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Harry grip on Draco's hand tightened reflexively as the first reporter spotted them advancing to the restaurant and shouted, "It's Harry Potter! And blimey...DRACO MALFOY!" Cameras turned in their direction and circled, flashing in rapid succession. He froze a smile firmly on his face while his eyes saw spots from all the lights.
Harry had always disliked the press, but he had discovered in his adult years that if he could not avoid them then he could at least try to control the situation. And he was going to try to control it now.
"Mister Potter, Mister Potter! How long have you and Draco been dating?" One reporter asked, igniting the frenzy.
"Draco, darling, Bewitched Style magazine, who designed your suit?"
"Who asked who out first?" Another pressed.
"Could you both turn a little to the right?" A camera flashed
"Harry, is Draco the reason why you and Terry Boot broke up?"
Harry tensed at that last question, knowing "no comment" would only fuel speculation usually. With Harry being slow to react, Draco jumped in.
"Harry was unattached when we started dating," Draco replied smoothly. "Next question."
"Draco, do you support Harry's team for the England Cup?"
"Who else would I support?" Draco answered, and gave the crowd a smile.
"Draco! Your cosmetic line is really taking off. Is it true you'll be opening up a shop in Diagon Alley soon?"
"Yes, it's true. Dragon Tamer will be moving in sometime in the next few months, complete with a spa."
Harry almost snorted but recovered quickly. Dragon Tamer, how cheesy, Harry thought and mentally rolled his eyes.
"Of course, the Appleby Arrows will be getting a free pass as soon as we open." Draco added and the crowd murmured in approval.
Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco, surprised by such a generous announcement. Draco gave Harry a tiny wink before dropping Harry's hand and putting it loosely on his waist. "Anything for my favorite Quidditch player." Bulbs went off all around.
Oh, fuck, Harry groaned inwardly. Draco was laying it on thick, and Harry wanted to swat his hand off his waist but could not do anything will all these reporters. He turned his attention back to the cameras as another question was directed toward him.
"Harry, what made you decide to pursue Draco?"
Harry glanced at Draco. Draco looked at him, this time raising his eyebrow, waiting along with the rest of the crowd for his answer. Saying that the man's mother forced them together through a life debt was not the way to go, obviously, as Percy had advised it was better to appear going along with everything willingly, but Harry could not think of anything but the truth. Hit with a burst of inspiration, he answered as truthfully as possible, "There was just something about Draco that made us have to be together."
Draco smirked at this answer, almost looking like the boy at Hogwarts Harry had known, but more questions were hurled at them and then Draco looked away.
"Draco, how do you think your father would feel about you dating the man who ultimately put him in Azkaban?" one reporter asked oily.
The hand on Harry's waist clenched, and Harry looked quickly to see the muscle in the blonde's jaw tighten. The reporter was obviously baiting a reaction, trying to embarrass Draco. Even Harry could not help but admire the cool response that came out next, impressed with the tact it preserved, having known Draco's short temper when they were young.
"My father was blinded, like many others." He emphasized the others. "His imprisonment was unfortunate and grieved by my family, as was even more so his death," Draco said evenly, looking the reporter directly in the eye. "However, his imprisonment was due to his own choices, not Harry. And to answer your question fully, I think my father would be proud that I had found such a worthy match to make me happy."
Harry had to keep his mouth from dropping open at that last bit. Lucius must be rolling over in his grave, he thought. Nevertheless, he raised a hand for the questioning to cease, knowing Draco was as tired of the questions as he was now.
"No more questions, please. My date and I would like to have dinner now. We just wanted to officially announce our relationship, and share our-"Harry paused, knowing the next word was not exactly appropriate to the situation-": happiness. Good evening."
More questions immediately rang out, shocked at the serious implications this announcement held, knowing pureblood traditions, and reporters waved around wildly for their attention as Harry led Draco into the restaurant. Inside, the hostess took one look at Harry's famous face when he said "Somewhere private please" and seated them to table in a more shut off alcove of the restaurant. Harry looked around appreciatively at the low lighting and minimal decoration as she handed Draco a menu. The place was as nice as Hermione had said.
The hostess took their drink orders, and they were left to contemplate their menus in silence.
"So," Harry commented, thinking he should be seen talking to Draco, "Do you know what you're getting?"
"Yes," was all Draco said, and Harry could see frustration had leaked out into his facial features. He was still made about the question about his dad, Harry knew. A fleeting sympathy passed through him as Harry knew better than anyone how the press could get out of line. Rita Skeeter had been only the beginning.
