The Nervous Trilogy

Nervous, Too.

Draco stepped back and pulled his wand from a pocket. He spelled open the shackles on Potter's wrists and was surprised when Harry toppled forward. Malfoy barely caught him in time.

"You might have unfastened my ankles, first," Harry suggested belatedly. Draco shifted his grip on Potter and quickly released the lower chains. Harry was nearly a dead weight.

"My arms... don't seem to be working," Harry said. "And I can't feel my hands."

Not surprising, considering they had been bound over his head the entire night. Draco lowered him to the ground.

"Stay here. I'll see if they left your things lying about."

A large, ugly table rested at the edge of the room and a leather pack sat atop that. The contents had been rummaged through haphazardly, but seemed mostly to consist of clothing and foodstuffs. One item caught Draco's eye immediately and he groaned.

"God, I'm almost ashamed to call myself a Death Eater," he mumbled and snatched the invisibility cloak out of the pack. Crabbe or Goyle had likely searched the pack and reported nothing of value, not recognizing the cloak as anything special. What an incredible spot of luck for Draco, though. Potter's glasses sat on the table.

Harry's wand, of course, had been taken and now rested in the possession of Lucius Malfoy. Potter was on his feet and trying to shake feeling back into his hands.

"Lucky for us some of my 'soulless cohorts' are imbeciles," Draco said. He tucked Potter's glasses onto his head and felt a bit of relief when the handsome visage was marred once more by the dark frames. Not that the spectacles really made much difference. He handed Harry a pair of breeches, which Potter fumbled to put on until Malfoy helped him with an exasperated sigh, although he inwardly enjoyed Potter's blush as Draco made sure Harry's bits were properly tucked away before zipping the trousers.

He grabbed one of Harry's hands and rubbed the cold appendage vigorously before doing the same to the other.

"All right, time is against us," Draco said briskly. "No telling how long they'll leave me down here. Luckily, Father and I are the only early risers and I don't think he'll make an effort to check on me."

Draco slung the invisibility cloak over both of them. It barely covered them and left their legs exposed nearly to the knees. Draco quickly took off his boots and carried them.

"If we see anyone, crouch down and pray the bloody thing conceals us completely." With that, Draco put an arm around Potter's bare waist and steered him to the door. The dark corridor and stairwell were deserted, as was the room at the top of the stairs.

The tricky part was getting past the large archway that led to the kitchen--the one room that was nearly always occupied. Draco and Harry crept forward until Malfoy could peer into the room. A large figure was seated at the huge butcher-block table in the center of the room, thankfully with his back to them. Avery.

Draco rushed Potter silently past the doorway, glad he had removed his boots. Harry's bare feet made no sound. A short hallway led to the old servants' quarters, where Draco's temporary bedroom stood. The room was tiny and humble, but the grander rooms upstairs had been taken by the other Death Eaters in residence. Draco would rather live in squalor than share a room.

He slumped against the door in relief, after it shut behind them, and they had extracted themselves from the cloak. He sealed the door with a locking spell and then cast a Silencing Charm.

"Now for the fun part," Draco said dryly and smiled when Potter's green eyes flew to the bed with a distinctly un-Gryffindor-like expression of stark terror.

"I meant fun for you," Draco clarified. "I want you to Obliviate my memory."

"What?" Potter asked in astonishment.

"Not permanently, of course." Draco outlined his plan and then took a massively deep breath, realizing what could possibly be the stupidest act of his life lay before him.

He handed Harry Potter his wand.

Potter looked at the long, black bit of hawthorn and the muscles in his jaw worked soundlessly. It would be so easy, Draco knew. Hex me and fly, Potter, he thought. Fuck the vow and forget me. Just get out.

Harry sat down on the bed.

"Better get comfortable. This could take awhile," he said.

Draco suppressed a sigh of relief and joined Harry. The first hurdle had been crossed. Now it remained to be seen if Potter would hold back when given access to Draco's memories and mind. Harry's hand touched Draco's temple almost gently.

"All right... you will slip into a light trance..."

Harry's voice droned on and Draco's awareness drained away.

Draco returned to alertness to find himself lying on the bed with Potter's face hovering over him. Draco sat up groggily and flicked back through his memories of the morning. Everything seemed intact.

"I don't feel any different. And I remember everything." Draco's tone was faintly accusatory.

