Malfoys and Potters

Harry continued to look uncomfortable about the idea of women fighting over him as Lucius went on.

Harry smirked a bit when Lucius said he was planning to buy a ticket.

"The infamous blond woman strikes again, appearing at a Ministry function--oh, nothing to drink, thanks. James is alright, he's staying the night with Ron and 'Mione. Molly insisted Al stay at the Burrow--she's nursing him, he isn't feeling well. How about Scorpius? Have you been able to see him lately?"

"Maybe beating all the women out by placing some ridiculously high bid to win the night with Harry Potter- that terrible blonde woman who loves to louse everyone up by stealing the attention of the boy who lived." He grinned pleased with himself. "Scorpius is on holiday with his mother this week. He sent me a postcard of the ocean. It's on the mantle." He gestured toward the mantle where the card sat.

"Oh is he?" He looked amused. "I'm sure he'll be giving your friends an entertaining night- he's such an energetic young man." The positive expression on his face quickly faded when Harry mentioned Al was sick. He looked generally concerned as he found himself growing fond of Harry's youngest son. "Al is ill? The poor child. Is there anything I can do? Do you need any potions for him? I have a bunch of child sized potions for Scorpius made up-- just in case."

"Would you really outbid them? I'd actually appreciate that--I don't want to have to spend an evening with any of them. I...I've tried to date a bit, but it always turns out horribly. They try too hard to impress, or gush, or they just want to be seen with me--" Harry winced at that, he hated it when they gushed at him like love-struck teenagers.

"The worst was a woman I took out earlier this year--we had a wonderful evening, I really liked her and thought there might be something between us--until she wanted to take a photo of us...er...in bed together, so she could prove to her friends that she'd really slept with me."

Harry leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, and rested his chin in his hands, looking a bit miserable over it.

"...I just haven't had a good time with a woman since Ginny. I think all of the down to earth ones have already been snatched up. So if you're serious about bidding on me--I would be grateful. At least that way, I know we'd have a good evening together."

Harry sat up, and straightened his glasses.

"I think Molly has it under control with Al--she has potions around from raising her bunch--if I brought her a potion you'd given me, she'd probably be insulted. I don't care to insult Molly. Anyway, she said the fever had broken, and that he'll probably be well by tomorrow."

"Oh heavens no then- I don't want Molly Weasley upset with me-- ever." He looked fairly serious about that- he knew better than to cross her.

Lucius's normal rigid posture fell just a bit when he listened to Harry and his experiences. He frowned slightly, reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder. He moved closer to him so he didn't have to speak at a normal volume to say what he wanted.

"Harry... I meant what I said, back during the circus- you're a man, you're not an attraction. Unfortunately, people have built up a rather strange image of you as this immortal being- untouchable, powerful beyond measure for defeating Voldemort not once-- but twice." He murmured quietly.

"So much so, that they've never bothered considering that maybe Harry Potter has feelings. That maybe Harry Potter is a down to earth kind of fellow who isn't looking for a person who can only see his deeds, rather than who he actually is. A good father, a good auror, and a good man. Unfortunately the screaming fans are a dime a dozen, and the sensible just aren't."

Harry looked relieved at Lucius' words. He knew they were right, it was just encouraging to hear them now and then from another human being. Hermione was usually encouraging--and she suggest to Harry a few times that he try dating a Muggle--but Harry was reluctant to do so. A Muggle woman would have to learn of the magical world sooner or later; some could handle it, and some could not, and Harry did not want to become emotionally invested in someone only to be let down if they couldn't handle the world he belonged to.

Harry spent the rest of the evening with Lucius, leaving later than he had meant to, but he really enjoyed time with Malfoy--something that would have shocked him as a teenager.

Harry kept Lucius' words in mind all the next week, and they seemed to help him when he ran into those 'dime a dozen fans' on the streets, or even when he'd just had a rough day at work. Al had recovered from his illness, and Harry spent his evenings playing with the boys up until Saturday--which was when the auction was taking place.

Al and James were back at the Burrow for the evening, as Harry hardly saw it a good idea to bring them along to a Ministry function with James' rambunctious behavior.

Ron and Hermione had accompanied Harry. They passed through the people milling about, and Harry ignored the various women who were speaking about him and calling out to him that he would be theirs for the night--and other such nonsense.

