The first time, Harry found the silver tabby on his windowsill and assumed it was a stray. The second time, it was eating his toast. By the third time—at 3 AM, standing on his chest and meowing directly into his face—Harry started realized he had a problem.
He tracked the collar to Malfoy Manor. Draco answered the door in silk pajamas, hair mussed, looking like sin and irritation combined.
"Your cat," Harry said, holding up the offending feline, "is stalking me."
Draco's eyes dropped to Harry's bare chest and lingered, he'd thrown on jeans but nothing else. "Mrs. Whiskers has standards."
"She broke into my flat. Three times. She's learned Alohomora."
"She also ate my leftover curry."
"Ah." Draco stepped closer, invading Harry's space to scratch behind the cat's ears. His knuckles brushed Harry's collarbone. "That explains the vomiting."
Harry's throat went dry. "Right."
They stared at each other. The cat purred, kneading Harry's shoulder, but neither of them looked at her.
"She likes you," Draco said, voice lower than before.
"Ridiculous." Draco didn't step back. His gaze dropped to Harry's mouth, then snapped back up. "You're insufferable. Messy hair. Terrible eating habits. Hero complex."
"And yet," Harry breathed, "here we are."
Draco's jaw tightened. His hand was still hovering near Harry's neck. "Here we are. At 3 AM."
"With my cat," Draco corrected, but he didn't sound angry. He sounded wrecked.
Harry leaned in, just slightly. "Draco."
"Don't." But he wasn't moving away. "Don't say my name like that."
Harry reached up, fingers brushing Draco's wrist. "I do."
Draco made a sound—half laugh, half despair. "This is mad."
"She's going to do it again. Break into your flat. Eat your food."
"Then I suppose," Harry said, "you'll have to keep coming to retrieve her."
Draco's eyes darkened. "Is that an invitation?"
"It's a standing appointment."
Draco swallowed. "Harry. Would you like some tea?"