Life With Draco

Chapter 2: Draco's Little Secret

"You promise to be good, right?" Harry looked over at Draco, who continued to stare out of the car window. "Draco. Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"I really want you to make a good impression on them."

"Why? I already know they hate me."

"No they don't."

Draco turned his head and glared at him. "Then why haven't they ever invited me to their house? I'm only going today because Neville put me on the invitation list."

"Well you know how Ron is. He's just a bit stubborn. So please don't start anything today. I don't want you to ruin it for Neville and Ginny."

"I would never to that." His voice was drenched in sarcasm. "I love Jenny and what's-his-name too much to do that."

Harry pulled up to the house and parked along the sidewalk. They walked up the door and rang the bell. Music could be heard blaring from behind the door.

Ron opened the door and greeted Harry with a smile. "It's about time you got here. I was thinking you weren't going to make it." Ron's smile faded once he saw Draco. The two men observed one another, their eyes traveling up and down the other's body.

"Ron, who's at the door?" called Hermione.

"It's Harry and." He eyed Draco once more, before saying, "his friend."

Hermione walked to the door and stood beside her husband. "Why are you guys standing around for? Come on in. Everyone's already inside."

"Everyone's already here?" asked Harry. "I didn't see any other cars parked along the sidewalks, so I thought we were the first ones to arrive."

"Harry, you're the only one who travels by car." She pushed Ron out of the way and ushered Draco and Harry into the house. "Did you find the place all right?"

"Yes." Harry took the opportunity to look around the foyer for a moment. In the corner of the room was a pile of brooms. A smile crept onto his face when he noticed that his company manufactured many of them. "This house is really nice."

A smile spread on Hermione's lips. "Thanks. It's a lot bigger than the old place."

"What was their old place?" Draco whispered into Harry's ear. "A shoe box?"

Harry gave him a stern look.

"I liked it right away," continued Hermione, "because it's close to the schools and has a big backyard. It's perfect for children."

Harry walked over to her and placed his hand on her stomach. "You're pregnant?"

"No, but we've been trying."

A look of disgust spread on Draco's face as his eyes flicked from Hermione to Ron.

"I'll be awaiting an invitation to your baby shower any day now," said Harry.

Hermione took Ron's hand in hers. "We hope so."

Harry turned and faced his red-haired friend, who had remained unusually quiet during the conversation. "Hey Ron, how's the job going?" Ron remained quiet, his eyes fixed on Draco as he inspected their curtains. "Ron," Harry said again.

"What?"

"How's work?"

"Fine." His eyes never met Harry's. "Hey Malfoy. How do you like my curtains? Is the silk to your liking?"

Draco released the fabric from his fingers and directed his scrutinizing eyes at Ron. He focused an unblinking stare at the other man. "I must say the curtains are quite nice. In fact, Harry is right. This house is very lovely."

"Thank you Draco," said Hermione. She looked over at her husband, who was quiet. His face was rigid; he was obviously not impressed by the compliment. Hermione nudged him in the ribs, but he remained quiet. "Ron thanks you too," she uttered, unable to keep the embarrassment out of her voice.

Harry hooked his arm around Draco's waist and mouthed, "Thanks." But his happiness began to fade as he watched a devious smile develop on his partner's lips.

Draco's eyes flitted back to Ron. "Considering the shack you grew up in, it must be nice to finally have indoor plumbing."

Harry reached for Draco's hand and began to squeeze hard, hoping that the pain would silence him.

Draco pulled his hand away. "I bet you're happy you no longer have to search for a bucket every time you have to use the bathroom, hey Ron?" And with that, he gave Harry a bright smile and walked away.

A tension filled silence filled the air as the three friends stood numb, staring at one another. "I don't know what's gotten into him," Harry finally said. "I'm really sorry for that."

Ron shot him a glaring look. "Not as sorry as he's going to be." He too proceeded to stalk out of the room.

Hermione shook her head. "I told Neville this wasn't a good idea. But he insisted on inviting Draco anyway."

******

Harry walked into the living room where everyone else was gathered to celebrate Ginny and Neville's engagement. The whole house was decorated beautifully with streamers, balloons and dancing lights. Many familiar Gryffindor faces sauntered over to him, all trying to talk to him at once.

Colin Creevey ran up to him and shouted," Say cheese!"

