InsaneJournal

H/D fic: Mixed Signals 2/2
Story Title: Mixed Signals - 2/2
Author: bemygoodday
Beta: prettyhairs (all mistakes are mine!)
Rating: NC-17
Length : 12,500 (total)
Canon Compliant: Through HBP
Summary: Harry has just broke up with his boyfriend and can't seem to help but brood, so Kingsley and Draco decide he needs a vacation and sends him on an Auror 'Mission' to a B&B in Sweden- with Draco. This would be great if Harry didn't want Draco and if Draco would stop sending mixed signals.
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are property of JK Rowling and Warner Brothers, no profit is being made off of this story.

This is the first non-depressing HD fic I've ever written! It's also the longest thing I've ever written I'm usually VERY short and very to the point. Please let me know what you think!





Part One




Draco was avoiding Harry. It had been two days since The Incident and Draco still wasn't talking to him. He had taken to leaving before he woke in the morning and going Merlin-knows-where and returning in the evening, not so much as glancing at Harry, to read a book or sometimes writing owls to Pansy or Blaise.

Harry felt like shit. He was horribly embarrassed about the way he had behaved in front of Draco. No wonder he was so angry with him. Draco was trying to take him out, be a good friend, get his mind off of Jansen, and what did Harry do? He got inappropriately randy, and ran away to frott against a complete stranger. He was aware that he had an apology to make, he just wasn't sure how to phrase it. Sorry I get hard every time your near me? It didn't really have that, ring, that apologies were meant to have.

Words weren't going to be enough to do it anyway. He needed to make a gesture. Harry wasn't willing to risk Draco not talking to him for the rest of their lives. It was silly, obviously it would be a bit awkward explaining himself, and apologizing to Draco, but it was worth it to have Draco look at him again. He didn't want to lose his friendship with Draco, just because he had a hard time when he was around him. Heh, hard time.

Harry woke up earlier than normal and waited until he heard Draco leave before he got up, he was tempted to follow the blonde to find out where he had been going the last few days, but he had a proper apology to organize before Draco got back. He inspected the kitchen first to see what sort of supplies he had to work with, basic pots and pans, a colander, plates. There were a few things he was going to need.

"Hermione."

"Merlin Harry! A little warning would be nice, you scared me half to death!"

"Sorry" Harry answered, not really sounding sorry at all.

"Shouldn't you be in Sweden right now? Has something happened."

"That's what I'm calling you about actually, I need a favour. Draco isn't speaking to me, I was thinking about making him an apology dinner, there are a few things I need you to send me from my flat."

Hermione kneeled in front of the fire looking serious. "Oh Harry..." She shook her head. "What did you do?"

Harry told Hermione the whole story, about how he still felt for Draco even after all this time, about Draco's naked torso and the dancing and the horrible timing of his orgasm.

"Harry, when are you going to learn? You can't just run to someone else every time Draco gets under your skin. You need to tell him how you feel, I really think you might be surprised at how he takes it."

"Yeah, real good plan Hermione. Tell him how I feel and ruin our friendship by making it awkward. I don't think so. I like things the way they are, or were. I just need to apologize, help me, please Hermione. You know how much I care about him. I can't stand the idea of him not talking to me over this. I need to rectify it."

"I'll help you, but I want you to think about what I said. I don't think Draco is as adverse to the idea of the two of you together as you think."

"Hermione, we've been over this. I think I recall a similar conversation the night I introduced Jansen to Draco? Draco doesn't like me like that, and even if he would consider being with me, it would only be for one night, two if I'm lucky. You spend time with him almost as much as I do. In the past four years, how many relationships has he had? None. He's a playboy Hermione, he isn't interested in anything more, and I'm not going to bare myself to him so that he will sleep with me for a night. I need more than that."

"You were a playboy too for awhile! Maybe Draco's just looking for the right person to come around, like you are! It isn't fair for you to say he'd use you for sex either Harry Potter! Draco cares about you, He's your friend, he'd never use your attraction against you and you know it!"

Harry knew Hermione was telling the truth, Draco wouldn't do that to him, he couldn't decide if that made him feel worse or better. "No, Hermione, just... don't do this. You said you'd help me. Does the offer still stand?"

After Harry finished with Hermione he headed into town to buy ingredients. The supplies Hermione was sending over would take a while to get there, so Harry had time after getting all of his ingredients to stop by a wine shop.

