HPCreatures Fest fic: Get Him to the Ministry
Title: Get Him to the Ministry
Author/Artist: enchanted_jae
Prompt: S16
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Creature: Basilisk
Word Count/Art Medium: 3,582
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: (highlight to read) *None*
Disclaimer: This creation is based on characters and situations created and owned by J. K. Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. No money is being made, no copyright or trademark infringement, or offense is intended. All characters depicted in sexual situations are above the age of consent.
Notes: A big thank you to frnklymrshnkly for the beta job!
Summary: When a baby basilisk appears in the Minister's office, it's up to Auror Malfoy to get Harry Potter to the Ministry, no matter what it takes. Too bad Potter is a recluse, and Draco's ex.
Draco heard the commotion before the doors to the lift opened on Level One. He drew his wand and dashed into battle. A quick look showed Draco that Minister Shacklebolt was safe in the reception area outside of his office. Aurors and other Ministry employees were standing around, voices shrill as they gesticulated wildly. Draco shouldered his way through the madness.
"What is going on?" he demanded, wand still held at the ready.
"There's a basilisk in the Minister's office!" Dean Thomas exclaimed.
Draco felt his stomach lurch. "Was anyone harmed?"
"The Minister was stunned momentarily, but the creature is small, perhaps a baby," Head Auror Dawlish replied. He raised a shaking hand to his head and rubbed his bald pate. "Two of our Aurors managed to drag the Minister to safety, and he's since recovered."
Draco nodded, feeling relieved. "Is it still in there?" he asked.
"I reckon so," said Dawlish. "How the hell do we get rid of it?"
"Get someone from Magical Creatures up here," Draco suggested immediately. "This seems to fall under their jurisdiction."
"Good idea, Malfoy," Dawlish said. "Thomas!" he barked. "Get your arse down to the Department of Magical Creatures and tell them we have a situation in the Minister's office!"
~~~~~:>
Draco slumped against the wall and rubbed his temples.
The Minister had been whisked off to St Mungo's to make sure he suffered no ill effects from his confrontation with the baby basilisk.
Head Auror Dawlish and a representative of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures were currently arguing with another representative of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Dawlish and Cummings wanted to kill the basilisk before it could harm anyone else, but Shelhaus was adamant that they take the opportunity to capture the creature for further study.
"If you want to capture it, then you go in and do it!" Dawlish bellowed. "When you're dead, Cummings will bring a squad in to kill it, and my Aurors will retrieve your body."
"Gentlemen, we needn't be so rash nor so hasty," Shelhaus argued. "Surely, there must be a way to contain this beast without harm to it or to any persons. Perhaps a Parselmouth?"
Draco cringed and began edging back, towards safety.
"There aren't any Parselmouths in London," said Cummings.
Draco wondered if anyone would notice if he cast a Notice-Me-Not charm. He continued making his slow, stealthy escape.
"Malfoy!" barked Dawlish, spotting Draco and thwarting him. "We need you to speak to Potter."
"Potter, sir?"
"Harry Potter, yes," said Dawlish. "I reckon you remember him. Dark hair, specs, foul temper, your boyfriend."
Draco straightened to his full height. "Potter and I broke it off a year ago."
Actually, eleven months, two weeks, and three days, but who's counting?
"Aside from that," Draco continued aloud, "Potter is a recluse. He won't speak to anyone, myself included."
"He'll speak to you."
"No, he won't."
"Malfoy, I am ordering you to speak to Potter and to do whatever is necessary to get him to the Ministry. All of London depends on you."
Draco's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I'll try my best, sir."
~~~~~:>
Draco Apparated to the lane that led to Harry's house. It was located in Scotland, near enough to Hogwarts that the castle's spires could be seen in the distance. Harry had always claimed it was the only place he truly felt at home. He'd spent more and more time here when the pressure of being in the public eye became too much for him. Now, Harry was virtually a recluse. No one had seen him in London in nearly two years. Draco knew that Harry occasionally visited the Weasley family home, as well as the Granger-Weasleys, and Lovegood and her equally mad husband. At least, he hoped Harry was still getting out occasionally.
