Draco Malfoy, Broken
By jschulte
The Second Wizard War is over. Voldemort is dead, but the public wants revenge on his followers. Draco Malfoy... More
The Second Wizard War is over. Voldemort is dead, but the public wants revenge on his followers. Draco Malfoy... More
100K Super Special Update! Really big smiley face!
Published: 5/14/2020
Thanks to all my readers who are new or who have stuck with me this whole time! We reached 100K reads! (now 107K) Yay! According to Word, I'm up to 700,000 words and over 1400 pages! That's like five Harry Potter books combined... and we aren't even to Christmas, yet! I think it'll start moving faster, but it hasn't happened, yet. I do enjoy writing, smiley face!
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So SNEAK PEAK time! WARNING WARNING! Future plots may be revealed! Turn away now! Turn away now!
- The music box opened, revealing a small piece of paper instead.
- The creature stared up at him. Bigger than Fang, but scaled and had yellow eyes. Its forked tongue slithered in and out of its mouth, as it tilted its head. But before anyone could do anything, it turned and scampered into the forest.
- Asher stared up at the candle as it flickered for a long time. This last potion he made was really tripping him out. He was drooling a little, so when the kid with the hood over his face showed up, he wasn't really paying attention. Potions, he knew and breathed though. Any kind... the good, bad and indifferent. He wanted a strange one, that was for sure, but Asher couldn't understand the why of it. He handed it over to him and took the money easy enough, without an explanation. What the kid does with it, is his own business.
- "Harry, the man hates me. Do you really think this is going to work?" Harry gave him a big grin as he pressed forward and nodded. "Yep."
- It was snowing, again, but this time, it was Draco's hand clenched around Harry's as the bells tolled quietly, calling the parishioners to mass.
- Theo smiled and not because everyone else was doing it.
- He thought he had escaped as he popped into one of his old forest hideouts. He grabbed some supplies he had stashed, but felt the hairs on the back of his neck go up. He sensed the danger immediately. He had to be on his toes after all these years. He tried to leave, but found he couldn't Apparate out. Perhaps, there was an old ward still up, but he threw the bag over his shoulder and walked out the front door. He made it ten feet away, when his wand was wretched from his grasp. "I promised my son that I wouldn't kill any more, but for you, I'll make an exception," a cold voice said from behind him.
- "Sorry," the Auror said as he clamped his hand down on his shoulder while the other applied the Incarcerous. "You're not taking him anywhere!" Harry roared, as everyone pulled out wands.
- "I have an uncle?"
- As its wings expanded and he really didn't need to say it, but he couldn't help but exclaim. "It's a dragon!"
- The lines blackened as the skull and snake burned brightly into the soft flesh of his forearm. He dropped to his knees, clutching his arm from the pain of the fiery brand.
Special One-Shot
So, not sure if this is considered a one-shot or not, but it's a POV from previous chapters. After Draco was released from Azkaban, most of the focus was on him, and I generally avoided Harry's perceptive, peculiarly about how he was feeling toward Draco. So, when he kissed Draco's shoulder in his bed, it was more of a surprise. But I did feel... disappointed... about not doing the "Oh my Merlin, I think I'm gay moment!" and the fancy dinner that Harry and Draco had. I had resolved back then, to write it out in a flashback later, but present tense is more funner. So, here's a blast of fun from the past! (FYI Harry was still calling Draco by his last name at that point)
A Night to Remember
Malfoy's hand had been gripping Harry's the whole movie. He wasn't sure if the Slytherin didn't feel self-conscious about it anymore or if he was just ready to explode from the information download he was getting from the muggle action movie. His fingers were interlocked between Harry's fingers, abashedly seeking comfort as he stared wide-eyed at the screen. Harry honestly hadn't followed the movie at all. He was having too much fun watching Malfoy's every reaction.
He had to refrain from laughing on several occasions. Malfoy watched without making a sound as the muggle actors used their weird technology, floated in zero-gravity space, and had the high-speed airplane battle. Harry didn't think he was freaking out, but was watching it, both curious and confused. He didn't ask to leave or look at him for an answer, so they stayed and watched. One hour and thirty minutes later, the credits started and Malfoy hadn't released his death grip, yet.
"Well, you made it," Harry said, wryly still looking at his shocked face.
Malfoy looked right at him, now frozen for a different reason. They were inches apart. Harry knew that couples tended to make out at the cinema and D-Malfoy's grey eyes were memorizing. He could stare into them all day. No one had eyes like him. Beautiful. All Harry had to do was lean forward and close the distance, but he suddenly realized that it was a very strange thing to want to do. But want to do it, he did. He was starting to think that Malfoy wanted to do it, too, as he just kept staring.
Malfoy finally stuttered out. "Y-Yeah. It wasn't so bad."
