So we meet again, Harry Potter

It was Friday evening, and Harry and Ron were enjoying a couple of drinks at a Muggle bar. It had been a long week for them at the Ministry. A long and thorough investigation had led to the capture of several suspected Death Eaters, who were now being questioned. Despite the fact that Voldemort was long dead, the Death Eater movement persisted, much weaker than before, but waiting to rise again. Ron and his team of Aurors had been working like dogs for the past couple of months. It had been slightly less hectic for Harry at the Department of Wizard Education, but the tense atmosphere at the Ministry was all-pervasive. The matter was finally out of the hands of Ron's team, and he sounded like he was really looking forward to letting his hair down and relaxing over the weekend.

"I haven't gone out on a date in ages," Ron grumbled. "And what do I do when I finally get time to relax and unwind? I drink beer with my best mate. God! My life is pathetic. Come on, Harry, there must be someone you know who you can set me up with? The girls still go gaga for you, don't they? How about putting in a good word for me to some of them? It's not as if you'd want to do much with them anyway."

Harry chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he told Ron.

Given Harry's need to keep the things he cared about away from the public eye, it was not surprising that not many people knew that he was gay. Whenever he went to a new place, he was always accosted by girls. They all wanted to meet Harry Potter, the famous wizard who had defeated Lord Voldemort. Not that anyone could blame them, according to Hermione. Harry rarely believed Hermione when she had anything nice to say about him, but if she was to be believed, he had grown from a skinny, awkward boy to a strapping, handsome young man. His hair was still as messy as ever, but most of the girls apparently found that adorably cute. Harry kept in shape playing Quidditch for fun, and he had a healthy tan. He still shied away from social situations though, and spent most weekends with Ron and his family.

After the war, Harry had tried to keep his personal life as private as possible and had shunned all media attention. Times had been difficult, and Harry had actually hexed a couple of reporters who just didn't get the message. Eventually, the excitement died away, and The Boy Who Lived was allowed to go about his daily business without the constant fear of being jumped on by a hidden cameraman or reporter. He had accepted a desk job at the Ministry, not wanting to do any more actual fighting after what he had been through in the war. The physical scars disappeared over time, but the emotional scars remained.

Harry had stayed in touch with a few of his old school friends as well as comrades he had fought side by side with during the war. Hermione had married a fellow researcher at the Department of History, and Harry saw the couple often, though not as often as he saw Ron. Ron and Hermione had got together for a while during their seventh year at Hogwarts, but it hadn't lasted long. Ron had been in a number of relationships since then, but had never really been serious about anyone.

They were leisurely drinking and talking, when a woman's voice interrupted them. "Harry? Harry Potter?"

"Oh no, not another one," Harry muttered, looking up to see who had called him. He broke into a wide smile. "Cho!" he exclaimed. "Wow, I haven't seen you in ages -- you look great. You remember Ron, don't you?"

"Of course," said Cho, smiling. "How are you both? I haven't seen either of you since Hogwarts."

They exchanged pleasantries and Harry and Ron told her about their jobs. They obviously knew what she had been up to. Cho played for the Tutshill Tornadoes, and was always on the news. The media loved the pretty Seeker, and she was probably the most photographed member of the team.

Ron suspected that Harry and Cho might want to do some catching up. He feigned a headache and left. "It was great seeing you again, Cho. Good Luck at the game on Sunday. Harry, Quidditch tomorrow at ten?"

"I'll see you there, Ron. Goodnight!"

"Bye, Ron. It was lovely seeing you too."

After Ron left, there was a rather awkward silence. Harry and Cho hadn't really spoken much after their break up in Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts. It was years ago, of course, but neither had talked about their brief relationship since they split up.

"So, anything new at the Ministry, Harry?" Cho asked.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Nothing particularly exciting." Harry smiled.

There was another pause, and Cho seemed to be debating whether or not to say something. After a few seconds, she took a deep breath and looked straight into Harry's eyes.

"Harry, I know we've never talked about this, but I'm sorry about all that happened between us. I just wasn't ready then, and it wasn't fair of me to even go out with you. It took a while for me to get over Cedric's death and move on. If things had been different, maybe we would have had a chance."

