Dragon Tamer

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Dragon Tamer

Chapter 18: Truth or Dare, Part One: One Big Misunderstanding

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After the absolute madness that was last Thursday of the previous week, things at Hogwarts had basically returned to normal. No Hogwarts student had been on the covers of any newspapers or magazines. No one had received a Howler about not acting like a cold, malicious bastard. And no one had announced their one true love and dedicated a Madonna song to them during dinner. So life was calm and good.

For everyone besides Harry and Draco.

Because for our two young heroes, life was not good, or calm, or anything but ultimately frustrating and maddening.

It had been one week and one day.

One week and one day.

That's how long had gone by since Draco had issued his ultimatum at breakfast. And sexual frustration was not doing good things for either of them.

Harry had taken to long, hard flies around the Quidditch pitch multiple times a day, and spending long amounts of time sequestered behind his bed hangings.

Draco had taken to super long runs around the Hogwarts grounds and long, hot showers that weren't fooling anybody.

Both boys were tense, snappish, on edge, and just about ready to kill. Something had to give.

And, because Fate can be kind (even to teenage wizards), late on Friday afternoon, in the library of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, something finally gave.

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"EUREKA!"

Two sets of eyes snapped to Hermione's face in desperation, only to be replaced by hope at the joyous look of triumph on her face.

"I have FOUND IT!!!"

Two sets of lungs were now holding their breath, waiting to hear...

"I am the best!! Yeah, that's right! Who's the queen, huh? Who's the queen? Hermione Granger, that's who. Oh yeah."

"DAMN IT HERMIONE! What did you find??"

"You might not want to take that tone of voice with me, Harry. After all, I have some information that you might find quite interesting."

"Just. Tell. Us," Harry snapped, and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"I finally found the information we needed in a history book, written by Professor Binns of all people. Listen to this. Turns out that centuries ago, in the Middle Ages, there lived a wizard by the name of Algernon the Amorous."

"Algernon the Amorous? How interesting. You know, I've always wondered why the old wizards had special names, like Wendolyn the Weird and Uric the Oddball and such? Why did that tradition ever die out?" Draco asked curiously.

"I don't know. That's an interesting question," Hermione replied thoughtfully.

"Here's another interesting question: Why the FUCK are you two talking about wizard names when we are supposed to be finding a way to fix Draco's problem?" Harry asked, highly agitated.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "How is this my problem, Potter? It's all your fault."

"My fault? You're the one with the stamina of a first-year Hufflepuff," Harry replied testily.

"Oh, nice," Draco glared at Harry. "You know, I think we should bring back the tradition of giving wizards special names. We'll start with you, Potter. You can be Harry the Horny."

"Very funny. And you can be Draco the Frigid."

"I think there's supposed to be a bit of alliteration in there somewhere, you fuckwit."

"Okay, fine. How about Draco the Dick Tease? There's your alliteration."

"Oh, very clever, Potter. Prick."

"ANYWAY," Hermione said loudly, interrupting their bickering. "Apparently this guy was incredible in bed. The shag to end all shags. The Casanova of the wizarding world. He invariably shagged every partner he had to the point of incoherent silliness, sometimes for days on end."

"Wow," said Draco, impressed.

"No kidding. The trouble came, however, when he began an illicit affair with a knight of the king's court. Now, it wouldn't do to have a knight, who was by all appearances straight as an arrow and married besides, run around mad as a hatter all the time. That would have been a dead giveaway for their affair. It appears Algernon and this knight enticed the court potions master into helping them create a counter potion."

"How exactly did they "entice" him?" Harry asked, curious.

"Book doesn't say exactly, but it does make a passing reference to the potion master's fondness for tea and crumpets and dressing as princess."

"Ah. Well. Carry on, then."

"Well, apparently they were successful. They created a counter potion which effectively traps a person's magic, preventing it from clouding up the brain and causing the 'shagged silly' effect. And even better, the directions are right here."

"GIVE ME THAT!!!"