"I put in a keyword trigger," Harry explained. He conjured a quill and a scrap of paper, using Draco's wand with casual familiarity. He scrawled a word and handed it to Draco. A Quidditch term. Blatch. "I doubt that will come up in casual Death Eater conversation. The block will be cancelled when you see my face--just in case you decide to hex me before I can get a word out. Do you want to test it?"

"How long did this take?"

"About fifteen minutes."

Draco shook his head and stood. "No time. I need to get back. We're lucky no one has sounded the alarm, yet. Lay on the bed and I'll cover you with the cloak. You can rest while I'm gone."

Harry complied, not using the pillow to avoid leaving an obvious dip, and Draco draped the cloak over the Gryffindor.

"Get some sleep. There's no telling how long this will take."

As an added precaution, he cast a Full Body Bind on Potter, just in case he decided to slip out once Draco had gone. And to prevent him thrashing in his sleep and dislodging the cloak.

Now for the hard part. Draco crept down the hall and past the kitchen soundlessly, thankful for the natural grace that allowed him to move quietly.

He stood in the dungeon before the now-empty pillar and put his boots on quickly. After taking a steadying breath and reminding himself that it was completely worth the bother to have Harry Potter as his willing slave, Draco cast a Stupefy at the pillar and shouted Potter's trigger word. The red beam bounced off the marble and hit him full on.

Someone was tapping his cheeks. Draco swatted them away in annoyance.

"Draco, wake up!" It was Goyle's voice. Draco opened his eyes reluctantly. Fuck, he had a headache. And what the hell was he doing on the floor? He sat up.

"Potter's gone!" Goyle said and Draco suddenly remembered where he was. In the dungeon, torturing Potter. He got to his feet angrily and looked at the empty chains on the pillar. He remembered casting a Cruciatus Curse at Potter... but nothing else.

"What hit me?" he asked.

"I don't know. Stunner, most like. Was it Potter?"

Draco shook his head.

"It couldn't have been. He was chained and I was Crucioing him." Draco spied his wand on the ground and snatched it up, somewhat surprised that Potter had not taken it. "It must have been the Order. How did they find him?"

"Bugger that; how did they get in and out? Fuck, Lucius is going to have my bloody head."

"Yours? I was the one in here tormenting Potter, and I didn't see anything."

"And Lucius' wrath won't be nothing to the Dark Lord's."

He and Goyle looked at each other in mutual trepidation.

"No help for it. I'll go inform my father," Draco said with a sigh. Goyle looked relieved.

Draco returned to his room and leaned against the door when it shut behind him. His headache had grown until it felt like a Nundu was gnawing on his skull. No one had the ability to verbally eviscerate like Lucius Malfoy. And all without raising his voice above a sibilant whisper. Draco hoped to inherit that talent one day.

Right now, he just wanted to lie down and stare at the ceiling in order to convince himself that Potter's disappearance was not his fault. And hope to hell he could convince the Dark Lord of that when he arrived.

Draco pushed himself away from the door and threw himself on the bed before leaping up with an oath. What the hell? He reached out a tentative hand and encountered a solid form. An invisible solid form. Draco's fingers snagged in the soft material beneath his hand; he dragged it off in one smooth motion.

Draco stared in utter astonishment at the body revealed. Jean-clad, shirtless, black hair... God, it was Harry Potter! As soon as his shocked gaze met the sleeping visage, the controls on his memory melted away.

Bloody hell... Draco sank down on the bed and assimilated the lost memories. Damn, Potter had done an incredible job. For being a fairly oblivious student in school, he had obviously applied himself once out of it.

Draco touched Potter with the end of his wand to cancel the Full Body Bind, but Potter did not stir. The Gryffindor must have been exhausted. He threw the cloak back over the somnolent hero and went down the hall to fetch something to eat. Draco wasn't hungry, but figured Potter would be when he awoke. The kitchen was empty, as the Death Eaters were out searching the castle from top to bottom to try and determine how the Golden Boy had slipped through their fingers. Draco had been just as angry and indignant as the others, and he felt slightly disjointed now that the truth had returned to him. He rather felt like two people in the same body.

Luckily, the angry portion was completely mollified by the glee induced at the thought of the Boy Wonder being in Draco's eternal debt. It was worth any number of verbal thrashings from Lucius Malfoy.

Truth be known, his father would most likely burst with pride if he knew of Draco's underhanded dealings. Hadn't the bastard been teaching him how to be manipulative since he could walk?

