Yes, Chef

Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum is an absolutely elusive seat that fits the bill at the end if you want to be treated like absolute royalty. 

If you wanted weekly menus, beautiful wine pairings, and a beautiful yet sexy setting that is perfect for your next night out- if you can get on their waitlist - it's worth every Knut and galleon in your vault. 

Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum is the project of Wizarding Britain’s own Chosen One Harry Potter who had partnered with Blaise Zabini to get this establishment up and running in February 2005 off the main strip of Diagon Alley. Over the past year the establishment truly blossomed and will absolutely take your dancing taste buds on a journey as you taste each and every one of the six courses. Don't forget your Swiss chocolate at the end which almost is like another course! 

Mr. Zabini introduced me to their newest staff member upon my dining slot on this past Wednesday and it was the one and only Draco Malfoy who insists he now goes by Draco Black. You must be wondering where has he been all this time? I'll tell you. 

He is Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum’s new wine sommelier and when I tell you they mean it when he's the best, I have never experienced such expertise in the wine pairings package than what Draco Black exhibited. His qualifications of being a Master Sommelier is very clear and he is quite professional and personal with the guests. He will be a shining addition to the staff. Now for what you've all been waiting for:

The food.

The seaweed and roe almost gel balls on top of a sea salt foam was the perfect amouche-bouche before being moved into the prawn course. Green curry was laid beautifully on the plate with the most precious edible flowers that were charmed to change color based on the patrons mood. The garlic oil and chili crusting served on the side was just delightful and was a great start. We were then moved on to a lovely crispy rice spicy tuna with a lovely wasabi aioli and was plated so simply yet screamed elegance. After we were served a crunch Asian ginger salad before getting the braised soy and ginger marinated beef. It was served over a lovely Asian medley of vegetables and served with a chili fondant potato, a unique twist on the classic French side. It was topped with a scallion and garlic reduction and it had me nearly licking my plate! And the wine Mr.Black paired with it was my favorite of the evening- as if any of thing from this week's menu was bad- and they finished off the night with a delicious matcha mochi served with a vanilla sweet cream and a hibiscus flower. 

The amount of passions and care that is put into every aspect of this restaurant is one of be rivaled with. Everything was fantastic which is why I'm proud to rate Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum a perfect 5/5 stars for this food review. If they ever open another restaurant, I expect seats to be sold out as soon as it's announced. It was a pleasure to dine here and I am eagerly waiting for my next reservation. 

      Written by Edward Rainer 

Harry was thrilled with the review in Witches Kitchen and it absolutely showed even twenty four hours after the review had dropped in the Friday paper. His staff had been almost on edge the entirety of Thursday and Harry had barked out directions from where he was behind the expo station and had smoked nearly the rest of his cigarettes. 

Draco nor Blaise didn’t dare brave the kitchen that day.

By Friday, he was nearly glowing, not needing a cigarette until nearly half way through the second dinner service and by the end he was nearly bouncing on his feet while cleaning the kitchen by hand, always insisting that magic didn’t always get out the grime from cooking. 

It was almost midnight when Blaise and Draco came into the kitchen, arms linked to find Harry done and leaning against the salad station, waiting for his two managers. 

“Leaky? I believe the lions will still be there,” Harry said, teasing Blaise a bit. He felt like he could fly, excited to see his friends who had owled him earlier that day to inform him they were taking him out after his shift. Draco looked a little uneasy at the mention and Blaise shot him a sympathetic look.

“Darling, I don’t mean to offend you, but after Tuesday, I’m not quite sure Draco is ready to socialize with your Gryffindors,” Blaise said, visibly watching Harry deflate as if Blaise just stole the last kneezle in the Emporium and Harry had his heart set on that exact one. 

“But… he was in the article too! They’d expect him to come with me,” Harry countered, crossing his arms a bit with a pout. 

He totally missed the gulp Draco had, watching his inked arms cross over his firm chest and the Hungarian Horntail peaked at the blond in curiosity. 

“I highly doubt that they would expect me to join your lot and I haven’t had much time to… re-acclimate to being back in England,” Draco said, separating himself from Blaise and leaning against the dish pit. 

“That’s rubbish. This is a milestone. We got a glowing review and from the reviewer who is going to decide who gets put through the next steps of earring a star! It’s cause for celebration, please? ” Harry asked, stepping closer to the two men. Blaise just simply looked exasperated and Draco’s face blushed red. Draco and Blaise then shared a look, Blaise rolling his eyes in response as Draco cleared his throat.

“One drink. And only because Pansy will be there,” he said. Harry smiled triumphantly before shoving the two men out the door. He lit a cigarette to enjoy while on the way over, filling the two in on how he planned on training his sous chef to do some of the finer details of his profession in case he had to step away. 

