Life With Draco

Chapter 1: The Sunday Ritual

"Good morning sweet-pea," whispered Draco. He wrapped his arms around Harry's waist from behind and rested his head on the crook of the other man's neck. "Whatcha doing?"

"You have eyes, you can see perfectly well what I'm doing."

"Well, someone's in a bad mood this morning." He reached for Harry's arm and pinched his skin. As Harry stood over the stove, monitoring their breakfast, Draco trailed kisses along his neckline, leaving a wet path on his skin.

He drew his lips away when he looked down and saw what Harry was cooking. "Oh, are those blue berry pancakes? I love those."

His fingers made their way to the skillet and pinched off a piece of the pancake. "This is so delicious."

"Draco, you're dropping crumbs all over me," said Harry.

"I'll get it." He began to lick the small bits of pancake off Harry's neck. "I don't know what tastes better, the pancakes or you." He gently bit down on Harry's skin.

"Don't do that. I don't want Aunt Petunia to see me with love bites all over my neck. She already disapproves of our lifestyle as it is."

Draco pulled away and began to walk towards the window of their kitchen. "Then why did you invite her over here?"

"I don't know. I guess I feel sorry for her. She doesn't have anyone. Her husband's dead and her son lives so far away." He began to take the food out of the skillet and placed them on a plate.

"But she was so mean to you."

"I know, but it's been seven years since I've lived with her. I can't dwell on the past. Anyway, I didn't think she would accept my invitation in the first place."

"She's probably broke and needs to borrow some money."

"No. She sold the company to some Japanese investor and got a big payoff. So I don't think that's it."

"Maybe she just misses you?"

Harry raised his eyebrows. "I don't think so. She could care less about me; I think you're the one she really wants to see. She kept talking about you during the whole phone conversation."

As he arranged the food on the table, Harry glanced up at Draco. "You want to eat something before she gets here?"

Draco grabbed the sides of his stomach. "I really shouldn't be eating stuff like that. I need to watch my figure."

Harry observed the other man, his eyes running up and down his broad shoulders that were still glistening from his shower. "You look just the way you did when you were sixteen. You're absolutely perfect." He let his eyes gaze over Draco's trim, well-muscled body.

Draco walked over to him and gave him a hug. "You always make me feel really good."

"But can I make one suggestion? Can you please get dressed?" He eyed Draco's towel, which was in great danger of falling off his waist. "What will Petunia say if she saw you walking around naked?"

"She'll say `Oh my, you're so big.'"

"Shut up."

"The only man she's laid her eyes on was a fat pig. I don't think she'll complain about seeing a young buck like myself. She hasn't had any for so long, she'll probably jump on me."

"You're starting to really gross me out. Now please get dressed." He pushed Draco towards the stairs.

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

"I'll get it," said Draco as he heard the doorbell ring. He opened the door and he was able to see her standing in the entryway. Her purse was tightly clutched against her body as if she expected someone to snatch it from her long fingers at any given moment.

Draco eyed her, as she stayed fixed in the same spot. "You can come in, you know."

She slowly walked into their home, taking small timid steps. "This is for you guys," she said.

Draco took the box of candy and immediately opened it. "I love Muggle chocolates," he said popping one into his mouth.

Harry sat unmoving on the sofa, watching as she slowly inched towards him. He eyed her up and down, observing her tight bun, the sour expression on her face; she had not changed since he saw her last.

She hovered over him, her lips pressed tightly together. Her thin lips curved, in what he expected was an attempt at a smile. "Hi Harry," she said in a tight voice.

"Hello." He got to his feet and stared at her. The uneasiness between them was becoming tense as the silence grew. "Why don't we go have some breakfast before it gets cold," he finally said.

As they sat to eat, Harry watched her take small bites of her food, wiping her mouth after each nibble.

She drank in as much of their flat as possible, sneaking quick peeks of the living room, which was occupied with leather couches and chairs, art deco tables and lamps. "Where are all the magical things? The cauldrons and such."

"We don't have any of that stuff," said Draco. "We try to stay away from the wizarding world as much as possible."

Petunia looked down at her plate. "The flat is really nice, so luxurious."

"Thanks," mumbled Harry.

"I guess your company must be doing well because this place looks like it cost a lot of money." She began to stare at her nephew. "You must be really well off."

"I'm doing all right."

Draco leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Told you she wanted to borrow some money."

"This is a nice neighborhood," she went on. "You guys are in the middle of London, near all the excitement." She took another bite of her food. "Are there a lot of homo.people like yourselves here?"

Harry and Draco exchanged a look. "I wouldn't call Chelsea a gay community," Harry began, "but I'm sure other gay people live here."

They both watched as Petunia moved uncomfortably in her chair, contorting her face at the word `gay.'

She loudly cleared her throat. "I love what you've done with this place though. It's beautifully decorated."

"That was my doing," said Draco. "I decorated it all by myself because Harry's taste in furniture is complete crap."

Petunia put down her fork. "You must have really good taste since so many celebrities want your services."

Draco was indeed good at picking out quality goods, since he shopped for a living. He was a personal shopper for David Beckham, Kylie Minougue and Elizabeth Hurley, among others.

Petunia scooted her chair closer to the blond. "I was hoping you could tell me a little something about your clients, a little gossip."

Harry watched as a gleeful smile spread on Draco's face. His partner was always more than eager to share the glorious details of his occupation with anyone who would listen.

"Well, I've had a hard time finding clothes for Kylie," said Draco. "She's so petite. I have to shop for her in the young girls' department."

