Cock and Bull, part 2
The two of them settled into a routine of sorts. Malfoy adapted to his assigned chores, and he even took over some of the kitchen and household duties.
Harry, who had not wanted anyone intruding on his solitary idyll, quickly grew accustomed to having someone around to talk to. He and Malfoy squabbled often, usually over the various sections of the Daily Prophet that Harry had delivered from London. Also, Malfoy spent far more time in the loo than Harry did, which was another bone of contention between them.
One evening, Harry came in from checking on Lizzie. He needed to use the loo, but the door was closed. Harry waited until things became tense. He could have gone outside, but damn it, this was his house. Harry could hear the shower running, and he reckoned Malfoy would never know if he slipped in and used the loo.
Harry opened the door and stepped into the steamy bathroom. He opened his flies and relieved himself. Harry washed his hands and reached for a towel. He heard the water shut off, and the shower curtain was flung open.
"Potter!"
Harry had promised himself he wouldn't look, but when Malfoy addressed him, it would have been rude not to acknowledge it. He turned around. "Malfoy," he murmured, trying very hard to keep his eyes above Malfoy's waist.
"What are you doing in here?" demanded Malfoy, reaching for a bath sheet and wrapping it around his hips.
"I had to use the loo, and you were monopolizing it," snapped Harry. Droplets of water trickled from Malfoy's shoulders down his chest, and one got hung up on a pert pink nipple. Harry dampened his suddenly dry lips.
Malfoy's eyes tracked the movement of Harry's tongue.
Harry became lightheaded from the steamy heat in the room and the sudden redirection of his blood flow. He felt himself sway towards Malfoy but caught himself and shook his head to clear it. Wordlessly, Harry turned away and left.
XOXOX
Harry found himself wanking more than usual. Now, in addition to his regular morning wank, he would often indulge at night, as well. It was all Malfoy's fault. He shouldn't look so delectable in Muggle jeans and shirts with dirt on his face and his hair damp at the temples and hanging in his face. Harry's fantasies now centered around tossing Malfoy on a pile of straw and shagging him in the barn.
Harry had awakened in the middle of the night and was enjoying one such fantasy. It was for that reason that he didn't respond at first when he heard Frankie barking outside. When Frankie kept up her insistent yammering, Harry frowned and sat up in bed, leaning over to peer out his window into the darkness beyond.
One of the cows mooed, the noise carrying on the night air and making her sound much closer to the house than the barnyard was. Chauncy's unmistakable bellow followed, and Harry tugged his pyjama bottoms up over his erection and grabbed his wand before dashing through the house. He wrenched open the front door and groaned.
Two of the cows were in the house yard, along with the bull, while Frankie barked at them from the front porch. Harry ran back to his bedroom, yelling for Malfoy.
"Get up and get dressed, Malfoy! The cows are out!"
Harry tugged on his cast-off shirt and stepped into a pair of trainers. He didn't bother to tie them as he rushed back outside. Harry took charge of Frankie, giving her the command to round the cattle up and begin herding them back towards the barn. Chauncy lowered his head and shook it at the dog, but Frankie danced behind him and nipped at his hocks until he gave up and followed the cows.
To his credit, Malfoy stumbled out of the house mere moments later, and he helped Harry usher the cattle into the barn and close the gates behind them. One of the cows had stayed put, but she was anxiously lowing, and Ivy was bawling at the commotion.
"What happened?" asked Malfoy, once order had been restored.
Harry heaved a sigh. "Cattle have a habit of pressing fences," he said. "I reckon they broke through somewhere. We'll have to fix it in the morning. For now, they can just spend the night shut up in the barn." He headed back to the house, adding, "Come on, Malfoy. I'll put on some tea, and we can calm down before trying to get back to sleep."
Malfoy trailed after Harry and slumped into a kitchen chair, raking a hand through his disheveled hair.
