Broken Normalcy

Chapter three: Knight’s Bridge Road

“Over here, Harry!”

Harry swung around on the sidewalk to see Draco waving at him from the other side. He smiled sheepishly but didn’t move as Draco quickly crossed the road to join him.

As if in slow motion, he watched Draco move in confident strides towards him, tucking his beige scarf in his reindeer coat, securely around his neck, his leather black gloves matching with shiny black boots covered by dark blue jeans.

The blond looked stunning; Harry washed his gaze up his body. His hair was shiny and devilishly styled, some shorter strands kept on going in his eyes and he pushed them away.

His heart thump-thumped heavily in its rhythm and when Harry finally met ablaze silver eyes in mere feet distance, he suddenly felt intimidated.

“Hey,” Once again, Draco sounded breathless and he offered Harry a smile.

“Hi,” Harry shifted on his feet, feeling a bit self-conscious about his choice in clothing. He had settled for some simple black pants with a golden and red jumper and a white t-shirt underneath. All covered by his usual black simple coat.

“You look great.” And Harry meant it. Draco’s smile wavered a bit, but he then nodded his thanks.

“This way then,” Harry turned to the direction Draco was pointing at and nodded. They began to walk towards the café.

“I’m sorry, did I make you wait?”

“No, I had just come and was looking around I’ve…Never been in this part of town.”

Draco nodded, “I see. Well, they make excellent coffee.” Harry smiled a bit, “We will see about that.”

“Still fishy about your coffee, eh?” That made Harry laugh as they stepped in the shop.

“It’s not my fault if I don’t enjoy water and caffeine, but real tasty coffee.”

“Spoiled brat,” muttered Draco loud enough so Harry could hear. He turned to Harry giving him a killer smile.

“I wonder just ‘who’ used you to that?”

“I…”

A moment of unspeakable yearn passed between them.

They looked away.

“Hello sir, I’m Stella. May I show you to a table?”

Harry was really, really glad that the waitress had come around that moment. He breathed, stomach contracting in more nervousness as he rigidly walked behind Draco and Stella.

The café was nice, Harry decided, it was warm and the wooden pavement was to a red shine that gave a really pleasant home like feeling. The smell of coffee was everywhere, mixed with fresh croissants and other lovely pastries and cakes. However, Harry couldn’t really bask in the simple delight of the place for his darned panic attack.

Looking up, Draco was talking with the waitress and Harry sighed feeling hopeless. Why had he agreed to this if it was going to be…like that around them? Harry felt so uneasy that he actually thought twice about turning around and run. He was about to think it again when Draco turned to him.

“Would you like to sit here?”

Harry didn’t bother looking were Draco was pointing; he just nodded silently and thanked Stella as she asked for their coats and went to hang them on the hangers.

The two men sat down on the chairs, Harry noticing for the first time that they were at the very back of the café, in a quite secured spot from other people and bay windows. He glanced around, placing his hands on his lap uncertain of what to do with them, only when Draco cleared his voice did he look at him.
Draco had his elbows on the table, his dark brown cashmere pull-over elegantly fitting his body as he clasped his hands on the top of the table.

Harry’s jaw tightened, he truly didn’t know what to say. As Draco leant forward, Harry leant back on his chair looking away. It was typical, nevertheless, Harry wanted for the ground to swallow him up and die. It was way too late for that now, but Harry felt so embarrassed and such a goof around Draco that it was unbearable.

“Thank you for coming.” His voice was gentle, and Harry knew Draco meant more by saying that.

“It’s alright.” He whispered even if no, it wasn’t all that ‘alright’, exhaling as he too placed his hands clasped together on the table.

“What happened to you?”

Harry was taken aback by the sudden question; it held a certain edge he wasn’t too sure about.

“Pardon?”

Draco looked away and back at him.

“Harry I, I missed you, ok? I—”

“No.”

Harry’s tone made Draco sit up on alert and Harry looked away, taking the menu in his hands to distract himself.

“I’m sorry; this is going really shitty now, is it?”

“You bet.”

Draco smiled sarcastically at Harry’s response, he felt annoyed that he wouldn’t look up from the menu.

“Hm, I might have a Sundae Mint or something,”

“Ice-cream?” Draco blinked. “We are in winter, if you haven’t noticed.”

Harry shrugged.

He didn’t really want to eat ice-cream, hell, he wasn’t hungry—he didn’t think he could have stomached anything at the moment. Swallowing, mouth dry, he put down the menu and looked up.

“I missed you too.” He whispered.

Draco’s mouth fell slightly open and he looked away. Harry could feel his own cheeks heat up and he looked at his hands. “I have so much to tell you, I…”

“Not here, right?”

Draco grinned with a slight snort. “I’ve always been a drama queen about stuff, haven’t I?”

Harry smiled as a response.

