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The Optimal Balance	By : TheMightyFlynn Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 17124 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and characters belong to JK Rowling and associates. This was written for fun. I make no money from it.

Chapter List
- 1-The Optimal Balance
- 2-Ch. 2
- 3-Ch. 3
- 4-Ch. 4
- 5-Ch. 5
- 6-Ch. 6
- 7-Ch. 7
- 8-Ch. 8
- 9-Ch. 9
- 10-Ch. 10
- 11-Ch. 11
- 12-Ch. 12
- 13-Ch. 13
- 14-Ch. 14
- 15-Ch. 15
- 16-Ch. 16
- 17-Ch. 17
- 18-Ch. 18
- 19-Ch. 19
- 20-Ch. 20
- 21-Ch. 21
- 22-Ch. 22
- 23-Ch. 23
- 24-Ch. 24
- 25-Ch. 25
- 26-Ch. 26
- 27-Ch. 27
- 28-Ch. 28
- 29-Ch. 29
- 30-Ch. 30
- 31-Ch. 31
- 32-Ch. 32
- 33-Ch. 33
- 34-Ch. 34
- 35-Ch. 35
- 36-Ch. 36
- 37-Ch. 37
- 38-Ch. 38
- 39-Ch. 39
- 40-Ch. 40: Epilogue
- 23
- 24
- 25
The worry that creased Harry’s forehead was obvious as his hands ran along Draco's collar, trying to fix what didn’t need fixing. It was sort of endearing, Draco thought, that Harry’s automatic reaction to being worried about something these days was to immediately seek him out. He could have done without the constant fussing with his clothing, but it was a small concession to allow Harry to relieve some of the apprehension running through him. Not that Draco blamed Harry for being nervous, as he himself had been fighting off an attack of nerves ever since he had spoken to Shacklebolt through the floo that morning while Harry slept. The two of them swayed a little as the elevator they were in juddered.
“Harry?” Harry’s eyes flicked up to meet Draco's the second he spoke. “You have nothing to worry about.”
It was the honest truth as far Draco saw it. Out of the two of them, Harry was certainly the one with the least to fear when it came to wandering the halls of the Ministry. Draco himself had always been on the lookout for flying curses when it came time to make his personal deliveries to the Ministry workers who requested them, but he knew for a fact that Harry would always be safe there. He couldn’t help smiling when reluctance crossed Harry’s face.
“I–”
Harry’s words were cut off when the elevator suddenly slowed and changed directions, pitching him forward into Draco's chest. Draco's back hit the wall and he let out a grunt as his breath left him in a rush. His arms automatically circled around Harry’s waist, holding him steady as he regained his balance. The oaky scent of Harry’s favourite aftershave flooded Draco's senses and he took a deep breath, savouring the smell while they were alone together.
“Sorry, I…” A slight pressure against his arms told Draco that Harry was trying to push himself away from him and he automatically tightened his grip, holding him close to his chest. “Draco?”
“Stay.” Draco slid one of his hands to the middle of Harry’s back and pressed, drawing him a little closer. He was rewarded with the feeling of Harry relaxing into the embrace. “Everything will be fine. The children are safe for the time being with Tori. If anything or anyone is ever stupid enough to cross her when it comes to any of them, I’m fairly certain that they would never be heard from again.”
Harry’s laugh vibrated through Draco's chest. “I’d certainly never want to give her reason to turn that wrath on me.”
“Good to know that you’re sensible about some things, even if they tend to not be the right ones.”
This time when Harry pulled back, Draco allowed him to go. It looked as though Harry was about to make a response, but it became obvious that the elevator was slowing down and, despite the fact that he was now much more comfortable with showing his emotions when he was with Harry in public, there was no way Draco was going to allow himself to be caught in his current situation in a Ministry elevator. Thankfully, Harry seemed to sense this, as he only offered up a wide smile in response instead before breaking contact completely. The elevator doors opened a few seconds later, revealing Level One of the Ministry of Magic.
A number of interdepartmental memos entered the elevator as Harry and Draco exited, fluttering over their heads. Draco's eyes swept over the round lobby, automatically smoothing his hands over his robes and hair to make sure he was immaculate. The layout of the Ministry hardly ever changed and the current setup of Level One had been established the year the War ended. They had entered a large, circular lobby with portraits of past Ministers for Magic hanging on the wood panelled walls. The eyes of each of the Minsters always followed Draco each time he had had occasion to enter this level of the Ministry, but this time they seemed much more focussed on Harry. Draco was unsure whether he liked this change or not and he frowned as he followed Harry down one of the multiple hallways leading off the lobby.
“Harry?”
Harry slowed his steps long enough so that Draco pulled up even with him. “Yes?”
“Do they always watch you?” Harry’s slightly frustrated-sounding huff of breath was more than enough of a response for Draco and he grinned. “Each time?”
“Every single bloody time I came up here after the end of the War, all they did was mutter and watch me. Kingsley’s able to get them to stop, but I’ve honestly grown so used to it by now that I don’t really notice it.”