"Can I help you?"

"Um... I need a bottle of wine?" Harry didn't know the first thing about wine. He never drank it, but he knew Draco did. He figured Draco might appreciate the gesture, but once he walked into the store, he was at a loss of what to do next, he didn't realize there were so many varieties, he thought it was just a matter of Red, or White. Obviously, he was mistaken.

"How lucky! This just happens to be our speciality!"

"Well, um, yeah. Good. I'm looking for a Red? Maybe? um, whatever's the best."

"Hmm... the best, but that depends. What are you serving it with?"

"I was thinking... just, pouring it -from the bottle."

"Oh! You are funny! I mean to say, will you be eating something? Or are you just to have the wine?"

"Oh, serving! Sorry." Harry felt insurmountably stupid. He snorted, 'from the bottle', idiot. "Alfredo."

"While some prefer red, I think you will find that the best pairing for that would be white, Pinot Grigio is an excellent accompaniment for example."

"OK, I'll have that one then."

"Which would you like?" The man asked with a small smile, indicating a section of wines labelled Pinot Grigio. He waited for a moment, enjoying Harry's blush. "I think, you will find ones made from Pinot Gris, most satisfying." He said pulling down a bottle labelled Schiopetto Pinot Grigio.

"Thank you. How much do I owe you?"

"I think, for this time, it's on the house." the man winked at Harry. "If she is smart, she will say yes."

"Oh, no, I'm not. I mean, there isn't... there's no she."

The man offered Harry a knowing look. "Then he will be pleased as well."

Harry arrived back to their suite at Söt Drömmarna laden with groceries and wine. Just as he was depositing the lot in the kitchen he heard a tapping at the window. That would be the post owl. He let the creature in and accepted the package from its leg. The owl waited patiently for Harry's signature and flew out the window before Harry could offer a treat. Harry un-shrunk the package and unpacked. Cheese grater, whisk, tablecloth, wine glasses, candles, -wait, candles? He pulled out the two sticks and set them aside, damn Hermione. He finished unpacking and gazed at the spread, he had everything he needed to make this meal nice, and offer a proper apology to Draco. He knew Draco liked it when people cooked dinner for him. It seemed like since only house elves had ever prepared his meals, Draco had a special appreciation for people who put forth all the effort just to give him something good to eat. On the numerous times they had dinner at Ron and Hermione's, or the few occasions Harry himself had cooked dinner, Draco was always quick to show his appreciation.

Once Harry was finished cooking, he set the table. It looked good, but it was missing something, some sort of, flare, pazzaz. Harry looked at the candlesticks Hermione had packed sitting innocently on the counter. Maybe if he only lit one, instead of the two, it wouldn't seem too 'romantic'. No, he didn't need candles. Harry looked down at his watch, Draco would be home soon, what he needed to do, was change his clothes.

Harry looked at his reflection again, Was he dressed too nice? Did it seem like he was trying too hard? It's an apology, Potter, not a date! He switched his black trousers for some jeans. There, that's more casual.

Harry went back to the dining room and sat on one of the chairs waiting for Draco to get back. He was more nervous then he thought he should be. Maybe this was a stupid idea. He lit the candles just to see how they looked. It was quite nice, they set a pale glow over the table that made it look elegant. A candlelight dinner? Maybe this was too showy for an apology; maybe Draco would see right through him, see how badly Harry wanted him. Harry felt like a sap. He blew the candles out.

Harry got up and paced around the living room. Shouldn’t Draco be back by now? He went back and re-lit the candles just to have something to do. Draco was always talking about elegance, and ambiance. Maybe he should just leave the candles lit, and Draco would see them as nothing more than aesthetic. Then again, maybe he would see a romantic table setting and get weirded out by Harry. He blew the candles out again.

Bloody Hermione! He re-lit the candles.