Draco wrenched the book from Hermione and quickly scanned the instructions. "This looks easy enough. Armadillo bile, a bit of bubertuber pus, powdered root of asphodel, all standard potion ingredients. We can brew this in a snap. "

"So what are we still doing talking in the library???" Harry snapped.

"Wait. Oh no."

"What?" Harry asked testily. Sexual frustration did not agree with him.

"Well, we should be able to brew this in about 30 minutes, but then it has to sit for at least six hours for everything to meld together."

"Okay. If we start right now, it will be ready by midnight, is that what you're saying?"

Draco scanned looked at his watch. "Yes."

"Well, then, let's GET THE FUCK ON WITH IT!!"

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Draco and Hermione brewed the potion together in a snap (Harry having been kicked out of the potions classroom where they were brewing for snide remarks and not being able to keep his hands off Draco), and then took it up to Harry's room to sit for the next six hours. It would indeed be ready as scheduled by midnight.

Dinner came and went, and now a few people were hanging out in the Gryffindor common room. Blaise had joined their group to wait for Seamus, who had to finish a letter. He and Ron were now playing chess (Blaise getting soundly beaten as chess had never been his forte), Hermione had just disappeared to go feed Crookshanks, and Harry and Draco were sitting on opposite ends of one of the couches, obstinately not touching one another but not taking their eyes off each other either.

"So when's the potion going to be ready?" asked Ron, watching as his knight beat Blaise's queen into a pile of dust. Ron, Blaise, and Seamus (because Blaise had told Seamus for some reason that nobody was really sure of) were the only other people besides Hermione who knew about the potion brewing up in Harry's room.

"Midnight," said Harry shortly, studying Draco's neck and trying to decide where exactly he was going to begin kissing him come midnight.

"And it's been how long again?" asked Blaise distractedly as he moved a pawn directly into the line of one of Ron's bishops.

"Eight days," replied Draco testily, mentally ripping off Harry's shirt, buttons be damned.

"Wow. You guys haven't even kissed for eight days?" Harry and Draco nodded, not taking their eyes off each other. "Well. There's going to be quite a show come midnight, I'd imagine. I'd like a front row seat. Are you selling tickets?"

"Go to hell, Blaise," answered Draco, as Seamus entered the room.

"What did Blaise do this time?" the Irish wizard asked, hearing Draco's last statement. Blaise grinned up at him.

"I merely requested tickets to the Potter-Malfoy extravaganza that shall be taking place at midnight tonight when Draco finally takes his antidote. You know I've got a thing for watching blonde haired guys and black haired guys get together," Blaise finished with a lascivious look at the sandy-haired Seamus, who grinned back.

"As do I," Seamus replied with a wink, "Or maybe I just have a thing for black hair. I like 'em tall, dark and handsome."

Blaise smirked back at him, running a hand through his own dark hair. Somehow the fact that he and Seamus were flirting with each other had escaped the notice of the other three nearby occupants of the room. In fact, Draco was now furious, thinking Seamus had been talking about Harry again.

"Finnigan, I have told you a million times to keep your sordid thoughts about Harry to yourself. Or is it common procedure for you filthy muggleborns to never learn any manners at home?"

The instant the words left his mouth, Draco knew they were a mistake. Real boyfriends or not, Harry hadn't budged on his "you will not insult my friends" policy. Sure enough, Harry wasn't having it. He grabbed Draco's ankles and yanked him down on the couch so he was now sprawled on his back. Before Draco could get away Harry had straddled his hips and pinned his wrists above his head.

"Draco Malfoy, apologize right now," he said, trying very hard to ignore how good it felt to have Draco wiggling under him again.

"Um, gee, let me think about it - how 'bout NO?" Draco said sarcastically, trying very hard to ignore how turned on he was getting from having Harry on top of him.

Why wouldn't Draco stop struggling? He was creating friction in all the right places. Harry shook his head and tried to focus. "I'm serious, Draco. Take it back or you'll be very, very sorry."

