Dark Granger

Untitled Part 7

The Three Broomsticks was packed.

People of all different shapes and sizes chattered loudly with one another, making the noise almost unbearable. Harry glanced at Draco, unsure if this kind of atmosphere would make him nervous, and found that he had actually relaxed in it. When he noticed Harry looking, Draco rolled his eyes at him and mouthed something along the lines of "Mother hen."

Harry squeezed his hand and the two stepped in line. For a moment, Harry wondered what about this atmosphere made Draco so loose. That is until he heard the sound of loud laughter booming from one of the tables and watched Draco smile slightly at the sound. He looked away, hiding a smile of his own.

"What can I get you two?" the owner asked. She seemed pleasant if mildly stressed. It wasn't surprising given the number of people crowding up the floors.

"Two butterbeers and two soup combos," Harry responded.

The woman nodded. "Can I get a name?"

"Harry," he supplied, leaving both their last names out of the picture.

The woman made a note of it. "That'll be 4 gallons and 3 knuts please." She snatched the money Harry slid over. "Thank you and your food will be out in a minute. Next!"

Draco pulled Harry over to a table beside a window and near the corner of the restaurant. Harry grabbed his hand over the table and Draco shook his head at it.

"You're disgusting sweet."

"I'll let go then." Harry pulled his hand back slowly and Draco reached out and snatched it from mid-air, slamming the two back on the table with a bang. Someone nearby looked at them in surprise.

"Fuck you, Potter."

Harry laughed and Draco smiled at the noise, glancing out the window. Specifically, he eyed one of the empty buildings, with the small "For sale" sign dangling in the wind.

"You talked about owning a potions store in 5th year," Harry suggested slowly, watching the way Draco's eyes flickered. "We can afford anything here."

"We could buy the whole town and still have enough money for several hundred rubies," Draco drawled. "But I'm not sure I want to own a store anymore. At least not bloody potions."

"Still a store though?"

"I don't know. I-"

"Don't know?" Harry let out a long gasp and Draco glared over at him. "Draco Lucius Malfoy doesn't know something? Oh, how the mighty have fallen! How-"

"Oh, hush up you prat." Draco was still scowling at him, but it was soft and teasing and the very sight of it had Harry's heart tripping over itself. "See if I tell you now."

Harry grinned at him and Draco stuck his middle finger up in his face.

"You have the starting of a plan then?" Harry asked, unable to hold his curiosity back for very long.

Draco smirked at him, raising his eyebrows. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Harry opened his mouth to respond.

"Two butterbeers and soup combos for Harry?" A waiter stepped over to them and Harry thanked him, sliding the soup over to Draco before taking a bite himself. Draco sniffed it several times before finally gulping down a bite.

He had never asked where Draco got that particular habit. Partly because he knew the answer. Partly because he didn't want to know the answer.

"Well?" he prompted, taking a sip of his butterbeer.