"Wait til you see what I'm going to do to you tonight." An attractive brunette said silkily, winding Harry's tie around her hand. Harry was clearly uncomfortable, and tugged his tie out of her grasp. "I've dreamed about this, you know." She bit her lower lip, flashing him a long-lashed wink, before sauntering away with a ridiculous strut that was no doubt designed to be seductive. Harry smoothed his tie, while Ron watched after her, his head slightly tilted.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, scowling.

"Ronald, what are you looking at?"

"Hmm...nothing, 'Mione!" Ron gave a nervous grin.

"Right." She snipped. "A nothing which is dressed like a complete trollop."

Harry glanced around, looking for Lucius. He finally saw him, and walked towards him with Ron and Hermione following nearby, Hermione still looking peeved about Ron's peeking.

"Merlin. It must be wonderful to have all these women just waiting to crawl into bed with you, Harry." Ron commented when they neared Lucius, Ron looking around at the many women who were eying Harry. Hermione whacked her husband in the back of his head with her clutch.

"Stop looking at all the nothings, Ronald!"

"Lucius--" Harry lowered his voice. "You have to win me--I'll be eaten alive if you don't!" Harry said, and before he could say much more or get Lucius' response, Harry was whisked away by two fellow aurors who were convinced that Harry's suit just would not do. They took Harry off to a side room where bachelors up for bid were preparing themselves, and began flicking their wands at Harry, taking turns putting him in various outfits and bickering as to what looked best.

Lucius agonized over what to wear to this. He wasn't sure of how to portray himself as it had been ages since he had been to a Ministry function. Finally he decided on a set of red robes with a high buttoned collar and silver trim around the sleeves. His black boots has silver trim, and wore gloves that partially covered his hands that were decorated in ornate silver as well. His hair was pulled back, but instead of a ribbon, he had a long silver snake wrapped around his tendrils of long hair. He looked elegant and regal, though inside he felt a bit small and highly uncomfortable with where he was.

He quickly avoided any and all people who might have looked like they wanted to talk to him, including several cocktail waiters who were attempting to offer him a drink.

When Shacklebolt attempted to come and say hello, Lucius felt like his legs weighed a ton. While the minister spoke of idle things most people spoke at a party, Lucius felt himself nodding woodenly and adding little to the conversation. Shacklebolt patted him on the shoulder, bidding him a good evening. Lucius felt a bit better after that- if the minister had no problem with him being here, then it might be alright. He discretely nicked a bidding paddle from the table, sliding it into the inside of his robes.

Finally, he made his way to Harry. "Ah... There you-" He frowned and slowly looked around at all the women. He had more galleons than most of these women could ever dream of. He cleared his throat as Harry was pulled away.

He looked to Ron and Hermione, feeling remarkably awkward. "Good evening." He said politely. "It's going to be quite the night..." He was scouting tables for the clearest exit route. Though Shacklebolt offered him a spot at his table... which he was highly considering... That would have the most security after all.

The auction had started, and various bachelor's paraded out onto the runway, giving a good show. Harry felt lost, as the two wizards were still battling over his clothing--he was quite satisfied with the suit he had originally worn.

"Just stop it, already!" He snapped agitated, as he looked down at their newest creation. "Just reverse your charm and put me back in my suit!"

"It's almost time!" The first one shouted to the second, ignoring Harry's request.

"And now...the highlight of our evening...the bachelor you've ALL been waiting for..." Harry groaned as he heard the announcer build him up, as if that was even necessary, followed by the high-pitched cries and squeals of women.

"But he'd look lovely in leather--" The wizards were still arguing, and before Harry had gotten away from them, one of them had waved his wand, and the other had pushed Harry out onto the runway.

Harry looked around at the people, dazed for a moment. Women were already fighting and yowling over him--and he'd only just stepped out, or rather been shoved out, and the bidding had not even started yet. Harry glanced down at his outfit, and was mortified. The pointed toes of his black boots were fine, but it went downhill from there. Harry was wearing a pair of finely cracted, deep red-brown leather pants which laced in the front--the laces and the well fitting material provided him no modesty in that area. His upper body wore a form fitting vest that matched the pants--and that was all. Harry tugged at the bottom of the vest, wishing he could pull it down further to hide certain areas.

