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.

A/N: I am so sorry for not updating any of my fanfics recently, so for starters I would just like to put my apology out there ^_^". The reason why I was away for the entire months of November was because I was taking part in the NaNoWriMo challenge where you have to write 50,000 words for an original story idea / novel idea that you can then turn into an actual book with pages and cover art and everything. As you have guessed; I succeeded! I wrote just over 50,000 words for my novel "A Poppy In Berlin"! Read the description and see the cover art I designed a year ago: art/A-Poppy-In-Berlin-Book-Cover-324857874

I hope this chapter makes up for a month or so of neglect! Happy New Year!

~000~

Chapter Forty:

Sweetheart

Draco had never seen something so small and precious in his entire life -not since the day when Scorpius had been born, and even then he had been a big baby. But this little girl -she was just perfect. And he couldn't even hold her yet. That alone was breaking his heart the longer he stayed on the other side of the glass and looked in at her tiny body. He let out a shuddering breath and tightened his grip on his own body.

A medi-witch walked along the aisles between the babies cradles. His eyes watched as the little bundle of his daughter wriggled weakly, her body engulfed with a soft blue glow. His eyes would brim with tears if he looked at her for too long. He would swipe his cuff over his eyes and then pace in front of the window for several minutes, drawing in deep breaths before returning to look at through at her tiny face.

"Hey," Harry's soft voice broke through his silent musings. He turned vaguely to the side to look at his love.

"Hey," he breathed, his face refusing to do anything other than remain stoic. He returned to looking in at his daughter. Harry slid up next to him, their bodies a hair breadth apart. Draco heaved a heavy sigh and licked his lips, "What am I going to do, Harry? They won't even let me hold her."

Harry followed his gaze through the window, "Which one is she?" he asked softly, raising his hand hesitantly to rest on Draco's back.

Draco waited a moment before extending his hand out and pointing to the small wriggling bundle in her cot, "There she is," he breathed. Harry followed his finger and looked through the glass to the small bundle in the pink blanket. He felt his breath hitch. She was so small and so ... delicate.

He rested his head on Draco's shoulder, "She really is beautiful." Draco gave a small hum before easing his head to one side and resting his head against Harry's. A cold draft made his skin prickle with goosebumps. He rubbed at his forearms but felt no warmer. He shifted beside Harry before sighing and feeling the weight of exhaustion drop down on his shoulders. Harry turned and looked up at him, "You should go and get some sleep."

Draco shook his head but rubbed at his raw eyes regardless, "I can't Harry -I need to be here."

"And do what?" he asked, his temper flaring a little in his exhausted state, "You can't do anything for her now but sleep. Do you really think she wants her first sight of you to be like looking at an inferi?"

Draco glared down at Harry but there was no malice burning in his eyes. He simply closed his head and dropped his head forward, "I know ... I know."

Harry eased Draco away from the window and led him away down the corridor. Their footsteps let out muffled sounds as they made their way to where Narcissa was sitting, waiting for them, her back straight and her expression a little worried. Her eyes refocused as they came down the corridor, "Oh Draco there you are," she smiled softly. "I was beginning to wonder," she eased herself out of the chair and embraced her son against her chest. Draco nestled his head against her shoulder and sighed, his shoulders slumping. She rubbed at his back before drawing away, a loving smile on her face, "Go home, Draco." She breathed, "Go and get some rest." He shook his head but she hushed him, "Go and rest," she urged softly running her fingers through his hair.

He sighed and allowed Harry to steer him away, "Fine, I'll rest."

Harry was grateful now that is was easier for him to guide Draco along into muggle London and then get on a the first bus that came along, to go back to Hermione's shop. The bus ride was quiet, Draco's eyelids dropping heavily as the bus jostled along the uneven pavements. His head lolled onto Harry's shoulder a few times, the awkward angle making Harry wince for him. Their stop eased into view. Harry nudged Draco awake so that they could hop off the bus and onto the grey pavement.

The air outside was humid and made Harry's head hurt as he took Draco's hand in his own and led him down the alley to the staff entrance. He slipped his key out of his jeans and unlocked the door. It creaked open. Draco followed like a zombie as Harry guided him up the stairs to their apartment; the air was cool and untouched within as Harry led the way through the living room towards the bedroom. Draco obediently followed and collapsed onto the edge of the bed as soon as he was inside his bedroom. He allowed Harry to take his shoe, socks and trousers off before unfastening his shirt. The fabric slid off of his flushed skin and the mattress was cold as he was eased sideways and sank into it.

He let out a sigh as the pillow welcomed his head and his eyes fluttered closed.

Harry eased up off of the floor and pressed a kiss to Draco's forehead, "It'll be alright when you wake up -I love you." He touched their foreheads together, before breathing ad easing himself up onto his feet.