Harry smiled even more at this. "Well, I was really immature then too, Cho. You weren't the only one not ready for a relationship. Actually, I look back at those years and laugh at how naive I was then. We all have to grow up sooner or later. Besides, it never would have worked out. Er...I don't mean because of you. It's because...I'm gay."

Cho looked up, startled. "Really? I...I had no idea. When did you...did our relationship make you realise it?" Cho looked down as if she didn't really want to hear the answer.

"No. I mean, I was confused about my preference for a while, but I met someone during our seventh year, and that's when I was sure. Very, very sure," said Harry wistfully.

Cho laughed. "I wish I had known this before. It would have been one less thing to feel guilty about. I was really messed up back then, and drifted in and out of several relationships. I always wondered if one of the boys I had gone out with could have been the one, and it was just the wrong time. At least I know it wasn't you."

Harry laughed. "Definitely not me," he agreed.

Harry was about to say something else when Cho looked beyond his shoulder and waved. "My date's here, Harry. It was great to see you. We really should do this again sometime. I would love to catch up."

"Same here, Cho. See you soon, I hope." Harry stood up as Cho gave him a peck on his cheek and turned to leave. His eyes followed her as Cho walked towards her date, and seeing who it was, his jaw dropped.

Draco Malfoy was dressed in a pale shirt, with a grey jacket that brought out the silver in his eyes. Long strands of silver-blond hair fell over his face, and he brushed them away with an easy grace. Seeing him, Harry's mind drifted back in time.

~~~~~~~

It was towards the end of his seventh year that everything fell apart for Draco. Lucius had finally been captured and given the Dementor's Kiss and Draco looked as though he had been to Hell and back.

Harry had seen Draco struggle through it all, eventually joining the Order of the Phoenix in the fight against Voldemort. Being forced to work closely with the object of his fantasies was not easy for Harry. He channeled his attraction for the boy into animosity, and the two were constantly picking squabbles with each other.

Harry was just coming to terms with being gay, and Draco brought out a reaction in him that no one else could. His feelings towards Draco had grown from the earlier anger and frustration to a deep and intense longing. He wanted Draco with every bit of his being. As he got to know Draco better, he also developed a healthy respect for the sarcastically witty boy. It was everything he could do to keep his hands off him. Just standing in the same room with Draco would make him flushed and nervous. Harry wanted so badly to touch him; to kiss him; to show him the intensity of his feelings.

One moonlit night, after numerous fights and arguments with the attractive blond, Harry finally gave in to the temptation that had been torturing him for months. Draco was sitting by the lake, tormented by his thoughts, and Harry happened upon him by accident. Draco looked so fragile and vulnerable that Harry reached out and hugged him, wanting to comfort him. Draco was surprised, but didn't resist. He reached out and pulled Harry's face towards him, and a fierce and passionate kiss followed. He ran a hand through Harry's messy hair, while his other hand circled Harry's waist and brought him closer.

Harry gave himself completely to the kiss. It was all that he had been dreaming about for so long. His hands circled around Draco's waist, pulling him closer; he wanted there to be no distance between them. His breath was ragged and erratic, and all he could feel was his tongue in Draco's mouth, his hands touching Draco's body, Draco on him, around him, holding him. He gasped as Draco broke away and brushed his lips against Harry's neck. Harry leaned back on the ground and pulled Draco over him and kissed him again.

The atmosphere was electric. Harry forgot about the war, about school, about everything else. All he knew was the intense heat between himself and Draco, their breaths mingling and their bodies demanding contact. Everything he wanted was right there in front of him. They finally broke away for air and lay side by side on the grass.

When his brain started to cool down a bit, Harry thought that he should offer some explanation. "Draco, I...er...look..."

"Shhh, don't say anything Harry. It doesn't matter. Don't ask why or how. I just don't want to think about what's right and what's wrong. I need this and I think you do too. Can we just let it be for now?" Draco sighed.

They lay peacefully on the grass for a while longer, staring at the sky in silence. Eventually, they walked back towards the Great Hall.

That was the beginning of their stormy relationship, which had lasted almost two years. The chemistry between them was phenomenal, but they were just so different in so many ways. They argued all the time about everything, and once almost came to the point of hexing each other. But the make-up sex was unbelievable. Everything was forgotten in the bedroom, and it was just moans of pleasure and pain, skin on skin, and burning desire. Whatever else their relationship was, it was never boring.

