Author's note: Hey guys! I've noticed a few people following this story already. Awesome! I hope you guys like the new chapter. I'm have a general idea where I want to go with the story and I'm really excited to see how it plays out! Please feel free to review so I can have some feedback to work on. Cheers :D - A.
Chapter 1: Bittersweet Reunion
Nutty Nutter Peanut Butter Brownies are a peanut-o-phile's heaven on earth. Every bite begins with the satisfying crunch of biting into a handful of beautifully salted peanuts but then ends with a rich velvety dark chocolate moistness that one would expect of a top-notch brownie. We highly recommend it with a little of our homemade Madagascar vanilla bean whipped cream to elevate this brownie from "seductive" to "positively sinful".
The Potter residence was also located in Muggle London, it was a lovely brown stone on a quiet street. Enchantments and spells were put in place to ensure the security of Potter family who had fully deserved their peace and quiet and they usually do. Normally the Potters kept a low profile, opting to visit the Burrow for big, family parties rather than hosting large noisy, get-togethers but tonight was different. There was cause for celebration.
Ginny Potter was exhausted, having spent the better part of the day cleaning and rearranging the beautiful home she shared with Harry. She was preparing for a large family reunion tonight. It had been a while since all of her siblings got together in one place. Ron's schedule being especially difficult as a member of the Chudley Cannons; if he didn't have a game, he would have training or endorsements to take care of, Ginny was worried that he might remain a bachelor if he didn't spend more time dating. She trudged into the sitting room, with an armful of photo albums from school she had found in the attic, she thought that it would be fun to go through the later as an after-dinner treat. She dumped them onto the coffee table and then sank into the plush sofa and curled up into a ball. She glanced wearily at the clock to see where her husband might be, it pointed exactly halfway between "Home" and "Work". Her son James was at Hogwarts, so his needle should point towards school and it was. Given who his father was, she could not help be paranoid; Ginny had developed the habit to make sure that James's needle was never close to "Mortal Peril".
She debated whether she would begin cooking preparations or pay heed to her drooping eyelids. Finally giving in she yawned and took out her wand, "Accio duvet," she murmured, she decided that she would take a small nap before she had to get dinner started. Just as she was about to succumb to sleep she heard a knock on the front door. Ginny groaned in displeasure. "Who could that be?" she wondered, they were not expecting any guests for another 3 hours. She dragged herself out of her warm, cocoon and went to the door and looked out the keyhole. Ginny gasped, she looked again to make sure it was who she thought it was and then forgetting her drowsiness, she practically threw the door open.
There stood Hermione Granger.
"Hey Gin," Hermione said almost shyly, "I'm back."
Ginny was in shock and just stared at her old friend not believing that she was real. It had been seven years since she last saw her. Seven years since the day Hermione had announced that she would be leaving to go find her parents and five years since she owled and said that she would not be coming back. And now Hermione was standing on Ginny's doorstep. She did not know whether to be angry or ecstatic, perhaps she was a little bit of both. She was speechless. After a few moments had passed, Hermione felt a little awkward just standing there so she said, "I-I'm sorry, maybe this wasn't a good time." She turned to leave. Ginny finally snapped out of it and yelled out, "Don't you dare leave!" and with that she hugged her "long-lost" friend and began to weep.
"Yes it has," Harry replied to Draco, he was a little surprised to see the scion of the Malfoy estate behind the counter at a bakery. The last he had heard of Malfoy was that he had gone into exile at their mansion, only sending out elves for supplies, he had also heard that Narcissa Malfoy had passed away three years ago, of what cause Harry did not know. Ever since the war, it seemed that the Malfoys had worked very hard at keeping away from society. They did such a good job, that society had almost forgotten the once infamous family. There were rumors however that St. Mungo's complete renovation and new wing to serve the victims of the war were all largely the cause of incredible sums of money donated by Draco Malfoy. Rumors of course, being that the donations had been made anonymously.
Harry no longer felt any ill-will towards Draco. In the years that followed the war, he felt pity for his childhood enemy; the burdens placed on him were heavy. Harry, himself, understood how difficult such expectations could be one so young.
"Er, is this YOUR bakery Malfoy?" Harry was curious.
"Yes," Draco said curtly.
"I was very sorry to hear about your mother," Harry said.
"Yes," Draco said again.
"So how have you been?" Harry was trying to be polite.
"I've been well, Potter, now if you don't mind, I have quite a lot of work to finish so I don't really have much time to chat. Can I get your order?"
"Err," Harry was a little taken aback. He paused as if he was trying to decide something, "I'll have some of those cookies then, 4 dozen."
Draco winced as he looked at his display, he only had 2 dozen ready, "I have a batch that will be about ready in 5 minutes, do you mind waiting?"
"Err, ok," and with that Draco headed to the kitchen to prepare Harry's order.
Harry was a little dazed at the irony that the best-tasting chocolate chip cookies he had ever had was baked by none other than Draco Malfoy, "Ginny's going to get a kick out of this," he muttered to himself. Harry's first experience with the cookies was at the Auror office; his colleague, Albert, had brought a few dozen in to celebrate his wife's pregnancy and offered Harry a few, one bite and his was hooked. Harry brought a few home for Ginny and she was hooked. He got the bakery's address and he was supposed to pick a few up for the dinner tonight. He had never expected to see Draco Malfoy. He was a little surprised that his colleague had not mentioned anything, although nothing had been heard from the Malfoys in years, spotting Draco Malfoy is still something to be talked about. Harry made a mental note to ask about this little curiosity when he returned to the office the next day.
He sat down at one of the tables and looked around at the little shop. It was nice and cozy, words that he would never have associated with Draco Malfoy. "Weirder things have happened," he thought to himself.
Draco returned with a package, and handed it to Harry. Harry went up to the cashier to pay but Draco just shook his head.
"Just, er, thank you for saving the wizarding world and all," Draco said a little gruffly. Harry's eyebrows shot up, "are you sure?"
Draco just said, "Just please don't tell anyone you saw me here, I've worked hard at keeping a low-profile, I'd like to keep it."
"Sure Draco," Harry replied and then lifting the package he said, "Thanks."
When Harry walked finally walked out the door. Draco sighed a breath of relief. He had been on edge, the whole time Potter had been in the bakery. It had been a long time since someone he recognized had entered the store, there is barely any traffic on a daily basis, most of his orders were made by owl, and it was even rarer that anyone would recognize him. He took a few minutes to collect himself. Loretta's coffee had gone cold so he made her a new one. He then picked up the brownie he wrapped up and headed over next door.