"Yeah?" Harry said, smiling widely, as Draco still stared at him, slightly petrified. "Can I have my hand back?"
Draco looked down as though confused as to why their hands were together. He was trembling, but he slowly opened his palm and let go. "Thanks," Malfoy said, looking a little embarrassed. Though not as embarrassed as Harry was that Draco's mum, was on the other side of him, watching their interaction.
"No problem," Harry said, his fingers were stiff and sweaty from being held so long, though he wasn't complaining. He liked the feeling... a lot. "Come on, let's go. We don't need to see the end of the credits in this movie, thankfully."
They got up and Narcissa said, "Boys, I'm going to use the loo, just wait out front, okay?"
"Sure, mum. You don't have to go?" Malfoy asked, looking at him.
Harry wanted to be alone with him and to cool off. He was actually feeling... tight. He was glad that the theatre was still semi-dark. "Nah, let's get some fresh air."
Malfoy followed him mutely out to front and, after the crowd dispersed, said, "That was... interesting... and crazy. And it's all made up?"
Harry laughed and nodded. "Mostly all of it. There are muggle rocket planes and helicopters. But no laser cannons and spaceships that become submarines. Definitely no aliens." He wished he could say something more profound. He almost wanted to ask Draco... umm, Malfoy, if he enjoyed it. But instead, he stared at him, looking confused. He liked being here with him. He had had a great time today and had enjoyed every second that they had been out today. He didn't remember the last time he had had so much fun.
Narcissa finally was making her to them and Malfoy smiled when he saw her, worried about the short time she had been gone. And as Harry looked at his face, there was no scowl or sneer in sight, and he had never seen him so... happy. Harry couldn't deny that he was interested in seeing more of this... smart, funny guy. He really wished they were alone right then and could talk more with Dra-Malfoy. He liked his mum... sure, but he just couldn't talk easily with her there, almost chaperoning them. He glanced briefly at her as she approached and suddenly smirked.
He whispered, quietly, "Yeah... it's too bad your mom was there."
Malfoy just stared at him, with an unfathomable expression on his face and Harry just played it off like he hadn't just flirted with his former rival. He just nonchalantly guided them to the Underground. He started rambling about the stuff they saw as they walked. Neon lights, London cabs, pub crawl buses and cleaners. Malfoy seemed fascinated as a vacuum picked up the fagbutts off the ground. Malfoy didn't even know what he was talking about and Harry had to explain that the muggles also called cigarettes "fags". He laughed a bit after understanding that Harry wasn't poking fun at him.
Harry was vaguely aware that Narcissa was behind them and keeping her distance. He was grateful and half-wondered what she was making of their conversation, but he honestly only wanted to see Draco's reaction to everything he saw. Night took on a different meaning in the city, though darkness hadn't completely taken over. Football bars and teens wandering about, pushing their parent's boundaries. It wasn't as safe as their daytime wanderings. The crowds had thinned, but it was unsettling to Harry. He didn't know if Malfoy picked up on how tense he was. It didn't help that he had been attacked not a few blocks from the crowded Trafalgar Square.
When a car suddenly backfired, Harry jumped in front of Malfoy, immediately expecting an attack. Draco hadn't resisted when Harry grabbed him. When he located the source, he slowly relaxed and put his wand away. Malfoy was trembling from the unexpected noise and probably Harry's reaction. Harry slowly took a firm hold of Draco's hand. He mumbled an apology and explained that internal combustion engines made strange noises sometimes. Malfoy looked a little reassured and didn't insist on letting go as they continued toward the Tube.
Harry really did enjoy the comfort of holding his hand as he was so afraid of being attacked while out in public. Diagon Alley was worse. He gripped his hand tighter and smiled. It was so much better. He didn't feel alone. Malfoy gave him a smile, too. He appreciated the contact. Harry's heart soared at that acknowledgment. Draco wasn't rejecting him. He didn't mind the physical contact. He was squeezing back. He didn't care that some muggles stared as they walked by. It was only five minutes, but it made Harry's stomach feel... weird. Bouncy.
Unfortunately, he had to let go as they reached the steps to descend into the Tube station. When they made it to the ticket machines, Draco proudly demonstrated his ability to use the muggle technology and led them to the correct train without Harry's guidance. Harry gave him an approving nod, especially because he didn't hesitate to use the touch screen and muggle money.
As they waited the few minutes for the next train, he said, "Expert at muggle traveling already?"
Malfoy gave him his old head tilt with a haughty expression that Harry was starting to admit that he really loved. It was almost a sign of his old nemesis was there, just without the look of hatred in his eyes. Mischievous and cunning. Harry liked him like that. However, they both frowned when the train arrived, packed with people heading to the outskirts of London. They squeezed in and Draco found a seat for Narcissa to take. They stood next to her and Harry didn't know if Malfoy was as tense as he was with all the people around them. He just put his hand on his mother's shoulder protectively.
