Chapter 24
The house was quiet. Narcissa had finally gone to sleep and Harry was once again in the upstairs suite. Only this time he was alone and the room felt larger than it ever had. Draco had seen his mother home and made sure she was well but then made an excuse to leave. Harry wondered if he was angry about the rumors circulating the ministry about their kiss.
He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked over the cavernous room. It was still too big for him, he felt exposed in a room this size. I’ll never get to sleep in here, he decided.
Downstairs in the sitting room he stretched out on the sofa and stared at the ceiling. There was a stack of Draco’s books on the floor next to him and he grabbed one without looking. It was beautifully bound in orange flowers against a dark green background. He opened the cover and read the title page: One Thousand and One Uses for Pigs Ear. Harry rolled his eyes and threw the book back down.
“Master Harry?”
“Jesus!” Harry jumped in his skin and sat up.
“Did I scare you?” Kreacher looked smug, already knowing the answer.
“What is it Kreacher?”
“I’ve brought you some tea.” Kreacher sat a tray down on the stack of books and Harry nodded in reply. He laid back down and stared once again at the ceiling. Kreacher stood watching him instead of leaving. With a sigh Harry sat up and grabbed the tea cup as if to show Kreacher he would drink it, but the house elf didn’t move.
“Was there something else Kreacher?” Harry asked, slightly annoyed. He wanted to wallow alone.
“Kreacher best not ask.”
“Come on…” Harry goaded him. “You know you want to.”
“Will Tillie return?” This had not been the question Harry expected.
“Hermione thinks she can argue a case for her and I’m going to do my best to get her back with Mrs. Malfoy quickly.”
“But…Will Tillie return here? Will Mrs. Malfoy stay here?”
“Oh… I’m not sure, Kreacher. I don’t know what her plans are. Why?”
“Other houses have lots of elves, this house only ever has Kreacher.”
“Well maybe you can go with them, wherever they go. That would be alright with me. You know you’re free to do so.”
“No. no. no. This is my Master’s house. This is Kreacher’s home.”
“Well, I will tell Mrs. Malfoy, she is welcome to stay as long as she would like.” Harry reassured Kreacher and he seemed to accept that. The elf left the room and Harry laid back down. He balanced the warm teacup on his forehead and found his familiar place on the ceiling.
Maybe I can get Narcissa to convince him to go with her. Harry weighed the idea in his mind.
In the morning the tea tray was gone and Harry was covered with a blanket. It was the first day he had woken up without Ron or Hermione waiting to escort him around the house. Harry could go anywhere. He showered and dressed in the massive suite before heading back downstairs.
“Good morning!” Narcissa called as Harry walked by the kitchen.
“Good morning.” Harry smiled back at her.
“Going out?”
“Yes, would you like to come?” Harry motioned his hand towards the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I haven’t the foggiest,” Harry laughed. “But anything has gotta beat sitting inside.”
“Alright.” She stood. “Can I grab my jacket?”
“Of course.” Harry moved to let her up the stairs. She returned quickly, having changed her whole outfit.
“Draco sent this from Paris and I’ve not gotten to wear it out.” The excitement rolled off of her in waves and she touched the soft yellow dress that hung from underneath the bottom of her coat.
“Well what are we waiting for?” Harry extended his elbow and Narcissa wrapped her hand around it. They walked down the street and the cold air swirled around their faces.
“Do you like the movies? We can catch a matinee.” Harry asked as he turned down the street towards the train station.
“I’m not sure, I’ve never been.”
“There’s a great revival house downtown, they’ll be playing something good for sure.” Harry led her down the stairs to the platform. They didn’t have to wait long for the train and the journey was filled with a comfortable silence.
“The Third Man begins in twenty minutes.” Harry suggested, reading the board outside the theater.
“Is it good?”
“We have to watch and find out.” Harry laughed and Narcissa joined him. Inside they stopped at a candy counter.
“What do you want?”
“It’s not even ten o'clock!” Narcissa looked at the treats as if they were scandalous.
“Are you going to tell my doctor?” Harry teased. Narcissa laughed and hit his arm. After some convincing she picked out a collection of fruit flavored cubes. They picked their seats in the mostly empty theater. Narcissa began to unbutton her coat.
“Here.” Harry said, helping her with her coat. He folded it over the chair next to him.
“You’re such a gentleman.” She smiled at Harry as she sat. “I’m happy Draco has that.”
Harry choked on a gummy cola and fought to breathe. When he finally managed to swallow a drink and look over at Narcissa, she was smiling.
“You two couldn’t possibly think that I didn’t know.” She laughed quietly as the movie started.
They watched the movie in silence. It was long but interesting and Harry was Happy that Narcissa seemed to enjoy it. Harry had found the theater when they hosted a silent film night and couldn’t stop coming back to see the old movies.
Something about the sweet soft faces and round eyes of old starlets captured him completely. He also couldn’t hide that the men were enchanting as well, always in suits with their hair in perfect place. The movie ended and the lights came up in the theater.
“Did you like it?” Harry asked, turning to grab her coat.
“Yes.” Narcissa said with a tearful voice. Harry looked at her and saw that her face was streamed with tears. Her eyes were still fixed on the now empty screen.
“Are you alright?” Harry whispered.
“He’s dead.”
“Yes.” Harry swallowed.
“I’m sitting in a muggle theater watching an old film and eating candies and crying because Anna wont speak to Holly but….” She sniffed as she trailed off. Harry didn’t know what to say so he just waited. “Shouldn’t my world be different without him here?”
“I think it is… I think it is because of all those things you just said.”
“Yes,” Narcissa patted the tears into her cheeks. “You’re right. My life is different, but wonderful. I think that might take some getting used to.”
“Should we get lunch?” Harry offered.
