Granger's Café

Pairing: Draco/Harry.

Disclaimer: Hermione decides that the drama in the wizarding world is growing too much. She decides to open up a café in the muggle world, so as to enjoy simplicity during the day. Little does she know that one of the applicants for a job there, will cause a whole new circle of drama for her. And how exactly will her little café benefit Harry and Draco's lives, and how will it banish the drama from both worlds they live in? You know what they say, about Granger's café; her food is like magic, that's what they say, because it keeps all your problems and troubles at bay.

Chapter two: The perfect Place

A warm September morning saw Hermione and Harry walking along the muggle streets of London looking in the window of every empty shop with a 'FOR SALE' sign blaring in one of its windows. The air was welcoming with a vibrant splash of sunshine that painted every shop window like a dazzling mirror of sunny green trees smiling people. Harry walked alongside his best friend with his hands stuffed inside his jacket pockets, not really taking an interest at the task in hand; he was more worried about his doomed-from-the-start marriage that was currently seething away back at his house. He knew, deep down, that Ginny had always wanted him for his money, having being brought up in what she called 'poverty' she could not seem to help herself. But it was no excuse to taunt Harry's starvation for love and understanding, marry him, and then expose herself for what she truly was. She had even forced herself to have three of his children as an excuse for him not to divorce her and move out. He had to think about what was best for the children as well as himself. That was the problem, he reasoned with himself, did he even know what the children would want in this situation?

"THIS IS IT!" the squeal brought him sharply out of his reverie as he almost collided with Hermione who had stopped to peer into the window of a small bakery on Drury lane, ironically enough. He gave the building itself a once over and had to admit it looked quaint enough for what Hermione had in mind. Over the weekend she had envisioned owning a little café so as not to fill her days with nothing while Ron was at work and Hugo was in infant wizardry school. She had stated that, with all the drama going on in all of their lives, that it would be nice for her to get away from it all in the muggle world and start her own little business. She had always loved baking, despite her thirst for a good book, and she had made a very good point that if she did not do it now, then at what point in her life would she be able to do it?

"So" Harry said as a light breeze brought a chill running down his spine. His marriage was over and it was affecting everyone around him. He had to keep in mind that, if he was not in this situation alone, then he would not let Hermione go through with finding the perfect place for her dream, alone. "Lets go in and ask the owner about it"

Hermione turned to him and beamed, "I'm so glad you came with me today Harry! It means the world to me. It truly does"

He grinned at her and opened the door, making a little bow as she stepped up and into the little, cosy café. He knew she did not fully mean she was glad he came for support. She meant because this way she could keep an eye on him and make sure that he did not stride off to the nearest pub. He sighed and followed her inside, the bell above the door twinkled as it closed shut behind him. The small notice on the door had informed them to ring the bell at the counter for the owner. Harry hovered near the counter as Hermione pressed a firm hand on the bell. The shrill tinkle it made, caused Harry to jump. A few minutes late a small, jolly woman who could have passed for Molly Weasley's mother, bustled through into the serving area, her powder grey hair pile into a puffy knot at the back of her head. "Hello my dears, what can I do for you?"

Hermione licked her lips, a habit she had when she was nervous about something, which was not very often. "I've come here to discuss buying this place"

A light of recognition dawned in the lady's eyes, "Oh yes, very glad you've come. I must say some of the offer's I have had look like they do crack. And this is a sensible establishment, I refuse to let it full into the hands of drug-dealers and have this place known as 'the den of Drury lane'" She showed Harry and Hermione to a backroom and set about making some tea and offered them each a sweet cake while introducing herself as Marjorie. Harry bit into one of the cakes and was greeted with a mouthful of the sweetest butter-cream he'd tasted in years. He hummed in delight and would definitely say that Hermione would have her work cut out for herself if she was going to keep up Drury Lane's reputation for the best baked food. Hermione had clearly had the same thought as she cast Harry an increasingly nervous glance over her shoulder at him. He winked at her encouragingly. He knew she could do this. She was the greatest cook he knew, not including Molly Weasley.

"I'm Hermione Granger-Weasley and this is my friend Harry Potter" Hermione stated as she accepted the cup of tea that was offered to her. Cappuccino with a large sprinkle of cinnamon on the foam. Just the way she liked it. She frowned but drank it heartedly nonetheless.

Marjorie nodded and the laughter lines around her eyes deepened as she smiled and shook their hands. "Very please to meet you" she quickly went about making another whimsical creation in a cup before setting said cup of steaming hot tea in front of Harry, before taking a seat across the table from them and leaning forward, ready to discuss business. "So, Hermione, what are your intentions for my little café?"

"To keep it as a café, if that is your main concern" Hermione stated matter-of-factly, a tone that reminded Harry of their Hogwart's days when she had scowled Ron and him to do their homework.

"It is" Marjorie nodded firmly, not losing that motherly smile on her lips.

"Well" Hermione continued, "I would redecorated it a little obviously, and change the name, but other than that I can assure you I shall keep it more-or-less the same cosy café which you have created"

Marjorie nodded, pondering the information that had been given to her, "now that I can agree to. However, as this is quite a popular spot when it's open I have to say that my asking price is fairly high"

Hermione nodded in understanding, "that is no problem. I am willing to pay whatever you ask" Harry rose an eyebrow but made no comment. Hermione really wanted this dream. She was determined to get it. She wasn't exactly poor since Ron was a well-paid auror in the ministry of magic.

