Madame Poopfoot's it is!
I added Spike's age in chapter 11 since I stupidly forgot to point it out prior. He is twenty one…yeah.
-:-
Makoto could do little more then just stand there, completely dumbfounded and slack jawed like a stupid fool. So many questions filled her brain in the past few minutes that had spanned, still trying to take in the short but ground breaking information.
So Draco had a brother…since when, exactly? In all the years at Hogwarts she never recalled an elder Malfoy…
"So who's this lovely lady?" Spike nudged his chin towards the young sorceress's direction, arm slung loosely over his younger brethren's shoulders.
"That'd be Makoto Kino." Buffy suddenly piped up as she stepped in toe with her mate, carefully slipping down under his other vacant arm.
"Draco's girl."
The elder Malfoy lifted his brow in surprise; a wide, shameless smirk beginning to tug his lips as his gaze began to slowly shift to the male at his side. The boy in question groaned inwardly at that, a faint pink beginning to sprout across his pale cheeks.
"Little dragon's finally got himself a girl! I'm bloody proud!"
Draco scowled slightly as his brother began to immaturely coo words of congratulations, the heat on his face growing warmer and warmer by each passing moment. He took an absent glance to his girlfriend in question, noting fully the faintly amused look on her face. His scowl deepened.
"Oh stop it Spike." The golden-haired female scolded gently, giving him a good nudge in the abdomen for good measure.
"You're embarrassing him in front of his girlfriend."
The elder Malfoy glanced up to the young witch in question at that, giving her a good look over, expression pensive as he mentally checked off and noted every meticulous curve and nook. The girl reddened under the scrutiny, suddenly feeling terribly out of place.
She was a pretty thing that was for sure, but no bombshell in his azure blue eyes (he was more for blondes then brunettes after all). But her eyes were positively enchanting, bewitching almost. He snickered suddenly, finding it quite funny that she had green eyes, just like Buffy.
Perhaps it ran in their blood.
"Well Makoto," Spike suddenly flashed a toothy grin, extending a friendly arm.
"Good luck with this one, little hellacious devil he is."
The younger fellow glowered darkly; ignoring Buffy's chiming laughter in the background, as he suddenly made a quick swipe for the taller blonde's head. The attack was nimbly eluded of course, the elder twisting out of reach, laughing loudly the entire time.
Even Makoto couldn't help but to release a laugh as a blustering Draco continued to try and make a solid land on the taller Malfoy's head.
"Well dear brother, how's bout you lead us to the nearest pub? Round of drinks for everyone on me." Spike announced with a wide grin, shaking his brows suggestively.
"Oh I'm not in the mood for a pub scene Spike. Far too noisy." Buffy remarked from the older fellow's side, grip tightening on his arm and expression particularly sour.
"How about something a bit subdued…quieter, perhaps a cafe?"
The platinum-haired twenty-one-year-old released a groan of utter misery, throwing his head back to stare helplessly at the ceiling.
"Not that wrenched Madame Poopfoot's place, it's so crowded!"
"It's Madame Puddifoot's sweetheart and it is not crowed, just cozy." Buffy corrected gently as she began to pull her reluctant boyfriend towards the exit.
"Oh Buff!" he whined in a childish tone, feebly digging the soles of his leather boots into the tile floor.
"Can't we just stay here instead?"
Spike continued to throw out every plausible reason as to not go to the intended destination, giving only half an ear to the teasing words his younger sibling was throwing at him. And the little golden-haired beauty gave a very good rebuke to each of them, expression growing pricked with her ire.
"Mother would be outright ashamed with the language you are using around a lady, brother." Draco suddenly called from behind the arguing couple, arm wrapped loosely but protectively around the brunette's waist at his side.
The taller male suddenly snapped his silvery-haired head back, fixing his younger half with a mischievous little one-sided grin.
"Well then do tell Makoto my dearest apologies."
Buffy scowled darkly at that, cheeks warming as she suddenly reached up and smacked her boyfriend upside the head.
So several minutes later, the group of four were strolling leisurely down the cobble-stone comprised streets of Hogsmeade village, Spike absently rubbing the sting out of his skull ('Oh suck it up will you! I didn't hit you that hard' Buffy exclaims). They ran through the typical getting-to-know-you stuff, re-capping on what had happened thus far at school and at home.