“I suppose we should put something in our stomachs besides candy.” She smiled and put on her coat. They walked out of the theater and through the streets, chatting animatedly about the characters and plot.
Narcissa picked a restaurant with ingredients and prices Harry couldn’t comprehend. Everyone surrounding him looked as effortlessly elegant as Narcissa did in her french couture dress. Harry smoothed the handmade sweater from Molly and was happy when his jeans were hidden away beneath the table along with his boots. His phone rang and they both jumped.
“Yes?” Harry answered the phone.
“Master Malfoy is here.”
“This is for emergencies, Kreacher.” Harry reminded him. He heard a scuffle and then Draco’s voice came through the phone.
“What are you doing?!” Draco yelled.
“We’re having lunch. We’re at Cafe Sol De Mar if you’d like to join us.” Harry said calmly.
“Oh, tell him they have Tapas. He loves Tapas.” Narcissa cooed from across the table.
“Your mother says they have tapas.”
“First you kiss me in front of the ENTIRE ministry and then you parade my mother around all day and take her to lunch! Why don’t we take out a bloody AD in the papers.”
“Do you want white or red? Your mother is asking.” Harry continued to ignore his outbursts.
“You’re insane!”
“Oh the waiter is coming, it's rude to be on the phone. I have to go. I’ll get you red.” Harry moved to close the phone but before he did he heard Draco scream ‘white’.
Narcissa ordered them wine and by the time the fine crystal glasses were sitting on the table Draco was making his way through the restaurant towards them.
“How wonderful,” Narcissa stood and hugged him. “You decided to come.”
“Have you ordered?” He sat down, ignoring Harry.
“Not yet dear.” She beamed and picked up the heavy card stock menu. Harry slid his foot under the table to tap Draco’s but he moved away. He sat reading the menu with angry eyes, his hair slicked back and his suit jacket undone.
“What are you thinking Harry?” Narcissa asked from across the table.
“Draco looks like those old film actors, don’t you think?” Harry answered honestly, making Draco blush and scowl in tandem.
“Yes. No wonder you like those films so much.” Narcissa and Harry laughed while Draco melted into his seat. She stood as she spoke again. “I’m going to wash up, Draco you know what I want.”
“What are you doing?” Draco started his tirade as soon as Narcissa was out of sight.
“We went to a movie and now we’re having lunch, calm down.”
“Every person, everywhere is going to know and the rumors will keep milling about if you keep this up.” Draco warned.
“I don’t mind if people know I want to kiss you,” Harry shrugged. “But if you don’t want people to know that you want to kiss me back… I’ll stop.”
Draco sat silently for a moment, then he looked down at the menu again. Harry held the stem of his wine glass and shifted it between his hands, waiting for an answer.
“What are you getting?” Draco said at last.
“I don’t know.”
“Well you had better decide.” Draco held the menu out to Harry, but he didn’t take it.
“What I meant was, I don’t know what to get. I’m not sure how to order at a place like this.”
“What?” Draco looked confused.
“Look around, do I look like I fit in?” Harry folded his arms. Draco studied the room for a moment and then Harry. Before either one could speak a waitress came to the table and Draco ordered confidently for all of them. Harry suddenly wished they had been sat in a different section. One with an older, less pretty waitress, with less gorgeous long hair. Narcissa joined them and captured Draco’s attention retelling the movie.
After lunch they walked the streets again, ducking in and out of stores at Narcissa’s discretion. It was nice to see her in such a happy mood, even if Harry wasn’t. The conversation at lunch burned in his mind. Harry wondered once again if he was the kind of person a guy like Draco would feel embarrassed to bring home. He picked at the gray knitted sweater and kicked his boots against the sidewalk while he waited for the others to exit a bespoke tie shop. Two doors down he could see a woman trying to set up a table in front of her store. She struggled and the table snapped shut on her hand.
“Let me help.” Harry was there in an instant, grabbing one side of the folded wooden table.
“Thanks love. The old girl is temperamental at best when the weather gets sour.” She laughed and they managed to get the table set upright and covered with a linen. The woman began setting items out and Harry held a box for her as she went.
“I like that jumper, your mum make it for you?” She asked as she laid out several pieces of jewelry.
“A sort of mum, yeah.” Harry smiled and she laid the rest out.
“Go ahead and pick something out.” She pointed to the table.
“No, I-”
“AH ah!” She stopped him. “Didn’t this sort-of-mum teach you not to argue with pretty ladies.”
“Yes ma’am.” Harry rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ugh, he even says ma’am! Lord, where were you keeping these men when I was looking?” She complained to the sky. Harry picked out a thin leather bracelet with a succulent design pendant that reminded Harry of the book he had seen last night. She wrapped it up just as Narcissa and Draco caught up to him.
“Alright love you, stay sweet and come back and see me any time.” The shopkeeper said with a flirty grin and kissed Harry on the cheek. He laughed and thanked her once again. Draco set a hand on Harry’s back with a huff and turned him the other direction, away from the store.
“Don’t be rude.” Narcissa scolded Draco who was looking behind them at the shopkeeper with narrow eyes. “I don’t think she’s likely to steal Harry away from you.”
“What-” Draco’s voice was in a panic but he turned his head around too late to see the hanging flower pot that cut him off. He laid on the sidewalk as Harry and Narcissa stood over him.
“I’m not sure what’s done the most damage, you or the planter.” Harry mused. Draco said nothing, he just stayed splayed on the sidewalk as people grumbled and stepped around him.
“You’d better kiss his head Harry, or he’ll never recover.” Narcissa said with feigned concern.
“You’re right.” Harry went to bend over but Draco sprang to his feet. With a growl of anger he pulled at his suit jacket and stormed up the road. Narcissa bit her lip to keep from laughing.
“Oh look at that, it's a miracle.” Harry deadpanned as they followed him.