"Is that right? And what are you going to do to me if I refuse?" Draco asked, still trying very hard to wriggle out of Harry's grasp. He really wasn't in the mood to apologize to anyone.

Harry thought for a moment, and then smirked wickedly. "Take it back, or I'll snog you," he threatened. Draco's eyes went wide and he stopped moving.

"You wouldn't, you bastard."

"Oh, I so would."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "You're bluffing."

"Am I?" And with those words Harry leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on the base of Draco's neck, right above the collar of his shirt. At the first touch of Harry's lips on his skin in over a week, Draco took a sharp intake of breath.

"Potter," he managed to say, but Harry was now trailing the kisses up his neck. Draco's breathing was becoming very labored now.

"Harry, stop, I can't -

"If you want me to stop then you better apologize." Harry's voice was breathy as his kisses reached Draco's ear. He nibbled on his earlobe gently, and Draco let out a little moan.

"You rotten bastard," Draco breathed, as Harry traced Draco's ear with his tongue, making him shiver. "Fine, okay Harry, you win," the blonde finally managed to say through thoughts clouded with lust. Harry paused for a moment, and the disappointment was so great that it hit Draco like a tangible wave. Their eyes locked, and Draco saw all the lust he was feeling radiating from Harry's eyes. At the look on Harry's face, the last bits of Draco's resolve crumbled.

"Finnigan," Draco began, not breaking his eye contact with Harry.

"Yes, Malfoy?" asked Seamus, clearly expecting an apology.

"Fuck off and die."

Harry's eyes went wide, his mouth dropped open, and he loosed his grip on Draco in shock. Draco quickly pressed his advantage and pushed against Harry with all his strength. Harry found himself flipped off the couch, hitting the floor with a thud, Draco landing on top of him. Draco swiftly pinned him on his back, and Harry was now firmly under the blonde, trapped securely under Draco's weight. In the next instant, Draco's lips found his, and Harry let out an audible moan. Kissing Draco again was pure bliss, the sensation of lips against lips making Harry's head swim. Draco's tongue snaked its way into Harry's mouth, and the common room faded into oblivion as the rest of the world outside of Draco's mouth and hands and skin ceased to exist.

And in an instant, Harry's hands were in Draco's hair and Draco's hands were on Harry's chest, and they were tugging at each other's clothes with such force that the sound of ripping cloth could be heard and buttons were popping off shirts and Harry was sure he had never wanted anything more in his life and -

"Hey everyone, what's - oh no! Harry, Draco, stop! STOP! FOR GOD'S SAKE, STOP THEM!"

Hermione had just returned and saw, to her dismay, Harry and Draco engaged in a full-on make-out session while everyone else in the common room just watched in awe. Coming to their senses, Seamus pushed himself between the two while Ron and Blaise grabbed Harry and Draco respectively and pulled them apart.

Draco was practically snarling. "Blaise, get off me this instant! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Ron was faring no better with Harry, who looked mad enough to bite. "Ron, let go!" He shook his head, and Hermione glared at the two of them.

"Really, you two. I have spent all week looking for a solution for you that will be ready at midnight. MIDNIGHT! Can't you wait?"

"Fuck off, Granger. I've just decided that I don't care what the rest of the school sees me do, or what new pets I create, or what songs I sing. I just want Harry."

"Malfoy, you're going to care when you end up on the cover of a newspaper again and your father sends you another Howler. Who knows, maybe this time he'll disown you." At that thought, Draco sobered a bit.

"And you," Hermione said to a still-struggling Harry, whom Ron had in a death grip, "you really ought to be more considerate. Draco went through a horrible time last time you shagged him. Can't you control yourself for four more hours to spare him some embarrassment?" Harry glared at her, but stopped struggling.

"Fine," he spat, murderously unhappy but sufficiently cowed by Hermione's guilt trip. "So what do you suggest we do for the next four hours?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "How about a rousing game of Truth or Dare?"

"Truth or Dare? How absolutely smashing!" said Blaise enthusiastically.

"What's Truth or Dare?" asked Ron, and the others rolled their eyes.

