#walking under ladders

ll.

Harry and Draco were grading papers in the silence of Draco’s living room in the dungeon. As the potions and defense teacher, they had a lot to look over. Suddenly, Draco spoke up. “Are you sure you don’t want a drink? We don’t have to spend our whole night off cooped up like this.”

“Draco, you’ve already asked me that three-” Harry stopped abruptly and looked around with an expression of apprehension. Draco’s stomach lurched as he realized Harry must have caught on. Hus subtle flirting couldn’t have gone unnoticed too long. Usually, it would be a good thing that he finally caught on, but Harry seemed to not return the feelings. 

“Look Potter-”

“Threes... everywhere,” Harry interrupted. He stood and started to pace around the room, pointing things out as he went. “Three chairs in the living room...Three fruits left in the fruit basket... Three books lying in the end table... Three I spilled my coffee.... And now, three times you’ve asked if I wanted a drink.” As Harry’s rant went on. Draco grew more confused. 

“What are you on about?” he finally inquired. 

“Bad luck comes in threes! We’ve been swimming in bad luck all night. I have to go,” Harry rushed out. Then, he collected his supplies in a hurried fashion. 

As he opened the door to leave, Draco called, “Harry, wait!” Draco’s use of his given name didn’t even register in Harry’s ears as he was already gone. 

lll.

“Here you are,” Draco said as he handed Harry a glass of firewhiskey. Harry took it gratefully and jerked his head behind him to indicate an empty frame behind him. 

“What’s this for?” Harry asked. Draco glanced at it and returned his gaze to Harry. 

He stepped closer to the other man as he said, “It used to be a mirror. I was trying to move it into my bedroom and I accidentally broke it.”

“That’s seven years of bad luck!” Harry gasped. Draco stepped even closer and his breath hitched. 

“I’ll be alright, I think,” Draco whispered before leaning in to place a kiss on Harry’s lips. Harry met him halfway. Fireworks didn’t explode when their lips connected. However, they finally felt as if they belonged for the first time in their lives. 

lV.

They were laying on their couch together watching a movie (Harry showed one to Draco months ago and since then, he’s been hooked), when Harry suggested they go outside. It was almost Christmas so they were home at their flat. 

To which Draco replied, “It’s pouring outside.” Harry gave him his best ‘You’re not fun’ look as he stood up. 

“We have an umbrella. We can cast charms. It’s so pretty when it rains,” Harry whined while pulling on his boyfriend’s arms, attempting to get him to stand. After a few minutes of struggling, Draco finally relented. Once he was in a standing position, he pulled Harry close and they had a heated kiss. 

“We could go outside, or we could do something else...” Draco murmured against Harry’s lips. Harry lingered for a moment, before abruptly pulling away. 

“I want to go outside,” Harry said. Draco groaned and Harry smiled at him. Once Harry smiled at him, Draco knew Harry was going to win. 

“Fine,” Draco sighed. “Let me change.” Harry whooped and run up the stairs, taking two at a time. Draco followed reluctantly, wondering what he was getting himself into. 

Fifteen minutes later, they were both dressed and prepared for the weather outside. Draco led the way through the welcome hall and grabbed the umbrella. Before Harry could say anything, Draco opened it. 

“Draco!” Harry admonished. 

“What?” Draco asked. He turned to his boyfriend and gave him a questioning look. 

“You can’t open umbrellas inside the house. It’s bad luck. Now we can’t go out there,” Harry chastised. Begrudgingly, he began to take his coat off and trudge back to the living room. Draco silently thanked whoever made up so much rubbish before joining him. 

Once they were together again, Draco pulled Harry in by his waist to whisper in his ear, “I know how I can make it up to you...”

V.

Draco moaned as he spread out, trying to find his husband with his arms. When his blinded search came up empty, he opened his eyes. The space in the bed next to him was empty. He listened carefully for a moment and heard nothing. 

“Harry?” he called. No answer. Slowly, he stood and grabbed his wand. He crept through the house, listening for any noise. As he approached near the kitchen, he could hear someone fumbling in the cupboards and swearing. Draco let out a sigh of relief as he recognized Harry’s voice. Stowing his wand away in his pajama pants, he entered the kitchen. Harry appeared to be looking for something. 

“What are you looking for Love?” Draco asked. Harry jumped and cursed once more before resuming his search of the cabinets. 

“You scared me,” Harry admitted as he began to take spices out of the cupboard, onto the counter. 

“You scared me when you weren’t in bed,” Draco shot back, but Harry wasn’t listening. His frustration was growing as he still couldn’t find what he needed. “What are you looking for?” Draco finally questioned. 

Without stopping, Harry said, “It’s Friday the 13th.” Draco was still as confused as ever. 

“So...?” Draco asked. 

“It’s an unlucky day. I need to throw salt over my shoulder to fight it off,” Harry explained. The cabinet was nearly completely empty and the salt was still nowhere to be seen. 

Draco chuckled and said, “I should’ve known.” Harry glared at him. 

“It’s not funny. This is serious,” Harry grumbled. 

“Of course it is. The salt is on the table. Remember when you wanted to use it for your popcorn the other day and you left it there?” Draco told him. As soon as the words left his mouth, Harry was scurrying out of the kitchen. Draco really had to read up on bad luck...

And l.

After weeks of groveling and begging, Harry relented and agreed they should get a pet. Draco was set on a cat, but Harry wanted a dog. However, Draco knew they would come home with a cat. 

Once they apparated to an alley a short ways away from the pet store, Draco grabbed his hand and practically dragged him forwards. Soon, they were greeted with the store front of a rescue pet shop called Pet Love. Harry opened the door with the ‘Come In, We’re Open!’ sign and Draco entered. Immediately, he was drawn to the far right corner where the cats were kept. He made his way through the area, trying to find the perfect cat for him and Harry. 

He came to a stop when he saw a black cat with green eyes staring at him. They stared at each other for a moment, unblinking. The cat tilted its head and seemed to evaluate Draco. After a few seconds, the cat appeared to approve of him as it stood on its hind legs and began to lick at the glass. Draco smiled at it and out his hand against the glass. 

“Would you like to hold her?” a voice from besides him asked. Draco turned to see an employee looking between him and the cat.

“Can I?” Draco replied. 

“Of course,” The employee stepped forward, pulling keys from her waistband. She unlocked the enclosure and opened the door. The cat moved forward and Draco reached out. As he held the cat in his arms it purred and nudged under his chin with its head. 

“We’ve had this cat for months now. She’s never taken to anyone like this,” the employee said in amazement. 

“It’s too bad - My husband would never get a black cat. he’s incredibly superstitious,” Draco said while smiling down at the creature in his arms. 

Meanwhile Harry was watching him from the other end of the aisle. How could he keep something away from Draco when it made him smile like that? He walked up to his husband and wrapped his arms around him. 

“Never say never,” he murmured near his ears. He felt more than saw Draco’s smile.