Malicious Intent - Part 8 (H/D)

Title: Malicious Intent – Part 8
Author: sesheta_66
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Word Count: 3.3K
Rating: Eventual NC-17
Warning: none
Summary: Harry’s world is upended when he’s asked to investigate a break-in and threats levied at Draco Malfoy. He’s never told anyone about their short-lived but intense relationship, and now, five years after it ended, doesn’t seem the time. He’s a professional, so he will investigate, find and arrest the culprit, and get on with his life. What else can he do?
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

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Malicious Intent – Part 8

After a couple of hours, Draco stood and stretched. Harry looked away. They’d sat without speaking the whole time, each of them lost in his own work and Harry’d almost forgotten that he was supposed to hate Draco. Or something. Be angry with him anyway.

"I’ve got to go look in on those potions now." He stretched some more and Harry tried to will away memories of another time, another place. "I’ve made some headway on the lists. Not much fun, that."

Harry grimaced. "No, I wouldn’t imagine it would be."

He wrung his hands nervously. "I don’t think I should work on that at my place." He nodded towards the table. "Eyes all around me."

"Oh. Of course," Harry said. "You can leave it here and come back whenever you’d like. You know. To work on it."

"Right. I will then."

Merlin, this was awkward. "I might be gone when you get back, but that’s okay. The wards will remain open for you, even if I’m not here."

Draco frowned. "You’re okay with that?"

He shrugged. "I don’t live here. I just work here for the time being. It’s no bother."

"Okay then." He took out his wand. "I’ll see you later. Or not."

Probably not. Harry ought to get home early tonight. Before Ginny headed off for another out of town game. Maybe even have a meal together. For a change. "Yeah. See you later."

Draco raised his wand to Apparate, then lowered his arm. "You were wrong, you know. Earlier. What you said." He looked directly at Harry as thought he’d understand. "I did want to know you."

Oh.

"Still do." And then he Apparated away, leaving an echoing crack and a world of confusion in his wake.

What the fuck?

You don’t just go around saying something like that and then vanishing. Who does that?

Hours later, when Draco still hadn’t returned and Harry gave it up for the day, his mind was still racing. He’d replayed Draco’s parting words a hundred times at least that afternoon. What did he mean? That he wanted to know Harry, obviously. But how? As what? A friend? A lover? A means to an end? He couldn’t equate Draco’s past actions with the notion that he gave even the slightest shit about Harry.

He packed up the files he needed to keep secure and went home, where he found a note on the kitchen table from Ginny. Not sure if I mentioned before, but I made plans to head out with some friends tonight. Don’t wait up. If I’m too late, I’ll just bunk at Luna’s so I don’t wake you. See you tomorrow? G.

Harry found himself inexplicably relieved at not having to face her. He didn’t recall any conversation about her going out tonight – he would have remembered, wouldn’t he? – but he wasn’t bothered by it. He and Gin often did their own thing, what with their conflicting schedules and irregular hours. That was part of what he liked about living with Ginny. He never felt tied down, or like he had to check in for every little thing. And he had lots of time to himself. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. What did that say about their relationship? Were they just roommates with benefits? And did it even matter? He’d grown comfortable with this arrangement, he reasoned. Besides, he knew he wouldn’t be much good company tonight with his mind racing all over the place.

He poured himself a generous measure of firewhiskey and tried to relax. Predictably, as soon as he closed his eyes, a snarky blond was all he could see. Only it wasn’t the present-day Draco infiltrating his thoughts; it was a replay of scenes from their past. Little snippets here and there of their time together, stolen moments in the cocoon they’d built around themselves, in their own little world.

Then his thoughts settled on their first kiss. They’d both been working since early that morning at Hogwarts, as part of the rebuilding effort, and it had been time to head home for the day. As they’d made their way across their section of the castle, Draco had lost his footing and had grabbed the closest thing he could to steady himself. That thing had been Harry and, not expecting the pull, rather than keeping Draco upright, he’d toppled over, bringing Draco crashing down on top of him. They’d both been so startled that they’d just stayed there, unmoving. Then Harry had caught Draco’s eye and they lay there, staring at each other, breathing each other’s air, until Draco’s eyes flicked briefly to Harry’s lips. Harry had licked them without even thinking and something flashed in Draco’s eyes. To this day, Harry couldn’t say who’d closed the distance between them, but he would always remember the taste, the feel of Draco’s lips on his own for the first time.