"Oh, you'll find out," said Seamus, who was well-acquainted with the game. "Shall we invite a few more people then?"

"Sure. Why not? Why don't you invite a few more Gryffindors?"

"I'm not playing Truth or Dare with a bunch of goody-two-shoes Gryffindors," sniffed Draco haughtily, and Hermione sighed.

"Fine. You and Blaise can invite a few more Slytherins, if you like."

"Fantastic. Come on, Draco, let's go," said Blaise, now tugging on Draco's arm. "We'll meet you in the Room of Requirement in say, fifteen minutes?"

"Sounds great." Draco and Blaise left, and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Seamus began to recruit other Gryffindors for the game.

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The Gryffindor group was almost to the Room of Requirement when Harry noticed his shirt was all ripped.

"Oh, bugger. Draco must have done that," he thought to himself. He shook his head. Definitely needed to change, couldn't lounge about half-dressed all evening. He stopped Ron and Hermione for a moment.

"You guys go on ahead," Harry said, indicating his shirt. "I've got to go back and change." His friends nodded, and Harry trekked by to Gryffindor tower. He dug through his trunk and threw on some muggle clothes, some of the ones Draco had bought him. In fact, he threw on the same tight green t-shirt he had worn in the Great Hall that day after their trip to Hogsmeade. He still had no idea how absolutely devastating he looked in it. He just liked the color.

It took him a little longer than he had anticipated changing, but soon he found himself hurrying through the halls of Hogwarts towards the party. He was about to turn a corner when he heard Draco's voice.

"It just makes me so sad when I think about how good it could have been between us all this time."

Harry paused.

"I know, but sometimes these things just take awhile to figure out, you know?" Blaise's voice answered Draco and echoed through the corridor. Harry raised an eyebrow.

What on earth were they talking about? He knew he really, really shouldn't eavesdrop on other people's conversations, especially not his boyfriend's, but he was curious. He silently crept closer to the edge of the corridor and pressed himself against the wall as flat as he could, craning his ear to hear the conversation between Draco and his ex-boyfriend.

Suddenly, he heard a little *poof*, and then a voice right next to his ear said, "Harry Potter, I can't believe you. You shouldn't eavesdrop on your boyfriend, it's very rude."

A tiny little Harry Potter now stood on his right shoulder, wearing his school uniform, complete with Gryffindor crest and tie, and he was standing with his hands on his hips, looking at Harry very disapprovingly. Before Harry could respond, however, there was a little *poof* and another figure appeared on his left shoulder.

This figure was also a tiny little Harry, but with one major difference: this Harry was dressed in a Slytherin school uniform, complete with a green and silver tie. The little Slytherin-Harry rolled his eyes at the little Gryffindor-Harry.

"Honestly, you're such a priss. Give the guy a break, he just wants to hear what his boyfriend is saying behind his back. It's not like he's doing something illegal."

"Oh, so that makes it okay? Just because there's something worse he could be doing? You're a right piece of work, you are. Why he ever listens to you, I'm sure I'll never know."

"Better he listens to me than some self-righteous, pompous little hero who always ends up sending him into sticky situations where he has to fight evil Dark Lords."

"It's called being brave, you dimwit! Something that you, obviously, have never heard of, and -

Harry was drawn away from the bickering of the two mini-Harrys by Draco's voice.

"I know, but we still should have been together, Blaise. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's like we're perfect for each other. It just took me awhile to realize it. I can't believe how blind I've been."

"Draco, I swear, under that cold, sneering, incredibly hot exterior, you're really just a sweet romantic, aren't you?"

Harry's mouth dropped open. Was Draco secretly getting back together with Blaise?

"Shut it, Blaise. I meant every word. I really do regret it. But at least we're together now, right?"

"Oh, definitely. Together in every sense of the word."

WHAT????

"Gods, Zabini, you are still such a pervert." Draco's tone was slightly teasing. It made Harry narrow his eyes. Draco's voice continued. "Blaise, this is just between you and me, alright? You can't tell Harry anything, I don't want him to know."

