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 seven: Opening Day

Bright and early on the assigned morning, Draco woke up and stretched feeling a sudden burst of fragrant energy pulsing through his body. He showered, dressed and left the shelter, not even sparing Lisa a glance. He vaguely saw her lower lip tremble as he closed the door behind him. It had taken ages to clean out the apartments above the café, but he and Hermione had managed to do it. The new sleek hardwood floors were rubbed smooth, the walls were all painted a series of soft yellows, warm greens, sleek blue, all with cool white ceilings and borders. Draco had been very pleased with the colour scheme and Hermione was impressed. Draco was fairly surprised at it himself. He could make a living out of this, if he knew how to. This particular morning he was thriving with energy and anticipation to start helping Hermione prepare for opening that afternoon. He had a bounce to his step as he half jogged across the bridge across the Thames. Hermione jumped as he half crashed into through the front door of the café. "Bloody Merlin, Malfoy, you scared the crap out of me!" Hermione exclaimed as she massaged the sore point in the centre of her chest.

Draco mock-pouted, "Oh Granger, it has been over a week! I thought we were on first name terms now"

Hermione looked sheepish and blushed slightly before sweeping a stray strand of glossy light brown hair out of her eyes. Draco thought she looked extremely pretty today in her tight dark blue flare jeans and translucent fuchsia blouse. "Sorry, Draco, old habits die hard, especially when you startle me like that"

Draco shook his head, "it's fine. So, who will actually be cooking this afternoon?"

Hermione sighed slightly, "I will be. It's only an afternoon and I have a whole load of cakes already baked and so if they have any orders it will mainly be hot foods and drinks" Draco mentally gawked. Damn Granger for being so orgasnised. He merely nodded and leant back against the light wooden panels of underneath the front window, the pink curtains tickling the nape of his neck. His eyes roamed the room and was quite pleased with the colour scheme he and Hermione had painted the room; a deep luscious magenta coated the walls, pale magenta curtains trimmed the windows and smooth light wooden panels lined the lower half of the walls and floor. Hermione looked around and smiled, feeling satisfied with herself. "Well, in all fairness Draco, I am very impressed. You would make a wonderful interior designer"

Draco frowned. At the risk of sounding stupid he ventured to quench his curiosity. "What's an interior designer?"

Hermione looked at his as though he had grown a second head before realisation smacked her in the forehead. "Oh it's in the title really. An interior designer or decorator is a person who would be assigned a building or living space and paid money to decorate it thereby increasing the value of the property and earning a lot of money in the process"

Draco must have looked amazed because Hermione suddenly giggled behind her hand. He shook the expression from his face. "Well as fun and exciting as that sounds I think I am going to stick to helping you out here for as long as you will have me"

Hermione smiled as she watched Draco work his delicate fingers over the counter, tidying it up and whatnot. As he busied himself she could not help but notice how 'at home' he looked here. She knew she was softening towards the blonde but she willed herself to think professionally. If he did not work out then he would have to go ... back to that awful homeless shelter that she passed everyday when she took muggle transport to the café. It made her heart ache though she loathed to admit it. "So what exactly do we need to do to prepare, Miss. Graner?"

Hermione startled at the sudden voice and blushed before composing herself, "nothing major, she heat up the ovens, turn the heating on as it may get cool later, sweep up again, mop the floors, clean the bathrooms, and then give upstairs another tidy up"

Draco groaned as soon as she mentioned 'bathrooms'. He hated smelling like toilet water, it was pure filth on his skin. "Fine. I'll clean up. But YOU'RE doing the bathrooms!"

Hermione sighed and nodded reluctantly with a small smile. She gathered the cleaning equipment she would need for the bathroom and as she walked in upon the tiled floor she grinned, "there's the bossy Malfoy we all know and love"

~00000~

One o'clocl that afternoon saw Harry Potter walking hand-in-hand with his daughter as she chatted quickly with little Hugo who was swinging his father's hand back and forth as they walked through Muggle London. Harry grinned and seemed more like his old self, he had not spent much time with Ron in the past few weeks and he was incredibly saddened by that thought, however now they would be spending an afternoon together in Hermione's café. Both men were excited as Hermione only baked cakes and cookies every so often so this outing was a incredilous treat for themselves and the kids. "So how are things are Remus' place, mate?" Ron asked as they began to cross over the bridge over the Thames.

Harry shrugged, "alright I suppose, she was hardly ever at home near the end of it all, of through the middle of it, so I don't miss whatever company she gave if that is what you mean"

Ron gave a small laugh, "I'm sorry mate. We all thought you would be great together"

Harry nodded. He had thought that himself. "Believe it or not, mate, that's what I thought too. I've started looking for my own place" he stated trying to change the subject.

