Draco Lucius Potter-Malfoy made his way through the crowds of Christmas shoppers with a heavy heart. This had been one of the hardest years he had been through since he was a small child. His mind was heavy with worry and he wondered if things would get better. Everyone told him that all the problems that he and husband were going through would make them stronger and wiser. Now, all he wanted was to see the end of the year and put the bad times behind them. Feeling the baby kick him he had to smile, that was at least one of the great things that had finally occurred. Almost a full year of fighting for a baby and with much help from his beloved Godfather, it was finally going to happen. Pressing passed several women that had stopped to peer in the window of Magical Bathworks; he knew that he was going to have to face that crowd. He needed to slip in there for more of his favorite lotions and bath soaps, then he had to get his mother something and that store would be perfect for her. Looking around he couldn't believe just how crowded the alley was. It seemed that every person and their uncle decided that today they would brave the streets to get what they needed for their Christmas. He and Harry had agreed to meet in front of Madam Malkins store then go have lunch. As he neared the store he was searching for he paused seeing a large Christmas tree, decorated in silver and gold in the front of the store. Slipping into the store he moved slowly to it noticing that it was sponsored by one of the magical orphanages that had been set up for what everyone was calling The War Children. Many of the children lost families in the war and had no one else to take them in. Others were the product of rape and their mothers couldn't raise them for fear of hurting them. Curiosity was now setting in as he gazed at the angles were placed on the tree. He wondered why the Head of the orphanage was sitting there in front of the tree and why there were about twenty paper angles on it.
"Hey my love." Harry came up behind Draco seeing that he had stopped at the tree. Wrapping his arms around his lover he kissed his neck before letting him go to see what he was looking at.
"Harry? What is this?" turning to his husband he looked curious about the angles. He had never seen anything like this and he wanted to know why they were doing this.
"This is called a paper angle tree love; this one is set up for the orphanage. They are having a hard time; money is running low so they set this up." Harry gently took one of the angles off the tree to show Draco the picture of a little girl, "On the back the children write down their clothing and shoe size and then add what toys they would like. Then people come a long and pick one out they then buy the things and bring them back so the head of the orphanage can wrap them."
Draco sighed softly, "Is this the only way they get their Christmas?" he asked his gray eyes dark with worry. Every child deserved to have Christmas in his mind especially those who had lost their families.
"Yes." Harry admitted knowing more about the financial problems of the orphanage better than anyone, seeing how it was part of his job. As one of the Wizarding Child Welfare Aurrors it was his job to not only check up on the magical children of the wizarding world but the orphanages as well, "Come on love lets go get lunch." He suggested not wanting to upset his expectant husband.
With one last longing look at the tree he turned away to move off with Harry. Slipping one arm through his lovers he sighed, "I wish we could do more." he muttered softly his mind clearly on the tree.
Harry kissed him tenderly, "I know love, maybe we should. It's not like we don't have the money and it'll be a nice…" pausing to find the right word he stopped thinking, "Distraction." he settled on after a moment.
Draco knew what he meant, being used to having little Rosie around the house made this time really lonely with out her. "How is Hermione and Ron doing?" he asked softly.
"Better but it's really hard on Hermione right now." Harry confessed as they slipped into Draco's favorite café for lunch, "I'll be going by after work." he promised as they sat by the window to watch the snowfall. He wished that he could take his friends trouble way but he couldn't and it hurt more than anything.
Draco moved slowly into the kitchen to set his purchases on the counter, pulling out various bottles of lotions, soaps and perfumes for his mother he smiled. She was going to be thrilled and he knew it. Setting it all aside he pulled off his winter cloak with a wince. "Well hello there old girl." he greeted as Hedwig flew in with the daily post. Giving the older owl a treat to praise her for doing a good job before she joined his owl on the perch. He knew that she was showing off for the younger owl and it made him chuckle.
"Draco? Are you home?" The call of his mother set Draco into a panic to hide her gifts. Quickly placing everything back in the bags and with a muttered spell he banished it upstairs.