Without conscious effort, he’d wrapped his arms around Draco and pulled their bodies together, as closely as their clothes would allow. When Draco’s tongue pressed past his parted lips, Harry had moaned and rolled his hips shamelessly. Draco’s breath had caught momentarily before he’d responded with a press of his own hips. A dam had burst then and the weight of all they’d been through and the pressure of all their frustrations, built up over years, finally had found release, and there’d been no holding it back. Harry’d moved his hands down to grab Draco’s arse and draw him even closer, both of them rubbing their hard lengths together again and again and again. They’d rocked together like the desperately randy young men they were, tongues exploring hungrily, both drinking in each other’s gasps and moans like lifelines, nothing else in the whole world in that moment but the two of them.

Harry would have been embarrassed by how quickly he’d come, if Draco hadn’t been right there with him. He’d clung to Draco through the shudders as they both came down from their high, until the realisation of what they’d just done had had a chance to settle over them.

"Well, that was ..." Draco had said, his forehead resting on Harry’s and both of them still panting for air.

Harry had taken the opportunity to run his fingers through Draco’s hair, not sure if he’d ever get the chance again. "Hot?" Harry’d suggested.

Draco had lifted his head and smirked at Harry. "I was going to say unexpected, but yeah. It was also very hot."

Harry had laughed and soon Draco had joined him, the whole situation suddenly hilarious. "Don’t take this the wrong way," Harry had said once their laughter had died down, "but this is getting rather uncomfortable."

"Sorry." Draco’d lifted himself off Harry, but Harry’d reached up to stop him.

"I didn’t mean you," he’d been quick to correct. "I meant ..." He’d waved a hand towards his crotch. "Sticky."

"Ugh." Draco’s face had flamed scarlet. "Must you be so crass?"

Harry’d laughed again and reversed their positions, flipping Draco onto his back. Then he’d pressed their groins together.

"Ugh!" Draco said again. "Animal!"

Still laughing, Harry’d pulled out his wand and waved it over the both of them. "Better?"

Draco’d nodded. "Much."

Harry had watched as Draco’s brows had slowly come together. He’d opened his mouth, no doubt to say something completely stupid, something about it all being a mistake, so Harry’d shut him up with a kiss. When Draco had wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck, drawn him in and melted into the kiss, he’d known it had been the right thing to do.

Harry opened his eyes and groaned. His traitorous body – certain parts anyway – most definitely liked that particular memory. What was wrong with him? He was with Ginny. They were happy, weren’t they? He and Draco – there was no Harry and Draco. Not anymore. And if Draco’s parting words five years ago had been honest – something that was perhaps in question right now – there never really had been.

He swigged back the rest of his firewhiskey and ran his hands through his hair. Why was he obsessing about someone who, for lack of a better way to put it, had thrown him aside like he was nothing? He hadn’t wanted to believe Draco at the time, but when so much time had passed with no contact, he’d decided to just accept it and move on with his life. Only, if his current thoughts were any indication, he hadn’t really moved on, had he? And what was Draco playing at now, telling Harry he wanted to know him?

Harry ran his tongue over his lips, once more feeling the ghost of Draco’s mouth against his own. Fucking hell, he needed to get a grip. Okay, it had been a while since he and Ginny had ... well. Only he wasn’t thinking of her. It wasn’t her smooth curves and soft touch he craved right now. It was hard angles and a sharp tongue and the excitement of it all. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this worked up over her. If he ever had been. Again, what was wrong with him? He lived with a woman who loved him and he loved her. Perhaps not as passionately as ... well, he loved her. It must just be that he and Draco had never really had closure. Just an abrupt end to something that had been so fresh and new and exhilarating. And now he’d been thrown into working with him. Draco was vulnerable, and wasn’t everyone always telling Harry how he had a saving people thing? That had to be it.