"This is our stop?" he asked, to confirm.
Harry glanced up and read the scrolling message above their heads. "Yep. Ready to make our move?"
"Yes, thank you," she said, as Malfoy gave her his hand to stand up.
Harry took Malfoy's other hand, pulling him through the crowd as he held onto his mum's. Harry led them off the train and up onto Dartford Road. They walked away from the others exiting and entering the Tube station and he realized that it was time for dinner. He knew there was an Italian place nearby from one of the walks he had gone with Malfoy on. He really had wanted to take Malf-Draco to a nice dinner. He knew it would be expensive, but he wanted to treat him, after everything he had gone through. Harry wouldn't mind taking Narcissa, too, but some part of him wanted Draco to be alone... with him. But you can't always get what you want.
"Well, it's a little late to start dinner... there's an Italian place just up the road. That sound good?" he said, pleasantly and somehow Narcissa looked at him like she had heard his silent wish.
She feigned exhaustion and said, "Actually, I'm not up for walking. I'm tired. I think I'll just head back to the flat."
"Mom, are you okay?" Draco asked, holding her hand, now worried.
"Yes, I'm just not used to walking so much."
Harry knew Draco would never let his mum walk home alone. "Let me hail you a cab, then?"
She nodded, giving him a conspiratorial smile, before looking at Draco. "I'll be fine, sweetie. I've been traveling by myself for three months, now. It's perfectly safe. You can just bring me back some leftovers. I'm going to go home and soak in the tub. I promise I'll be fine."
Malfoy did not give in willingly, even after his mum was in the cab and Harry paid with the driver. Narcissa, who knew exactly how much he was spending, objected, "You didn't have to do that, Harry."
Harry shook his head. "Of course, I did. We'll be home soon with your dinner. Any preferences?"
"Anything is fine. I daresay Draco can pick out something reasonable."
"Mum..." he said, embarrassed.
"Have fun dears," she said, shutting the door. Harry smiled at her choice of words and watched her leave. Draco gave her a wave, nervous at her departure.
"She'll be fine, Draco. She has a wand and no muggle can overcome that," Harry whispered, supportively.
The cab took off and she looked out the back window as Draco waved. Harry took his hand and Malfoy, again, didn't pull away. He had no problem gripping Harry's hand, though he was staring downward at the sidewalk as they started walking toward the restaurant. Harry liked it better when he was actively looking and responding. Harry had a feeling that his concern over his mum wouldn't easily be erased. Malfoy loved his mum, there was no doubt about that.
Harry just squeezed his hand supportively as they walked. It took ten minutes to get to the restaurant and he frowned when he realized that it was a quite... poshy restaurant. They were underdressed in jeans and shirts. He pulled Malfoy into an alley nearby and checked for witnesses.
"Alright... we got to change."
"Change?" Malfoy repeated, a little nervous.
"Yeah... our clothes. You think transfiguration or a glamour?"
"Umm... transfiguration could ruin the clothes," Malfoy said, staring at Harry like he should have known that.
"Right, hang on." Harry focused on his spell and they were wearing slacks, button-ups and sports jackets. It should last a few hours
"Nice, Potter," Malfoy approved. "I almost look proper."
Harry laughed. "Hopefully, it looks normal. I've never had nice muggle clothes on before. But you do look... regal."
Malfoy gave him a snarky look and they headed to the front of the restaurant. It took a little negotiating on Harry's part, namely a bribe, to get a table without a reservation. The maître d' escorted them to a small table and left menus. Malfoy looked around, impressed, but his eyes landed on the candle on their table.
"I thought muggles used electricity?" Malfoy inquired, pointing at it. Luckily, said muggles were far enough away.
Harry smirked and said, while staring intently at Draco, "Oh, they do. Using candles is more... romantic whilst eating."
Malfoy blushed and immediately looked at his menu, instead of commenting on that. Harry was going to enjoy this. He was well aware that a few other customers had glanced questioningly at them, but no one brazenly disapproved of two teenage boys eating a nice meal in a small private nook. The waiter arrived to greet them and asked what they would like to drink. Malfoy looked at Harry for an answer. He seemed a little unsure of talking to a muggle, though he had no problem talking to the muggles in the salon. That must have been familiar to him.
"Umm... do you want wine?" Harry asked, hesitantly.
Malfoy shook his head, refraining from speaking. Probably didn't want Harry to drink, either.
"I... umm... we'll have some non-alcoholic drinks?" Harry said, who had no idea how to order. In fact, the only restaurant he'd been in was McDonald's and some pay-at-the-counter bistros and cafés.
"Any particular... kind?" the waiter said, with a smile.
Harry looked at Malfoy, who staring at him, smirking at his feeble attempts to order. "I... er... don't know. Is there a good kind?"
