ernie + draco + teddy + the lovely hannah
WHO: Ernie MacMillan, Hannah Abbott, Draco Malfoy, & Theodore Nott
WHAT: Office shenanigans followed by BFF bonding.
WHEN: Backdated to Friday
WHERE: The office and a pub.
RATING: PG
STATUS: DONE





Ernie was pretty unnerved by Draco’s news though he had to admit he felt glad the Slytherin told him personally. Had Ernie heard it through the grapevine, he’d have felt like he and Draco hadn’t made any progress at all. It had been a long time since he, Draco, and Teddy played together, but Ernie was starting to feel like they were part of each other’s lives again. It meant the world to him even if he was scared to believe it.

Nonetheless, none of Ernie’s happy feelings toward his rediscovered mates related to the idea of Pansy birthing a child neither she nor Draco were equipped to handle. Yes, Draco fought in a bloody war, but it wasn’t like he had been so mature afterward! How could they had been so stupid? It was unlike them and it made Ernie angry. He remembered the times they pretended to marry each other when they were all kids, but this? This wasn’t something they could just take back five minutes later.

He tried not to tell Draco how upset he felt. He tried to think of what Ernest would say and Ernie knew whatever it was wouldn’t be tinged with judgment. It wasn’t a skill Ernie had learned from his dad and for that he once again wished Ernest’s time hadn’t been so short.

However, his feelings made the office an awkward experience. Teddy had cautioned him against expressing displeasure at the pending nuptials, citing Draco was too excited to entertain any negatives, but it was hard to work in such close quarters when Ernie wanted to advise him about divorce statistics. The baby was going to arrive no matter what and Ernie was proud Draco wanted to do the admirable thing, but his sensible side just couldn’t condone such a hasty marriage. He was too worried about both his old friends.

Still, Ernie was doing his best to keep his lips zipped. He sat at his desk, droning on about property, hoping Draco didn’t have any news about the wedding that he wanted to share. It would take some time before Ernie could keep a poker face about his feelings and he didn’t know if he could hold back his thoughts if Draco mentioned it in person.

Though Hannah had been surprised by what Teddy had told her, it had honestly been more surprise at the fact that he'd told her, of all people. In truth, she'd always thought purebloods did things this way. Perhaps not in that order, exactly, but definitely this way. Married young, had perfect little pureblooded children, and carried on the legacy. A good pureblood girl, especially a wealthy one like Pansy Parkinson, would never be the spinster that Hannah currently envisioned herself being. Late twenties, maybe even early thirties, and still trying to feel herself out in the world. Forget marriage, Hannah would still be trying to decide what she wanted to be when she 'grew up'. Kids? Well, good thing she was the youngest of five already married children, wasn't it?

But she did know one thing and that was that she adored Ernie Macmillan. Always would. She also loved that office of his. Ever since she was a silly little second year and had gone home with him for a few weeks over the summer hols, she'd fallen in love with the atmosphere. Ernest had shown them around, explaining what everything was and who everyone was. He'd treated her like an adult, and she'd always loved the older man for it. She'd gone every year with Ernie to visit his dad. But now? Things were definitely different. She hadn't been since Ernest's passing, and it was with a heavy heart that she walked in, her bag on her shoulder, ready to meet Ernie for lunch.

It didn't feel empty, exactly. One man couldn't empty an entire office. The young woman at the front desk greeted Hannah as she had for the last couple of years since she'd started working, and Hannah made her way towards the back. Best mates of the head of the company got privileges, after all. She nodded in Draco's direction, keeping her face neutral, as she wasn't supposed to know his secret, after all. Teddy got a much warmer smile, and a little wiggle of her fingers. The others she simply smiled at before arriving at Ernie's desk, dropping her bag on to one of the only bare spots. "Clutter, much?" she teased, perching on the very edge like some overrated secretary on the telly.