"Kitchen mother." Draco called back taking a few deep claming breaths as he picked up the post. He needed to get dinner in the oven but he figured that it wouldn't take long and that he could pause for a few moments. Looking through the bills, Christmas cards, various advertisements and Christmas party invitations he groaned. He knew he would have to sit down and decline all of them. Especially the one from the ministry, Harry never went but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get them off the list. Maybe he could ask his Father to get them off the list, he paused a moment as he turned, that would be a bad idea. His Father thought the parties were a good idea to get into the public eye and become politically acquainted. If he asked to get off the list to these parties then he might take it as shirking his family responsibilities. So, he was on his own to get them off the list.
"How was shopping dear?" Narcissa sailed into the kitchen with a bright smile seeing her son. It was exciting that she was finally getting her grandbaby. Reflecting back to the year of hardships that her son had faced with Harry she was proud of him for staying strong and not giving up on the family they both clearly wanted so badly. She couldn't wait to soil the baby and knew that Lucius was going to be just as bad as her. Moving to hug her son she sighed inwardly seeing the dinner preparations on the table as Lucius entered behind her. "I wish you would let me get you a house elf."
Draco grinned hugging her tightly. "I like cooking mother and shopping was crazy and crowded. I think everyone and their house elves were out getting what they needed." He answered looking down at the last post card in his hands thinking that it was another party invitation he was not prepared for the picture that was staring up at him. Feeling the sting of tears, he tried to stop, not wanting his parents to see him so upset.
Seeing the tears Narcissa and Lucius stopped hoping that something was not wrong. "Draco? Are you hurting? What's wrong?" Moving to him clearly worried se summoned a chair for him.
"I'm fine mother. It's not me," He whispered as he took the offered seat. Handing the postcard to Lucius he sighed, "It's still just so hard."
Taking the postcard Lucius looked down at sighed. Staring up at him was a picture of Rosie Marie Weasley. Her frizzy red hair and freckles made her easily recognized. The postcard had her date of birth, height, weight, hair and eye color. The top had the words "Have You Seen Me?' then underneath the date she had gone missing. "It's been almost six months, "Lucius looked up clearly agitated, "Harry can't believe that she's still alive?"
"Harry isn't working the case, it's a conflict of interest," Draco whispered believing the if Harry was working the case she'd be found. Standing to put dinner in the oven and get things done he wondered if they would ever get the closure they all needed so badly, "Neville works the case and I was told that until they have a body they hold the hope that she is alive. Each day that she's not found, though, is one less day she has, " Looking back at the picture he whispered, "I miss her, I miss watching her while her parents were working. I miss her laugh, I just want her home." standing he turned back to his dinner preparations.
"Just think in a few short months you'll have this baby." she smiled clearly trying to make him feel better as she rubbed his belly.
"I know and it helps but this little one doesn't take her place." He reasoned as he started to put away the rest of his purchases.
"Did you buy out the store son?" Lucius smirked pocketing the postcard. It irritated him that his pregnant, emotional son was still getting these and he was going to stop it. The stress was not good for him or his grand child and if these damned things got him to upset to where he went into labor he was going to kill someone.
"I was hungry," He grinned as he put the last of it way, "Will you stay for dinner?" He asked them hadn't had a family dinner in a long time.
"Of course, I just have a few errors to run. I'll return." Lucius kissed his wife before heading out, he was going to deal with this nonsense, now.
"Severus sends his love and said that he will see you soon" Narcissa smiled helping Draco with the finishing touches for dinner.
"Good, I miss him." Draco's mind turned to his Godfather. Now that he thought about it the last time he had seen him since he had found out he was pregnant, " Mother?" thinking about the baby that was presently kicking his bladder brought his mind back to the present, " Have you seen the tree at Madam Malkins?" he asked softy, it bugged him.
