Part 2 - The Coffee Shop
The man Harry was looking for was sitting with his back to the wall, in one of the more hidden tables at the end of the coffee shop. He was half hidden behind a newspaper, but his hair was unmistakable.
Harry rubbed the back of his head. "Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. He's a Slytherin, they probably have nerve sensors or whatever –" Harry muttered to himself. He took a deep breath, smoothed his green shirt, and walked over.
The man was dressed in a white buttoned-up elegant shirt, his hair brushed to the side; a fringe of blond that wasn't there when Harry saw him on the train was resting on his forehead almost reaching grey eyes.
He coughed to get the man's attention.
Draco Malfoy looked up and Harry noticed he was holding two newspapers – the outer one had pictures on it that didn't move. The newspaper inside it had pictures that did.
"Hello Potter, you're welcome to sit." Malfoy gestured at the seat opposite himself.
Harry did just that, saying "Hey Malfoy. It's good you're hiding The Prophet from view, but you're still pretty suspicious."
"How so exactly?"
Harry gestured around them. "Muggles mostly don't walk around with newspapers anymore. They have their SmartPhones."
"If their phones were so smart, they'd tell the muggles to carry and read more newspapers." Malfoy reasoned.
Harry chuckled, and decided to leave it alone for now. It took way too long to explain the internet to Ron, and he wasn't sure it was even possible with Malfoy.
"Anything interesting?" Harry asked without true care; he and Ginny split up publicly recently, and The Prophet has been having one long siesta on their account via article after article. For this reason, he simply ignored them for the past month or so.
"More like comical." Malfoy drawled. He dropped the paper on the table, closed; so Harry could see the front page.
It wasn't about his divorce, for once.
Harry nearly choked. "McLaggen Will Lead Us to the Future?! UGH."
Malfoy nodded, as though for him that was the only appropriate reaction. "Ugh indeed Potter. Looks like someone really loves him at The Prophet."
"I know exactly who loves him." Harry grumbled, pointing out the name of the reporter on the front page news. "Bill McMillan. I didn't agree to an interview with him after a major mission with the Aurors. He's been insulted ever since."
"…Correct me if I'm wrong Potter, but isn't Bill McMillan the head editor of the newspaper?" Malfoy said slowly, as though speaking to a toddler.
Harry blushed, embarrassed. "I didn't say it was my wisest moment." Harry wondered how Hermione will react when she finds out this is technically – technically -…Harry's fault.
"Somehow, I'm certain no one would say that." Malfoy left the newspapers on the table in favor of grabbing hold of the menu and looking over it. "Weren't you friendly with his little cousin, the blown up Hufflepuff from our year at Hogwarts?"
"Ernie. And he's not – "
Malfoy gave him a look that made Harry's heart beat just a little faster.
"Alright he was a bit self-important. He's a real chap now though." Harry shrugged. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"Potter if I have to explain what having connections means, I'm afraid your situation will remain as dreadful as it is right now."
Harry looked Malfoy dead in the eye from across the table. "Thank you for worrying Malfoy." He said sweetly.
As he expected, Malfoy looked royally pissed off. "Ernie's not the only one blown up, it seems." He frowned.
"Hey don't worry about it, unlike Ernie, it's cute on you." Harry winked.
To Harry's immense pleasure Malfoy's cheeks grew a little pinkish. He was also glaring at Harry, but that was something Harry rather expected.
Harry pretended not to be smiling and grabbed a menu as a ruse.
There was a moment of silence.
"Speaking of your friends how did Granger and Weasley take the news that you're on a date with me?"
"They didn't." Harry told him, his stomach starting to draw his attention to the menu he was looking over.
"Haven't told them I take it?"
Harry carefully put down the menu and looked at Draco Malfoy; he looked casual, but Harry was perceptive enough to realize Malfoy may have taken that as a slight and was offended.
It downed on Harry it likely sounded like he was ashamed of going out with Malfoy.
Gently, Harry told him "Whether it moves forward beyond one date or not, this thing is just between us. It's new, and I'd like to keep it ours for a little while longer." Harry added "Sorry, I get selfish like that."
He smiled good-naturedly, in a way Ginny often jokingly warned him not to aim at anyone except her.
"Oh. Um –" Malfoy cleared his throat carefully, eyes slightly widened. "It's no trouble."
Harry raised his eyebrow and looked around. He signaled a waiter who noticed and hurried over.
"Ready to order?" The young man smiled in what Harry assumed was a top-tipped-waiter-smile.
"We haven't decided yet. But could we have two waters please?"
"Of course sir." The waiter jotted it down and skipped away to another table that called him over.