It was Harry's shunning of the public eye that had doomed their relationship. Draco enjoyed going out and socializing, and he got frustrated when all Harry wanted to do was stay at home. Harry often told him to go out without him, but it wasn't the same. Lately, however, socializing didn't hold as much appeal for Draco as it used to. Maybe Harry was on to something.
Draco straightened his spine, as if preparing for battle. He wasn't sure of what his reception would be, but he did know he had to at least attempt to speak to his ex. He strode up to the door and knocked. After a few moments, Draco heard movement from inside.
"Who is it?!"
"It's Draco."
"Draco who?"
"How many Dracos do you know, Harry?!"
"Go away!"
"I need to speak to you," Draco said, raising his voice to be heard through the door. "It's quite urgent."
"Are you randy and in need of a shag?"
"What?! No!"
"Then go away," Harry growled back. "I'm not in the mood for company."
"Please, Harry? I've brought you some of those chocolates from Honeydukes that you like."
"Leave them by the letterbox and go away."
"Would you please at least open the door?" Draco asked. "I'd like to be dismissed to my face, thank you ever so."
"Hah!"
"Harry? Harry?! Bloody hell," Draco huffed. He glared at the closed door, knowing he'd never be able to defeat Harry's wards. Still, he'd been ordered to secure Harry's cooperation by whatever means necessary, and there was more than one way to skin a shrivelfig.
~~~~~:>
Draco Apparated back home, then stepped into his fireplace and grabbed some Floo powder. He hoped this would work. Draco threw the powder down, calling out Harry's address as he did so. Draco opened his eyes after the flash of green. He smirked when he saw he'd been successful in breaching Harry's inner sanctum.
A large, brown dog charged into the parlor, barking and bristling.
"Honey!" cried Draco, dropping to one knee. "Look how big you've gotten!"
Upon hearing Draco's voice, the dog immediately threw herself at him, wriggling in delight and wielding her tongue like a weapon. Draco laughed and rubbed her ears. Harry had gotten Honey as a puppy, saying he enjoyed her company. Draco hadn't seen her in too long, but she obviously remembered him.
"I missed you, Honey," Draco said, scratching her neck.
"I missed you, too, sweet cheeks."
Draco raised his head to see Harry lounging in the door frame. His hair was still a disheveled mess, he was still wearing specs, and he looked good enough to eat. Desire sizzled along Draco's nerves and caused certain parts of his body to tingle. He stood up and brushed at his trousers.
"Oh! Hello, Harry. You, ah, you left your Floo open to me."
Harry's expression was less than welcoming. "Why are you here, Draco?"
"I need to speak to you," Draco replied, meeting Harry's stormy gaze with focused calm.
Harry sighed and threw his hands up. "Fine. Put the kettle on, while I turn Honey out in the garden."
~~~~~:>
They sat and sipped tea in uncomfortable silence. Occasionally, one of them nibbled on the chocolates Draco had brought with him. He took the opportunity to study Harry more closely. He seemed thinner than Draco remembered, and his eyes weren't as lively.
"Have you been eating?" Draco demanded.
"Yes, mum."
"Are you getting out at all? You seem pale."
Harry's eyes flashed. "If you came here to nag, save your breath and get out."
"Forgive me for caring," Draco snapped back. Harry raised his cup, but not before Draco caught his smug grin. He drew in a breath to calm himself and began again. "We have a situation at the Ministry."
"So? You're an Auror. Deal with it."
Draco's hold on his temper was threatening to come undone. He set his tea cup down with a clatter. "We cannot deal with this issue, because none of us has the particular skill needed."
Harry gazed at him in thoughtful silence for a moment before asking, "You have another dark lord who needs killing?"
