Chapter 36
When Draco gets a firecall from Dudley Dursley he wants to slam his head into the wall. He had completely forgotten to update the Dursleys on Harry’s condition.
Harry peeks out from the kitchen, “Do you like pancakes?”
Draco groans loudly, “I forgot to tell the Dursleys you're awake.”
“Is that them now?” Harry asks, leaving a mixing bowl on the coffee table, Draco nods once and Harry answers the firecall.
“Harry?” Dudley asks with wide eyes.
“Hello,” Harry says perkily.
Dudley sputters, “Are you alright?”
“Just fine.”
Draco interrupts, “I am so sorry I never called, I’ve been focused on… other things.”
Dudley looks behind him back at Harry with a knowing look, making Harry flush deeply, “Well, I’m glad he’s alright, but Esme has been worried sick.”
“Muggles can be worried enough to become physically ill?” Draco says alarmed, “Why didn’t you call sooner?”
Harry slides in behind him and murmurs quietly in his ear, “Figure of speech love.”
Draco nods and lets out a noise of understanding.
“Well if you’re up for it Harry, I was thinking of having a beach day with Esme, she would love to have you along,” Dudley offers, “Half past eleven?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to the beach?” Harry thinks about it.
Dudley tilts his head, “Yes you have, mum brought you ‘long once when she couldn’t find anyone to keep an eye on you?”
“I don’t remember that?”
“Yeah, but you did magic so afterward…” Dudley trails off, “It’s best not to linger on that huh.”
Harry had a glossy look in his eyes, Draco places a hand on his lower back and runs it in soothing circles, “Are you alright?”
“Hm? Fine.” Harry says brushing his concern off, he takes a deep breath and tries to regain his prior energy, “Yeah, let's do beach day.”
Dudley stares at Harry with concern for a moment before nodding, “Let's make some new memories.”
Dudley disappears from the fire and Draco hovers near Harry, “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
“I can’t even remember it, it can’t be that bad,” Harry brushes off, “Besides, we need to go out and buy swim shorts and snacks.”
Harry only makes Draco a serving of pancakes, saving the rest of the batter for another day, and opting to chug a cup of coffee instead.
“We’ll swing by Tesco for everything we need,” Harry suddenly gasps, “You’ve never been to a Tesco have you?”
“No?” Draco asks, “What is a Tesco.”
Harry giggles like someone on pain potions, “Oh Draco,”
Draco did not like the sound of that, “Excuse me.”
“Have you ever been in a muggle car?” Harry tacks on before stepping into the bedroom, pulling on black jeans and a tremendously tacky patterned Hawaiian shirt, leaving the shirt unbuttoned completely.
“No? Harry why do you own that, it’s terrible.” Draco asks, physically appalled.
“It’s beachy?” Harry asks, “And I can’t take my motorcycle on the beach so I’m taking the car,”
Draco breathes a sigh of relief, “Good, and that's not beachy.”
Draco steps out of the room and pulls on linen pants, and a white button-up, which he leaves slightly unbuttoned, “This is beachy.”
“Ah fantastic, you’re ready.” Harry grins, from his place at the floo, when he turns around he chokes, which is the correct reaction if you ask Draco, “You look great love.”
Draco raises an eyebrow, “Lets go see this Teco.”
“Tesco, Draco,” Harry throws a fistful of floo powder down, “Grimmauld Place.”
Upon arriving in Grimmauld, Harry grabs his keys and heads straight for the door where his car sits. Harry opens the door for him with a deep bow.
“You’re gonna get kicked out for your abs being very visible.” Draco laminates.
Harry turns the car on and pulls out of the driveway.
~~~
It doesn’t take long to arrive at Tesco. Harry pulls into a parking spot and once again opens the door for Harry. Draco can feel Harry cast some wandless, wordless charms.
“What was that?” Draco asks.
“Keeps us from violating the statute of secrecy,” Harry says offhandedly, “If we say anything incriminating they’ll hear it like something they understand.”
“Harry that’s brilliant,”
“Eh, I’m sure it exists, I just don’t know the incantation or wand motions for it,” Harry says walking into the store confidently and leading Draco to the clothes section.
“Should we grab ice cream for Esme?” Draco asks, “I can’t imagine most muggles can bring ice cream to the beach, but we can use cooling charms and claim we put it in a cooler.”
Harry nods, holding up a pair of garishly Gryffindor swim trunks, with a questioning look. The horrified expression on Draco’s face seemed to be enough to get him to put them back on the hanger where they belonged.
“Why don’t you choose my swim trunks?” Harry offers.
“Glad you see reason.” Draco nods.
He ends up choosing them both black as all other options were terrible.
Next Harry takes Draco to the crisp aisle, “Do you think Dudley brought a lot?”
“Possibly?” Draco questions staring at the crisp options,
“Shit, I’ll get service here won’t I?” Harry a rectangular device out, “Look Draco, it flips.”
“What?” Draco doesn’t get an answer instead Harry flips it open, presses some buttons, and pushes it to his ear.
“Hello… Yes I have a mobile phone… Well, I don’t get service in Hogwarts… Anyways, how many bags of crisps should we buy? We really don’t mind… Just one? Alright, alright… bye.” Harry finishes his entirely one-sided conversation, “One bag, apparently they bought some,”
Draco chooses not to comment on whatever that was for his own sanity, “What flavor then?”
“I personally am an enjoyer of salt and vinegar,” Harry suggests, “I believe they’ve brought barbeque.”
“Then we’ll grab those and then some ice cream and head out.” Draco nods grabbing the chips and waiting for Harry to lead him to the ice cream.
He does lead him to the ice cream and presents it with a flourish, “Choose my league.”
Draco settles on neapolitan and they swing by to grab some plastic spoons before checking out and heading to the beach.”