A/N: A very short one. Sorry! I'm still suffering, but it is worth it. Enjoy.
Chapter Six
After having two days off, Harry was swamped at work, juggling his training and small case load that all trainees were given. He barely had time to eat and catch up with his friends. He felt bad about not seeing Draco too, but he had a half day on Friday.
Harry had sent a letter to Draco apologising for not seeing him, and arranging to meet for lunch and then a business meeting to pitch Molly's book.
By the time Friday rolled around Harry was thoroughly looking forward to leaving The Ministry and having the rest of the day off. Harry had spoken to Ron earlier in the week, and they'd gotten into a heated argument. Harry hadn't talked to him since, luckily Harry wasn't partnered with Ron. The head Auror wanting to break up typical duos and partner everyone with new people.
Harry arrived at The Burrow on time, but only just. He was almost way laid, but managed to slip out before he was roped into more work.
Draco was ready and waiting for Harry. He was talking with an excited Mrs Weasley. He looked up at Harry when he arrived, and smiled before continuing his conversation with Molly.
They had printed just over one hundred cookbooks. They were going to sell one hundred in a chosen local book store, and the remaining books Molly had wanted to give as gifts. One to Mr Lovegood, one for herself and so on.
Harry had a brief chat with Molly, then he and Draco headed to a nearby wizarding complex in Devon. There was a popular, yet small book store in the complex and they were eager to meet with them to discuss the book.
Harry wanted to hold Draco's hand as they walked to a café near the book store, but didn't for many reasons. Draco looked delectable in his smart attire, he had insisted that they both wear smart clothes to the meeting.
They were going to eat lunch first, then head over for the meeting at 2pm. Taking a booth in the far corner, they ordered their food and settled in for a nice relaxing lunch.
"Do you think they will like Molly's book? I hope so, she worked really hard on it, and the finished book looks amazing." Harry remarked.
Draco was certain they would love the book, "Yes, it is a great book. Once they take a look they will be hooked. Besides we are doing them the honour of being the only book store to stock the book. If it sells well, it may even increase their custom."
Harry hadn't looked at it like that, and smiled a small smile. Draco was always thinking of brilliant ways to spin a situation. He made it sound like they would be doing the book store the favour, by allowing them to stock Molly's book, and not the other way around.
"Once all one hundred books sell out, we can take the figures to the bigger book stores. Like Flourish and Blotts, and they would arrange to stock them, as they can't argue against the sale figures." Draco continued on.
Their food arrived and they ate, enjoying light conversation and lingering looks. Harry decided he would try and convince Draco to get out, leave The Burrow at least once a week. Not only was it good for him, it was nice spending time with Draco away from anyone else.
After lunch they strolled to the book store, and arrived with a few moments to spare. Draco retrieved the shrunken book and enlarged it to normal size. He withdrew the contract and they waited for the owner to meet them.
They owner was a very thin and tall woman. In her late forties and she wore her hair down, and long, falling to the backs of her knees.
"Wonderful, you must be Mr Malfoy and of course Mr Potter." She trilled in a Devonshire accent.
Harry and Draco greeted her, and she showed them into a small office out the back. She made them all tea and sat patiently behind her desk.
"As you know, we are here today to pitch a new book to you. We hope you will agree to stock them in this store." Harry opened with.
They handed her a copy of the book and waited as she examined it.
"What makes this cookbook any different to the many others already for sale on the market?" She asked kindly.
Draco answered, "Many of the other available cookbooks are written by chefs and professionals. They are full of complicated recipes, over priced ingredients and recipes that many children would refuse to eat. Mrs Weasley is not a chef, but has been cooking most her life. She has first hand knowledge of cooking for a large family, on a budget and food that all her family would enjoy eating."
He paused before continuing, "All of the recipes in her book, are easy to follow. The ingredients are affordable and readily available. And the most import thing, the end result, the food, is simply delicious. She has adapted many traditional recipes, and have improved them. There are many recipes that even the fussiest of eaters would love in that book. Not to mention she offers many helpful tips and hints." He said with confidence.
Draco was good at talking the talk, Harry had always known that. But now he had seen it first hand, he knew Draco could sell sand to the Arabs – he was a good salesman.
"How do I know this isn't some speal of yours? Have you even tasted any of these meals, or attempted to make them?" She was being cautious, but Harry could see she was interested.
Draco smiled, a very charming smile, "I can honestly say I have tasted every single one of those meals and I have even had first hand cooking lessons from Mrs Weasley. She is an excellent teacher, and I now have a keen interest in cooking. Trust me when I say, I grew up being waited on. I couldn't even boil an egg, now I could easily cook a three course meal for a small group of people."
She smiled, "Great. It is nice that this Mrs Weasley is a real person. Not just a fictional front, that a chef has used to make them seem more appealing."
Harry piped up, "Mrs Weasley raised seven children and spent many years cooking for her family and friends. She knows her stuff, she hand selected every single recipe and she really takes pride in her work."
The owner frowned slightly, "So why hasn't this famous Mrs Weasley here herself promoting her work?" It wasn't said harshly, just curiously.