Harry placed a stasis charm over the table and decided to toy with his hair for something to do. Draco was always telling him how pathetic his hair was, maybe it would be a nice gesture to try and tame it. He wetted his hands and sort of pat at the places on his head that seemed the worst. They would stay down for a moment, then pop back up. He needed something stronger. He headed into Draco's bathroom and perused the array of products Draco had. Most of the labels were French and Harry couldn't read them, it seemed like it would be easy enough to figure out what they did. One particular jar was filled with a creamy white substance that smelled faintly of roses and maybe vanilla. "Ponce", Harry commented to himself. He dipped his fingers into it and applied a bit to his fringe. Alright, that's not so bad. However, he made the classic mistake of concentrating his attention on one spot at a time, not keeping the whole picture in mind, and by the time he stepped back from the mirror to take in his reflection he had managed to grease his hair so thoroughly that while none of it was sticking up, it looked almost as bad as Snape's. Uhhg, I'm going to have to wash this out. Harry left Draco's room discouraged and thought to blow the candles out before he washed his hair- this was all so stupid. He was leaning over to blow the candles out and froze as he heard the door to the suite open.

Draco stood in the doorway; his eyes swept over the table, then over Harry, eyes lingering on his hair with an odd look on his face. "Expecting some company? Maybe I should go... " Draco said as he turned back around in the doorway.

Harry shot a look of regret at the candles before he turned to Draco. "No, actually, uh, I cooked dinner. For you. I thought... I'm sorry... " Harry ran a nervous hand through his hair and had to wipe it off on his leg. "I know I've acted like an idiot. I was hoping you might forgive me. I made alfredo, I even got some wine. You can ignore the candles, they're stupid, I just thought-"

"The candles are nice," Draco said with a smirk. "You must really be sorry if you went to such drastic lengths," he added, motioning to Harry's mess of a head, "I'll decide if I accept your apology after we eat."

Harry gave a sigh of relief, they were ok. Everything was going to be fine, he hadn't needed to panic at all. Draco was his best friend. They were best friends, they wouldn't stop talking over something so stupid. Harry began grinning like an idiot and he and Draco settled down to eat.

Draco didn't talk much throughout the meal, just gave the occasional hmmm of appreciation. Harry knew Draco was waiting for the full apology.

"Ok, so, I know I said sorry before, but let me explain. I was drunk, and it isn't an excuse, but, I wasn't thinking. I sometimes, get that way... when I'm drunk," more like when I'm around you, "I didn't mean to be so rude, I know you were just trying to be a friend, and show me a good time, and I spoiled it. I'm sorry. Truly, the last few days have sucked. I missed you, and I wanted to spend time with you. I don't want it to come between us."

Draco frowned silent for a moment before he spoke, "So your saying, what happened was a fluke of some, drunken, sort?" Draco had a strange edge to his voice that Harry couldn't quite lay his finger on.

"Yes! I never would have... I mean, we're best friends, right?"

"Right. Best friends." The frown was back on Draco's face now. "Thank you for the meal Harry, I'm afraid the food and wine have me feeling completely knackered, I think I'm going to head to bed now." he said, raising from his chair.

Harry couldn't shake the feeling that things still weren't right. "I'm sorry, really Draco, I-"

"I know, me too." Draco smiled sadly and disappeared into his room.

~*~

The next day everything was as if nothing had happened, they fell back into their easy banter and made plans to go sightseeing around the area together. Harry decided that with two weeks left of their vacation he needed to be on his best behaviour to prove to Draco that he had nothing to worry about, and that Harry wasn't going to make any designs on him, not that he didn't want to, but that had proved too dangerous a path. He'd rather stay friends with Draco than not have him at all.

Now, only a few days after they had made up, it seemed like Draco was unconsciously doing everything in his power to make Harry want him even more. He had started the day by rousing Harry from his slumber, wearing nothing but a pair of black silk pajama bottoms that looked at least a size too large, and therefore sat indecently low on his hips. He had apparently planned a full day for the two of them and needed Harry awake earlier than normal to get it all accomplished. After showering, where Harry enjoyed a quick wank, courtesy of Draco's sleepwear, Harry and Draco headed out.

They took a walk down a path that started at the B&B and made a wide circle through some trees and around a lake, ending back at the B&B again. Along the way, Draco and Harry would stop every once in a while to enjoy their surroundings. It was beautiful, and Draco admitted to Harry that this was where he had been going before, to think. The altitude made Harry lightheaded, that, or it was the way Draco looked with the wind blowing in his hair as he skipped stones across the water. The altitude, Harry told himself.