Harry's cock throbbed, and he hoped his shirt was long enough to disguise his growing interest in his hired hand. He put the kettle on and fetched the last of the rhubarb crumble. Only then did Harry realize how pale Malfoy looked.
"Alright there, Malfoy?" he asked.
"That was one of the most frightening experiences of my life," muttered Malfoy. "I was sure I'd be trampled to death."
Harry chuckled and shook his head. "Chauncy got a tad cantankerous, but he behaved himself for the most part," he said. "Frankie was in the greatest danger, but she had matters well in hand...or paw, as the case may be."
Malfoy merely ran a shaky hand through his mussed hair again, sending a jolt of awareness to Harry's nether regions. "Relax, Malfoy," he said, trying to distract his hired help and himself. "Chauncy wouldn't have hurt you unless he bumbled into you in the dark."
The kettle whistled, and Malfoy flinched. "Would you like something stronger to drink?" Harry chuckled. "I believe I have some of Horace Breedlove's homemade wine in the pantry."
Surprisingly, Malfoy took Harry up on the offer, and Harry rummaged through his pantry for the bottle of wine. He found two regular drinking glasses and uncorked the wine before pouring them each a generous amount. It was a testament to how rattled Malfoy was that he didn't complain about not having fancy goblets to drink from. He knocked his wine back in three quick gulps and held his glass out for more.
Harry refilled Malfoy's glass, relaxing a bit when Malfoy sipped this round more slowly.
Malfoy set his glass down and peered at Harry. "Don't you ever get frightened?" he asked, sounding annoyed.
Harry lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "Considering some of the beasts I've been face to fang with before, a bull is nothing," he said. "That's not to say they can't be dangerous, but at least they can't fly."
Malfoy grimaced and took another healthy drink of wine. "I'm not cut out for this, Potter," he muttered.
"I didn't think you were, either," said Harry. "At least, not at first. However, you've demonstrated a remarkable ability to work with animals and pick up on the tasks I've given you. Give yourself some credit, Malfoy."
Malfoy ducked his head and flushed at the praise. "I appreciate that you took me on, Potter," he said gruffly. "Granger made it quite clear to me that not many people wanted to take the chance."
"I'll be sure to tell Hermione that you have a promising career ahead of you as a chicken wrangler," teased Harry.
"That was fowl," quipped Malfoy. They shared a laugh, and Harry topped off their glasses with more wine.
XOXOX
Harry woke up to the sound of Rocco crowing from the direction of the chicken coop. The early morning sun was too bright, and Harry groaned and turned his back to the window. His stomach continued to roll, and he cursed the fact that he had helped Malfoy polish off an entire bottle of his neighbor's potent, homemade wine late last night.
Rocco crowed again, and one of the cows clamored to be let out of the barn. Harry grunted and forced himself out of bed. He stumbled into the hallway, nearly colliding with a bleary-eyed Malfoy.
"Hangover potion," whispered Malfoy.
"I don't have any," Harry mumbled. "I don't usually drink much."
"I hate you," moaned Malfoy, shuffling past Harry and into the loo.
"Hey!" shouted Harry, only to wince as his head throbbed in protest. He sagged back against the wall, waiting for his turn in the loo.
XOXOX
After a breakfast of tea, toast and aspirin, Harry and Malfoy trudged forth to tackle their morning chores. Once the livestock had been taken care of, they worked on rebuilding the section of fence that the cattle had broken through.
They had a light lunch, followed by naps. Harry dozed in his reclining chair in the living room, while Malfoy snoozed on the sofa. Harry woke up first, and he found himself chuckling softly at the sight the two of them must make. It was positively domestic. Thinking along those lines caused his mirth to fade. Harry had been content with his solitary lifestyle here in the countryside, but now that Malfoy had arrived, he suspected he'd miss the git when he left.
Harry wondered what Hermione would say if he told her he might want to keep Malfoy around. He had a chance to speak to his friend later that afternoon.