“Really something I should’ve done when I hired the bloke, but hind sight and all that,” Harry said with a wave of his hand. He tossed down the cigarette and smudged it with the toe of his shoe before opening the door for the two Slytherins. He gestured them inside and Draco quickly made his way to the bar with Blaise while Harry scouted his friends. 

The familiar fire red hair caught Harry’s eye and he began to make his way over to his friends, only making it half way there before a loud squeal sounded through the pub and Pansy launched herself at Harry, hugging him tightly and peppering his face with kisses.

“Darling! I read that article and I was so proud of you! I told you that a little more sauce would do you well,” she said, nearly shoving him into a seat. Ron rolled his eyes before clasping him on the back a bit roughly.

“She’s right, good job mate. I still think he should apologize, but the pointy git did get you some bonus points in the article, so I don’t believe I can stay too mad that you decided to hire him on,” Ron said, looking like he might’ve bit a lemon. “Just don’t expect me to be all best mates with him.” 

“Ron, I don’t think you could . Oi! Neville, I almost didn’t see you hiding back there. How’s Herbology going this year?” Harry asked, redirecting the conversation. 

“As well as you can expect it to. One of the mandrakes bit a Hufflepuff in the second month of class and she now is terrified to handle any of the plants,” Neville mused, eyes glittering. 

“Why isn’t it Longbottom! Long time no see, old chap!” Blaise said as he arrived at the table. He gave Pansy a kiss on the cheek before turning towards a lingering Draco and collected Harry’s ale and firewhiskey from the tray. He set them down in front of them and simply plucked the tray out of Draco’s grasp before setting it on the table. “I’m sure you remember my best mate, yeah?” he said, shoving Draco into the seat next to Harry. The tightly packed table all stared at the pair, Harry oddly aware of the subtle smell of lavender and the heat radiating off of the man next to him. Draco wrung his hands a bit before fiddling with his own glass, avoiding eye contact from anyone before taking a hearty swig of his drink.

“I might as well get this over with and I should’ve done this a long time ago,” Draco began, fiddling with his glass and looking sheepish under the gaze of Seamus Finnigan. “I am truly sorry for my abominable behavior while we were attending school. I was a racist and an arsehole and Hermione’s left hook from third year causes an ache in my nose every so often. My stance in the war was one pushed upon me by my family and while it is not an excuse, I apologize for any and all transgressions I have made towards you lot. While you don’t have to accept it, I’d rather get this part out of the way so I can continue working for Potter here without causing any waves,” Draco finished, quickly swallowing the rest of his firewhiskey and stealing Blaise’s and drinking part of it too with Blaise’s ‘Oi!’ breaking the silence that had followed Draco’s monologue. 

“Nothing like liquid courage I suppose,” Pansy finally said, pursing her lips slightly. 

“You’ve always been a bloody dramatic git, Malfoy. For what it’s worth, the war was ten years ago and after the article from today, I doubt any of us have any protests about you joining us. You have work to do in terms of actually gaining a full time slot in the group- ow!” Ron rubbed his side, shooting Hermione a scowl. “But you helped Harry, so in terms of being civil, I accept your apology,” Ron finished, looking oddly proud of himself. Hermione shook her head fondly. 

“Mate, you might not get on with everyone right away in the group,” Neville began, “But, good on you. I agree with Ron, but with time we will get more comfortable, alright? We accepted Zabini and Parkinson when they eventually joined us. Welcome to the Lion’s Den, Malfoy,” he said, raising his glass at Draco. Dean Thomas said something under his breath and made a point not to look in Draco’s direction at all, but Draco knew they were right and he can’t expect everyone to accept his apology and move on. He raised his glass to match Longbottom’s and smiled.

“If you’re going to allow me in, I request you refrain from using Malfoy. It’s Black now,” Draco replied, taking a small sip and nearly coughing it back up as Harry clapped him on the back.

“See! Not too bad!” He said, ducking when Blaise went to swat at the back of his head.

“Oi! Watch it! I don’t need you to kill our master sommelier or my best mate with firewhiskey you brute!” He exclaimed. A muttered ‘it’s like they’re a married couple’ from Ron was all it took for Harry to beam at Blaise.

“We can always get a new one, if you’d like,” Harry said, tone obviously joking. 

“Watch it Potter, I’ll charm all your wine bottles to explode and flood the storage room,” Draco chimed and was met with a warm laugh from Harry.

“I’ll hold you to that, Black.” 

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He stood outside of the Leaky, letting the warm August air caress his face as he took a long drag of the cigarette. 

One more night.  

The smoke curled into the air, filling his senses as he took another drag.

