Space Address: 1C - Pink

Word Count: 965

Warnings: Deals with past trauma

Challenges: Clickbait It; Sett to Destroy; In a Flash; Gryffindor MC; Ravenclaw MC; Ethnic and Present

Tertiary: Terse; Tether

AU: Harry ends up with Luna.

~o0o~

"Luna," Harry called as he entered the threshold to their house. "I'm home."

"SNEAK ATTACK!"

Harry caught Teddy midair and adjusted so that he was holding his godson under his arm. Teddy spread his arm and laughed as he was carried through the house.

"It's not a sneak attack if you announce it, Teddy," he said.

"I know that," said Teddy. "But Luna said you shouldn't scare people."

"Excellent advice," said Harry, knowing full well he might've hexed the child if he were startled enough. "Where is Luna anyway?"

"In the garden, painting with gran-gran."

It was a beautiful day so it made sense that Luna would be outside enjoying it. She didn't like to stay cooped up if she could help it. Harry set the excited five-year-old down in the kitchen and exited into the garden where his wife and Andromeda Tonks were sitting. Luna was painting an abstract of their garden while Andromeda did needlepoint.

"Hello, Harry," said Luna. "I have the most wonderful news."

"What is it?"

"You're going to be a father." She gave him a piece of paper.

Harry skimmed it and grinned. "So it's official? Brilliant! When do we go? Do we choose one or is a child assigned to us?"

"I believe they set up meetings," said Luna. "Though it may be different with babies. When I spoke to this woman on the phone, she said we should prepare a room for the baby first."

Harry beamed and squeezed Luna's shoulder. "Well, then, we should start right away. I don't have work tomorrow, so maybe we can go out and shop."

"It must be muggle-made," Luna insisted. "Furniture built with magic like Teddy's was attracts all sorts of creatures, plus it becomes sentient after some time. Not good for children."

"Agreed," said Harry with a nod. "We need to keep the nargles and wrackspurts at bay."

That night, as they settled down for sleep, they put together a list of things they needed.

"I don't think we should worry if the furniture is gendered," said Luna. "I can always repaint it to be more neutral if the baby doesn't like the color. I think we should look more for functionality than aesthetic."

"Right," said Harry. "Though I did read that blue has a calming effect, so that might be a good color to paint the walls."

"We had lots of blue in Ravenclaw," said Luna. "It got a little dreary over the years. How about green? Though I did like the Hufflepuff Common Room."

"I had never been there."

"Cedric let me in a couple times," said Luna, reaching out to take Harry's hand. "We were second cousins you know. He always defended me where he could."

It was no secret that Luna's bullying had gotten worse after Cedric's death. It was easier for Harry to talk about Cedric now, but only with Luna. She had a way of discussing the dead that didn't make him want to jump out the nearest window. Harry squeezed her hand and kissed it.

"You know, Mummy used to say that I had fairy blood in me," said Luna. "And that was why my mind worked differently than others."

"Is that where autism comes from?"

Luna shrugged. "Hard to say. The fairies we have now don't quite fit their literary description do they?"

Harry sometimes wished he studied more muggle science while they were in school. Maybe he should suggest to Hermione some education reforms that might actually do some good. Not like… He shuddered and Luna furrowed her brow slightly.

"It's okay," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're okay."

"I'm okay," he confirmed and removed his glasses. "Let's get some sleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Harry," she said. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Luna"

~o0o~

The next morning, Andromeda watched Teddy while Luna and Harry took a train to go shopping in London. Luna put an extendable charm on her bag so they could transport items easily and would schedule the furniture for delivery.

"I was also given a list of things to baby proof," said Luna, giving the list to Harry.

"Oh, that's a lot," he breathed.

"It is isn't it?" she said. "Good thing we still have time before bringing the baby home."

They entered the department store and paused, unsure of where to start.

"Hi, may I help you?" a woman with a forced smile asked them. Her name tag read 'Janice'.

"Yes, we're going to be new parents in a few weeks and we're not sure where to start," said Luna. "We have a five-year-old in our care, but he was taken care of by his grandmother until two years ago, so we're a little unsure about the formative years."

Harry squeezed her shoulder just realizing that she was as nervous as he was.

"Well, do you know if you're having a boy or a girl?"

"The agency said we would most likely be adopting a girl," said Luna.

"Well, in that case, I recommend the girls section." Janice led them to a section of the store that was entirely in pink. Pink outfits, pink furniture, pink curtains.

Harry felt sick to his stomach and his hand itched. The scars had mostly faded on his brown skin, but if you squinted you could still read: I must not tell lies. He suddenly couldn't breathe and his vision went blurry. It felt like he only blinked and when he opened his eyes, he was in a rocking chair with a damp cloth on his forehead. Luna's brow was furrowed with concern.

"Are you okay, Harry?" she asked. "You fainted."

"No pink," he said. "Absolutely no pink. I-I can't, Luna. I can't."

She pressed her forehead to his. "Alright, no pink."