Title: Just a Year
Author: Tigergirl
Rated: M for language (and better to be safe than sorry)
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter or any of its character. I gain no benefits from writing about them.
Summary: A quick use of accidental wandless magic lands a special delivery right into Harry's life. Nico only wanted a nanny who wasn't so mean. They only wanted someone who could teach and care for their son while they worked. Harry…well, what Harry wants he may not be able to have.
Author's Note: Fair warnings for this reading people. In this story, Dumbledore is not dead and neither is Snape. Lupin and Tonks didn't marry so no child either.
CHAPTER ONE
He had never seen her so angry and she had been talking so fast, he hadn't understood a word. He had squeezed his eyes shut and wished he was somewhere safe. Somewhere far away from his nanny.
Pop!
/…/
He had been at the shop helping his husband reorganize the supplies and ingredients when a frantic house elf arrived.
"Little Master is missing! Nanny Benoit is not finding him…anywhere!"
C-C-Crack.
/…/
It had started out as such a normal morning. He rose early as per his normal schedule. He let Cecil and Cooper out, had a small breakfast and went to work in the library. He was sorting through some books when a sudden pop had him turning around.
Harry didn't know what to expect when he turned around. The wards around his house and property only allowed a select few to apparate directly onto the grounds or into the house. He hadn't even drawn his wand.
To his surprise, standing in the middle of his library with his hands up covering over his eyes was a small boy. Harry quietly put his stack of books down and walked cautiously over to the child. His stance and hidden eyes reminded Harry of that time his accidental magic apparated him onto the roof of the school.
He could still hear his Uncle yelling.
"Hello there," Harry called softly.
Fingers parted in surprise and a pair of gray-blue eyes peeked out. The little boy's eyes stared at him before darting around the room and finally landing back on him.
"What's your name?" Harry asked.
"I'm not a'pposed to talk to strangers. Papa says that's bad," he said.
Harry chuckled as he knelt down so he wasn't towering over the child.
"Your Papa sounds like a very smart man. I'm Harry and this is my home. See? Now I'm not a stranger."
The child brought his hands away from his face, but still held them near his head. He tilted his head. The gray-blue gaze bore into Harry as if he were looking into his soul. After a minute of finding whatever he was looking for, the boy's face broke out in a small grin.
"I'm Nico. You got a lotta books," he said.
Harry smiled.
"You're right. I do. I love to read. Do you like books?" Harry asked.
Nico's head bobbed up and down.
"I can read a little but not a lot. Papa likes to read to me, but Daddy is really good at voices. Do you have dragon books?"
Harry chuckled.
"I have a lot of dragon books. I like them a lot. Do you?"
An even bigger nod this time.
"I love dragons! Daddy's name means Dragon."
Now that he looked closer at Nico, Harry knew instantly who Papa and Daddy were. He knew the two former Death Eater spies had married shortly after the war and had a child. After all, he did pick up a newspaper now and again. Plus Malfoy worked with Hermione teaching at Hogwarts.
"You know…I bet your dads are really worried about you."
The little boy's face fell. His gaze plummeted to his shoes. His bangs flicked across his forehead while shaking his head.
"Daddy's helping Papa at the shop. I was with Nanny. I told Papa I can be good for Nanny, but she's not nice. I don't like her color. 'snot like Papa's or Daddy. Papa and Daddy will be mad at me."
Harry was pleased to know the child had not run from either of the former Slytherins. This Nanny, however, bothered him. As Harry listened, he began to suspect Nico was much more special than he first thought. He had encountered such people that could "see colors around peope," but without knowing more, he couldn't be sure.
Suddenly, the silence between them was broken by a mighty roar from Nico's stomach. The little boy's cheeks dusted pink.
"Would you like some lunch, Nico? I make a really good grilled cheese sandwich," Harry said.
Nico hesitated.
"…with cheddar?"
Harry threw his arms out in front of him.
"Well, of course! That's the best kind of cheese," Harry exclaimed.
The child giggled. "It's my favorite!"
Harry stood up and held his hand out to which the child happily latched onto. As they left the library, Harry silently sent a wandless Patronus to Kingsley with a message to come to the house. On their way downstairs, Nico opened some more in the form of pointing at different things and inquiring about them. Harry was more than happy to answer the questions.
When they reached the kitchen, Harry asked if Nico would like to watch him cook. The little boy was all over that idea. Harry pulled out a stool and, with Nico's permission, picked him up to place him up on it. As he pulled out ingredients and began making the sandwich, Harry explained his process to him. Nico was very attentive, keeping his hands in his lap, and quietly asking a question or two.
