The Cursed Apple (Drarry)

Epilogue

"Mmmmmmm...this is so good, Mino." Harry moaned after the first bite of a cinnamon bun fresh from the oven.

The house elf looked quietly pleased at the compliment, pouring Harry some more coffee before ducking back into the kitchen.

Draco had a similarly decadent breakfast, a Nutella crepe with a big dollop of whip cream. "If we get to eat like this the whole honeymoon, I might just stick around."

"At least we are working off the calories every night." Harry joked back.

They were a week into their honeymoon, and everything was going well so far. Harry was easing back into work, going in for half-days and catching up on paperwork. Draco found he could feel when Harry was away, the Manor seeming strangely empty, and things didn't feel right until his husband was home. He greeted Harry with enthusiastic kisses, often working off his Auror robes right in the front hallway, dragging Harry over to a sofa. Not even making it up the stairs. The house elves had learned to keep to their wing of the house as much as possible when Harry was home.

Tupper approached. "A package for Mr. Potter, sir."

Harry took the small box and thanked the house elf. He unwrapped it, opening the box and stared in shock at the contents. After a moment, he grabbed the outer wrapping, looking at it closely.

Draco set down his coffee cup. "Another wedding gift? You know, we really should get registered so you get the stuff you need for Grimmauld Place."

Even though they hadn't had a public ceremony or announced it, word had spread somehow. Perhaps some people had overheard them discussing everything in the kitchen of that party. Gossip spread fast. Wedding gifts had been trickling in almost every day.

Harry shook his head, and lifted an object from the box to show Draco. It was a small glass cube, beautifully displaying a deep red apple with a bite taken out of it. The exposed inner part of the apple was still bright white, the apple still appearing fresh.

"Who the hell sent you that? It's 'the' apple, isn't it?" Draco got out, a spike of pure dread going through him.

After all they had gone through, was that only the initial phase of some larger evil plan? Was this going to harm them somehow even more?

Harry nodded. "It's definitely the apple. The wrapping has a return address in...Austria."

Draco's stomach felt like it dropped ten feet. "42 Bösehexe Strasse?"

"How did you know that?" Harry gasped.

Luckily, they were fully dressed. Draco put the cube back into the box, and shoved everything into the roomy pocket of his robe. Grabbing his wand, he apparated them to the nearest train station.

...

A few hours later, they were standing in front of 42 Bösehexe Strasse. Draco had paid extra to arrange for the most direct port key connections. He used the large ornate knocker to bang hard on the thick wooden door.

Harry was looking around the elegant Austrian neighborhood, looking a little nervous. "What if they aren't home?"

Draco sighed. "They are home."

The door was answered by a very cheerful house elf wearing a smart navy outfit. The tunic had an elaborate M stitched on the right sleeve in gold. "Master Draco. Please come in. Welcome, Mr. Potter."

"Is my mother at home, Gorkey?" Draco drawled, stepping through the doorway.

The house elf nodded, leading them to a beautiful garden conservatory, with glass walls and dome ceiling letting in the afternoon light. The large room was full of greenery and lush flowers. Water fountains tinkled, small birds travelled between the indoor trees.