"No problem, Draco. This will be our little secret. Now we best get to that party, or people will start to miss us."

Harry could hear Blaise and Draco begin to walk in the opposite direction down the corridor, and as the sound of their footsteps faded Harry slid down the wall of the corridor, sitting on the hard floor and leaning back against the wall, highly distressed by what he had just overheard. For all intents and purposes, it sounded like Draco was still in love with Blaise, and getting back together with him behind Harry's back.

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Unfortunately for a now very disgruntled Harry, he never heard the rest of Draco and Blaise's conversation on the way to the Room of Requirement:

"I never thought I'd see the day when Draco Malfoy fell in love."

"Yeah, well, to be honest, neither did I. It's crazy, but I do. I really love Harry. We're so good together. And that's why remembering these last few years is so depressing. I can't believe I ever thought I hated him."

"Yeah. All those years wasted hating Harry Potter when you could have been snogging him. A tragedy."

Draco sighed. "Yeah, but Harry and I are together now, and that's what matters. Seriously though, you can't tell him about this conversation. I've got a reputation to uphold. I can't have Harry thinking I've gone all soft and sentimental, now, can I?" Draco finished with a smirk, and Blaise smirked right back at him as they entered the Room of Requirement.

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Harry was hurrying down the corridors to the Room of Requirement, and he was livid. How dare Draco do this to him? Draco was supposed to be Harry's boyfriend. They were supposed to be in love. Was it all some stupid game to the Slytherin?

"I told you not to listen in," said Gryffindor-Harry on his shoulder, righteously.

"No, I'm glad I did. If that's what Draco's really like, then that is something I definitely wanted to know," Harry replied angrily. Slytherin-Harry nodded sagely.

"That's right. Good thing you followed my advice, Harry. Goody-Two-Shoes over there would rather you didn't know that you're boyfriend's a lying, cheating, bastard."

"Don't say that about him," Harry defended Draco automatically. "Maybe he has a good explanation."

"Oh, yeah, right. A good explanation," Slytherin-Harry scoffed. "Honestly, Harry, you're so naïve. You've been spending too much time listening to Miss Manners over there." Gryffindor-Harry gave Slytherin-Harry a scathing glare. Slytherin-Harry ignored him. "Now, I'd be happy to give you some advice, if you'd like, on how to deal with this situation."

"I don't think that's such a good -

"No, I'd like to hear it," Harry said firmly, interrupting Gryffindor-Harry on his shoulder. "Go on." Slytherin-Harry smirked evilly.

"That's the spirit. Now, I think a bit of revenge is in order, here."

"Harry, really. Listen to me. What if -

"Hush, you," Harry said to Gryffindor-Harry. Then he turned back to Slytherin-Harry. "Revenge might be just the thing. What did you have in mind?"

Slytherin-Harry looked like Christmas had come early this year. He absolutely lived for revenge. "Alright, first things first. What are Draco's weak spots?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Well, he's got this spot on his neck that really sensitive and makes him squeak if you nibble it just right, and he's really fond of this swirly thing I can do with my tongue, and he'd never admit it, but he loves it when I -

"Not those kind of weak spots, you idiot."

"Oh. Right. Sorry." Harry thought for a moment. "Well, he's not exactly a morning person, he's really obsessed with his hair, and he doesn't like to be called cute. Oh, and he gets really, really jealous."

"Perfect," Slytherin-Harry purred. "I have just the plan then."

"Harry, really, listen, give Draco a chance to explain first, don't just assume -

"I think I've heard just about enough from you," Harry said savagely to the little Gryffindor-Harry, who narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"Fine. Go ahead and listen to that evil little prick. But don't say I didn't warn you," Gryffindor-Harry said loftily, and disappeared with a *pop.* Harry rolled his eyes.

"He really is a bit sanctimonious, isn't he?" he said conspiratorially to Slytherin-Harry.