Ernie might have disagreed with Hannah's assertion that one man couldn't empty the whole place. Every day, he missed his dad and half expected him to walk through the door and take over the reigns again. He felt like he was playing a part half the time and was sure the older men and women who worked with Ernest were just humoring the young, inexperienced boy. It wasn't a good feeling, but Ernie couldn't help it. He was usually so self-assured, but filling his father's footsteps so soon was a daunting task. Hence, he was glad to see Hannah walk through the door just like old times. Of course, when Draco nodded his greeting and Teddy grinned, Ernie was reminded times were very, very different. He even almost asked if Teddy would rather take his spot in joining Hannah for lunch. However, the selfish part that wanted his best mate wouldn't allow Ernie to utter such an offer. Instead, he rolled his eyes. "It will be spotless before I leave tonight," he promised. "I think Teddy dropped all his parchment for me to sign in one pile." He playfully narrowed his eyes at the other young man.

Teddy waved his hand, dismissing such nonsense. "No idea what he's talking about. He needs to sign it and asked for it. What did I do wrong?" He smiled at Hannah again, trying to ignore the butterflies that still fluttered through his stomach when he saw her.

"Who can get any work done with all this chatter?" Draco demanded. He knew Hannah had been given the news about his life so it was making him feel nervous. And when Draco was nervous? Well, he got nasty.

But Hannah had no way of knowing that Draco knew that she knew, and wasn't that starting to sound like the latest episode of Hollyoaks? So she only smiled playfully in the blond's direction and shrugged. "You sound like you could use some chatter." And, in a move so bold most wouldn't even believe it was Hannah Abbott, she moved over to Draco's desk instead and stood, grinning down. "Why haven't you filled up Ernie's desk with parchment, hmm? Getting your work done more quickly than Teddy, I'll bet, yours is already done, hmm?" She flashed a smile over her shoulder at the man's cousin and her own best mate and withheld the giggle that so desperately wanted to bubble up.

Teddy wasn't as good at keeping back his chuckle. The look on his cousin's face was quite priceless.

"Draco? Oh, he wants to be employee of the month or something." Ernie grinned at his co-worker, hoping he'd relax even a tiny bit. It was strange for Ernie MacMillan to think someone needed to relax, but, honestly, it was clear Draco was wound too tightly and about to burst any day. Yet another reason not to get married, but Ernie tried to keep that thought from reaching his lips. At least then.

"You know, you all can leave," Draco pointed out. "I have plenty of work and it's clear you lot are done..." He looked from one face to another, wondering how the hell he wound up in such a situation. "Some of us need to make a living, you know."

"Yeah, the one losing his fortune," Teddy piped up. Despite the somber reminder, he was still smiling. "Relax, cousin." He patted a vacant seat near him. "Hannah, you can come keep me company if you like."

Hannah bit her lip, hard, to keep from being downright flirtatious back. Talking to Teddy as closely as she had again had definitely dredged up most of those old feelings. And with her feeling so completely playful already, it was really only dangerous territory for them all. She did offer Teddy a smile, though, as she wasn't entirely finished trying to bring one Draco Malfoy out of his shell. "Well, he did always take pride in being teacher's pet, didn't he?" she questioned, smiling. "You know, Draco, it's not as if you're getting fired here. Ernie says you're one of his best, and you know he wouldn't lie to me." Okay, maybe it was a teensy bit of an exaggeration, but not much really. Ernie did brag about how well things were going from time to time.

"Teacher's bloody pet?" Draco snapped. "Did you miss them all being up Potter's arse?" The mere reminder of school made Draco forget he was in an office and shouldn't go spouting off the mouth.

"Draco!" Ernie hissed. "Can you not get us shut down for damning Harry Potter?" It was bad enough Harry made Ernie's opinion change monthly; he didn't need Draco adding fuel and getting them all in trouble for slander with the Ministry.

"I vote we talk about food," Teddy cut in, wishing Draco would just lighten up. "I, for one, am starved." He shot Draco a pointed look and, to his delight, Draco sighed and looked back down, a sign he relented.

Hannah sighed. What else could she do? This happened every single time she tried to befriend Draco. She should've been used to it by that point. Then again, she imagined he was probably pretty stressed at that point. A baby on the way and an impending wedding. She refused to blame him. For one, it wasn't in her nature. That and her faith had taught her forgiveness ages ago.