Draco double-sealed the door and set the tray of food on the bedside table before removing his shirt and climbing into bed next to Potter. The bed was not large; both of them barely fit on it together. He raked back the cloak to expose Harry's bare chest. Unwittingly, he reached out and touched the soft strands of hair beneath the hollow of Potter's throat. Harry sighed in his sleep and flung a hand out. His fingers trailed absently over Draco's midriff and came to a rest with his fingertips still touching Draco's abdomen. Malfoy wondered why it was suddenly hard to breathe.

He let his own hand drop and it curled up on Potter's bicep. Draco lay still and watched the Savior of the Wizarding World sleep.

A loud hammering on the door woke them both. Draco's eyes snapped open and met the startled green eyes of Potter, whose face was so close to Draco's that they shared the same air.

"Draco!" a voice bellowed beyond the portal.

He sat up quickly. "I'm up, Goyle!" he said loudly.

"The Dark Lord is here. He... requests your presence."

"I'll be right out."

Draco snapped his gaze back to Harry with a wry grin.

"Your Memory Charm passed my father's test... let's see if it can withstand Voldemort's Legilimency."

Potter sat up. "I'll need to adjust your last few memories."

Draco wordlessly handed Potter the wand and tried to relax. Time was of the essence. One did not keep the Dark Lord waiting. Potter's hand cupped the side of Draco's face and the long fingers were warm against his throat. Harry cast quickly, murmuring softly, and Draco smiled languidly when Potter's hand lingered against his face as he finished.

Potter snatched his hand away and Draco noted with amusement that a blush tinted the Gryffindor's cheeks. Harry cleared his throat.

"Good luck."

"That's very sweet, Potter," Draco drawled. Harry scowled.

"It's self-preservation. If the Charm doesn't work, I'm dead. And so are you."

"Let's hope your Gryffindor luck holds out, then, Chosen One," Draco said as he tugged his shirt on and buttoned it. "Give me your word that you'll stay here until I get back and I won't immobilize you."

"You have my word," Harry said, though his eyes flashed dangerously. Malfoy was having a great time extracting promises from Potter. He leaned forward impulsively and pressed a chaste kiss on Harry's shocked lips.

"I'll be back, Potter," he said ominously and went out. He locked the door behind him, took a steadying breath, and whispered the word to purge his memory.

Voldemort's snakelike eyes bored into his and Draco could practically feel intrusive tendrils slithering into his mind, seeking for untruth and alert for deception.

"Do you know how Harry Potter escaped from under your nose, Draco?" Voldemort hissed. Draco swallowed, heartily glad that he had been knocked out during Potter's rescue; though he did wish he could have gotten off a curse or two, or at least seen who had taken Potter.

"No, but he could not have done it alone."

"Indeed. And you saw no one?" The pressure on Draco's mind was a tangible force.

"Only Potter. And he was chained."

"Who do you suppose released him?"

"No idea."

"You were conveniently Stunned," Voldemort said. Draco felt a surge of anger.

"Convenient," he snapped. "Interesting choice of words."

"It seems reasonable that one of the Death Eaters released Potter. The Order of the Phoenix knows nothing of subtlety. I believe we have a traitor in our midst, Draco, and I mean to stamp it out."

Draco swallowed through a suddenly dry throat. Voldemort was constantly alert for betrayal, the price of maintaining order through fear.

"Who do you suppose has the most to gain by keeping Potter alive, Draco?" Voldemort asked conversationally.

Everyone? Draco thought immediately and mentally cringed. He fought for control and prayed the Dark Lord had not picked the sarcastic notion from his mind.

"I'm sure I don't know."

"Really? Offhand, I would say your father."

Draco's brow shot up in surprise. "Father?"

The corpselike hand reached up and patted Draco's cheek. It was so cold to the touch it nearly burned. The gesture was curiously reminiscent of something that fluttered against Draco's memory like a whisper.

"You seem genuinely shocked, Draco. Lucky you. If your father plots against me, he has wisely kept the knowledge from you, eh?"

"My father is loyal!" Draco said hotly.

Voldemort patted his cheek once more and stepped away, seemingly satisfied.

"Very well, Draco, you may go."

Thus dismissed, Malfoy wasted no time departing the sepulcher presence. He stopped in the Great Hall, where the other Death Eaters gathered tensely. Lucius looked at him expressionlessly. Draco stood close to his father and noted wryly, and not for the first time, that Lucius was still slightly taller and probably always would be.