Most of everyone had already gone home by this point, Harry just taking in the quiet solitude before he aparated home. His eyes drifted over from where they were trained on the pavement over to the door of the Leaky as it opened and watched as Malfoy exited with Blaise, talking animatedly with his hand and the latter looking amused. Harry stayed silent, tipping his head back a bit onto the brick wall.

“Potter? May I speak with you?” Draco asked, shooing Blaise off his arm before Harry felt the grey eyes focusing on him. Harry let his gaze slide back in front of him before giving a small nod of acknowledgement, suddenly feeling bone tired and flicking the finished cigarette to the ground and shaking out another before lighting it. Draco came and leaned against the wall beside him, close enough that their arms brushed each other and Harry brought a new fag to his lips before lighting it.

“What’s up?” he asked, keeping his gaze forward.

“I-... Listen, I did mean it-”

“If we’re going back to surnames, Malfoy, I’d like you to know I came to terms with your behavior a long time ago. I wouldn’t have spoken for you if I didn’t believe that you were truly forced into your role in the war. If we’re discussing apologies-”

“You don’t owe me one-”

“Will you let me finish? Since when-”

“You’re the one who keeps interrupting me -”

“Because I haven’t seen you in ten years. I’ve moved on! The others might not be so quick to forgive you, but I’ve made my peace with what happened. I told you I’d extend the same civility so I don’t know why you need my approval. No one asked for you to apologize,” Harry said, feeling that old bubbling anger that he tried so hard to control.

“ I wanted to apologize !” Draco said indignantly, “You don’t have to be a right arse about it, Potter , because do you even understand the amount of work I had to-”

“Well quite frankly, we all had to put in work-”

“ I fucking lived with him! I’m not making excuses for the absolute rubbish my father shoved down my throat about blood purity. I started questioning it after fifth year because if we’re supposed to be so fucking superior, why did I always get beaten out in marks from bloody Hermione Granger who is a muggleborn? And you’re right, you haven’t seen me in ten years, but I’m trying to show you that I have changed and I don’t want to delve into and entertain petty childhood arguments. Do you even understand the amount of work I had to put in for them to let me dual my mastery with wizarding wines? My name is fucking tarnished even in France and my name doesn’t even matter because I was disowned after my father found out I wouldn’t entertain an arranged marriage with the Greengrasses from Azkaban . Don’t you dare tell me you all had to put in the work when I have had to reprogram my entire thought process, lived with the noseless fucker in my own home and act as if I was still the perfect Malfoy son. I’m fucking trying to make amends where I can and I know that I can’t expect everyone to get on with me, but I’m trying to be civil,” he finished, nostrils flaring and finally stepping into Harry’s view. 

And really, Harry didn’t have a single remark to shoot back. 

Because Malfoy really was more docile over the past week and it’s not like a week is going to make them best mates, but he was trying, wasn’t he? Not to mention Harry feeling some sort of something for Draco that he was determined to shove down and down because Blaise was a dog with a bone and Hermione would have something to say about it. 

“I’m sorry. I can see you’re trying and perhaps we can truly be friends this time around. Talking about war just… I don't enjoy it, but maybe we should discuss it at some point. That point isn't now, but for what it's worth, I'm also sorry,” Harry said, taking a long drag of his cigarette after flicking the ashes to the ground. 

“Sorry? What do you- absolutely not,” Draco said, eyes flashing in recognition. “I'm not hashing that out with you in the middle of the road, but for what it's worth you have nothing to apologize for . I never blamed you for it,” he said, hand resting on his chest almost protectively. 

“I… you're right we shouldn't have it out on this in the middle of the road, but I am sorry. We have a lot of bad blood, Draco, but I'm willing to let it be put aside to start over,” Harry said, taking one last drag of the cigarette before putting it out against the wall. He stood up, realizing he now had maybe just an inch on Draco before I held out his hand. “I can't promise I don't have a temper and we should discuss this maybe at a later date when everything isn't so… new and tentative, but why don't we say for now, friends?” He asked. 

Draco stared at the hand in front of him before looking up. 

“Since when did you become so eloquent? I can't promise I won't react, but I would love nothing more to put everything behind me. Friends, Harry,” Draco said, grasping Harry’s hand and those elegant fingers wrapped around his wrist before they shook hands. Something seemed to be lifted off Draco’s shoulders as he stood up straighter and gave Harry a small smile. 

“Listen, I don't know about you, but I'm dead tired. I'll see you tomorrow night, alright?” Harry said, breaking contact and stepping closer to the street. 

“Alright, goodnight… Harry,” Draco said softly. 

“Goodnight,” he replied and with a crack , he apparated back home.

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Harry woke up Saturday morning and went through his usual routine feeling somehow on top of the world, yet so exhausted. 