Following their naps, Harry and Malfoy were both in better spirits. Harry started up his old push mower and showed Malfoy how to use it. Harry left him to it while he went to the garden and picked some beans. He sat on his front porch and snapped beans as he fended off Esther's affections. Harry felt a tingle in his wards when someone Apparated in, and he recognized Hermione's magical signature. A moment later, she came into view of the house from Harry's lone Apparation point.
"Hello," Harry greeted her, pushing a chair in her direction.
Hermione nodded in thanks and took a seat.
"What brings you here?" asked Harry, striving to sound casual.
"I'm here on official business," Hermione told him.
"Oh?"
Hermione pulled a notepad and a Muggle pen from her bottomless bag. "I've come to check on Malfoy's progress," she said.
Malfoy himself rounded the corner with the mower and nodded in Hermione's direction.
"I haven't killed him yet, as you can see," quipped Harry.
Hermione looked at him sharply. "Have you two been fighting?" she asked, voice stern.
"No, we haven't been fighting," said Harry. "We've gotten on rather well, as a matter of fact."
Hermione scribbled a note and glanced back at Malfoy before he went out of sight again. "He looks better," she observed. "Much less gaunt. I believe the country air has done wonders for him."
"I reckon my cooking had something to do with that," Harry insisted.
Hermione merely grinned at him. "Has he been doing his assigned duties to the best of his abilities?" she questioned, sounding quite professional.
"Yes," Harry replied.
"Has he caused any trouble?"
Harry thought back to Malfoy's impromptu game of darts at the Cock and Bull, and he snickered.
"Harry," snapped Hermione.
"No, he hasn't gotten into any trouble," said Harry.
Hermione's eyes narrowed on him, then tracked Malfoy as he made another lap in front of the cottage. "Is that really Draco Malfoy?" she mused. "Behaving himself and not fighting with you seems rather atypical."
"I should be the one asking you if it's actually Malfoy," teased Harry. "He's not been what I expected at all."
"What did you expect?"
"I thought he'd act the part of prissy ponce, not wanting to get his hands dirty, all the while whining and complaining," Harry admitted. "The cattle still intimidate him, especially Chauncy," he added. "However, he seems to enjoy Maude, and he manages Rocco and the Pollys well enough."
"Harry!" laughed Hermione. "Don't tell me you still call all of your hens Polly?"
Harry gave her a sheepish grin. "I've never been able to tell them apart," he confessed. "I told Malfoy if he could distinguish them, he's welcome to name them."
"Speaking of Malfoy," said Hermione, "I need to talk to him. Alone."
Harry stifled an automatic flicker of annoyance. Hermione hadn't come here to drag Malfoy back to civilization, after all. As Malfoy came around the front of the cottage again, Harry walked out to intercept him. Malfoy saw him coming and turned the noisy mower off.
"Hermione wants to speak to you," Harry told him. "I'll take over the mowing." He commandeered the lawn mower and flipped it on again. Harry began following the course Malfoy had been on. Before he turned the corner, he looked back and saw Malfoy disappear into the cottage with Hermione.
XOXOX
"Thank you, Harry," said Hermione, hoisting her bag over her shoulder.
"Why don't you and Ron come for dinner some time?" Harry suggested. "We shouldn't have to wait for business to see one another."
"We'll do that," said Hermione, stepping into the Floo. "Ask Malfoy about your hens," she added before she disappeared in a flash of green.
Harry wandered outside to find that Malfoy had taken over the task of snapping beans. "Did Hermione interrogate you?" he asked, more to break the ice than for any other reason. He took the chair next to Malfoy's and resumed snapping beans.
"She just wanted to make sure things were going well," Malfoy replied. Oscar tried to hop up on his lap, and Malfoy absently shooed him away.
"She asked me if we'd been fighting," Harry snorted.
"She brought it up with me, as well," said Malfoy. "I told her we hadn't gotten into any scuffles, but I did tell her you got me drunk last night."
"I did no such thing!" cried Harry. "You're the one who kept demanding a refill."