"Are you, erm, all right?" he asked awkwardly.
Draco held up a hand, "Quite. Pp-, er, Harry. I am used to git reporters like that. My father fought on the wrong side. I would expect nothing less."
They sat in silence again.
The waiter appeared, a man about their age with extreme blond highlights in his dark hair.
"Have you gentlemen decided on what you would like this evening?" He asked, and Harry saw the young man give Draco the once over and a warm smile.
Draco fingered the menu delicately sparing only a glance at it.
"I'll have the Butternut Squash and Pear Ravioli with Rosemary Sauce. Make sure you use the vegan substitute for the parmesan, please," Draco drawled, swiftly handing the menu to the waiter without making anymore eye contact than necessary. The waiter looked disappointed at the quick dismissal.
"And you, sir?" He asked with less cheer, turning to Harry but peeking at Draco out of the corner of his eye.
"The grilled salmon, thanks," Harry said, and handed his menu, watching amused as the waiter walked away.
Draco swirled his wine glass in his hand.
For lack of conversation, Harry asked, "What's vegan?"
Draco brought the glass to his nose and inhaled before answering.
"Basically anything with no meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, or any animal by products of any kind. I don't eat anything that caused another animal death or discomfort."
"Oh," Harry said, a little confused and surprised at the answer, then, "Uh, I ordered fish. Is that okay?"
Draco chuckled softly. "Yes, Harry. My diet is my choice. I don't care what you eat." Draco looked to think for a moment. "But thanks for asking." He took a sip of wine.
"So why do you not eat, um, all of that stuff?" Harry asked, putting his elbows on the table and then taking them off when he remembered it was bad manners.
"Compassion, for the most part." Draco answered, not looking at Harry. "It was hard to eat a being that once was alive, after, after living in the same house as... and seeing..." Draco trailed off.
Harry was shocked. He knew Draco was talking about Voldemort. Harry was sure Draco had seen awful things there but was surprised it had affected the man to such a degree. Harry shook himself. Surely Malfoy had grown up seeing that kind of thing.
The awkwardness had thickened around them, so the brunette forced the conversation to life again.
"So," he forced a straight face as he finished his sentence. "Tell me about Dragon Tamer."
Draco considered Harry across the table, but seemed to approve of the change in subject.
"We specialize in hair care products mostly, but we also have some potions for skin, lips, and nails. It has been very successful to be only by owl. I have negotiating opening a shop in Diagon Alley for some time. The business is expanding quickly."
"And is that what you always wanted to do?" Harry prompted.
"Well, potions were always my passion. Best marks, under Granger, of course," he added, a little sourly." I actually fancied myself to work as a Healer specializing in antidotes as I am quite competent in brewing them, but St. Mungo's was hesitant to let a person of my family's loyalties into apprenticeship. So I had to find success else where."
"But surely, with all your wealth, you don't even have to work," Harry said, a hint of mockery in his voice.
"No, I don't have to, but I want to," Draco answered, ignoring Harry's jab. "A Malfoy should make his own way to contribute to the family's success. It teaches one to appreciate what one has."
Harry was surprised. Draco had seemed far too spoiled in youth to ever mention anything about appreciation.
"After all," Draco continued, "Are you not in the same situation. I know of your own wealth, Harry. A Quidditch player's salary pales in comparison."
Harry stopped, and then nodded, giving a small smile. "I see what you mean."
The waiter arrived with their food, pouring Draco more wine and telling him "to just ask if you need anything at all" before forced to retreat as Draco did not take the bait.
Harry snorted into his wine glass.
"And what, pray tell, is so funny?" Draco asked, smoothing his hair and picking up his knife and fork.
"The waiter. He's been trying to flirt with you all night," Harry said.
"Oh, yes. An unfortunate nuisance," Draco drawled. "Lacks tact doesn't he, flirting with me right in front of a date? I don't find that level of cockiness attractive."
"Maybe he just sees that we aren't all googley eyed at each other," Harry smirked.
It hit Harry then what Hermione had said about Draco might not being gay.
"Uh, so is it the cockiness that bothers you, or rather the..."
Draco's eyes snapped up.
"Are you asking me if I'm a pouf?" He demanded.
"Just curious. You have to marry a man," Harry replied, shrugging.
Draco's face was comical.