This morning he chose a black undershirt with red chef pants that had black pinstripes on them and a black chef coat to pull it together. After making his coffee, he scribbled a letter to Ron and Hermione about having to postpone their trio Sunday night pub nights due to having to plan out the six trips he will be making over the next six months with his…partners? Managers? Whatever. He was glad he at least filled in Hermione on the plan the previous evening because the dangerous look in her eye that she got when Harry suggested he could just get the list of the participating restaurants was enough to cow him to not bring it up again. 

He sent off the letter with Chicken who he affectionately called Chick, an owl who was rather fearful of almost everything that he had purchased before moving to America. Ron would joke that they would have to get everyone to name their owls after a farm animal because of his own owl’s shortened name, Pig.

Final night with the menu and all orders had to go in tonight.

In.

Out.

Harry quickly made his coffee in a paper takeaway cup before aparating to Oxford, collecting his produce, and making it to the restaurant right at nine o’clock sharp. He could feel one of his moods settling into his bones as he began prepping what he needed for dinner service, muscles flexing as he moved the knife mindlessly. 

The morning bled into the afternoon and before he knew it the staff began filtering into the back door, beginning to set up for shift and Harry took his leave to sit in the office for a minute, checking his inbox for the order slips. He began to fill them out, setting them in the outgoing box as they were completed to be popped out of existence from his end and into the incoming box of the vender. Harry found at the back of his inbox a list of wines that Draco had requested him to order and simply glanced at it before also setting it into the outgoing box. 

Harry was just about to get back to the kitchen when Blaise walked in, their financials book under his arm. 

“Afternoon, darling. I'm going to get our records situated from the week before dinner service begins. Did you receive Draco’s wine invoice? I'm rather looking forward to the dessert wine he chose,” Blaise said, slipping past Harry as he moved out of the way for Blaise to take a seat. 

“I did, I'm looking forward to seeing how they compliment everything. I'm thinking for the following week doing Italian? I've been thinking about this idea I had for a braised beef cheek or a spinach ravioli with black truffles shaved on top. Of course, we should do the truffle shaving table side as I think it would be a unique experience,” Harry mused, for once glad for the exorbitant price per head Blaise bickered with him over when they had to up the price a bit last year due to food costs. 

“Sounds great, love. Say, what did you and Draco chat about last night after he shooed me away like a fly?” Blaise asked, looking up from the ledger and leaning over the desk a bit. Harry flushed and scratched the back of his neck through his curls, mind briefly supplying he might need a haircut soon since when down, his hair was just past the nape of his neck. 

“We just… you're such a nosy Slytherin, you know that? We just talked. Hashed things out. Talked about the weather and thatnowweregoingtotryandbefriends,” Harry said, rushing out the last bit. Blaise raised a single, perfectly manicured eyebrow. 

“Be friends, you say? I know you have a strict fraternization rule between managers and staff… but he is a manager and you're the owner,” Blaise suggested lazily, smirking smuggly when he noticed Harry’s face colour further. 

“You and Pansy- I know neither of you will bloody let up on this one, but I need to focus for the next year as we plan. Both of you are always trying to set me up,” Harry waved away the statement, feeling a tickling of worry in the back of his mind at the prospect of going away once a month with the silver trio. 

“We just want to see you happy, is all. And he is just your type, but no worry, darling. I'm sure all that pent up hate sex that is sure to explode at some point will come to fruition,” Blaise smirked before looking down at the ledger. “I was going to bring it up tomorrow, but I'll book the hotel rooms for us while we travel, I can't have you picking again after that time we went to Germany to track down some special pastry you just had to try so you could recreate it,” Blaise said. Harry had a small pit in his stomach, not being able to help the feeling that the dark skinned man was up to something.

“One, stop talking about hate sex. Two,” Harry lowered his voice and looked behind him at the open office door, “ I thought we agreed to never bring up the Germany fiasco of 2006! You swore!”

“Wasn't an unbreakable vow, love.”

“You're impossible. Fine, you settle the accommodations. Always bringing up my past mistakes when it suits you best,” Harry said, throwing his hands up. “It wasn't like it was completely unsuitable,” he grumbled. 

“Harry, our window was right next to a chicken coop because you booked us a room at a bed and breakfast on a sausage farm .”

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The first dinner service was nearly over and the back of house was setting up for the second when Harry stepped outside to take a smoke. He felt so fucking tired and just wanted the night to be over and cast a Tempus to ensure that he had about thirty minutes until the eight o’clock dinner service. He had just taken the first drag and a nervous Draco stepped partially outside the back door. 

“Chef… there's a slight… issue in the front,” he said, fiddling with his cufflinks. 

