#they live in france

[buttered-baguette-writes]

Europe Feels Like a Kiss

((Part 2))

A few days had passed, and Harry hadn't done much. He texted with the group Draco and Pansy introduced him to and called with Hermione and Ron, but otherwise, he didn't really socialise.

Looking for a bit of adventure, Harry decided to set out on the streets again in hopes of finding something fun along the way. He walked for a while, going past all the places and alleyways he had already explored in order to get to the unknown.

He eventually made his way past the restaurant he had gone to the other night with Pansy and Draco, then kept on going down the street. However, he didn't make it very far as a dog came barrelling down the cobblestones straight for him. It was most certainly still a puppy, but it was huge.

The wonders of Great Danes.

The dog was spotted and multi-coloured, and its front paws were quickly on Harry’s pants, just begging for attention. Its tail wagged so hard and fast that it became nothing but a blur.

“Well, hello there! And who are you?” Harry cooed at the ginormous puppy, hands scratching its body while also trying to grasp the collar so he could read it. “Luca’s Shelter huh? And how did you get out?”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

“Harry? Oh, thank goodness!” Luca yelled out from across the street, looking puffed with a leash looped to his pants. He stayed where he was, putting a hand to his chest as he simply breathed.

Tugging softly at the dogs’ collar, Harry awkwardly pulled the dog across the street. It was a strong pup. The dog tugged away from him but towards Luca the closer they got to the other man. Harry offered a bright smile. “Hi.”

“I’m so happy to see you!” Luca said before quickly and quietly chastising the large puppy. The pup had bowled past him at the shop entrance when he went to take him for a walk. “Milo here is a troublemaker,” Luca added, finally clipping on the lead.

“Cute though.”

“Yeah,” Luca agreed.

“I can walk him back for you?” Harry suggested, wanting something to do. Besides, he had been meaning to see Luca’s shop.

Luca looked at him sceptically for a moment before Milo tugged towards something down the street. He quickly handed the leash to Harry, not ready to run again. “Please.”

Harry smiled. Taking the lead, he let out a short whistle, catching the dogs attention. “Come on,” he said energetically.

Milo trotted happily in front of Harry as the man walked next to Luca, making small talk.

By the time they made it back to the shop, Milo was one tired puppy. However, he would certainly be ready to play after a very short nap.

Harry spent the rest of his day at Luca’s store helping out, playing with cats and dogs, and getting to know the Italian man. Lottie dropped by, having forgot her lunch in their apartment upstairs.

Harry had had such a good time that he promised to come by and help out again. The kittens and Milo were his favourite.

On his venture to find a place for dinner, Harry came upon a fluffy gray cat that was in a harness and leash. His green eyes jumped to look at the owner who just happened to have a familiar head of blonde hair.

“Are you walking your cat?” Harry asked. Never had he heard of someone taking their cat for a walk.

“Yes,” Draco answered. “Altesse loves the attention.”

“Pardon? What was that name?”

Draco flushed slightly. He was a proud cat owner, but he never had to explain his cats name in English. He didn't know why he felt so silly about it in that moment. “Altesse, or, Son Altesse.” He answered, knowing the look on the other man’s face. “It means –”

“Her Highness?”

“How did you…”

“I have a translating spell,” Harry said sheepishly. He had wanted to learn the language but was struggling to pick it up on his own in the short time he had been there.

Draco just watched him as he bent down to greet Altesse. Draco heard him say something in French, amused when Her Highness sniffed his hand snootily before accepting a quick scratch between her ears.

“What’re you doing?” Harry asked as he stood back up.

“Dinner. Haven't decided what yet.”

Harry perked up. “Can I join you? I’ve no idea where to go.”

Draco gave him a once over before agreeing, taking them to a fabulous restaurant a few streets over. They ordered their food to go – at Draco’s insistence – taking it back to the blonde's flat.

It was larger than Harry’s.

