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Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy.
Ever since they met on the Hogwarts Express those names have always gone together. In everything from classes to detentions to bank heists and war.
It was the perfect friendship. The Gryffindor hot head and the calm Ravenclaw. Honestly it was a match made in heaven.
But for the past two years, or since Harry got bit by a werewolf, it hasn't been enough. And the only one who didn't seem to get that was Draco.
"If someone were to win my affections, they'd have to do it properly."
Was the drunken confession that kick started Harry's journey into the ancient and confusing ways of traditional wizarding courting practices.
And ever since then, Harry has done everything those blasted books have told him to do. Least the parts he could understand anyway. And didn't require of goat or two.
He held open doors and paid for meals. Bought expensive gifts, silk scarfs and delicate trinkets and boxes of flowers fresh from market. Even defended the new Lord Malfoys honor when a few people tried to hold him accountable for his fathers crimes during the war.
But Draco, the lovable idoit, always seemed to remain oblivious to the deeper meaning behind Harry's antics.
Blushing and stammering Draco would thank Harry for his presents and moral support and then wax poetically about the beauty of friendship.
Untill Harry decided not to apply his scent blocking charms one day.
And as if by magic.
Draco couldn't hide from him anymore.
In fact the sweet scent of Draco's arousal had sat so heavenly in his nose, that Harry had very nearly caused a scene at the dinner table.
Which wouldn't have been at all appropriate, considering the rest of the restaurants patrons probably wouldn't have appreciated a side order of nudity with their main course.
So Harry had suffered in silence. Eyes flashing a dangerous amber as He watched Draco like the predator that he had become.
But Harry hadn't wanted to risk scaring him away by coming on too strong. So he'd kept the secret. Played along and took no small amount of pleasure in making Draco squirm for the next six weeks.
Sitting too close at work or on pub nights and often making a point of forgoing a t-shirt at every possible chance. Even letting Draco catch him fresh from the shower after their friendly quidditch match last week.
Naked and dripping, Draco had looked for far too long and yet not long enough before storming from the room, beat red and heart a wild drum beat, Harry had wanted to give chase. To hunt Draco through the winding hallways of his childhood home and claim him.
But, with so many of their nearest and dearest gathered together in the garden; Harry had reframed from such acts. Bearly keeping it together as he'd put on clean clothes and headed back out into the noise and sunshine.
Only to find that Draco had left. Leaving nothing but a question mark concerning his whereabouts; for seven days now.
The longest they've been separated since the summer holidays at Hogwarts. And Harry, with moon rise less than an hour away. Really wasn't in the mood for company when the wards surrounding the area he used to transform, alerted him to a breach.
**Draco**
"Darling, aren't you over reacting a tad?" Draco heard Pansy ask from her spot across the breakfast bar.
"I fail to see how," Draco replied somewhat smoothly as he read over resignation letter for the third time. "It's the only way I can preserve the friendship." and that was a just a fact.
Half his life now he's been in love with his best friend. And for years it's been enough. Classes, quidditch games, Sunday lunches and work. It was enough just to be in each other pockets.
But lately... No it was simply too much. And Draco, if he spent another minute in private with Harry... Well there's no telling what he'd do. And it really wasn't worth the risk of losing the friendship that gave him strength when his father turned his back on him. A Ravenclaw was one thing. But to reject the dark arts? Sacrilege.
"And why do you think your annoying little Gryffindor wouldn't return your affections?"
"Don't be stupid Pansy, there's no way he could love me like I love him." Because the way Draco loved Harry wasn't normal. It wasn't normal to crave the mere sight of him. Wasn't normal to picture taking an axe to anyone he found in Harry's kitchen after a night on the town. Wasn't normal to want to consume him. Mind, body and soul.
"Oh darling, sometimes I wonder if that ratty old hat didn't make a mistake."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Draco huffed. Annoyed and sad, he really should start looking for another job. Get ahead of the hell storm that Robards would throw his way on Monday.
"Well, since I've already won my bet with Blaise, I suppose I can spell it out for you."
Which she did.
Snatching up a scrap of parchment, she wrote a note and passed it across the table like they were 14 and exchanging notes in Potions.
He's been courting you this whole time.
But - "No he hasn't."
"Yes he has."
"No, he hasn't."
"Are we suddenly in a Pantomime? Should I dramatically declare 'He's behind you?' wake up and smell the three boxes of roses he sent you."
No, that can't be, because - "They were for potion ingredients, besides Harry doesn't know the first thing about courting."
"Unless I saw him at Flourish and Blots buying a copy of Mrs Addlers giude to courting."
"It was probably for Hermione, research or something."
"Oh for-just go ask him. I dare you, no no, I double dare you."
"You double dare me? Sorry are we five?"
"Just get out my house before I have an aneurism."
Which is how Draco found himself walking around Bristol in the rain. Churning everything over in his head, he replayed everything. Concert tickets, flowers, scarfs and cufflinks and so much more.
Harry had gifted him with more treasures than he could shake a stick at. But Pansy had to be wrong. Playing a sick prank or something because there's no way....right?
Unless....
"Do you love me?" He asked just a little breathless after wrestling to get through the wards surrounding the remote mountain side.
"Yes." Harry said as easily as a comment on the weather.
And then with a hand curling round his nape while the other grasped his hip and pulled him in close-they were kissing.
A gentle press of lips that soon grew deeper, more urgent and all consuming that Draco could hardly tell where he ended and Harry began. Light headed and surely knocking on the gates of heaven, Draco didn't notice the shadows lengthening. The sun tucking itself away for the night.
But Harry did.
Pulling back after not nearly long enough for Draco's liking, he looked pained, even as he told him to leave.
Which he did.
For next three Moons Draco left Harry at the tree line and came back the next morning with breakfast.
But then one mandrake leaf later and a bushy red and white tail could be seen alongside a streak of midnight fur.