“An issue? We haven't had any sort of complaint or issue in almost two years since we ironed out some of the issues with the service and timing. Can't Blaise handle it?” Harry asked, starting to feel annoyed. “That is why I pay him after all. To handle the front so I don't have to deal with the guests directly,” he stated.

He ignored the weird flip in his stomach at how the word chef rolled off Draco's tongue.

“That's the thing, Blaise has been trying to handle it and this guest is now refusing to leave and refusing to pay until they talk to you. By this point there's no other guests and they're impeding on us flipping the restaurant. They also made Pricilla flee to the walk in cooler and she's now sobbing her eyes out,” Draco said with a look of distaste. 

“I'm sorry, did you say one of my staff is now sobbing because of this guest?” Harry asked, annoyance turning into anger. “Why didn't you lead with that?”

“Well the wife seems properly horrified at her husband and Blaise told me to come inform you to make the decision of either speaking with him yourself or informing the Aurors,” Draco said, wringing his wrists. 

Harry let out a huff before taking one more drag and snuffling out the half finished cigarette and sticking it in his pocket. He cast a cleaning charm on his hands before moving past Draco in the open doorway. 

“Still call the Aurors in case I need to have him trespassed and get them to force him to pay,” Harry said, storming by his back of house staff and the server galley where the others seemed to be calming down a splotchy faced Pricilla before roughly pushing open the door that led to the front. As soon as he did, the muffliato broke and Harry could now hear just how loud this giant toad was being. 

“-this is implorable ! I demand to speak to the owner at once! Where is Harry Potter? The way you're treating me is absolutely atrocious! Do you even know who I am?” The man demanded. He was a little bit on the heavier side with salt and pepper hair, his double chin moving furiously as he spoke. He seemed to have been dressed nice enough and his wife was in an elegant sapphire blue gown adorned with what looked like diamonds as she tried to calm down her husband. 

“Sir, I assure you that Harry Potter would tell you you need to pay for your bill and leave . You are holding up service and you can't even tell me why you are refusing to pay!” Blaise said, voice rising slightly in frustration. 

“Oi! What in Godric’s name is going on out here?” Harry demanded, approaching the couple. The wife was now properly trying to diffuse the situation, but Harry held up a hand to silence her. “What seems to be the issue? You bloody well caused enough of a scene and made one of my staff cry, so what is such an issue that you needed to speak to me directly ?” Harry asked, eyes narrowed. 

The man sputtered a bit with a “well I've never!” before turning red. 

“We came here to receive fantastic service and spend our well earned galleons on your establishment! We get seated and it turns out you've got a bloody goddamn Death Eater on your staff. I refuse to pay a single sickle! You of all people to hire one of them ! His master killed your parents! Haven't you any shame? His kind killed our daughter! Had to come and proper see it for my bloody self!”  The man said, now seeming to grasp at straws to find more to complain about. “And your food is subpar at best! Your barkeep can't even make a proper stiff drink!” He continued.

Harry saw red. 

He glanced back to see Draco’s face had gone even paler than his already pale complexion with a sickly tinge to it as he stood by the kitchen door with wide eyes. He looked at Blaise before motioning to Draco.

“Blaise, why don't you take Draco to the office?” He said very slowly, trying to control his breathing. Blaise nodded quickly and briskly walked over to where Draco stood and started pushing him towards the office. 

“Are you going to-”

“Are you going to shut the fuck up?” Harry asked, turning to the man. “You come in here, make my staff cry, insult my food, insult my establishment , and throw around remarks that you know absolutely nothing about? Did you know he was forced to take the mark at sixteen? Did you ever stop to think that Draco Malfoy is a person who has been acquitted of any and all charges due to his aid to The Light? You come in here talking of fucking Death Eaters as if he was the one who killed your daughter? I do apologize for your loss, but how dare you come into my restaurant making demands of me?” Harry seethed, a nearby glass shattering. That was finally when the man started to have a twinge of fear grace his features.

“You're defending -”

“I am defending my staff! I would like to remind you it was also my testimony that proved his innocence. Many of us attested to his actions on how he did not want to harm students during the last year of the war. He is not responsible for your daughter's death and I refuse to let you come into my establishment spouting absolute rubbish on how he should pay for his fathers sins because that man was a child. I was a child . We were all children forced into roles we did not want,” Harry snapped, feeling the vein in his forehead throb.

 At that moment, two red robes caught Harry’s attention as he turned to the Aurors. 

“What seems to be the problem here, Mr. Potter?” The younger of the two asked. 

“This man is refusing to pay or leave after insulting my staff to tears and harassing my employees,” Harry said, looking at the couple, the wife now a blubbering mess. 