There was two bedrooms and a bathroom to one side. The kitchen was a decent size, a small island with stools. There was a couch against one wall and a shelf on the other. Large windows littered the entire apartment. There was a full balcony off the living space with a little table and two mismatching chairs.

It was very inviting.

Harry was there for a few hours. The conversation always flowing.

Harry talked about the time he spent as an Auror, the ministry not putting him through the proper training course. That experience had drained him so much. And the media made it worse, especially when he quit. Then, when he began setting up his charities, the press hounded him about his dating life.

“England went wild when they found out I got a tattoo,” Harry reminisced with a dry laugh. “Even muggle places weren’t safe.” He had booked the appointment under an alias at a muggle parlour, but someone found out anyway.

Draco took a sip of his wine, horrified by the media tales. “And I thought they were nice to saviours and such,” he said. His experience had, of course, been terrible, but they hadn't followed him everywhere.

“I wish…” Harry replied. He did miss home, but he needed to be away. At least for a little while. His eyes drifted to a photo of a young Draco and his mother. “How is your mum?” He asked.

Draco sighed.

Narcissa had insisted on staying in England, now in a small cottage on the outskirts of society. She had been pushed there, and so had Draco. But she was being as strong as she could. The blonde explained that he hadn't wanted to leave her at first, but there was nothing left for him back there. No motivation to get back into a society that didn't want him.

Then, he got a call from Pansy who begged him to go to Paris. The way she talked about her business actually inspired him to do something. So, he left.

“I’d most likely be moping and greying if she hadn’t called,” Draco said, half joking.

Harry agreed. While Draco introduced him to his friends, Pansy offered him work. “Does she do that a lot?”

Draco quirked a brow. “Do what?”

“Give people jobs?”

Finishing his glass of wine, Draco smiled fondly as he thought about his friend. “If you mean the likes of you and me, yes. She has a sixth sense almost,” he joked. However, the bespectacled man looked confused. “She picks up on those who have talent in her line of work, even if they don’t realise it.”

Harry found that fascinating. “Is that how she chooses most of her staff?”

“All of us,” Draco replied. “Even you.”

Harry went to say something, but before he could, a fluffy cat jumped on his lap and demanded attention.

“Altesse! Sorry, she normally doesn't do that,” Draco apologised.

“No worries,” Harry waved it off, hands petting the cat lovingly. “You’re cute so you know you can get away with it,” he mumbled to the cat who flicked her ear in approval.

Since Harry didn't mind, Draco didn't either. He grabbed the bottle from the table, pouring himself some more wine. He titled it towards Harry’s glass in question, pouring when the man nodded.

“Do you have pets?” Draco asked, amused by the way his cat and Potter were playing.

“No,” Harry said almost sadly. “But the animals at Luca’s shelter are wonderful.”

“So, you’d adopt?”

“Definitely.” Harry looked back up at the blonde grinning. “I’d need a bigger place though.”

Harry spent the next day lounging about his apartment. He was lucky enough to have a tub in the bathroom, so he figured he’d make the best of it. He lit one of those candles he bought the other day and sunk into the warm water. His hair was tied up, glasses sitting on the vanity.

He almost fell asleep in there.

When he got out, he wrapped a towel around his waist and nothing more. He quickly regretted that as the breeze that swept through his apartment was chilly on his skin.

With a sigh, he realised he would have to go shopping. He did bring clothes with him, but he also knew the weather in France was different than England. Besides, he figured he might try to dress more like a Parisian. Something different, something fun. Yet another thing to separate him from the stress back in England.

Putting on a shirt and pants, Harry plopped down onto his couch. Before he could do anything, his phone buzzed on the side table. Curious, he picked it up.

From: Draco Malfoy

               Drinks is on Wed. this week.

               If you wanted to come.

The tips of Harry’s lips lifted. He had been wondering if they had drinks on the same night every week after finding out just how busy Pansy was. He assumed the others were also super busy, seeing as they all owned their own businesses.

Harry quickly typed out his reply.

-- Love to. Should I bring something?

