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Draco filled three glasses of firewhiskey before his guests were even in the room and left two on the coffee table. He had a feeling that he would be needing them. "Potter, Weasley, why am I being arrested?" he asked from his armchair.
Potter frowned. "You're not being arrested; why would you think so?"
Weasley ignored the interaction and grabbed one glass. "This for us, right?" Draco nodded, and Weasley took a sip before sitting down uninvited. Potter joined him after a while.
Draco eyed the redhead before turning to Potter again. "You don't actually come here for pleasantries and you are wearing your Auror uniform. Couldn't you wait until after the Christmas holidays for whatever this is?"
Potter looked at Weasley who was ignoring them in favour of drinking his firewhiskey. "We're not here to ruin your holidays. At least we hope not. We-." He signed. "We need your help. I don't know if you're aware, but we've had an increase number of dark objects moving in and out the country."
Draco nodded. "Gringotts has had to deal with more than usual cursed objects. I've helped with a few when it's dark magic. In fact, I've been spending so much time that they are thinking of giving me a position."
"They don't call us," Potter said.
"You know the goblins. They don't want the Ministry inside their bank. Or their properties. And you did destroy part of the bank," Draco added with a smirk. The dislike the goblins had for Potter was renowned. "I'm still not seeing how I'm involved."
"I was getting to that," Potter said. "We have information that someone is trying to sell an object that would help them bring back Voldemort."
Draco tensed. "Can it?" Potter seemed to know more than anyone else about how the Dark Lord came back to life and Draco trusted him to stop it. Four years since the battle and their world was still trying to heal its wounds.
Potter shook his head. "I took care of everything that could have brought him back. Still, this object is very dangerous and while it won't bring Voldemort back, we suspect that it could kill a great many people."
"Muggleborns," Weasley put in.
"I see," Draco said, tensing. "Worrisome to be sure, but again what does it have to do with me? I don't go around killing Muggleborns, or anyone else."
"We're not accusing you of anything, Malfoy," Potter said. "This artefact, as well as others, will be auctioned off at a private estate in Switzerland. Invitations are expected to be sent out soon for a weekend not too far in the future. As you can imagine, I can't just walk in there, but you- You collaborate with Gringotts, you're rich and your knowledge and expertise in Dark objects and the Dark Arts is renowned. You can get an invitation, spend the weekend there, determine who the players are, and get the artefact. If we can get all of them, even better."
"That sounds too simple. What's the catch?" Draco knew that there was a catch from the way the two Gryffindors looked at each other and from the way Weasley was being quiet.
Potter sighed again. "Right, so here's the thing. We need an Auror to be there for chain of evidence to make a case after we arrest the people involved, and most Aurors don't have the knowledge or money to justify being there."
"Which is why you want me there-." Draco wasn't sure what he was missing, but from the way they were looking at each other, he knew that he was missing something. "I'm still not an Auror, so I'm not sure how that helps."
"I'm bi," Potter suddenly said.
"Congratulation, I'll be sure to notify the Daily Prophet. That should stop the articles about me being gay," Draco answered. "Right, you have a new cause; I still don't see-"
"I could come as your guest," Potter said.
"You're Harry Bloody Potter, Saviour of the Wizarding World, Chosen One, Auror, and so on. I think they'd worry if…." Just as he said it, it finally clicked in. "You can't be serious. You're asking me- Are you mad? We hate each other."
Potter rolled his eyes. "We don't hate each other."
"Fine, we civilly dislike each other," Draco conceded since he owed his freedom to Potter. "We might even have reached a polite truce, but what you're suggesting-"
"Would work. We work well together," Potter said.
Weasley snorted. "You fight well together, not exactly the same thing."
"Even Weasley gets it," Draco muttered. “And even if we could, which is unlikely, you are still the Chosen One. No one will believe you’re all right with Dark objects.”
"You're both wrong. We can do this." Potter got up and started to pace. "We know each other better than anyone else and I wouldn't trust anyone else to have your back. I also don't plan to go as myself. I'll take polyjuice for the entire weekend. We go there, we pretend we're together, we catch the bad guys. Rather simple if you ask me."
"Rather simple? Are you mad?" Draco asked. "Ignoring the fact that they wouldn't hesitate to kill us if we get discovered, people still hate my family for testifying against most of the purebloods. If this comes out- My reputation, whatever it's left."
"I will not let anything happen to you," Potter said with a vehemence that made Draco believe him. "And I know how it impacts your life; I wouldn't ask if I had another way." Potter leaned forward. "Look, Malfoy, I can't make you-"
"Actually you can." It was something that Draco never forgot, always waiting for the day that Potter would ask for the life debt to be repaid.