Harry was stumped, he hadn't even thought about that. Draco quickly answered, "Although Mrs Weasley is the Mastermind behind the book, she isn't confident managing the business side of things. We offered to help her with that."
"I see. Well that is fair enough, I can imagine it is quite daunting. I like the look of the book, and I can see that there is a niche in the market for a basic, easy and excellent cookbook. Do you have a contract drawn up? I wish to look it over and study the book some more. Then I will be in touch."
Draco nodded, and handed her the contract.
"Thank you for your time." Draco politely added as he stood.
Harry also stood, thanked her too and they left. Harry was grinning at Draco, as they walked down the street.
"Why are you grinning like a fool?" He teased.
Harry knew he wasn't being insulting, he heard the laughter in his voice.
"Because of you. You were brilliant. You talked her around for sure." Harry complimented.
Draco stopped his own smile from turning into a goofy grin to match Harry.
"Thank you. I think it went rather well, and I can say with confidence that we should hear from her shortly agreeing to our terms." he replied a little smugly.
Draco turned and glanced at their surroundings. They had walked out of the small wizarding community and were now walking in the muggle part of the town. Draco saw something that made him feel a sudden rush of fear and he felt sick. His palms started sweating, his heart was beating fast and he started trembling.
Harry watched the sudden change in Draco, and knew instantly he was having a panic attack. Harry guided him down a nearby alley, secluded from the muggles and deserted other than them.
"Draco?" Harry called softly.
Draco could hear Harry's voice but it sounded distant and he was too scared to concentrate on it. He was experiencing intense sensations. He felt that his reactions were out of his control, he felt detached from the situation, his body and the surroundings.
"Draco it's okay. You're safe, you're with me. Harry. I think you are having a panic attack, maybe even a flashback. Can you hear me Draco?" Harry asked.
It appeared to Harry that Draco's panic attack was getting worse. In a split second decision Harry side-alonged them to Draco's room at The Burrow. He gently guided Draco to sit on his bed, and then accio a calming draught and a headache potion. Once he had them, he cast a silencing spell, not wanting to disturb the Weasleys.
Harry squatted down in front of Draco, who was crying and shaking all over.
"Draco, you're safe. We're back in your room at The Burrow. I'd like you to take these potions, you'll feel better once you do." Harry calmly informed him.
Uncorking them and handing them to Draco. He drank them in a trance and Harry felt so helpless.
"Take deep breaths. You're home, with me and you're safe." Harry repeated, hoping some of his words were getting through.
Harry could see the fear on Draco's face and in his eyes, he looked absolutely terrified. Harry slowly and only lightly placed his hand on Draco's knee.
"I think you're having some sort of flashback. I know it feels real, but it is not really happening. You're safe." he reassured him, trying to pull him out of it and ground him to reality somehow.
Harry continued on, unsure if it was helping, "He's not here Draco, he's in prison. Listen to me, you're in your room and you're safe."
Draco's eyes focussed on Harry and he seemed to snap out of it. He was shaken by the ordeal, but at least he wasn't reliving the attack any more. Harry locked eyes with him, both watching one another in silence. Then Draco slid off the bed onto the floor next to Harry, slinging his arms around Harry's neck. Harry returned his embrace, pulling Draco closer and in a better position to comfort.
Harry didn't speak loudly, or about anything in particular. Just softly muttering words of comfort and reassurance. After a long time Draco had relaxed in his arms and his breathing was back to normal.
"I was so scarred." Draco said quietly.
"I saw, you're okay now though?" Harry needed to know.
"No I'm not okay. But the flashback and panic attack is over. Thank you for your help."
"No need to thank me. Come on lets get settled on the bed, my ass has gone numb." he joked.
They got comfy sat against the headboard and a stack of pillows. Draco resumed his earlier position. Led on his side, leaning against Harry, head resting on his chest and hand on his stomach. Harry was propped up against the pillows on his back.
"It was the damn car." Draco blurted in frustration.
"What was?" Harry asked not following.
Harry felt Draco's hand that was resting on his stomach curl into a fist, scrunching up his t-shirt in the process.
"We were walking down that street and a muggle car drove by. It was the exact model and colour of the car he had. That was what caused the flashback and subsequent panic attack." he explained.
Harry felt awful, he hadn't even considered that when he started walking through the muggle streets.
"Seeing the car, it brought back that day. The feeling of being trapped and utterly terrified." Draco continued, he sounded like he was crying to Harry.
Harry pulled him in closer instinctively, tightened his hold and began rubbing his back soothingly. He started up his random muttering of words of comfort. Within half an hour Draco was asleep on him, not long after Harry too drifted off.
Molly had found them still asleep embracing. She took a photo and left them to it. She wrote the date on the back of the photo and slipped it into the first edition of her cookbook. Then she sat down to write a long and heartfelt letter to Draco and Harry. Once finished this too was slipped into the cookbook. She planned on giving it to the boys in the future when the time was right.
She had a gut feeling about them. Yes many of her family were happily in a relationship and in love. But occasionally two people come along, and everyone watching certain moments are affected by what they see. Two people who are clearly soul mates. She knew for a fact she had witnessed one of those moments as she watched the two boys asleep cuddling.