At breakfast, Draco ordered a fruit plate and made sure to give everything he ate special attention and hmms of praise. He offered Harry a strawberry, but instead of giving it to Harry like a normal human being, he traced Harry's lips slowly with the fruit. Embarrassed that someone would see them making a spectacle, Harry nervously chomped down on the fruit to stop Draco's ministrations, narrowly missing Draco's fingertip in the process.

At lunch they sat at a bistro whose tables, in Harry's opinion, were too small, and Draco's knees kept bumping into his. Every time Draco would apologize to Harry he would place a hand somewhere on Harry's person. His shoulder, his knee, his forearm, his hand, Harry was nearing breaking point.

After lunch, Draco decided to go ice skating; an activity in which Draco held little skill. He stumbled and slid, all the while grabbing onto Harry, or asking Harry to help keep him steady by holding his waist. The cold at the rink turned Draco's cheeks and nose pink and Harry had to try very hard not to kiss them.

They had a nice dinner in a nice restaurant, during which Draco was all coy smiles and flirtatious comments. He was making Harry so nervous hat he spilled water all over his lap, and Draco was quick to offer his napkin to assist.

After dinner they visited the hot springs for a 'relaxing' soak. Draco may have been relaxed, but after the day they had just had, it took all of Harry's willpower not to jump Draco where he sat. It was torture. The whole day had been.

When it was finally over, Harry lay in his bed remembering everything. There was no need to give himself a slow seduction tonight. He could feel his chest tingling the way it did whenever he thought of Draco and the tingle gradually travelled down the plane of his stomach to dance over his groin like phantom fingers. Harry gave in to the need to wank without even giving it a second thought, after the day he had, he was amazed at his self-restraint, he didn't feel the need to test it any further.

Usually, Harry liked to close his eyes and let his hands tease under the hem of his shirt before pulling it over his head, pretending it was Draco removing it. He would tease the waistband of his pajama bottoms with his fingertips, dipping them in and under lightly before snatching them away, but there was no time for that now. Harry impatiently pushed his shirt up letting the fabric bunch under his armpits and dove a hand under his pajama bottoms to fist his cock. He groaned at the feeling of being touched after a day of drawn out torture. Instead of starting off with slow gentle strokes, Harry began viciously pumping his cock, his hips rising off the mattress. He felt an intense heat that seemed to start in his nipples spreading out across his neck and chest and forming a river of heat over his flesh with a dizzying current straight to his throbbing prick. A particularly rough twist had him arching his back and biting his bottom lip, obscene noises escaping despite the effort to hold them back. He was sweating now and his muscles were twisting, tightening, aching for release. "Ggyyyuuh... Fuck! Mmmm... " images throughout the day sprang to his mind and morphed into Draco teasing Harry. "Shit, oh fuck... fuck." Impossibly, he increased the speed of his already furiously pumping fist and chanced using one of his hands to pinch a nipple. "DRACO! DRACO! OH FUCK! YES! Uhhhhnnnnnnn" As he milked the last of his completion out of him he whimpered and mewled, still lazily pumping his hips, skin tingling with the shattering release. He tilted his head to the side, a smile of contentment forming on his lips as he released them from the bruising bite he had them in. He slowly opened his eyes as his breathing evened out and slowed, uncurling his fingers from around his shaft. A movement caught his eye and his heart froze as he caught a glimpse of a retreating silver head from the crack of his doorway.

"Fuck"

~*~

When Harry awoke the next morning it was to the smell of coffee and bacon. The sun was warming his body through the sheets and he gave a languid stretch. He felt fantastic. He ran a hand through his hair and sitting up in bed, reached over to the nightstand for his glasses. As he headed for the door a sleepy memory tried to surface, but it wasn't until he saw a sliver of Draco's head through his doorway that he realized what it was.

"Oh god..." Harry wasn't sure what to do. Should he go out and get breakfast, and pretend like nothing happened? Should he play it off as a nightmare? He headed out to breakfast deciding to wait and see how Draco acted before he decided on a course of action.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty! How do you want your eggs?"

"Uh, you don't have to do that. I can get them" Harry said, walking toward the stove, and Draco.

"Nonsense! I seem to recall you cooking up a spectacular meal for me the other night and I never got to give you a proper thank you for it. Now sit. What’s it going to be then?"

Harry wasn't prepared for Draco's chipper attitude. Maybe Draco hadn't been outside his door last night? It was bound to be awkward if he had seen, but Draco was acting as if nothing had happened. As if he had had a night as good as Harry's. "Over easy... " he said as he slowly took a seat at the table.

