A/N: I am sorry for the late update. I am having more problems with university and so I am struggling to keep my head above water in the pantomime that is my life.

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.

~000~

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Christmas Dinner

Harry ran a stiff brush through his untamed hair until it sat in a stylish shaggy look about his features as the bathroom door opened up behind him. In the reflection he caught sight of Draco and smiled at the uneasy aura that hung over the blonde's head. He was dressed in a simple white and silver-blue pin-striped button-down shirt with black slacks underneath that hugged his toned buttocks perfectly. Harry smiled at the blonde, catching the subtle hint aftershave that hung in the air, and turned around beckoning Draco over. Draco was hesitant before stepping across the tiled floor, the heels of his shoes clicking in time with the erratic beating of his heart. He stood before Harry feeling awkward. Harry smiled as he brushed his palms against Draco's cheeks and leaned down to kiss the blossom-pink lips with his own. Draco's breath hitched as the heat of Harry's mouth descended upon his own and he was lost in the coffee-and-cookie taste on Harry's tongue. Draco hummed in pleasure. "You taste amazing" Draco purred softly, the timidness still present in his voice.

"Careful-" Harry said in between kisses, "you might -get addicted -to me"

"-Not a bad thing" Draco gasped, his fingers tangling in Harry's hair as Harry lowered his mouth to suck on the sensitive spot by the nape of Draco's neck. Draco thrust his hips against Harry's own, loving the feel of Harry's teeth softly grazing over his skin. "H-H-Harry -feels so -good" he felt Harry smirk as he continued to give Draco a love-bite on his pale skin. Draco was turning to putty in Harry's hand and he knew that if the brunette did not stop soon, he would not be responsible for his actions.

"So beautiful" Harry breathed heatedly as his hot mouth roamed up the soft pillar of snowy white skin that taste like apples and Espresso. He could feel Draco quivering beneath him, as he was pushed back against the softly-heated towel-rack. His hand ran up the back of Draco's shirt, running of the subtle hint of ribs beneath Draco's thin skin. His muggle watch bleeped, causing Draco to flinch at the sound. Harry had bought it a few weeks ago and Draco was not adjusting to it too well. Harry groaned resting his head against Draco's. Draco watched the black eyelashes flutter as Harry sighed, how his deep rosy lips opened a hairline apart. "We should go before we're late for dinner"

Draco pouted and fingers his trouser pocket in a nervous manner. "What if -what if they change their opinion of me? I haven't spent much time around W-Ron and we all know what his temper is like"

Harry looked down at the blonde with a soft understanding expression. "Is that why you haven't been sleeping properly?" Draco looked in Harry's eyes, and then down at the floor before nodding. Harry trailed his thumb down Draco's high cheekbones, "Ron knows how much you've changed. Hermione tells him all the time and he know's Hermione is always right. Even when she is wrong -she's right"

Draco snorted lightly before looking up into Harry's emerald eyes, confidence seeping back into his veins. "Alright -I -I trust you"

Harry chuckled, "I should hope so" he breathed, placing a lingering kiss upon Draco's lips before pushing himself away from the towel-rack and Draco's body. "Come on, grab your coat and scarf and I'll meet you by the door"

Draco nodded and went to grab his coat and scarf from the bedroom. The coat was a warm military styled black coat that fell down to just below his thighs to keep his arse warm. It had large shining buttons and a tie around the waist. His scarf was soft and a pale silvery grey that complimented his eyes. Harry had bought it for him along with matching gloves. He smiled feeling the softness caress his fingers. They tingled with the ever-present warming charm, as did the scarf. "I'm ready!" he called out before turning to leave the bedroom that kept Harry's lazy-morning scent bottled up. He walked out of the bedroom and found Harry waiting by the door, car-keys in hand, and a small present in his hand. Draco flushed, "is -that for ... um ... Hermione?"

Harry shook his head, "no, love, it's for you"

Draco felt his heart inflate with emotions he did not know he had. He tentatively took the gift. It was not wrapped in anything but a flimsy silvery envelope. It was still pretty either way. Out of the envelope and into Draco's palms dropped a silver-grey beanie hat made of the same soft wool of his gloves and scarf. He swallowed thickly and smile at the small white cotton-ball bobble at the top. He could feel his cheeks blush as Harry took the hat from him and delicately placed it on the blonde's head, making sure to cover the ears. Draco sniffed, "how do I look?"

Harry smiled beautifully and pulled Draco close, the white bobble brushing against his cheek, "adorable" Draco cuddled against Harry's chest a little tighter before they both turned and left the apartment.

The drive to Hermione and Ron's house was calm and gentle, the radio blurted out horrible Christmas tunes every few minutes and Draco laughed as Harry sang along purposefully off-key. It was a crisp evening but as they stamped the sleet from their shoes on Hermione's doorstep the warm seeping out from underneath the door was only too welcoming. Draco shivered and Harry drew him closer. Playful shouts called out from the other side of the door before it opened. Ron peered down at them both with a wide grin, "hey you two, get inside it's freezing out here" he ushered them into the warmth, barely paying attention to Draco's stiffened posture. Once the front door was closed, Ron hugged them both tightly. "Glad to see you guys now, I have to run back to the turkey before Hermione eats it all" with one last grin he darted off towards the kitchen as Hermione bustled out biting off a gingerbread man's head off.

"Hi you two!" she exclaimed brightly, advancing towards them as Harry hung their coats up. She hugged Draco and then hugged Harry, "Harry Lily is in the living room playing 'Just Dance 3' with Hugo"

Draco frowned, "what's 'Just Dance 3'?" he asked.

Hermione beamed, "it's a muggle game we bought for Lily and Hugo" she chuckled, "it shows you how to dance to various pop songs. It's so much fun even Ron gave it a try"

Harry howled with laughter, "oh goodness I would have loved to see that"

Hermione rolled her eyes, "maybe before dinner we can have a little competition"

Harry clapped his hands together, "sounds like fun but first I have a little Lily-flower to grab!" Hermione and Draco laughed and followed the brunette as he walked through into the living room. Lily was loud as she launched herself at him.

"D-A-D-D-Y! I beat uncle Ron on the wii game!"

He grinned, "I know I heard!" he twirled her around in the air. "How about teaching Uncle Draco while I go and talk to Aunt Mione?" Lily beamed and walked over to the door and grabbing Draco's wrist.

"Come on Mister Draco it's easy I promise!" Draco shot Harry a pleading look but the brunette just shook his head as the game was set-up.

Harry laughed as he left the room with Hermione. The kitchen was hot with steam misting the windows. "So I think we just sent Draco to his own version of Hell"

Hermione chuckled. "Oh it won't be that bad, once he is drunk he will forget all about it" she waved her hand to rid her fingers of gingerbread crumbs. Harry grinned as Ron grabbed him a bottle of Butterbeer from the fridge. "So how have things been with Draco the last week, Harry?"

Harry swallowed the beer thickly. "He's been alright, a little -clingy if anything -but nothing suicidal"

Hermione nodded a small frown marring her features, "and has he been spending his nights with you again?"

Harry nodded, "yes -depending on his mood he is position differently in the morning"

"How do you mean?" Ron asked as he toed a tray of Yorkshire pudding's into the oven.

Harry hummed, "well if he's moody the day before I'll wake up with him on the other side of the bed. It seems like such a vast difference when he is so far away ... and then when he's in a good mood, I'll wake up with him curled against my chest and smiling -in his sleep -can people even smile in their sleep?"

Hermione exchanged a sly look with Ron who winked at her. "Some people do Harry -but it is rare. As for the mood and position changes it is interesting and also still a sign that he is incredibly clingy with you. If he was that moody he would just stay in his own apartment instead of just scooting to the other end of the mattress -I think he is trusting you with a lot more than he is letting on Harry"

"I know -Astoria wants us both to blood-adopt her child and ... Draco keeps having weird panic attacks-"

"Maybe Astoria is implying that you're the one who makes Draco stable?" Ron suggested with a casual shrug.

Harry frowned, eyeing the redhead with a curious expression. Hermione affirmed her husbands suggestion, "though she cannot leave Malfoy Manor without Lucius' being aware, whilst conscious at least, Narcissa does speak about you two an awful lot. As do I when I write to her. She has clocked on. She claims that Draco had never behaved that way with her"

Harry frowned, shifting his feet beneath him, "should I be worried about it all? I feel as though we've been thrown in at the deep end and with another babu on the way -and me with my children from Ginny -won't it overwhelm him?"

Hermione shook her head, "if he can survive a dance-contest with Lilles, he'll be fine" she gave him a wink before clapping her hands, "right all we need are the Yorkshire puddings and then we're ready" Harry laughed as Ron started dishing out the food. Harry set out the place mats on the dining room table and helping bring the food in all the while thinking about the little baby wriggling around in Astoria's womb.

~0~

Lucius lent heavily on his cane as he hobbled to the main bedroom where Astoria was brushing her hair and often wincing with pain, her hand jerking to the small of her back. Lucius frowned. Narcissa had not suffered with backache with Draco, not until her later months at least. Was something wrong with Astoria's pregnancy? He knew she had had some difficulty with Scorpius but he had assumed the little brat had just been as stubborn as his father. He frowned in thought. When had the Malfoy's gotten so stubborn? Narcissa was not stubborn ... perhaps it was him? He sighed and lent heavily on his cane.

"Merlin help that child"

~0~

Dinner started off a little tense as no one knew what to talk about and all of them blatantly tried to avoid the subject of Draco's recent health problems. Lily, thankfully, was a chatterbox and always piped-up with something new to say. "So Uncle Draco, Auntie Mione says that you and daddy are going to have a new baby"

Ron snickered into his glass.

Hermione flushed red and giggled.

Draco's face blushed.

Harry howled with laughter, "oh Lilles what a mouth you have. Yes, it is true -does that bother you at all love?"

Draco watched with silent relief as Lily shook her red curls, "no, I would love a new baby. I hope it is a girl because I already have too many brothers and they are mean to me, with a little girl I was play with her and brush her hair"

Hermione chuckled, "She may not have hair when she comes out Lily"

Lily grinned, "I know but that's okay. I see a few bald ladies and I think they are pretty too. If she never has any hair she can borrow some of mine"

All the adults laughed. Hugo, normally the quiet and shy child, looked over at Lily and frowned, "but if the baby has your hair what will you have?"

Lily licked her lips, "shorter hair. That way we can all have hair"

Hugo nodded, looking relieved. "But where will the baby sleep? Mummy can't look after all of us babies"

Harry grinned, "Hugo you and Lily aren't babies anymore"

Draco grinned, "Scorpius said the same thing when mother used to coddle him for afternoons on end"

Ron raised a surprised eyebrow at the blonde, "she was allowed?"

Draco pursed his lips slightly before nodding, "it was not so much that she was allowed, rather that she did not give my father any say in the matter. She warned him to leave them alone and that every child needs love in their life" he spared a glance at Harry's sympathetic features and flushed, "and she was right"

Harry smiled and took hold of Draco's hand underneath the table. The smooth skin was soft under his touch and yet Harry knew the self-inflicted torture Draco endured to get his hands this smooth. It pained him. He returned his attention to his food and continued to eat. "Hey Harry, we wanted to ask you and Draco about something -for the Christmas holidays"

Harry looked up with raised eyebrows, "what is it, Mione?"

"Ron and I were thinking that we could take Lily and Hugo to Disneyland Paris for the week and a half. For a little holiday away from all of this stress. It would be fun!"

Harry shared a look with Draco. Neither of them had had enjoyable childish holidays. This would be as much a treat for them as it would be for the children. Draco swallowed as Harry licked his lips, "t-that sounds amazing Hermione but -what about Rooms? The children cannot have their own room and what if either of us wanted to -" he cast a glance at Lily and Hugo, "-have fun?"

Hermione and Ron shared a glance with one another. Neither of them had thought about that. Hermione smiled, "how about alternate days? We have them one day and you guys have them the other?"

For the first time that evening Draco spoke with confidence, "it sounds like the trip of a lifetime Hermione, thank you so much"

Once dinner was over and the adults had rested whilst watching Lily and Hugo dancing around to 'Just Dance 3'. Lily, naturally, was winning and enjoying herself as she did so. Hermione was looking tired so Ron decided to do wash up their dinner plates. Harry was feeling the effects of the wine and Draco was dozing against the dark-haired mans chest. Harry glanced down at the blonde and could not help but think how beautiful he was. He deserved a break from the harassment of his father. And they ALL needed a break from Ginny. He shuddered at the thought of his soon-to-be-ex-wife. He needed a new start and he adored Draco dearly -more so than he had ever done with Ginny. It had been a surprise when Harry had proposed to Ginny, and everyone had suspected the various reasons as to why this was. Only Harry and Hermione knew the truth.

And Ginny of course.

The sneaky redhead had stopped taking her contraceptive pills and turned up at a drunken night at Hermione's. Harry, being the lightweight that he was, hadn't stood a chance against her allure that was way more attractive when he was sloshed out of his mind. And she had gotten pregnant. He had proposed as soon as they had had a DNA test.

Thus James was conceived.

Draco stirred against his chest. Harry yawned and stretched his arms. "Hermione I think we'll be heading off now, Draco won't be waking up anytime soon"

Hermione gave a small smile, a hand resting automatically on her swelling stomach. "Alright will you be going home by floo or apparating?"

Harry frowned, "I'll drive, it'll be alright. Don't worry. It's not that far and I can't floo or apparate without killing this one" he said with a weak grin as he threaded his fingers through Draco's baby-fine hair.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "well be safe"

Harry nodded, "I'm the-boy-who-would-not-die I think I can handle this" they both chuckled lightly, as Harry shifted the blonde off of the sofa, and dropped a kiss to Lily's head. "I'll see you tomorrow evening Lily"

Lily pouted but smiled nonetheless, "Okay daddy I love you, say night-night to Uncle Draco for me"

Harry smiled and hugged her with one arm, steadying Draco with the other, "I will Lily-flower, I promise"

Lily smiled before tiptoeing up and stroking Draco's fine fringe out of his eyes, "goodnight mister Draco, sleep tight, Daddy will protect you from the monsters" she smiled and then caught eyes with her dad before pressing a tiny kiss onto Draco's cheek, "I promise"