~~~~~~~

Harry's mind was jerked back to the present, when he saw that Draco had given Cho a light peck, and the two were walking towards him. Draco had an amused smile curling on his lips.

"So we meet again, Harry Potter," Draco drawled. He held out his hand.

Harry shook his hand and was surprised to find his fingers tingling at the touch.

"Draco," Harry acknowledged. "It's been what ... eight years?" Eight long years. Seems like yesterday, and yet, it feels like ages ago. God, he still looks so good. Those eyes! That skin! I just want to touch him. Am I ever going to get over this ridiculous attraction?

"Yeah, time flies, doesn't it? Why don't you join Cho and me for dinner?" Draco looked at Cho to see if that was alright with her.

Cho seemed a bit surprised with the suggestion, but graciously said, "Yes, why not? Harry, would you like to join us? "

"Thanks, but I can't," said Harry, with a small smile. "I was just leaving. I've got plans for tomorrow morning. Some other time, maybe?"

"Come on, Harry," said Draco, his gaze steady on Harry's eyes. "It has been eight years. I'm sure we have a lot to talk about. Well, I do at least. I imagine you will tell us all about your job and be done in ten minutes, but I have plenty of tales to tell. Why don't we talk over dinner and catch up? I have stories that will get your broomstick vibrating again." Draco paused, and looking at Harry's eyes go wide, added, with an innocent smile, "You still play Quidditch, don't you?"

Harry blushed. He felt those familiar feelings rising up again. He had never been able to resist Draco, and he hated himself for his weakness. He nodded his agreement and followed Draco and Cho to their table.

Dinner was not as awkward as Harry had imagined it would be. Draco, who now played for the Chudley Cannons, was as charming as ever as he roped both Harry and Cho into conversations about Quidditch and other things. Soon, the three of them were laughing and teasing each other, like old friends.

After they had eaten, Cho excused herself for a few minutes and left the two young men alone. An uncomfortable silence followed.

"So, here we are, again," said Draco, after a while. "How's the Ministry treating you? Still keeping in shape, I see. How ever are you getting through life without the spark that is me?" He raised his hand with a flourish. "I'll bet you pined for me for months, no wait, years, and then finally decided to be straight since no other man could fill my shoes? Tell Daddy he's right, and you might get a present." Draco smiled suggestively, raising his eyebrows.

Harry forced a smile. Bastard. You know perfectly well that no other man could fill your shoes. "I see you're still the same arrogant git you were. As for me pining away, a little birdie told me that you weren't exactly Captain Happiness after we split. I've been okay. The Ministry work is...well, it keeps me busy. No complaints, you know. It's a comfortable routine. I know what's coming next."

Harry remembered those long dark months where every day was a gift, and nobody made plans for the future. He remembered those stolen moments with Draco, the midnight trysts, the desperate kisses. The way they made love like there was no tomorrow, because there very well could have been no tomorrow. It still hadn't been enough to drown out the cries, the shrieks of pain, the constant dread. Well, that was all in the past. Just like his relationship with Draco.

Harry continued, "How about you? You're looking..." Amazing, gorgeous, good enough to eat. "You're looking well." Harry used the opportunity to let his eyes run all over Draco. "You and Cho, I never would have imagined. We went out for a while in school, you know."

"Yeah, you've mentioned it before. We were close too, if you remember. I'm sure you've forgotten half the things you told me then. I remember a story about you and a few baked goods in a broom shed..."

Harry laughed. He remembered the things he had told Draco well enough. Too well. "So, how long have you two been seeing each other?"

"We see each other on and off. We're kind of...friends with benefits. We meet often, at Quidditch events, and you know, I'm single; she's single. And let's face it, who can resist me? Oh, to be cursed with the Malfoy charm!" he said dramatically, running a hand through his hair. "Anyway, it seemed a good idea at the time. Nothing terribly serious. Nothing like..." Draco's expression turned serious. He caught Harry's eyes with his, and Harry felt his knees going weak. "Nothing like what we had, Harry. I've never found what you and I had. Never again."