"He thinks you betray him," Draco said.

"He thinks we all betray him," Lucius drawled. "He requires a sacrifice."

"Well, he'd better look elsewhere," Draco snapped. "Damn it, if only I had seen who took Potter..."

"Patience, Draco. If any blame is to fall, it will be on my head for not adequately guarding the Gryffindor hero."

Draco paled and Lucius allowed the ghost of a smile to touch his lips.

"Fear not. He still needs me. Even he would not destroy me in a fit of rage. Who, then, would lead this rabble? Avery? Nott?"

Draco snorted a laugh, disguising his relief, although he did not quite share his father's confidence in the Dark Lord's ability to rationalize. He sighed.

"I'm going back to my room until he leaves," Draco said. "It tires me to watch the others grovel."

Lucius nodded curtly and moved toward Crabbe as Draco departed.

Draco stopped at the kitchen to collect a tray of food and a bottle of wine. When he reached the door to his room, he was surprised to find he'd locked it. What did he have to hide? Even his favorite silver comb had been left at Malfoy Manor.

He shifted the tray and used his wand to unlock it before pushing the door open. He took four steps across the small room and slid the wooden tray onto the table... right next to another wooden tray that held an empty plate and teacup. A tray that Draco had no recollection of bringing in.

He snatched his wand and whirled, still gripping the bottle in his left hand. Draco's eyes scanned the room warily, searching for movement beneath or behind the bed. There was really nowhere in the small room to hide.

Draco relaxed minutely and lowered his wand a fraction. A shimmer caught his attention, barely visible out of the corner of his eye. The wand snapped up. He was shocked for a period of two heartbeats and a spell was on his lips when his gaze met Harry Potter's and the memory block fell away.

"Fuck, that's an unpleasant sensation," he said as Potter's cloak slipped off the bare shoulders. It took him a moment to reassess his memories. Draco scowled suspiciously. "You were thinking about sneaking out and leaving me here with a blocked memory, weren't you, Potter?"

"Yes," Harry admitted bluntly. His eyes slid away from Draco's and a sudden blush darkened his cheeks. Malfoy suddenly knew why Potter had wanted to bolt.

"Why didn't you?" he asked softly.

"Because I gave my word. The day that stops meaning something is the day I turn myself over to Voldemort."

"Is that the only reason?" Draco drawled. Harry looked away again and his throat moved slightly as he swallowed.

"No. I stayed because I owe you. Without you, I'd be gasping my last breath right now, or begging for death. I won't forget that."

Draco would never have imagined he would hear those words from the Chosen One. He could hardly assimilate them now. He felt a thrill that had little to do with the words, and far more with the way Potter toyed nervously with the fold of cloak in his hands, and the way his cheeks were still sweetly pink. The Gryffindor would stalk out there and face down Voldemort, if necessary, with scarcely a flinch, but he was dead petrified to be in here now, with Draco. It was a heady sensation.

Draco pounced. He strode forward, tucking his wand into a pocket and dropping the wine bottle on the tiny washstand next to Harry. He put his hands on either side of Potter's face and Harry's eyes widened in alarm. He couldn't speak, however, because Draco's lips locked onto his. For all his torment of Potter in the dungeon, Draco had not kissed him. He made up for that oversight.

Draco plundered Harry's mouth. He would have wagered his fortune that Potter had never been well and truly kissed before. Draco tongue forced past lips and teeth to twist with Harry's. He lapped at the sensitive edges of Potter's tongue, earning a gasp of surprise, muffled by Draco's lips.

Malfoy's hands slipped into Potter's hair and turned the Gryffindor's head slightly for better access. Draco stroked, sucked, and nipped at Harry's mouth until Potter could hardly breathe. His hands were clenched in Draco's shirt, one at either side of Malfoy's waist.

Draco's hands slowly left Potter's hair and slid downward, over his chest and ribs to enfold Harry's back. He caressed Potter's smooth flesh, glad that he had neglected to retrieve a shirt for Harry. He gripped Potter tightly for a moment and then maneuvered the Gryffindor to the bed with a couple of quick steps.

Harry fell back onto the mattress with Draco atop him. The kiss had been broken for only a moment; Draco did not intend to give Potter a chance to think. He fastened his lips to Harry's again. He did not bother to unbutton his own shirt; instead he tore it open with one swift yank. Draco made a sound of pure pleasure as his bare skin touched Harry's. Potter was as aroused as Draco, if the hard line beneath Malfoy's flank was any indication.

