Dragon Tamer

Harry, meanwhile, was taking deep breaths and trying to cool his temper down. He knew from experience that if he got too angry his magic would get out of control, and The Three Broomsticks was not the place he wanted that to happen. He settled for mentally kicking the crap out of Terry Boot, promising himself that at a later time he would make him pay.

"Shall we continue our conversation?" Draco had observed Harry trying to calm down, and thought he'd try to distract him to help him cool off.

"Yes. Who was number three? Was it another bastard that I'm going to need to add to my 'people to kill' list?" Harry was dead serious. Draco grinned at him.

"No, you silly prat, number three was a perfect gentleman. In fact, it was your old friend Oliver Wood."

"OLIVER? Wow, didn't see that coming. I always thought he was incredibly hot, but it's still hard for me to picture you shagging a Gryffindor." Present company excluded, of course. I can picture you shagging me, no problem. "Isn't he playing for Puddlemere United, now?"

"Yes, he's gotten quite good. He's actually one of the recruiters for the English National Team."

"This is crazy. So what happened?"

"We had what you might call a summer fling, rather like you and Weasely. Couldn't have had a proper relationship with him, though, what with me here and him so busy with the team and all but we had a great time."

Harry was watching Draco talk about animatedly about his ex, and became aware of a painful, gnawing sensation at his stomach, similar to the one he had felt when Cedric beat him to asking Cho to the Yule Ball. Seems like Malfoy really liked Oliver. Stupid bastard. Wait, am I actually jealous of Oliver? Harry dismissed that thought. This was Malfoy, after all, and as shaggable as he was he wasn't worth getting jealous over. Yeah right. You keep telling yourself that, Harry.

Harry and Draco talked for awhile longer. They agreed on a lot of little details about their relationship, and planned out some strategies for making things look convincing. Draco had to admit, he was impressed by how sneaky Harry could be when he wanted to, and he told Harry this.

"Well, yes. Remind me to tell you about my Slytherin streak someday. It's a funny thing, because as much as you accuse me and my friends of being goody-goodies, the truth is I'm sure I've broken more school rules than the entire seventh-year Slytherin class combined."

"And yet somehow you don't get in trouble for it. You suck, Potter."

"I know. Now we're going to need to sneak into each other's dorm rooms at night every so often. I have my invisibility cloak, so that will help a lot. Plus, we're going to want people to occasionally catch us in classrooms, snogging and what not, that will build our credibility." Harry was really warming to the idea. I think I may get to see a little action from Malfoy after all.

He had no idea that Draco was as stoked as he was. Sneaking into Potter's bed, that should be fun. Maybe I can take advantage of him while he sleeps. And we'll get to snog - yes! I wonder if Potter's a good kisser...

Harry signaled for their tab from Madame Rosmerta. He turned to Draco. "It's pretty late, we should probably get back to our dorms. But this is good, you know, it looks like we've been out all day together and up to something."

"Alright. Tomorrow I'll come and hang out for a bit in the Gryffindor common room - not that it's my first choice, mind you, but it will be very entertaining to snog you in front of everyone and see the Weasel's reaction."

Harry gave him a warning look. "Malfoy, you're breaking my only rule."

Draco gave a melodramatic sigh. "Fine, Weasley, then. You're no fun, Potter."

"Actually, Malfoy, I think once you get to know me you'll find that I'm quite a lot of fun." There was a hint of a suggestive tone in Harry's voice, and Draco was floored. Merlin, did he just flirt with me? I think Potter was just flirting with me! This is good. This is very good.

Harry was paying their tab when he noticed a bunch of reporters had just rushed in to the Three Broomsticks and were eyeing him and Draco like mice caught in the Owlery. Harry sighed and nudged Draco, nodding to the reporters.

"Sorry about this. This is the downside to being the boyfriend of the Boy-Who-Lived. I should have known the press would pick up on this. Why they care so much about my private life, I will never know."

Draco, however, looked far from upset. "This is great, Potter! We're news!"