So she moved away from Draco's desk, plopping into the spot Teddy offered at his side. "Well, good for you that I just happened to be on a baking spree this morning before I left home." From the bag she'd brought, she pulled out several baggies of muffins, placing one on his desk and then using her wand to deliver the other two to Ernie and Draco. "There's biscuits, too, but not till you've had something substantial in those stomachs of yours."

"Apricot?" Ernie took a big bite. "Hannah, you are the best friend a bloke could have." Though he didn't outright say it, the thankfulness he felt toward both Hannah and Teddy for their distraction was evident in those words. Well, at least Hannah might pick up on it if she was paying close enough attention.

Draco looked at the muffin like it might burst into flames before glancing at Hannah again. "Thank you," he said politely. Was he really so pathetic that his cousin's ex-girlfriend brought him muffins? He smirked, thinking what Pansy might have to say about that.

"Try it," Teddy urged. "It's good." He reached behind him, grabbing some drinks from the mini-fridge that magically had all the room in the world. "Ernie says cola keys us up too much so...water or juice?"

Ernie glared at the smiling faces. "Well, it's true."

Hannah ducked her head to hide her giggles. "He mostly says that because he's the same way. Should've seen him the first time I gave him a Jolt Cola," she told the pair before examining the refrigerator from over Teddy's shoulder. "Juice, please. Apple, goes best with the apricots." Though she'd already eaten, she still took a small bite of a muffin of her own. "And I promise, Draco, my baking isn't likely to kill you. Someone had to keep my house running last year."

Draco felt a new sense of pity for the girl when she said that. He hadn't really cared when her mother passed, but since losing important people in his life, he knew he didn't wish that pain on anyone, muggle-born or not. "Right." He took a bite, forcing a smile. "Thank you," he repeated. "It's very nice." He nearly added he was sorry for her loss, but it seemed something stupid to say so late in the game.

"Nice? It's food, not a robe," Teddy said, scooting his chair between Hannah and Draco. "Cousin, if you are not busy, I have some extra reports..."

"Don't even try it. Ernie, do you see what he's doing?"

"Don't you dare," Hannah scolded, thwapping at Teddy's hand. "He's already said he had plenty of work to do." That and she may have possibly just been looking for an excuse to touch Teddy. Oops. "Ernie, can't you keep these two in line?"

"Ow!" Teddy protested over the chuckles. "Since when am I the least useful here?"

"I don't know? Since always?" Draco let his guard down for the moment, knowing if he wanted Ernie and Teddy in his life, he had to at least give Hannah a chance. Besides, they had some...interesting talks before. Right?

"No, I can't." Ernie shook his head, pretending to look very sad. "It's a wonder we don't go under." It was a total lie of course. Without Draco and Teddy's extra effort, Ernie never would have gotten all those records out to the Ministry in time. They had saved his father' s business and Ernie would never forget that.

Hannah rolled her eyes at that, amusement lighting her face. "Didn't hurt, you big baby," she scolded Teddy before turning to the others. "Why don't I believe that nonsense? You need these guys. Even if you do apparently need a fly-swatter to bat them apart." A smirk crossed her face and she pulled out the bag of biscuits. "Now, boys, play sweet or no more goodies for you."

"So you've met my aunt," Draco retorted, his smile genuine as he thought about his beloved Aunt Kaleigh. "This one's mother, I mean. That aunt." It was weird to think he had another, but it felt good to have to clarify.

"I'll be the best one in this room for one of those!" Teddy exclaimed, looking more like an excited little boy than the man he was becoming.

Ernie finally got out of his chair and went to wrap an arm around Hannah's shoulders. "Thanks for giving me the tool to keep them in line." He winked playfully at her. "Blokes are like dogs then? Do anything for a treat? Is that what you think?"

Grinning, Hannah leaned into Ernie's hold, laughing a little. "Don't lie, they work on you, too. You're my inspiration for doing so." She kissed his cheek with a smirk. "He tries to sound all big and bad," she told the cousins, "but you just have to occasionally remind him that you knew him in nappies." The look she shot up at her best mate was entirely angelic. Really!