From: Draco Malfoy

               More pastries. Pansy’s request.

Harry sent back a smiley face. Tossing his phone back onto the side table, he got comfy on the sofa. After a while, he drifted off to sleep as the sun changed direction and filled his apartment with warmth.

Wednesday… he had two days until then.

Those two days were uneventful. He went back to that rooftop café he found, happy that the workers remembered him. That time, his request for a tea did not throw them off.

Around midday, he stopped by his favourite bakery and got a bag of sweets. He didn't know half the stuff he was ordering, but it all looked fantastic. As long as it wasn't some weird combination like mushrooms and caramel, he was happy.

He made sure to keep the bag out of the sun as he wasted his afternoon away.

Once night began to fall, he locked up his apartment and apparated to Pansy’s. He arrived earlier than the week prior but was not surprised to see that most were already there. As he was led up the stairs, he found Elle, Camile and Draco lounging on the couches, wine glasses already in their hands.

“Bonsoir Harry,” Elle greeted him. She rose from the couch to give him a kiss on the cheek before moving on to Pansy. The latter had hurried to the kitchen to stash the pastries. Putting her glass down, Elle crept up behind Pansy, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Ma chérie, are you not going to share?”

Harry looked away. Maybe too quickly. But seeing that interaction had reminded him of his singleness and how most of his attempts at a relationship had ended on not-so good terms. Apart from Ginny, of course.

He plopped himself down next to Malfoy without thinking about it.

The blonde didn't seem to mind. Instead, he raised a brow at his friend who was sitting on the other couch.

Camile was giving him a look that meant she wanted to know something. “So, Draco,” she started, sipping her wine. The red on her lips left nothing behind on the glass. “What happened to that kitchen hand boy?” One of her brows quirked as she smiled.

Malfoy flushed brightly. He cleared his throat before he spoke, resisting the urge to down the rest of his wine. Not only did he not want to talk about that man, but for some reason, the idea of Potter hearing it made it all the worse. “Nothing.”

“Oh, so you dropped him? Shame, he was young and fit,” Camile teased.

“He was only two years younger!” Draco protested. It wasn't as if he was trying to date someone just out of school. No, he was more respectable than that.

Pansy suddenly appeared with more wine bottles and glasses. She complained about how Draco had complained about the kitchen hand, talking about it on their lunch breaks. On the bright side, the man had decided to move to a different restaurant – which was good news for Elle as the man was helping her competitor.

Harry was confused as the woman started joking about how Malfoy shouldn't be one to complain.

Their smiles turned almost evil as dread hit Draco hard.

“You mean, you don’t know about Mr. Pamper Prince here?” Camile asked.

Malfoy stopped the conversation right there. He begged his friends to change the topic. He already had them poking fun at his beauty routine, he didn't feel like adding Potter to the mix.

Thankfully, Lottie and Luca arrived just in time. However, the latter was a bit down.

Luca didn't chat much as the gathering officially started and the others were getting worried. He was usually the hyper one, even after spending all day with the animals at his shelter.

Luca sighed when asked what was wrong. “Milo had people interested, but they thought he was too hyper.” It was true that the Great Dane was a bit on the energetic side, but that shouldn't stop him from going to a nice home. “He's only six months! No where near the end of the puppy stage.” His eyes shot up to look at Potter. “He missed you today, I think,” Luca said.

Harry tilted his head slightly, hair tumbling with the movement. “Really?”

Luca nodded and said with a small laugh, “You can keep up with him better.”

Beside Potter, Malfoy looked mortified at the idea of having such a large dog. Maybe he’d come around one day, but that was a hard maybe.

The night continued. Eventually, everyone was lively and enjoying the wine. At some point, Pansy did retrieve the pastries from the kitchen and offered them to her friends.

The group talked about random things, tried to get to know Harry a bit more, and failed to create a spontaneous group outing. Everyone kept saying they were busy or that they needed to check their calendars.

