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"Come again?" Robards frowned. "Did you say—"
"We lost him, sir," Jones sighed. "We lost him."
Robards slammed his fist down on the table, making the stacks of files on the surface tremble and everyone else in the room jump. "How?! How did you lot let him slip away? Remind me, Jones—since you seem to be the only one brave enough to speak for the group–is this the first time you've let him get away?"
Jones winced. "Er, no sir."
"Is it the second?"
"N-no."
"It's the third!" Robards roared. "The third time you've let Malfoy get away!" He glared at the room. "Why hasn't one of you put a tracking spell on him yet?"
"Er, sir, don't we need a warrant—"
Robards pushed the papers off the table and onto the floor. He leaned forward, pressing his palms onto the desk as he all but snarled at Jones. "Draco Malfoy is on the Ministry's Most Wanted List! Do you know how much he's stolen? Millions. Millions of galleons from his father's old cronies!" Robards shouted. "My order is all the warrant you need! The Wizengamot can kiss my arse if they've got a problem with it! Do you understand?"
The group mumbled their "yes sirs" and avoided Robards' gaze—all except Harry, who stayed silent in the back.
Robards sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Right. Now get out, all of you."
Harry let the other aurors file out of the room first before he followed behind them, not giving Robards another glance.
****
Harry stuffed his hands in his pockets and strode purposefully away from the Ministry building. He still hadn't adjusted to the winter weather, with night washing away the daylight sooner than he liked. Still, there was a peacefulness to it; to walking home in the cold, exhaling and seeing his breath in the freezing air, proof he was somehow still warm inside.
Finally, he made it to the apparition point. He closed his eyes, letting his magic take him home.
Harry landed in his flat with a sigh of relief. He tugged on his ear, which was a bit stuffed up from the apparition, to let it relax back to normal. He walked over to his bar cart and poured himself a glass of firewhiskey.
He didn't turn or startle at the sound of the door opening. Instead, he smiled to himself at the sound of the door clicking shut and then footsteps trailing into the room, and then stop.
"One for you, too?" Harry asked without turning around.
"Yes, please."
Harry picked up another tumbler and filled it with the drink. Satisfied, he turned around, and put the other glass in an outstretched hand. "Long day?"
Draco tipped his glass back into his mouth, nearly draining it in one sip. He swallowed and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You don't know the half of it."
Harry snorted, taking a sip of his own drink. "I have some idea. You're a tough bloke to catch, you know."
Draco smirked. "I know. I aim to keep it that way."
Harry set down his glass and closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around Draco's waist. "As do I, love." He pressed a kiss to Draco's lips. "So, where's this donation headed?"
Draco smiled. "I was thinking Club Care; they've got such a great kids' program. Either that, or Wishing Whale."
"That's the one that fights pollution, right?"
"Yes," Draco said. "Great cause. Plus, I love the name."
Harry chuckled. "You do love a good pun."
"I do," Draco sighed. "It's my only weakness."
Later that night, they were cuddled in bed, with Harry's head on Draco's chest. Their conversation about recent gossip from their friends had fallen into a lull. It was silent, until Harry finally said, "They want to track you."
Draco frowned. "Who?"
"The Ministry. The Aurors. Robards said we have to put a tracking spell on you the next time we see you."
Draco's hand stilled where it had been combing through Harry's hair. "Is he getting a warrant?"
Harry snorted. "What do you think?"
Draco scoffed. "Silly of me to ask. Well, what do you think?"
"I think I should do it," Harry said. "Be the one to cast the spell, I mean. If we're going to keep this up, with me on the inside, then I should be the one with the most access to you, right?"
Draco resumed stroking Harry's head. "Agreed."
They were both silent for a few more moments until Harry spoke again. "We should talk about the way this all ends," he said. "We can't keep this up forever."
Draco nodded. "I know love. I promise we'll figure it out."
Harry glanced up at him. "Together, right?"
"Yes, Harry, together," Draco said with a small smile. "Always."