“Alright people, ready to take your order?” They looked up at Stella.

“Espresso.”

“Cappuccino, please.”

She quickly jotted it down. “Aye mate, would you like some chocolate sprinkled on your cappuccino?” She asked Harry.

The wizard nodded.

“Any pastries or cakes you’d like?”

“I’ll have a slice of that chocolate mud cake I saw in the display window.”

Stella nodded to Harry and asked the same to Draco.

“I’m fine thanks.”

With that, she left the two alone again.

Chocolate cake certainly looked like a good stress relief flipped stomach or not, Harry decided. When he looked up, Draco was smiling at him.

“You haven’t changed.” Harry gave him a questioning look. “You still have that sweet tooth for chocolate, I see.”

Harry ducked his head with a grin. “Some things, I just can’t live without.”

And he looked up.

They stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. Such a long time that Stella was back with a tray packed with their orders.

“Enjoy gentlemen!” She chirped, and walked away with a smile.

Harry reached for his cappuccino, cold fingers curling around the warm cup and he looked at the swirl of cream sprinkled with chocolate powder on top. He sighed at it, softly, letting the never ending tension go.

“Tell me about your life.”

Draco blinked. “My life?” he echoed.

Harry gave a faint nod as he took his tea spoon and begun to mess around with his cappuccino. “Yeah,” he finally looked up, “what have you been up to?”

Draco took a sip of his espresso and eyed Harry suspiciously.

“I’m a bore for a Malfoy.”

Harry couldn’t help but smirk. Somehow, the atmosphere between them was slightly relaxing. Harry placed his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his knuckles as he steered his cappuccino with his other hand.

“I can’t argue with that.”

In a flash, both had old memories about their teenage years at school, when Draco was still tormenting Harry and both hated the guts of the other.

Harry’s smirk turned to a grin. “Oh yes, such a bore.”

Draco chuckled, ripping his napkin to then throw the little ripped corner at him. Instead, the flimsy thing fell on top of Harry’s sliced cake.

“Great. Is this some new recipe of yours? I’m telling you now, if this is one of your ruddy experiments—”

And somehow, Draco was laughing. Harry watched him; the blonds' cheek flushed just the slightest as that dimple appeared in his left cheek.

When silver eyes were focused on him again, Harry’s smile stopped its extension. “You don’t need to worry about my ‘experiments’, anyhow. My cooking has much improved and plus, I’ve had other judges—”

“To kill.”

“To—Potter, take that back!”

They grinned.

“Come on, I wasn’t that bad.”

“Well, as long as you don’t try to make fish tofu or whatever that thing was…”

“You savage beast, my fish pate’ was delicious.” Harry watched him sniff around his espresso, amused.

“Peanut-butter on fish is just not my thing then.”

“You didn’t like fish in the first place, so I had thought that with some salsa to cover the—Potter, you’re turning green.”

“I can’t stomach the memory of that, it was a disaster!”

Harry’s eyes shined and he covered his smiling lips with his hand. He was green alright, but because he had tremendous laughter he was holding on too.

Draco gave him a look. “I’m much better now.” He promised.

“Did your judges say so?” Harry couldn’t help but tease.

Draco nodded. “Oh yes, he has never complained.” That was what made Harry go slightly rigid.

“So, he—”

“Egan, his name is Egan.”

Draco’s voice was rather quite now and for a reason or two, both didn’t meet the others' eyes.

After a pause in which, Harry poked at his chocolate cake, he said, “I see, Egan. Is he your—”

“Yes.”

“Hm, are you happy with him?”

When he didn’t get an instant reply, Harry looked up. Draco had a smile on his face but apart from that, his eyes showed no emotions as he looked back at Harry.

“I love him.”

Harry took his cappuccino and drunk a big gulp.

Loved him? Draco loved this Egan guy? Loved? Loved?!? Harry’s heart had shot so fast again, unwanted jealousy going after it.

He placed his cup down with a hard ceramic squawk and he cleared his voice. “That’s nice, I hope that—”

Draco was laughing.

Harry looked at him stunned. What was there to laugh about?

“Potter, you’re a klutz.” He chuckled on, taking his napkin and standing up as he bent over the table.

Harry froze in shock now, heart stopping its marathon, as he watched, eyes wide, the blond dabbing gently at his mouth with that napkin. Harry gulped, feeling the occasional brush of Draco’s fingers on his skin.
A blush spread on his cheeks and Harry willed himself to take his eyes off Draco’s face.

“There,” the blond announced softly.

He met the green gaze and his lips closed tightly. Harry’s face heated, Draco’s hand still holding his chin, gently, but his fingers were firm and pronounced on Harry’s burning skin. Warmth was spreading in him, it was unbearable, and it was making his head spin. There again, came Draco’s unmistakable scent and then Harry pushed Draco’s hands away.