He was just about to leave when a soft voice stopped him, "Don't go."

His heart skipped a beat as he closed the bedroom door, "Do you want me to stay?" he asked softly. Draco's head nods against the pillows, "Okay -I'll stay." He quickly yanks the t-shirt over his head and shuffled out of his shoes and jeans before lifting the covers and slipping over the cold mattress and wriggling up so that he was spooning behind Draco. He shifted so that his face was resting against Draco's shoulder blades and his arm was limply draped over the blonde's waist.

Draco shifted backwards, "Thank you Harry."

Harry smiled against Draco's warm skin, "It's alright darling, now get some sleep." He pressed another kiss to Draco's spine before removing his glasses, putting them on the night stand and closing his own eyes to the humid gloom.

~0~

The late afternoon light filtered in through the gap in the curtains and the soft heat rolled through from the kitchen. Draco shifted in the bed and rolled over onto his back, rubbing his eyes and feeling over to the other side of the mattress. It was empty. A spike of panic ran through him as he heard soft noises of movement from the kitchen. He relaxed and ran his hands over his face. The smell of tea brewing and bacon made his stomach rumble. He didn't feel like getting up. He still felt to weak mentally. A chill ran through his as he stood up and pushed his hair out of his eyes. He swiped the thick blue dressing gown off the hook on the back of the door, shrugged it on and then made his way out in the direction of the kitchen.

Harry was busying himself as much as possible; grinding coffee beans up for the machine, bacon, eggs and a few sausages sizzling away in the two pans on top of the cooker and the radio trilling gentle tunes out on a low volume setting.

Draco rubbed at his eyes, "Harry ..." he croaked.

Harry turned around to look at him, "Oh hey. I didn't hear you wake up," he placed the spatula over the frying pan and came over to wrap his arms around Draco's chest, "How are you feeling? Are you alright?"

Draco nodded numbly against Harry's tickling tuft of hair. "You didn't have to make all of this for me Harry. I don't even think that I'm that hungry."

Harry shrugged, "You need to get some food in your stomach, and then wash yourself up. We need to be refreshed for when we go back to the hospital this evening. We'll be able to see Astoria so that will be a bonus."

Draco frowned and watched as the brunette man carried on bustling around the kitchen, dishing up two large plates of food for the both of them and poured out two mugs of strong coffee. Draco sat down and ran his hands through his hair, "Harry -how can you be alright with all of this?" he asked softly, his head thumping.

Harry paused as he eased himself into the chair. "It's not the most ideal situation, but right now we can't focus on that. We need to focus on Astoria and your daughter getting better and coming home."

"I mean with Astoria ... I don't even like thinking about it!" Draco snapped digging his palms into his eyes.

Harry reached out and squeezed Draco's hand. "Neither do I," he said softly, "but you need a should to cry on right now, and I'm more than happy to be that shoulder for you." Draco gave a grateful, if tired, smile.

"I appreciate you being here. I don't know where I would be without you." A faint flush crept up Harry's neck as they both settled down to eat their food.

Within the next hour they were both fed, washed and dressed in a fresh set of clothes. They didn't need to be at the hospital for another three hours and since Mona was taking the shift that day, they had some free time to walk around muggle London. Something that Draco was not too keen on. Harry had insisted it would be a good distraction. Shopping wasn't the most fun thing he could think of, but they both needed fresh air so he was prepared for the trek. They started off just browsing but as soon as they entered a large shop with JOHN LEWIS over the front, Draco seemed to ebb out of his comfort zone. Harry merely smiled brightly as he watched Draco sizing up various items and determining whether they were decent value for money. It was sheer entertainment when he had an argument with one of the store clerks. It was all too good to have missed.

They left the shop without buying anything although Draco seemed more like his old self, his posture straighter, his chin tilted upwards and his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Well I know where I will be doing all of the birthday presents this year," he smiled down at Harry, planting a tender kiss to his forehead.

They were just on their way to the bus stop that would take them to the muggle spot outside St. Mungo's when Draco's steel grey eyes caught something in the shop window. Harry couldn't place what it was as he followed the blonde man inside. Harry followed in behind him, frowning at what he might have seen. And then he saw it.

The little yellow duck toy.

He felt his heart skip a beat as he watched Draco pick up the last one and moved it around in his hands, determining it's softness with his own tapered fingers.

Harry smiled a little bit as Draco nodded his head and went to queue up behind a short plump muggle woman with an armful of cards and colourful boxes. Harry hurried on so that he could stand beside Draco in the queue, "Hey are you alright?" he asked softly, stroking his finger along the little ducks cute beak. Draco nodded his head.

"I just ... thought it would be nice for her to know she's got someone waiting for her." He glanced up at Harry. The brunette man smiled up at him, his fingers still threading through the yellow fluff.