Potter shook his head. "I told you already. As far as I'm concerned, you saved me while I was in this house and I saved you. Neither was worrying about a life debt. I'm not asking you to repay a debt. I am asking you to help me save innocent lives, because I know that you don't want that to happen. You know what can happen if we go down that road. Nothing good can come out of it."
Draco swallowed his firewhiskey and put the glass down. He should have made it a double. "Fine, I'll do it, but when people threaten me for deflowering the Chosen One, you get to defend me."
Weasley snorted. "You're a few years too late for that deflowering, but you're welcome to try."
Potter groaned. "Ron, not helping."
"That's hardly the problem. The problem is that you two go mad when you are around each other. You say that you'll watch his back, but the problem is that you can't, because you have to focus on the people there." Weasley shook his head. "This is a mistake, Harry. He's not trained and it's just- he can't be your focus and vice versa."
"We can do it," Potter said stubbornly, before looking at Draco. "We can stop this before it happens. We need to try or we'll be right back to where we were four years ago."
Draco hated Potter for doing this, but he was right. Their world couldn't survive a new attack on Muggleborns. "Fine, but remember your promise." He stared at Potter. "Remember that this is your doing."
Potter nodded. "You'll be fine and now we should go over the details."
Weasley got up and made to leave. "Right, since you haven't hexed each other, I'll let you get on with it. I'll let Robards know that this insanity is happening and to get your cover ready."
Potter grinned as he watched him go. "He's so uncomfortable with this. Not that you're any better. You two are making it sound like it's some kind of death sentence. We have to play pretend and we get to stop a new war. It's brilliant."
Draco raised his eyebrow. "Your belief in our ability to work together is… moronic."
Potter sniggered. "We stopped Voldemort together. I would have been dead if you had told them who I was. I would have been dead if your mother hadn't lied. There were a lot of people involved in our victory, and you and your mother were part of that," he said in a sombre tone. "And now let's talk about the mission. While we expect that most of the smugglers to be in their thirties, the people present will be much older based on the price of the items. Most of them will be from other countries, which means they don't know you really well. I'll be playing an American. I work for MANCUSA as a liaison to the Ministry, economic trade. That's how we met. We've kept our relationship a secret because of work, but we're not worried in Switzerland since they are known for their discretion." He blew Draco a kiss. "And we love each other so much that we can't keep our hands off of each other.”
Draco stared a little gobsmacked and then started to laugh, because Potter was so stupidly Potter. "If we pull this off, people will think we lost our minds."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Potter answered, before he moved to a chair next Draco and opened the file. "It's time to do some homework before this mission.
Potter walked into the Malfoy family room and went straight for Draco, putting an arm around him and kissing him. "Hello."
Draco frowned. "You do know that there's no one watching, right?"
"Hey, we're watching," Pansy said from the couch where she was sitting.
"And we're throwing up," Blaise added. "Draco, why is Potter kissing you?"
"For no reason other than Potter being Potter," Draco said exasperated, before turning to Potter. "What did we say about discretion?"
"You said you wanted to tell them and if you have a problem touching in front of them, we have a problem." Potter looked at the other two Slytherins. "Draco is helping me with a case, but he has a problem with touching random people, so we're practicing," he explained.
"Wrong, I am not in the habit of touching people, random or otherwise in public. I don't hug my parents in public. I never hug and kiss in public anyone I date." Draco didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "I don't know why you find it so hard to understand when I know for a fact that you are even worse than me. You don't even touch your friends."
"Normally I don't, but this isn't normal life. This is a job and we have to sell it." Harry hinted a smile. "There's a reason why I'm so good undercover even though everyone knows my name."
"Must be nice to walk around without being recognised, doing whatever you want with no repercussions," Pansy said casually, but she was staring at Potter. "And when your entire personality boils down to hunting the Dark Lord, you get to try on different personalities."
"Pansy." The name sounded like a warning in Draco's voice.
"No, she's right. On both counts," Potter admitted. "It also means that I can play the part well. Now, you need to learn as well if we're getting out of this without getting hexed."
Draco knew that Potter was right, but he hated to admit it. "Fine, I'll do it, but under protest."
Potter gave him a rare smile, before kissing him. "As long as you do it and now if you two don't mind, I need Draco. We have some news I need to discuss with him."
One kiss and Draco knew he was screwed. The look Pansy and Blaise gave him as they walked out told him that they knew it too, but he refused to think about what it would be like to spend an entire weekend with Potter. Instead, he concentrated on the mission. "So what have you learned?"