When it was done, Harry helped Nico hop down and they sat down at the kitchen table. At the child's request, the older wizard retrieved drinks for both of them. Harry wasn't too hungry himself, but he got himself a small bowl of grapes.
"Is there something wrong?" Harry asked when Nico didn't start eating.
Nico was staring down at his lap with his chin resting on his chest.
"Papa and Daddy will be mad with me," Nico said quietly.
Harry patted his arm.
"They won't be mad. I'm sure they're very worried about you," Harry replied.
Nico lifted his head. His smile nearly reached from ear to ear.
"I like you, Mr. Harry. You're green."
Harry smiled as he crossed his arms and leaned close while resting his head atop them.
"Is green good?" Harry asked.
Nico nodded.
"Green is always good. Papa and Daddy are green and Mr. King is green," Nico explained.
Harry smiled. Now there was no question about his earlier suspicions. Nico was very special and he told him just that. Nico scrunched up his face.
"Special?"
Harry nodded.
"You're very special, Nico. Only very special people can see colors around other people. You're special like me. See?" Harry said, raising up his fringe to reveal his scar.
The little boy's gaze shifted upwards. He let out a small gasp. Then his face brightened up again.
"Oh! You're Harry Potter. You know Papa and Daddy. Papa calls you a do-do head."
Harry bit down on his bottom lip to keep from bursting out laughing. It took him several seconds to think up a response that wouldn't burst open the dam.
"Do you mean dunderhead?"
Nico nodded excitedly.
Thank you so much, Snape. Nice to hear you haven't changed a bit, Harry thought.
From another room, Harry heard the floo activate. Harry stood up and patted Nico gently on the shoulder.
"I'm going to be right back, okay? You eat up. I wouldn't want that tummy to get as loud as a dragon," Harry said, wagging his finger teasingly at the child.
Nico shot him a tiny smile as he pulled his sandwich closer and took a small bite. Harry nodded in acceptance before disappearing out the door. He met Kingsley Shacklebolt, former Order member and now Head Auror, at the entrance doorway to the living room.
"I apologize I can't stay long, Harry. I have a situation at the Ministry," Kingsley apologized.
Harry greeted him with a handshake and a small chuckle. He stuffed his hands into his pockets.
"I think I may have something you're looking for. Disappeared from under a nanny's nose. Been gone probably a half hour," Harry hinted.
Kingsley's eyes grew wide as he peered around the corner.
"He's here? Nico Malfoy-Snape?"
Harry nodded. Kingsly gasped.
"But how? I've never known any child to travel so far in such a short amount of time. Even by accidental magic."
Harry shrugged.
"Maybe because it wasn't accidental. I've talked a little bit with him. It sounds as though he wanted to get away from that nanny."
Kingsley frowned deeply.
"I've got Severus and the nanny heading to the Ministry shortly. I shall inform them Nico's been found safe and sound. I'm sure Severus and Draco will be relieved to hear that," Kingsley explained.
"He's eating lunch right now. Soon as he's done, we'll come right over. Leave your floo open for me?"
"Of course. Thank you, Harry."
"Anytime, Kingsley."
When Harry returned to the kitchen, Nico was done with his sandwich and almost done with his drink. He leaned down on the table so he was closer to Nico's level again.
"Is Mr. King the Head Auror? Kingsley Shacklebolt?" Harry asked.
Nico nodded.
"He telled me I can call him Mr. King. His big name is hard to say. Not easy like me!" Nico exclaimed.
Harry laughed for what felt like the hundredth time. He loved children and Nico was no different. After they finished up and Harry explained where they were going, the two of them left hand-in-hand through the floo. On the other side, they stumbled into an empty office. Harry thought he detected voices outside.
Nico tugged on Harry's hand with his own. Harry glanced down to find the child holding his arms up in a telltale sign. Smiling, Harry dropped Nico's hands and carefully snatched up the child around the waist. He rested the child easily on his hip with one arm around his middle and another under his upper leg to keep him balanced. Nico grabbed a fistful of the back of Harry's shirt and rested his other hand on the older wizard's shoulder.
A moment later, the door opened to emit Kingsley, Snape, and a woman barely older than Harry. Luckily, Nico saw his father first.
"Papa, look! I finded Mr. Harry. He's got a BIG library and he likes dragon and cheddar cheese. Just like me!" Nico cheered happily.