When he left, Harry turned to Malfoy who was staring at him like he was Hermione faced with indisputable proof that Nargles exist.
"Alright?" Harry asked him.
"Yes." Malfoy said in a strange voice. "Thanks." He added, nodding towards the waiter.
Harry nodded, looking over the menu. "They have quite a big menu for a coffee place. I think I'll probably get a pizza."
"Mm. I'll get the Pumpkin Ravioli with mushroom-cream." Malfoy said offhandedly.
Harry stared at him.
"What?" Malfoy inquired, looking back, politely confused.
"Nothing." Harry said instinctively.
Malfoy gave him a slightly annoyed look, clearly disliking not being answered.
Harry knew his whole life people have been overlooking the fact that he was very perceptive. Even as an Aorur, people seemed to find it difficult to remember he was likely observant.
Maybe it was the whole – Boy-Who-Lived – thing. Maybe it started with the Dursleys who caused Harry to have an underwhelming personality that often caused people to instinctively feel too comfortable around him, instead of weary or careful. Thinking about it, it probably ended up saving his life on several occasions.
Still, he was surprised Malfoy was almost obvious about it.
"What is it Potter?" Malfoy said tightly, and Harry looked up, wondering how long he's been frowning at his menu for Malfoy to actually ask a second time.
Harry gave him an apologetic look, knowing he wasn't meant to figure it out.
"You've had a lot of dates here?"
Malfoy froze, surprised. "I – not a lot." He seemed embarrassed.
"It's okay." Harry reassured him. "Is the pizza good?" he asked jokingly.
"How did you know?" Malfoy asked, and Harry thought he sounded genuinely confused.
"Well," Harry shrugged. "every time you picked up the menu you never turned it around – which is where the Pastas section is. You're eyes also never moved from side to side so at first I thought maybe you were looking over the pictures, then I realized you didn't need to read it – you were just glossing over the titles, jogging your memory as you did."
After a moment Malfoy said "And you noticed all of that?"
"Yes." Harry said simply, unwilling to feel offended – Malfoy wasn't the only one to assume over the years, it would be stupid to be bothered by it now.
The waiter came back with two glasses of water. "Ready to order?" he smiled widely.
"Yes, I'll have the pizza." Harry said politely, handing him his menu. The waiter took it and wrote down his order.
"Any toppings?"
"Er –"
"Can I suggest Bulgarian Cheese and tomatoes?"
"Sounds great." Harry smiled.
"And I'll have the –" Malfoy started, drawing the waiter's attention.
"The Pumpkin Ravioli, mushroom-cream sauce?" the waiter smiled like he passed a test. "You're a regular practically, I remembered correctly?"
There was a very awkward moment as Malfoy closed his eyes, then opened them like a torturer was forcing him to, and said in a clipped voice "Yes. Thank you."
The 'thank you' was clearly a dismissal rather than gratitude.
The waiter nodded cheerfully. "Your food will arrive shortly." And he left.
Harry was almost shaking in his seat, laughter so loud people from nearby tables were glancing at them.
"I… should apologize –" Malfoy began, face twisted painfully at addressing what happened.
Harry waved him off at once. "Your expression was priceless Malfoy." He said, trying to commemorate it in his memory.
When Harry calmed down a little, he grinned at him and asked happily "So how am I doing compared to the other dates you've had here so far?"
Malfoy rolled his eyes, sitting a little less stiffly then before. "Most of my dates go a lot smoother than this usually." Then he grinned a little and Harry's breath caught in his throat. "But at least I was right; you are interesting Potter."
Harry leaned on the table on his left arm, palm under his chin, fingers covering his mouth. He was staring outright and being unapologetic about it, he knew.
"…Yes?" Malfoy asked, raising an eyebrow at Harry's boldness.
"You're rather beautiful." Harry told him conversationally, as though examining a painting at an Art Gallery.
Something sharpened behind Malfoy's usually steady eyes, but he looked down before Harry could question what.
Malfoy almost seemed coy. Almost.
"Are you blushing?" Harry's eyebrows rose all the way up.
Malfoy smiled bewitchingly, like he knew exactly what he looked like and without an ounce of shame said
"What can I say? I enjoy being appreciated."
Harry leaned back, his hand slipping off the table. "I wasn't appreciating you." He told him calmly, grabbing his glass of water. "Just your looks."
"One would normally assume the two are one and the same." Malfoy said dryly, in an unfriendly manner.
Harry looked away awkwardly. "I don't think they are. I didn't agree to this date because of what you look like."
There was silence for a moment.