Harry didn’t sleep well. No surprise there. As it turned out, Ginny didn’t come home that night and Harry woke to an empty bed. Just as well, since he was hard as a rock and it wasn’t Ginny that had featured in his dreams. He didn’t know how he’d face her when he saw her that night. Hell, he didn’t know how he’d face Draco if their paths crossed today. Which they probably would. Pushing those thoughts aside, he dragged himself to the bathroom for a shower and a wank before heading directly to the hotel. He might as well get some work done if he couldn’t sleep.

Only when he got there, it was to find that Draco was already there. Of course he was. Because that was just how things went, wasn’t it?

Draco jumped when he landed with a crack. "Oh, sorry," Harry said. "I didn’t realise you’d be here."

Draco, recovered from the initial shock of Harry’s arrival, rolled his eyes. "Again. Your place. Stop apologising."

Harry ran his hand through his hair, trying to get a grip on things. He was having trouble not rerunning scene after scene from the past over in his mind. "Right."

"I got busy at the lab – one of my more finicky potions – and didn’t get out of there until late, so I didn’t get a chance to work on the lists last night. So I thought I’d drop by early today." He stopped, only just now taking in Harry’s appearance. "You look like shit."

"Uh, thanks?"

"Rough night?"

Anger flared in Harry. Yes, he’d had a rough night and it was all Draco’s fault. With his mixed messaging and gorgeous eyes and kissable mouth and –. "Coffee?" he said, if only to stop the train of his own thoughts and to avoid yelling at Draco simply because Harry’s libido couldn’t shut itself off the night before. Which really wasn’t Draco’s fault. Not entirely, anyway. "I didn’t get much sleep last night and I could use a vat of it."

Draco’s face hardened and a flare of anger crossed his eyes. Harry’s heart jumped. Surely he wasn’t jealous? Harry’s eyes must have been playing tricks on him, because the look disappeared as quickly as it had come. Either that or the masochistic side of Harry was playing with him, looking for signs that weren’t there. All the same, he found himself spilling unbidden words. "Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I wasn’t out partying into the wee hours or anything like that. I just couldn’t sleep and I’m in desperate need of caffeine if I’m going to function today."

"No wild child antics allowed for the next Head Auror," Draco said, his tone teasing and light. "After all, what would the Minister say?"

Harry laughed. "He’d probably say, good on me, to be honest." At Draco’s raised brow, he added, "He has been known to tell me that I work too hard and ought to get a life."

"Has he now?"

"Yeah. Something about not being the only Auror on the force."

Draco snorted. "I’d say something, because you really do make it so easy, but the last time I tried teasing you, I got an earful. And you without caffeine – as I recall, you aren’t the most cheerful without sleep. So, off you go and get us some coffee. A vat of it, as you say."

Harry wanted to argue, really he did, but something made him push down the desire. He remained wary of anything resembling friendly banter with Draco. But he couldn’t deny that it felt good. Normal. Comforting, even.

He returned with two cups – not a vat – reasoning that he could go downstairs and get more as he needed it. He handed Draco his cup then took a long sip from his own. He moaned with pleasure as he willed the power of the caffeine to do its job.

Nearly choking on his words, Draco said, "Do you want me to leave the two of you alone?"

Harry kept his eyes closed and hummed as he took another sip. "Best. Coffee. In town." He took a third sip, enjoying the burn of the hot liquid as it made its way into his system. "Hands down."

Draco tutted. "If you think this is good – which, admittedly, it is – you’d love this little cafe in Venice, near the Doge’s Palace." When Harry cracked his eyes open, taking a break from savouring the liquid gold he was consuming, Draco said, "Seriously. To. Die. For."

Harry put down his cup and considered him. "You are such a pompous arse."

Draco smirked and raised his cup in a toast. "And you, sir, are a plebeian."

Harry chuckled and picked up his cup again. "Guilty as charged."

"You know, you really should try leaving the country on occasion, or at least venturing out of your own backyard once in a while." Draco sipped his coffee and looked down at his list to scribble something. "Expand your horizons. You can certainly afford it and you might find it does you some good."

How Draco knew he didn’t travel, he couldn’t say, though the papers remained relentless even now about every minute detail of his life. Harry thought about the travels he, Ron and Hermione had gone on during the war. Some of the places they’d seen had been nice enough, if they’d had the opportunity to explore without the constant threat of death and destruction looming. Then he thought of that day in Wales, and how free he’d felt, just being that little bit removed from home.