Maybe it was a post orgasmic manifestation of some sort. Wishful thinking gone a bit too far. Harry's magic did seem to work in mysterious ways, maybe he had conjured the image himself, a bit of wild magic. That had to have been it. Now that Harry had a good night’s sleep, he realized it made no sense for Draco to be lurking outside his door anyhow.

After accepting that he must have somehow imagined seeing Draco retreating from his door the night prior, Harry was able to relax and enjoy how good he felt. Unresolved Sexual Tension aside, his day with Draco had been fantastic and left him in a superb mood. He wanted to spend his every second with Draco because it made him feel content in a way he had never really known. He wished he could have the courage to tell Draco this, but he had a feeling he would be laughed at, plus, he didn't want to scare Draco away since he had only recently forgiven Harry for the unfortunate incident at the bar their first night there.

Maybe I can do this, Harry thought. Maybe I can stay single and just enjoy the friendship I have with Draco for what it is. I had a better time with Draco yesterday then I had the entire three years with Jansen, and if friendship is all Draco is willing to give me, I'll take it.

This new resolution lasted about two days. Draco continued his torture throughout the daytime and Harry had wanked himself raw an additional 3 times (one in the loo at a restaurant after Draco had 'innocently' indulged in a chocolate mousse dessert). Harry wasn't going to be able to live this way! He'd have no dick left in a month’s time! He was going to have to tell Draco how he felt, and, well, if Harry was right, and Draco wanted nothing to do with him -at least he might have a mind to be a bit more careful around Harry and not turn every blink of his eye into sexual torture.

~*~

Harry situated himself on the path around the Bed and Breakfast, leaning against a tree. It wasn't the most comfortable thing, but it was at a perfect vantage point to see Draco coming, where Draco wouldn't see him until he was within talking distance. He planned to talk to Draco out here, where they had taken to walking after dinner together, hoping it would be a relaxed atmosphere, and private, so that if Draco decided to storm away and never speak to Harry again, he would have a nice, quiet place, to wallow.

The tree felt hard and bumpy against his back, but Harry tried his best to look casual anyway. He tried to think of models in magazines, and how when they were leaning against trees they always looked like they did it all the time. 'Yeah... c'mon Harry -leaning on trees? Old hat. Yeah, you lean on trees, you do it all the time, s'totally, normal. Casual.' Harry bent his right leg, resting his foot against the tree, next to the knee of his left leg. He felt unbalanced and had nowhere to put his hands, so he stuck his right hand in his pocket and his left hand rested on top of his bent knee. 'Casual'.

"Has anyone ever told you that you have the least casual Casual Lean they have ever seen?" Harry didn't even have to look up to know that Draco was wearing one of his patented You Are An Idiot And It Amuses Me, Potter -looks. He had been so deep in thought that he didn't see Draco coming around the corner. 'Great'.

Trying to prevent Draco being the only one in on the joke, Harry replied, "I lean on trees all the time, this one," He gestured to the tree, "doesn't seem to know how it's done."

That earned him a smile, one of those honest Draco smiles that first made Harry realize he wanted him. "C'mere, you've got bark all over your back." He tugged Harry's arm until he came away from the tree and positioned himself behind Harry, dusting the bark off of his back with light fingers and palms. After the job was done, Draco rested his hands lightly on Harry's hips and leant forward to whisper in his ear. "There, that's better"

Harry Leapt away at the feeling of Draco's lips grazing his ear and turned around to look at a smirking Draco. 'This has got to stop.'

"Draco, we need to talk. Come sit by the lake with me?"

For a moment, the smirk slid off of Draco's face and he looked a bit apprehensive, but before Harry could say anything about it, Draco turned and began walking to the water.

Once they were seated on a pair or boulders near the edge, Harry began to talk.

"It's no big deal really, I mean -it's no big deal. I need- It's just- It's no big thing, I wouldn't let it get between us. Just, over the last few days, everything’s been... great. Wonderful- mostly, there's just- I wouldn't make a big deal about it."

"So... it's no big deal?"

"Exactly!"

"Excellent. Now that we've got that out of the way," Draco leaned in to whisper conspiratorially, "What's no big deal?"

"What?"

