Chapter Text

Chapter 1

“Pansy, this place is a dump.” Draco sniffed as he inspected a questionable stain on the fabric of the booth before sitting down. “Just because you are dating a Weasley does not mean you need to lower all of your standards.”

“Oi!” Ginny smacked Draco lightly on the back of the head. “The Weasley is right here!”

“Apologies, Ginerva.” Draco muttered at Pansy’s dark look.

Draco sighed and folded his arms on the tabletop. “I am sorry, it's been a bloody long day.”

Pansy reached across the table and ran her fingers through Draco’s hair that had fallen over his face.

“I’ll go get drinks,” Ginny said, and headed to the bar.

“What happened today?” Pansy asked.

Draco raised his head to glare at her. “Potter.”

Pansy winced. “Tell me what happened.”

“Oh, tell me too.” Ginny slid into the booth beside Pansy, passing Draco a glass of whiskey and Pansy a martini before settling in with her own pint.

“He’s just… everywhere!” Draco complained. “It’s like being back in 6th year again.”

A look passed between Pansy and Ginny that had Draco narrowing his eyes.

“You invited him here tonight, didn’t you?”

Pansy dropped her eyes to rub at a water ring on the tabletop, but Ginny notched her chin higher.

“He’s our friend, Draco.” She sighed. “You need to get over whatever this… thing… is between the two of you.”

“There is no THING as you so eloquently put it,” Draco scoffed.

Ignoring him, Ginny continued. “Or better yet, just shag each other. Godric's bollocks, the two of you have been dancing around each other since we were kids.”

Draco drained half his drink in lieu of answering.

Pansy opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by the screech of a microphone as a woman took the stage.

“Please join me in welcoming Evan Prince back to our stage!” She stepped aside as clapping and cheers broke out around the bar.

Draco watched as a man stepped up to the microphone. He had a stocky build with broad shoulders and a trim waist. Dark hair was pulled back into a knot at the back of his head. His jawline was obscured by a thick but well maintained short beard. His eyes were an interesting hazel colour set in lightly tanned skin.

Draco had the passing thought that he looked somewhat like a poor man’s Harry Potter. Just proving that the man was indeed everywhere.

He opened his mouth and began to sing and Draco was transfixed. The man’s voice was deep and resonant, oddly haunting.

On my knees before you
Begging you to see me
What do I have to do
Why won’t you hear my plea

Draco was gripped with the sensation that the man, Evan, was singing directly to him. This thought was aided by the fact that the man’s eyes, which had initially scanned the crowd as he sang, had caught on Draco’s and held there.

He continued to sing about loving someone who didn’t know it. The heartache and longing rang so true that Draco felt the sting of tears in his eyes.

As the song died out Draco felt the weight of Pansy and Ginny’s stares on him.

“You liked that?” Pansy asked softly, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

“He’s fantastic,” Draco admitted, eyes still fixed on the stage.

“He sings here two or three times a week,” Ginny told him. “That's why we came here.”

“You know him?” Draco asked curiously. Maybe they could set them up. He needed to do something to get his mind off Potter.

They both hummed noncommittally. “We’ve talked to him.”

On stage Evan had begun singing again.

Sunday morning, lazy day
Across the table you give me a glance
I’d make you happy, what do you say
Will you give me the chance

Draco’s breath caught. This man had it bad for someone. Once again he seemed to be looking directly at Draco as he sang. It was most likely just a trick of the lighting, but he allowed himself to sink into the feeling. Imagined another dark haired man was singing to him.

After the song ended the man thanked the audience, announced that he would be singing again on Thursday, and left the stage. Draco joined the rest of the crowd in their applause.

Wanting a moment to compose himself he volunteered to go fetch fresh drinks. When he returned to the table Harry Potter had claimed Draco’s seat.

“Potter.” Draco sighed, then deciding to be civil for his friends' sake, “What would you like to drink?”

Potter looked surprised that Draco had asked. “Whisky please.”

Draco passed him the drink he’d gotten for himself. “Have this one, I’ll go get myself another.”

“We’ll go!” Pansy and Ginny announced together and left the booth before he could argue. Reluctantly he slid onto the bench beside Potter.

“You just missed a good singer,” Draco told him.

“Evan?” Potter smirked. “Yeah, I’ve heard him.”

“You don’t like him?” Draco asked.

“Bit melodramatic, don’t you think?” Harry turned his body slightly, leaning back against the wall to face Draco. He brought Draco’s glass to his lips and sipped.

“On the contrary,” Draco argued, “I think he’s heartfelt and sincere.”

Harry made a noise in his throat but didn’t answer.

“What is taking them so long to get a single drink?” Draco muttered.

“Oh, I have a feeling they might be a while.” He extended the glass to Draco. “We can share.”

Draco reached out slowly and took the glass. A zing ran up his arm as their fingers brushed. He lifted the glass to his lips and sipped, trying not to think about the fact that he was putting his lips directly over where Potter had just had his.

Potter was watching him intently. Draco passed the glass back and licked an errant drop from his lower lip. Potter mirrored the movement and Draco’s attention caught there.

Harry raised the glass back to his own lips again, deliberately turning it to put his mouth in the same spot. As he put the glass on the table a drop of liquid clung to his full lower lip.

Draco swallowed heavily. Potter’s eyes had not left his.

“You have a little something…” Draco gestured toward Potter’s mouth.

“Mmm… where? Get it for me?” His voice was low and husky.

“I don’t have a napkin,” Draco said.

“I don’t mind,” Harry murmured.

Draco saw his own hand reach out toward Potter. His thumb dragged along his bottom lip, catching the drop of whiskey and, to his own horror, bringing it to his own mouth.

Potter’s breath caught as he tracked each movement, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as he watched Draco’s tongue dart out, licking the whiskey away.

They both jumped as Pansy and Ginny dropped back into their seats. “Sorry, long line!”

They set down fresh drinks in front of both men.

Draco straightened in his seat, and caught the two women's gaze bouncing between him and Potter.

Potter finished the glass of whiskey he and Draco had been sharing and picked up the new one.

“Draco, how is work?” Potter asked him.

“You just saw me there today, Potter.” Draco bit out, he would not think about how this name sounded coming out of Potter's mouth. Wouldn't think about that mouth at all in fact.

“Just to drop off some files. I didn't get to talk to you.” Harry sounded almost disappointed.

“Work was frustrating, honestly.” Draco sighed and sipped his drink. “The case we've been building was put on hold because one of our witnesses disappeared. Then I had court and the Auror assigned didn't show so the case got dismissed.”

Potter made a sympathetic noise. “Sounds like you need to unwind then.” His voice was closer than before and Draco turned his head to see that Potter was leaning towards him.

“Mmm…and how do you suggest I do that?” Draco set his whiskey down with a snap. Clearly he'd had too much already if he couldn't even control his words.

Potter's eyes flicked over Draco before a corner of his mouth quirked up. “Come dance with me.”

“You don't dance.” Draco countered.

“I don't dance at posh parties to weird old music.” Potter scooted over, nudging Draco out of the booth. Once they were both standing Potter held out his hand. “Scared, Malfoy?”

Draco did not miss Pansy and Ginny's giggle as he was pulled into the crush of bodies.