Malfoy had the gall to laugh. "I'm taking the piss, Potter. Relax."
They fell into an easy silence once more, broken only by the repetitive snap, snap, snap of the green beans.
"Hermione said to ask you about the hens," Harry commented. When there was no immediate response forthcoming, he glanced at Malfoy and was surprised to see him blushing. "Well?" he prompted.
Malfoy cleared his throat. "You told me to name them if I could learn to tell them apart," he said.
"Don't tell me you've been able to?"
Malfoy nodded. "The bossy one is Molly. Er, don't tell Mrs Weasley that," he added. "The largest one is Dolly, the smallest one is Millie, the one who always darts in and gobbles up feed is Sally, the one who follows me around is Tillie, and the other one I still simply call Polly."
Harry stared at him a moment. "Unbelievable," he muttered.
"You don't like their names?"
"No, it's not that," said Harry. "What I find difficult to believe is how you came to discern those dratted hens in just a couple weeks. I've had them two years and can't tell them apart!"
Malfoy snickered, Harry scowled, and Oscar pounced on a stray green bean.
XOXOX
Harry opened the oven and carefully withdrew an angel food cake. He couldn't wait to try some with the raspberries Mrs Pempelton had given him. Malfoy had gone for a walk, no doubt accompanied by Frankie and Oscar, which had allowed Harry plenty of time to bake in peace. He had learned that Malfoy was an unrepentant biscuit thief.
Harry left the cake to cool and wandered into the living room to see if there was anything interesting on the telly. He sat down and reached for the remote, only to have Malfoy come bursting in the front door. Malfoy was out of breath, and Frankie was barking outside.
Harry bolted out of his chair. "What is it?!" he demanded.
"One of...one of your cows is dying!" gasped Malfoy.
Harry's stomach sank. "Which one?" he asked, rushing to grab the nearest pair of work boots.
"Dizzy, Lazy, Sleazy, I don't know!" cried Malfoy.
Harry shouldered past him on his way out the door, barely noticing the tingles that the brief contact caused. He ran towards the pasture with Malfoy right behind him and Frankie raising a ruckus as she bounded around them. Harry scrambled over the fence, startling Daisy. He paused to catch his breath and assess the situation.
One of the cows was down on the ground, and Harry approached her cautiously. He halted a safe distance away. Harry flinched when Malfoy spoke from right behind him.
"Is she dead?" whispered Malfoy.
"Quite the opposite," said Harry. "Lizzie is giving birth."
"Seriously?" asked Malfoy. "She seems to be in distress."
Malfoy had a point, Harry realized. Lizzie did seem to be in some distress. He took a couple steps closer, and the cow lurched to her feet and sent him a baleful look.
"Potter?"
"Yeah?" Harry responded absently, still studying Lizzie intently.
"Your bull is breathing down my neck."
Harry turned around and realized that, yes, Chauncy was looming directly behind Malfoy. "Step away from him slowly," said Harry. "No sudden moves. His behavior is quite calm, and you don't want that to change." Indeed, Chauncy seemed more curious than anything.
Malfoy swallowed heavily and took one step away from the bull, and another. Chauncy followed.
"Potter!" hissed Malfoy. "Do something!"
Harry sighed and approached the bull to distract him. He patted Chauncy's neck and scratched his forehead. "Leave the pasture slowly," Harry told Malfoy. He continued lavishing attention on the bull, and Chauncy reacted by giving Harry an affectionate bunt. Harry stumbled sideways.
Harry slapped Chauncy's shoulder. "Off you go," he scolded. The bull snorted and shook his head, but he ambled away to graze, allowing Harry to return his attention to Lizzie. After observing the cow for a few moments more, Harry checked Chauncy's position before making his own unhurried escape from the pasture.
Malfoy was still shaking and wide-eyed on the opposite side of the fence. "How can you be so calm?!" he cried.