"Is that so? Why did you agree then?"
Harry looked him dead in the eye and said honestly "You're quite interesting yourself."
Malfoy's eyes widened, his brow wrinkled, and his lips twitched.
Harry realized at that moment that this is the first real reaction he saw from Malfoy all night, and the rest was deliberate and possibly fake.
Harry frowned; what sort of dates has Malfoy had? The type to drool and stare at him but show complete disregard to who he was? Harry was away from the dating world for a good few years – but was beginning to remember just how harsh it was sometimes. And Malfoy was photographed weekly with different company.
"I like getting to know you. Is that okay?"
"Potter," Malfoy stopped, looking like he was fighting a smile, and then started again. "You're doing very well, compared to the other dates I've brought here."
Harry grinned. "Better than McLaggen?"
"Shut up." Malfoy said, as Harry began chuckling.
Malfoy drank from his water, and then closed the muggle newspaper, hiding the magical one inside.
"Your order." The waiter called, appearing behind Harry with their food.
He placed the pizza in front of Harry and a bowl of ravioli in front of Malfoy, and three small containers of sauces between them.
"Thank you." Harry said, and waited until the waiter smiled in gratitude and then left them to turn to Malfoy and say "I don't think he noticed when he was over here last time."
Malfoy seemed contemplative, but Harry didn't think it was because of the possibility that they just revealed magic to a muggle.
"Same. But he also didn't lean onto the table to place plates on it, so he would've gotten a closer look and seen moving pictures."
He probably thought it was a tablet, Harry thought. "Good catch." Harry nodded. The food smelled good, and the pizza looked delicious.
They ate a few bites.
"The pizza is good."
"Mm." Malfoy said noncommittally. "Speaking of muggles – did you read their news?"
Harry sighed, remembering his long week. "More like I've lived it. Now wizards and witches are starting to realize that some of them are registered by the muggle government as citizens and are worried they'll be deported."
"That's insane." Malfoy said, surprised. "I would've heard about it already."
Harry appreciated that Malfoy didn't comment on those witches and wizards being either muggleborn or halfbloods – as that's the only reason they'd be on muggle records.
"It's being kept quiet to avoid mass panic. But honestly there's more and more of them and they're calling for the ministry to intervene and prevent Brexit."
"It can't, our ministry isn't allowed to interfere with the muggles' government." Malfoy said like it should be obvious to anyone.
"Yep. Which is why we won't, which is why they're pissed and protesting, which is why I've had a long week."
"Sounds tough." Malfoy agreed, taking another bite. "Will you get deported?" He asked jokingly.
Harry smiled at him. "Bet you would've hoped for that back when we were at school."
Malfoy tried not to smirk and failed. "Probably wouldn't have protested too much."
"I'm sure." Harry rolled his eyes, both glad they can laugh about it now in a friendly manner, but also still pretty pissed about the memory of their relationship back at Hogwarts.
After a few bites Harry started "M –" than stopped. Harry was being careful not to call him Malfoy throughout the date. By the end of the night if it goes well they'll likely start naturally calling each other by their first names.
"I – er – haven't seen anything about it. Did you decide what you'll do now?"
Malfoy didn't show that he noticed Harry was being a bit weird, but Harry assumed he did anyways.
"You mean for work? I did get an offer, but I'm still considering it."
"Bad conditions?"
"Very. For one thing, I will no longer live in the same area as you."
Harry laughed. "Shut the offer down at once."
Malfoy smiled at him. "What about you? When we last spoke on the train you seemed ready for… new beginnings. I may be overstepping, but how happy are you with the Aurors?"
"Miserable." Harry grinned. "I used to love it, I assumed it's because I've grown used to the overall work you do there that I've sort of stopped loving it lately."
Malfoy's expression was light and conversational, but his eyes were sharp like hawks. "Then quit. Or ask for a transfer and move to another department for a few years."
"Call me a Gryffindor, but I hate quitting." Harry admitted, knowing he's considered all that and more himself but at the end stayed.
Malfoy considered him closely, and then took a slow unconcerned bite from his plate. "I wouldn't call you a Gryffindor for that Potter." He said naturally.
"No?"
"No. It takes bravery to leave something that doesn't make you happy."
Harry's mind flashed to Ginny, finally bringing up how unhappy they've both been and asking for a divorce.
"I see." Harry said gently, looking at his food.
There was a long moment of silence before Malfoy said
"I'm sorry Potter, I was harsh."
"No." Harry smiled. "You were accurate."
Ginny was brave, to admit it when Harry refused to. He realizes he regrets not being the one who stepped up. Ginny was brave. She was a Gryffindor. Maybe he can still be one too.