“You had a milk mustache.”

Harry gave a smile that didn’t really reach his eyes. “Eh, thanks.”

Once again, the mood between them sank.

*********

Draco and Harry were walking trough a park. In all honesty, Harry had lost his sense of direction and secretly trusted Draco to lead him. Their pace was of a calm stroll, small occasional steps as they stopped at times, waiting for the other to catch up before going on speaking or pausing in their speech to breathe.

It was one of those pauses now, though, it was a forced one as they had met the railing marking the end of the park that offered a beautiful view of London’s greener side. Harry sighed and rested his arms on the railing, leaning on it as he took in the view. It was cold, but not enough to make him want to go inside a warm place. Despite London’s usual rainy weather, it was a nice sunny day with the occasional cloud passing trough. Families filled the park, happy chatter and laughter ruled the ex-lover’s silence.

A shoulder suddenly met his, an elbow giving a gentle nudge. Harry looked up at Draco, unsure why he had come so close.

“I missed you.”

He was finally met with Draco’s eyes, them full of meaning. Harry was speechless, his emotions a twist and he looked back at the scenery.

“Yes, I…” he tried not to gape.

“I’m really glad your fine, Harry. I thought I would have never seen you again.” Draco said softly.

Harry shrugged trying to act as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“Yeah, some people survive I guess.”

“…And never stop fighting? Is this what you’re trying to say?”

Harry looked at him. “Fighting what?” he asked.

“Fighting…fighting this…fighting me.”

“You?” Harry wanted to laugh.

The blond exhaled; it was his turn to look away. He cleared his voice and lent on the railing as well, eyes dancing at the houses far, far away.

“We’ve been strolling around for hours, just talking about random subjects when I—”

Harry watched him then, eyebrow raised as if daring him to finish that sentence. Draco sighed and approached the matter differently.

“Have you not noticed? It’s like we are sixteen again.”

Harry breathed at that comment however, Draco went on. “When I saw you in the supermarket and when I talked with you, it felt all so…Normal.” He paused and Harry crossed his arms on the railing, hiding his cold hands under his armpits. A shiver rolled down his spine.

“It doesn’t feel as if years have passed since—”

“Don’t go there.”

“What? Why?” Harry just knew Draco was looking at him again. “You’re playing dumb with me, Malfoy. Stop it. You are better than that.”

A misty puff escaped from Draco’s mouth as he sighed.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”

“I’m married, Draco.”

“Yes, and I’m involved with Egan. Harry,” Draco sighed exasperated, “would you stop repeating that? You’ve said it about a hundredth time today and frankly, I’m sick of hearing that you’re tied with that Weasley.”

Harry used that as an excuse to blow up. “That Weasley, as you put it, is my wife! You leave her alone!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No you are not.”

Draco watched Harry settle on the railing once more, the man seemed to be calming down. Draco curled some locks of blond hair behind his ear as he cocked his head to a side.

“Perhaps it was a mistake agreeing to meet up.”

Draco was hurt by that, but he didn’t reply.

“Do you have any idea how hard it has been for me?” Harry snorted, placing his hand on his forehead. “I’ve been trying to go on with my life, telling myself that it was over…That I would…I tried to forget you. I tried to forget us.”

“Harry, I’m—”

“Shut up.”

Draco looked away from Harry’s fiery glare.

“You don’t know half of it, what I’ve been trough and I can’t stand it that suddenly, you’ve appeared in my life again. Ok?”

“Are you saying, I meant this?”

Harry groaned.

“I wasn’t planning to meet you in that supermarket, Harry! I would have never even—”

“But we are here, aren’t we?”

“What are you trying to say?”

Harry’s mouth closed suddenly.

~ “I should give you detention now, shouldn’t I Potter? Running around late, strolling around the castle as if it were yours—”

“Professor Snape, don’t worry about Potter, I was monitoring him all along.”

Harry bolted around at the arrogant voice, his hands tightened in fists as Draco came to stand in front of him. He was smirking, Harry glared right back.

“Well, Mr. Malfoy, you shouldn’t have let him get this far.”

Draco looked as calm as ever. He nodded in what seemed a professional obedient way to his head house and apologized. Harry watched this suspiciously.

“Of course Professor, I’ll take matters in my own hands immediately. After all, it’s late Professor and its now my job as a Prefect to look after the students.”

Harry snorted. ‘That git a Prefect? Looking after the students? Beats me…’

“Potter, Mr. Malfoy is a highly sufficient student, remarkable Prefect as such and he won’t hesitate in showing you what Prefects are allowed to do if they catch students out after curfews.”

Harry gave a sassy grin and crossed his arms. “What?” he spat, and looked over at Draco.

The blond looked amused.

“You’ll put me in detention scrubbing floors with some toothbrush for a month? Been there, done that.”