"Chauncy wasn't being aggressive," Harry explained. "Cattle are naturally curious, and he simply wanted to see what was going on."
"He nearly flattened you!"
Harry smiled in wry humor. "Believe it or not, that was a love tap. Chauncy doesn't know his own strength."
"What about Lazy?"
Harry frowned. "Lizzie may need some assistance," he said. "I'll check on her again in an hour, and if she hasn't made any progress, I'll ring the vet."
XOXOX
Harry hung up the phone. "The vet is over at Breedloves', vaccinating their pigs," he sighed. "His assistant didn't know when he would return or check in."
"Now what?" asked Malfoy. He seemed genuinely concerned, and Harry found it oddly touching.
"Now, we go pull a calf," said Harry.
Malfoy's response was a faint, "We?"
XOXOX
Harry left Malfoy in charge of the gate in front of the barn, while he and Frankie went out into the pasture to round up Lizzie. Chauncy made a nuisance of himself until Frankie broke off herding Lizzie to drive the bull back with sharp barks and feints. Chauncy aimed a half-hearted kick at the dog, which Frankie adroitly dodged, before he trotted back to join Susie and Daisy.
Harry got Lizzie into the barn, and Malfoy closed the gate behind them. Ivy bawled from her pen, anticipating feeding time, and Harry shushed her as he went to fetch a chain.
"Please tell me you know what you're doing," muttered Malfoy, returning with the bucket of soapy, hot water that Harry had dispatched him to get.
"In theory, yes," said Harry. He approached Lizzie cautiously, mindful of her dangerous hooves. Harry drew her tail aside and paused to consider the logistics. Two small, front hooves and a muzzle protruded from the birth canal, but Lizzie seemed unable to push the calf any further.
"At least I don't have to don shoulder-length rubber gloves," sighed Harry. Malfoy's jaw dropped, but Harry ignored him. "I'm not certain the calf is even alive," he said, shaking his head.
"But, it has to be," Malfoy protested.
"Let's hope so," said Harry. He carefully washed the area around the calf before looping the chain around the protruding forelegs, just above the first joint. Harry stepped back and handed one end of the chain to Malfoy.
"You can't be serious," gasped Malfoy.
"This is best accomplished with two people," Harry told him. "I'll pull first, and then you," he instructed. "That way, we can work the shoulders free." Harry put words to action, applying pressure on the chain. Lizzie groaned and bore down, and more of the calf appeared. "Your turn," grunted Harry.
Malfoy grimaced, but he did as told, mimicking Harry's actions. The calf's head came free, and it opened its mouth to emit a weak baa.
"It's alive!" cried Malfoy, grinning like a fool.
The two of them worked the chain until the calf's shoulders were free. "Take a break," said Harry, wiping sweat from his brow. "Give it a moment to breathe. The body should come out easily, until we come to the hips."
After another moment, Harry nodded to Malfoy, and they grasped the ends of the chain again. "Together this time," said Harry, beginning to tug once more. Malfoy added his muscle, and the calf slid free to the hips. They pulled harder, Lizzie pushed, and the calf emerged from its mother and tumbled to the barn floor.
Lizzie whirled around, shook her head at Harry and Malfoy in warning, then began to ferociously lick her newborn offspring. Harry and Malfoy exited the large pen and stood outside the fence, watching as Lizzie tended to her calf.
"We did it!" crowed Malfoy, looking flushed and excited and too damned desirable for Harry to resist.
Harry seized Malfoy in an exuberant hug and captured his lips in a celebratory snog. Malfoy initially stiffened in surprise, but he quickly melted against Harry and opened his mouth to the pressure of the kiss.
Harry's cock throbbed in time with his quickening pulse, and he felt Malfoy rub against him in burgeoning arousal. Harry broke the kiss and stood staring into Malfoy's dazed and dilated eyes. "S-sorry," he stammered. "I didn't mean to do that."
Malfoy's expression closed down, and he pushed away from Harry and strode out of the barn without looking back.
