MY LAST NAME /span/p
Chapter 26
Hermione slid into the back of the taxi, her heart fluttering with excitement and pride. Draco just looked so handsome, and she was so happy and proud of Harry for inviting them to stay in the first place. Draco climbed in after her and rested his hand delicately on her leg, giving her a gentle squeeze of silent support.
"Where to?" The taxi driver looked at Ginny in his mirror.
"Oh, just to that Italian on Brooke Street please?" Ginny smiled and fastened her seatbelt. Harry sat in silence in the far back of the car with Ginny seemingly oblivious to him staring out of the window with a somewhat stormy expression. The taxi driver nodded and set of winding down the roads of the small but busy town the Potters had made home.
Once at the restaurant, Draco paid for the taxi and hopped out, helping both Ginny and Hermoine out in their heels. The wind whipped and snapped at their exposed skin, Draco squinted and wrapped his arm around Hermoine to protect her from its chill.
"So, I have been dying to try this place. It only opened a few months ago but has had rave reviews!" Ginny smiled slipping her arm through Harry's and walking up to the restaurants main entrance. Once in, the couples were seated immediately at their table; it was a small secluded booth near an open pizza oven. The warmth projected out and sent shivers down each persons spine. It was well received in contrast to the strong chill outside.
"Can I start you with any drinks this evening?" The waiter who was a tall red headed lady smiled and was at the ready with a pen and pad.
"Can I have a double bourbon, on the rocks please?" Harry shot a quick smile before picking up his napkin and twisting the corners nervously. Ginny shot a look of warning before smiling and ordering a couple of bottles of wine for the table.
"Is red okay?" She smiled. Both Hermione and Draco nodded and smiled. The waiter left as Draco wrapped his fingers around Hermione's under the table, away from the reddening eyes that belonged to Harry Potter.
"Draco took a sip of his water and looked nervously at Harry who was sat staring into space, still making small twists in his napkin. He looked exhausted and he looked agitated. Draco only feared the worst and was worried about what could happen if Harry had a couple more doubles throughout the night.
"So, how has everything been? You know, since erm..." Ginny trailed off, fearing she'd jumped in the deep end without a float, and the water was full of sharks. Hungry sharks. Draco tensed a little, he didn't really realise how ill he had been and how ill he still was. His thoughts flashed back to the letter in the draw and the white box of meds that he really, really didn't want to take. He took a deep breath in before plastering on a smile and nodding.
"Better, I think. Wouldn't you think Hermoine?" He looked lovingly at the woman who had stole his heart. That alone made him feel better.
"I think so, it's been tough, and we still have a way to go, but, you know, Draco is so strong and he's going to get there." She smiled and squeezed his hand under the table. Undetectable, Harry scoffed under his breath.
"Oh how wonderful. Well, I mean, you're both here so that has to count for something?" Ginny smiled and poured some wine for each member of the group, except Harry who had taken a large sip of his bourbon. Draco nodded and took a large sip of wine.
"Thank you Mrs. Potter, I would certainly like to think so." Draco took another sip and placed it on the table. The rich red liquid felt good sliding down his throat. He hadn't had a drink for so long, he knew he needed this.
"Oh please, Ginny is just fine!" She giggled and took a sip herself. There was a moment of silence.
"So Hermione, how is Cambridge? Work still good?" Ginny scrambled for conversation.
"Yes, of course I go back week after next, will be strange after having so much time off, but looking forward to getting back into it!"
Draco's heart sank, he forgot that Hermione had a career, she had such an important job and what if all his fucking loony issues got in the way of that? He couldn't let that happen. He felt his heart racing as he reached for his wine.
"Oh wow, gosh, I remember going to Cambridge University to visit a friend once. It was simply stunning, I could only dream of a place like that. Well, you know, once-upon-a-muggle-life!" She giggled, as did Hermione.
"To be honest, I like it there mostly because it's away from magic." She whispered the last word.
"I like how I can just be normal you know? I feel like the wizarding world is an extremely lonely one when you're mostly surrounded by muggles." Hermoine glanced down and busied herself with the menu.
The evening seemed to pace itself well if maybe just on the slower side. Harry remained silent throughout, only making exceptions to mention how good the food was and order more dinks. Draco felt slightly wavy after his third glass of wine so had stuck with water for the rest of the evening. There was an electric atmosphere that the ladies at the table seemed immune to. Harry wasn't happy that Draco was sat dining with his wife and his best friend. Draco was not happy that he was sat with the very person that was really the main catalyst to all the fucked up business back in Hogwarts. Maybe they would always have the relationship similar to a cat and mouse; can only tolerate each other for so long before the cat kills the mouse. But only one question remained; who was the cat, and who was the mouse?
"Oh goodness what a wonderful evening. Thank you so much Ginny, a-and Harry. I am thoroughly full and ready to sleep in that cloud which you call a bed!" Hermoine staggered slighted exiting the restaurant, Draco followed closely ready to support her if she needed. Ginny and Hermione had worked their way through three bottles of fine Italian wine. To be honest, Draco was rather impressed that they were both only tipsy. They both climbed into the back of the taxi giggling and chatting leaving the two remaining seats to Harry and Draco. They both stood in silence and stared at one another, understanding the inevitable. Draco gestured with his arm.
"After you, Potter." He shot a brisk smile as Harry stared for a moment and then climbed in. Draco followed and endured a very awkward taxi ride home. He kept himself entertained by counting how many traffic lights they stopped at.
Once at their house, they all clambered out of the taxi and into the crisp 12am air. Harry stuffed money through the window and after saying a brisk "cheers" to the driver, started to walk inside. Ginny and Hermione were still somewhat giggly and were having a great time. Draco didn't want to dampen that, not tonight. Both girls stumbled in and into the the kitchen at the back of the house. Draco stood and sighed, a plume of smoke exhaling in the freezing air.
"Care to join me?" He looked at the the face of Harry Potter where the voice had come from, and saw him stood with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Draco nodded, and accepted the cigarette from Harry's box.
The two stood in silence, taking in deep drags and watching the smoke fly away with the icy breeze.
"I don't smoke anymore you know." Harry stared ahead into the night with his free hand deep in his pocket. Draco looked over and cocked an eyebrow.
"I only smoke after I've drank. Or if I'm really fucked off, you know?" Harry didn't look at Draco as he took the cigarette to his lips once more. Draco listened in silence, hoping his wife didn't catch the two tyrants outside with their contraband. Harry inhaled sharply.
"The thing is, Malfoy, I didn't know how tonight was going to go. When I invited you both, it didn't feel real. I felt like I was trapped in one of my nightmares again." Harry shifted his weight and took another drag, holding it in his mouth before continuing.
"I get them, all the time. Sometimes I know I'm in them but I can't wake myself up." He giggled and shook his head, kicking a few pebbles beneath his feet. His arm swinging freely by his side with a fleck of ember.
"They're fucking repeats. Of the battle. I sometimes wonder if Voldemort cursed me -one last parting gift." He spat a chuckle and finished off his cigarette, flicking it into the darkness. He buried his hands in his pockets and turned to face Draco.
"You're in all of them. Without, fail." Harry stared at Draco with a pan expression. Not one emotion showing.
"Potter I -"
"No, there's nothing you can say, or do really." Harry cut in sharply.
"I suppose I have to come to the term that, not only do I have to relive them days while I'm asleep" Harry paused and walked up close to Draco, getting close to his face.
"But while I'm fucking awake too."
There was a moments silence as Harry stared darkly into the eyes of Draco, his apparent enemy. He took a few steps back and walked into the house, not muttering another word.