Parenthood suited Snape. Harry saw a smile and twinkle in the man's eyes that reminded him nothing of his once cruel Potions Master. He could see the relief in the professor's face upon seeing his son. While Harry tried to think of something to say, the woman swept around him with her arms out.
"I vill take ze child, mousier. He haz been lost for some time and needs lunch."
Nico gripped the back of Harry's shirt tighter and Harry, acting on instinct, danced around behind Kingsley's desk and out of the woman's range. Kingsley remained silent in hopes of the nanny incriminating herself. Snape raised an eyebrow in question to Harry, but remained silent as well.
The woman scowled openly at him. She briefly recalled the name she had heard Nico call the man by,
"Mousier Harry, I must insist. I am ze boy'z nanny and I vill take him," the nanny said with a warning tone.
"I would prefer to hand him over to one of his fathers, but for now I think I'll just hold him, thanks." Pause. "Unless he wants down."
Harry looked at Nico who shook his head. Harry mockingly shrugged at the nanny who turned even redder. Watching the events unfold in front of him, Severus began to suspect there as something more than just his son simply disappearing on his nanny's watch.
The woman said something in French – one of the few languages he didn't know – which caused a scowl to wash across the Golden Boy's face.
"Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" Harry demanded.
Nico hid his face in Harry's shoulder with a giggle. Nanny Benoit looked offended.
"You do not know what I zed!" she spat angrily.
Harry grinned.
"Really? Je vous comprends parfaitement parce que je parle français aussi[1]," Harry said.
Nico's head popped up and the nanny's mouth dropped open. Kingsley looked impressed and Snape…well, Harry never could read Snape's expression as anything other than "evil." Finally, and like Harry had been suspecting was brewing, the woman exploded. Anticipating the blowout, Harry threw up a shield over him and Nico, but still ducked behind the large desk.
The so-called attack was over embarrassingly quick given that the nanny let her anger fuel her. That and the Potions Master & Head Auror being in the same room and behind her. Harry only popped back up after Kingsley gave him the all clear. Harry walked over to Severus who began giving his child a once over without taking him from him.
Kingsley called in an Auror and had the nanny removed from the room. On the way out the door, Nico stuck his tongue at her. Given that her hands were bound, the nanny returned the favor with sticking her own tongue out. Harry chuckled as he patted Nico gently on the back.
"I didn't like her, Papa. She was mean," Nico told him.
Severus didn't voice it out loud, but he hadn't been a big fan himself. He had been planning to fire her after finding the small boy. Draco and Severus hadn't been too worried until it was revealed that the child was nowhere in the house or on the grounds. It had been a great relief after alerting Kingsley and arriving at his office to hear an allied Order Member had found Nico.
A quick Patronus to his younger husband should have calmed the frantic blonde down. However, hearing which Order Member found their child would be sure to turn the man's hair gray.
"How did you manage to find Mr. Potter?" Severus questioned his child.
Nico's bottom lip curled down.
"I dunno. Nanny was mad and talking really fast. I closed my eyes like this," Nico squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them, "and then I heard Mr. Harry's voice."
Severus bit back a sigh. It was obvious the child thought he was in trouble.
"You're not in trouble, Nico. I'm only pleased that you found someone who would do you no harm. Daddy will be happy to hear you're safe, too,"
Severus ruffled his son's hair with a small smile. It was obvious by the way Potter had protected his child and now held him that his son was in good hands.
"Severus, may I speak to you in private for a moment?" Kingsley asked.
Severus turned his gaze from his child and Potter to Kingsley with the nod of his head. Relieved his father wasn't mad at him. Nico wrapped his arms around and laid down on Harry's shoulder. Harry wasn't surprised the child fell asleep almost instantly. It had been a long and rough day for the little guy. He adjusted the young boy in his arms so he could rest better.
He tuned back into the other two wizards as they walked back over.
"I'll see if I can recommend a new Nanny for you. I imagine you and Draco will need to start interviewing again before the school year starts," Kingsley commented.
"Undoubtedly," Severus said.
"I can," Harry piped up.
The two wizards turned their gazes and attention to him.
"You know a Nanny, Harry?" Kingsley asked.
"No. I mean, I can watch Nico."
Kingsley tried, but failed to cover up a gasp. Severus' eyebrows shot up.
…what?
END OF CHAPTER ONE
[1] – Google Translation: I understand you perfectly because I speak French too.
Author's Note: Okay, so first chapter is done and over. I'm hoping to see how well received this story is before posting the next chapter in the story. So let me hear what you think, readers.