Chapter 30
What was he doing?
Asking Draco Malfoy on a date?
He had done stupider things he was sure but right now he couldn’t remember when. He sat down in the chair with a sigh and looked at himself in the mirror. He didn’t know that first thing about how to woo a guy like Draco. Would he think the date was nice enough? Would he realize suddenly that Harry was fine to be with in private but not in public?
“Well look at this handsome guy! Where are your glasses?” Deena interrupted his thoughts.
“I don’t need them anymore.” Harry shrugged.
“No glasses, no scar, and a sweet little baby beard… I have to say I think I’m in love.” Deena pretended to swoon.
“Do you think you can clean it up? Make it look nice?” Harry scratched at his cheek.
“Going somewhere?” Deena teased.
“As a matter of fact I have a date.”
“Oh tell me all about it.” She said, wrapping a cape around Harry.
“Well I made reservations at la grande chèvre and then I got tickets to the theater.”
“Oh doesn’t that sound nice.”
“You think?” Harry asked with intent.
“That’s about as nice as anything I could think of. But you’re a real catch, you could probably take her for a burger and a pint and she’d fall for you.” Deena assured him.
“Well he is very classy.”
“He. Well now Roxy owes me a twenty.”
“What?”
“I bet her the night we met that you were…” She stuck her hand out and tilted it down, shaking her head. Harry laughed and felt more relaxed now that Deena had given her approval of the date. She cleaned his long stubble into clean sharp lines and trimmed his hair. She styled it at the end of the appointment, making his usually untidy hair form into perfect round curls on top of his head.
“Harry,” Deena called as he was leaving. “Just don’t forget to be yourself, okay?”
He smiled and nodded as he went through the door. Out on the street he caught a cab across town. At the store he found his suit was ready and left with it quickly. Now he only had one more stop to make.
With a snap he apparated to the familiar alleyway and strolled up the street. No one gave him a second glance as he passed by. Inside the bakery he ordered and collected six pumpkin tarts. With everything tucked away in his satchel he headed back out onto the street.
Harry paused in front of a flower shop and wondered if he should go in. Flowers were traditional enough to get someone before a date but he didn’t know for certain if Draco might like them. He went in, looking for a plant instead of cut flowers.
“Do you have any potted medicinal plants?” Harry asked the shopkeeper who pointed him towards the back of the store. He made his way back and found two familiar faces perusing the section.
“Hello Luna.” Harry smiled.
“Harry! I didn’t notice you.” She lifted her rose colored crystal glasses up and pushed them into her hair.
“Neville, look it’s Harry!” She grabbed at the man beside her who was still engrossed in the plant in front of him.
“Jeez Harry you’re unrecognizable.” Neville said finally looking up.
“You’re one to speak.” Harry laughed and shook his hand. Neville had changed the most since school, losing the last of his baby weight and turning into the Hogwarts professor every girl tried to get as many classes with as possible.
“What are you doing here?” Luna narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
“Looking for a plant, a medicinal plant… something a healer would like.”
“I see.” Luna said with a sly smile.
“How about gingko?” Neville suggested.
“Sweetheart, I think Harry wants something pretty.” Luna said to him sweetly. He considered that and then looked around.
“Ah!” He said at last walking across the room and picking up a little potted bush with small white flowers with big yellow centers.
“Feverfew! That’s perfect.” Luna took the plant from Neville who looked confident in his selection. Harry took it from her with some skepticism. It wasn’t overly impressive but it did look better than the leafy thing Neville suggested the first time.
“Thanks.” Harry said as he turned to leave.
“Good luck on your date Harry!” Luna called.
“Date? With who?” Neville asked. Harry was too far away to hear what Luna’s answer was. He headed back out the shop door into the cold air. He apparated home and looked up at the gray old house. Inside he went straight up the stairs to his office to put his things away until later. He stared at the suit bag hanging from the bookcase.
Is it too late to chicken out? Harry wondered. A knock on the doorframe distracted him.
“Master Harry?” A small voice squeaked.
“Tillie!” Harry couldn’t believe it. “When did you get here? I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”
“No one would like to work on Sunday.” Tillie said with a hesitant smile.
“Did you see your room yet?”
“My room?”
“Come with me.” Harry led her excitedly to the pantry. He opened the door to show her the new room. On the opposite wall from Kreacher’s bed was an identical bed for Tillie.
“Mrs. Malfoy picked out the bedding,” Harry explained as Tillie ran a hand over the duvet with tiny pink flowers. “And you’ve a drawer in the dresser. Hermione knitted you a sweater and some socks I think.”
“Tillie does not deserve such things.”
“Nonsense. Have you seen Narcissa yet?”
“Master Harry is the only one home.” Tillie sat on the edge of the bed. She looked very small and tired.
“Well, I’ll leave you to rest until they return.” Harry said politely.
“Master Harry…” Tillie whispered as he was about to shut the door.
“Yes?”
“Will Tillie and Mistress Malfoy live here now…”
“I don’t know… I think Mrs. Malfoy is looking for a new place to live, but you can take your bed with you.” Harry promised.
“Will Kreacher stay here then?”
“This is his home.”
“Tillie would like to stay here then.” She laid down as she said this and Harry felt as if he was intruding on her personal moment.
“I’ll let you rest.” He repeated and shut the door. Harry sat in the front room and watched the traffic go by. Kreacher snapped into the room and told Harry that the manor was under contract. He had stayed the day at the mansion to oversee the open house.
“Who bought it?” Harry asked.
“A muggle family.” Kreacher sneered.
“Kreacher.” Harry chided.
“A non-magic family.” Kreacher corrected himself with disdain.
“Well, at least Tillie will never have to go back there.”
“Yes, I have much to do before she returns.”
“Why don’t you start with your room, make sure everything is cleaned.” Harry suggested and tried not to smile.
“Very well Master Harry.” Kreacher headed off towards his surprise. Harry sat in the chair to listen but if there was some big reunion happening it was too quiet for him to hear. He was happy Kreacher had made a friend. Surely no one had been a friend to the house elf for his entire existence.
Harry leaned back into the chair and once again watched the cars go by. Pedestrians walked past the window, not even knowing it was there. Some people lived in a place where the only car on the road was someone coming to visit them. Harry closed his eyes and dreamed about what a place like that might be like.
“Master.” Kreacher said loudly to wake him.
“Hmmm?”
“You have… an appointment… to keep tonight.” Kreacher reminded him.
“What? Oh!” Harry sat straight up and opened his eyes.