Ernie turned bright red. He was grateful most of the office had left for lunch or he just might have banned Hannah from his job for all eternity.

"And that he occasionally still wet his trousers when my father walked into a room," Draco added in his most helpful tone.

"What, was that unusual?" Teddy joked, throwing Hannah another smile. He wasn't sure when it got easier between them, but he was glad for it.

"You are just weak, the pair of you." Draco finish the muffin, holding a plate out for biscuits. "Please?"

Ernie forgot his embarrassment long enough to marvel at Draco's attitude change. He'd give Hannah something nice for it later.

Smiling almost shyly at the fact that not only had Draco actually asked her for something, but had been polite about it, she handed over the baggie. "Take however many you want," she offered, opening the bag for him before placing it on his desk. "There's plenty more. I go on baking sprees when I get bored."

"Bored?" Teddy echoed. "How can you be bored when we're here just waiting for all those goods?" He didn't mention seeing her was an added bonus. He still recalled their rocky relationship and it was a hard thing to move past no matter how warm she made him feel.

"Or when you could come join the fun every day," Ernie reminded her. He couldn't help that his face grew more serious when he regarded her. He didn't know why she wouldn't at least entertain the thought of working with them.

"Oh, yes," Draco said as he fished a biscuit from its bag, "She wants to work with you two breathing down her neck and demanding food."

In truth, she couldn't make herself work for Ernie. He was her closest friend, closer even than Megan and Susan combined. Working side by side with him might taint that in some way. Might make her grow to resent him. There was nothing in the world she'd hate more. "Because I'm so much better at serving tea to lovesick kids," she said smugly, leaning back in her chair and propping one knee against Teddy's desk. "Besides," she added to Teddy, "if I didn't get bored and go baking, then you wouldn't get any goods no matter how long the three of you waited."

"Since when am I waiting?" Draco demanded as he noted how comfortable she looked near Teddy. It worried him that Teddy might get his heart broken all over again.

"Since you sampled her delicious biscuits?" Teddy supplied, taking a quill to lightly tap at Hannah's knee. "Watch the desk," he mock warned. "No scratches now."

"Right, because none of us know how to charm it proper again." Ernie wished it could feel as easy as it did then always. It was nice to joke around with his old friends and have Hannah there even given her history with Teddy.

For the most part, though, Hannah had put her history with Teddy behind her. Yes, it still hurt to know she wasn't what he wanted, and maybe it always would. And she couldn't deny there would always be memories of their times together when she looked at him. But most importantly, she was just grateful to have her friend back. "Yes, Dad," she teased, though she made a great display of putting her feet back on the ground with a sigh. Silly boys. "Mind you, I was going to ask Ernie if he wanted to join me for lunch, but seeing as I think he just filled up on muffins, I'm going to have to make a reappearance on my next day off."

"Filled up? Is that possible?" Ernie protested. On a normal day, he might have said he had too much work to escape the office for that long, but he wanted away from Draco and Teddy for a little while and, more importantly, to spend time with Hannah. He didn't want to drift apart and he missed her when she wasn't around.

Teddy glanced at Draco, but he seemed lost in something he was reading. "Go on, you two. We can handle the office for awhile."

"Mmmm." Draco didn't look up.

"Draco agrees," Teddy added.

Covering her chest with one hand and giving an exaggerated gasp, Hannah turned to Teddy with her mouth open. "You mean this place can function for an hour without Ernie? Does he know?"

Teddy held a hand up as if shielding away her words. "Oh, no, you won't catch me insulting the boss!"

"Oh, suddenly the tone has changed?" Ernie demanded. He tried to look stern and put off, but it didn't really work with Hannah standing there looking at him with those knowing eyes. Damn her for knowing him too well!

"Well, someone needs to leave or I won't get anything done and then..." Draco looked at the clock meaningfully.

And then he wouldn't be able to get home to his expecting fiancee? Ernie winced at the thought. "Er, you are right. We pulled enough late nights. Shall we, Hannah?"

Hannah hopped up, giving Teddy a nudge to his shoulder and a wiggle of her fingers to Draco. "Come on, Ernie. Not your fault Draco can't concentrate when there's fun to be had. I think he just gets mad he can't join in."