“Please Mr. Potter, we'll pay and leave and you'll never hear from us again,” the wife said, wiping the mascara running under her eyes away with her hands. 

“I won't pay a single sickle ! How dare you call the-”

“Alright, enough of that,” the other Auror said- Peterson? (Harry thought that sounded about right) and watched as he flicked a Silenco at the man. “Mr. Potter, would you like to press charges?” He asked. 

“I just want him trespassed and out of here. Don't bother with the money, it's my gift to them for never coming back to my establishment,” Harry said, voice cold. He rubbed a hand over his face and flicked a Repairo at the broken glass. “And you'll do well to understand that if I read anything in The Prophet about this I will be releasing a statement and explaining your absolute appalling behavior you demonstrated in my restaurant. I will make sure every single high end establishment black lists your name and you will never get a seat anywhere due to your absolutely astonishing behavior. Am I understood ?” Harry asked as the man was pulled from his chair, his wife nodding frantically. The men turned even redder before giving a silent nod as the younger Auror led them out, reading them a trespass card on the way. The older passed along a report ticket to Harry before also taking his leave. 

His staff looked on in shock as he waved his hand. “Back to work you lot. Shifties on me tonight after that scene, but we have a restaurant to flip and get the second service on the road,” Harry said with a wave of his hand. “Pricilla, love, you okay?” He asked, looking over at the black haired girl. She merely nodded, before casting a refreshing charm on her face and his staff began quickly moving to get everything reset. Harry started towards the office before stopping and turning towards his staff. 

“Does anyone have a problem with Draco Black working here?” He asked, watching as they stopped to look at him. 

“No chef, as you said, he was acquitted of any and all crimes. I was a couple years under you both at school and Draco Black took a Crucio from one of the Carrows for me when I was caught healing a wound after one of their Dark Arts classes. He then still healed me despite the tremors he had after the curse. He did it for countless others so I stand behind you and will defend him because we were, in fact, children and he defended us publicly and not behind closed doors,” Stephen, a Hufflepuff if Harry remembered correctly, said, determination in his eyes. The other front of house staff nodded with agreements of 'he's fine with me, chef,’ and 'he's one of us now, chef’ and Harry felt so much pride in that moment and gratefulness for his employees. Harry gave a nod before pushing open the office door to find a splotchy faced Draco tucked under Blaise’s arm. 

“If you need the rest of the night, you can take it,” Harry offered, feeling a slight ache in his heart. When he testified on behalf of Draco, he felt naive at that  moment to think that even after ten years, he wouldn't face some sort of prejudice because of a mistake he made at sixteen. 

“It's fine. I'm fine. I don't know what I expected,” Draco said with a watery laugh, “I'll always be a Death Eater like Weasley said. There's no real clearing my name-”

“Your name is cleared here. The staff want you here and I want you here because in a week, we've gotten more glowing reviews on the beverage menu than we've had in the three years we've been operating. You're great with guests from what I gather and that couple will never come back… I might've also threatened him to make sure of it,” Harry said, scratching the back of his neck. 

“Potter, what did you say to him?” Blaise asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Only if he dared to try and go to The Prophet - don't look at me like that they'll publish nearly anything about me- that I'd be forced to release a statement about his behavior and why he was trespassed. Nothing like embarrassment to make sure nothing comes to light,” Harry shrugged, pondering on when his Slytherin side started rearing its head as he got older.

“That was completely unnecessary, Chef-” 

“I don't want to hear it. He's now made two of my staff cry and quite frankly he's wrong. You shouldn't have to pay for your father,” Harry waved, anger settling down as it turned into utter and complete exhaustion. 

“Self-righteous bloody Gryffindors,” Draco muttered before casting a refreshing charm on his face and adjusting his shirt and suit coat. “We have a second dinner service to run. No use wallowing back here,” he said, voice still a little shaky. Harry Accio’d the bottle of muggle whiskey he kept hidden in the office and conjured three shot glasses before filling them. 

“Go on, mates, I'm sure we all need something to soothe our nerves after that. Blaise I let the staff know they can have a shiftie after they're done for the night,” Harry said, taking his own glass and raising it at the two. Blaise nodded, a glint of approval in his eyes before raising his glass as well. 

“Salude, gentleman,” Blaise said before tipping his glass back into his mouth. 

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Harry rolled his shoulders as he sat at the bar in the front, rolling the circular ice cube around in the glass as the amber liquid moved with it. He felt the chair next to him be pulled out as Draco sat gracefully next to him. 

“Thank you… for earlier. Stephen came up to me after the second service to let me know that all the staff have my back and to not listen to arseholes who have no idea the horrors we went through,” Draco said, swirling his red wine in a large, bulbous glass. 

