared to be planting something ... and by the look of the empty trays scattered around him, Harry had been working for sometime. He watched for several minutes intrigued by the sight of Harry’s bare shoulders and lean, lightly muscled torso as it moved and stretched, and then finally stepped forward. “Love, what are you doing?”
It was clear to Draco that Harry had been aware of his presence. He hadn’t jumped at the words, but instead looked up and smiled.
“I’m gardening.” Harry sat back on his heels and brushed some of the dirt from his fingers before waggling them at Draco. “I’d get up and greet you properly, but then you’d end up with a very dirty shirt. How was the meeting?”
Draco shrugged, remembering Hermione’s words imploring him not to tell Harry about the worries for his safety. “Very long and very boring.” He pulled off his sunglasses and crouched down beside his partner, leaning towards the waiting mouth. The kiss started as a brief touch, but soon escalated into a building passion. Neither touched the other except with their mouths, an exquisite journey of caresses, nipping teeth and exploring tongues, somehow all the more sweeter for the utter focus of just that one touch on each other.
When Draco finally pulled away with an appreciative “Mmmmm”, he was aroused and the pull of his shirt across his chest rubbed against the sensitised flesh of his nipples. He wasn’t helped by the sight of Harry kneeling before him, both grimy hands resting lightly on the thighs of his cut-off jeans. The closed eyelids completed the look of quiet submission; dark lashes resting lightly against his cheeks. If he hadn’t already been hard, Draco knew that sight alone would have set him quickly on the road.
As the eyelids fluttered open, Harry let out a long breath and the smile on his face was mirrored in the green eyes. “You taste nice.”
“So do you.” Draco finally sat down, hoping the grass wouldn’t mark his clothes. “Harry, why are you doing this?” He gestured at the newly planted ground.
“I told you, I’m gardening.” He waited for Draco to speak, but when he didn’t, Harry continued. “Remember we talked about setting up a herb garden?”
“We did?”
Harry nodded. “After your last shopping expedition to get potion supplies -- you said how bad the quality was and that you could grow better yourself.”
“I know, but I was talking metaphorically, not literally. I didn’t mean you to actually start planting.”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Harry shifted, mirroring Draco’s seated posture. He crossed his legs, the denim pulling tightly across his thighs. “This area is perfect for the garden and there’s space for a greenhouse over there,” he gestured to an area separated from the house by a low hedge, “and I’ve been talking to Neville about having something for night-flowering plants,” he grinned, “a ‘dark-house’ of sorts.”
“Harry....”
“What do you think?”
“Sweet, we’re leaving in a few days.” Draco reached out a hand and rested it on Harry’s knee. “We’ve almost finished packing.”
“I know.” Harry shrugged. “But I’ve changed my mind.”
A feeling of intense pleasure swelled in Draco, but he stamped down on it hard. Even if he didn’t agree with what those in authority planned for Harry, at least he could appreciate their concern. Plus he’d given Hermione his word that he wouldn’t try to sway Harry away from taking the job at Hogwarts.
But if Harry refused of his own volition....
“Why?”
Harry gave a little shrug and shifted closer to Draco. “I don’t want to go. I’ll be at Hogwarts and you’ll be down in London, and we’ll only see each other at weekends and I don’t want to live like that.”
Draco allowed Harry to slip onto his lap, the dark-haired man’s legs sliding around his waist. Suddenly the fact Harry was dirty from his gardening didn’t matter as full lips pressed briefly against his own. He pulled back a little and brushed a lock of ink-black hair from Harry’s face. “I’ll be going with you. They’ve offered me a job as well.”
Harry’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“They want me to do Defense against the Dark Arts.” Draco gave a snort, his tone caustic. “I guess they think my background qualifies me for the role.”
“But you don’t want to do, do you?” Harry nipped briefly at Draco’s bottom lip. “Teaching isn’t your thing, is it?”
“No, not really. I’ll probably end up with the same reputation as Severus.” Draco shrugged. “But that’s not the point, Harry, even if I didn’t take the job, we can still live there. I can just as easily Apparate from Hogsmeade or even Floo. You can teach and we’ll still have all the time we want.” His hand moved down to cup Harry’s face, and he let his thumb brush along a cheekbone.
“But that won’t work, will it. I won’t just have to teach classes ... there’s all the other stuff as well. Don’t you remember what it was like when we were there? Did you ever see any of the teachers have a personal life?”
Draco shifted his hands, letting them trail down to rest on Harry’s waist. “No.”
“And I know, Draco.”
“What?”
“I know what’s going on and why I was offered the job. I know all about the threats and that they think you have some sort of hold over me and you’re the reason why I won’t do their personal appearances or take a place in the Ministry.”
