Energy

Chapter 5: Cafe'
The tiny café held several small tables with spindly chairs, placed randomly through out a small room. The walls were decorated with pictures of wine bottles and images of the Eiffel Tower. It reminded Draco of the café’s that lined the streets of Paris.

It had been a good three years since the blond had visited France. In fact the last time he had been there was for the opening of their first five star hotel in the country. The party had been larger than any he had attended prior and had been plagued with a hang over for two days straight.

Now he stood waiting for the hostess to seat him and his guest.

The brunette standing by his side intrigued Draco for some strange reason. His petite form was partly hidden by baggy sweat pants and shirt. His cheeks were a rosy red from the warm summer sun. His skin was warm brown that contrasted his own fair complexion.

“Have you ever eaten here before?” Harry seemed surprised by the question.

“Oh...here... I mean no,” he seemed to trip over his words.

“Neither have I. I hear their sandwiches are rather good.” Harry only nodded.

The two were broken from their awkward conversation by both the entrance of a still disgruntle Blaise Zabini and the appearance of a bubbly, dark haired hostess.

“Your table is this way Mr. Malfoy.”

“Malfoy?” Harry’s voice seemed surprised.

“Yes, Draco Malfoy.”

“Wipe that look off your face Draco, you’re a house hold name, so what?” Blaise’s irritation was rolling off of him in waves. Harry watched him warily expecting the teen to lash out.

The group was led to a small circular table towards the back. Harry noticed the waitress giving Malfoy the once over several times in the short trip to the table. When her eyes met his, he couldn’t help the blush that accompanied her coy smile.

The three seating themselves around the table before glancing over their menus. The prospect of a decent lunch was working miracles on Blaise’s attitude and conversation flowed easily as the three munched on sandwiches and drank peach tea.

Harry couldn’t help but enjoy the normality of the situation, though he doubted few could say they had lunch with the Malfoy heir and his best friend. The two never made Harry feel inferior, which was quite refreshing.

“So Harry have you ever been to Pulse?” Pulse was a night club in the heart of the city. It was known for being one of the hardest to get into, strictly A-list.

“No.”

“Blaise and I were planning on going tomorrow, would you be interested in joining us?” At this question it wasn’t only Harry who seemed shocked. Blaise was giving Draco a look that was obviously asking what he was thinking. Harry ignored Blaise’s look, it wasn’t like he could go anyway.

“I actually have to work tomorrow night.”

“Oh... Well where are you working?”

“Shay’s Diner, its not to far from here, only a couple blocks east.” Harry had worked at the diner for only four months. It was his reward for being such a good little boy for Tom. Most would think that a job is hardly a blessing, but it gave Harry extra cash and kept him out of the house. It was also easier for Tom to keep track of him when he wasn’t with him.

“Well perhaps I’ll stop by.” Again the blonde surprised him. Harry only gave a slight smile and nod.

The rest of their time at the restaurant passed by quickly and the three loaded into the car and began the short trip to the market where Harry would be dropped off.

“Promise me you’ll watch out for cars going home, ok kid?” Harry smiled at the utterly suave blonde.

“Thank you for lunch.”

“It’s the least we could do.” Draco flashed his killer smile one last time and then he and Blaise were off. Harry turned to face the grocery store already trying to convince himself that his afternoon had not been a dream.
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Harry cursed as a roach scuttled it’s way across the kitchen floor. It was under the groaning, ugly fridge before he could do a thing about it. With a disgusted look the teen turned back to the stove, stirring the macaroni mess he was trying to prepare.

It was a box dinner, one that advertised in big bold letters on the box, that only took fifteen minutes to prepare. Unfortunately for Harry it seemed that half an hour was as good as it would get for him.

“What the fuck is that?”

“Dinner, Dudley. Don’t like it, then don’t eat.”

“What’s your problem?” Harry chose to ignore his cousin. Dudley was a giant headache. Come to think of it Dudley was a giant, period. While Harry was lean Dudley was bulky... to an extreme. “You working tonight?”

“Nope, I get to stay at home, lovely huh?”

“Tom doesn’t want you?”

“Not tonight,” Harry stirred the noodles trying to keep his temper in check.

“Didn’t think he could do without his fuck toy.”

“Shut up Dudley.”

“Maybe he is gettin sick of your scrawny ass,” Dudley chuckled.

“SHUT UP!”

“What the hell is going on?” Both Dudley and Harry spun around instantly falling silent. Vernon lumbered into the room. Harry backed up until he was pressed against the sink. That didn’t stop his Uncle from approaching him.

“I asked you a question.” His breath reeked of stale alcohol. Harry tried not to wince as his uncle grabbed his throat.

“It was nothing, I swear.” That seemed to appease his Uncle as he released Harry’s throat. Dudley was already making his way to his room. Vernon took two steps back his eyes darting around the kitchen. They landed on the nearly prepared macaroni casserole. It appeared he was as impressed with its appearance as his son.

“Trying to kill us boy?” His voice echoed in the dirty flat. Harry kept his eyes down. Vernon grabbed the pan handle and launched it across the kitchen. This time Harry did flinch as the pan crashed loudly with the floor. The casserole was splattered everywhere.

“Clean this shit up! I want something fixed in half an hour!” When Harry didn’t answer Vernon charged him again grabbing his chin in a bruising grip. “Do you understand!”

“Yes sir.” Harry didn’t even notice that his Uncle left the kitchen. He slipped slowly to the floor taking in the mess he would have to clean. One deep breath and then he began.