The next thing Harry saw was a big flash going off in his face. He stood stun and watched the other man run off to take a picture of another unsuspecting victim. He had a strong feeling his photograph will be hanging in Colin's shop the following week.

He strolled over to the corner of the room, where the sound system was set up. "Hey, Lee. You playing deejay tonight?"

"Yeah. They're not even paying me for this. Can you believe that? I turned down a gig at the Ministry of Sound to do this. But I don't mind. Anything for Ginny and Neville." He began to spin another record. "Do you like the music?"

Harry scrunched his face as the loud drumbeat invaded his ears. "It's not really my style. Draco's more into techno music. Hey, where are the twins?"

"Over there, causing mischief."

Fred and George were in the corner, laughing to themselves as they poured something into the punch bowl. As smoke began to rise from the bowl, Fred looked up at him and smiled.

"Harry, about time you got here," said Seamus, handing him a drink. "Haven't seen you in quite a long time. Where have you been hiding yourself?"

Harry opened his mouth to talk, but Seamus cut him off before he could utter a word. "Draco's been keeping you busy?" He winked at Harry.

"I don't think that's any of your---"

"Anyway, you've been gone from the wizarding world for far too long. Let me update you on all the latest happenings."

He put his arm around Harry's neck and took him on a stroll around the room. "Did you know that Parvati is getting a divorce? It seems like her husband was diddling the secretary. Isn't that scandalous?"

The two men passed by Dean, who was seated on the couch. "Hey Dean!" Seamus called out. He then lowered his voice to a whisper. "Dean's been dating a topless dancer. He was too embarrassed to bring her to the party."

"Listen Seamus," Harry began, "I have to go say hi to Ginny and Neville." He attempted to pull away, but they other man's arm would not budge.

"I'll go with you."

They walked into the crowd of dancing people and made their way to Ginny and Neville. The betrothed couple had their arms around each other and was slow dancing, although everyone else was dancing in tune to the fast paced music.

"They've been like that all night," said Seamus, as they watched the couple engage in a lip lock. "I bet you Ginny gets pregnant on their honeymoon."

George danced over to the couple. "Save it for the honeymoon, kids." He spoke loud enough so that others could hear.

The couple pulled apart as Ginny's face began to turn red. Neville merely smiled and looked down at his feet.

"Congratulations you guys," said Harry. "Neville, thanks for inviting the both of us, it means a lot to me."

"Don't worry about it. By the way, where is Satan?"

Harry scanned the room, but the blond was nowhere in sight.

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

"That present sucks," Draco said to himself.

He put the package down and picked up another box. Having performed a spell that would allow him to see inside each parcel, he examined what Molly and Author had given their daughter and future son-in-law.

He put his hand over his mouth and began to laugh. "Two sweaters?" He tossed the package back onto the table.

The snob in him thought the silverware he and Harry had given the couple was clearly the most impressive gift. Second was the goblets given by Sirius. A distant second, he thought.

He picked up the Weasley twins' gift, but dropped it on the floor when the package began to vibrate in his hands. He was so engrossed in watching the box writhe on the floor that he failed to hear the approaching footsteps.

"What the hell do you think your doing?" asked a male voice.

Draco turned around and stared at Ron. "What's it to you?"

"This happens to be my house and I have a right to know."

"Don't worry Weasel...I mean Weasley. I'm not going to sabotage your little shindig."

"You better not or you'll have me to deal with."

"Whoa, calm down. Why so hostile? Your face is starting to turn as red as your hair."

Ron's hands began to curl themselves into a tight ball. "I like your hair color too, Malfoy. Tell me. What number is it?"

"Nice one Carrots. Well, if they sold your hair color at the store, it would be called Bozo the Clown."

"Let me just remind you that you're in my house. And that was my food your were eating over there at the buffet, you miserable little twat!"

"Yeah, the food was good. Are you sure you didn't spend your life savings on it? I wouldn't want you and Hermione to end up starving for the next couple months."

The smug expression on Draco's face began to disappear as he adopted a more serious face. With as much sincerity as he could muster, he said, "I shouldn't have said those things. I guess I should be nicer to you, considering the problem you have."

"What problem?"

"It sounds to me like you've been shooting blanks lately." He took a deep breath as his eyes traveled up and down the length of Ron's body. "If you need a real man to get your wife pregnant, I could do it. Just give me a blindfold and a jug of whiskey."