"Are you looking at anywhere in particular? Becuase you know that Hermione and I have two spare rooms, now that Rose has gone to Hogwarts. Lily could stay in there while you have the official spare room"

Harry looked into the worried blue eyes of his best friend and smiled whilst shaking his head, "thanks for the offer, Ron, but I can't leave Lily on her own. With your auror assignments and now Hermiones café what will happen to Hugo and Lily?"

"Lily can attend the wizarding infant school Hugo is at" Ron grinned, "but I understand you want to find your own place, Mr. Independace, but worse comes to worst 'Mione and I are always willing to baby-sit"

Harry nodded and grinned, "that would be awesome"

"Daddy!" Lily cried, wringing his arm with excitement, "there it is! There's auntie 'Mione's café!"

Harry and Ron followed her excited pointing finger and were greeted with the sight of a crowd forming outside Hermione's café. People were bustling inside and getting greeted and seated. On the outside of the main window in large red letter's the words 'GRANGER'S CAFE' flashed to the public, as did the massive 'OPEN' sign swinging on the door. Ron was impressed, his darling wife was enticing a crowd with a mere sign, he hoped she would be able to cope with this amount of customers all at once. Harry felt butterflies in his stomach as he drew nearer. Everyone was giggling, chatting and smiling as they nestled into their little booths and tables, a few of them were shown into the small garden at the back were the sun was pouring in. Through the large front window Harry was able to catch a glimpse of a thin blonde directing people to tables and taking orders with a frantic pace and doing it with a gentle grace that he had never seen. There was another person helping out escorting people to their tables. Harry had met her briefly one afternoon. She had introduced herself as Mona, Marjorie's granddaughter. Hermione had given her a part-time job there and as far as he knew, she would be staying in one of the apartments above the café. She was the one who greeted them as they stepped through the door. "Hi Harry!" she embraced him with a bright smile. "Hi Ron!" she glomped the tall redhead beaming proudly "isn't it exciting? I hope everything goes great today!"

Ron grinned, "yeah hey let me sneak into the kitchen and say 'hello' to Hermione"

Mona planted her hands firmly on her hips and adopted a motherly scowl, "Now, now, Mr. Weasley I am afraid I cannot permit that access"

Ron's grin faltered, "really?" he asked shakily.

Mona suddenly broke out giggling, "nah not really. Go on in, it'll de-stress her a little" Ron grinned and hurried into the kitchen. Mona smiled before turning back to Harry, her light brunette curls bouncing in her piny-tail. "Table for four, I presume?"

"Well of course!" Harry grinned as she led them to a booth in the corner. Hugo and Lily slid in beside him on the rounded plushy cushions that were attached to the top of the rounded seat of the booth. Harry handed the bouncing children some of the children's menu's that were shaped as large strawberries and cupcakes. "Hey kiddies what would you like to eat?"

Lily scanned the menu with her round emerald eyes, "hmmm may I have some strawberry iced cupcakes daddy?"

Harry chuckled, "of course you can sweetie, What about you Hugo, what would you like?"

Hugo studied his little menu, "may I have some ham, cheese and egg sandwich?" Lily wrinkled her little nose, which, combined with Hugo's pleading expression, made Harry laugh whole-heartedly.

"Yes and as for Ronald and myself I think we will share Hermione's special of the day; a whole chocolate orange flavoured cake!" soon Ron reappearred with a massive grin and sidled next to Harry.

"A little birdie told me ... you ordered us the huge Terry chocolate orange cake!" Harry grinned and burst out laughing as Ron clapped a hand on his back.

Mona appeared suddenly, her light brown hair swaying in it's loose curled pony-tail. "Here you go my dears" she placed the large drinks down and started placing out their orders, "strawberry iced cupcakes for Princess Lily" Lily blushed red as she 'thanked' Mona for her sweet little cakes, "ham, cheese and egg sandwich for hungry Hugo" Hugo grinned and accepted his bulging sandwich, "and the huge terry chocolate orange double layer cake for you two greedy gentlemen" she cocked an eyebrow as Harry and Ron eyed the huge cake with drool pooling beneath them. She rolled her eyes with a laugh and then waltzed away to take someone else's order. As soon as they were left along the foursome dove into their delicious cakes.

~0000~

Draco wiped his warm forehead and sighed as he delivered another order. He side-stepped into the kitchen to see Hermione placing some cakes out on the counter to cool down. She looked up and jumped when she saw him. "Jeez Draco you have me a fright!"

He flushed slightly, "sorry, Granger"

She looked him up and down, "well? Was there something you needed?"