"That's really sweet of you, Draco."

"It's been known to happen," Draco stated without any bite in the retort. He just sounded weary. He sighed after he'd bought the little duck toy and held it to his chest in its plastic bag as they left the shop and then made their way to the bus stop. They boarded their bus in silence and traveled to the hospital in much the same way. After speaking the password to the busted looking mannequin, they entered through the barrier into St. Mungo's waiting room. They weaved their way through the winding corridors and the sickening lift ride to Astoria's floor. Draco hesitated as he stared down the corridor towards the intensive care unit. He turned to Harry and licked his lips, "Will -will you go and look in on Astoria for me?"

Harry gave a sad smile and shook his head, "This is family time, Draco," The blonde was about to protest but Harry shook his head again, "Go on now. She'll be waiting for you. I'll keep your mum company."

Draco pursed his lips before nodding his head, "Okay." Harry tip-toed up and pressed a tender kiss to Draco's forehead. He rubbed the tips of their noses together.

"I'll meet you in the cafeteria okay?" he asked softly, running his hands down Draco's bare forearms. His pale grey shirt rolled up at the sleeves showed the dark mark but it was a good sign. A step forward. Harry was proud of him for it. At the end of the corridor they both turned to go their separate ways.

Draco drew in a deep breath before he entered Astoria's private room. He felt a shiver run through him as he entered, but ignored it as she turned her head to smile at him, "Hey," she breathed, her face looking pale, her eyes dark but luminous, "I was wondering where you were."

He walked over to her beside and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "Sorry I don't have any flowers," he gave a soft smile as he pulled a chair up to the head of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "Tired, a little sore," she gave a cheeky wink before sighing, "I just wish I could hold her, Draco."

"I know you do," he reached over and squeezed her hand, "Trust me I wish I could too."

"Have you seen her?" he nodded his head, "And? What does she look like?"

Draco smiled, "She looks just like you," he breathed as he tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear, "small tufts of dark hair and long dark eyelashes."

Astoria smiled, "A little surprised she didn't come out Malfoy blonde?" she teased.

He shrugged his hand still holding hers, "There's still time. It could lighten." He gave her a wink. Astoria smiled softly and shifted about in her pillows. Draco watched her, "So ... what are we going to name her?"

Astoria blinked in surprise, "Name her? Oh Draco I ... I thought you and Harry would want to name her. She is going to be your daughter after all."

"And you're her mother!" Draco stated earnestly, "You ... Need to be included. I want you to be included." He affirmed in a resolute manner.

She shook her head softly, raised her hand and stroked it down his cheek, "This is going to be your daughter, Draco. Yours and Harry's. A new start ... a new life."

Draco sighed and bowed his head. Nothing was going to get through to her. She was too stubborn at the best of times. He gave a soft smile before he shaking his head, "I want you to be a part of her life, too."

Astoria cocked an eyebrow but didn't say anything. "So where is young Potter today?"

Draco smiled a little brighter, "He went down to the cafeteria to spend some time with Mother. We might pop in to see the little one when we head off. I got her this today," he said as he unsheathed the little stuffed duck from the plastic bag.

He placed it on Astoria's lap and watched as her face split into a huge smile, "this is adorable!" She took it in her hands and ran her fingers through the soft yellow fluff. "Oh, I love it! And she will love it! Awwww," she turned to him with wide watery eyes, "You're going to be an amazing dad, Draco," she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his feverish forehead. Her lips lingered against his forehead for a little longer, before she reclined back onto the pillows. She took the stuffed duck up in her hands and held it out to him, "Give her my love for me?"

"No need for that," Harry's voice came in through the doorway as he held it open for a pair of nurses who came in with the small brass coloured incubator. It was still humming with a soft golden aura but she looked a lot healthier as she stirred in her blankets. Harry let the door swing shut behind him as he edged into the room. He watched them all as the nurses arranged a small nest for the baby to nestle in. She emitted a soft cry as she was gradually removed from the incubator, her cheeks still a pale rosy color, before she was nestled in against Astoria's bosom.

She gave a small mewl as her wide eyes took in the faces looming over her.

Harry smiled as he watched Astoria take the child's hand in her own and pressed a kiss to it. She looked up and caught Harry looking at her from across the room. She beckoned him over, a serene smile on her face. He shifted slightly before edging over to her other side, smiling down at the wide-eyed girl in her arms. Draco flapped the stuffed ducks wings making the baby gurgle spit bubbles. One of the nurses got a small camera out and asked them to smile. They smiled for the photo and once it had developed she handed it to Draco.

He took it without looking, knowing already that it would be a perfect little photo. A photo of his family.

A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long, I wanted it ready two weeks ago but it progressed slowly.