#scheming!narcissa

Drip, drip, drip

 Relaxing deeper into the high-back lawn chair- imbued with cushioning charms, it seemed- Harry let his eyes fall closed and held his teacup closer to his chest. The steam wafted upward toward his nose, heating the small chill he felt there while smelling pleasantly like bergamot. He took a small sip of his earl grey tea, humming quietly in content. Hearing a small giggle, he looked out of the corner of his eye toward Narcissa, smiling and narrowing his eyes. 

 “Is something funny to you, Mrs Malfoy?”  She only giggled again in response, shaking her head toward him. She made a point of holding her teacup delicately- in opposition to Harry’s holding his with both hands fully, covering the entirety of the ceramic- sitting up straight and folding her legs at the ankle like a ‘proper woman.’ It always amused Harry to witness her being ‘proper,’ as she called it, whenever they had tea together. Which seemed to be happening more often lately. However, staring at her posture, Harry couldn’t help but wonder if holding that position all the time just hurt her back.

 “It just seems as if you’re enjoying this, Mister Potter,” Narcissa replied softly, glancing over with a small smile and a teasing look. Harry rolled his eyes at the use of his last night, shaking his torso back and forth to help scoot up higher in the chair. He took another quick sip of his tea before placing it down on the garden table between the two of them, looking out toward the rain falling around the terrace they sat upon on the Malfoy estate.

 “The rain has always had a calming effect on me. I never really knew why.” Harry smiled, tilting his head and glancing back toward Narcissa. He reached a hand toward her, laying his gently on her own. “Thank you for inviting me over for tea once again. It was very generous of you.” Narcissa scoffed lightly, taking her hand out and patting Harry’s in return.

 “Oh, dear. Don’t pretend that you come here to humour an old lady like myself. I know you’re only here to catch glimpses of Draco.” Harry’s eyes widened, taking his hand back and surreptitiously glancing around before looking back to her. He opened his mouth to deny, but stopped once she raised her hand in a halting manner. “Oh, don’t try to evade the truth, Harry. I’m not as oblivious as my dear son, it seems.” Harry blinked quickly, at a loss for words. Quickly, to give himself something to do, he reached for his cup and took a scalding gulp of tea. Narcissa hummed softly, taking a sip of her own just before the doors behind them opened.

 “Mother, have you heard from- oh, Potter, what a surprise,” Draco finished in a mumble, his eyes tracing Harry’s form before blinking twice and turning quickly back toward his mother. He cleared his throat, watching Narcissa take her time to turn and give her full attention to her son. “Have you heard from Pansy? She’s supposed to help me with the-” Draco coughed, glancing quickly toward Harry before looking back to Narcissa, “The thing that she promised she’d help me with.”

 “She’s supposed to help with the thing?” Harry parroted, cocking a grin toward him, raising an eyebrow. Draco placed a hand on his hip, narrowing his eyes slightly toward Harry before looking back toward his mother. She almost seemed entertained by their banter, though the moment she noticed it wouldn’t continue, she let out a put-upon sigh. 

 “Well, I suppose I shall go floo her then, shall I?” Narcissa stood, brushing imaginary lint off of her white dress robes while Draco spluttered, shaking his head.

 “No, mother, you’re entertaining. I could just go floo her myself-”

 “Oh, nonsense,” Narcissa replied, waving her hand in a dismissive manner, a devious little smile lighting up her face, “Although, you are correct that I am hosting a guest. Perhaps you could sit with Harry here for me?” She approached Draco, kissing his cheek and patting the spot softly with her hand twice, mumbling a, “Thank you, dear,” before making her departure.

 Both boys watched as Narcissa sauntered back inside, turning and closing the glass door behind her. They turned and met each other’s eyes, both glancing away quickly as if not wanting to be caught looking at the other. Slowly, Draco made his way to the now unoccupied seat, sitting gently in the chair just as a new teacup popped into existence on the table between them. Draco gingerly took the teapot, pouring himself some.

 “So,” Harry mumbled, fidgeting his hands together, “It’s very relaxing out here on the terrace?” It wasn’t meant to be a question, but the end of the sentence sounded a bit higher pitch than the rest due to his nervousness, and he hoped Draco wouldn’t call him out on it. 