"Maybe I will quit." He looked at Malfoy kindly. "I did get an offer some time ago, maybe I should accept."
Malfoy, thankfully, let Harry steer the conversation forward. "If it's good you should."
"Well, it's got one downside."
"Bad conditions?" Malfoy grinned encouragingly, and Harry marveled he was being cheered up.
"Very. I'd have to move away –"
"Turn it down right now."
They both chuckled and ate their food pleasantly.
After several moments of contemplation, Harry realized there wouldn't be so many jobs at the wizarding world where you'd need to move for them.
Harry looked up at the same time Malfoy did.
"Was it McGonagall who -?"
"Did Minerva happen to -?"
They both stared.
Slowly, Malfoy smiled, showing teeth. "Well."
"I mean." Harry didn't know what to say. He supposed it was June, so Minerva would sort out her staff by now, and about three of her teachers retire this year. Still, this is one hell of a coincidence.
"I was asked to teach Potions." Malfoy told him, gesturing for him to speak next.
"Oh yeah. I was asked to teach DADA."
"I assumed as much." Malfoy grinned. "Will you really accept?"
"Will you?"
"Well, there's a clear benefit."
Harry felt his cheeks warm. "Is there now?"
"Yes. I'd get to daily embarrass my little cousin."
Malfoy sniggered into his hand, amused by Harry's glare.
"Well as his Godfather it's my duty to protect him from you. I guess I've got no choice."
"How convenient."
Harry sighed, but also couldn't stop smiling.
They ate and talked about what they'd each teach, if they accepted McGonagall's offer.
After a while Harry released some stiffness from his shoulders, and realized he might be having a lot of fun, something that's been in short supply lately in his life.
"- I can't wait to insult The Weird Sisters during a class and watch him hold himself back from yelling at me." Malfoy smirked.
"Oh yeah, Andromeda said something about Teddy getting on your nerves last time I saw her." Harry remembered.
"I have no idea what you mean Potter."
Harry gave him an unimpressed expression. "Even you'd need a reason to want to bother him at school so much. What happened?"
Malfoy didn't try and hold up the façade. He shrugged. "It's entirely possible that the last time I visited the little brat he morphed his hair to look like mine only much longer, then went on about something along the lines of 'I've got better hair than you.'." Malfoy smiled pleasantly, eyes cold.
"Wow it really bothered you didn't it."
"Not at all." He lied.
Harry felt bad for what's coming his poor Godson's way.
"So who will you be voting for?" Harry asked curiously, taking the last bite of his pizza.
Malfoy was nearly done with his dish as well. "It's between Bones and Granger, isn't it?"
"Absolutely, there's no way MgLaggen makes it to the final voting." Harry agreed.
"I guess I'm on the fence. No point in asking you, I assume." He glanced at Harry.
Harry shrugged in admittance. "My vote goes to Hermione, I suppose that was obvious."
"Gryffindor." Malfoy called him.
Harry laughed a warm feeling in his gut.
When the bill arrived Harry took it instinctively, glancing at the price and getting out his wallet.
"Let's split it Potter. How much?"
"Nah it's okay."
"I want to."
"It's fine I can get it. You don't have a job so –" Harry caught the expression on Malfoy's face and took six giant mental steps backwards. "Let's split it."
"Wonderful idea." Malfoy said dryly, but his lips were twitching.
When they paid they both rose, and put on their jackets, and whilst they did Harry sneaking glances at Malfoy; his form, his eyes, his body, his eyes, the way his slender fingers moved against the fabric of his jacket, his boney shoulders, his eyes. When Malfoy caught those glances Harry's gut feeling intensified, and instead of looking away his eyes lingered even longer.
After a few panicked heartbeats, Harry cleared his throat, reminding himself they're at a public place and this was a first date.
"Ready?"
Malfoy nodded charitably and they began walking towards the exit.
"Have a good night!" The waiter smiled, waved as they left.
Harry waved back. "They're service is pretty good." He complimented, thinking he might return to the coffee shop again.
Malfoy burst out laughing.
"What?" Harry blushed, indignant but also turned on.
"That waiter's been hitting on you all bloody night you moron."
Harry opened his mouth to disagree, than thought about it.
"Ah." He said. What do you know? Way to miss it, Auror, Harry thought.
They walked a bit, Malfoy leading them. Harry's apartment is five minutes across the road, but he keeps walking with Malfoy.
They reach a small house, plain overall but very nice looking. Not exactly homey, considering Harry actually saw the inside of Malfoy Manor – this was hella homey in comparison.