The waiter let out a small sigh and offered, "We have cordials, a citrus-peach cooler, mulled apple cider, tea or a soda drink?"
Harry thought that the waiter was picking on his inexperience and looked at Malfoy for an opinion, who was still looking at him. Harry didn't really know what the drinks were. He probably could have recognized some of the soft drinks, but his aunt and uncle never let him have any of them.
"We'll have a cordial," Harry said, just randomly picking one. Sodas had many kinds and Harry had no idea what was good and bad. Cider and tea didn't sound good for dinner.
"What flavor, sir?" he asked.
Malfoy was refraining from laughing and Harry went red. "Umm... the best one you got?"
The waiter stared at him, confused, and smiled, in a fake customer service way. "Is raspberry fine?"
"Sure?"
"Alright, they will be out shortly. I'll give you a few minutes to look on the menu," the waiter said and walked away with some merriment.
Harry glared at Malfoy and said, "Shut up, git."
"I thought you handled him just fine."
"You could have helped!" Harry growled.
"I wouldn't want to confuse the muggle with my crazy wizard-speech," Draco drawled.
"Git."
"Prat. What is a cordial?"
"The hell if I know. I've never been in a real muggle restaurant before."
Malfoy tilted his head. "Your muggles never went out? Even my father took us out to dine, though they weren't muggle restaurants."
"No, they'd leave me at the house," Harry replied, grumpily. He chose not to add, "...and let me starve."
Malfoy stared at him, but didn't comment. Harry finally glanced at the menu and everything was in, what he assumed, Italian. Fucking Merlin's balls. He glanced up at his dining companion, who was again, smirking like he knew exactly what the problem was.
"What's wrong, Potter?"
"I... what are you going to eat?" he tried.
"I'm torn between two. What were you thinking about getting?" he asked, with a smug expression.
Harry glared. Malfoy was certainly egging him on. "A hamburger."
"Really? I don't think that is on the menu," he replied with knowing smirk.
Harry sighed. "I have no idea what I'm looking at."
Draco seemed to take pity on him and asked, "What would you prefer?"
"Pizza?" Harry grunted.
Draco laughed and Harry did, too. Draco leaned in. "Do you want pasta? They have several dishes."
Harry thought about it and shook his head. He made pasta dishes before. He wanted something different, special.
"Lamb? Lobster? Fish?"
Harry shrugged, it probably would be fine.
"How about steak? Can't beat a properly cooked steak," Malfoy suggested.
"Yeah... that sounds good," Harry agreed. He had never had a good steak before. It wasn't something that the Dursleys made him cook.
"What kind do you like?"
"I don't know... what's the best?" Harry asked, unsure.
"Of steak?" Malfoy said, staring at him, gauging him critically.
Harry didn't know. Hogwarts only served it on special nights. He hadn't really noticed a difference. He just nodded, a little embarrassed at his closed upbringing.
"Well, filet is the most tender and lean. Ribeye is one of the best cuts, with a proper marble and very fine favor. Sirloin and porterhouse steaks are of lower quality, but still delicious," he explained.
Harry nodded. "Oh, thanks. What do you like?"
"I was considering the filet."
"Because you're tender and lean?" Harry said, leaning in closer. Malfoy blushed, again, and didn't answer until Harry added, "I think I'll try the ribeye then."
"I guess that makes you marbled and full of flavor?"
"I'll leave you to be the judge of that," Harry said, imitating Draco's distinctive drawl.
Malfoy stared at him almost wide-eyed, and now very confused as to what was going on. Harry liked to see him so... discombobulated. Harry was quite aware that he had just practically flirted with Malfoy and the Slytherin was looking uncomfortable at the idea.
"Something wrong, Malfoy?" he said, feigning innocence.
"Yeah, you can order, Potter," he ordered, gruffly.
"Afraid of muggles?" Harry whispered, leaning as far forward as the table would allow.
"No, I just like watching you suffer."
"Sadist."
"That's me," Malfoy drawled.
The waiter came back with two oddly-colored drinks and asked them if they were ready to order.
"Yeah... he'll have the filet and I'll have the ribeye."
The waiter looked at him, expectantly, with raised eyebrows and didn't write anything down.
Harry bit his lip, nervously. "Sorry, I don't know what the Italian name for it."
"Is the filetto di manzo, fine?" the waiter huffed, with a poor showing of customer service.
Harry glanced at Malfoy, who was trying not to laugh. "Yeah?"
"And a "ribeye". Got it. Sides?"
Crap, Harry thought and opened the menu. The waiter told him that it was on the bottom right. Harry picked four random things, two per each meal. The waiter repeated the words in Italian, just to be a schnook. Draco had to keep from laughing.
"And how do you want your steak cooked?" the server asked.
Harry looked at him confused. "Umm... grilled or fried, I guess?"
The waiter gave him another exasperated look. "Yes, I mean how long do you want it to cook?"