Draco shifted slightly and moved his hands to the waistband of Harry's jeans. Potter made a quick, panicked thrash and his hands gripped Draco's wrists to halt the motion. Malfoy switched tactics. His mouth left Harry's for a moment and Draco pulled back to look at Potter's face. His glasses were askew, so Draco grabbed the bridge with his teeth and pulled them off with a flexing movement of his neck. Another flick sent them sailing across the pillow.

Harry's eyes were wide and uncertain, but his lips were wet and swollen, slightly parted in unconscious invitation. Draco groaned and nibbled gently at Potter's lips. His fingers minutely moved over Harry's abdomen, not straying far from the top of Potter's jeans. Harry's hands still rested on Malfoy's wrists, but quiescently, exerting no pressure.

Draco left Harry's mouth and kissed Potter's jaw, sliding his tongue down the soft skin of Harry's throat. He pressed a line of wet kisses over Potter's collarbone and licked the hollow above the bone.

He kissed his way downward and flicked his tongue over one of Harry's nipples, earning a gasp and a nearly suppressed quiver. Draco felt a wicked surge of satisfaction at the discovery that Potter's nipples were extremely sensitive. He sucked at it and Potter's hands left his wrists to clench in Draco's hair.

Freed of restraint, Malfoy quickly unfastened Harry's jeans and slid them down with a quick thrust of hands over Potter's hips. He continued to lick at Harry's responsive nipples as he did so, moving from one to the other. Draco had to stop to remove his own trousers, but he did so quickly and then gripped Potter's hips again.

Draco pressed himself upward and took Harry's mouth once more. Potter whimpered slightly when Malfoy's naked erection rubbed against his with delicious friction. Draco quickly tore his shirt the rest of the way off, needing to feel all of Harry's skin against his own. He detached his mouth from Potter's for a moment to breathe hotly in Harry's ear.

"You are so fucking hot, Potter," he said. Harry shivered. Draco went on, "You think about Voldemort every time you see your scar, don't you, Potter? Well, when I'm done with you, every time you see that scar, every time you look in the mirror, you'll think of me."

Draco hand found Potter's hard cock and stroked it experimentally. Potter's hands, still in Draco's hair, twisted almost painfully. Harry panted as Malfoy's hand moved rhythmically, but Draco wasn't ready for Potter to get off that easily. He released Harry's shaft and slipped his hand downward, caressing the testicles before probing Harry's anus with two fingers. Potter jerked as if electrified. He was instantly tense.

"You know, this will be a lot less painful if you relax, Potter," Draco said dryly.

"Malfoy, you--" Harry began, but his voice broke and he tried again. "Your agreement..."

"Spit it out, Potter."

Harry flushed. "Well, you said 'make love' not..."

"Not fuck you into a bloody pulp?" Draco finished.

Harry's blush darkened. "Yeah."

"Don't worry, Potter, I have no intention of hurting you," Draco said quietly and then smiled. "As long as you relax."

Harry tried, but he was ludicrously tense. Draco knew he'd have the devil's time penetrating the Gryffindor; but he wasn't beaten yet. Draco slid down and took Harry's cock in his mouth. It had softened slightly under Potter's onslaught of terror, but Draco's tongue lapped over the head and dove into the slit at the top several times, which quickly took care of that problem.

Harry arched attractively and Draco's breath caught in his throat. Fuck, Potter really was gorgeous. Malfoy wordlessly Accioed his wand. He tongue stroked Harry's shaft twice more and then left the hard member. Potter moaned in frustration. He fingers brushed Malfoy's temples, still wrapped in Draco's hair. Draco placed the tip of his wand against Harry's anal orifice and whispered a spell. Potter heaved a ragged gasp of surprise, but Draco dropped the wand and quickly inserted a finger, then two.

Harry made a guttural sound of protest, but Malfoy was relentless, now. The spell had relaxed Potter's muscles and lubricated him; the Gryffindor was as ready as he would ever be.

Draco removed his fingers and pressed his cock quickly into the vacated opening, nearly moaning in delight at the tight, hot feel of Harry. Draco moved slowly and inexorably at first, watching Harry the while. Potter's eyes were wide and his hands had left Malfoy's hair to grip his shoulders. Draco rammed it home suddenly and had to shut his eyes at the astounding sensation.