Snape was positively furious now however, Draco gave a deep throated laugh, eyes glinting at Harry. “Oh, his funny chap.”

Harry’s eye twitched.

“Mr. Malfoy! I demand—”

“Yes, yes, I understand. Come on, Potter this way.”

“Hey! Let me go Malfoy! I can walk by myself!”

As soon as they turned to a different corridor Draco pushed Harry against the wall. Harry inhaled as a rush of adrenaline shook him, his hands flat on the wall to soften his crush. He looked up at Draco, angry, but the blonds’ face was hidden by the darkness of the corridor.

“You know, you could have staid quiet and made my job easier.”

Harry spluttered. “What!?”

“If it wasn’t obvious, I was saving you from the wrath of Severus Snape. He might sleep-walk alright, but he gets terribly grumpy once his awake and caught in the act.”

Harry snorted again. “You? Trying to save me? Oh please Malfoy, I don’t need a bloody savior, especially against that greasy, sleep walking, bastard.”

“Darn right, eh?” Draco’s voice was suddenly cutting. He came forward in the light and Harry realized that his heart had found his way up his throat.

“Special, Harry Potter, fucking hero of the Wizarding world. Bloody invincible he is, right? How stupid of me, thinking I’d do him a favor just then.”

“Oh shut up Malfoy, since when do you do me favors?”

Draco’s voice was much quieter when he replied. “Since—I decided when.”

“Right.”

“Don’t snort at me.”

“Right.”

“Stop it.”

“Right.”

“Potter.”

“Right.”

“Go out with me.”

“Ri—What!?”

Draco grinned, locks of hair cascading around his face and he flipped them back, his eyes caught Harry’s wide ones. Harry looked rather pale.

“Malfoy,” he said in a falsetto voice.“Cut the crap, I’m shit scared already—if that was what you wanted.”

Draco Malfoy actually chuckled. “No I didn’t actually, but if its making you listen to me then, not complaining.”

“Are you saying you don’t mind a smelly date?”

And Draco flashed him another grin. “Are you saying you will go out with me then?”

“I…I didn’t mean it like that.” Harry felt his cheeks heat up and he bit his lip, stomach doing weird flips.

“Is this my so called, detention?”

Draco stepped forward. “If you want to call it that…”

Harry just blinked up at him, Draco was strangely, so tall—when had he been so tall anyways? The Gryffindor swallowed.

“Malfoy, you’re tall.”

Harry’s head was practically flat on the wall, the blond been so close—still impossibly high for him to hold that calamite stare if he’d have his head in normal position.

“People grow-up eventually, Harry.”

‘Harry?’ The black haired boy wondered if Draco’s surprisingly gentle tone had a second meaning to it.
“I’ve…I’ve never noticed.” He breathed.

Draco was somewhat, at his same eye level as the blond leant forward, hands on the wall as he even bent his knees a bit. Harry went possibly, more rigid.

“It’s because you never had to look at me this close before.”

Again, Harry wondered if Draco’s murmur held another message.

Draco was smiling at him, now, so close their noses almost brushing. Harry was left speechless, utterly shocked as his body accepted Draco’s vicinity in a welcoming dance. Harry’s blood was swimming rhythmically at the speed of his heart which jumped up and down his throat. His skin was burning and he swore he could have seen millions of tiny golden spots appear randomly before his eyes. The tip of his nose was itching terribly, every cell, every nerve of his body felt Draco right there.

And Harry thought, thought that he had never been so aware of his enemy like he was now.

“You’re shaking.”

“I’m—I’m not.”

Draco smiled again. ~

“Harry?”

The man jumped, the teen-looking-Draco in front of him morphed into a mature older one—looking at him weirdly.

“I…Sorry, I spaced out a bit.”

The blond huffed and shook his head.

“Er, did I miss something?”

“We were having an argument.”

“Oh.”

“Right, ‘oh’ eloquent as ever, Potter.”

Harry rubbed his cheek with his hand and looked away. At the memory of that famous night, his knees had suddenly weakened. He grabbed on the railing for support and breathed in.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry.”

Draco almost fell over from his standing position.

“Harry?”

“I shouldn’t have burst out like that, I’m sorry.”

Draco closed his mouth, nodding slowly and settled himself, even if rather stiffly, on the railing again watching the panorama.

“You were always a roller-coaster of emotions anyways.” The blond murmured.

Harry watched their shoulders and elbows almost brush, and he looked away before he said anything else.

Suddenly, Harry shifted his eyes towards Draco and was surprised to meet silver eyes.

“What..?”

Draco eye’s flickered for a bit, deeply looking at Harry’s as if searching for something else. Harry’s hands curled around the railing, warning thumps resonated from his heart.

“What?” he asked again, his voice stronger now.

And Draco smiled, smiled at him like that time when they were sixteen.

“Nothing.”

******