"Until it's done?" Harry said, bewildered at his question. "I don't know, ten to fifteen minutes?
The waiter appeared to have given up and then asked if he wanted anything else, glancing at Malfoy, who was smirking at Harry's ignorance, before he left.
Malfoy laughed. "The waiter's sure got some attitude. Most likely thinks we're fucking with him."
"I... wasn't trying to. Why was he asking me how to cook my dinner? Shouldn't they know how?"
Draco laughed freely. "Salazar, Potter, have you ever had steak before?"
"Just at school," Harry said, frowning.
Malfoy nodded, as though understanding. "Which our school's steaks are universally cooked to the same temperature, every time. Well done. Restaurants offer to cook it to a lower temperature."
"Why?"
"Haven't you cooked beef before?" he asked, grimacing.
"Well... I only know what the Dursleys liked to eat. Fried foods, casseroles and pies and modified them. I didn't get to choose."
"Oh... well... steaks, chops, mutton and other game meat don't have to be cooked all the way until the red is gone. It's generally tenderer when you cook it less and there's red still showing."
Harry grimaced. "Then why don't they just cook that way every time?"
"Why indeed," he laughed, but didn't explain it further. "So... what shall we talk about?"
Harry bit his lip. "Did you like the movie?"
Malfoy shuddered. "It was... interesting. Muggles have an... imagination, if that is all made up."
"They do. There are literally thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of movies, Malfoy."
"Really? That wasn't a special... movie?"
"No, that was a fairly... unremarkable one, actually. I just figured the cartoon one might confuse you even more and I wasn't about to sit through a romantic comedy. But yeah... there are many movies... and even shorter shows on the tele. They have really accomplished a lot."
Malfoy nodded. "They have. It was an interesting day out, Potter. Thank you. I have never been... I've never known what muggles were about. Just what my father told me."
Harry nodded. "It's understandable. Being isolated in one place your whole life will do that. When I was growing up, I only knew how muggles worked... and they weren't very good ones either. I was quite confused that other families weren't like... mine. I thought it was... normal."
Draco's hand almost made to touch his, but he didn't. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up."
"It's okay. You do make it easier to talk about."
"You... seem to know your way around the city," he said, casually.
"After battle... we, I mean Ron and Hermione, kinda split up. Hermione had to hunt down her parents and... fix them. Ron and Ginny went home to grieve. I couldn't be there. I couldn't be around anyone. I walked a lot. Took the Tube, saw the sights for a week or two, just trying to figure out... what to do. Between the things that I had missed growing up... and then the war, I had to figure out a lot of things. It was nice, but then people started following me and, if they weren't, I thought people were following me. Kinda messed with my mind. I couldn't sleep, either. That's when I started drinking and went out less, until I never went out."
"I'm sorry," Draco whispered.
"Don't be. I brought it upon myself. Literally, the only thing I did this summer besides drink, was to try to figure out how to get your sentence overturned. And that took forever. Maybe if I hadn't been so... you might have gotten out sooner."
"Don't feel guilty, Harry. You got me out and I can't thank you enough for that," Draco whispered.
He nodded. "You're welcome, D-Malfoy. You didn't deserve that."
"Some would argue I did," Malfoy said, grimacing.
"And they are wrong," Harry growled.
"Perhaps. But I notice that Weasleys aren't around."
"Their decision," Harry said, flatly.
"Even your... girlfriend," Malfoy said, very cautiously.
Harry had to avoid smiling. He was kinda getting the distinct impression that Draco was trying to figure out his relationship status. "I already told you that Ginny and I broke up after sixth year. I only saw her for a week before the Ministry fell and neither of us wanted to get back together after the war, even before... you came up. Of course, she is still mad at me."
Draco played with his cordal or whatever is was, unobtrusively. "And you don't want to get back together with her? She'll calm down eventually."
"Not at all," Harry said, forcefully. "It had been fine in the beginning, but it was awkward. I'm not exactly experienced in relationships and with Ron staring at us, all the time I might add, it got old."
Malfoy tilted his head and his eyes glinted a little as he smiled. "Awkward, huh? You didn't... get over that?"
If Harry didn't know better, it sounded like Draco was subtly asking if he had gone all the way with her. Well, two can play this game. He leaned forward, again. "No... what about Pansy?"
This sudden change of topic surprised his dining companion. "Pansy?"
"Yeah. You were together at the Yule Ball and she was always with you. She was stroking your hair on the train, sixth year."
Draco (and Harry was trying to remember that he was Draco and not Malfoy) looked at him, puzzled and a little embarrassed. He looked around for eavesdroppers. "I... umm... it was just for show. I mean, she kissed me a few times, but she enjoyed the prestige of being my... girlfriend, especially since she knew that I wouldn't... demand anything from her."
"She knew? I mean that you're...?"