Fed up, Pansy went and got a spare calendar from downstairs. She began by scribbling down her and Draco’s schedule for the rest of the week. Muttering something under her breath, the paper duplicated itself. Everyone watched on curiously as she wrote something on one of the calendars. Seconds later, it appeared on the duplicate.

Satisfied, Pansy leant back. She repeated those muttered words and created five more copies of the calendar. Holding the pen tighter, she concentrated hard and the entries for her and Draco changed colours.

“There,” she said, happy with her work. “Now we can plan easier.”

The others stared at her, impressed. Even a bit tipsy she knew how to do something complicated.

Harry counted the number of calendars she did, unable to keep the smile that spread on his lips. There was enough for all seven of them. His heart did a funny thing at the thought that he was already a member of their friend group, considering how close they all seemed.

“Welcome to the club,” Draco said. He was smiling when Harry looked over at him. “No leaving now,” he joked.

If Pansy wasn't sitting on the other couch, she would have hit his arm.

The next day, Harry watched in awe and horror as his calendar began to fill itself in.

Pansy was the busiest in the group. She had meetings after meetings, run throughs, networking events, the different stores… The list felt endless. Then again, it was her business that she started from scratch. Not only was she the boss, but she was still head creator for new designs and such. A businesswoman of many talents.

Elle was the second busiest. She was manager and owner at her current two restaurants as well as being head chef at them both whenever she stepped into the kitchen. She was much like Pansy – doing everything in order to do it right. She was looking for a third location, feeling confident.

Camile was surprisingly the next. Her plant nursery was doing well but she was also involved with local universities and researchers of all kinds. People looking to make discoveries or cures. She was often in meetings or helping a potions expert brew something new or trying to make a specific plant grow.

Luca had a normal enough working week. Though his hours were much longer. He put most of his energy into keeping his shelter running and didn't have a lot of employees – less than what others would recommend, but they were good. His days could be flexible if he really needed them to be. Every now and then, a charity event would be sprinkled in.

Draco was somewhat busy, but certainly not the worst. Currently, his number of shoots were minimal as P. Parks Fashion was putting together their next season. His next few months involved test running outfits and sitting in on certain meetings to give his stylistic input.

Lottie didn't have a clear schedule. She would simply block out time periods or entire days where she was unavailable. Nobody had a clue what she did. Well, apart from the few times she'll be requested by a school or hospital and entertain kids who really need a cheer up.

And then there was Harry. The only reason he knew what his colour was on the calendar was because Pansy added a legend to the side.

He knew he shouldn't feel bad about it. He was there to relax, unwind, find himself – he didn't need a job. But if he happened upon one, he wouldn't decline.

As he turned away from the almost frightful thing on his wall, his phone went off.

“Hi Pansy,” he greeted.

“Bonjour Harry! I'd love if you came by this afternoon,” Pansy said. There was faint yelling in the background interrupted by a yelp as Pansy’s pen became lodged in the wall between the people. With a breath, she kept speaking. “If you’re interested in the business and also to see one of our camera’s here.”

��Sure.”

“Great, see you at four.”

She left no room for debate and as Harry tossed his phone aside to charge, he realised a small detail. Pansy would be in a meeting.

Lucky for Harry, the Slytherin had also called up her favourite blonde and asked him to come in to help.

Draco kindly explained what Pansy was wanting to do, but Harry wasn't taking in the words. His eyes caught sight of white and yellow trailing up the blonde’s arm as he folded up his sleeve.

“Is that a tattoo?” Harry asked, accidently cutting the other man off. The ink looked immaculate against the fair skin. It almost made him want to reach out and trace it.

Draco startled but quickly recollected himself. “Yes,” he said with a smile. “Daffodils – also known as Narcissus.”

“When did you get it done?”

Draco hummed. “The day I came to France. I was tired of seeing that horrid mark and already missed mother dearly,” he said.

For a moment, Harry had forgotten about the dark mark that had been etched onto Malfoy’s skin. The mark that represented ruin in both their lives. Now, he thought the flowers were a far better choice – quite pretty too. A thrill ran up his spine at the idea of getting another tattoo himself.