“I'm a little protective of everyone here. This is my baby, you know?” Harry said, sounding weary as he took a sip of his whiskey. Draco merely nodded before giving Harry’s arm a friendly squeeze and draining the rest of his glass. 

“I'll see you tomorrow? Where are we meeting?” He asked.

“I'll key you into the wards. Address is Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, Islington, London,” Harry said, making a mental note to ensure he did so when he got home. 

“The old Black house? Don't tell me it's still as dilapidated as it was when I was a child,” Draco said, wrinkling his pointy nose.

It was a rather cute nose…

“I had Hermione take charge of the renovations while I was in America. The House Magic seems to get on with me a bit better since, but it did fight back at first. She sent me ideas and blueprints through the floor and I would sign off on what I agreed to be suitable to my taste,” Harry explained.

“Is it all red and gold?” Draco asked with a snort. 

“No, I leaned into a bit more modern with it,” Harry said with a small smile. 

“Well, I'll bring the wine. I've been waiting for an excuse to open this bottle of Elvish wine I picked up in France,” Draco said, spelling his glass clean and sending it back behind the bar. 

“Draco Black, you might've just become my new favorite person,” he replied with a laugh. 

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Harry had a notebook in front of him with his laptop open, writing down ideas and restaurants that would be worthy of them looking into. He had each country lined up and one additional addition to the list he thought they could maybe squeeze in and double up one of the months. List was as followed:

Spain: Pequeñas Flores, Madrid (Little Flowers)

France: Le Château, Paris (The Castle)

Italy: Il Vigneto, Livorno (The Vineyard)

China: Shōují, Bejing (Gather)

Japan: Hana, Tokyo (Blossom)

America: The Inn, New York State

South America: Lola, São Paulo, Brazil

Harry thought it was a good list in his mind. He didn’t see why they couldn't squeeze France and Italy in one month or maybe America and South America. 

Perhaps the Potter and Black fortunes that he barely made a dent in will come in good use for the first time in three years. He didn’t really delve into them after working almost seven days a week in New York City and setting aside a trust for Teddy that he set up with Andromeda’s blessing. 

The floo chime brought Harry back to the present, looking up to see the three Slytherins brushing soot off their coats. 

“Darling! We brought food from that terribly greasy chippy you like around the corner. Draco insists we have a firewhiskey with it and save the wine for after dinner so we don’t ruin the flavor profile,” Pansy said, gliding across the room and draping herself over Harry’s shoulders. Draco’s face was covered in a soft red blush and Harry thought that it was due to being called out, but he didn’t know it was because Pansy mouthed “nice and muscular” over his shoulder to Draco with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. She pecked his cheek and dropped into the chair next to Harry as Blaise set the takeaway tote on the table, unpacking everything and setting out four takeaway containers. 

“Fish and chips sounds wonderful,” Harry said, gesturing to Draco to take a seat where he’d like at the coffee table, shuffling his notes together and setting them aside. He Accio’d the firewhiskey and four glasses before spelling the bottle to fill each glass, setting his takeaway container in his lap before opening the little cup of malt vinegar and dumping it on his chips. 

They began to dig in, eating, drinking, and catching up from the week, Pansy filling them in how her editor at Witch Weekly was interested in her documenting her trip to each country they were planning on visiting to start a travel guide that they had been stalling on for over six months because they didn't know where to start. The fact that Harry was going well caused her to wipe her fingers on a napkin before crossing her arms over her chest with a smirk as Harry licked the salt and vinegar from his fingers. 

“That means all of our portkeys will be taken care of courtesy of my editor from their travel funds,” she said with a non verbal pat on her back. 

“I'll be taking care of the lodging costs as I can't trust this one with it,” Blaise said, crumpling a napkin and vanishing his finished takeaway. 

“Oi! Zabini! Again? ” Harry let out a groan. Blaise snorted before transfiguring the empty rocks glasses into wine glasses. Draco looked amused before opening the wine and spelling it to pour for each of them. Harry vanished their wrappers and boxes before casting a cleaning charm at the coffee table and laying his notes back out. 

“There's now seven countries. I thought maybe we could fit either France and Italy or America and South America into one month. We would be at an advantage by going one more place and we could view it as a small adventure. More for fun than studying, going to Italy,” Harry shrugged. “Besides, I hear Italy is good for wine. Perhaps Draco would be able to scout out some vineyards that would be willing to let us sample and choose some wines to bring back for the restaurant,” he added. 

“I guess I could be tempted for another trip if we can go sample wines. Italy should be first because their grape harvest is from late August to October,” Draco said, his long fingers tapping his chin while he thought. Harry watched him take a small sip of wine and saw how his eyes lit up in a sparkling silver as the tannins set on his tongue. “Pansy, darling, great recommendation on the wine,” he nodded to his friend. 