Bloody hell, if Potter moved now, Draco would lose it for certain. He took a steadying breath to regain control and then pulled nearly out before thrusting forward again. Potter did move then, arching his back with a ragged intake of breath. Draco repeated the motion.

"Hurt?" Draco asked.

"Yes," Harry muttered through clenched teeth.

"Want me to stop?" Draco murmured and shoved his hips forward in a teasing jab.

"Fuck no," Harry moaned and Draco felt another rush of delight. He began to move in earnest and his thrusts were slower than he would have liked, but Potter was so hot and tight and, God, when he moved his hips like that--Draco struggled to stave off his orgasm. He remembered to grip Harry's erection and rub absently, though he could barely concentrate through the rising tide of passion.

The touch was enough for Harry, who clamped his jaw shut on a scream, which led Draco to wonder what Potter's reaction would be if they were not currently in a castle full of Death Eaters. Harry's violent spasms were too much for Draco, who sank his teeth into Potter's shoulder to suppress his own scream as an incredible climax shook him--for the first time in his life he bloody saw stars. The shudders seemed to go on forever until Draco finally collapsed on Potter's chest. He detached his teeth from Harry's shoulder and buried his face in the Gryffindor's neck. Potter's arm were wrapped around Draco's back and Malfoy held him tightly, basking in the afterglow. Draco always felt lazily content and almost vulnerable after sex. Especially after bloody mind-blowing sex.

Draco noticed he was drawing random, delicate patterns on Harry's ribs and forced himself to stop. He pushed himself up and conjured a warm, wet cloth, which he used to clean them both up with gentle strokes.

He vanished the cloth and sprawled next to Potter, placing his arm possessively over Harry's abdomen. Potter watched him through dreamy green eyes. His black hair was more mussed than usual, and several damp tendrils clung to his forehead, nearly obscuring his scar.

"Why?" Harry asked in a curious tone.

"Why what?"

"Why did you... want me?"

Draco thought about the question. There were so many reasons, all of which would be like handing weapons over to the Gryffindor hero. He settled for his usual sardonic humor.

"Isn't it obvious, Potter? Because you're hot as fuck."

Harry grinned wryly.

"So are you," he admitted, amazing Draco, who never thought the Gryffindor would have divulged that on pain of death. Harry reached down and lifted Draco's arm from his waist. The Dark Mark was clearly visible and Harry traced around the edges of the tattoo with a finger.

"Full Death Eater now, eh?" he asked. Draco said nothing. "You're the only one who could make this look like a fashion statement." Harry touched it suddenly, tensely, as if expecting a jolt. Draco felt him relax slightly and the Gryffindor drew over the Dark Mark again with his fingers.

Harry rolled over suddenly and moved downward, still holding Draco's arm. He leaned his head over the tattoo and pressed his lips against it. Potter traced the design with his tongue, following the snake in a sensual line and sucking lightly on the mouth of the skull. Malfoy's brows rose in astonishment at the erotic gesture.

Harry raised his head and smiled at Draco with a glint of satisfaction in the emerald eyes.

"Now every time you see a Dark Mark, you'll think of me," Potter said roughly. Draco grinned.

"The Dark Lord would be mortified."

A wicked grin curved Harry's lips. "Good."

Draco groaned and impulsively dragged him up for a kiss. Harry did not pull away as their tongues twisted delightfully. Malfoy nibbled on Potter's lips for a moment before releasing him.

"Can it be my third condition was not as horrifying as expected, Potter?"

Harry blushed profusely, but shook his head with a nervous tug at his hair.

"I see now that you were merely distracting me from your second condition," Potter admitted. "You do realize that now I have to protect you from both sides?"

Draco grinned. "No job is too large for the Chosen One. How did you get yourself captured, anyway?"

Potter scowled. "Blatant stupidity. You haven't eaten, have you?"

"Don't change the subject," Draco said, but he levitated the tray over and set it on the edge of the bed. He buttered a piece of nearly dried bread and topped it with jam before taking a bite.

"All right," Harry said with a sigh. "I was taken in London. I had a meeting at the Ministry of Magic and stormed out... in a rage..."

"Typical Potter behavior, then?" Draco mumbled through another bite.

"...Yeah." Harry reached out and dragged his thumb across Draco's upper lip. "Butter." Malfoy grinned as Harry sucked on the thumb briefly, but Draco managed not to kiss him again, wanting the Gryffindor to continue the tale. "Anyway, I left the Ministry in a huff and walked straight into a band of Death Eaters."

