Cock and Bull 26
Banner by herumtreiber
Title: Cock and Bull 26
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Harry/Draco, Seamus, Milicent
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 840
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for ldydark1, who asked for Cock and Bull
Summary: Gone to the dogs
The next day, a series of sharp barks from Frankie alerted Harry and Draco that they had company. Harry stepped out on the porch, mentally reviewing several wandless defensive spells he was proficient with. There hadn't been any trouble lately, but Harry hadn't forgotten his lessons in constant vigilance.
A strange truck rolled up slowly and parked between the house and the barn. Frankie barked again, there was an answering bark from the truck, and Rocco crowed a challenge. The doors of the vehicle opened.
"Seamus!" greeted Harry.
"Millicent!" cried Draco.
The four friends met in the yard. Harry and Seamus shook hands, while Draco caught Millicent up in a spontaneous hug. "How are you?" he asked her. "What are you doing here?"
Millicent laughed. "I'm fine," she replied. "Finnigan took me on so I could serve out my community payback, although it hasn't been much of a punishment," she confessed. "I love working with the dogs."
Draco quirked a brow. "I thought you were a cat fancier."
"I like cats and dogs," said Millicent. She bent and scooped up Oscar. "And who is this fine fellow?"
Harry answered before Draco could. "That's Draco's cat, Oscar."
"We brought the dogs," Seamus interjected, reaching out to pat one of the crates in the back of his Land Rover.
"Do you have time to come in for a nosh?" asked Harry. When Seamus agreed, Harry led the way back into the house. Draco pulled the table away from the kitchen wall so that four people could sit around it. He then sliced the chocolate cake he'd baked earlier, while Harry put the kettle on for tea.
As they visited, Harry was delighted to learn that Millicent had proven an apt assistant for Seamus, especially when she stated she planned to stay on and work with him once her payback was complete. Millicent was keen on learning about Draco's chores on the farm. and once they were finished eating, Draco led her outside to introduce her to the livestock.
When they were alone, Seamus smiled and said, "You're looking good, Harry. So is Malfoy. I admit I didn't believe he could handle farm life."
"I wasn't sure he could, either," said Harry. "He's taken to it quite well, however. He's especially proud of those ridiculous, fancy chickens."
"Is he planning to stay, or will he go haring back to London as soon as he can?"
Harry's mouth turned down. "I hope he stays; I've come to rely on his help."
"Is that what they're calling it these days?"
"Shut it, Seamus."
By the time Seamus and Millicent left and chores were finished, it was early evening. Harry rang Threadgill's mobile, only to learn he wouldn't return home until later that night. Harry chose not to call Mrs Gilgenberry, deciding instead to put the young dogs in the barn overnight. He and Draco let them out for a romp first, laughing as Frankie tried to herd them.
Harry left Draco playing with the dogs while he levitated the crates into the barn and settled them next to the stacked bales of hay. Ivy and Oakley pressed up to the fences of their pens, hoping it was feeding time again, while Chauncey and the cows observed from their end of the barn. Barney hooted softly from the rafters, and the cats wound around Harry's ankles. He smiled, feeling quite content with life at the moment.
Draco entered the barn with all three dogs capering along with him. The well-trained youngsters went into their crates on command, leaving Frankie to whine from outside. She sank onto the floor next to the crates and laid her chin on her paws.
"It appears that Miss Frankie wants to sleep in the barn tonight," said Draco.
"She doesn't get to enjoy many sleep-overs," Harry said with a chuckle.
"Maybe she needs another dog to keep her company."
Harry huffed. "She has cats, chickens, cows, and horses to keep her company."
"And a mule and a donkey."
Harry shook his head as he led the way back to the house. When had his small farm become such a zoo? Harry toed off his work shoes as soon as he stepped inside. "Bulstrode seems happy," he mused.
"I'm glad," said Draco. "Frankly, I don't know why she had to perform community payback at all. Millie was always the one who kept out of any conflict. Pansy and Nott used to take the mickey out of her for it. I wonder what became of those two?"
"I can ask Hermione if she knows," said Harry. He walked into the kitchen with Draco trailing behind him. Harry put the dishes in the sink, including the cake pan. "You'll need to bake another cake soon."
"I'll do it tomorrow," Draco responded as he pushed the table back into place and began wiping it with a soapy flannel.
Harry started the water running in the sink, grinning in spite of the fact that he loathed washing dishes. Household chores were more fun when shared.
Cock and Bull 27