Drarry One Shots

First-Footing

A/N Happy New Year to all my readers and wishing you the best for the forthcoming year. This is another story with Peanut but in a different guise (because I've missed her). Fabulous artwork by ArMoro.

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At just gone 8.45am on New Year's Day and for no more than a mere moment, Harry Potter fondly watched the young woman with auburn-hair through the window of the empty coffee shop as she prepped for the new day, utterly absorbed by the job in hand. Her long and wavy hair was tied up in a messy bun and he could see she wore a brown suede waistcoat over a cream off-the-shoulder crochet jumper with wide sleeves and a multitude of long necklaces. Harry smiled to himself, he loved her style and was almost slightly envious that men's fashion was never quite as acceptably diverse.

He was still in his work robes under his heavy coat and scarf but he had just finished a long nightshift.

When he knocked on the glass door, she immediately looked up. They both smiled widely and she gave him a cheery, welcoming wave before rounding the counter and revealing she'd paired her outfit with baggy, burnt orange trousers covered in mushroom outlines. As always, she wore her beaten up old Doc Martens. He smiled affectionately as she unlocked the door of the hidden gem of a café called Blends. It was the sort of coffee shop that was filled with round tables with mismatched chairs, and low sofas in comfy, intimate, groups. Between which was a cornucopia of plants and the café even had two resident ginger tabby Kneazles called Ginger and Pickle.

'Happy New Year, Harry!' the elfin-like woman grinned as she flung open the door, the bell tinkling joyfully overhead. The Scottish lilt to her accent had softened considerably since their school days but she had been living in London for the past nine years. 'You're a bit early; I'm not ready yet,' she said as they hugged and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

He pulled away and shook his head with a smile on his handsome face. 'Happy New Year to you too, Peanut. I know you're not open but I don't come empty-handed. I bring you gifts...'

He put his bag down on the pavement by his feet and dug around in his coat pocket for a small paper bag. Very seriously, he withdrew and held up a lump of coal with a little flourish to present it to her. Peanut squealed and, ignoring the 'gift', she threw her arms around him so they hugged more fiercely this time.

'You remembered!' she exclaimed as he lifted her off her feet and spun her around on the pavement outside the café.

He put carefully set her down so she found secure footing and cleared his throat pointedly. 'Absolutely. Now, stop distracting me, I looked it all up and have to finish this properly. Step back inside...' He held the coal out to her with a serious expression.

Her smile dropped immediately and, equally as gravely, she stepped back and held out her open palm to receive the proffered item.

'Coal,' he said, 'to bestow upon your establishment warmth and good cheer for the coming year.'

He once more delved in his pocket and drew out another bag, this one a material pouch with a drawstring. From there, he withdrew a knut.

'Silver, to bring prosperity,' he said as he dropped the coin into her open hand.

'A seashell, as a symbol of love that is nourished and protected and as deep as the sea.'

Peanut nodded with a fond smile that reached her eyes as she accepted the seashell in now both hands cupped together.

Harry said, 'a piece of vegan shortbread to bring forth a lasting abundance of food...'

Her mouth twitched and she muttered, 'we need that or the business is fucked!'