Draco frowned. “How? It’s supposed to be a big secret.”
“Neville let it slip when he was here last week.” Harry’s hand reached up and pushed into Draco’s hair. “He was mortified when he realised what he’d said, and then I made him tell me everything, including the fact you’d been threatened as well. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because....” Draco chewed on his lip for a moment, remembering a time when they had still been at school. They had both promised not to keep things from each other, which was exactly what Draco had been doing. It seemed like a cop out to say ‘Hermione made me promise’. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to stop doing things just because of me.”
Harry laughed, a low chuckle that vibrated through Draco’s hands. “Draco, my love, have you ever made me do something I didn’t want to?”
With a little shrug, Draco smiled. “Well, there was that time I gave you a blow job in Hermione’s bathroom and you were panicking someone might come in.” The fingers of his right hand moved to cup the bulge in Harry’s groin, rubbing gently.
Harry’s eyelids fluttered closed briefly at the touch, and when he opened them again, the green of his eyes seemed brighter. “How can I forget that?” His fingers plucked at the front of Draco’s shirt, tweaking at a nipple through the material. “I wanted you to fuck me so badly afterwards, but you made me wait for hours.” There was a feral look in those green eyes now and he pressed his now growing erection into the hand still cupping him.
“Going to Hogwarts is more than just taking a teaching post.” Draco tried hard to keep the conversation on track. If he gave into Harry now, then it would be too late. “It’s about keeping you safe.” He could feel his voice breaking, husky with growing passion.
Harry’s arms wound around Draco as he shifted closer into the vee of his lover’s legs, and let his head drop to Draco’s shoulder. “Draco, I love you so much that sometimes ... sometimes it hurts and I don’t want to be away from you for any longer than I have to. But it isn’t just that.” He pulled away, once again looking deeply into the grey eyes of his partner. “This is where I want to be right now. I’ve spent all my life doing what other people want and expect. Finally, for the first time in my life, the only person I need to please to is you ... and me.”
“Harry....”
“Let me finish. It’s nice that everyone is worried about me. And the job would be great at some point, but I don’t want it right now. What I want is to be here...” Harry swept an arm wide, “in our beautiful home, with you and the cats and the garden. I want ... I need to be able to spend time with you and to write and paint and walk through the woods and feel things growing and full of life, instead of all the death and destruction.”
“Harry, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want. I’m ... concerned about the threats.”
“I’m here because I want to be. I know you need to work ... to be busy ... even though you could spend all your time here if you wanted too. I don’t mind that all, the most important thing to me is that you’re happy with what you’re doing. I’ll probably want to get back into something more constructive at some point, but not right now. As for the threats, we both know that this place is as safe as Hogwarts. I’ve made sure of that.” Harry reached forward and cupped Draco’s cheek in his hand. “I’ve made your face all dirty.” He tried to gently rub the fleck of dirt from the pale skin.
Draco leaned into the touch. “You know I’d go with you to Hogwarts even if I didn’t take that job.”
“Don’t you like it here?”
“Of course I do. It’s...” Draco took in a deep ragged breath. “It’s the best home I’ve ever had.”
“Then why leave?” Harry’s voice was almost a whisper as he carefully looped his arms around his lover’s slim waist. “I’m here because it’s my home. Everything I want is here ... with you.”
Draco felt fingers push past the waistband of his trousers and hitch at his shirt until they found bare flesh. His own arms wrapped possessively around Harry, holding the jeans-clad hips and pulling them towards him. Harry was so close now, pressed firmly against him, hardness against hardness. He groaned and subconsciously rocked against the pressure. “People are worried....”
“I know.” Harry kissed his chin. “Can we go in now? I need a shower and then I’m going to shag you senseless, or we can have a nice long soak in the bath if you prefer.”
“I’m not dirty, Potter.”
“Then you can help wash me, because I am filthy.” His hands pushed a little deeper into the back of Draco’s trousers, a fingertip caressing the top of the cleft between Draco’s buttocks. “And I’m quite sure I can get you suitably dirty as well, if you’d care to give me a few minutes.”
Draco moaned quietly as he pushed against Harry. “What about the job?”
“Shhhh, if you mention that again I might make you sleep in the spare room.”
“But...”
Harry suddenly pulled his fingers out and before Draco could stop him, had come onto his knees and pushed Draco to the ground. Straddling the blond’s hips, he pulled off his own glasses and leaned down to the supine man. “I...” he kissed the corner of Draco’s mouth... “...don’t...” ...his jaw... “want...” ...his throat... “...to...” ...the hollow of his throat... “...talk...” ...an ear lobe... “...about...” ...the corner of Draco’s eye... “...it...” Skilled fingers unfastened the belt catch and snaped open the button on Draco’s trousers. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes...” Draco hissed as Harry’s hand stroked him through the fabric of his trousers. His response was automatic and he flexed against the insistent hand, pushing his hard length into Harry’s palm.
