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Chapter Two: …and I’ll tell you what you are. At some point, during that certain hour of the very early morning when dew drops form on windowpanes, hushed murmurs from two boy wizards floated their way through the sixth floor of a slumbering London hotel. “Here it is… room 615.” “How d’ya work this bloody Muggle plastic key?” “Give it here, Malfoy.” “No… I think I got it.” “Give it to me, Malfoy!” “No, Potter, I’ve got it!” Moments passed. “No, I don’t got it.” “Give it here, Malfoy.” “Ooh, the light turned green!” “Turn the knob, idiot.” Harry and Draco pushed through the door like a couple of unusually handsome sacks of wet sand. “Malfoy.” “Potter.” “There’s only one bed in this room, Malfoy.” “I can see that, Potter. I did not drink myself blind, you know- ACK! Bloody hell! Only got one bed, and it’s got to spin all ‘round.” Draco staggered past Harry, trying to get to the bed before he fell. Harry swayed a bit, his head still pounding DOMPH DOMPH DOMPH like he was still under that speaker in the club. “Now what?” “’S very simple,” said Draco, careening into the bed with his face. “We pass out.” DOMPH DOMPH DADA DOMPH DOMPH DOMPH “Oh, no you don’t. Not till we decide who gets the bed.” “Potter, as distasteful as this sounds… we’re going to have to share the bed. It’s king-size. You take one side…” DOMPH DOMPH DOMPH “…and I’ll take the other. We’ll be… I dunno… this far apart, I reckon,” Draco added, throwing his skinny white arms as wide as they would go. “Yep… that’s pretty bloody far, Potter. Now if you’ll excuse me, everything’s going black now.” With that, he rolled over onto his face and fell fast asleep. Harry watched him for a moment, contemplating his options. I suppose I could sleep in the bathtub… That way I’ll be closer to the toilet. Oh, hell… it’s a big enough bed. Draco doesn’t look like he’ll be thrashing about. I hope. DOMPH DOMPH DOMPH Hell’s teeth… Maybe my eyeballs will explode and I’ll just die right here. Then it really wouldn’t matter where I sleep, would it? Forcing himself out of his robe, Harry stripped down to his turtleneck and boxers before shuffling around to the vacant side of the bed. Eyeing Draco’s sleeping form, he contemplated moving his own pillow down to the foot of the bed, so they could sleep opposite each other. He’s still got his boots on, though, Harry thought. If he kicks even once in his sleep, he’ll break my teeth in. I suppose I could take his boots off for him. It can’t be very comfortable to sleep in those scary lace-up wellies, can it? Harry reached over hesitantly, feeling for Draco’s bootlaces with utmost caution, tugging only when he was certain he could untie the boots without disturbing his new bedfellow. After untying both sets of laces, he sat down on the side of the bed, uncertain of his next move. I suppose I just yank them off, now. I’ve come this far… pantless in a hotel room, fondling Draco’s feet at god-only-knows what time of night. Mustering his courage, Harry grabbed Draco’s left boot and pulled. Hard. The boot slid off neatly, but a moment later, Harry heard a pillow-muffled but unmistakable drawl emanating from the bed. “Potter… what are you… doing?” “Uh… take- take- taking off your boots for you, Malfoy.” “And why, may I ask, are you take- take- taking off my boots for me?” “Because… I thought you might be uncomfortable. Sleeping with them. On your feet. Y’know.” Wait for it. “Oh… Okay. Carry on, then, Potter.” “No! You’re awake now… take your own damn boots off!” “Fine.” Draco shook his right foot until his remaining boot sailed across the hotel room. “Now turn off that bloody light and go to sleep!” “Right.” Harry switched off his bedside lamp and fell into the bed, nuzzling deeply into the quasi-sanitary comfort of white cotton hotel sheets. He slid his glasses off and dropped them onto the night table before curling himself into a ball under the covers. “Potter?” “Now what?” “Thanks for taking my boot off.” “You’re welcome. ‘night, Malfoy.” “G’night, Potter.” The two young wizards fell fast asleep, each boy curled up in his own respective corner of the bed, staying as far from the other as he could without actually leaving the nearly warm and almost comforting cocoon of standard-issue, hotel industry bedding. back? |