"Honestly, Potter. I know I've spent a good deal of time learning to speak in terms you'll understand, but that doesn't mean I've learned to understand everything you say. Once more please, in English."

"Oh, uh sorry, it's just that it's-"

"No big deal?"

At this Harry blushed "Right, um. So the last few days, you've been sort of... sending mixed signals."

"Stop."

"What?" Harry looked up, honestly confused to find a livid expression on Draco's face.

"I've been sending mixed signals?! I have? Har- Potter- You have the audacity!" At this, Draco got up and began to pace, his voice echoing off of the water and nearby trees. "I have been practically fucking everything I eat and making ridiculous innuendos non-stop just to get a reaction from you! How obtuse can you BE? I mean- Honestly! What's so mixed about my signals?! You're the one who fucking runs off and frotts against the first fucking man you see- then makes me dinner- then says my name when you wank, then acts like- like nothing!"

"YOU WERE THERE!" Harry shouted, outraged, getting to his feet as well.

"Don't interrupt me! You do everything right! Everything- at the beginning to make me fall for you, then, once I do, you start screwing anything that walks! You get with that loser Jansen and don't even tell me about him! You just show up with him at your birthday dinner that I had planned, especially, for you! I flat out announced to the entire gathering that I was gay- AND that Jansen had competition!"

"I thought you were- "

"I'M NOT FINISHED! You blew off every attempt to chat you up I ever made, then, when you finally catch Jansen doing what he does best you cling to me and let me take care of you, then go right back to acting like I'm nothing! And you say I've been sending mixed signals? Me? What the fuck, Potter!"

"Draco, I didn't think- "

Draco snorted dejectedly, "Yeah, that never was your strong point." and with a pop, he was gone.

Harry sunk back down to the boulder and buried his face in his hands. "I am so stupid."

~*~

When Harry finally made it back to the B&B Draco was gone, and so were all of his belongings. They still had a few days left of their vacation, but Harry didn't feel much like staying either. He wasn't in the mood to pack, so he decided to do it in the morning. Without even putting forth the effort to change to pajamas, Harry curled up on Draco's bed and buried his face in the pillow, trying to catch the faint scent of him that still lingered.

~*~

"Harry! what are you doing back so early? Oh god, Harry, you look like hell... what happened?"

Hermione led Harry to the couch and sat him down. She sat down next to him and took his hand, putting on her stern but somehow friendly Tell Me What Happened face.

"I've blown it Mione. I just- It was all there, and I completely blew it." The more time Harry had to think about everything, the more he was sure that his friendship with Draco could never be repaired. "I've treated him terribly, and he stayed with me, for so long, you know? But he left. He's never left before, not when I did anything else. But he did this time." he couldn't believe his own stupidity, just thinking about how he had ruined everything made his chest hurt, and tears welled up in his eyes. "Can I stay here?" He asked in a small voice. "I just, I don't really want to be alone, and normally, I'd ask Draco, but... " Harry couldn't continue, so he just silently shook his head.

Hermione had never seen Harry so lost since the war, it was like he was 12 again and everyone thought he was the heir of Slytherin. He looked small and childlike, and she wasn't sure how to help him anymore. "Yeah, sure Harry. Let's get you settled.”

Harry spent the next few days just sort of going through the motions. Hermione would try her best to make him eat, but he would eat only a few bites of anything she offered, if he would eat any at all. Hermione had told him that Jansen had been coming around to talk to Harry, but Harry had no interest in hearing from him. He spent most of his time sitting on the bed in the guestroom staring at the wall. Which was exactly what he was doing when he heard a commotion in the hallway.

"Harry! Harry I know you’re here!"

"Jansen, I did not invite you in! Get out of my house, Harry doesn't want to see you!"

"Harry! (Let go of my arm you little bitch!)" Jansen strode into the room, shaking Hermione off. "Oh Harry! What have I done to you?" He leaned over and brought him into an embrace before Harry could clarify that Jansen had nothing to do with his state. "Harry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking, to have left you! But look! I'm back! Let's make up, hmmm?"

Harry felt a growl rising in his throat. "Fuck off, Jansen!" He said, pushing the man off of him.

"But Harry! It's alright! I dumped her, I realized what a mistake I made, and I dumped her, you don't need to mope about any longer!"

"More like she dumped you, after getting rich off of her book?" Hermione interjected, before stunning him. "Ugh! Harry, I'm sorry, my wards were down for a second when I was bringing in the groceries and he followed me in."