Setting the flowers that she was pruning in the vase Narcissa sighed. She had been hoping that he hadn't seen it. "I did, quite sad for those kids." she admitted knowing it was best not to lie to him.
"Why isn't Father assisting the orphanage? I know that was part of the agreement he had." he asked, in fact he knew more than that. When Harry had defeated the Dark Lord the only thing that helped Draco was the fact that Harry had stood for him and told the courts how he had switched sides. Lucius on the other hand didn't have that luxury and had to convince the courts that he was sincere in his act of wanting to change. He had been on probation for years, he had to help rebuild Hogwarts then donate money out. Money to the orphanages was supposed to be part of it. Every year he was supposed donated twenty thousand galleons, where in the hell was the money going?
"He...," She sighed shrugging her shoulders feeling that in some aspects Lucius had failed the family, "I don't know but some how he got out of it. The money goes to the ministry and they are supposed to hand it out.
"It's obvious that the kids aren't getting it, "Draco fumed angry with his Father. How much more was he going to get away with? Yes, he loved him but damn it! Why wasn't he doing what was right and repairing the damage that he had helped cause, "I want to do something! I have to do something!" he corrected softly.
"There is not much you can do, "Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder she looked at him with worried eyes, "Just let it go." She encouraged as she moved to set the vase of blue, red and pink roses on the table.
'Let it go?' Draco thought as he began to set up for dinner. Could he just let it go? No, he couldn't and he wouldn't. He would speak to Harry but he would do something to help those kids get there Christmas.
Lucius strode into the Department of Wizarding Child Welfare with a deep scowl on his face. Moving to the secretary he knew he was scaring her but didn't give a damn at the moment. "I want to speak to Mr. Malfoy-Potter!" he demanded coolly, clearly used to getting his way with this tactic.
"One moment sir." Martha whispered moving with haste to Harry's office. She was used to dealing with angry parents but Malfoy still scared the hell out of her.
"Yes, Martha?" Harry was standing behind his desk packing his briefcase as fast as he could.
"Mr. Malfoy is here to see you..." she said a little hesitantly and it was clear that Malfoy had scared the hell out of her.
"I'm sorry Martha but I don't have time. I have to go..," Harry was cut off by Lucius entering the office clearly not going to take no, "Lucius I don't have time..." he tried to explain, he had a desperate case he had to get to and time was usually the matter of life and death. Thankfully Martha had slipped out.
"Yes, you do," Lucius slammed the postcard down looking murderous, "You must love torturing him!" he snarled.
Quickly casting a privacy charm he snarled right back, clearly not afraid of him, "It's not my decision! I'm not in charge of that case and not allowed to be," Placing several files in his bag he noticed that Lucius was looking around his office. It was decorated in hand drawn pictures that his kids had done for him.
"I know you miss her but to keep her drawings and pictures..." he gestured around the office looking agitated. Why couldn't he just get over it and accept the fact that the little girl was gone.
"These drawings were done by several of the kids I've pulled. The pictures as you can see are Draco and the Weasley's. Besides keeping her picture is the only thing that is keeping me and her parents hanging on to hope," Harry glared at him clearly angry; he had no right to tell him what to do! There was no way he was getting rid of Rosie' picture.
"I don't like seeing my only so hurt by getting these. Lucius pressed hoping to get through to him.
"The only thing I know Lucius," Snatching the postcard off the desk he turned it over and pressed it back into his hand, "Is that another girl was taken. Same form of attack, same MO. They are hoping that by showing both their pictures someone will come forward. Now, I have to go! Tell Dragon I'll be home as soon as I can." Moving out quickly he didn't want to give Lucius the chance to goad him into a fight. They got along most of the time but some subjects were still touchy.
Ron looked up as his Floo activated he was pleased to see Harry. His one and only friend that he could look to in times of trouble, "Hey Harry." he acknowledged his old friend before turning back to the dishes.
Harry moved to help looking around the kitchen a moment. "Where's Monie?"
