Drarry - Baby Steps

Stopping to ask for directions

The two people coming in proceed to taking off each other's coats before scanning the room. "Harry! We didn't expect to see you here!" Hermione eagerly hurries towards him while Ron puts their coats up on the wardrobe. She stops abruptly, somehow managing to make it seem intentional. "Malfoy. You're here too."

Draco clutches his empty teacup, looking up with as much relaxed confidence as he can muster up. This is the final trial by fire now, isn't it? He thinks to himself. "Good morning." Is what he says in a quiet and friendly fashion.

"Harry. Malfoy." Ron approaches their table too, his face pale but his voice surprisingly composed. Harry stands up to greet his friends, feeling more awkward than Draco ever could, and he slides down next to the blond boy to make room at the table for Ron and Hermione. "Why don't you sit with us?"

Both of them hesitate and seem to realise that they shouldn't do that at the same time, so they promptly take their seats.

Ron clears his throat, studying Draco and doing his best not to betray his suspiciousness. "How're you doing these days?"

Draco can't help but feel that this is some sort of interrogation, which is why he thinks his every word through. "I'm doing what I can. I'm okay, everything considered. And I'm incredibly very sorry for your losses." That makes Ron flinch and tense up, but Hermione pulls at his hand underneath the table, quieting him down. "It's good to see you." Draco goes on, moving on to unknown territory. His palms are sweaty.

"You look well." Hermione answers, producing a small smile.

"Likewise." The answer comes almost automatically.

"Harry told us you've been talking. I couldn't quite picture that until now." Hermione continues, while Ron still seems uneasy in the seat next to her.

Harry feels like he's looking into a mirror, only he and Draco aren't touching. Which is not to say that he doesn't want to. "Would you like some tea?" He asks and tries brushing his arm against Draco's, who flinches away.

"That's what we came here for, yeah." Ron attempts a smile and Harry signals Tom.

"I'll leave you to it, seeing as I'm already finished." Draco stands up, leaving no room for contradictions, and puts twice the amount of gold coins on the table that his meal cost, "Enjoy your breakfast."

"Have a good one." Hermione replies, Ron nods and Harry's words are left stuck in his throat. Their eyes meet one last time as Draco slips through the door, and there is something understanding and apologetic in his gaze before the hinges click shut.

"Close your mouth, Potter, how about it?" Ron jokes and visibly relaxes for the first time. Hermione orders breakfast and tea for them. "I get your drift, Harry. He does seem changed." She admits, nudging Ron, who agrees: "Almost seems likable, the bloke." Harry swallows hard, wondering if his feelings are as much on display as he thinks they are.

Tom takes away the dirty dishes and brings Ron and Hermione's orders, which is when Hermione leans across the table. "Please. Tell us what's going on!" Her voice isn't urging but rather amused, as if this is just the latest gossip.

"What do you mean? Teddy's back with Andromeda, I'm managing well enough - "

"With Draco, stupid." Ron interrupts. "This was evidently a date here, wasn't it?" Hermione adds, a mischievous smile playing around her lips. This is the happiest the two of them have looked in a long time.

Harry takes on a defensive attitude. "Evidently it wasn't! We just coincidentally bumped into each other and had a few bites. Nothing to it."