“Good. I’m so pleased we’ve got that sorted out.” Harry eased off his partner, whose hips were already rising up with need and his eager fingers paused briefly before opening the fly and pushing into Draco’s briefs.
The resulting groan rumbled eagerly in Draco’s throat as Harry’s took hold of him, fingers dancing over his hard length. He shifted, lifting his arse from the ground as Harry pushed his trousers down to get better access, finally freeing Draco from the confines of his underwear.
“Oh, Harry...” Hot breath ghosted over his cock and time seemed shift into slow motion as Harry pulled back the foreskin and let his tongue flick back and forth over the swollen head. Draco sprawled back, eyes glazed, as he followed the journey of that tongue. “You are....”
“What am I, Draco?” Harry’s mouth closed over him, taking in most of the length before pulling back off, the action creating a wonderful suction that made Draco mutter sweet swear words and grip at Harry’s thick dark hair. Harry paused with just the tip still in his mouth and breathed gently, the sensation making Draco shiver.
“The devil incarnate, Harry.” The words dissipated in a long moan as Harry pulled away, and his hand still stroking Draco’s length, he gave Draco a long, hard kiss.
“Come inside.”
“What?” The request was so unexpected, that Draco was momentarily lost for words and he just lay on the grass as Harry pulled his clothes back into place and reached for his hand.
“Come inside.”
Under the insistent tugging, Draco allowed himself to be drawn back into the dark cool interior, up the wooden staircase and into the bathroom. Silently he let Harry undress him again and together they stepped into the shower, washing away the stress of the day. Touches turned into slow caresses, and as the water cascaded over them, they fell back into a leisurely intimacy of kisses.
When Harry pulled him to the huge bed, Draco didn’t hesitate and he revelled in Harry’s touch as he felt himself stroked and licked back to hardness. Stretched out on his back, eyes closed, Draco followed the journey of Harry’s fingers and mouth over his warm and still slightly damp skin. When those fingers pushed into him, he gasped, and finally reached for Harry.
“I love you.” Draco whispered as Harry crawled over his body, pressing against him, and when he repeated the words, Harry kissed them away. Draco let his legs fall further apart and finally met the green gaze.
“This is what I need, Draco. To be here with you. To wake up and find you here in our bed.”
“Yes.” He tried to keep his eyes open and listen, but the fingers inside him kept turning him to liquid.
“I don’t want to be hundreds of miles away teaching kids.”
“No.” The fingers left him and Draco felt the firm pressure of Harry filling him ... taking him ... claiming him ... with a single slow, steady thrust.
When he was fully sheathed inside his lover, Harry let out a long breath, which ghosted over Draco’s throat. He didn’t move, but let his fingers sneak between them to feather over his partner’s balls and cock. Draco shivered at the touch and felt himself tighten around the shaft inside him.
“Don’t send me away.” The words were kissed urgently into Draco’s mouth.
“You know I’d never do that.”
“Don’t you want this to be your home ... our home?”
“Harry...” Draco’s arms and legs wound around his lover, pulling Harry even closer. “Don’t you realise that my home is wherever you are? Whether it’s here or in some teachers rooms at Hogwarts, or anywhere, it doesn't matter.”
For what seemed like an eternity neither moved, then Harry began to thrust slowly, the movement sending sparks of liquefied pleasure through Draco. He wanted to hold on tightly to Harry, but the growing passion was turning his limbs to mush. He managed to open his eyes for long enough to see the adoring face of his lover as Harry made one last thrust, and he bore down, wanting to feel every single pulse of his lover’s release. And, with Harry still deep inside him, his own climax completed their moment.
Both gasping for breath, they lay in a tangle of limbs, neither willing to release the other.
Much later, as the shadows began to lengthen, Draco watched the sky turn a fiery red with the sunset ... Harry had been right ... you could most definitely watch the sun setting from the upstairs window. Cradled in his arms, Harry slumbered peacefully. He thought about waking his beloved, but was instead content to watch the steady rise and fall of Harry’s chest, the movement settling his own frayed spirits and calming him.
He thought about the gift waiting for Harry in his robe pocket and knew that the only real present he wanted to give Harry was that same key he’d gifted him two years ago.
Tomorrow they would unpack and go over all the wards and security spells.
But tonight they had each other, and that was all that mattered.
--------------------
Oh I am what I am • I'll do what I want • But I can't hide
I won't go • I won't sleep • I can't breathe • Until you're resting here with me
I won't leave • I can't hide • I cannot be • Until you're resting here with me
Dido - Here With Me
~fin~
March 2004