"No, nothing quite so dire," Draco replied. He added more tea and milk to his cup before saying, "It's a basilisk."
"In the Ministry?!"
Draco nodded. "In the Minister's office, no less. Needless to say, Minister Shacklebolt was quite surprised to walk in this morning and encounter such a creature."
"Is he okay?"
"He's fine," said Draco. "He was taken to St. Mungo's for observation."
"I meant the basilisk."
"Harry!" Draco exclaimed. "That was awful, even for you."
Harry snorted. "Shacklebolt and I haven't spoken since he tried to goad and guilt me into joining the Aurors. I have no doubt he was able to defend himself against a basilisk."
Draco chose to let that remark slide. "We need your help, Harry."
"Yeah? What's in it for me?"
Draco's jaw dropped. "What do you mean, what's in it for you?!"
Harry raised his brows and leaned back in his chair. "Why should I endanger myself to pull the Minister's wand out of the fire?" he drawled.
"Because," Draco sputtered. "You...you're a Parselmouth. You can confront it and control it."
"Why should I?"
Draco set his cup down before he broke it. "Are you suggesting you won't do it without some sort of monetary reward?" he grated.
"I have more money than I need now."
"I assume you don't want adulation from your throngs of admirers, either," said Draco.
Harry visibly shuddered.
Draco slouched back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "Well then, Harry. Tell me what it will take to get you to the Ministry."
Harry tipped his head back, appearing for all the world to be mulling over his options. When he looked at Draco once more, a sly smile curled his lips, and his eyes took on a familiar heat.
Draco reacted to that look with a surge of arousal. They may have had problems in their relationship, but it wasn't because their sex life was lackluster. Draco unconsciously licked his lips before saying only, "No."
"No?"
"I am not going to fall back into bed with you," Draco said. He hoped he sounded convincing enough.
"That's fine," said Harry. "There's always the sofa, the table, a convenient chair, a sturdy wall, or the floor. I always loved seeing your arse rosy with rug burns."
Draco squirmed, hoping to ease the mounting pressure in his pants. "I'm not going to whore myself out for your cooperation," he insisted.
One of Harry's shoulders lifted. "Then do it for old time's sake," he suggested. "You're not seeing anyone seriously right now; I would have read about it in The Daily Prophet if you were," he added. "Surely, you must be in need of some release? You know I can help you with that."
Draco concentrated on sitting still. "I think your'e the one in need of release, living here all by yourself."
"I don't deny it," said Harry. "What's the point?"
Draco snatched his cup up with both hands and drained it. He couldn't believe he was seriously considering Harry's outrageous offer. It would be no hardship to humor Harry with a shag, but Draco was afraid it would be even harder to walk away from Harry again, should he agree to his proposition. The reasons they had split up were still there, and there was also the fact that they'd fought a lot. Although there was something to be said for make-up sex, Draco mused. He braced both elbows on the table and cradled his head in his hands. Dawlish had ordered him to get Harry to the Ministry, no matter what it took. He could always blame the Head Auror for what was about to come out of his mouth.
"Okay, Harry," Draco muttered. "Get rid of the basilisk, and I'll spend the night with you."
"One night?" said Harry. "Oh, I think not. Confronting something as dangerous as a basilisk should earn me at least a month's worth of your company, and your body."
"A month?!" Draco protested. "Are you mad?!"
"Are you scared?"
Draco's back teeth clenched. "Two days," he snapped.
"Three weeks," Harry countered.
"One week!"
"Two weeks, and that's my final offer," said Harry. "Agree to it, or get out."
"Fine!" Draco yelled, shoving his chair back and surging to his feet. He slammed both hands on the table and leaned over Harry. "You're an utter cunt," he seethed.
Harry smirked up at him, unfazed by Draco's display of temper. "Obviously, you need a good fuck to sort you out," he taunted. "Shall I bend you over this table right now?"