Draco shrugged. "Pretty sure. We didn't talk about it, or anything, but she was glad that she didn't have to hear about potential marriage proposals from her parents, since she was "courting" me. I was the best... choice as far as pureblood marriages go. I mean... cause I was the... umm... sole heir to my father's estate."
Harry nodded, though he didn't completely understand. The politics of wizard marriages was not something that he really paid attention to. "But she didn't want to marry you?"
"I don't think so. She would have, if our parents had commanded it, but it wasn't necessary, as we were essentially courting, officially. But she was looking for other suitors, too, but not in the public eye. She never told anyone that we weren't together, and I never rebuffed the assertion that we were together. She was just... my friend."
"Was? Did something change?"
"I... fell from grace and her parents commanded her to stay away from me. She obeyed them. She wasn't going to stick her neck out until she found the security to do so. And anyone could see that my days were numbered as a Death Eater."
Harry frowned. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"She was your friend... and... that happened."
Draco snorted loud enough for a few people to glance over at them. "And what? She wanted to pick the winning side. She just couldn't see what they really were like... or she knew and didn't care. She did help me... once... last year, so she wasn't completely Death Eater supporter."
"She didn't want to fight," Harry said, quietly. "I can understand that, but I hope she gets stronger to push back against her parents, not hide behind fake relationships."
Draco's eyes narrowed. Harry knew he understood that it wasn't just Pansy he was talking about. Draco didn't reply and took a drink of the strange liquid. He set it back down, unsure of it.
But Harry leaned in closer, whispering, "And what about Blaise?"
He winced and looked around like he was shouting it for the whole restaurant to hear. He leaned in, too. "Nothing, alright. There was nothing between us."
"So, he's not your...?"
"No! Potter!" he hissed, looking unnerved. Still very much afraid that muggles would hear them.
Harry liked that he got a quick no, and that it had made Draco angry. "Well, he made it sound like...."
"I can guess exactly what it sounded like, but it's not. He's just... my best friend... brother almost. Whatever he said... was just to mess with you. We are Slytherins, after all."
"That you are."
The waiter came with their food and they had to lean back as the steaks were placed in front of them. His was twice as big as Draco's sliced steak. Harry also noticed a small pasta plate was one of his sides and some sort of salad was the other. Draco had some weird rice and small biscuits.
"Anything else, sir?" the waiter asked him, as Draco hadn't yet said, anything.
"I think looks good. Why is his steak so small?" Harry asked.
"The filetto di manzo only comes in that size, sir," he grunted. "Would you like sauce? Perhaps ketchup?"
Harry looked at him, grimacing. Maybe steak was supposed to have it on there. "Umm... I guess so...."
"That won't be necessary, garçon," Draco said, gruffly. "There's no reason to insult my... companion. It is his first time in a restaurant, and you've been a wanker the whole time. Leave."
The waiter paled and left quickly. Harry stared at him with a big smile.
"What?" Draco snapped.
"My hero," Harry said, echoing what Draco had said on the steps of Azkaban when he went to confront Vance.
Draco blushed. "Shut up. If that twat was any more pretentious, I would have socked him. Maybe turned him into a toad."
Harry felt his face warm up, too, as Draco had faced his fear of muggles just to defend him. He was positively thrilled. Shaking with exuberance, almost. Draco motioned for Harry to try his food and his hands were trembling as he cut into the large steak. He took a bite and his taste buds exploded. He had never tasted anything so delicious.
"Oh, my Merlin... this is amazing! Here try it!" Harry said and cut another bite to hand over to Draco, on his fork.
Malfoy's grey eyes watched him, stunned, but his long fingers touched his as he gripped the fork and guided it to his mouth. He didn't break eye contact. Fuck... Harry thought as he watched Draco smile widely as he registered the taste. Harry could feel the tingling in his stomach again, watching Draco enjoy a simple bite. The misery was gone from his eyes... there was something else there. Warmth, kindness... maybe more. Harry wanted to see more of it. He wanted to see that smile every waking moment.
"It's very good, thank you," Draco said and slowly let go of his fork.
Harry slowly returned it to his plate, taking another bite, very much remembering that Draco's lips had been on his fork. He wasn't concerned by that at all. He took another bite as Draco tried his filet. He nodded approvingly, stabbed another piece and holding it up for Harry, who quickly swallowed his second bite. Harry went to grab it, but Draco shook his head. He moved his hand forward. Did he want to feed him bite himself? Harry dropped his hands and leaned forward, ready to let him.
"Ribeye... has great favor, but filet... is like smooth butter," Draco said, and gently pushed the fork, past Harry's teeth.
His lips came together automatically, and Draco slowly pulled the fork back out. It melted in his mouth. "Fuck, that is good."
"At least the steaks are lovely. I almost broke in on your choice of sides. Blue-cheese salad wedge and carbonara? And risotto and focaccia for me? Did you just close your eyes and pick?"