"Won't be joining in anything soon enough," Ernie muttered as soon as he was tugged out of the office. "Sorry," he muttered. "But I am not!" He sounded horrible and he well knew it, but he was worried. He knew he couldn't handle a child (or wife) at his age so why the hell would Draco Malfoy be able to?

Hannah didn't hesitate to whack him in the arm. "Don't be mean, Ernest MacMillan! Besides..." A slightly wicked look crossed her face. "He so rarely came out to play, anyway!"

"Ow! Heavy hand!" Ernie was too much a gentleman to shove her, but he did glare. "What? Are you telling me this is their brightest idea ever?" He kept walking down the street toward their favorite lunch spot.

Seeing as she wasn't supposed to actually know, Hannah put on her innocent face. "What, letting you out of the office for an hour? Probably not, they're likely to burn the place down."

"Oh, don't." Ernie wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Though I do sometimes worry about the burning down thing...okay, no! I know you know! Teddy filled me in after Draco did."

Rolling her eyes, Hannah leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Do none of you understand the concept of a secret?" she huffed, though she was smiling. "It's not our place to judge them, Ernie. No, I wouldn't want it to be me. But I know if it did happen, I wouldn't handle it any differently."

"Well, Draco knows too," Ernie mentioned as he held the door to the pub open. "He told me and he knows Teddy told you so..." He shrugged. "Secrets are nearly impossible. These kind anyway!" He escorted her to "their" section, pausing only to smile at the familiar waitstaff. "You'd go and marry the bloke?" Ernie stared at her in disbelief.

Good question. She sat, unfolding her napkin and draping it over her lap while she nodded at the waitress. It'd be the usual for them. "If I loved him, I probably would. Or I'd at least consider it. Wouldn't you? If it were Hermione?"

Ernie's cheeks colored for the second time that day. "E-er. What? We wouldn't be in that sort of situation!" He looked around, worrying someone would hear them and just guess what the whole conversation was about. "Not that we have yet, but when we do..." Feeling hot, he dabbed at his face with a napkin.

Hannah rolled her eyes. Honestly! It wasn't as if she was suggesting he had, or that they were currently in that sort of mess. Or even that, if they were...well, sexual, that it was somehow wrong. "Ernie, come off it. I'm not saying you are. But mistakes happen. It's something you have to be prepared for if and when you do." For someone who'd been raised to not believe in premarital relations, Hannah had a pretty decent grip on the concept.

Ernie gaped at her. "Can we not talk about this? I think I know how to protect myself here!" Oh, it was official. He was mortified. Completely, utterly mortified. Besides, it felt like talking sex with his sisters! Just plain wrong.

She couldn't help giggling. "You know, it's funny... Most people who saw the two of us would think it was me who'd be offended by this kind of talk! But it's just a fact of life, Ernie. Honestly, we're nineteen here."

"I'm not offended," Ernie argued. "I'm just trying to be logical here! And it is not proper for me to discuss such things with you! Mum would be horrified."

"You'd tell your mum you were discussing sex with me? Really?" Oh, Hannah had him by then. She kept her face completely straight as he babbled and blushed and what all. "She really would be horrified, wouldn't she? Probably get to wondering why, too. I mean, we're certainly not, and if you and Hermione aren't... And goodness knows, I'm hardly the one to go to for advice if you were..." Her face looked entirely innocent, but she was dying to burst out laughing.

"Hannah, you are so lucky I love you..." Ernie didn't need to pretend to keep a straight face. His face wouldn't do anything, but stay serious!

Reaching across the table, Hannah took his hand and squeezed. "You're so easy to get riled up, you know. All I'm saying is, it's not our place to decide what's best for Draco and Pansy and their baby. And, if you're his friend and I want to believe you are? Then you'll stand by him no matter what he decides."

Ernie groaned. Why did she have to be so darn sensible? "I know," he admitted, "I know you are right and I am trying...I just don't want them making a mistake." He knew he should contact Pansy, but he was deathly afraid to. What could he say? Sorry? Congrats? He just didn't know.