~~~~~:>
Draco stepped out of one of the Floos in the Ministry's Atrium, followed closely by Harry. He'd managed to delay the inevitable shag, but Draco was beginning to think he should have let Harry have his way. At least then he wouldn't still be hard and aching at the thought of being intimate with Harry again.
Together, they strode through the Atrium. People stopped and stared, recognizing Harry immediately, even though he wore a cloak with the hood up. Whispers followed in their wake, and Draco could practically feel Harry's body tensing.
"Relax," he murmured. "The lifts are straight ahead, and no one is going to get in our way."
Indeed, people scrambled to get out of their path as Draco firmed his jaw and made for the lifts. He selected the closest one and opened the door, ushering Harry inside. Draco pushed the button for Level One, and the lift lurched into motion. Beside him, he heard Harry gulp.
"You can do this," Draco said encouragingly. "You've faced down dragons, Death Eaters, and Voldemort. You can handle a few Aurors and a baby basilisk."
Harry gave a single, stilted nod in response.
The lift shuddered to a halt, and the door opened. Draco stepped out and beckoned for Harry to follow him. He led the way to the small group of Aurors and other Ministry employees, who were still clustered outside of Shacklebolt's office.
"Harry!" cried Thomas, pushing forward to wrap Harry in a one-armed hug. "It's good to see you, mate."
"Dean, you look good," Harry greeted him with a wan smile.
"Malfoy!" Dawlish snapped. "What the bloody hell took you so long? That damned thing is in there, destroying the Minister's office."
"Shut your gob, Dawlish," growled Harry. A hush fell over the assemblage, as everyone was taken aback at Harry's vehemence. "It's my fault Draco was delayed in returning, because he had a devil of a time convincing me to come here at all. And, if you'd like my continued cooperation, you'll keep your gob shut."
Draco fancied he could actually hear Dawlish's teeth snap when he closed his mouth.
Harry took a deep breath and approached the Minister's door. He drew his wand and flipped his hood back. From a pocket of his cloak, Harry pulled out a small object and flicked his wand at it. He was left holding an odd-looking helmet with a dark face-mask.
"Welder's helmet," he said, as if that explained everything. Harry handed Draco his specs and put the helmet on. He cautioned everyone to stand back, and then he opened the door. Harry slipped through and slammed the door behind him.
Draco held his breath, as did everyone else in the vicinity. They fell utterly silent, which is how Draco was able to hear the first, sibilant sounds of Parseltongue coming from the Minister's office. The tiny hairs on Draco's arms and nape rose in response. He'd forgotten just how...seductive Harry's power could be.
An angry hiss emanated from behind the closed door, and Draco cringed. He pulled his wand and took an automatic step forward. Thomas grabbed Draco's free arm and held him back.
"Harry can take care of himself," he whispered.
Draco shook his arm free and scrubbed his hand over his face. Mercifully, Dawlish had remained silent through that tense exchange. Draco could still hear Harry's voice, and he forced himself to relax. There was a thud, a shriek, and silence.
Sweat popped out on Draco's upper lip.
The door opened, and Harry stepped out. He flung his helmet off and swiped a hand through his damp hair.
Draco fought the urge to wrap Harry in his arms and either hug him or shake him. Instead, he simply stepped up and gave Harry his glasses.
Harry settled them on the bridge of his nose, nodding his thanks to Draco before his eyes sought out Shelhaus. "The basilisk is subdued and contained. Contact Rolf and Luna Scamander, and they'll come retrieve it for you," he said. His gaze flicked to Cummings. "Kill it, and you'll answer to me," he warned.
Cummings quailed and nodded.
Dawlish cleared his throat and moved forward. "Potter, on behalf of the Minister and the DMLE, thank you for your service," he muttered, sounding as if the words pained him.
Harry grinned and cast a privacy charm around himself and Dawlish.
Draco watched them speaking, incensed that he couldn't hear the exchange. If he had any doubts that they were discussing him, the way Dawlish turned to look directly at him put paid to such notions. Draco gritted his teeth, wondering just how much of their agreement Harry was divulging.