"Napping, her Healer is really worried about her," he explained softly, "She's having a lot of back and pelvic pain. They don't want her up and around to much," he whispered clearly worried for his expectant spouse. Stopping a moment he turned to Harry, his face lined with anguish and sorrow, "I can't lose her or this baby. I've lost my Rosie, I'll go insane." he confessed softly.
Placing a comforting hand on Ron's shoulder to try to offer comfort to his brother. "She'll make it, Hermione is strong and so is your son." He knew he was saying it but inwardly he prayed it wasn't a lie. When Rosie had been taken, the man responsible had made sure to hurt Hermione pretty badly. She had been hospitalized for weeks. The healers had told them not to expect the baby to make it. Every one knew that it was a miracle that she had gotten the pregnancy this far, he just prayed they could make it further.
"I just want closure; it hurts that never goes away." Ron whispered he had stopped working so he could care for his wife and unborn child. Taking care of the house and his wife was clearly hard on him.
"I know." Helping put the rest of the dishes away Harry started to make tea as Ron moved to the table under the window. Watching him a moment Harry noticed how he walked hunched over with a clear look of defeat. Joining him with the tea he wondered if they would get the Ron he knew back, was it possible to heal this? "How's Hermione doing emotionally?"
"Not good, she can't work right now and being eight months along makes things harder," He admitted softly as he sipped his scolding hot tea. Thinking back to the pervious months he wondered how in the hell they had survived this long, "I wish I could do more for her. I wish I could take away her pain. I know she blames herself but I don't. I can't blame her, it wasn't her fault." sniffling he reached for a napkin to wipe his face. Everyone told him that everything would get easer with time but with Christmas so close it was worse, not better.
"Being here, being open and talking to her does help," he reassured setting his drink down, "Taking care of the small things and the household is a huge help. It also helps that you are no longer hiding you feelings from her."
"Mom said we should pack up Rosie' room; but I can't. Why would someone do this?" he asked suddenly his eyes were wet with tears. "If it was ransom..."
Shaking his head Harry sighed, "If it was ransom they would've contact you with in hours the day she was taken." he explained softly, looking up at a slight sound he realized that Hermione was standing in the door way. She look like she hadn't slept, he round belly showing proudly under her nightgown. He could see the pain and tears in her eyes as she looked around almost as if she was looking for someone. "Monie?" standing clearly concerned for her as Ron stood.
"Baby?" Ron moved to her seeing the confusion in her eyes when she didn't find what she was looking for.
"I...I though I heard her." Hermione whispered softly looking away from them. It was clear that the past six months had been hell on her as well. It amazed Harry that she wasn't hospitalized.
"Oh baby..." Gently gathering his wife to him as she started to cry. One thing was certain Ron had defiantly matured to the loving, caring husband. In school Ron might have turned to Harry for help and backed off but he took Hermione in his arms holding her tenderly hoping to offer love and comfort.
"I'm not giving up," Harry whispered moving to them, "Don't you give up until we have her home." rubbing her back to help sooth her he hoped that this new round of posting her picture would bring some one forward.
"Harry? Is that you?" Draco heard the Floo activate but didn't want to stop what he was doing. The chicken was done and if he didn't pull it from the oven he'd end up burning it and he knew it. Setting the pan on the counter he pulled a serving plate out of the cabinet.
"Yes, love." Moving into the kitchen he smiled at the wonderful smells. His lover could cook and he loved every thing he made. "Smells wonderful lover." he praised as he kissed his neck tenderly.
"Thank you. How's Monie?" Draco turned seeing the pain and worry in his eyes. "Bad?" he whispered starting to get worried.
"She's having a lot of pelvic and back pain. Ron's worried that she may deliver earlier or that he may lose them both." He confessed knowing not to lie to his husbands.
Draco paused looking worried. "You don't think that's a possibility do you?" setting the chicken aside he turned fully to Harry. Knowing what it was like to lose a baby he didn't want any one to go through it. It was if his world had ended and he had faced it three times.