"Really?" asked Petunia.

"Yes. She's only five foot one. And poor Posh, her belly has been getting bigger and bigger. She can't fit into her clothes."

"Who? Victoria Beckham? Oh, I like her. She's pregnant right?"

"Yes. She's due in September. Anyway, I've been running all over town to Harvey Nicks, Harrods, everywhere. Unfortunately, Gucci doesn't make maternity attire."

Harry listened as Petunia and Draco spent nearly an hour gossiping, talking about David Beckham's fetish for wearing his wife's thongs.

As Petunia gathered her things to leave, she turned to Harry and said, "Oh, please call your cousin, I think he's getting lonely in Manchester."

"Why?" Harry was about to ask, but he stopped himself. He nodded his head, although he did not know what he and his cousin would talk about since their conversations consisted mostly of:

"Hey."

"Hey."

"How are you?"

"Fine."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

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

"I like your aunt," said Draco. "She's not so bad."

Harry glared at him. "Well, you never had to live with her. She never screamed at or tried to starve you to death."

"Gee Harry. You sound a little bitter. I thought you weren't going to dwell on the past."

Harry rolled his eyes and continued washing the dishes. "You know, the least you could do is help me put some of this stuff away."

"No. Actually this is the least I could do," replied Draco, as he limply lay on the sofa and read a magazine.

"Anyway. Did you remember to wrap that present for Ginny and Neville?" He watched as Draco nodded his head. "I'll be home at around 3pm and then we could go `round to Ron and Hermione's."

Draco looked up and made a face. "Must we?"

"Draco, of course we have to go. It's for Gin and Neville."

"Then why don't you go alone? They're your friends."

"You get along with Gin and Neville, they're your friends as well," said Harry, half lying. "Plus, they invited the both of us. And Draco, no personal insults today, okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"When we go over to Ron's, I don't want you making any jokes or insults."

"What about snide comments? Can I make those?"

"No you can't. And lay off of Ron's finances, will you?"

"What about his lack of looks, flaming red hair and questionable dress sense? Can I comment on those?"

"Stop being an insufferable git."

"What ever you say, honey pie. I'll be on my best behavior." As Draco said this, a mischievous smile crept to his face.

"Thank you." Harry dried off his hands and went to the coffee table to grab his keys and phone. "I'm on my way to meet Sirius. Give me a call on my mobile if you need me, okay?"

Draco immediately stopped smiling and looked down into his magazine. "Sure." His voice was soft, almost a whisper.

Harry knew that it must be sad for Draco to hear of him meeting Sirius, since his own family disowned him.

"I'll be right back." He walked over to Draco, brushed the long strands of silvery blond hair out of his eyes and stroked his cheek. He bent down and kissed him on the lips, before heading out the door.

His meeting with Sirius was a ritual they began seven years before. Every Sunday, they would meet up at a cafe for a cup of coffee and enjoy an afternoon of talking. Sirius created this ritual so he and Harry could bond, considering they had missed out on so many years of each other's lives.

This weekly ritual was easy to follow when Harry and his Godfather lived together, but it was now becoming a `once in awhile' thing, since Harry was now living with Draco and his Godfather often traveled.

Harry walked down several blocks to the cafe and chose an outdoor seat. While he waited for Sirius to arrive, he watched as families walked by, enjoying the Indian summer weather.

He was deep in thought when he felt someone tap his shoulder. He turned around and stared into the smiling face of Sirius. The two men hugged. As they pulled apart, Harry could see that his godfather had a nice tan from his holidays in the south of France.

Sirius eyed him up and down as he sat down, gazing at the young man's Dolce and Gabbana shirt and pants, and his perfectly coifed long black hair. "Aren't we the stylish one today."

"It was Draco's doing. He's decided that I can't dress myself," said Harry, a little embarrassed.

"I guess Draco's been a good influence because you look good, very sophisticated." Sirius put down his coffee. "Just in case I forget, this is for Neville and Ginny." He reached into the bag that was sitting at his feet and handed Harry a beautifully wrapped package. "Tell them that I'm sorry I couldn't make it today, will you?"

"Of course I will."

"I also got something for you too. It's not much, but I thought you'd appreciate it. I got Colin Creevey to blow it up for me and put it in a nice fame."

He handed Harry a large framed picture of the two of them at his graduation ceremony. Harry looked down as the images of Sirius and himself waved happily at him.

"That was the happiest day of my life," continued Sirius. "I was so proud of you that day...I'm proud of you everyday.

Harry sat still as the memories of that day flooded into his brain. He looked up at Sirius, who was now wiping his eyes. Standing up, he walked around the table and gave his Godfather a hug.

Returning to his chair, he quickly turned the photo upside down so no one could see the moving images. Sirius handed him the bag and he placed the picture and Ginny and Neville's gift into it.

"Oh, by the way, there's a little present for Draco in the bag as well," said Sirius.

Harry looked in the bag to see a small gold box that had "JP" printed all over it. "What do the initials stand for?"

"It's cologne by Jean Paul Gaultier. I know how much Draco likes designer stuff."

"That's really nice of you. Being the label snob that he is, he'll love it."

Sirius began to stoke his chin. "Oh, the countless misadventures the two of you got into." The "misadventures " Sirius was referring to dealt with the numerous occasions he had walked into Harry's room when they lived together, only to find Harry and Draco in various states of undress.

Sirius chuckled to himself, as Harry looked down into his coffee, feeling his face grow warm.