To Brew A Scandal by stars_in_motion

Chapter 14

- NOT MY STORY!! ALL CREDITS TO @stars_in_motion ON A03!!

When Hermione finally gathered the courage to go down for breakfast the next day with the assistance of a house-elf, she did not expect to find a visitor. The sound of Harry's voice from the dining room startled her. "Merlin, he's like a cat, that man."

"Crookshanks is much closer to a kneazle," she recognized Draco speaking instantly. "His stare alone could kill a bloke."

"Never mind him," Harry's voice grew hushed, but she could hear him plainly as she slowly approached the door. "You must tell her soon, you said you would speak to her last night!"

"I know what I said, however—"

Hermione stepped into the room, and both Harry and Draco whipped their heads towards her as she entered. Draco was seated at the foot of the table, standing beside him with Harry, both ignoring the trays of delicious food before them in their discussion. "Good morning, Draco, Harry."

Draco gave her a small nod of acknowledgment. "Good morning."

"Hermione!" Harry boomed. "How was your night?"

"Tell me what?" asked Hermione, ignoring Harry's frankly rude question for her own.

"Potter here is asking if we are planning to attend his wedding together. I told him that we would, but he required me to confirm with you as well."

"We're meant to be enjoying our honeymoon, Harry." Not that there was any honeymooning to be had, last night or any other night this week. Hermione's eyes narrowed at her friend. "You came all this way to confirm our mutual attendance at your wedding?"

"We're meeting with the chef tomorrow to discuss the guest list. At the same time, merely checking in on the newly married couple, ensuring there's been no mishaps between the reception and your honeymoon. Two birds, one stone, all that." Harry remained standing as Hermione took a seat where there had been a table setting, across the table from Draco. Then, Harry gestured towards the dark drapes encompassing the enormous windows, staring at them as though they'd personally offended him. "You ought to replace these, Malfoy. They're suffocating the natural light from the windows."

Draco's mood seemed to be approaching violence. "If you're going to crash our honeymoon, you might as well sit for breakfast Potter."

Hermione reached for a piece of toast. Harry still did not take a seat, but continued, "No need. After all, it is the duty of the best man to ensure you arrive to your honeymoon destination safely."

"You were not my best man," Draco replied thinly. "We had no bridal party."

"I would have been if you had been forced to pick!"

"Don't be ridiculous. Nott would've duelled with you for the post."

"And I would've won."

Hermione took a sip of her tea in silence. The two men seemed intent on quarrelling like siblings. She hadn't realised they knew each other well enough to visit unannounced in the mornings, just as Draco had done only days ago at Grimmauld Place.

"Winning or not, there is neither a maiming nor a death to report," Draco said, looking up at him from his copy of the Daily Prophet with disdain, spectacles hanging low on the bridge of his nose. "Not yet, at least. There's still time for you to leave before it comes to that."

"Ah, brilliant," Harry replied, blatantly ignoring the threat. He took in a deep sigh as Hermione and Draco sat stiffly across from one another at the dining table. "Nothing quite like young love."

In a flash, Draco's wand made its appearance, before hesitating. "Crookshanks, would you please do your job and ensure that the duke finds the exit? Now that he has so kindly verified we are alive."