"It's not your mistake to worry about," she reminded him. "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Just like Hannah to go quoting Proverbs at him, but it was the truth. "You've lost too much time with him...both of them, to turn your back on them now. Not when they need you. I'd be pretty scared right now if I was Pansy. Maybe a little excited, sure, but scared half to death."

Ernie bristled as she started quoting bible verses at him. "I'm not turning my back on anyone! I am doing my best to keep my mouth shut. That's hard, you know."

She lifted her eyebrows at him, crossing her arms in front of her. "My point is, Ernie, you shouldn't have anything to open your mouth about anyway. It's not your problem."

"Since when are mates' problems not our problems? How am I not supposed to fret over it?" He moved back in his chair as the waiter placed their steaming dishes between them. "Thank you," he said automatically.

Though she offered a smile up at the waiter, Hannah saved her speech from Ernie. "All I'm saying, love, is that right now? Draco's not looking at this as a problem. He wants the baby, and he wants the marriage. And telling him it should be otherwise is only bound to push him away all over again." She picked up her fork but immediately put it back down. Reaching out, she tapped Ernie's nose lightly, caring little for whoelse was around. "I know you missed him. Both of them. And I know losing them all over again would hurt. Don't give him a reason to push you away."

"Like he needs a reason," Ernie grumbled, ducking away from her hand. However, a second later, he chuckled. "That nose thing won't always work, you know." He scratched at the area she had tickled.

"That's what you think," she informed him, scooping up a bite and smiling. "We'll be in our eighties, sitting around the old wizards' home, and you'll be all crotchety about the quality of food they're giving you and all I'll have to do is tap your nose and you'll be wondering where those kids are with the song and dance number instead of grumbling."

"I'll be old, not senile," Ernie stated firmly. "I will not be envisioning some musical number in my head, thank you." In spite of his hard statement, he grinned as he dug further into his meal. "Oy, you."

"No, no," Hannah protested, giggling. "The kids who'll come by and cheer up us crazy old folks."

"Oh, really, you think they're going to start performing musicals in the middle of the old folk home?" Ernie winced, not wanting to think about that one bit. Plus, he couldn't help thinking his father never even got that far. It seemed strange for Ernie to think of living past his father's age. Who would he have to model himself after at that age if he hadn't seen his dad grow old?

Hannah huffed, though she was still smiling. "Clearly, old wizards' homes are far different from the muggle sort if you didn't know that. They have to keep the little old people happy. I did a thing at one in primary school. We made them paper flowers and adopted a grandparent and then sang them some song about rainbows making the rain go away. It was lovely." In order to not burst into giggles, she shoved a bite into her mouth and hid her eyes.

"It sounds like you tortured them with awful singing," Ernie teased. "No way do I want to be part of something in which we blast out the elderly's eardums."

"Excuse you," Hannah replied, sticking her tongue out at him. "Little Hannah had quite the precious singing voice. My grandma person wanted me to come back! Of course, she'd lost ninety percent hearing by that point..."

Ernie shook his head as he tried to keep his laughing in check. They were in public! "I certainly hope it was before you showed up?" He kidded.

She pretended to think it over for a good long while. "I think so?" she pondered. "Hard to say."

Looking mischievous, Ernie kicked her foot under the table. "Uh huh!"

"Oooooow," Hannah whined, just loud enough that the couple at the table behind them looked up. "I'm being beaten and abused." She sniffed in exaggeration, fighting off any sign of laughter. And failing. She started coughing from the desperation to not laugh.

"Hannah!" Ernie hissed. "People are going to call the Ministry on me!" He propped his face in one hand, smothering his laugh.

"You? Good, law-abiding you? Nah, they'll blame me."

"And like the gentleman I am...I'll agree to go to Azkaban." He reached over to squeeze her hand. "Thanks for coming today."

Hannah tilted her head, smiling at him. No one knew him as well as she did and she knew it. Not Teddy or Draco, not his sisters, not even Hermione could know Ernie like his best friend. "You're not the only one who needed a day out," she told him, squeezing his hand in return. "Now finish up before Draco thinks I'm letting you shirk your duties."