"It's alright." Harry said, staring at the slumped form of Jansen on the ground. He couldn't believe that he had wasted three years with such an asshole. He ignored all of Jansen's faults just so he could pretend he wasn't in love with Draco, and now look where he was. "Need help getting him outside?"

~*~

Harry returned to work the next day worse off than he was before he left. Everyone in the office steered clear of him, especially Draco. Every time Harry would pass his office, the door was closed and he hadn't seen Draco in the hall at all. He filed his fake report that he needed to fill out for his 'investigation' of the B&B and sent it to Kingsley without Draco's signature.

"Potter?"

Harry looked up to see Kingsley standing in his doorway. "Yes, sir?"

"What is this?"

"My... report, sir?"

"Alright" Kingsley nodded as he entered the room fully, shutting the door behind him. Harry's anxiety rose as Kingsley dropped into one of his guest chairs.

"Sir?"

"Harry, stop calling me sir." He glanced down at Harry's report, "I'm here as a friend. I've known you for a long time, and you aren't the type to give up, if you were, we wouldn't be here. I know things didn't go as planned in Sweden, and I feel a little guilty for pushing you into the situation, but someone had to make the first move, even if it was a third party. Are you following me?"

"I... sort of?"

Kingsley got up to leave, placing Harry's report back on the desk. "Hang onto that for now. I expect a full report once this mission is accomplished, and I'll need two signatures." He added with a wink, before leaving the room.

Harry looked down at the report to discover that it wasn't his report, but Draco's that sat on his desk.</font>

FIELD REPORT Location: Södermanland, Sweden - Söt Drömmarna B&B Reporting Aurors: Auror Draco Malfoy and Auror Harry Potter Reference: The Chester File No residual magic is found at Söt Drömmarna. Mission was a bust. I put it all on the line for the success of the mission and my partner suggested that it was a moot point. Due to our differing styles and opinions that have come to light, I feel I must request a new partner. I know what you were up to, Shacklebolt. While I appreciate your good intentions, your meddling has cost me more than a partner. Let it rest, and allow me to save a bit of my dignity. Draco Malfoy Draco Malfoy Auror

Harry thought about what Kingsley had said, and he was right. Harry wasn't a quitter. He knew now that Draco had wanted him the whole time, and moreover, most likely still did.

It was going to take more than dinner to rescue him this time.

~*~

"Pansy, I need your help."

"Well, that's obvious. You know, I spent years mocking you for your stupidity and after the war I thought maybe I was being a little hard on you. Thank you for curing me of my guilt."

"You can insult me all you want later, but please, right now, I just need you to help me."

"Why should I?" Pansy asked, feigning disinterest.

"Because Draco is your best friend, and you want to see him happy, and you know that I can make him happy, which is why you've put up with me for all these years?"

Pansy narrowed her eyes. "Did you get coached by Granger before you called me?"

"Yes."

"Very well, come on through."

~*~

Harry paced the floor nervously. This was it. This was his last chance, and he needed to be able to get everything out this time. Pansy was set to arrive with Draco any moment now and he couldn't quell his nerves. Last chance. At the sound of footsteps and whispers outside the room, Harry stopped pacing and stood facing the door.

"This is ridiculous and you know it Pansy. I am in no mood for a blind date right now. I hope you know, I'm only doing this for you and Blaise."

"I know dear, and we really appreciate it. Just chat him up a little and make sure you let him know Blaise really wants the promotion, and that you really want Blaise to get the promotion, and I'm sure he'll put in a good word with his uncle."

The door swung open and Draco sauntered in, looking dressed to kill. The self-assured smirk he had on his face quickly faded as his eyes spotted Harry as the only other occupant of the room. He shot a look to Pansy that spoke worlds of anger.

"It's for your own good." she said simply and she left the room, closing the door behind her.

Draco stared at the door in disbelief for a moment before he looked back to Harry.

"I don't know how you got her to go along with this, Potter, but I assure you, it was a mistake."

"Draco, please. All I did was tell her the same thing I'm about to tell you. I just need you to listen to me this time."

"You are so full of yourself, Potter! What makes you think I won't just hex you and leave?"

"Besides the fact that you haven't yet? I had Pansy nick your wand before you left." At that, Draco took a moment to pat his breast pocket.