Harry wanted to crawl away, and instead was being encouraged by the announcer to walk down the ramp. Harry stocked down the ramp, clearly in a bad mood. His green eyes were intense with his displeasure, and the color of the leather brought their color out even more. He stood at the end of the runway with his arms crossed petulantly over his chest, watching as paddles flew up all around and bids were shouted out in an utter chaos to buy him.

Lucius decided to by himself- back by the door. Should this turn ugly- like it was doing already- he could easily escape without being mauled. He quietly waited in the dark, watching the women bidding over poor barely dressed Harry- he had to snicker at the outfit. It obviously wasn't Harry's choice.

As soon as the frenzy began, those women who had more money to be burn quickly dominated the poorer witches. It was as if blood was introduced into the water, and had he not agreed to help out this would have been entirely amusing.

"We have 100,000 galleons! Going once..."

The woman looked smug as she had beat out all the others who were still scraping up money at the bottom of their bags and purses.

"Going twice! S-"

"Five hundred thousand galleons." Lucius stood up in the back so he could be seen.

"Five hundred thou-" The auctioneer stumbled over his words. He looked down to the lead bidder who was now scrambling helplessly in her purse to get the extra money. "Going once..... Going twice! SOLD to..." He squinted to look in the back. "Lucius Malfoy?"

People spit out their drinks if they were drinking. They turned and looked back at the older man who was standing quietly.

The woman who had lost gawked at him, bawling up her fists in fury. "DEATH EATER! WORTHLESS DEATH EATER SCUM!" She ripped off her shoe and chucked it across the room at him. "How dare you! HOW DARE YOU! GO BACK TO AZKABAN!"

Lucius stepped out of the way of the thrown shoe, a bit of a flicker of emotion crossing his face and then it was gone. The woman was quickly being escorted out by security as Lucius wrote a check- handing it to Shacklebolt.

"Lucius, thank you- this was quite generous of you. Hang on a moment." He turned to put the check down, but when he looked back, Lucius had gone- having made a bee line for the door. Once outside, he sucked down breaths of fresh air before quickly apparating back to the safety of the manor.

Harry was furious at the riot breaking out. He saw Lucius leave, just before things got really crazy. Witches were throwing things at each other, hexing one another, and two were atop the tables, dueling. Harry was seething, he knew this hadn't been a good idea, but he'd never imagined people would be this crazy--and all over him!

Harry tapped his wand to his throat, magnifying his voice so he could be heard over the chaotic gray.

"Stop it! All of you--SHUT IT!" He yelled, causing the din to die down. "I'm ashamed of the lot of you, behaving no better than animals. I am a person the same as any of you, alright? I am not a prize and you women would have to pay me a lot more than five-hundred thousand galleons to spend a bloody MINUTE with any of you. As for Lucius Malfoy--"

"Death Eater SHITE!" Someone called.

"They should all BURN!"

Harry scowled.

"Hate doesn't accomplish anything, and when any of you terrorize former Death Eaters, harass their family members, threaten them--if any of you truly believe they should all burn--you've no right thinking you're any better than they were."

Harry reversed the magnifying charm on his voice, and disapparated to the manor.

"Lucius?"

As soon as Lucius got home, he made a beeline to the parlor and his father's aged brandy. His hands were trembling at the thought. Azkaban. He trembled slightly and poured himself a glass. He knew going there and winning was going to make trouble, and he had prepared himself for it. But just the sheer mention of the worst experience he had ever had made his stomach churn. He knocked back the brandy hard, the sting feeling good and making his head swim. The warmth spread through his body and forced his muscles to relax.

He groaned, shuddering- remembering the glinting eyes of rats- the cruel taunts from his fellow prisoners- and the gaunt, lost eyes of those who had been there far too long.

He sat down on the chaise, looking sullen and worn. Just the word- the word alone brought back all the terrible memories. He grabbed another glass, but drank this one far slower than the other one he downed. By time Harry had arrived, he had three glasses of the powerful brandy and was laying ridiculously on the chaise- one leg over the back, half of his body draped over the arm- his long hair was nearly on the ground.