He looked at Draco and immediately knew he’d been thinking the same thing. He put down his coffee. "What did you mean yesterday when you said that I’d been wrong, that you had wanted to know me? That you still do?"

Draco sighed, the sound of someone who knows an inevitable conversation was finally upon him. He shrugged. "Just that. You seem to think that I never wanted to know you, never gave a damn, I suppose." Harry made to argue, but Draco continued. "I know it’s my fault you think that. What I said that day. But ... well, I did want to –"

A buzzing sound came from Harry’s pocket and he removed a flat stone that shook and glowed in his palm. He looked up at Draco with a smile. "At least one of the devices is transmitting."

Draco stared at the object buzzing in Harry’s hand. "Do you know to where?"

Harry shook his head. "Nope, this is just the alert. We’ll have to go to your place to trace it."

Draco stood up. "Let’s go then."

"Wait until it stops," Harry said, grabbing his arm to prevent him going for his wand and Apparating, "or we might risk whoever it is seeing us arrive and catching on."

They sat staring at the stone, waiting, Harry able to feel Draco’s heart racing where he still held lightly onto his wrist. When the buzzing stopped, he squeezed Draco’s wrist before letting go. "Ready?"

"Hell, yes."

"Why don’t you go ahead and I’ll come to the door? In case another starts to transmit."

Draco nodded and Apparated. Harry followed a moment later, knocking on Draco’s door when he arrived. When Draco let him in, he said, "I got a spell from someone at the Ministry. It should help cloak your place, in case someone gets in again. They said it should work in case someone tries to listen in on you again. The spell needs to be renewed every three to six months, depending on how strong your casting is."

Draco looked confused, but Harry waved his wand, causing interference – similar to a Muffliato or throwing a blanket over a camera – on all the remaining devices. Once they could no longer pick up any audio or video, he gathered them all to him and put them into an evidence bag.

"What was all that about?" Draco asked.

"In case they try transmitting later, we can trace that too, and they’ll just think the signal cut out, with us none the wiser."

"You think that’ll work?"

Harry shrugged. "I’m hoping we catch them with this trace, but it never hurts to have a plan B."

"And what precisely is your plan?"

"Plan A is to trace the signal." Harry waved his wand in an intricate motion and a light blue haze circled the room before drifting through the glass pane of the window. "I’ll get the results back at the office within a few hours, with any luck sooner. It’s not a precise spell, but I should be able to narrow it down to a neighbourhood at least. Then I compare to known sightings of the people on your lists and hopefully get a match."

"And if you don’t?"

Harry shook the evidence bag. "I look for magical signatures on these babies. The spell is invasive and would trigger an alert, if they’re set up for such a thing, which is why I didn’t do that first. But now that I’ve devised a plausible reason for them to not transmit, I can be more aggressive with my spells."

"Should we go back to the hotel?" Draco asked.

"No, I’ll need to do this at the Ministry. Are you done with the lists?"

"I might be able to add more information, but take them for now. I can do that later."

"Okay. I’ll let you know when I’ve got something. Do you still have the coin I left you?"

Draco blinked in confusion before he registered what Harry meant. He drew the coin Harry’d left for him from his pocket. "Yes."

"Good. I’ll send you a message before I come over and you can let me know if it’s a good time."

"Sure. Okay."

"This is a good thing," Harry said when he sensed Draco’s frustration. "We have something to do now."

"You mean you have something to do. I just have to sit around and wait."

"In case it has escaped you, it is, in fact, my job to do this."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like you could sit back patiently while someone else looked for a person threatening you."

Harry grinned. "Well, no, I couldn’t. Obviously. But I am an Auror. I’d be a pretty shitty one if I didn’t want to go out and –"

"Save the world, yes, I know." He shooed Harry away with a wave of his hand. "Go on, then."

"Cheer up. This whole nightmare may be over soon and you can get back to your life."

Harry Apparated to his office, but not before seeing the scowl on Draco’s face and hearing a familiar distant and sarcastic tone, the words sounding an awful lot like, "Yeah, and that was so great."


Continued in Part 9