"Oh, you have no idea," Slytherin-Harry replied earnestly. "Now about Draco: You're about to go and play Truth or Dare, right? And he gets really jealous, right? Now, what I was thinking was that you could...

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Harry calmly sauntered into the Room of Requirement, which had turned itself into the perfect replica of a muggle den or basement. There was great music playing, a few tables of refreshments, and a very decent sized group of fifth and sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins were lounging about on the many sofas, pillows, and beanbags the room had provided. Apparently Truth or Dare was a popular activity for a Friday night at Hogwarts.

Harry scanned the crowd and his gaze came to rest on Ginny Weasley, who was standing by herself at the punch bowl. Perfect. He walked over to her and picked up a glass and the ladle and filled the cup.

"Want some punch, Ginny?" Harry asked sweetly, carefully composing his face to make it look like he was very upset but trying to hide it.

"Sure, Harry, I'd love some," she replied, smiling at him, her eyes raking over the torso under his tight green shirt with admiration. Harry smiled weakly back, and her gaze immediately switched from predatory to concerned. "Oh, Harry, is something wrong?"

"Oh...no, nothing," Harry said in a tone of voice that suggested something was very wrong but he didn't want to burden Ginny with his problems. Ginny melted.

"Oh, Harry, I know something's bothering you. Please tell me. I can't bear to see you upset," she said to him, and Harry put on his bravest smile.

"You are such a good friend, Ginny, but really, I don't want to bother you," he said, looking at her with his big, sad green eyes, and Ginny hastened to reassure him.

"Oh, you're never a bother, Harry, never. You can tell me. Maybe I can help?"

Harry looked at her as if wavering, then smiled. "Well, okay. I guess I can tell you because I really trust you." Ginny beamed at him. Harry took a deep breath, looked around to make sure they were alone, and then lowered his voice conspiratorially. "The thing is, Ginny, I'm worried about me and Draco. I'm afraid he isn't attracted to me anymore." Harry made sure his face was the perfect picture of distress and insecurity.

As predicted, Ginny sputtered. "Not attracted to you anymore? Harry, that's impossible. You are like, the most attractive guy I've ever seen in my life." And that's an understatement, she thought to herself. "Everyone is crazy about you. Of course he's attracted to you."

Harry gave her his sad, brave little hero smile again and acted modest. "Now, I know you're exaggerating, but still. It's very sweet. But the thing is," and here Harry looked downcast again, "Draco doesn't want me anymore. I know it. He doesn't even want to kiss me, Ginny," he said earnestly, looking at her with his puppy dog eyes again.

He conveniently didn't mention that the only reason Draco didn't want to kiss him was because he was afraid of being shagged silly again.

Harry continued. "I just wish there was some way I could make Draco want me again, you know?" He watched Ginny's face. Any minute now...

"Oh, I've got the perfect idea, Harry! I know what you can do!"

"You do?" Harry said, trying to sound surprised.

"Yes! Just make him jealous, and then you'll see, he's crazy about you."

"But how can I do that? I don't know how to make him jealous," Harry said in his best innocent little boy voice. Ginny rushed to his aid again.

"Oh, I can help you there. When we play Truth or Dare I'll choose you and then you choose Dare. And then I'll dare you to do something that'll make Draco really jealous."

"You'd do that for me?" Harry tried to sound excited and incredulous.

"Of course, Harry. You'll see, it'll be perfect. In fact, I'm going to go tell Lavendar and Parvati and maybe even Pansy to do the same thing. We're going to make Draco so jealous, Harry, just you wait."

"You're the best Ginny," Harry said happily. This was too perfect.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Draco watching him. Harry smirked to himself. Might as well start making him jealous now.

Pretending he didn't see Draco, he leaned in and gave Ginny a kiss on the check. "I knew I could count on you, Gin," he said sweetly, watching her blush from his kiss. In his peripheral vision he saw Draco's eyes narrow. And as Ginny bustled off to spread the word to the others about tonight's mission to make Draco jealous, Harry smiled inwardly.

This should prove to be a hell of a night.

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