The group turned suddenly, filing into the quant little tea-shop they had opted for. They were forced to an abrupt stop as to not end up toppling over the six or so circular wooden tables across the small floor.
It was a small shop, cramped with nearly the entire well-polished wooden floor covered with some sort of furniture or carpet. Cramped yes, but indeed quite cozy.
The room was lit well enough to a romantic sort of glow, though the source of it was not apparent. Sickeningly sweet moving paintings of adorable little toddlers smooching adorned the pastel pink painted walls along with flower filled gold sconces, the roses varying from pristine white to rich burgundy wine red. Its rich, poignant scent filled the small room, combating with the sweet aromas of freshly baked pastries and bubbling tea.
It was no question as to why so many couples had often opted to go here for their dates, though the floating gold cherub angels that tossed about glimmering pink confetti was a bit over-board.
And it was unsurprisingly full, the five of seven circular wood tables occupied by assumed couples. Even as they watched a particularly muscled lavender-haired fellow was too busy snogging his raven-haired girlfriend to notice their presence.
Then a slight woman with dark ebony black hair and eyes to match came out from the back room, dressed in beautiful purple and pink silk robes and a slightly tattered white apron over that, flour smearing the front. She looked positively exhausted but forced a warm smile in their direction, motioning to the reaming two vacant tables.
"Hello hello, welcome to Madame Puddifoot's. Please take a seat and I'll be there to take your orders in a moment."
The four quietly obliged, coming farther into the room and taking a seat in the two tables settled in the center of it all.
"So wanna tell us about this marriage project?" Buffy suddenly inquired from the table she shared with Spike, fixing the younger couple with a curious stare.
"Well it's just to prepare us for the real world, how to balance it all out." Makoto answered, plucking out one of the complimentary chocolate biscotti sticks from the basket on the table.
"You two are lucky then," Spike piped up dryly with his chin propped on a fist, absently swatting back floating by cherubs away from his person, face twisted with disgust.
"That you got each other, I mean. It woulda been crazy hell if you two hated each other."
Both teens felt their face warm considerably; taking a somewhat uncertain glance at each other, unsure of how to really respond to it. Then they released a nervous titter of laughter, nodding slightly in agreement.
Before anyone could utter a word, a cacophony of metal pans hitting hard floor erupted from the bakery behind the cashier's desk. There was more background noise, metal scarping metal then a faint 'OOPS!' to follow.
"GOKU! GET OUT OF THE FLOUR BIN RIGHT THIS INSTANT!"
"But CHI-CHI-"
"NO BUTS GOKU!"
The ten-odd-some clientele of the tiny shop all winced slightly as another loud screech tore the air towards that 'Goku' fellow. Makoto finally turned back a moment later, head shaking with a disapproving air as another cry sounded the air.
She reached out for another biscotti strip but frowned rather disappointedly as she found the sweet treat already gone. Slightly narrowed green irises snapped up to the fellow sitting across from her, faintly irritated expression softening with amusement.
Draco sat with his chin cradled somewhat boringly in his open palmed hand as he stared thoroughly interested at the area where the screeches were emitting from, half a biscotti tip hanging out the corner of his mouth.
Almost as if feeling her intent stare, he suddenly turned his gaze her direction, powder blue eyes fluttering curiously at her.
"Wha?" he questioned with a mouth full, crumbs spitting out in the process.
She remained silent at first, smirking some as she continued to gaze at him with that entertained look of hers. The Slytherin powerhouse scowled heavily after a solid moment of it, hastily swallowing the remains of the
"What?" he demanded in a firmer, much more irritated tone.
The faint smirk spread out into a full-blown one, the auburn-haired sorceress shaking her head slightly as she quietly moved her seat closer to his, scooting around the small table. He only blinked with a stunned, slightly confused look in his eyes as she proceeded to move up and place a kiss on his pale cheek.
She made a move to pull back, but was quickly stilled as a slightly muscled arm found its way around her middle, keeping her in place. He drew her near, nestled warm and safe in his embrace with her head finding refuge in the curve of his shoulder.
"So what you think of my surprise?" he suddenly asked softly as he allowed his cheek to rest atop her crown of chestnut brown.
"It was rather surprising." Makoto mumbled, voice airy and faraway as she carefully took hold of his other hand that rested on his lap.