Draco's mind ran blank. There had been something. He shrugged, "I can't remember ... I'll ... er ... talk to you later" he dove out of the kitchen before he could embarrass himself further- and collided into Mona. "OH MY GOD MONA!" he brushed the broken glasses aside and reached for her hand, "blood hell, I'm sorry, I didn't see you! Are you alright?"

Mona nodded and winced. Draco looked down at her wrist as sore is was swelling and glinting red. "You should go into the kitchen and rest for a bit, I'll take care of this lot"

Mona's soft eyes glinted and she nodded with a small whimper, "are y-you sure?" Draco nodded and helped her up onto her feet.

"More than sure. Go and get some ice for that" he led her to the kitchen door and then turned to face the mob of customers nestled within Hermione's little nest of warmth and cute cakes. He drew in a deep breath. He could do this, right? After all is was only obeying orders, and he was the supreme master of said task. So why was he nervous? There was a line forming at the counter. "I'd better sort them out first before I do anything else" he went to the counter, smile on his lips, "how may I help you, sir?"

Ron stretched his arms high over his head and yawned, licking a small smear of chocolate from his lips, "bloody hell no wonder Hermione only makes these every so often ... I feel ready to burst and die, and I'll tell you something else, I'd be happy!"

Harry choked on his own laughter, "to be honest mate, I know exactly what you mean, this is double-decker cake heaven!"

He turned his attention to his daughter who was snuggled up against his side, Hugo resting against her back. Ron leant over the table and smiled. "Those two are cute aren't they?"

Harry nodded, "I think we are so privileged to have such gorgeous children"

Ron nodded in agreement, "well that is one thing you can thank Ginny for, giving you pretty children"

Harry's thoughts went black. He nodded heavily, "yeah, I guess. I just hope the boys' reply to my letter. I really want to know if they are okay with all of this"

Ron ran a hand through his flaming red hair, "look Harry, at the end of the day it's your life, the children are part of it. And if they need time to adjust ... they can stay with friends or something. Besides, at the moment they are at school and around friends', they will get support"

Harry nodded thinking things through. Hermione was certainly rubbing off on him. "If I don't hear from them within the next few days I will go to Hogwart's personally and see how they are with everything"

Ron suddenly beamed, "me, you and these two can come with you and spend the afternoon in Hogsmeade"

Harry gave a tight little smile. He knew he would just want the evening with the boys' but this was Ron's enthusiastic way of getting them to spend more time with one another. Harry regretted not seeing his best friends' over those past few weeks. It was really nagging at him. "Hey does anyone else want one last drink before we go?" he offered, feeling the need to do something active, to keep his mind from wondering.

"Um I'll have a cappuccino if you don't mind"

Harry grinned and stood up to walk out of the booth, clapping Ron on the back as he did so. Ever since the end of Bill and Fleur's wedding, which was ambushed by death eaters, and Hermione had apparated them to a small corner shop in Central London, Ron had become a slight addict when it came to having a gorgeous cappuccino. Harry and Hermione did not mind, as it had helped Ron branch out even further into the muggle community. He taught Harry the basics of wizarding life, such as "Beadle The Bard" and Harry, with Hermione's help, educated Ron on the basic every day things of muggle's. Hermione would complain on Monday mornings how, at Sunday Lunch with Molly, Arthur and George Weasley, Ron would pass-on all the new-found information to his father who still got a high from learning about muggle's. Harry still thought it was slightly cute that a man of Arthur's age still managed to get excited over a rubber duck. Harry swallowed thickly. He had tried so desperately to create the family he never had. Perhaps that was why he forced himself to be blind to Ginny's indiscretions.

He groaned inwardly at the small queue that was dragging itself ever-so-slightly closer to the counter. Why were queue's like children? You couldn't stop them growing even if you wanted to. He was third in line by the time Mona reappeared. He frowned. Who had been manning the till? Shaking his head free he watched as Mona sauntered away, left hand in slim bandages, and carrying a slim little notepad and pen in her slender hands. He turned his head sharply when he felt someone jab his lower back. "Hey!" he protested loudly.

"You're next lad" stated a gruff, stout man a head shorter than Harry. Harry pulled a childish face and went up to the counter, trying to remember what he had to order. The assistant had her back to him.

"Excuse me could I possibly get two cappuccino's and two small glasses of strawberry milkshake, please?" Harry felt a tiny sense of relief at remembering what he, Ron and the kids had wanted as a last minute request.

The assistant turned around and ...

"POTTER?"

"MALFOY?"

A/N: Well finally I have gotten this chapter completed. I'm sorry it took so long but I have had the flu for the past week. Reviews are more than welcome, and thank you for all the wonderful people who have reviewed this story so far.