“Do you have anymore?” Harry asked. He may have hoped to have a tattoo buddy after this, but he was just excited someone else actually had one. None of his friends dared to get them and the only Weasley to have one was Charlie.

“No,” Draco replied. He could clearly see the sudden energy in Potter’s eyes at the mention of the ink. He had stalked the other in 6th year – knowing what those green eyes lighting up meant was a given. Remembering something, Draco grew curious. “How many do you have?”

“Four.” Harry grinned at him.

Against his dark skin was a perfect, singular lily flower right over his heart. It was fairly large and took up most of his pec. On his left shoulder blade was the upper half of a proud stag. It trailed down the side of his back as the fur lines faded. Both were highly detailed and almost life like. On his left shoulder was his smallest and simplest tattoo. It was a filled in dog paw that had the moon and a star above it.

Harry’s last tattoo was of a snitch. It sat curled up on his upper, outer right thigh. “This one was done at a magic parlour.”

“I didn’t know those existed,” Malfoy said. The idea of getting a charmed tattoo intrigued him, but he'd no idea of what to get.

“They’re great,” Harry said. “The snitch can unfurl and moves about.”

“Oh.” Malfoy stared off into the distance, distracted by a thought. Though that was quickly ripped away as he saw friend making her way towards him, heels silent.

Pansy slung her arm around Potter, startling the poor man. She started teasing them that it took forty minutes to discuss what they were supposed to be doing. She got an eyeroll from Malfoy and an apologetic smile from Potter.

“Sorry, I got excited and started talking about tattoos,” Harry explained.

Pansy looked between them and smiled. “I’ll allow it… this time.”

After that, she put them both to work.

Draco was given a long coat that he had to make work with his outfit and accessible accessories. He was to pose and do what he thought might work for a potential photoshoot.

Potter was finally given a camera. Pansy stood next to him as he figured out buttons, lenses, scales, and such. Then it was about him trying to find a good angle even if he thought the pose Draco was in was awkward.

Pansy wanted to see what he could do.

After a while, she stood back and just watched the two work together. Instead of asking her, Potter would ask Draco if he thought an idea might work and the blonde was happy to help. It was fun to watch.

The longer Draco posed, the more relaxed he got, the quieter Potter became and his frown less prominent.

“Alright,” Pansy said with a clap and a smile. She heard the faint click of the camera as Potter took one last photo. She would love to see that one. “C’mon,” she beckoned them both over to a computer booth, connecting the camera.

The photos started off not so great. Even so, if Pansy thought the pose was good, she hit print. Then the pictures started getting better, making even poses she usually didn't like look good. There was a lot there. Some were just pictures of the light instead of Draco.

And then she got to the last one and she smiled. It was a mid-motion shot. Draco was running a hand through his hair with his eyes closed, right after she had called time. He was about to take a step and his tattoos were poking through the coat sleeve slightly, the most colourful thing in the entire shot.

Pansy hit print.

Waving a hand, she told Draco to go get Potter dressed in something different before turning back to the computer to save the images off the camera. Brain ticking away, she created a folder and put some of the better ones in there as well as the last one. With quick hands, she shared the folder with Potter before shutting down the computer.

They had a dinner to get to after all.

Part 1 // Part 3

Also on AO3

[monsieurenjlolras]

you've heard of "quiet quitting," now I'd like to introduce you to the next level, The French Work Ethic:

Do exactly what you're paid for and nothing more

Absolutely refuse to be available to contact when you're off the clock

Never prioritize work over your own health, wellbeing, or family because that would be insane, it's just a job.

Have a little glass of wine

Take as long as you feel like for lunch

Deeply understand that work doesn't matter

Make sure your boss knows they're always your second priority ❤️

[gentlemanmotorslifestyle]

[xxgwenstacyxx]

y'all...

