Archive of Our Own

Harry groaned as he shut the door to his office behind him, turning to rest his back against the glass.

“People are still bothering you, then?” Ron asked, giving him an amused look as he paused in his report writing.

“Yes!” Harry replied, exhaling loudly. “I don’t understand how they all found out!”

“How many have threatened to sort him out?”

“Too many,” Harry said grimly. “I only hope that none of them try and go through with their threats.”

“They’d be stupid to try if you’re sat there with him,” Ron said with a snort. “You know, once over I’d have been right there with them but having got to know him, he’s actually not as bad now.”

“If only more of them thought like you,” Harry sighed. “I want this night to go well, not with us having to watch our backs in case someone attempts to ambush us.”

“Do you want some guards?” Ron asked seriously, putting his quill down. “Because I’m sure we could arrange something.”

Harry shook his head. “No, I think that would be worse. It would make him nervous.”

“Alright, well, if you need me, I’ll be at home all night. I can be there in minutes,” Ron said.

Harry smiled. “Thanks, Ron. It means a lot.”

“Yeah, you’d owe me big time,” Ron grinned.

Harry rolled his eyes with a grin of his own. “I knew there’d be a catch.”

“Go on, go home and get ready. I’ll finish these reports up,” Ron said with a smile. “There’s only half an hour left until the end of shift anyway.”

“Are you sure?”

Ron nodded. “Yeah, go on. If you stay, you’ll only distract me with your constant talking about him.”

“You’re my best friend! Best friends are supposed to listen!” Harry exclaimed, but he was laughing as he grabbed his cloak from the stand by the door. “Thanks again, Ron. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you,” Ron said, waving a hand as he turned back to his report, picking the quill up again.

Harry opened the door a crack and peeped out, before slipping through it and running down to the Floo.

An hour and a half later, he walked down busy London streets, his collar pulled up against the harsh rain that had started falling. Grumbling to himself, he quickened his pace as the rain got heavier, thankful that he wasn’t far from his destination.

He reached the restaurant and ducked inside, pulling his collar down again as he spotted Draco already at a table. He shrugged off his cloak and handed it to the assistant, refusing the offer to seat him.

Instead, he made his way through the tables and joined Draco, who looked up in surprise.

“Oh, you’re here,” Draco said, a smile creeping onto his face. “I was beginning to worry.”

“Am I late?” Harry asked worriedly as he sat down.

Draco shook his head. “No, I only got here a few minutes ago. I would have been here sooner, but there were people following me,” he replied with a slight frown.

Harry frowned too. “Seriously?”

Draco nodded. “I had to duck into a couple of other places and cast a few charms to disillusion myself before continuing on my way.”

“Why in Merlin’s name are they so interested in us?” Harry asked with a sigh.

“Are you seriously asking that? The Boy Who Lived going out for a meal with an ex-Death Eater?” Draco asked incredulously. “Can you honestly not see what they would be curious about?”

“Alright, when you put it like that,” Harry replied, frowning again. “I suppose I can. Maybe we should have just met at one of our houses.”

“No, absolutely not. I promised that I would wine and dine you, and that’s what I’m going to do,” Draco retorted. “Besides, this place is much nicer than the Manor and I’m sure it’s nicer than your place.”

Harry snorted. “It is, as it happens, but that’s not the point. I just don’t want to be responsible for attracting a crowd of onlookers while we eat.”

Draco shrugged. “It doesn’t matter who my first official date is, really. They’d all wonder who was lowering themselves to go out with me. The fact that it’s you is like their wet dream, except there’s a bonus of them all being far too afraid of upsetting you to approach me. Or worse, hex me.”

“Well, hopefully no-one will try that tonight,” Harry replied, another frown creasing his forehead. “I want to enjoy this with you. I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”

Draco smiled. “Me too. You look nice, by the way. Even your hair doesn’t seem as messy, did you do something with it?”

Harry laughed. “Well yes, if you must know. I knew we were coming here so I put a little bit of Sleekeazy on it. Not too much, mind. I wanted you to recognise me.”

Draco laughed softly. “Like I wouldn’t recognise you. What do you take me for?”

Harry grinned as he gazed at Draco. “You look nice too. Not that you don’t normally.”

“I know,” Draco replied, the corner of his mouth twitching. “But it’s nice to hear, all the same.”

“So, how long do you think we’ll get to eat in peace?” Harry asked, picking up the menu.

“Hopefully long enough to actually enjoy the food,” Draco replied. “But I can already see people who are just watching us.”

Harry groaned softly. “So can I. I’ve had enough of it.”

“Let’s just try and ignore them,” Draco said. “Or maybe we could pay the restaurant to kick them out?”

Harry snorted. “Let’s keep that as a last resort. I’d rather be on the front page of The Prophet for being seen here with you than to be on it for bribing the restaurant owners to kick out other customers.”

Draco grinned. “Either is fine by me. But alright, we’ll keep it as a last resort. Should we get the waiter over then?”

Harry smiled and nodded. “Yeah, let’s get this date started.”