"Sent by my father, no doubt."

"Lucius still has connections at the Ministry, apparently."

"I think he has connection everywhere. Your little Gryffindor shadows are likely frantic."

"I'm surprised Hermione hasn't located me by now."

"I'm surprised she hasn't permanently attached a locator spell to you."

Harry blinked at him. "Is there such a thing?"

"Want me to put one on you?" Draco offered.

"You sound far too enthusiastic. It hurts, doesn't it?"

"Barely at all," Draco said with a laugh. He Accioed the bottle and spelled out the cork. "Wine?"

Harry shook his head and Draco poured a glass.

"I'm not much of a wine drinker."

"Plebian. This is one grade above swill, anyway," Draco said and whisked the bottle back to the table. He took a sip and grimaced. "Here, try it." He took another mouthful, leaned forward, and deposited it into Potter's mouth with another kiss.

Harry nearly chocked for a moment and coughed after swallowing. "You're right. Horrid. What do you think Voldemort will do... if I manage to escape?"

"Still don't trust me?" Draco asked and topped another bit of bread with Havarti and proscuitto. He took another bite, fascinated with the way Potter watched him eat. Draco licked his lower lip slowly and Harry flushed and looked away.

"What's in it for you, Malfoy? If you take me out there right now, you'll be a Death Eater hero."

"I think I'd prefer to have the Chosen One sworn to protect me. My father will save me from the Death Eaters, if necessary, and you will save me from the Order of the Phoenix. Frankly, I don't see a downside." Draco grinned wickedly. "And the fringe benefits are astounding."

Potter's blush deepened. Draco laughed and sucked on his fingers sensually.

"The way you eat... it's obscene," Harry said.

"What do you mean?"

"You practically make love to your food. I can't believe I never noticed before."

"You're blushing, Potter. Are you certain you never noticed before? I thought I saw you watching me during meals at Hogwarts."

"If I did, I would never admit it," Harry snapped.

Draco chuckled. "You want me again, don't you, Potter?"

Harry sighed heavily and threw his arm around Draco's neck to drag him into a kiss. Malfoy decided the food could wait awhile. He removed the tray and happily took Harry Potter back to Dracotopia.

Later, spent once more, Draco wrapped himself around Harry's back and pulled the Gryffindor close. He pressed a kiss into Potter's neck.

"Go to sleep, Golden Boy. I'll wake you when it gets dark."

Though Harry professed not to trust Draco, he dropped off to sleep with astounding swiftness.

Draco led Harry through the darkness to the tallest parapet still standing. Potter wore his invisibility cloak and Draco carried a broom he'd stolen from a random Death Eater. Voldemort had thankfully departed earlier and security was fairly lax, even considering Potter's "escape" and the fact that they half-expected an attack by the Order of the Phoenix or the Ministry. Draco and Harry had easily avoided Goyle, who was on bored guard duty, and climbed the treacherous steps to a vantage overlooking the barren Scottish countryside.

"You'll be all right without a wand?" Draco asked quietly, knowing Potter stood beside him, though unseen.

"I'm just glad to have a broom," Harry replied. "Maybe you can keep your eyes open for a chance to get my wand."

Draco knew the exact whereabouts of Potter's wand: locked in an iron box in his father's room. If it disappeared, there would be no doubt a Death Eater had turned traitor. Potter would just have to acquire a new wand.

"If I did that, you would owe me additional favors," Draco said. Potter laughed.

"It's nice to know you are still essentially evil."

"You guessed it, Gryffindor."

Draco's shirt was suddenly grabbed and he was pulled forward into a searing kiss. Draco devoured Harry, knowing it could be goodbye forever if luck frowned upon them. They were both panting a bit when they broke apart.

"Thank you. For everything," Harry said seriously. "I won't forget it."

"Less talk, more flight, Potter," Draco said roughly. The broom disappeared, but for the front section that jutted from the cloak. It rose into the air and hovered for a moment.

"One more thing, Malfoy," Harry's voice called as the bit of broomstick faded into the darkness. Draco paused. "Blatch."

Draco suddenly wondered what the hell he was doing on the parapet in the dark. Sleepwalking? To hell with that--he would lock himself in his room first. As he made his way down the crumbling steps, Draco remembered nothing at all about Harry Potter, except that the Gryffindor had escaped that morning under unusual circumstances.