[life-on-our-planet]

The Patagonian mara is a large rodent, resembling a large jackrabbit and most closely related to capybaras and guinea pigs. They're monogamous until one partner dies, but generally breeding happens in large communal dens where care of young is occasionally shared. ©

[ammascrellin]

And when I'm back in Chicago, I feel it Another version of me, I was in it

lady bird (2017) / the bear (2022–) / frances ha (2012) / past lives (2023) / good will hunting (1997) / lost in translation (2003) / fleabag (2016–2019) / normal people (2020) / la la land (2016) / moonlight (2016) / sharp objects (2018) / the worst person in the world (2021) / call me by your name (2017) / shiva baby (2020)

[ancestorsalive]

Gavrinis is a small island in the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany, France. It contains the Gavrinis tomb, a Neolithic passage tomb built around 4200–4000 BC, making it one of the world's oldest surviving buildings. Stones inside the passage and chamber are covered in megalithic art. It is likened to other Neolithic passage tombs such as Barnenez in Brittany and Newgrange in Ireland.

[thatsbelievable]

[temtamtom]

I’ve got 18th century France on the brain again, here he is as a cuirassier ❤️

[vintagehomecollection]

The French Touch: Decoration and Design in the Most Beautiful Homes in France, 1988

[galina]

Hot girlies read books

[gentlemanmotorslifestyle]

[jloisse]

his kid is a legend🔥

🇮🇱: “No Politics Here”

They flipped him into a resistance fighter in less than 30 seconds😭😂

[ilomilodailystuff]

Okay. I see the fandom panicking and even starting to destroy itself...

For the ones who still love GO and would continue to love it as they always did but is judged because of ONE☝️ person's actions that might or might not be true, know you're safe here and I wouldn't judge you for loving GO despite Neil's accusations.

Because you gotta keep in mind that this show AND book are also Terry's. And you have to keep in mind that Neil wasn't alone in that project. Think about all the people that worked on the show, whether it's the crew or the actors. They're absolutely innocent, so why would you spit on their work as if they were guilty too ? Of course none of them would support Neil's actions if it's true, that doesn't mean we have to throw every poster or book or drawing or delete every fanfic or even stop writing fanfic because of this as if everyone were in the same boat.

These accusations are about Neil and Neil only and I would find it kinda sad that this story would be thrown away despite Terry had worked on it too, despite it also was in his memory. Ofc, if it's true, it's obvious Terry wouldn't be okay with it either but does that mean a story fully achieved and their characters have to be condemned with Gaiman ? Mostly when now, a lot of illustrators, writers and animators made it their own ? Mostly when it somehow saved many people's lives ? Mostly when this book or show had made people laugh and cry ?

This fandom is stronger than that.

Let's not mix everything.

Would you find it appropriate to talk about GO to the victims ? Obviously, no. For the sole reason that it's not. the same. thing. We have to put things back in their places. GO is GO, harassment and s*xual aggression are what they are. And it would be incredibly disrespectful to mix both.

So, my point is. Don't be ashamed to love GO despite what's happening. Don't feel guilty for supporting a show while you don't support the author. Don't let the fandom die because of one person's actions when there's so many people who worked on it almost just as much. I understand you're upset, I understand you'd think it might be hypocritical to love a show with the creator being accused of horrible things. But make the difference.

And I can assure you, if Neil is not guilty (and if he is, I hope the victims will get justice and Neil will have what he deserves) I'm pretty sure that he's not thinking about Good Omens at all right now, but just thinking about sorting this out and clearing his name as every innocent person would need to do so.

So, whether the truth is hurtful or a relief, let's keep the GO fandom going. For if it's hurtful, we will make Terry's story alive for his and many people's sake, and if it's a relief, we would have been doing things right by not jumping into conclusions.

Either way, you're welcome here and you're safe with me. Keep loving. Spread some joy. Don't let Neil's possible actions stain a wonderful story that is not only his own ❤️

[bodyhorrorprincess]

[grungeprincess2]

Most iconic Courtney Love outfits- Kinderwhore style