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.
Reviews: Okay I am not getting e-mail alerts for any of the reviews, faves and adds of my stories (I know that sounds big-headed) and so any reply's may be severly delayed. And to clear up on the last chapter, Hermione had to hire Ginny as it was made clear that Ginny would go to troublesome lengths to ruin Harry's [and Hermione's] life. So if no one picked up on that, I have cleared it up for you.
Chapter Twelve: Scheming
Harry squeezed his eyes shut and punched the bridge of his nose. "What do you mean 'you had to' Hermione? Did she threaten to do something to you?"
Hermione nodded and sighed, "it's obvious Harry I would not have hired her if she had not. It won't be so bad"
"How do you figure?" Draco asked with narrowed eyes. He was not happy to work alongside Harry's estranged whore slash wife. Harry was so happy and they worked well together, he just knew the Weaslette would drive a stake right through whatever was budding between he and his ex-nemesis.
Hermione shook her head, "Well I figure we can make it difficult for her. She is really lazy therefore she won't be up for working at 5 in the morning"
Harry and Draco exchanged a strange look. "But Hermione" Harry started, licking his lips, "we don't get up at 5am"
Hermione smirked, "exactly. But Ginny doesn't know that does she. We can cast illusion charms to make her think the place is busy, and you guys are also working. I'm sure she will tired of it within a week"
Draco breathed a sigh and stretched, "Well if you kids don't mind, I am going to take a nice warm shower. Call me if you need anything"
As he turned and left the kitchen Harry could not help but tilt his head slightly and watch his slender hips artistically sway as he walked. Hermione watched him and cocked a suspicious eyebrow. Should she intervene? Maybe not yet. She cleared her throat and smiled when Harry jumped and blushed while avoiding her gaze. "Well I'll be off to go over the rest of these application forms. I really am sorry about Ginny, Harry, if there was anyway to avoid it you know I would-"
Harry nodded and smiled. "Don't worry, Hermione. Like you said, we can have some fun with this" he winked as they left the kitchen and went their separate ways. Harry decided to check his little mail cupboard beside the counter. Everyone had their own pigeon-hole for important documents. Removing his key from his back pocket, he inserted it, turned it, and slipped his hand inside. Yes! He had mail! Be it bills or divorce papers, whatever, it was just such a relief to get something to read other than the new menu's. He was even more surprised to find that he had two letters, one from Albus and one from James. He smiled and pocketed the letters, barely being able to contain the child-like excitement welling within his chest to read letters from his sons'. He was about to turn and leave when he noticed a white corner sticking out of Draco's pigeon-hole. Feeling rebellious, as though he were a teen again, he grabbed the envelope and tugged at it. It gradually slid out of the small crack, before it was safely in Harry's hand. Determined to spend some more time with Draco, Harry went half-running up the stairs in the vain attempt to catch Draco before he had his shower. He made it to the landing easily enough and pressed his ear to Draco's door. The shower was on. 'Damnit!' he cursed himself before turning the corner and heading for his own apartment. He would wait half an hour, giving Draco time to dry off and dress. He also decided to wait to be in Draco's company to read his own letters.
000
Scorpius stirred restlessly as he was unable to get comfortable in his four-poster bed. Nothing had come of finding either his nor Albus' father, and he did not think that he could bear keeping still anymore. It was easy for Albus to say to keep still and wait patiently until they had thought of a descent plan, but Scorpius just did not work like that. He needed to know where his father was. He did not think he could wait. Finally he kicked back his covers and eased himself off of his mattress and out from beneath the hangings. He balanced himself and gradually tip-toed across the room. A groaned made his freeze in his tracks. "Scorp? Where are you going at this time of night?"
"Er" he rubbed the back of his neck, "I was just ... getting a snack from the kitchen?"
Albus saw right through the lie and Scorpius knew it. "Come over here, Scorp, running off won't do anything to help us"
Scorpius felt himself deflate. "Okay" he mumbled lightly, edging nearer to Albus' bed and crawling up onto the end of it, where his friends' feet were. "Sorry I woke you, Al"
"It's fine Scorp, come here next to me, you can stay here the night if you want"
Scorpius felt slightly happier. He ventured up the length of the bed and pulled back the covers. Albus shuffled to one side to allow Scorpius room to slide in beside him. The blonde curled up into Albus' chest and murmured, "thanks Al"
Albus smiled and ran his hand through Scorpius' hair. "No worries, Scorp, just get some sleep for me, okay?"
