Forgetting the Past

Chapter 4: Lunch

Harry began to consider the fact that he had made a mistake in getting into Rando's chariot. It was considerably bumpier than any other magical vehicle Harry had ever traveled in, save the Knight Bus of course. Also Harry still didn't know where he was going. Damn, he had been stupid. There were still wizards and witches out there who wanted to kill him and here he was jumping in to the first wagon that offers. Stupid, stupid....

"We're here Master Harry!" Rando exclaimed suddenly from the front. He then proceeded to jump down and open Harry's door. As he looked out the door Harry saw an adorable café he'd only been to once, and realized that he was in downtown London.

"Well thank you very much Rando," Harry said to the ever-grinning wizard. He tossed him a coin and walked towards the café. Just as the chariot was about to drive off Harry turned and yelled to Rando, "Just who am I meeting here Rando?"

"Why Master Draco of course sir!" said the little man surprised and then left just as suddenly as he'd arrived.

Oh. Harry had forgotten about the "lunch date". Well, this should be interesting. He stepped in, almost hesitantly, and his eyes took a few moments to adjust. It was much dimmer inside and some soft music was playing from some seemingly invisible speakers. He searched the room for Malfoy, his eyes falling on many young couples, teenage witches and artists. Finally he spotted him.

"Harry! Over here!" Draco called out unnecessarily loudly so that a few of the tables close by turned and stared, or even glared.

"Hey Malfoy,"

"I'm glad you found it!" he said enthused as he stood to pull out a chair for Harry. Between Malfoy and Rando he could get used to being waited on.

"Well since you sent your little minion to collect me it was hard not to,"

Draco blushed, "I wasn't sure if you'd have enough time to get here yourself and since you've never been here before then you couldn't apparate..."

"I've been here before," Harry replied simply.

"With who?" Draco demanded.

"Melanie, one of my ex-girlfriends," Harry said looking at Malfoy curiously, "but that's not what we're here to talk about is it?"

"No, no of course not. Forgive me professor." Draco seemed to take a break mentally to collect his thoughts before continuing, "Have you made a decision concerning the potions master position?"

"I have in fact," Harry answered grimly, "I've decided to give you a try, with a trial period of one month."

"Oh thank you so much Harry! You won't regret it I promise!" Draco grinned broadly at him and motioned to the waitor to come over, "Order anything you want, my treat." They ate lunch and chatted. They didn't only talk about Hogwarts though; their conversation drifted and seemed to cover every subject under the sun. Except those that had obviously become taboo between them, Dumbledore and Voldemort. Harry found himself enjoying the meeting a lot more than he would have guessed he would. Malfoy proved to be interesting, funny and entertaining. The time past quickly and he found himself saying goodbye more quickly than he would have liked. They shook hands and walked out, promising to meet about further instructions for the new post soon.

Upon returning to Hogwarts Harry was greeted by a sour-faced Ginny who looked the other way as soon as she saw him coming and refused to talk to him. A few years ago, or months ago or maybe even hours ago, Harry would have gone after her. But after the great lunch he'd just had he didn't want to spoil it so he left her and went over to the Quidditch pitch to observe the Gryffindor practice. This of course only angered Ginny more and she went off for a private word with Professor Chrysanthemum.