 “It is. Mother used to have tea here with me every week as a kid,” Draco mumbled, taking his teacup and taking a small sip before resting the cup on his lap, watching the rainfall around them. Harry considering turning to look as well, but this seemed like an opportune moment to study Draco without him noticing, so he took his chance. His eyes feasted on the scene of Draco sitting calmly, a soft smile began to spread across his face. “I wasn’t a particularly rambunctious child, but sitting here always calmed my nerves back then.”

 “I can imagine,” Harry replied quietly, glancing away quickly once Draco turned to look at him. “I mean, she’s been inviting me over for tea time pretty often, and it’s always so peaceful here.”

 “She’s the one that’s been inviting you?” Draco mumbled, and Harry glanced up toward him, their eyes meeting.

 “I mean, yeah. Is that- uh, do you not want me here? Is it a problem?” Harry could feel his stomach turn, hoping he hadn’t bothered Draco in any way. However, watching Draco suddenly shoot his hand out, shaking his head quickly, he felt the knots in his stomach loosen, and a fluttering feeling replaces it.

 “No! I mean, it’s fine that you’re here. That mother invited you. That you’re here because my mother invited you for tea and you came to see her, that’s fine!” Draco rambled quickly, waving his hand- Harry opening his mouth to refute- before accidentally tipping his teacup over and spilling over his pants. He gasped, standing quickly and looking down at his pants, Harry jumping up and reaching for a few napkins near the snack plate and moving to try and pat him dry before realizing that it’s his pelvis and that if he does this he might actually touch his-

 “It’s fine!” Draco says frantically, his voice slightly high pitched as he takes a step backwards, knocking into the chair he had been sitting it and toppling it. It hit the floor with a resounding crack! while both boys stared at each other with wide eyes. 

 It felt as if time had stopped, staring into each other’s eyes for a few moments too long before Draco starts to laugh softly, then louder until he’s bent at the waist, wiping a tear from his eye. Harry watches him until he realizes what had just happened as well, laughing along with him. Draco shakes his head in exasperation, taking his wand out of his holster and waving it in a drying charm, and the realization hit Harry of just how hard he’s fallen for Draco.

 “I’m not here just to see her,” Harry mumbled, causing Draco to glance up and raise his eyebrows, asking him to repeat himself. Harry cleared his throat, raising a hand to rub the back of his head. “I mean, yeah, she invites me. And I do come to see her. But I also come to- well, to hopefully see you as well?” He chuckles softly, glancing down at the grey stones under their feet. It was silent for a few moments, and Harry began considering how bad he might’ve messed up before hearing Draco whisper in reply.

 “Why?”

 “What?” Harry asked, furrowing his brows and glancing up. “Why?” He repeats, then blinks, shrugging. “I mean, you’re certainly attractive, so you’ve got that going for you. But I was also hoping I could talk to you every time I’ve seen you. You’ve changed since the war, and I enjoy our banter.” 

 “Our banter?” Draco repeats quietly, taking a small step closer toward Harry. Harry nods slowly, dropping his arm and laughing softly.

 “Yeah. Though, Narcissa’s caught me out.” Harry shrugged, grinning, “She told me that she knew I came over to see you because of my crush- oh,” He laughed, not realizing what he said but continuing on, “She called you oblivious! I bet you’ll have a right laugh-”

 “Crush?” Draco repeated quickly, loud in the stillness around them. Harry blinked, realizing what he said and widening his eyes. He felt his cheeks and ears heat up in a blush, and he chuckled softly.

 “Uh- well- I didn’t realize I said that, but yeah.” Hoping he didn’t just ruin everything, he watched for what Draco would do next. The blond seemed taken aback, his mouth falling open slightly before he came to himself, taking another step closer and reaching out his hand slowly, giving Harry plenty of time to lean away. 

 “On me?” Draco placed a hand softly against his cheek, and Harry couldn’t help but lean into it slightly.

 “Well, of course,” Harry whispered softly, watching as Draco began leaning closer slowly. It was as if they were both moving in honey, but eventually their lips touched, and the result was much sweeter than honey. Draco slid his hand across his jaw, to the back of his head, pulling him closer as they both pressed their chests closer, Harry letting his hands land lightly on Draco’s hips. When they finally pulled apart, Harry rested his forehead against Draco’s, smiling brightly. Draco cleared his throat softly, both of them staring into each other’s eyes.