A Simple Gamble

A simple gamble

Draco cautiously reached out and softly touched Harry's left cheek, then ran his knuckles along the curve of Harry's jaw. Stroking back his untidy black hair, Draco smiled.

"You're a funny creature sometimes, you know that, Harry?" There was a trace of faint amusement in Draco's voice.

Neither knew precisely how it had come to pass. They had been fighting in class - nothing unusual about that. McGonagall had set them a detention to serve together, sternly reprimanding them both with a sharp comment about how as seventh year students they ought to know better. Nothing unusual about that, either. Arriving at the set destination - a dusty, abandoned room on the fifth floor of the West Tower - McGonagall had set their detention. They were to clean the room, top to bottom, without the use of their wands. She wouldn't take their wands from them, but if she so much as suspected that magic had been involved . . . She would return within an hour to check on their progress.

Harry knew he should pull away, but he found himself waiting, holding his breath, curious to know what would happen next. If McGonagall knew we were doing this instead of the detention she sent us here for . . . , Harry thought to himself. He softened a bit more, leaning unconciously toward Draco, eyes wide and expectant. Draco's hand on his waist pulled him close until their bodies were perfectly aligned. Harry felt his warmth, even through their robes, and breathed in Draco's scent - a mix of expensive cologne and clean, fresh skin. The lean strength of his arms around him, the power of Draco's shoulders, made him feel safe, protected.

They'd been throwing insults half-heartedly back and forth, Harry trying to concentrate on the task at hand whilst Draco obnoxiously reclined on a chair, refusing to help, when Harry finally snapped and launched himself at Draco. Pushing and shoving at each other at first, they'd slowly realised that they were no longer pushing, but pulling, grasping . . .

All rational thoughts seemed to have fled and Harry found himself wanting to slip his arms around Draco's chest. His eyes met Draco's and his lips parted slightly. Slowly, Draco bent his head and their lips met in a kiss so gentle and soft that Harry felt as if he were kissing air. He closed his eyes and gave himself up to the sensations flooding through him, and gave a soft moan of protest when Draco lifted his mouth from his. Harry's lashes opened and he met Draco's gaze once more.

"You've never been kissed, have you, Harry?" he asked in a husky, mildly surprised voice. Harry shook his head, dazed. Draco bent his head toward Harry again, this time kissing him more firmly, his mouth moving over Harry's possessively, his arms tightening around him until Harry was pressed full length against him. Draco began to kiss his throat, and his lips travelled downward. As they pressed against Harry's chest, a note of alarm sounded within Harry's head. Harry wanted to continue, but something warned him to stop. Draco was so gentle and made him feel so ... so ... But he was also his enemy, a threat to him. Fear and confusion overcame him, and he struggled free of Draco's embrace.

"Stay away," Harry whispered.

An emotion flickered over Draco's face ... anger? Amusement? Panicked and humiliated by the thought of what he'd just done, Harry took a hasty step backwards and grabbed his wand.

"Harry, don't play coy now. You liked this well enough - admit it."

"Stay away, Malfoy!"

Draco stood watching him for a moment, emotions flickering over his face. "Oh, come on, Harry." He sighed and reached out to the table nearby, picking up his own wand. "Do you want to fight with me, Harry? I'd not care to wager on the outcome." He quirked an eyebrow upwards. "How about ... if I lose, I back down and we forget this ever happened. If you lose . . . I can have my wicked way with you." Draco's face was lit with cynical amusement.

Harry sucked in a quick breath, not saying a thing. With one swift move, and the cry of "expelliarmus!", Draco knocked Harry's wand from his hand and it clattered to the floor at his feet. Draco picked it up, put both wands on the table behind him, then turned to face Harry again. All signs of amusement had left his face. His expression was calm, but his eyes were ablaze with fiery intensity.

"You lose," Draco said softly.

The end