Drarry - A New Beginning

EPILOGUE

"I swear all you ever do is complain!" 

"I'm not complaining, I'm just saying it not exactly edible.."

Draco stood over Harry with his arms folded in frustration. He was wearing a navy cooks apron over his jeans and jumper. Harry was sat at the long wooden table in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place, the smells of a roast dinner wafting up from beneath him. It was a cosy room, fairly dark surrounded by wooden countertops and various old appliances. 

"It is edible" Draco bit

"Draco, darling.. I adore your cooking but this lamb.. it's like eating a leather shoe" Harry grimaced with a smile, knowing he was winding Draco up 

"I spent all afternoon slaving over this meal for you!" 

"And I appreciate that! You're just.. a little more challenged in the kitchen"

That comment encouraged a playful swat on the arm from Draco

Draco slumped back down at the table, pouting. He could tell Harry was playing him with a cheeky grin but it was fine, he'd get him back later. He plucked a roast potato from the dish and ate it

"You grew up with house elves doing all your cooking, I understand you're not as-"

"Careful" Draco cut in, awaiting his choice of words

"experienced.. at cooking as I am" Harry smirked, taking a spoonful of peas

Draco huffed and rested his palms on his cheeks, his elbows on the table "I wanted to make you a lovely dinner"

"And you did!" Harry smiled "Everything here tastes delicious"

"Apart from the lamb.." Draco added dryly

Harry nodded with pursed lips "Apart from the lamb. Don't worry about it, I'm sure you can make it up to me with dessert" he winked 

Draco lifted his face from his palms, raising his brows "That kind of dessert.." he nodded toward the refrigerator "or that kind..?" he gestured upstairs 

"Both" Harry grinned, tucking into the rest of his meal. Draco watched him in awe, admiring how much he was bursting with love for his boyfriend 

They ate in silence for a while before Harry placed his fork down, chewing the last of his roast potato and swallowing "I hear the ministry is holding a 5th anniversary memorial for the Battle of Hogwarts"

"Are you going to go?" Draco asked

"I don't really have a choice considering I work there" 

"Right" Draco took a sip of his drink "Will you be alright?" 

Harry looked up from his plate, still chewing. He nodded half-heartedly "I'll be fine"

"Okay"

"So, what are you cooking me tomorrow?" Harry asked 

"Nothing if you're gonna be picky!" Draco moaned 

"I can't even cut through this meat! Look!" Harry attempted to carve through the slice of meat on his plate but with no luck, the knife simply made no dent and ended up scraping the china "See!" 

"Alright! Fussy bastard" Draco muttered and Harry smirked playfully "You haven't changed you know that? You're still an annoying git" 

"And you're still a stubborn tight arse" Harry grinned "I could use this lamb chop as a winter jacket" 

"Shut up" 

"Or it would make a perfect leather placemat for this table"

"Shut uppp!" Draco cried, but he was breaking into a grin too, shaking his head 

"Maybe pasta tomorrow? Something that isn't going to break my teeth" 

Draco just stared at him, tongue in cheek, holding back his words. Harry  poked him under the table with his foot playfully 

"I love you" 

"Idiot" Draco rolled his eyes "I'll find something else to make for-"

But his words were cut short by a knocking sound coming from down the hallway. They both stopped, listening intently to see if they'd heard properly. Three knocks came again, it was the front door

They stared at each other confused. 

"Is someone at the door?" Draco asked 

Harry furrowed his brow, rising from the table "Sounds like it, although I usually receive an apparation request before someone visits"

"That's what I thought" Draco also stood from the table, unfastening his apron and placing it beside him "Can't be a muggle, can it?" 

"No. They can't see this house behind the enchantments. "Definitely a witch or wizard" Harry began walking over to the hall, both of them still apprehensive. Draco was still under ministry watch. He formed an agreement that he was allowed to go to work, and travel with one other person, as long as he underwent monthly visits from Ministry officials. It was a condition of his freedom after fall of Voldemort. 

"It's probably just Ron and Hermione" Draco called from the kitchen. Harry was now down in the hallway, out of sight

"But we're seeing them tomorrow night, they'd have mentioned if they were coming by" Harry responded. He could hear Draco clearing the plates in the kitchen and running the water in the sink

He approached the door cautiously, feeling for his wand which was in his back pocket. Nerves bubbled in his chest which had sunk with an anxious feeling. He reached for the handle and unclicked it from the latch, slowly pulling the door open 

As the outside light suddenly filled the hallway, he met eyes with a woman standing just before the doorstep. She was dressed in a long black cloak with dark boots, a scarf curled around her neck. 

She smiled at Harry, though her eyes were pink and glassy with tears. Harry remained silent. Staring at the women before him, his lips parted wanted to speak but no words came, his brow still furrowed with concern 

"Is.. is he here?" the woman spoke, her words were ragged, on the edge of tears. Harry didn't respond

"Harry?" Draco suddenly called from the kitchen "Who is it?"

"There's.. someone here for you" Harry answered 

He could hear Draco approaching as his words grew louder "Ugh. It better not be another bloody ministry worker. I swear this week alone I've had-"

His words cut off the moment he rounded the corner. He stopped on the spot and dropped the dish cloth he was holding. His eyes grew wide in shock as he looked out at the woman standing there. He took a few steps closer until he was next to Harry. Harry took his hand, squeezing it tight, his other hand reaching behind him for his wand

"Draco.." the woman broke into a smile as a tear steamed down her cheek. Heartache, pain, remorse filled her eyes but one thing stood out more than anything, love.

He had to have been dreaming, he was lost for words. His stomach dropped but his heart swelled, after all, he hadn't seen her in over five years. He squeezed Harry's hand a little tighter his breath shaking

"Hello Mother"

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