“How about we plan for the second week of September? That'll give us…” Harry trailed off as he did some mental math, “four weeks? And then we go to France in the last week of September. I say from there we go China in October, Japan in November, America in December, South America in January, and Spain in February,” he proposed. 

“I propose going to China in January for the Chinese New Year. We could try some street food that way so you can also get a taste for some of the regional cuisine. How about Italy and France in September, Spain in October so all the European countries are out of the way, Japan still in November, America in December, China in January, and South America in February? Then we compare notes and you incorporate some of the things you've learned throughout the next six months before drilling things in. There's no telling when the representative will come in and test us if I understand the muggle way correctly, but I would assume it's about May or June which leaves two or so months of debating if it's a year or so process. We haven't heard anything back so we need to factor in the time,” Draco suggested. Blaise looked between the two men with a smile playing on his lips. 

“Harry, you start getting in touch with these restaurants since I trust you on the food front, I'll start booking accommodations, and Draco, you start scouting wines or places you might need to go for expanding the beverage program. Harry, I think maybe we should go down to every two weeks changing the menu while we're at least going abroad once a month to lighten your load. I know you're passionate, but we can't have our Head Chef burn out,” Blaise suggested and gave him a look. “And don't follow that up with ‘I'll be fine’. You already put enough pressure on yourself and that recommendation is coming from not just a business partner standpoint, but a friend,” he said, fixing him with a look of concern that stopped those exact words from escaping his mouth. 

“Fine, but we might as well put a sign on the door that says so. That's one of the more unique aspects of Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum that people seem to enjoy. It would free up some time for us to go over notes and for me to try some new recipes…” Harry said thoughtfully. Yeah that could work, he reasoned to himself. 

“Oh, I'm just so excited to travel with my favorite boys!” Pansy said, clasping her hands together before taking a sip of her wine. 

“I feel like I just went through seven weeks in one by this point with you three,” Draco said, waving his hand at them. “I've only been back from France for a month and now I'm going to go gallivanting around the world with The Chosen One to try food and wine with my best mates. I feel like I've been plucked up and placed in an alternate reality,” he said, pouring himself another glass. 

“Well considering you're my sommelier and you know what you're doing I have to be nice to you, don't I?” Harry teased, “Besides, we've been over this, while I wasn't initially… pleased to have you suddenly appear in Canis, Lupus, Et Cervum without even being able to prepare myself, I don't exactly hold ill will towards you, Black. We've all grown and matured since we were seventeen and eighteen year olds. Besides, if you showed up in 2005 demanding a job and insulting my- at the time horrible interior design choices- I most likely would've had a very different reaction.” 

Blaise let out a knowing laugh and sent a stinging hex Harry’s way which caused the other to let out a shout. 

“You would think they're the ones who are actually married sometimes,” Pansy said with a sniff.

“Oi! Your husbands a fit bloke, but he's not my type. We've played this song and dance before,” Harry countered, taking a sip of Draco’s wine since he didn't want to spell the bottle which resulted in Draco letting out an indignant squawk. 

“Get your own!”

“Oh yeah ? Then what is your type, darling? I think my husbands more than just fit,” 

“I think he likes more blonds if you ask me from what I've seen over the past three years,” Blaise smirked.

“Just giving up all my secrets are you?” Harry asked, finally pouring himself more wine.

“If it was a secret, why did Hermione tell me your affinity for them the first time she went clubbing with us?” Pansy asked innocently, “besides, the bloke you went home with that night was very cute,” her eyes gleamed. 

“Maybe he just doesn't want his preferences aired out against his childhood nemesis ,” Draco rolled his eyes, something almost akin to jealousy in his eyes. 

“You're one to talk darling, all tanned skin and black hair seems to be your type,” she grinned wickedly, “maybe someone with tattoos now if I were to guess,” she sat back sipping her wine. Draco rolled his eyes as Harry tracked the three with his eyes. 

“You're having me on in my own home!” Harry said, clearly not getting the point. 

“What do the Americans say? Oh, you sweet summer child -” 

“Pansy, let it just happen,” Blaise said affectionately, patting her shoulder. He leaned in and whispered something in her ear, Harry only being able to pick up the words ‘oblivious’ and ‘nimrods’ before he stuck out his tongue and crossed his arms, turning his head where the tattooed head of a snake peaked out of his collar curiously. 

“You two are awful and I regret becoming friends with you,” Harry said, pouting.

“Oh darling you would've never gotten this far without us,” Blaise said, reaching over to pat his cheek.

“Well that may be true…”

Blaise let out a bark of laughter as the conversation dissolved into what they were most excited for about each country.