"I don't know, all I do know is that Bastard hurt her. Being two months along at the time it's been a miracle they have made it this far." Pulling his husband close to comfort him he hoped that Lucius wouldn't kill him for upsetting Draco.
"Monie is strong..." Draco whispered echoing Harry's statement to Ron.
"That's what I told Ron." He nodded as Lucius and Narcissa entered the room looking concerned.
"Everything alright?" Lucius asked in a low growl seeing his son in tears was not what he wanted to see.
"Just talking Father, don't get you hackles up." whipping hi face he turned back to dinner with a deep sigh. Why couldn't his Father just let them be?
"I'm going to get cleaned up, I'll be right back." Harry kissed him tenderly before he turned to go.
"Oh Harry? I wan to talk to you later." Draco smiled sweetly hoping he would get the hint.
Winking at his lover Harry strolled out making his way to his room feeling a little better about things. Thinking about his family he was pleased at just how far they had come. The lost of their first three babies had been so hard. Now, here he was about to be a Father, he was going to be able to watch his son grow up. When Ron and Hermione had Rosie he had been so proud to be named her God Father. He had held her, played with her, and been a third or actually fourth parent to her. Draco had been just as infatuated with her as he had been. Stripping down he smiled as his eyes landed on the cradle by the bed. It wouldn't be too long before his son would sleep beside them, their family would be whole.
"I don't like seeing you in in tears Draco. it's not good for the baby to have you constantly upset!" he fumed taking the bowl of peas and tarragon carrots from him.
"I'm fine Father. My emotions are a little out of my hands right now." Picking up the platter of chicken just to piss him off. He glared a moment clearly challenging him to take it. "I also have the right to know about what is going on with Hermione. The good and the bad."
"I know love but..." Narcissa tried to interject.
"But nothing!" Draco went from tears to pissed really fast. He was not going to allow his parents to tell him what do any more. "I will be informed!"
"All right, all right, calm down." Cissa sighed not wanting to anger her son that was worse than tears.
Setting the plate down he turned to them. "It's been a long year on all of us. I just want to be informed, I'm not a child that can be lied to anymore. Harry knows this and I love him for his honesty."
Lucius found that he couldn't argue with that seeing as he had lied many times to him. "We'll back off."
"Thank you." Draco felt a surge of pride in himself for standing up to his parents. He was an adult expecting a baby of his own. That was how he wanted and would be treated.
Harry, who had heard everything, smiled as he entered the room. He was very pleased and proud of his lover for standing up to his father. Kissing his lover before he sat he had to admit that his Dragon was doing very well with out a house elf but he still wanted to get him one.
"I hope there are no late night emergencies cause I'm going to sleep nude tonight!" Draco stated as he tossed the offending sleeping pants into the clothing hamper. "To small." he pouted at Harry when he saw the look of confusions.
Setting his toothbrush down he chuckled, "We'll get some more." he promised as he pulled him close, "Besides I like your nude flesh on mine." nibbling his ear he grinned hearing him moan.
"We need to talk first." Draco whispered wanting nothing more than to have Harry love him.
"I'm listening." Harry whispered not letting him go as his hands roamed all over his body.
"I want to hold a Christmas party for the orphanage," Draco turned to face him hoping he would agree, "it wouldn't take much, I want to get them gifts and you know..." he looked at him pleadingly. It was clear that the tree had hit home with him.
"I don't see why not, " Harry mused softly, "I have this week off, I could help."
"Tomorrow we can sit down and figure it out. Then set up a meeting with the Head of the Orphanage." Draco looked so thrilled about the idea of having the party.
"I'll contact her tomorrow and set up a lunch date for Thursday." Harry suggested.
"Three days to plan, then talk to them, Christmas is next Saturday." Draco mused clearly thinking. "That sounds wonderful, we could do it Friday." He smiled his head tilting up in clear invitation..
"Now, let's relax and have a little fun." Harry grinned taking that invitation.