Marjorie seemed a little taken aback but pleased nonetheless, her motherly face glowing brightly. "Well I'm getting on. I wish to retire and sell this place within a month if I can" she stood up and both Harry and Hermione watched as her podgy figure went out into another back room, which Hermione could only assume was an office as when Marjorie came back she held a thick black folder, with all the legal and property information of the building inside. She opened it and extracted a small sheaf of paper before sliding it across the table for Hermione to see. "That is my asking price, if you are still prepared to pay it that is. I would like you to remember that when you are buying this place, you are buying all of my customers good will, too"

Harry peered over Hermione's shoulder as she turned the piece of paper upwards to see the figure. Marjorie was asking for £23,789 for the café. Harry himself thought it was a bit steep for a cute little café like this, but Marjorie had stated that she wanted to retire and that this place was fairly popular when it was open, so he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. He felt Hermione stiffen. He understood why. She had been saving up for something like this for years, which was why she had put her brains to use and become a medi-witch for ten years, to earn the money. She had saved it, all £389,129,174 of it, and taking out the money to pay for this little café would not harm the amount, if anything she would double the asking price within a few months if she played her cards right. Marjorie noticed Hermione's hesitation and stood up, saying that she would leave them to think about it. Once she was gone Harry turned to Hermione, "What's wrong, Mione? Anyone would jump for joy at that price especially considering the amount you've saved up"

"It's not that Harry, I was just thinking how I would like you to work with me, but then I remembered how Ginny had practically drained your inheritance and placed it into another, foreign, account that none of us seem to be able to trace. You are virtually broke in both worlds. And then when you said you were going to go back and study, I thought it would be great, but then I just remembered I would have to put at an advertisement to get some help for when I start up"

"Ah" was all Harry could say. It was a sweet offer. "Well I was considering going back to school, Hermione. Muggle University. I don't know what I want to be but if I get an education I'll be a little more stable. As for the money do not stress yourself about it. I'm not stupid enough to put all my money into one account. Merlin knows what I actually did when I was drunk but I'm sure it will turn up somewhere"

Hermione nodded, "That's a wonderful idea Harry. I'm so proud of you"

Harry flushed, "thanks. Now go sort this thing out with Marjorie. I'm going across the road for an ice cream" and with that he left the café.

~0000~

Draco groaned and rolled onto his side, gasping in agony as his bruised skin came into contact with the frozen concrete-slab floor. His skin held open wounds oozing thick, red blood that steamed as it came into contact with the frozen basement floor. He was scarred, battered and hideously blue from the below zero temperature that forever bloomed below the Manor. Over the past few days he had been beaten and sexually abused every hour on the hour, by his wife and father. In a way he liked the fact that these two members of his supposed family had the time to abuse him and pay him that little bit of attention, despite he was being traumatised by said attention. Unlike his mother. He felt a bitter taste form at the back of his mouth. His mother was so detached from him that she didn't even want to be in the same room as him. She didn't even want to touch him. He needed freedom. The sweet taste of the muggy muggle air in London seemed like a step up from this Hellhole. 'Damn' he thought 'I must be going crazy to want to see muggle London this badly' but in the back of his mind he was depressed that he would never step into the muggle world again. He liked going there to enjoy the simplicity that they seemed to live in. There were no spells, no hexes or jinxes to be afraid of. It was so simple to live there, if only for a few hours at a time.

He cast a wordless 'Tempus' charm and discovered that it was 11:29pm. He groaned and curled up into a ball, his muscles screaming at the sudden movement. He didn't even know what day it was any more.

The door at the top of the staircase groaned open. He listened as footsteps were heard descending the stairs. He did not look up. He was ready for the torture to end another hellish day. "Draco? Are you awake?" It was his mother. He frowned and felt his muscles tense up like frigid stone. Why was she here? She hadn't wanted to see him for weeks and now here she was, kindness in her voice? Was he finally going crazy? Her muffled slippers made their way down the stairs and came to a stop by his head.

He looked up at her, "what are you doing here?" their was no malice in his voice, like he had suspected there would be. Only concern, hurt and that underlining of betrayal.

"I'm here to give you this" she thrust a piece of paper into his scarred hands, "in three seconds the wards will drop, for a mere second. In that second you are to apparate to this address and get as far away from us as possible" her voice was a low whisper that made him feel a spark of hope within his heart.

Draco spared a glance at the paper, "but this is to Kings Cross station. Where will I go after I get there? Who will help me? I-"

"JUST GO!"

Draco felt the wards shudder around him. He focused his remaining energy on apparating. As soon as the wards shifted enough, he felt the sickening tug on his navel and was transported through time and space to the frozen concrete floors of Kings Cross station. He was so exhausted that he could barely push himself into a more comfortable position. He rolled onto his back and hissed before gasping out in pain. The scars and bruises were hissing and screaming all over his mangled body. Here it was. His freedom. And yet now he wished he was back in that frosty basement beneath the manor. Strange what the mind wishes for when the body is on it's last feet. Through bleary eyes he was only able to catch a vague image of late night traffic and late night arrivals before he slumped sideways into unconsciousness, the growl of approaching trains fading in his ears.

A/N: Well there is chapter two. Comments are welcome. ^.^ 3