"I'm guessing your brother never went to Hogwarts," she murmured, fingers tracing tiny circles over the back of his hand.
"Or I just never really noticed."
She felt him tense suddenly, a weary sigh escaping his lips before responding, chest rumbling as his voice rolled out.
"He was supposed too." He murmured quietly into her thick mane, pausing momentarily to inhale the pleasantly sweet scent that only Makoto Kino's hair would ever smell like.
"But things came up, got complicated."
Makoto tilted her head up to gaze at him worriedly at his sudden despondent tone, his expression just the same. Apparently whatever had came up wasn't at all a joyous occasion…and she had stupidly, stupidly brought it up.
"So, what do you want to do now?" The emerald-eyed brunette questioned softly in a horrible diversion effort, hoping silently they could tear away from the subject she had ignorantly raised.
He remained indifferent at first, staring unfocused at the empty space before him, lips pursed. And then, out of the blue, he snapped out of it, blinking slightly as he tried to regain himself, his bearings. He turned somewhat uncertainly to the female at his side, pale blue eyes once again fluttering at her, bemused.
"What…what do I want to do now?" he reiterated slowly, tone purely, innocently confused.
She smiled slightly, finding that Draco Malfoy completely befuddled too adorable before nodding slightly in affirmation to his question.
Another rift of dead-silence, consisting of the aww-worthy couple just staring uncertainly into each other's eyes in the middle of wherever they were, in front of whoever was watching and not really giving a shit whatsoever.
Her and him. Him and her. That's all that mattered at the very moment.
"Well…" he suddenly purred, a devious little grin pulling his lips and abruptly causing the lovely peach-cream complexion on young Makoto's face to drain away, leaving her as pale as him.
Her lips opened, ready to ask exactly what in hell he had planned up his sleeve, not at all in the mood for another surprise. But she was quickly shut-up as he suddenly dived in for her open, unsuspecting neck, lips tickling across the tender flesh there.
The Gryffindor witch released a squeak of surprise, momentarily stunned senseless at his capricious move. Momentarily. No sooner then a minute later she promptly jerked back, playfully but forcefully pushing him away.
"We're in public you horn-dog!"
Buffy released a breathy sigh of complete contentment as she watched on the younger couple, smiling slightly to herself.
"They're too cute." She announced absently to the general world, continuing to watch on as she took a bite of the still remaining biscotti cookies in their basket.
"Sorta remind them of us when we were younger, right hun?"
Spike nodded but did not bother to reply verbally to affirm her statement, visage ruminative and pensive as he as well watched on the coyly flirting pair. They laughed loud and carefree, completely unbridled with their actions and far too much in the fun they were creating to care.
"Draco seems to really care for her." Buffy murmured quietly, softly to herself as she finally looked away from them, turning to her own table partner.
"He sure looks a helluva lot more happy."
Once again the twenty-one-year-old only responded with a simple nod of the head, face almost somberly serious, deep in whatever it was he was speculating. His azure blue eyes were narrowed faintly as he continued to study his younger brother.
He looked so very different…his smile so very genuine, the genuine smile that he himself had only been given the privilege to see, the smile that not even the handful of little dragon's own girlfriend's didn't get to see.
And yet there he was, beaming wide and bright in the middle of this quaint little teashop with his special reserved smile, presented to the fourteen lucky patrons of this day. It was without the usual darkly smug air; without the sinful, near predatorily sexual undertones that they had both inherited from their father.
It was that smile, the smile that only Spike had seen before his little dragon had been revealed to the world's animosities. Back when dad had been on light's side of it all.
The platinum-haired male released a heavy sigh, suddenly rising to his feet. His slender golden-topped girlfriend glanced up at him questioningly, making a move to gain to her own feet as well, to discover what was wrong.
But he quickly bent foreword, placing a quick kiss on her lips for reassurance that there was nothing awry, hand squeezing her shoulder gently.
"I just needa talk to Draco about something. If the waitress comes, could you go ahead and order me a slice of the treacle trifle babe?"
She nodded almost instantly but remained somewhat leery, brow furrowing as he made his way to the table adjacent to them, face puckered with confusion.
They were still coquetting amongst themselves, Makoto gently pushing away the still advancing Draco, face a flame and giggling as the mischievous Slytherin continued to lay a trail of open-mouthed kisses along her throat. Though she continued with her vain attempts to push him away, Makoto gave no actual effort to do so, obviously enjoying herself despite what she claimed.