Harry felt his breath coming faster. Why are you doing this, Draco? What do you want from me? Do you want to get back together? You're here on a date with a woman, for crying out loud.

"I...does Cho know about us, Draco?" Harry asked, the thought suddenly striking him.

"I don't think so. But we have been friends for a while, so it may have slipped out at some point. I don't really remember telling her. She has been great to complain about my lovers to, very unbiased. It helps that she adores me too. She thinks it's quite exciting that I'm bisexual. I am, after all, an exciting, intriguing man. But enough about me." Draco paused. "Harry, have you ever thought about...about us? About what could have been, if it weren't for the war, for my father, for Dumbledore? If it had just been the two of us?"

Harry was not surprised at Draco's quick changes, from joking to serious, and threw his head back in his chair and sighed. Have I thought about it? Only every day. "What's the point, Draco? It's over, it's gone. We had our time together, and it was great. It was wonderful. But it was also awful. Do you remember the arguments? The fights? There's just too much between us, there always was."

"That's exactly what I mean, Harry. There is too much between us. I've thought about you all these years, and wondered what it would be like if I saw you again. But seeing you here..." Draco ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "It's like nothing's changed. I don't want to leave with Cho; I want to leave with you. I want to wake up with you. I want to spend the night making glorious love to you. I want to remember what we had. Are you...are you seeing anyone right now?"

"No, I haven't exactly had an exciting love life since we broke up. But that's not the..."

"You haven't had an exciting love life? Come now, Potter, don't be modest. Everything about you is exciting. Just the words 'Harry' and 'love' in the same sentence make me want to rip all the clothes off you and have you on the table. You remember the day you broke all the dessert bowls, don't you? You were such a naughty boy. I've never been able to look at caramel pudding the same way again." Draco reached out and ran a finger across Harry's lips.

Harry gulped again, his breathing even more erratic now. "Draco, you are here with Cho. You...we broke up, remember. We decided it was for the best. That was our decision. Wasn't that what you wanted?"

"It's what we needed to do, Harry. What I wanted then, what I still want...is you." Draco put his right hand on Harry's knee, and Harry felt like he was burning up inside. "Don't tell me that's not what you want as well. Come on, Harry, live a little. Take a risk. Go with it. Let's see where it takes us. You aren't afraid, are you? Is the Boy-Who-Made-Mad-Passionate-Love-To-Me-Under-An-Invisibility-Cloak-A-Few-Feet-Away-From-His-Friends scared now? Are you chicken, Harry?"

Cho chose that moment to return to the table, and Draco slowly took his hand off Harry's knee. Harry released the breath he had been holding. There was some more light conversation, mostly between Draco and Cho, and then the three of them got ready to leave.

As they got up, Draco turned to Harry. "Harry, we are having a friendly Quidditch game next Sunday, just some friends. Would you like to join us?"

Harry was burning up under his gaze. He knew he should refuse, he should get the hell away from Draco, but he found himself asking about the game, and agreeing to meet Draco there.

When he got home, Harry sank into his bed and thought about the evening. It had been surprising to see Draco; surprising and exciting. He had followed Draco's career, and knew that he was a Seeker to be reckoned with. Ron had not been too thrilled when his favourite Quidditch team had taken Draco on as Seeker, but Draco had more than met everybody's expectations. Harry had not been surprised; there was nothing mediocre about Draco. He smiled to himself as he sank into pleasant dreams of the past. Oh Draco...

Memories of the past. The words echoed in his ears. "Maybe we can meet as friends someday." Are we friends, Draco? Can we ever be just friends? Can I ever be in the same room with you and not want to be with you? Harry sighed. What does Draco want? Why was he acting the way he was? For that matter what was I doing? Shit, who am I kidding? I've never been able to resist him. If he keeps this up, I'll be in bed with him before long. No, not going to go there. Not going to think about how wonderful it would be to have him hold me at night; to wake up in his arms in the morning. Draco! You drive me crazy, you amazing, irritating man!