Harry heaved a dispirited sigh and raised a hand to his hair before stopping himself in time. He needed to wash, and he needed to set things straight with Malfoy.
XOXOX
After ensuring that Lizzie and her calf were doing well, Harry washed up at the sink in the barn and trudged back to the cottage. There was no sign of Malfoy, but the door to his room was closed. Temporarily thwarted, Harry went to the kitchen and put a kettle of water on to boil. It was past time for tea. He cut two generous slices of angel food cake, topped each with sweetened raspberries, and added a dollop of whipped cream.
The kettle whistled, and Malfoy made an appearance. Silence reigned at the table while Harry poured hot water in two cups. Each of them made tea to his taste and dug into the pieces of cake.
"I apologize for what happened in the barn," Harry said gruffly, eyes on his plate. "I got caught up in the moment, and I took advantage of you."
"I wasn't exactly unwilling, Potter."
Harry glanced up in surprise. "You aren't angry that I snogged you?"
Malfoy glared at him across the table. "I'm more angry that you stopped and then felt the need to apologize as if snogging me were beneath you."
"That's not what I meant to imply at all!" Harry protested.
"Then why act shocked that you kissed me?!"
"Because I'm responsible for you!" sputtered Harry. "I'm not supposed to...to press my attentions on you like that."
"Potter, if I felt you were pressing your attentions on me, I would have punched you in the face and told you to bugger off," said Malfoy.
Harry was utterly flummoxed. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, some attention wouldn't be unwelcome," muttered Malfoy.
Harry took a bite of cake while he mulled that over. "Are you telling me this because you're attracted to me, or because you're randy and bored?" he asked.
One of Malfoy's shoulders lifted. "A little of both, I suppose," he drawled.
Harry felt vaguely insulted by Malfoy's comment. He cleared his throat. "I reckon if you're just bored and randy, you might be able to pull at the Cock and Bull."
Malfoy appeared to brighten at the prospect. "Yeah?" he said. "When can we go to the Cock and Bull again?"
Harry was on his feet before he realized his own intent. He grabbed Malfoy by the shirtfront and hauled him over the table, crushing Malfoy's mouth beneath his own. Harry kissed Malfoy until he was almost dizzy from lack of oxygen. He shoved Malfoy back into his chair and sank down heavily on his own. "You're not pulling anyone at the Cock and Bull," he snarled.
Looking dazed once again, Malfoy nodded slowly and lowered his head to stab at the remains of his cake.
Harry couldn't be certain, but he thought he saw a slight smirk flicker across Malfoy's kiss-swollen lips.
XOXOX
Harry tried to ignore the new sexual tension that seemed to vibrate between him and Malfoy. There were chores to be done, after all. To start with, they needed to separate Lizzie and her newborn calf.
"It seems cruel," said Malfoy, following Harry into the barn.
"Be that as it may, it's necessary," Harry told him. "Dairy cattle are routinely separated from their calves so that the farmer can milk them. If a calf was nursing on and off all day, there wouldn't be any milk to sell."
Harry set a bucket of grain in with Lizzie, and as she began to eat, he scooped the calf up in his arms and hastily backed out of the pen. By the time Lizzie noticed, Malfoy had shut the gate and locked it. Harry carried the bawling calf to its own small pen in the back of the barn. Lizzie bellowed in protest, and the other cattle trotted up to the barn to add their own voices to the cacaphony.
Harry exited the barn from the side door and entered the pasture through the gate. He nudged Daisy aside and opened the large gate that had kept Lizzie penned inside. She spent another few moments gazing in the direction her calf had been taken before she shuffled outside and began grazing.
In the meantime, Harry had slipped back outside of the pasture and stood with Malfoy, watching the proceedings. "There, that wasn't so traumatic," he remarked.
"She forgot about her baby that quickly?" Malfoy sounded aghast.
"No," said Harry. "She'll moon about for a few days before she gets over it. She'll be tetchy at first, so keep an eye on her if you happen to be among the cattle."