"Murstah Pottah!" He hicked and cleared his throat. "Master Palner. Potter! Harry Ponner- I'm in the parlor. I can get your name righ' ya know, jus' had too much bran'y. Come an' have some bran'y with me. It's delicious." With that, he rolled off of the chaise and onto his back, looking at the detailed ceiling. "SNAGGY. You gotta clean the ceilin'. S' dusty."

Harry went after Lucius voice, and sat down next to him on the floor, the leather of his pants bunching uncomfortably. Harry wished he knew a reversing charm, so he could magic something more comfortable onto his body. He accio'd the bottle of brandy and took a large swallow of it which made his throat burn and his eyes water. Harry took his glasses off and rubbed at his eyes, and sat the glasses atop his unruly hair.

"Lucius, don't listen to them. They don't know you." Harry felt guilty over all the trouble he'd caused. "I shouldn't have asked you to buy me, it was a selfish thing to do. I would have survived the evening...and it would've been nice to have a warm body to sleep next to, even if it wouldn't last." Harry took another hearty drink, and sat the bottle back down, feeling warm and a bit dizzy.

He looked down at Lucius for what seemed like a very long time. His finger traced along the silver accents on Lucius' robes, but his head felt slow and he hardly registered the feeling of the fabric or the movement of his his hand.

"I'm sorry, I shunnit ast you to do it. Iffit makes any better, I gift them all a good talking too after you'd gone. They've got no right to say such fingsaboutyou."

Harry laid down next to Lucius, staring up at the ceiling too.

Lucius looked at him for a long time, he probably would have regardless of being drunk. "Don' be sorry." He frowned. "Shouldn' have to be a piece of meat." He murmured and in his dulled mind, that sounded absolutely exceptional. He rolled on top of Harry, folding his hands across his chest to rest his chin on them- another a bright idea he wouldn't think was so bright if he were sober. "An' now you gotta warm body." He nodded, feeling rather wise.

"I knew it was gonna happen. Didn't mind it so much, it's jus'... she said Azkaban." He cringed hard. "Dun... dun wanna think or go ever 'gain. Would rather die first." He scowled, looking at Harry's green eyes.

"You have pretty eyes. Mmmph, Evans' eyes. I liked your mum. She didn' let me get away with NOTHIN'." He sighed at the memory. "Buh' I like you too. Wouldn' have any company if it weren't for you." He turned his head so that the side of his face was resting on his chest.

Harry took in a breath when Lucius rolled on top of him. He listened to Lucius speaking, his eyes tearing up just a bit when Lucius mentioned him having his mothers eyes, and speaking briefly about her. When Lucius rested his head against Harry's chest, Harry reached down (in what felt like was slow motion--his arm felt heavy) and stroked Lucius' hair. He remembered how it felt to be near to a Dementor, how empty and miserable it felt, like there was no hope, nothing.

"Lucius, you're not going back there. Those days are gone." Harry said. He put an arm around Lucius and rolled them onto their sides, so they were facing each other, and he tilted Lucius head up gently by his chin. "No one should ever have to feel that way, alright?"

Harry held Lucius silver gaze for a few moments, his head feeling heavy as he moved closer, and pressed his lips to Lucius' finding that he enjoyed the way they felt. He pulled back enough to speak again.

"Innit good to be alone."

He shut his eyes and nodded slowly at Harry's words. When he said he wouldn't go back, Lucius believed him. No Azkaban- Harry said so himself. If Harry said something, it was solid. He didn't have to worry because there was simply no need for it. He relaxed immensely. "Thank you Harry." He mumbled and looked grateful.

"No one should have to feel tha' way." He repeated, meaning the words just unable to say something on his own due to the alcohol and the heaviness he felt from all the emotion.

His breath hitched in his throat when Harry kissed him. He almost yanked himself away, as Harry was the same age as Draco, however- his whole body responded and he curled up eagerly into Harry's warmth. When the kiss was over, he nodded. "No one shoul' ever have to be 'lone." Slowly he got up to his feet, extending a hand to Harry.

"Not proper to be layin' on the floor. C'mon."

Harry took Lucius' hand and pulled himself up, wondering where they were going. He tugged at the buttons on his vest, but they wouldn't come undone. Harry wasn't sure if it was due to the magic, or simply due to his fingers feeling clumsy and like weights.

"Where we goin'?" Harry asked, following dizzling behind Lucius. He felt as if the room was lurching. "You never tol' me your house mooffs."