Harry ended the spell with a gesture and walked away from Dawlish. He nodded to Draco but continued on past him. "Dean," said Harry, pausing to give his friend's shoulder a squeeze. "Give my best to Seamus." He continued on towards the lifts without so much as a backward glance at Draco.
Draco blinked after him, before his feet began to move, carrying him in Harry's direction. His ex had melted into the darkness, thanks to his black cloak, but as Draco approached the lift, he couldn't see Harry at all. He stood there for a long moment, frowning at nothingness. Had Harry brought his ruddy Invisibility Cloak with him?
Draco sighed and returned in time to see Thomas and another Auror levitating the basilisk out of the Minister's office. It was bound in a net, and its eyes were covered with a dark cloth. Draco suppressed a snort. Harry had always had a blindfold fetish. He cleared his throat and adjusted himself as unobtrusively as possible.
"Malfoy!"
Draco cringed when Dawlish barked his name.
"Sir?"
"Good work getting Potter here," Dawlish said gruffly. "I know it can't have been easy for you, considering your history with him. Take the next two weeks off as your reward."
"Sir?"
"Get out of here, Malfoy, before I change my mind."
Draco gulped and nodded. As he retreated to the lift, he wondered just how much Harry had told the Head Auror.
~~~~~:>
Draco indulged in a long, leisurely stretch, relishing each tender ache. Warm fingers caressed his naked hip in a familiar fashion. Draco yawned and snuggled deeper into Harry's bed. Their first shag had been up against the wall in the parlor, with Honey dancing around them and barking her delight that Draco was home. Fortunately, they'd made it to the bed for round two.
If Draco was completely honest with himself, he'd been missing this, missing Harry, and he couldn't even be angry that Harry had manipulated the situation to his advantage. Draco cracked one eye open, and then the other. Funny how things had worked out.
"Harry?"
"Hm?"
"Do you find it odd that a basilisk appeared in the Minister's office and set a chain of events into motion that culminated with us here, together?"
"That is quite extraordinary."
Draco's suspicions grew. "Did you put that baby basilisk in the Minister's office?"
Harry yawned before answering. "That's absurd," he said. Draco relaxed once more, until Harry blithely added, "Where would I get a baby basilisk?"
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Oh, I don't know. From Lovegood and her husband, Ralph."
"Rolf."
"Harry, tell me this was not your doing."
Harry shifted and tugged Draco closer. His hand began to knead Draco's arse. "Are you suggesting I deliberately placed a baby basilisk in Shacklebolt's office to get you to come see me?"
"Possibly?"
Harry chuckled. "That seems like a Slytherin plot, does it not?"
"Yes, but you once boasted to me that you'd nearly been Sorted into Slytherin."
"It would take a true Slytherin to get Sorted into another House by tricking the Sorting Hat," Harry commented.
Draco was getting more uneasy by the moment. "Lore has it that only a true Slytherin can speak Parseltongue," he said.
"There is that," Harry agreed affably.
"Harry James Potter," Draco growled. "Of all the sneaky, vile schemes to get me back in your bed-" His words cut off abruptly when Harry rolled him to his back and draped himself over Draco's body.
"You give me far too much credit, love," said Harry, beaming down at Draco. "Besides, what does it matter how you ended up back in my bed? I have two weeks to convince you to stay, and I intend to take full advantage of the opportunity. You're overthinking things, which means I haven't shagged you enough yet. Open wide and let me remedy that."
Draco stubbornly firmed his jaw and clenched his legs together.
Harry smirked at him and leaned close, whispering Parseltongue into Draco's ear. "I said, spread 'em."
Draco didn't understand the words, but he couldn't help but obey the command. He whimpered and parted his thighs, sighing in happy surrender when Harry settled between his legs. There would be time later to confront his conniving boyfriend about his suspicions.
Cross-posted to hp_creatures