"We got a lead. We think you’ll get that invitation in the next day or two. They won't give anyone much advance notice. We'll need to put tracking spells on us so the Aurors can find us, but there's a strong possibility that they'll have spells blocking those," Potter admitted. "We're looking at the possibility of Muggle tracking devises, Hermione's suggestion, but if the house is an ancestral one-"
"Then the magic would render the devises useless," Draco finished. "There is a much easier solution. Spuffy."
"Your house elf?" Potter asked.
"They can Apparate pretty much everywhere, even in homes under the Fidelius, no one would expect me to travel without one, and no one keeps track of them," Draco pointed out.
Potter smiled sadly. "I should have thought of that. Dobby was like that. Kreacher a little less."
Draco hesitated. Dobby brought back memories he didn't want to relive, but he murmured a soft 'sorry', before moving on. "The biggest problem isn't getting the information to the division, but whether the other Aurors can get into the property. If this is a pretty stable enterprise, as you think, the house might be under the Fidelius, or have other similar restrictions. It keeps it safe and impossible for Aurors of any country to enter."
"In that case, we'd be on our own. What do you think our chances against a band of international smugglers are?" Potter asked.
Draco snorted. "You ask the wrong question. The real question is what are their chances against the Chosen one?"
Potter grinned. "Good to see that you trust my abilities. Now what do you think about another game of chess?"
Draco chuckled. "You won't win; you never do."
"And I never will if I don't keep trying. Set up the board and I'll refill our glasses."
Draco did as asked and spent another night with Potter, learning new things about the man, things that weren't necessarily related to the war. If he enjoyed the company a little too much, he wasn't about to admit it to anyone.
The invitation arrived only a few days later, giving them a day's notice before a portkey to an unknown destination arrived. Draco and Potter had been ready, trunks packed with a lot more than clothes. Draco had insisted in an assortment of potions and potion ingredients, claiming that he would never be caught dead anywhere without them and to do otherwise would be suspicious. Potter had his stock of polyjuice and other Auror’s objects that would make surveillance easier, but it was the polyjuice that piqued Draco’s interest.
Draco learned that Aurors donated their hair to the division after quitting. These donations went back centuries. The donations were catalogued by physical appearance, stressing things like height and weight, hair and eye colour. It allowed Aurors to choose people with whom they shared similar physical traits, giving them better reflexes in possible battles. It also meant their choices had been dead for centuries, making them unrecognizable. The end result was that Draco kept staring at Potter, who looked sort of like Potter, but not really.
"Good thing we're supposed to be in love, because you can't keep your eyes off of me," Potter said with a smile too open for him.
"It's odd. You look like you, but not." Draco shook his head. "Come on, we need to get there quickly. We need to get to know these people and figure out who's smuggling into Britain."
"We also want to stop them completely, because we don't want dark objects anywhere," Harry said, calmly.
"Sure, but mostly I don't want them in Britain," Draco mumbled. He was not going through another war, because some idiot couldn't be content with his place in life. Thankfully, Potter wasn't arguing and they reached for the portkey that brought them just outside a beautiful castle framed by the Alps. It was the perfect place for a Christmas vacation and served like the perfect cover for rich wizards from everywhere.
"You like this place," Potter said, again with that smile that threw Draco off. It was too naïve and carefree for Potter, who didn't look like that even with his two best friends.
"I do." He hesitated from saying more, but then shrugged it off. "My parents and I used to come to places like this before I started Hogwarts. Once we started school, I wanted to spend my time at home and Mother began creating fake mountains and snow on the property. She's always been very creative with magic."
"It sounds like she would have a great career building magical homes."
Draco's gasp earned him a snort from Potter. "I'll have you know that Mother would never work."
Potter shrugged. "That's a shame. She sounds brilliant."
Draco reminded himself that people like Potter didn't know the rules. A woman of her class didn't work, after all. He smiled, though. "She is brilliant. When I was little, my rooms were always filled by magic. She replicated the Forbidden Forest once."
Potter laughed. "Was she trying to give you nightmares?"
"I'll have you know that I adored it. Well… she might have forgotten to reproduce dangerous beasts, intent on killing us. And insects." He shrived at that.
Potter chuckled. "They are just insects. I don't know what you and Ron have against them. I'd worry more about the things that want to kill us."
"You've never worried about what or who wants to kill you-" Before he could say more, a witch approached them. She welcomed them to the castle and showed them to their room and with that, their undercover mission started.
The first day seemed to go on forever. Draco had worried that he'd be the one to lose his patience, but it turned out that spending time with rich people, eating fine foods and drinking the best money could buy was something that he did pretty well. By the time they got to their room, he could see that Potter wasn't as calm. "Everything all right?" he asked, neutrally. The question could have been posed to Potter if anyone were listening in, but he was actually speaking to Spuffy.