Lucius wrapped an arm around Harry to stabilize him. "It doesn'. That's father's brandy. Really strong." He said and helped direct Harry to the bedroom they used to set the boys up with the previous week. "Jus' lay back." He got them both to the bed, helping Harry lay down.

He hiccuped once, looked scandalized, and figured Harry wouldn't notice- or hoped he wouldn't. He swung a leg over Harry's body, straddling him. "Your clothes look uncomfortable. Dun worry. I'm an expert at this." He patted Harry's shoulder in reassurance and started to work on opening his clothing.

"Who designed this an' got you in it? This looks nice at you buh' you look uncomfortable." It took some doing but soon the front of the vest was open. "There. Alllll done with that." He started on the ties of Harry's leather pants, working them open. He blinked and stopped.

"'S not proper if I remove your pants, Harry. We didn' even have a date yet."

Harry looked up at Lucius through hooded eyes, giving a sigh of relief when the buttons on his vest came undone and the leather hold let go of his skin.

"We...we sorta did. We whento Circus, 'member?" Harry took one of Lucius' hands, and moved it slowly over the bare skin of his torso and the patch of dark hair on his chest, moving it down the thin line that trekked down to his navel, and then let Lucius' hand come to rest again at the ties. He threaded his fingers through Lucius' hair, and then traced a finger down Lucius' jawline.

"So, s'allrigh' if you wan' to." He moved his hand down the side of Lucius' neck, tracing the humming pulse line with his fingers. "I do." Harry felt his face burn at his admission--an admission which even caught himself off guard.

"Didn' count. No kiss." He said and looked mildly indignant. "An' you didn' ask me to go as a formally planned out date. No one taught you proper courtship ish 'kay." He said and had to smile at Harry's admission.

"'Arry, it's too soon." He murmured and placed a hand on his wrist- not pushing him away- but rather keeping his hand there as he liked the warmth on his neck. "I'mma formal person." He leaned over and kissed his lips briefly. "Gotta do things right." He reached back, pulling the silver snake out of his hair- as it was mostly out anyway.

He wanted to go and return to his room, but he was far too tired. "Gonna have to break protocol. Too tired to get up to my room." He removed his top layer of his red and silver robe, unbuttoning the top buttons so he could breathe easier. Lucius laid beside him on his side, placing a hand on his cheek. "Good nigh' Harry." He leaned over and brushed his lips against the younger man's, not wanting to linger too long. He grabbed up the blankets and pulled them up around them.

Harry was asleep quickly, and slept soundly through the night. He woke rather late the next morning. His eyes opened lazily as he slowly registered the feeling of a warm body next to him. It was Lucius. Harry rubbed his eyes and let his aching head fall back onto his pillow. He watched Lucius a bit, his face warming a bit when he considered that Lucius was an attractive man.

The last time Harry had such thoughts about another male, it had been moments of awkward crushes on his best friend--that had sporadically come and gone and went unannounced--and then finally gone completely once he had fallen in love with Ginny.

Harry closed his eyes, trying to remember what had happened after he'd apparated to the manor last night. Obviously nothing too serious, his pants were still on and Lucius was still dressed. The last thing he remembered was walking down the lurching hallway supported by Lucius, and then the memory blurred off into nothingness.

Harry yawned, and sat up slowly, and combed his fingers uselessly through his hair. Despite the hangover, he had the feeling that he'd slept better than usual, and he counted it having had someone to share his bed with. After being married, he had gotten quite fond of having the company each night, and in the years that had left him alone, he had sorely missed such a simple thing.

Lucius slept pretty well throughout the night. However in the morning, it suddenly felt that his mouth was full of cotton. He made a disgruntled sound as he sat up, looking uncomfortable. "Did... did we eat a sweater last night?" He made a face and then flopped back on to the bed.

They didn't do anything- as he was dressed still. He remembered helping Harry out of some of his clothing because it looked tight and uncomfortable. It still looked rather improper.

"Harry." He croaked. "I must be ruining the image of my great beauty by looking a total mess." He was joking of course, but did a detangling charm on his hair to make it look more appropriate. "And... good morning. I er... will go fetch us some hang over medication-- and you something far less... leather related to wear. No wonder those women wanted to tear you apart yesterday- all dressed up like a leather trollop- that couldn't have been your idea." He slid out of the bed, trying to smooth out his clothing.