"Of course we are. I can't take two fucking steps without the press reporting on it. And you, being who you are, I should have seen this coming." However, he noticed that Draco seemed a little excited, and was in fact smoothing his hair. Oh, he is too cute. I think he actually wants to be in the paper. Well, that can be arranged. Harry smirked.

"Hey Malfoy - do you want to be in the Daily Prophet?"

"Oh! Well, I, um...I wouldn't mind," Draco admitted, a little sheepishly. "Besides, it would lend a lot of credibility. My father would certainly see it."

"Hmmm, true. Would you like to be on the front page?" Draco saw the mischievous look in Harry's eyes.

"And just what are you planning, Potter?" Harry gave him a wicked grin.

"Follow my lead, okay? Just start acting like you are madly in love with me."

"Okay." Draco was a little nervous, but Harry didn't seem to be planning on embarrassing him. And it was a little exciting being with Harry when he was obviously scheming. Draco fixed Harry with an adoring stare and sighed like someone besotted with love. Harry bit back a chuckle and put his hand on top of Draco's on the table, stroking it softly.

A few flashes went off, and Harry knew the reporters were watching them closely. Might as well give them a show. He leaned in and whispered in Draco's ear. "Ready?" Draco just smiled as if Harry had whispered some sweet nothing, but couldn't help but wonder what Potter had planned.

He found out. In plain view of the entire pub and all the reporters, Harry leaned in and kissed Draco full on the mouth. Oh Merlin, I've died and gone to heaven. Harry was softly kissing his lips, running his hands through Draco's hair. Draco was unable to stop a very quiet moan from escaping him, and buried his own hands in Harry's soft black hair.

Flashes were going off all around them, but Harry had forgotten about the reporters. All he could think about was kissing Draco. Oh God, he tastes so good, like vanilla and cream soda and ice cream. Harry ran his tongue over Draco's lips, and Draco responded by eagerly opening his mouth. Harry shuddered when their tongues first met, and pulled Draco closer to him, one hand sliding down his back and the other going to the back of his head.

Draco was having the same reaction as Harry. Where did Potter learn to kiss like this? And what is that amazing thing he's doing with his tongue? Draco moaned again. He now had his hands cradling Harry's face, and was kissing Harry for all he was worth. He was about two seconds away from crawling into Harry's lap and taking the action to the next level when he remembered the reporters. Shit. He gathered his wits about him as best he could, and slowly ended the kiss.

At the look in Harry's eyes, though, it was all Draco could do not to throw himself into Harry's arms and beg him to have his wicked way with him right then and there on the table. Draco couldn't remember ever being looked at with lust like that before, and he inwardly marveled at Harry's acting skills while cursing that this was all an act.

Harry took a deep, shuddery breath, mentally reminding himself that this was all an act and Draco didn't really want him, and that if he threw Draco down and took him on the table right now he probably wouldn't appreciate it very much. Harry stood up and the two began to exit the Three Broomsticks hand in hand, with reporters firing questions at them nonstop. Finally Harry turned and spoke to them all.

"Yes, Draco Malfoy is my boyfriend. No, we don't care that the odds are against us. Yes, we are madly in love. Have a nice day, everyone." He and Draco walked out of the Three Broomsticks and began down the path back to Hogwarts.

Neither had noticed that the furious figure of a Ravenclaw prefect had been in the corner of the pub, watching them the entire time.

****************

Harry and Draco walked a little ways in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the kiss.

It was all an act. I'm sure of it. Damn him! Merlin, I want him so bad. Maybe we can get back to the castle and find a group of people who need to be convinced we're together so that I can snog him some more. Where on earth did Potter learn to kiss like that? The way he can move his tongue - fucking unbelievable...

Dammit, why did it have to all be an act? And why does Malfoy have to be so damn sexy? I thought I was going to die when he moaned. I'm going to have to get very sneaky about this, find more excuses to kiss him. Definitely in front of the Gryffindors tomorrow...

After several minutes, of silence, Draco spoke. "Well, Potter, I'm impressed. I'm sure all those reporters bought that kiss as the real deal. You're a great actor."