The Other Granger- COMPLETED

Chapter 34

Elaine's POV:

The next day, I found myself getting ready to meet Draco at the Leaky Cauldron. Despite Hermione's concerns about Draco, I went anyway. I wore shorts and a sweatshirt, because it was always a little chilly in the shops that lined the alley.

Right before 1pm, I apparated near the Leaky Cauldron, passing many muggles on the busy London street that weren't able to see the pub. When I stepped inside, all eyes were on me and some people started clapping for me. "Miss Granger!" the barkeep, Tom, exclaimed, welcoming me inside. He shook my hand and began pouring me a drink when I spotted Draco in a shadow of the pub. He was being cornered by Fred and George's friend, Lee Jordan. "Lee!" I yelled, watching as he grabbed Draco's shirt by the collar and raised his fist to punch Draco. Lee immediately let his hand drop and released Draco's shirt. "What are you doing!" I yelled at him, walking over to where they were and pulling Draco towards me. "His friends killed Fred!" Lee yelled at me, tears in his eyes. "No...Lee, the castle wall...it collapsed...I was there!" I said, as Lee avoided making eye contact with me. "And besides...Draco has been on our side," I added as I watched Lee roll his eyes. "Whatever you say, Elaine...doesn't change the fact that Fred's gone," he shouted, pushing past Draco and I to exit the pub. "Are you okay?" Draco asked me when he noticed how shocked I was. Lee's never spoken to me like that. "Yea...suppose some people just don't understand," I said, leading the way out of the pub's back entrance that actually was the entrance to Diagon Alley. "Why didn't you yell back at him?" I asked Draco, rolling my eyes at the thought of Lee. "Well, I didn't want to cause any trouble...he's not wrong...Fred's gone because of me," he said, shrugging the topic away. "Draco...that's not true," I said, feeling awful to have asked in the first placed. Draco only shrugged again, hinting that he didn't want to talk about it any longer.

"So...where should we start?" Draco asked me as we moved through the crowded street. "Well...I'm kind of hungry," I said, smiling slightly as he smirked. "Of course you are Granger...come on, follow me," Draco said, leading the way to a small, yet crowded restaurant. "Table for two, please," I said to the witch working the front. "Oh my god...you're Elaine Granger!" the witch squealed, loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. "Miss Granger! What an honor it is to meet you! I am the owner of this fine establishment...please, follow me to your table!" an older man with black hair said, shaking my hand. He led Draco and I to a table that was somewhat secluded from the rest of the restaurant, but still had a great view out of the window showing the bustling shoppers and excited children passing. "Your menus," a waitress said, handing Draco and I each a menu before taking our drink orders. Draco and I both ordered burgers...extra fries on the side, of course. Once our food came, we began talking about Hogwarts.

"No...I'm not going back in September," he said for the tenth time. "But...I just don't understand...why not?" I asked, pleading for him to come back. "You saw what just happened with Lee...not everyone will be so forgiving," Draco said, popping a fry in his mouth. "We'll see about that," I said, more to myself than to Draco. I wasn't sure why I wanted Draco to come back to Hogwarts...but it wouldn't be the same without him.

By the end of our meal, I had annoyed Draco so much that he finally agreed to coming back to Hogwarts for the last year. "Fine...fine, you pain in the ass...I'll come back," he said, grinning at me as I stood from the chair.

When we left the restaurant, our task was to get everything Draco and I needed for school, as well as getting Draco some regular clothes he could wear in the meantime. "Remember when we first met...right there," Draco said as we walked into the robes shop, pointing to the spot where he insulted me. "Of course...you called me fat," I said, pretending to get mad at him over it. "Get back here!" he said, grabbing my waist and pulling me closer as I tried to escape. "Hm," someone from behind us cleared their throats loudly. Draco quickly let me go when we both spotted it was Madam Malkin, the store owner. "What can I help you two with?" she asked, arms folded in front of her.