Places Where Lovers Have Wings

Places Where Lovers Have Wings

Chapter One

With a bouquet of roses in one hand, and a box of chocolate frogs in the other, Draco Malfoy made his way slowly down the long, maroon-carpeted hallway. From the countless times he'd been there, Draco knew by heart exactly how many steps it took from the elevator to Harry Potter's apartment, and was now only gazing blankly at each passing door as his feet sank into the plush carpet.

At thirty-seven steps, Draco paused, juggling his gifts awkwardly on one hand, as he reached into his jacket pocket for the key. The thin, metal piece slid noiselessly into the lock, yet, as Draco opened the door, he knew that his entrance had not gone unnoticed.

All conversation stopped, as abruptly as if a powerful Petrificus Totalus had been cast upon the whole room. All eyes turned to the tall figure in the doorway, and Draco, feeling them, froze, his shoulders tense and his once loose grip on the flowers, now becoming tighter and tighter with each second that passed. He considered announcing himself, but he figured that eventually someone would bother to greet him.

"Hello, Draco." Ah, there it was.

"Harry?" The word came out weakly, and Draco winced at his own voice.

"Who else, Draco? You finally came," Harry whispered, reaching forward to play with the buttons on Draco's jacket.

"Came? To what, Harry? You said you were working late tonight."

"We're celebrating, Draco. For you. Your promotion, remember?" Harry laughed, and with the sound of the man's infectious giggles in his ear, Draco couldn't help but smile as well. He relaxed and placed his own hands over Harry's in reassurance. Though, he wasn't sure who he was reassuring, as Draco was certain he hadn't told Harry of his promotion yet. Merlin, it had only been earlier that afternoon!

"Of course I remember," Draco said lightly, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling in his stomach. Instead, he closed his eyes and let his fingers run across Harry's palms, tracing the veins on his wrist. It wasn't until he felt the absence of a pulse, that Draco realized that something was dreadfully wrong.

"Malfoy? Malfoy! What the hell are you doing here?" Harry's harsh voice confirmed Draco's fears, and sent him crashing back into reality, where he remained inside the front door of Harry's apartment, only this time Harry stood halfway across the main room, two butterbeers in his hands; hands that were nowhere near the blond.

"Oh Merlin," Draco whispered. His hands were still outstretched in front of him, as if he really had been holding Harry just moments before. "Oh Merlin," he repeated, trembling slightly.

"Malfoy! What the fuck? Did you not hear me?" Harry set the drinks aside before crossing the distance between him and the blond in three angry strides. Draco shivered as he felt Harry come closer. Soon, their faces were only inches away from each other. "Hel-lo?! Can-you-hear-me?" Harry spoke loudly, stretching each syllable as if he was talking to a small child. For the second time that night, Draco winced.

"Wh-what's going on?" Draco croaked, his voice leaving him.

"You tell me, Malfoy," Harry said, sneering. Draco licked his lips again.

"I...I don't know," Draco answered softly.

"And you think I do, Malfoy? You come barging into my apartment, interrupting my party, waving your hands all around, and talking to yourself like some sick, freak, and you think I know what's going on?" Harry laughed, but there was no humour in his voice.

"Your apartment?" Draco choked, his chest feeling very tight all of a sudden. He knew that he should probably leave right then, before things got even worse, but all Draco could think about was the key in his pocket and the words that Harry had said when he gave it to him. "You said it was ours," Draco whispered to himself. Tears had already begun to run down his cheeks, and Draco lowered his face, hiding his eyes behind strands of perfect, platinum blonde hair. It was no use. Harry had seen already.

"Merlin, Malfoy. Are you crying?" he said, in mock amazement. "Oh man, Malfoy. If this is some sort of joke-if this is some sort of show you're putting on, oh man. Is this supposed to be entertainment, Malfoy?" Harry turned to his guests. "Did someone pay for this?" he asked, before leaning back into Draco's face. "'Cause if it is, Malfoy. If you're really tonight's entertainment, I've got to say, I am not entertained." Harry spat out the last words, his eyes glinting sadistically as he saw the hurt written all over Draco's face. The blonde's hands were now clenched in fists at his side, but Harry knew he wouldn't strike. "Pathetic," he added coldly, eyeing the man's tear-stained cheeks. "Now, get the fuck out of my house."

Draco didn't waste any time in leaving the apartment. In his previous stupor, he had dropped Harry's gifts. They were obstacles now, as Draco ran out the door, nearly tripping over the chocolate frogs.

Harry watched the man leave his apartment, and now, probably his life forever. He sighed, walking over to shut the front door. He eyed the gifts before picking them up. The roses, fresh only minutes ago, were now wilted and crushed in the saran wrapper. Harry tossed the flowers into the trash lazily, and then proceeded to open the box of chocolate frogs. Most of them were ruined too, from Draco's hasty escape, but there was still one that remained intact. Harry picked it up, and carefully opened the wrapper. The frog jumped out immediately, seizing its moment of freedom to hop desperately down the hall to Harry's bedroom. Making a note to find the frog once the spell wore off, Harry looked at the chocolate frog card, before scowling and throwing it away as well.

"Who'd you get?"

Harry turned sharply. He had forgotten that he was not alone. Sighing, he walked over to the sofa, and sat between his two best friends.

"Myself, Ron. Myself."