"I would think it would be quiet obvious. Just because I am not falling all over myself for some waiter with bad highlights does not mean that I am not attracted to men. Merlin Harry, you have terrible gay detecting abilities. Rest assured, I pitch for your team."
Harry blushed at the word "pitch" but felt a tiny bit of relief; at least he did not have to feel any guilt about Draco being a straight man. "Well, at least I know you aren't holding back from vomiting from holding my hand because I am a guy. Good to know it's all just me individually.
Draco smirked and brought his fork to his mouth.
"Harry!" a female voice called out
The two turned to see a beaming Luna Lovegood Zabini approaching their table, followed by her husband Blaise.
Luna swept Harry up in a hug, and Harry almost choked to see her hug Draco as well.
"Luna, you look enchanting as always," Draco told her, holding her out arm length, and Harry clenched at his fist.
"Well, I heard there was a commotion outside," Blaise grinned at the two, winking. "Apparently we've come to congratulate the new love birds."
Harry ignored Blaise's comment. He had come to respect Blaise since he'd started dating Luna. His family had stayed neutral through the war. But right now he was focused on Luna speaking cheerfully with the blonde.
Blaise stopped talking as did the rest of them when they spotted Harry's face.
Harry was imagining a much younger Luna than the one in front of him, glowing in midnight blue dress robes. Her clean, happy face was transformed into dirty and shadowed by the darkness of Malfoy's dungeons. Harry's mouth tightened. He could see her there with an almost comatose Olivander while the Malfoys sat in splendor upstairs by a warm fire. How could he sit here, drinking wine and laughing with someone his family had imprisoned, a family that had tried to kill him, who'd caused Dobby to die. All of his anger at the family reared its ugly head at once. Harry wanted to shout at Malfoy that he had no right to even look at Luna.
Draco must have noticed the shift in Harry's mood because he was eyeing him cautiously, remaining quiet, while Blaise looked perplexed. Luna's face was calm though as she spoke.
"Blaise, would you and Draco mind leaving us. Harry has something on his mind that he wishes to speak to me about."
"Er, right. Of course. Draco?" Blaise said, turning to his fellow Slytherin.
Draco nodded, standing up and drawing himself to his full height. They went to what Harry assumed was Blaise and Luna's table.
Harry struggled with himself, clenching his napkin in his fist under the table, grateful Draco had not spoken so he would not snap and cause a scene.
Luna sat in the chair beside Harry and fixed her great orbs of eyes on him.
"Harry, you shouldn't clench your jaw so hard. I could get stuck that way," she said in her sing song calm.
Harry glared at the table but slackened his jaw.
"Harry, do you have pippetts dancing on your head, because father tells me that causes wizards to lose their tempers."
Harry exhaled loudly. "No, Luna. I don't have whatchamacallits on my head."
"Aww," said Luna. "Then it's Malfoy."
"Luna!" Harry hissed. "How can you even speak to Draco after what his family did to you! They kidnapped you and locked you in a dungeon!"
Luna blinked as if Harry had just said something about the weather.
"Doesn't that matter?" Harry asked, exasperated.
Luna's eyes suddenly hardened and her voice had lost its whimsical tone.
"Yes, it does, Harry, but I have forgiven the Malfoys. They were prisoners almost as much as I was."
Harry's mouth dropped open in disbelief.
"Harry," Luna's voice was not as harsh but still serious. "Draco helped me in the dungeons."
"What?" Harry cried.
"He helped me, at great risk to himself. He was terrified of Voldemort, as was the rest of his family. But still, when he could he'd send Dolly with extra food or potions he'd brewed to relieve some of Olivander's pain."
Harry did not know what to say to this new information. He visualized the terrifying minutes he'd been in Malfoy Manor, recalling the way Draco had looked as his father begged him to confirm if Harry's bloated face hexed by Hermione was the face of Voldemort's greatest enemy. The blonde had been severely pale, thinner, shaking. His eyes had been so wide, frightened.
"Merlin!" Harry muttered. Luna's face softened.
"I would not judge someone I did not really know," Luna said, her voice taking on that sing song quality again. "Actually, I wouldn't go on a date with someone I didn't know either. You seem to be doing it out of order, Harry."
"Tell me about it," Harry said to himself.
"It's an interesting approach. I hope it works out for you two," Luna said.
Harry opened his mouth to reply but then shut it and shook his head. Let Luna see it her own way.
Her big eyes twinkled as she opened up the dessert menu on the table.
"Oh, goody. They have pudding flambé," she said with a smile.