Scorpius nodded, "can you help me with my Charms essay in the morning? I don't understand it"
Albus breathed a smile against Scorpius' hair and cuddled him closer, "of course I will, Scorp, anything for you" Scorpius felt his heart skip a beat. He wrapped his arm tighter around Albus' body, breathing in his sweet scent.
"Anything?"
Albus nodded and nuzzled Scorpius' hair, "For you, a thousand times over1" Scorpius did not know why, but that night he slept really well.
000
Harry finally heard the water snap off. He glanced at his watch. "Half an hour, then I'll go in" He didn't have to wait that long. He felt excited as he went next door and knocked, waiting for Draco to answer.
The blonde cocked an eyebrow, "Well, well, this is a surprise" he teased.
Harry blushed. "I ... h-have our mail. I thought you might want to read it" Draco looked surprised at the letter waving beneath his nose. He was torn. Was it from his son or his Father? He stepped to one side and let Harry in. The men settled down on the sofa with hot cups of tea and ripped open their letters like excited schoolboys. Speaking of excited schoolboys' ...
"It's from my lawyer, and Albus" Harry beamed as he put the lawyer's letter to one side. Draco cocked an eyebrow. It was strange that Harry had named his second son after that meddling old coot who used him as a pawn.
He shrugged it aside and looked down at his own letter. He recognized the handwriting. It was from Scorpius. "W-what does your one say?" Harry frowned and ripped open his letter.
Hi daddy,
I really miss you and was really worried after the letter you sent me. Where are you living? Aunt Hermione said you and Lily were living with her. Please tell me that you are alright. Have you got a job yet? Let me know.
All my love,
Albus
Harry smiled. He loved how his son was so affectionate. He decided to read the letter from his lawyer later, as it would only dampen his current cheerful mood. Draco observed Harry as he read his letter; he observed the way Harry's emerald green eyes sparkled as he read the first line of the short letter. It made his own heart twitch. He prayed his own letter was from his son.
Father,
Where are you? No one had heard from year and Grandfather is getting angry! I am scared, daddy, I want you here with me! Albus is only so much comfort for me these days when I know you are not safe!
Please write back!
Scorpius!
"Apparently our sons are friends" Draco stated, as it was the only thing he could think of to say at that moment in time. Scorpius was so worried about him and there was nothing Draco could do to comfort his son.
Harry nodded with a grin on his face, "it would seem so" he looked up at Draco and his grin faltered. "Draco? Are you okay?" The blonde's head jerked up and a false smile appearred on his lips.
"Yeah great, I just miss him climbing all over me that's all" Harry smiled sympathetically over at the older man. He understood his pain, he really did. Draco looked up to see Harry still staring down at him. "Er ... would you like to stay over tonight?" the dark-haired mans eyebrows shot up. "Er... I know it's random I just- don't feel like being along tonight"
Harry swallowed thickly behind his smile. His heart hammered against his chest. "Of course ... I don't mind. It is lonely every night I'll give you that much" Draco didn't really believe Harry's excuse, and he knew Harry did not believe his excuse either, but it was comforting to know that the emerald-eyed man had no problem with sharing a bed with Draco. Harry shifted off of the edge of the sofa and Draco felt his heart plummet. At the crestfallen look appearring on the blonde's pale face, Harry smiled reassuringly. "I'm only going to get my pyjamas"
Draco scoffed. "You don't need those. Just wear your boxers. Thats what I do"
Harry highly doubted this as he had seen the blonde on more than one occassion wearing soft cotton pyjamas in the building, not noticing that anyone was watching him. Not that Harry watched him, more like observed from a distance. Draco yawned and stretched his arms, his tight shirt riding up over his stomach. He stood up, not noticing the longing look in Harry's eyes, before leading his companion wordlessly to the bedroom. They stripped to their boxers and climbed in beneath the sheets, the air between them vibrating with longing and hope. Neither man, however, was ready to wear their heart on their sleeve and risk being hurt again. And no one had abused either man, than the person lying beside them in the same bed.
1 (The Kite Runner, Chapter 7, Page 59, Line 6)
A/N: apologies for the long wait and then this short chapter but I have caught up on my work and will therefore have more time to write a more interesting chapter.