"Pretty much. You could have helped me, you know?" Harry said, giving him a smile, as he stared.
"But it was so much more interesting to watch you struggle."
"Prat."
"No, you're the prat. I'm the git," Draco insisted.
Harry laughed and continued eating. Merlin, he couldn't remember a time that he was happier. Seeing Draco, so free of worry, essentially teasing and even flirting with him... was fucking exhilarating. Harry never felt this... good. Not even with Ginny. Watching Draco cutting his filet into smaller bites and treasure each one, was amazing. His beautiful, soul-searching eyes, his chiseled chin that was still so soft, his pointy nose that was too cute and his gorgeous hair, now fixed by the salon that they had gone to earlier in the day, made Draco look... like a runway supermodel or a famous rockstar.
Harry had to remember to keep eating as he continued to stare at Draco's ethereal beauty. Even with the weight loss from Azkaban... Draco was beyond... hot. Sexy. Harry winced and looked at his food. What was happening? he wondered. Why am I crushing on... Draco? Oh, fucking Merlin... I'm crushing on Malfoy... Draco! He nearly dropped his fork as he realized how much he had been actively seeking Draco's company over the last few days. He looked forward to seeing him, every day. He wanted to see him. He was happy to see Draco.
He stared at his... dining companion, now looking at him confused. Harry didn't know what to say, but nonchalantly secured his fork and started eating, again. When did this happen? I'm not gay... am I? he was asking himself. But he remembered the day that he freed Draco from Azkaban. Watching Malfoy, lift his head as he breathed in fresh air for the first time in months, was a moment that Harry would never forget. Holy Godric... Draco was... so incredible. Vance hurt him so much, but he walked out of there, tall, strong and resilient. He took the months of torture and isolation and didn't let it break him.
Harry was so... proud of him, like he had never seen what an amazing person he was before that. He was a little ashamed of that fact. True, he saw the pain that he had been in over the past few years and how Draco tried not to be a Death Eater, but to really see what his soul was made of. It was like... an epiphany. Harry had to know more about him. He had to make amends, become his friend. Malfoy was worth everything. He deserved to be happy and Harry pledged that he would make sure he was free from all pain.
"You okay, there?" Draco asked.
And it was Draco. Harry reminded himself. Not Malfoy... like Luna had said. Malfoy was his father's creation, not the brave, strong, tormented man in front of him. Draco, who made him breakfast, who protectively stood guard over his mum on the Tube, who dressed down muggles who were insulting him, and held his hand... when he was scared. Harry was... hooked.
"Umm... yeah. Just taking it all in," Harry said, as he continued to eat. Draco raised his eyebrow, but took a bite of his food.
They ate quietly until their meal was done and Draco hesitantly said, "Thank you... Harry... for today. It was unbelievable. I'll never forget it."
"No problem, Draco. I had a great time. I'm glad I could spend it with you," Harry whispered and slowly put his hand on Draco's. It was shaking slightly, but he didn't pull away.
Draco stared back at him, worried slightly. They didn't exactly put a name to what they were doing. Courting was term Draco had used earlier and that was the best term for it. Date... was still too far-fetched. Harry still recognized that he hadn't come to terms with his own orientation, and Draco was still very uncomfortable talking about his. But Harry had hope. A faith that maybe it would work out, but he was going to be patient. There was no need to rush anything. Voldemort was gone and Draco was free. He could take all the time he wanted and do it right.
Draco smiled, and Harry hoped that he was considering the possibilities, too. A sudden movement next to their table, made both of them pull their hands back. The waiter had returned, holding a tray.
"How was... everything?" he asked, tentatively, if not a little awkward.
Harry mumbled that it was great and Draco just rolled his eyes.
"I would like to apologize... for treating you so unjustly. I thought... maybe that you were doing it on purpose? I'm sorry."
"Uh... no. I never been to a nice restaurant before. I lived... in a rural part of the country for my whole life. Never really had a good steak before. It was delicious."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was hoping I could offer you both a complimentary dessert to show my forgiveness?" he said and lowered the tray of premade desserts.
Harry's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes, anything you desire. No figuring out the Italian words. Here's our selection, so you can see them for yourself," he said, seemingly repentant.
"Wow, thank you! They all look amazing. What's the best one?"
He smiled and said, gently, "Many like the crème brûlée, though it is French. Tiramisù and gelato are popular. There are tarts, nougats and cakes as well."
"Treacle tart?" Draco asked and Harry looked at him, perplexed.
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't have it. But there is a restaurant just a block away that might."
"It's okay. I'll try the crème brûlée," Harry said.
"An apple tart, please," Draco murmured. "And can we get an order of the braised lamb shoulder with a side of risotto to go?"