"Bitch!" He let out with a breath.

"Will you listen? Please?"

"If you could convince Pansy to get me here, I suppose I could hear what you have to say." Harry sighed with relief. "But before you speak, understand that I can't be friends with you. It costs me too much. I waited for you for years, Potter, and I can't be expected to wait any longer."

"I know. That's just it. I didn't know you were waiting for me. I didn't know until you said everything that night, and now it makes so much sense, I can't believe I didn't see it. But you have to understand, I wasn't trying to tell you to stop making advances that day. I mean, I was, but not because I didn't want you to make them. I just- You know I'm not one for words, so just... bear with me here. What I'm trying to say is. I didn't want you teasing me any longer. I couldn't take it. I didn't want you to make passes at me, or touch me, or act- the way you did, unless you meant it. I wanted to mean more to you then your gay friend that you could tease. I didn't want to give in, because I was afraid you didn't want what I wanted. I want you, I do, I've wanted you for ages, but it's more than want. I need you, I can't... think, at all, without you. This past week has been hell, and the week in Sweden when you wouldn't talk to me because of what I did - God, I'm so sorry for that. I just. I was afraid that if I caved, and admitted that I liked you that you wouldn't talk to me, ironic how that worked out really."

Harry took a moment to breath. Draco didn't say anything, and Harry was afraid to look at him, so instead, he continued talking.

"I understand if you can't be friends with me. I don't want to be friends either. I want to be more. I want you to talk to me again. I never really wanted to be with Jansen, it was you the whole time. I only started dating him because I thought I didn't have a chance with you. I thought, I don't even know anymore, that... that if I could just, make myself like Jansen that you and I could still be friends and it wouldn't hurt so much to see you every day, and know that I couldn't have you. It killed me, everyday, just to look at you, but I figured it would hurt worse if I couldn't look at you at all. I thought it was the best way. When I broke up with Jansen... I wasn't even upset about that. I was upset because I thought you wanted him, and I would die... I mean, I just, wouldn't have been able to live if you went out with him."

Harry looked at Draco now, looked at the blank expression on his face, and broke.

"I'm sorry, I just had to say that before you gave up on me completely. That- and I love you. I've maybe always loved you in some way, and if this... " Harry was tearing up, but he needed to finish what he set out to say. He clenched his hand in a fist and placed it over his heart, working his jaw in an effort to hold his emotion back. "... if this is it, I think it's only fair that you know I'll always love you, and I'll be the one waiting now. As long as it takes."

He couldn't look at Draco again, especially after he heard the scrape of Draco's chair as he stood. He couldn't bear to watch him leave. But instead of receding footsteps, he heard Draco come near, and felt him place his hands on Harry's waist, like he did near the lake that day.

"You are the biggest idiot I have ever met." Draco whispered into his ear.

Harry choked on a sob "I know."

Draco came around to face Harry "Quit your blabbering and look at me."

Harry did and his heart did a little jump at what he found there. It was one of those smiles, and he knew he had done it right.

"By Merlin, Potter. You are the only person alive who could possibly misread all the messages I've sent you over the years." Draco wrapped one of his arms around Harry's waist, bringing him closer, his other hand tangled in the hair at Harry's nape and brought his face just millimetres away from his. "Misread this one, and we're doomed." was the last thing he said before pressing his lips to Harry's.

~*~

FIELD REPORT Location: Södermanland, Sweden - Söt Drömmarna B&B Reporting Aurors: Auror Draco Malfoy and Auror Harry Potter Reference: The Chester File Request for return mission. Our first venture to Söt Drömmarna was inconclusive, though with some recent evidence that has come to light we believe we need to investigate further. Draco Malfoy Draco Malfoy Auror Harry Potter Harry Potter Auror

-Fin



A/N: I originally wanted to name Harry’s cheating scumbag asshole of a boyfriend Jameson, but through practice learned that the name Jansen is much easier to say with a hiss or a snear, and sounds like a curse. Try it… you’ll understand.

Also, I had wanted to reveal at some point that the poncy hair serum Harry used to impress Draco for his apology dinner was, in fact, Draco’s lube and not really any type of hair serum at all. Draco knew from the moment he walked in the room what it was Harry had in his hair due to the scent. I never ended up being able to work that bit in… so there, now you know.


I hope you liked it!