Spike coughed slightly, clearing his throat some before speaking.
"Sorry to bother you two but could I borrow my brother for a second?"
The two somewhat reluctantly parted ways, Makoto's face a perfect scarlet color while Draco's seemed a bit irritated so. He was none to happy about being interrupted (specially since Mako was beginning to show signs of wear) but he nodded in agreement anyway, carefully extracting himself from the pretty brunette's hold.
Draco felt himself wrought with churning worry as he followed after the taller male into a more secluded area in the tiny shop. His brother had an unsettlingly mysterious, indiscernible air to him, one that he had only seen twice on occasion throughout life.
And it usually meant that the ultimately worst thing has happened.
Then, completely stark out-of-the-blue, Spike came to an abrupt halt, spinning his heel and pinning the shorter male with a mischievously glinting stare. That both soothed yet further perturbed the young warlock's nerves.
He suddenly swallowed, trying to gulp down his growing trepidation before finally opening his mouth.
"Whatcha needa talk to me about, Spikester?" Draco managed with a nervous grin, hoping to the heavens his voice was at some sort of normalcy.
The elder male smirked faintly at the use of the old nickname, one that had been concocted as younglings and was only permitted to Draco to use. He sighed somewhat heavily, glancing down uncertainly at the clenched fist of his hand, face pensive.
And then he suddenly turned his gaze to him, a dark sort of wicked glint amidst his azure depths and all at once pricking the younger boy's nerves to an all time high.
"You and Makoto seem to be close," Spike started slowly, beginning to prowl about his slightly shorter sibling in a predatorily air.
"Yeah," Draco breathed, grin turned into a lop-sided smile.
"She's just completely…it's as if, like…you know, a whole new light or something."
The twenty-one-year-old chuckled half-heartedly at that, head shaking slightly as he came to a stop just behind the other boy, face highly amused.
"I do, trust me I do…which is precisely why I want to give you this."
At that Spike through his arm over the young Slytherin's shoulders, opening his palm and flicking a small, square-shaped package of foil in his face. Draco paled instantly as his face came to life with a burning blush, icy blue eyes rounded to its limits.
"A-a condom?" he sputtered incredulously, completely thrown out-of-sorts as he wrenched back with a start, spinning his heel to face the other male fully.
"We aren't sleep--"
"Even so," Spike interjected, grinning smugly.
"It's just for protection, and no pun intended. Sometimes one can give into the heat of the moment."
Draco remained quiet and indifferent at first, narrowed eyes staring stunned at the small foil package. To take it, or not…he swallowed heavily again, still unsure on whether or not to accept. Then his dear oh-so-understanding brother flashed a toothy smirk, a devil-may-care kind of smirk.
"If you don't know how to put it on, I'm sure Mako could do it. She looks like a smart girl."
The seventeen-year-old powerhouse scowled darkly at that, no longer embarrassed about the situation presented to him. He muttered something inaudible under his breath as he grudgingly swiped the foil out of the waiting hand, shoving it roughly into his slack pockets.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, brother." Draco grumbled sourly as he began to make his way back to the tables, fists jammed into his pockets.
Spike laughed uproariously at that before releasing a little sigh of contentment, hurrying after to catch up with him.
"Oh you know I was merely jesting, little dragon," he murmured, tone light and amused as he suddenly reached over and pulled the shorter male close for a half-embrace.
"You ARE my brother after-all, sexual prowess courses through your veins."
Draco snickered at that, shooting the taller male a skeptical side-glance.
"That's not what Buffy says."
The twenty-one-year-old blonde came to prompt halt at that, eyes wide and mouth gapping incredulously. He could do little more then just stand there like a complete fool as he watched wide-eyed as the younger boy continued on his trek to the table.
Spike recovered a moment later however, hurrying to catch up with his latter sibling with a new vigor.
"Hey…HEY! Did she really say that? Little dragon! DRACO!"
-:-
So yes…it's been ages since I've updated, partially since school starting up (I LOATHE MY SCHEDULE) and my blank-faced writer's block. The ending of this is terribly shittie, lacking proper detail and rather fragmented. sigh
I might re-do that part later on.
All death threats, marriage proposals and praises of thanks submitted via the SUBMIT REVIEW button.