Work Text:
"Happy birthday, Harry."
Harry snorted. "Don't force it, Malfoy. There's no one around to notice your sucking up right now."
It was true. Everyone else had left hours ago, slapping Harry on the back and telling him not to work too late on his birthday. He and Malfoy were the only ones left, a regular occurence since Malfoy had joined the Aurors. Harry got the feeling he was either as much of a workaholic as he was himself or he just didn't want to go home.
"Wanker." Malfoy gritted his teeth. Harry could see him ball his hands into fists and wondered if he was going to hit him. He was almost hoping for it. At least it would be more exciting than his paperwork.
"So?"
"What?" Malfoy dropped his scowl in favour of looking surprised.
"Yes, exactly. So what if I'm a wanker? It's my birthday and you're wasting my time. Get lost."
"Some birthday you're having," Malfoy shot back, venom lacing his voice. "Seems like none of your friends cared enough to get you a present."
"I got plenty of presents!" Harry laughed, indicating his desk.
"Yes, from your fans," Malfoy drawled.
"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry said sharply. He turned back to his work and pretended to read something he had finished twenty minutes ago, his hands shaking with suppressed fury. "It's none of your business what I do on my birthday or any other day for that matter."
"Oh sorry, did I hit a nerve? Is our beloved hero feeling lonely?"
"I said shut up," Harry hissed, shooting up from his chair. He fisted his hand in Malfoy's robes and leaned in until their noses almost touched. "What part of 'It's none of your business.' didn't you understand?
Malfoy's fingers were curled around Harry's wrist, almost cutting of his circulation as he tried to get him to loosen his grip on the fabric of his expensive looking robes. He opened his mouth to reply, eyes bright as he glared at Harry, ...and then he shut it again.
"What?" Harry asked angrily. A part of him wanted Malfoy to scream and hex him and fight him like he used to.
Malfoy hesitated for a moment and then he stopped struggling with Harry's hand and answered, quietly. "You really are lonely aren't you? You've been down for weeks."
Harry gave him an incredulous look and took a step back. He could hardly punch Malfoy when he was being so... un-Malfoyish.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm not being ridiculous. You're lonely and you're burying yourself in work because you don't want to face your empty house."
Harry pressed his lips together. Malfoy wasn't completely on the wrong track; he had been working more since Ron and Hermione went off on their three month honeymoon and coming home was his least favourite part of the day since Ginny had moved out.
"Oh yes? And why are you still here then?"
Malfoy glared at him. "I had actual work to do, Potter." He paused and then continued. "And I wanted to wish you a happy birthday but since you're being a prat, like bloody always..." He trailed off and shrugged. "Never mind, I shouldn't have bothered."
Harry watched him turn around and go back to his cubicle. He wondered if he should follow him, but then Malfoy already reappeared, carrying his briefcase and something that looked like a small package. He threw Harry the package.
"May you live long and prosper," he said dryly and left the room.
Harry stared at the package for a few moments and then tore it open. Inside was a book called 'Curses and Counter-curses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying, and Much, Much More)'. Harry frowned for a moment and then he got it. He laughed and ran after Malfoy, fully intending to use at least one of those on him. But maybe not tonight.
"Hey Malfoy, wait up!"