"I have no intention of going among the cattle," Malfoy said quickly.
Harry simply chuckled and said, "I'll show you how to get the new calf to take a bottle. Come and get me once Ivy has been fed."
As Malfoy left to tend the chickens and the mule, Harry set up his trusty stool and began milking. He saved Lizzie for last, as her milk would need to be discarded for a few days. He was almost finished with Lizzie when Malfoy came and stood outside the fence. Harry eventually sent Lizzie on her way, and he joined Malfoy with the bucket of rich milk.
"What is that?" asked Malfoy, grimacing in distaste at the thick, yellowish milk.
"It's colostrum," said Harry. "Cows produce it for the first few days after giving birth. It's richer than normal milk, and it contains natural antibodies a newborn calf needs. We'll feed this to the calf and discard the rest. I can't sell it with the regular milk." As he spoke, Harry was heading into the barn through the side door with Malfoy and both cats following. He poured two pints of the rich milk into a calf bottle and approached the pen where Lizzie's calf was.
Harry entered the pen, where the calf was snoozing in a bed of fresh straw. He gave the calf a series of gentle pinches down his spine, encouraging him to stand up. The calf stood, wobbling a bit on his legs. Harry petted his sleek, fawn-colored coat. "He's large," Harry commented. "No wonder Lizzie had trouble with him."
Harry stuck two fingers in the calf's mouth and wedged the nipple of the bottle in there. He used his fingers to squeeze some of the colostrum into the calf's mouth. After a moment, the calf got the hang of things and began to drink on his own. Harry gestured for Malfoy to take over.
"You may have to enter the pen with him for the first day or two," he said, "but eventually he'll be clamoring at the fence for you, just like Ivy does."
The calf's tail flicked back and forth as he nursed, and Malfoy grinned in delight...right up until the calf bunted the bottle into his groin and sent Malfoy to his knees.
XOXOX
Having his bits battered again seemed to have shelved Malfoy's libido. Harry didn't know if he appreciated the reprieve or not. For the most part, he was eager to help Malfoy relieve his boredom, but a small part of Harry's conscience kept nagging at him that it was wrong to take advantage of the situation.
Harry resolved to allow Malfoy to make the next move.
It was nearly two nights later that Malfoy made an overture. After a simple supper of shepherd's pie, Harry and Malfoy settled in the living room. Malfoy was leafing through a book, while Harry was watching a comedy on the telly. During a commercial break, Harry stood up to fetch a drink from the kitchen. The remote fell on the floor, and he bent to pick it up. A hand squeezed his bum, and Harry straightened with a startled gasp.
He turned to find Malfoy right behind him, and the heat from Malfoy's body sent a surge of arousal through him. Harry took charge. He pushed Malfoy onto the sofa and fell on him in a fit of lust. They exchanged sloppy, frantic kisses as they groped one another. Harry worked a hand down Malfoy's jeans, groaning when he felt Malfoy reciprocate.
There was no main event. Both of them climaxed in moments with their hands wrapped around each other's cock and their mouths clinging together in fierce hunger. They separated almost sheepishly. Malfoy retreated to the bathroom, and Harry heard the bath running. He had to make do with a cleaning charm.
Malfoy retired early, and Harry eventually went to his own bedroom and changed into pyjamas. He was mildly disappointed when Malfoy didn't join him in the middle of the night, but that didn't stop Harry from enjoying his most restful sleep in recent memory.
XOXOX
Malfoy seemed almost shy at breakfast the following morning. He didn't bring up the previous night's encounter, so Harry elected not to mention it, either. They ate eggs and argued over the Prophet, just like every other morning.
In spite of the change in the dynamic of their relationship, Harry felt more relaxed that morning than he had been in quite some time. He actually whistled as he did his morning chores, and he returned to the cottage in high spirits.
Malfoy was in the kitchen, writing to his mother, as he did each week. He glanced up at Harry. "Say, Potter?"