Needing to expend some of the nerves that had risen in him, Draco placed a hand on the small of Harry’s back and leant in close. He knew that he really should be watching his behaviour much more closely than he currently was, but he had discovered that when it came to Harry, sometimes he simply couldn’t help himself.
“I’m sure my ancestors knew quite a few curses and hexes that would work on magical portraits,” he stage whispered, keeping his eyes on the closest of the portraits to watch for their reactions. “They had enough cause to curse the portraits in their own homes, after all.”
The look on Harry’s face when the portraits broke out into outraged whispers was a bonus that Draco hadn’t counted on. Mumbles of That’s the Malfoy boy, Could you believe…? and Yes, Abraxas’ grandson followed them down the hall that Draco knew led to the Minister’s office, but Draco was much more focussed on watching Harry try to contain his laughter to pay them any attention. Warmth flooded through his chest, spreading out to his limbs rapidly when Harry raised a hand to cover his mouth in an attempt to stifle some of the laughter. It, of course, failed miserably. Harry snorted a little as they passed a particularly outraged portrait who was proclaiming loudly that she had never been so insulted in her entire life. Draco pulled him to a halt just before they entered the Minister’s office.
“Harry?” He let out a small gasp when Harry turned and pulled him into a quick kiss. “What…?”
“I love you.” The sentiment was reflected in Harry’s expression as he smiled up at Draco, causing a blush to rise on Draco’s cheeks. “Even more so because it’s still so easy to do that.”
With that, he placed another small kiss on Draco's lips and turned to enter the office. Draco could hear Harry greeting Geoffrey, Shacklebolt’s secretary, but he stayed outside the office, taking deep breaths in order to calm his racing heart a little. He had no idea why Harry was still able to turn him beet red by expressing his feelings so openly, but it was something that he desperately wished he could get under control. Flexing his fingers and scrunching them into fists in turn expended some of the nervous energy running through him until he was comfortable enough to open the door and join Harry inside.
*~*
“Good afternoon, Kingsley.”
“Harry, Draco! Come in, come in; take a seat. What can I get you to drink?”
Harry grinned when Draco requested a Firewhisky. He had known that he had managed to at least slightly embarrass him while they had been standing outside the office, but he really hadn’t thought that it warranted alcohol. But then, he figured, with everything that the boys were apparently about to put them through, he may just have to take up drinking again himself. When prompted, all he asked for was a chamomile tea, though.
“So,” Kingsley began when all three of them were seated again with their requested drinks. “What can I do for you both? Your message sounded rather urgent this morning, Draco.”
Harry glanced between the two of them. Kingsley was sitting calmly back in his chair, his glass of wine held delicately between two fingers. Draco, on the other hand, appeared to Harry’s eyes to be a jumble of nerves again: his eyes darted around the room before settling on his drink, his breathing was obviously controlled, and his fingers clenched just a little too tightly around the glass. Sitting up straighter in his chair grabbed Draco's attention and Harry nodded in reassurance before turning to face Kingsley.
“We’re having a bit of trouble with the boys.”
“I’m afraid I am hardly the one to come to for parenting advice, Harry.”
Harry grinned. “Not quite what I meant, but thanks for the warning. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Keeping a close eye on Draco, Harry explained what had been going on with as much detail as possible, making sure to mention the missing potions. He was quite thankful when Draco stepped in with information on the potions, as Harry was unsure that he would be able to adequately describe something like that without getting it all completely wrong. Because he was watching Draco as closely as he was, Harry was able to pinpoint almost the exact second Draco began to relax: speaking about the potions, Kingsley asked the function of the three that had gone missing. It was almost as though someone had lit something up inside Draco as he answered Kingsley’s questions in detail, describing the effects the potion had on the drinker, and the likely consequences if someone imbibed too much. Once everything had been explained to him, Kingsley sat back in his chair, his fingers laced in front of him and a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What exactly is it you need from me?”
“Permission to place a Trace on the boys, for one thing,” Harry responded immediately, knowing that it was their best chance of keeping a solid track of exactly where all three of the boys had been.
“Do you think they will try to make it to Grimmauld themselves?”
Harry began to shake his head, but stopped himself. He truly had no idea what the boys would do if they were faced with the possibility of not being able to actually reach whatever it was that they were after. He turned to Draco automatically to find him watching him.
“Draco?”
“I am honestly unsure. I now know for a fact that Scorpius is perfectly capable of breaking through my wards whenever he wishes, so placing a ward on the floo won’t stop them if they are determined enough.” He raised an eyebrow at Harry, obviously throwing the question back at him.
“I’d feel safer knowing that we can track them directly.” Harry turned back to face Kingsley when Draco nodded agreement. “If this does turn out to be something dangerous, then knowing exactly where they are at any point in time is the best way of being able to stop them if they do try to leave the Manor. Al and James have never tried to do anything like this before – and I’m pretty sure Scorpius hasn’t either – but with the things that have happened in both of our families over the past year or so, who knows what the three of them believe themselves capable of now.”
“Emotional upheaval can have strange effects on children, as I’m sure the two of you know already.” Kingsley shifted in his chair, took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. “What makes you think that what they’re after is dangerous? As you have just said yourself, Harry, none of your boys have ever tried to do anything dangerous before this. What if what you overheard isn’t what it sounded like? Or, if it is what it sounded like, then who is to say what they are after?”
Harry rolled his shoulders in an attempt to release some of the tension that had built there. He knew that there was no logical reason beyond his own paranoia for him to suspect that the boys were up to no good, but it was impossible for him to shake the feeling. He jumped when Draco cleared his throat softly beside him.
“I believe that the fact that this house belonged to the Black family for so long is reason enough to assume that something that is being kept there that requires a specific person’s voice to unlock could be dangerous. You have seen firsthand what my family are capable of producing in terms of the Dark Arts, Minister. Are you really willing to risk something of that nature being unlocked by three boys who haven’t even reached their teenage years yet?”
A rush of gratitude towards Draco and his ability to put things into words so easily caused Harry to grin. He knew that he would have never have been able to voice that idea without coming across as either crazy, paranoid or a combination of both. Going running to the Minister whenever something went wrong with Grimmauld was not something Harry wanted to develop a reputation for, especially considering it had been under Kingsley’s advice that he and Bill had gone through Grimmauld as thoroughly as they had after the end of the War.
“You make a very good point,” Kingsley conceded with a bow of his head towards Draco. “So, a special Trace placed on all three boys. I will personally organise that this afternoon and key the both of you into it. Harry, I assume you will teach Draco the charm to pull up the location tracker?”
Harry nodded. “Yes. Could I ask, though, that you also key Astoria into the charm as well? Scorpius is, after all, her son as well.”
A small sound from beside him grabbed Harry’s attention, but when he turned to face Draco, his face was a careful mask. Harry knew that it wouldn’t be obvious to Kingsley, but the signs were clear to him that Draco was attempting to hide something from them. He brushed the strange feeling seeing Draco like that again gave him aside when Kingsley began to speak again.
“Of course I can; I should have thought of it myself, in fact. Was there anything else you needed?”
After yet another quick glance over to Draco, Harry shook his head. “Nothing that you can help with, honestly. I’m going to go see some of the Curse Breakers I know and see whether one of them can help to sweep the house one day this week. I figure a pair of fresh eyes would be much better than asking Bill to do it again. They might be able to spot something strange that we’ve assumed was normal all these years.”
The conversation after that petered out to mostly Ministry gossip and catching up on news of old friends. Most of the afternoon had passed by the time Harry and Draco made it out of the Ministry. Kingsley’s tendency to chat for hours had worked against them, mostly due to the fact that Harry had been unable to find a way of politely exiting the conversation. Draco had, of course, been of no help whatsoever, merely sitting and watching Harry with that impassive mask he had developed the second Harry had mentioned Astoria.
Of course, once they had managed to extract themselves from Kingsley’s office, they had run into a group of Aurors who had insisted that Harry had to stop and tell them all about life as a retiree. Harry kept a close eye on Draco all through the conversation he had been forced into with his ex-colleagues, needing to know whether he was alright. Unfortunately, if Draco was giving him any signs, Harry was unable to pick them up. He finally managed to grasp the opportunity to get Draco alone as they walked together across the lobby of the Ministry. Harry, by habit, always used the floo at the very end of the row, the furthest from the greeting witch. When they finally reached said floo, Harry grabbed Draco by the wrist and steered him into a dark corner, out of the sight of anyone else in the lobby.
“What did I do? You’ve been completely closed off for over an hour now, not speaking to anyone unless absolutely necessary. What’s wrong?” Harry stepped closer when Draco didn’t immediately respond. “Draco?”
It was fascinating to watch the mask that Draco put up against the outside world come down, revealing the man Harry knew and loved. Draco's eyes slid closed, he sagged back against the wall behind him, and he let out a shuddering breath.
“I hate that you can do this to me so easily.”
Stepping up to Draco, Harry ran a hand through his hair, enjoying the feeling of the soft strands falling through his fingers. “I’m sorry?”
Draco let out an amused sound before wrapping his arms around Harry’s waist and pulling him closer. “Are you sure about that? Do you really want to apologise for making me love you?”
The smile that Harry gave when Draco reopened his eyes was completely uncontrollable. For the few seconds before their lips connected in a soft kiss, Harry had clearly seen all the love that Draco had just declared for him shining through in his expression. The fact that he had done so in what was a relatively public place made the sensation all the sweeter and caused warmth to spread rapidly through Harry. It was with great reluctance that he broke away after only a few seconds.
“I need to… Um…” He trailed off when Draco's fingertips traced along the top of the waistband of his jeans.
“Yes?”
Harry grinned at the amusement evident in Draco's voice. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly before stepping backwards out of Draco's arms.
“Go. I need to go.” He ran both hands through his hair to prevent himself from stepping back up to Draco when he only smiled in response. “I have a Curse Breaker to find.”
Draco cocked an eyebrow at him. “I don’t see anything stopping you.”
“You’re a bastard.” Harry closed the gap between them again and drew Draco into another kiss before stepping back. “I love you for it, though.”
“I know.”
Turning to leave, Harry discovered that it was impossible for him to prevent himself from smiling.
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The Optimal Balance