"I promise you I will be right back." He headed out the door, straight for his study- where he downed a couple of hangover cures. It took four full bottles to get rid of it. He saved the others for Harry, and went to go gather something for the younger man to wear. He wasn't built like Draco, or Lucius- he was far too tall for any of Abraxas's things-- but he seemed to be the size of Lucius's grandfather Claudius. He went toward his father's study and the chest of the few things they had from the long gone Malfoy.

Moments later he returned with a pair of pants, a shirt, and a green cable sweater. "These should fit-- and these should take care of the hangover. ...I needed four of them."

"Oh right--not my idea. Couple of wizards were pointing wands at me, then shoved me out onto the runway, and I had this on." Harry grimaced down at the pants, and rubbed at one of his temples as the headache pounded and made him feel nauseous.

He was glad when Lucius returned with hangover potion and more comfortable clothing.

"Thanks." Harry downed the bottles of potion, sighing in relief when they took affect and the hangover lifted. "Much better."

Harry moved to a corner of the room and ducked behind an antique, hand-painted dressing screen. He emerged feeling much better.

"I don't ever want to see those pants again. They weren't at all comfortable."

"Well. You looked very good in it, but it's far more sexy if you wanted to wear it rather than were forced." He sat down on the side of the bed, reaching over to grab his top robe from last night that laid discarded on the floor.

"If you've never worn them, they can be fairly uncomfortable. Especially if you didn't pick them personally and were shoved into a too tight pair to er... drum up business." He crossed one leg over the other.

"In my younger, more rebellious days I wore them frequently- much to my father's dismay. He had them too, but they weren't for anything sexual, of course. He wore them because they were tough for adventuring." When Harry was finished. "I was thinking- did you want to go out and get breakfast? Maybe we can take the boys. I haven't seen them in awhile. I miss them." He frowned.

Harry colored slightly at Lucius compliment about him in the leather, and then he remembered something from last night. He nodded his head, listening to Lucius go on about his own leather experiences. He had remembered kissing Lucius last night, and wondered if Lucius remembered it. After Lucius mentioned breakfast and the boys, Harry decided to put his question to the back of his mind. He was starving after all, and that at the moment seemed more important.

"That sounds perfect! I'm starving, and I miss them too. I'll go get them from the Burrow--but I think it would be best to go to some place Muggle. After last night, I'm not sure us being seen together for breakfast would be wise. There was a near riot after you left, it was mad."

"Well. I am not very popular at the moment, Harry." Lucius said pointedly. "I keep myself in the house because there are few who would like to see me out and about. Half the population would like for me to be in Azkaban. The other half... The other half would like to see me dead. Which is why I stick to the manor most days. Last night and the circus were the first public events I've been to in years." He stood up and nodded.

He really would have rather gone to a wizarding establishment, but Harry had a point- he didn't want to be ripped to shreds due to rabid witches. "A muggle place is fine, I suppose... I will have to go figure out something appropriate. Do you require a vehicle? Father had one. I suppose we could use that. You'll have to drive because I have absolutely no idea how, and I'm not going to 'wing it' like father would." He made face- there was a story behind the words 'wing it' but he didn't seem to want to tell it at the moment.

"Bring the boys back here, by time you get back, I should be ready. I'm going to consult my father's portrait on what to wear as he would know more than I would."

Harry collected the boys from The Burrow. Al was glad to be getting to see Mr. Malfoy again, and James was excited for breakfast.

"It's all over the Prophet Harry! Oh they're saying such scandalous things about you and Malfoy!" Molly interjected. She waved the paper around.

With a sinking feeling, Harry took Al's hand.

"I don't think I'll be looking at it."

"The things they're insinuating!" Molly shrieked.

"Dear, you do remember when the Prophet was reporting how batty Harry was, and denying the return of You-Know-Who? I wouldn't take everything in that paper as the truth, is all," Arthur put in. "Just be careful, Harry. There's a lot of gossip around, and I'm sure you know there are a lot of people who don't like it. Nosey they are, aren't they?"

"Right." Harry said through clenched teeth. "Got to know all about my life. Nothing's private." Harry grumbled, and floo'd back to the manor with the boys.