"This is me." Malfoy stopped and turned back to Harry, who couldn't look away from silver eyes.
Slowly, he started inching closer. Malfoy let him.
Harry paused, just before his lips touched Malfoy's.
Malfoy leaned forward, and it was like Harry was electrified. The next thing he's aware of is raw hunger, as he has his tongue in Malfoy's warm mouth, tasting him sweetly, and shuddering when Malfoy kissed him back – he's really good at it.
After a long, nice, moment they pulled apart.
Harry is catching his breath and watches as Malfoy actually licked his lips and said "Not too shabby Potter."
"Why do you still call me Potter?" he couldn't help but point out, disappointed.
"…Old habits, I suppose." He admitted, his cheeks tinted with pink, as though he didn't even pay attention to it.
"Ha. Fair enough, Draco."
Malfoy blinked once, slowly, studying his face carefully.
After a moment of some inner-battle, he responded with a grin.
Harry's eyes fixated on those lips, stretching thin less of pleasantries and more as a wicked warning.
"I enjoyed tonight, we should do it again." Malfoy said politely, grin still set free.
Harry felt himself smile sweetly, charmed.
"We'll have to, since you enjoyed it." Harry made sure to say the words 'enjoyed it' as suggestively as possible.
Malfoy's eyes crinkled in amusement, and his cheeks almost looked pinker to Harry (or maybe Harry was just hoping they were– it was hard to be sure in the dark).
"My, my, if only the press could hear The Great Hero of Innocents now." Malfoy said teasingly, folding his arms across his chest.
"Don't. Please." Harry begged, hoping Malfoy would believe his discomfort was the thought of him talking to the press about Harry's flirting and not because, in fact, hearing himself described as 'The Great Hero' by Malfoy was making a part of his body specifically uncomfortable.
Malfoy smiled and leaned closer.
He smelled good. So very good. Almost eatable –
"Owl me, I'm curious to find out how filthy you can be. Harry." Then - the bastard - he turned around, waved his wand to open his front door, walked in and turned back to face Harry from the inside of his house.
He actually laughed when he saw Harry's face. Full blown laughter the likes of which Harry has never seen from him before.
"Anything the matter?" Malfoy asked sweetly.
"You absolute git." Harry bit through gritted teeth, folding his knees and dropping to the ground.
"That's rude." He heard Malfoy's amused voice. "What did I do?"
"You know what you did!" Harry wondered if he should risk trying to Apparate home or send Hermione a Patronus asking if you can Apparate safely whilst being hard.
Hermione would be at the office, even though it's almost eleven O'clock, and probably surrounded by a shit ton of political officers all of which will likely recognize his voice or his stag.
And Harry could admit it might stretch beyond the regular duties of their friendship. He could ask Ron, but Ron might not know – likely – or he would know and Harry won't be able to look either of his best friends in the eye for the rest of their lives because there'll be only one reason for Ron to know.
"You're rather easy to rile up Harry." Malfoy seemed entirely too delighted by this.
Harry glared at him, aware that standing up right now will only give Malfoy the proof he needs to not only suspect but also know how much he's affected.
Harry looked at Malfoy's face and thought –
Fuck it.
"Nah, I'm not easy at all. I'm actually very hard Draco."
Malfoy burst out laughing appreciatively, leaning on his door.
"I've suspected. Your honesty is refreshing."
"Glad to hear it." Harry's voice was becoming embarrassingly husky and rough, unable to forget how Malfoy smells like. For a moment he thought he saw Malfoy jump a little but dismissed it and focused his magic best he can. "I had a fun time with you too. Goodnight Draco."
Harry pulled out his wand.
"Um – yeah. Goodnight."
Harry nodded, not paying attention to the small quiver of Malfoy's voice, and Apparated to his house hoping he didn't splinch himself.
That was Harry and Draco's first date. They had many more during summer, but much fewer during the school year, both having eventually accepted McGonagall's offer. Harry decided to surprise Hermione and Ron about the news of who his secret boyfriend is at the celebratory feast in honor of Hermione's successful reelection as Minister for Magic. Whilst Ron was busy spluttering Harry noticed a familiar face across the room watching him. He and Ginny exchanged looks. She nodded, holding Luna's hand. Harry nodded back, smiling at Draco. He should really thank her for having been a Gryffindor.
The End
A\N: THAT'S IT DONE! Thanks for all the support - this is the part 2 I didn't mean to do because you guys insisted! See you guys on my next project :)
P.s: special thanks to Human-Heart - your comment was so great thank you it made me so happy! And every one else's as well!