Harry's loins tingled. "Yeah?"
"May we go into the the village today?" asked Malfoy. "I'd like to visit the library."
Harry hoped Malfoy was merely intent on taking things slowly, rather than regretting their activities of last night. "Sure, we can go into the village," he said. "You owe me lunch at the Cock and Bull."
XOXOX
**The pub was more crowded than it had been when Harry had first taken Malfoy there. Nevertheless, they found a table and ordered some food and ale. A couple locals tried to encourage Malfoy to shoot some darts, but Harry insisted they needed to get going. True to his word, Malfoy paid for the meal, and he only lodged a token protest at being stymied in his efforts to win more money at darts.
Harry took Malfoy to the library and dozed off in a chair while Malfoy took his time browsing. He seemed so pleased with his selections that Harry despaired of ever getting into Malfoy's pants again. Sure enough, once the evening chores were done and their supper eaten, Malfoy settled into a chair in the living room and proceeded to ignore Harry as he began reading one of his new books.
Harry went to bed alone.
He woke up in the middle of the night not alone.
Harry was reaching for his wand when he recognized Malfoy's voice.
"Budge over, Potter."
"Malfoy?" Harry slurred, still not quite processing what was going on. "What are you doing in my room?"
"Do I have to spell it out for you, Potter?" snorted Malfoy, slipping beneath the covers to press his body against Harry's. His very naked body.
Harry's mind cleared immediately, and his cock surged to life. He rolled on top of Malfoy, pinning him to the bed. "I hope you enjoy taking it," Harry murmured. He moaned when Malfoy squirmed beneath him enticingly.
"I do, but I enjoy topping now and again, too," Malfoy whispered, lifting his hips to frot against Harry's stomach.
"Seems fair," said Harry, fumbling for the lubricant stashed in his night stand. He would have agreed to top, bottom or sideways at the moment.
"Potter," Malfoy began, gasping when Harry worked two slick fingers into him. "Potter, this isn't going to be an every night occurrance," Malfoy warned.
"Only when you're randy and bored?" teased Harry, scissoring his fingers.
Malfoy quivered. "S-something like that," he managed, hips twisting restlessly.
Harry reckoned he could live with that. "I suppose I'll simply have to make hay while the sun shines," he mused. He withdrew his fingers and guided his cock into place.
XOXOX
The following morning, Harry allowed Malfoy to claim the section of the Prophet he wanted first. Harry contented himself with scrambling eggs and whistling as he dropped bread in the toaster. From the corner of his eye, Harry observed Malfoy shift uncomfortably in his chair, and he grinned in virile pride.
Malfoy caught Harry's expression and rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his own mouth.
Last night, Malfoy had indicated he wasn't ready to share Harry's bed on a nightly basis, but Harry decided he was agreeable to that. Even if they only shagged once or twice a week, it was more action than Harry had been getting. Maybe Malfoy would be willing to stay on, once he had fulfilled his Ministry-mandated war reparations. Harry wasn't going to jeopardize his chances of that happening by pressuring Malfoy.
After chores, Harry sent Malfoy to hitch Maude to the cart while he got some milk and eggs ready to take to Mrs Pempelton. Malfoy brought the mule and cart around, and Harry opened the end gate to load it. Frankie jumped in, tail wagging in anticipation of an adventure, and eventually they set out down the road to the neighbor's. As always, Harry carried the items into Mrs Pempelton's house for her.
"Would you care for some fresh lemonade?" asked Mrs Pempelton.
"That would be lovely, thank you," said Harry.
"Why don't you invite your boyfriend in to join us?"
Harry's face grew hot. He wouldn't call Malfoy his boyfriend, but it would be interesting to see where things with him led. "He's not my boyfriend," Harry said in mild protest.
"So you say," mused Mrs Pempelton. "That love bite on your neck says otherwise."
Cock and Bull 2
Cross-posted to hd_smoochfest