"Spuffy checked. There are spells to see what Master is doing, but nothing to overhear. Spuffy has put more spells to prevent anyone from casting new spells without Spuffy's knowledge," the house elf replied, without making himself visible.
"Thank you. I'd appreciate if you could scope the other security spells before you retired." He started to unbutton his robes, clearly done with the discussion, before turning to Potter, who looked even more tense now. "And what is wrong with you? I thought you were good with undercover work."
"I am, but despite what your father wanted the world to think, plenty of Death Eaters were purebloods with no money or stance. It's easy to talk to them during missions. I'm not as good when it comes to talking about clothes that costs as much as most people make in a month." Potter was taking his clothes off as if they were as offensive as the clothes he just mentioned.
"And that's why you have me. I can talk about these things for days, while you do whatever it is that you do," Draco said calmly.
"I don't need you to tell me that. While you were talking about importing champagne at ridiculous prices, I think I've got a pretty good idea about the chain of command and smuggling route." Draco had not expected that much work in one day, especially when they didn't seem to have talked about smuggling at all. Maybe Potter was really very good. "And don't look shocked; I am good at my job even when I hate seeing this waste."
Down to his underwear, Potter set on the bed as if it were the most natural thing in the world while Draco had too many layers on him. "And you need to get naked," Potter said amused. "We can't keep our hands off of each other and Spuffy said that they are watching us."
"How can you be this calm?" Draco had thought about the dangers of this mission, but he had never thought about the fact that he'd have to be naked in bed with Potter. That had never been part of his plans.
"Because we're just going to be sleeping," Potter answered, with a shrug.
"Wouldn't they expect-" Draco knew he was turning a violent shade of pink that clashed with his hair. Potter looked very amused by that.
"I'm sure they are and we can fake sex to make them happy and then sleep. It's not difficult and it's not the first time that I've faked having sex. Beats having to shag someone for a mission." There was another little shrug that upset Draco. No one should be having sex for work, let alone Potter. How dare the Ministry let him do that? They should put a stop to it. "Whatever you're thinking, let it go. Go to the bathroom, do what you got to do, then we close the lights so they can't really see it and then we play pretend. It won't be difficult."
Potter sounded so sure, but Draco didn't believe him. He still followed the instructions. When he got back in the room, Potter went to the bathroom, giving him time to get naked and get into bed. Finally, there was darkness as Potter joined him. He was careful to keep the sheets up as he rolled on top of Draco, or at least giving the impression, while their bodies were really touching.
"Visual spells don't really give an accurate image. We just have to fake it enough to make it look real. Put your arms around me," Potter ordered and Draco slowly did so. "I'm going to kiss you now. I can't really fake that, okay?"
Draco nodded. There was a brief pause, before it happened. Their lips met and sparks of desire cursed through Draco. He had pictured this moment plenty of times. It had started back in school. The fantasies got more elaborate during the Dark Lord's regime when there was so little light in their daily lives. They became the only thing that kept him going when he was waiting in a little cell to know if he'd ever be free again. His fantasies had changed with the times as well. They had started as imaginary encounters of quick angry sex, but as Potter had turned into his own savious, the fantasies had become more romantic, with Potter always playing the White Knight. None of his fantasies couldn't compare to reality.
He soon lost himself in the kissing and touching, enjoying every moment until Potter spoke up. "If I knew you were so good undercover, I'd have asked you to join me sooner." There was an amused glint in his eyes that was hard to miss even in the dark since they were so close.
"Would you like me to show them how I really feel? Draco snapped back, because he couldn't possibly admit to having enjoyed the moment, but Potter didn't let it go, pressing their crotches together. He was pleasantly surprised to see that they were both getting hard.
"Pretty sure I know how you feel," Potter said, grinning.
"It's biology," Draco answered.
"Sure, maybe you want to try with Ron and see what happens," Potter answered, laughing.
The mere idea made him soft immediately. "I hate you! How can you even mention his name at this moment?"
Potter brushed Draco's hair gently, much like a lover would. "It's okay to enjoy this with some people and not others, and I won't pretend that I hate it that it's you. In fact, it's the opposite of hate."
"What are you saying?" He had to bite his tongue before adding the ubiquitous 'Potter'. During this trip, Potter was Alexander, but Draco had barely said the name since getting here, because it felt weird, and yet it didn't feel weird being in bed when the man didn't look like himself. "Before you answer this, remember how easier I can hurt you in this very moment."