"That's it! I'm gonna kick your ass!"

Hermione ran into the hall. "What's going on in here?"

"You're going to watch me rip this bastard a new asshole."

Hermione stepped between the two men. "Will you please lower your voice? People can hear." She pressed her mouth close to Ron's hear. "Please Honey. You promised you wouldn't do anything tonight."

"Yeah Honey," said Draco. "You should really do what the little lady says." He slowly walked down the long corridor, looking behind him at the couple and flashing them a smile.

"Ron, stop," said Hermione, holding onto his arm and preventing him from going after Draco. "Please don't ruin this night for your sister and Neville."

"Hermione please let me turn him into a rat. We could get Crookshanks to eat him."

"You're not going to turn anyone into a rat tonight."

"Why did Harry have to bring him here? He should have just locked him in his coffin."

"You guys have been at it for fourteen years. Can't you just cool it for tonight?"

"Fine. But if he does anything else, I'm gonna punch that smirk right off his face."

**********

Harry walked into the hall, where he saw Ron and Hermione. Their backs were to him and they were whispering to one another. He remained in the doorway, hesitating as whether he should intrude. He finally cleared his throat, making his presence known. "Have either of you seen Draco?"

Ron whirled around. His breathing was rapid as he glared at Harry with his red trimmed eyes.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry. He took a deep breath; he knew that only one person could aggravate Ron to such a point. "Draco?"

Hermione shook her head.

"What did he do?"

Ron took a step towards him. "What didn't he do? Why did you have to--"

"Harry, don't worry about it," interjected Hermione. "Just enjoy the party. I'm going to take Ron to the bathroom so he can splash some cold water on his face and calm down." She led her husband down the hall, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Harry roamed the house looking for Draco. Just as he was about to walk past the den, he halted. He walked into the room and approached the figure sitting on the couch. "What are you doing here, and in the dark?"

"I was trying to escape your friends. I wanna go home."

"But we just got here. Why don't we stay a while? Until Neville makes his toast."

Draco crossed his arms against his chest and scowled at him. "Fine. I guess I can tolerate being here for a little bit longer. But you owe me big."

Harry sat down next to the fair-haired man. His hand found its way to Draco's thigh and lingered there. "I promise I'll make it up to you when we get home."

He leaned towards his lover, pressing his lips against his ear and speaking in a husky voice. "I'll draw you a hot bath. Then I'll give you a full body massage. We could see where things lead after that. You think you'll be up for it?"

"No." Draco elbowed him in the chest as he got up from the sofa and walked out the door, leaving him alone in the dim room.

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

Draco hovered over the bar and poured himself another drink. Looking around the room, he watched as the partygoers continued dancing the night away. His eyes wandered around the crowd before landing on Fred and George. He rolled his eyes as the brothers began to break dance, to the delight of everyone around them.

He titled the bottle of liquor over his glass once more, but nothing came out. "Hey Honey! I think you're out of tequila!"

Ron turned his head and glared at him. With a few quick strides, he was soon standing in front of Draco. "You're lucky Hermione is watching, or else I would knock out all your teeth."

"Seems like your wife keeps you on a short leash. That's too bad."

Ron remained surprisingly calm, not letting himself become affected by Draco's words. "You're awfully smug aren't you? I'm amazed you have that superior attitude, considering you didn't even graduate from school."

Draco put down his glass and stared at the other man. "What did you say to me?"

"You heard exactly what I said to you." Ron watched as the expression on Draco's face began to change. "Oh. You didn't think anyone knew, did you? But I know the truth."

Ron waited for a response, but did not hear a word escape from Draco's lips. "That shut you up, you little smart ass." He turned on his heels and walked away.

Seeing the exasperated look on Draco's face, Hermione ran to her husband's side. "What did you say to Draco? I thought I told you not to start any more trouble with him."

Ron looked down at her. "I didn't do a damn thing. He's still standing, isn't he?"

"There you are," said Harry. "Why did you leave me like that? My chest still hurts from when you hit me. Anyway, the toast is coming up, so we will be leaving in a few.are you okay? You don't look well." He tried to place his hand on Draco's forehead, but the other man pushed him away.

"What did you tell Ron?" asked Draco.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you tell Ron about me not graduating?" Harry avoided Draco's eyes, and shifted uncomfortably on his feet.