"Of course! It'll be just a moment, gentlemen. I'll bring your freshly made desserts!" he said, and took their plates in one hand and the tray up above his head with his other.
"That is mildly impressive," Draco commented after he walked away.
"That he apologized?"
"No, that he managed to carry all of that... without magic."
Harry chuckled. "Servers have a rough job. Deal with cranky people who pick on them and there's nothing they can really do. They'll like temporary house elves."
"I see. So, I shouldn't ask him to hold my jacket, least he be freed?" Draco said.
Harry frowned. "No! That's not how muggles work."
Draco laughed. "I know, I was just messing with you."
"Well, you got me. But... you like treacle tart?"
Draco shook his head. "It's a bit sweet for me."
"Then why...?"
"It's your favorite, isn't it?"
Harry's mouth popped open and he couldn't respond to that. The waiter returned, which saved him from responding. How the bloody hell did Draco know that? Did he watch me as much as I watched him? But Harry looked at the beautiful array of sliced apples on Draco's small tart and knew that apples were one of Draco's favorites, too. He picked up his spoon and cracked the surface of his sugar-coated crème. Intrigued, he took a bite and was in heaven. It was amazing. He could live off it. He ate it so fast that he didn't think about offering a bite to Draco.
"Enjoyed it, huh?"
"Yes... sorry," Harry said.
"Don't be. Mine was excellent as well."
"Phh... I'm stuffed. It's been awhile since I ate that much," Harry said, and looked a little horrified at who he was saying that to.
Draco just nodded. "I know. Even before... the battle. I had difficulty eating."
"Yeah... I was eating canned meals for nearly half a year. It wasn't fun."
Draco chuckled. "The horror. Well, thanks, again, Harry."
Harry shivered as Draco called him by his name again, but Harry wasn't going to mention it, that was for sure. He wanted him to keep doing it. "No problem, Draco. I had a great time. Grumpy waiters, notwithstanding. You got the lamb shoulder for your mum?"
"Yeah, she'll definitely like it."
"Good," he said, as the waiter returned with a packaged dinner plate and the bill.
"Here's this for when you are ready, gentlemen," he said and put it neutrality in the middle of the table.
Harry grabbed it and handed him the card.
"Oh! You just put it inside the flap, so it doesn't fall out. Here, let me show you," he said and opened the bill holder. Harry put his card in the slot and the waiter happily left for a few moments and returned. "I just need you to write the total and sign and you're all set."
"What about this middle line?"
"Umm... if you want to tip... you can write it in, but please don't feel obligated. I wasn't very courteous to you."
"No, it's fine. I'm used to it," he muttered, and Draco snorted to that. Harry wasn't sure about the tip, so he just wrote twenty pounds and hoped it was enough.
"Okay, I think I got it. Math wasn't one of my strong suits."
"Your math is right, but the tip is too large."
"It's fine. Thank you for apologizing. We had a delicious meal. The best I ever have had!" Harry said and Draco nodded.
"Thank you... for your generosity... and, if I might be so bold, thank you for being so brave. I've always been afraid to take out my boyfriend in public. So, thank you for that," he said and almost ran away before they could reply.
Draco watched him run and almost lazily, said, "Muggles are very strange."
"Did you see the wizards at the Quidditch World Cup?" Harry said, also ignoring the fact that the waiter assumed they were... together.
"Hmm, I'll concede your point. Ready?"
"Yeah, I think we can Apparate from the alley. I don't want to walk back."
"Sounds good... Harry," Draco whispered and Harry felt his heart beat lighter.
They walked out of the restaurant and it was completely dark now. Harry took Draco's hand, both out of a need to be close and a fear of the shady night travelers they passed. He steered him toward the alley and stopped, facing Draco. Even in the dim, poorly lit alley, Draco's beauty wasn't lessened. Harry moved in closer to Apparate and almost kissed him. He wanted to, but the trembling in Draco's arms, told Harry that he wasn't ready and a shoddy alley was nowhere special for a first kiss.
"Ready?" he asked, smiling.
"Yeah. I really did appreciate today, Harry. Every part of it... I'll always treasure it."
"Me, too, Draco. It'll always be a night to remember," Harry said and hugged him, pulling him into his apparation.
Here's the shout out to people who've read my 온라인카지노게임! I'm not going to be as thorough anymore. One, (definitely the biggest reason) because I'm lazy and it takes a lot to type it out, twice. I might have missed the march and April notifications. Sorry! Second, cause I've noticed most readers don't make it through until the end, for whatever reason. And it seems pointless to tag them. But thanks for support, votes, comments and follows! I greatly appreciate the support! Here's my biggest supporters.
Thanks to all my supporters! Sorry if I missed your support! My notifications only go back so far!
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Thanks again! I know you were hoping for chapter 73, but I got in a reading kick and watching STAR WARS. Sorry, been extremely not active. But soon!