Potter chuckled. "I think my bollocks are safe, because I'm saying that maybe we should try this when we go home. For real this time. Ron thought this would happen if we got naked together. Pretty sure why he hated this plan."
"Have you been smitten with me for long?" Draco said with a smug smile on his face.
"Possibly, although it might be less time than you've been smitten with me. Don't think I don't know." He leaned down and kissed Draco again. "But it's not something we can really discuss now. We'll need to pretend that we're having the best sex of our lives, considering how we acted all day. Are you okay with that?"
Draco nodded. "Let's do this."
And they did. Draco wasn't sure how much was pretending and how much was finally doing something that he always wanted to do. There wasn't actual penetration, but he liked to think that the rest was real. Afterwards they made arrangements for Potter to wake up in the middle of the night and drink more polyjuice, and finally went to sleep.
The next day proved to be more fruitful that they had expected. The artefact, a simple mirror, with a Dark hex capable of killing Muggles and Muggleborns alike arrive together with other artefacts. Draco was able to get close enough to confirm the hex, and then they sent Spiffy back to London to inform the Aurors. By mid-afternoon, everyone had been arrested, including Draco and 'Alexander' to keep their cover. When they arrived to the ministry, handcuffs were replaced by handshakes and thanks for a job well done. Potter was whisked away for a debriefing, leaving Draco to go home alone.
Spiffy informed Draco that Mr. Potter was at the front door and refused to come inside. Draco bundled up and went downstairs. "What exactly is the meaning of this, Potter?"
"Last time I came in you thought I wanted to arrest you, so I didn't come in," Potter answered with a grin. "That, and the magic around the manor is truly beautiful. Is this your mother's doing?"
Draco relaxed and smiled. "It is gorgeous and yes, it's her doing." The grounds looked like a winter wonderland, including the fake snow that didn’t normally fall in the south of England. "Come on, let me show you something." He grabbed Potter's hand and Apparated them both down by the lake where there was a sleigh. "It's enchanted, of course."
"Of course," Potter said as he stepped in.
As soon as they were settled, the sleigh began its journey through the estate. All the trees were adorned with lights. Torches lit the way while floating candles danced in the air. Christmas carols rang through the grounds. "We start planning around October to have everything ready for the Christmas season," Draco admitted. "It's one of the few things that gets Father excited."
"I can see why. It's truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me and I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. The past two days have been crazy. We had to coordinate with all the different countries involved. International coordination is always a mess," Potter said.
"And I'm officially in the clear, right?" Draco asked.
"Definitely. All the different divisions have been informed that you were working for us. Your name will be kept out of the press and there's a code name for all official reports and the trials. No one will know that you were involved."
Draco wasn't so sure. "Except for the people involved."
"They won't get out," Potter said and Draco almost believed his certainty.
"No, but they can still tell others, but it doesn't matter. I knew what I was doing when you asked me to help. I wanted to do it." People might never find out about his actions, but his conscience would feel better.
"I'll make you a deal. If we ever think that someone has leaked it, for whatever reason, we'll make it public and you'll get protection. I'll even volunteer for the job." Potter winked at him.
"Merlin, you have changed. In some ways, you are the same brash Gryffindors, but there's a lightness in you." Draco couldn't understand how it had come about considering that their world had been engulfed in darkness even after the Battle of Hogwarts.
"It's what happens when you die and come back to life, there's no one after me anymore and there are no more expectations." Potter seemed truly to believe that. He also seemed to read Draco's mind, which was ludicrous since Draco had heard how terrible the other man was at legilimency. "People might have expectations, they might have ideas of what I should do or not do, but they aren't real expectations, because these people have no impact on me and my life. I've done what Dumbledore wanted me to do, I've finished what my parents and many others had started. Now, I'm just me. I do a job I like, I hang out with the friends I want, and I date the people I like."
"Speaking of dating-" Draco raised an eyebrow, refusing to say the words.
"Is that what you want?" Potter asked, serious.
"I certainly don't want a quick fuck." If his young self could see him now, discussing the possibility of dating Potter, he'd be shocked. "Being with you will involve the press. If we do this, it's because we're serious about the possibility. I know there are no guarantees in life, but I'm not facing every reporter in the country if this is just an itch to scratch."
"As you said, there are no guarantees, but I'd like to see where this go. On one condition." Draco's stomach dropped, wondering what terrible condition might be involved, considering how serious Potter looked. "You stop calling me Potter."
Draco burst into laughter. "I think I can manage that… Harry."
"Good." Harry leaned into a kiss as the sleigh kept gliding through the estate while a happy voice sang about dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh .