Current mood:	exhausted
Entry tags:	challenge, challenge #111

Challenge #111 Surprise, Surprise! fic and art
Title: Surprise, Surprise!
Rating: PG-13 (yeah I know – blame my muse)
Word Count: 3,022
Challenge: Written for slythindor100's Challenge #111 – Birthday Boy and for hd_365 and is in that universe.
Warnings: It's me...it's Harry's birthday...you do the math.
A/N: Eternal gratitude to oldenuf2nb for helping out my tired brain and to eeyore9990 for the speedy beta and the title.



"I can't believe that sodding wanker did this!" Harry shouted, his hands waving in the air. "He fucking knows my birthday is tomorrow and yet he sends my husband off on a fucking wild goose chase!"

"Harry," Hermione said cautiously, "I very much doubt that Kingsley would send Draco off on a wild goose chase, birthday or not."

Harry's resulting glare was harsh enough to melt paint off a building.

"Oh, don't look at me like that," Hermione continued. "You know Kingsley is a professional. How do you know Draco won't be back tonight?"

Harry arched his spine and rolled his shoulders, in an apparent attempt to calm himself. "Because the fucking Owl I received, after Draco was already gone, said that he would not be back until Sunday."

"I know you're upset, but..."

"There is no but," Harry said testily. "It was a shitty thing for Shacklebolt to do."

Hermione rolled her eyes and turned towards the door. "You're going to disagree with everything I say, so I'm going to save my breath. I'll come back later to see if you've heard anything." She paused at the door. "Do not do anything stupid...promise me."

Harry glared.

"Promise me," she repeated.

"Fine, I promise," Harry said through gritted teeth waiting until Hermione left his office. His voice lowered slightly. "I promise I won't do anything stupid, killing the wanker isn't stupid. It will make Draco happy and will thrill me at the moment."

"I heard that," Hermione called back.

"Go back to your own office and take down the monitoring charm on me!" Harry shouted down the hall.

Hermione's laughter rang through the corridor.

oo00oo

Harry sat in his quiet flat, stabbing at his Tandori chicken with a fork. "Sodding wanker, sending Draco off like that," he grumbled to himself, getting up and tossing the take away carton in the bin. He went to the sideboard and poured a large measure of scotch into a tumbler and slumped onto the couch in front of the fire.

He took a sip of the amber liquid, choking as it burned its way down his throat. "How the fuck does Draco drink this shite?" he asked out loud, as the fire flared green.

"Wondered that myself," Ron replied with a grin. "You look a bit better than Hermione described you over dinner. I thought maybe I should make sure you hadn't done anything...well stupid."

"So you two together again?"

"We're giving it another go," Ron said, glancing over his shoulder. "It's tough what with all our travelling. But I'm supposed to be checking on you, not the other way around, mate."

"Well I've not AK'd our boss, if that's what you mean. However..."

"Don't get any ideas," Ron laughed. "Hermione will have a fit if she thinks I've gotten you all riled up again."

"Again?" Harry said incredulously. "More like still. But let her know that I'm not planning on doing anything stupid. Spending my birthday in Azkaban is not on my to do list this year." He stretched and took a sip of his drink. "My plans were more along the lines of a quiet evening with my husband and a can of whipped cream."

Ron held up his hands, blushing furiously. "Way too much information, mate!"

"You brought it up, not me." Harry shrugged. "Really, tell Hermione I'm still furious, but I'm just going to finish this scotch and go to bed. In my big, lonely, husbandless bed and dream about ways to make Kingsley's life miserable."

"I think I'll just tell her you're fine and leave it at that," Ron replied, "if it's all the same to you."

"Suit yourself." Harry set his glass on the table and knelt on the hearth. "Seriously, mate, I appreciate you both checking in. But I'm fine. Now go. Enjoy your evening. Someone should get lucky tonight!"

"I'll keep that titbit from Hermione, if it's all the same. Get some sleep. And I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Harry stood and grabbed his glass of scotch. He drained it in one gulp as he walked to their bedroom. He quickly stripped to his boxers, completed his before-bed rituals and crawled under the covers. He lay there in the dark, listening to the clock tick. He listened as the clock chimed every hour away, until it finally chimed midnight. A new day.

"Happy Birthday to me," he muttered before rolling onto his side and falling into a restless sleep.

oo00oo

Harry strode down the hall from the elevator towards his office, scowling as nearly everyone he passed called out Happy Birthday, Harry. He entered his office, slammed the door shut and slumped into his chair.

A soft knock on the door pulled him from his musing. Hermione poked her head inside the door, a smile playing at her lips. "Rumour has it that a Blast-Ended Skrewt, resembling Harry Potter, stormed into the building a bit ago."

"I'm falling off my chair in hysteria," Harry replied sarcastically. "If you've come to wish me a happy birthday, don't bother unless you're hiding Draco behind you."

Hermione entered the office and closed the door behind her. "Look," she said softly, "I get it. You're disappointed. But you made four secretaries cry already this morning and..."

Harry sighed. "Fine, I'll apologise and then I'm going to find Kingsley and tell him exactly what I think about this assignment he's sent Draco on."

"He's not in today."

"What?"

"Kingsley is not in today," Hermione repeated. "So save your anger and stop acting like a petulant two-year-old. Draco isn't here for your birthday. You'll get over it." She walked towards the door. "In the mean time, there are several cases on your desk that need your attention."

Harry sat, gobsmacked by her outburst. "Fine," he muttered, grabbing a file and turning his chair so the back was towards her.

Hermione paused and the door before opening it and walking out, slamming the door as she left.

"I think I liked her better when she travelled more and spent less time in the Ministry," Harry grumbled as he flipped the file open.

The morning passed uneventfully and soon Harry's stomach was expressing its displeasure with his lack of breakfast. The witch who managed the tea trolley had no doubt heard of his mood and had not knocked to see if he needed a mid-morning snack. Harry stood from his desk and stretched his arms into the air and arched his back, his spine popping from the lack of movement all morning. He was just about to head to the cafeteria when Hermione came bursting into his office.

"Here," she said setting a small, neatly wrapped package on the corner of his desk. "I was supposed to give you this later, but I talked to...well I decided..." She wrung her hands in frustration.

"Thanks, Hermione," Harry said. "But your Owl arrived at home this morning with your gift. The broom polishing kit was great. You didn't need to get me anything else."

Hermione sighed. "It's not from me. It's from Draco. Just open it and... Well, just open it."

Harry poked at the package with a finger.

"Oh for Merlin's sake," Hermione muttered. "It's not going to bite you. Open it!"

Harry tore off the wrapping and opened the box. He pulled a silver bracelet. The front was brushed metal and inside there was a date inscribed with my life began the day I married you. Harry blinked to keep from tearing up.

"What's wrong?" Hermione asked gently.

"Nothing's wrong. I just have a very sentimental husband," Harry replied handing her the bracelet and taking the small ivory card out of the box.

Hermione smiled. "That's lovely. And that's your names in Runic."

Harry's brow furrowed as he read the enclosed card. He handed it to Hermione. "Any idea what this means?"

Hermione read the short note.

Wear this gift as the clock strikes three. It will take you to where you want to be.

"Obviously it's a Portkey. Timed to take you somewhere at three o'clock."

"Hermione?" Harry asked, brow arched. "What do you know about this?"

A blush rose up Hermione's face. "Would you look at the time?" she blurted out. "I need to go...out. Yes, out. Bye, Harry. Happy Birthday!" She kissed his cheek lightly and rushed out the door.

Harry sat in his chair, arms crossed, staring at the bracelet. "What do you have planned you sneaky bastard?" he pondered out loud. He sat up suddenly. "I don't even know if I should pack a bag!"

The time until the Portkey activated passed slower than stampeding snails, but finally it was time to go.

Harry wrapped the bracelet around his wrist and felt a tug behind his navel as the room spun out of view. He landed with a thump on a plush carpet in a richly appointed room.

"Charming entrance."

Harry pushed up onto his elbows, turning his head. Seated on a luxuriously upholstered white sofa, long legs encased in black silk pyjama bottoms negligently crossed, sculpted chest and elegant feet bare, was his husband. He was holding a glass of red wine in his hand, and his characteristic smirk was in place.

"Happy Birthday, by the way. Do you plan to get up off of the floor?"

Harry clambered to his feet, starting forward when the sheer luxury of his surroundings
made him stop in his tracks. They’d shared some sumptuous suites over the course of their time together, but this… well, this place was amazing, from the towering ceilings to the marble floors covered by elaborately woven plush carpets to the floor to ceiling windows that lined one wall. The windows revealed an amazing view of a city at night, high rises alight, mountains a mysterious presence directly behind them, their peaks shrouded in fog. A river wove far beneath the windows, reflecting the thousands of lights like jewels twinkling on the water. "Where are we?" He asked faintly, unable to tear his eyes from the stunning view.

"Hong Kong," came the answer near his ear, and he startled and turned to find Draco standing close behind him, grey eyes soft on Harry’s face. "And you, love of my life, are an enormous pain in the arse. At least so Granger tells me. Storming about the Ministry, reducing the hired help to tears." He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "How many devastated secretaries am I going to have to send flowers to in order make up for your behaviour this afternoon?"

Harry scowled even as he felt his face heat. "Hermione has a big mouth," he grumbled. "And if anyone should be sending those women flowers, it should be Shacklebolt. If he hadn’t sent you away, knowing full well that it’s my birthday, then I wouldn’t have been…"

Draco lifted a languid hand and pressed his fingers over Harry’s lips, stopping the increasingly rapid flow of words. "You’re a wee bit slow on the uptake, Potter. Do you know that?"

Harry blinked, confused. "I… what?"

Draco shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips. "Have you any idea," he began, reaching out and unbuttoning the top button of Harry’s Auror robes, "how difficult you are to surprise?" His fingers moved smoothly to the next button, then the next.

"I… what?" he said again, completely baffled. Now Draco laughed.

"Merlin’s knobby knees, it’s a good thing you’re adorable," Draco said wryly. "Because I’m beginning to think you’re a wee bit thick."

"Draco, explain." Harry said, a slight warning in his voice. He knew he was missing something, but damned if he could put his finger on just what it was.

"Oh, all right," Draco huffed, finishing unbuttoning the robes and sliding them from Harry’s shoulders. He took in the red button down he was wearing with his black slacks and shook his head. "Is this how you dress for work when I’m not there to pick out your clothes? Honestly, Potter."

"You have exactly three seconds," Harry growled. This time, Draco laughed as he started on the much smaller buttons on his shirt.

"Fine, spoil sport. You know how much I love winding you up." He paused in the unbuttoning to run his hand over Harry’s chest, cupping one muscular pec in his hand. "I do so love to help you burn off all of that excess energy." Harry narrowed his eyes, but Draco merely smiled as he returned to opening his shirt. "I did have to come to Hong Kong for a briefing. There’s a case dealing with archaic languages and ancient runes… oh, how do you like the bracelet, by the way?"

Harry’s irritation faded. "I love it," he murmured. "It’s beautiful. And you call me a sentimental fool."

Draco shrugged expressively. "I have my moments. At any rate, in exchange for making me come all of the way to Hong Kong the day before your birthday—"

"We really are in Hong Kong?" Harry said, wonder in his voice.

"Indeed we are," Draco answered, pushing the shirt from Harry’s shoulders and letting it pool atop the robes on the floor. "Stop interrupting me. In exchange for making me come to this God forsaken place…"

"Yeah," Harry said, looking around with a smile. "Quite the dump."

"Shut it, you," Draco said, eyes narrowed as he took a step back and picked up not only his glass of red wine, but another and held it out to Harry. "Let me finish. In exchange for making me come here, I told him that I’d whine to Mother if the Ministry didn’t comp me a suite for the entire weekend and arrange a Portkey for you, so that we could celebrate your birthday, here." He gestured with his arm. "The Presidential Suite at the Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong, for two days and two nights, on the Ministry." He made an abbreviated bow, smirk firmly in place.

"You told Kingsley that you would whine to your mother," Harry mused, amusement beginning to fill his chest. "In other words, you black mailed our boss."

Draco straightened. "I did, indeed," he agreed, taking a sip of his wine, grey eyes sparkling at Harry over the rim of his glass.

"And the reason he was gone from the office today…?"

Draco shrugged one bare shoulder. "Might have had something to do with knowing how you’d react to my absence. And knowing his own inability to keep his mouth shut."

"You set this whole thing up." He shook his head. "Gods, I never saw this coming."

"Which means I actually was able to surprise you. For once." Draco took another sip of his wine. "Even if you did nearly behead half of our department and had Granger in a blind panic by noon."

Harry closed his eyes. "I was a bloody terror," he murmured. "I’m going to have to apologize to all of those people…"

A warm hand came to rest on his chest, and he opened his eyes to find Draco standing close. "They’ll understand," he murmured gently. "Just tell them that you hadn’t seen your husband in a few days, and you desperately needed to get laid. Drink your wine," he ordered gently, and Harry lifted the glass to his lips and sipped. It was excellent. "Besides, you’ll come back purring like a kitten."

"I will, will I?" Harry murmured, leaning to the side, setting his glass on an end table. He removed Draco’s from his hand and placed it next to his.

"Oh, yes." Draco smiled sleekly, slipping his hands to Harry’s shoulders, sliding them over the smooth, tawny skin. "We’ll work all the kinks out." He wiggled his brows, and Harry laughed.

"I didn’t pack anything. I didn’t know what to bring…"

"Already done," Draco provided. "One suit for dinner tomorrow night in the most glorious restaurant you’ve ever seen. Other than that, a little less than what you’re wearing right now will do nicely. This place has the most sinfully wonderful silk robes. They’ll feel like heaven against your skin. All of your lovely, bare skin." He slid his hands down Harry’s arms and over his hands, and Harry caught his right with his left, threading his fingers between Draco’s long, tapered ones and lifting the hand to his lips.

"You’ve thought of everything," he whispered, kissing the back of Draco’s hand but not releasing it.

"I’m brilliant," Draco murmured, his eyes dropping to Harry’s lips.

"So you are," Harry agreed in a murmur. "Absolutely brilliant." He leaned in then and caught his husband’s lips in a slow, lingering kiss, their hands still clasped, their tongues doing a leisurely dance. When their lips parted, Draco was smiling. He leaned forward and pressed his forehead in the curve between Harry’s neck and his shoulder.

"And look at it this way," he whispered, warm breath raising gooseflesh on Harry’s neck, the hand that Harry wasn’t holding sneaking around Harry’s back to glide over the muscles just above the waistband of his trousers. "You’ve got eleven months to try to figure out how to top it when my birthday rolls around again."

With a startled laugh that turned into a growl, Harry bent his knees and put his shoulder into Draco’s stomach, lifting him until he was draped over his shoulder, placing a firm smack on the upturned arse. Draco let out an undignified grunt.

"The bedroom is…" Harry asked, pausing to recover his wine.

"Straight ahead, pardon the expression," Draco said imperturbably, and Harry laughed again. Draco began to move his hands over Harry’s back as if he couldn’t help himself, and Harry caressed Draco’s arse as he strode forward purposefully. "Happy Birthday, Harry," Draco said softly, placing a kiss near Harry’s spine. Harry’s smile widened as he entered the most beautiful bedroom he’d ever seen.

"Thank you, love," he answered, slipping his hand beneath the waistband of Draco’s pyjama bottoms and stroking a firm buttock. "I think I’d like to open my present now." He was gratified when he felt Draco shiver in response.

"Oh, goody!"

Harry was still laughing when Draco’s pyjama bottoms hit the floor.