"Dah," Teddy said, in Andromeda's arms, happily.
Draco didn't want to say why or what it was, but there was something about being in Teddy's presence that made him uncomfortable and just - generally out of place.
It wasn't that Draco disliked the baby - it was only a baby, but already seemed very easy-going and friendly, so that made it easy - it was just -
"Da-ah," Teddy babbled, and then Teddy fixed their features into a rare frown, and started to say something. "Da-ah–da! Da-co!" Draco looked up. Teddy was smiling again, mouth open, a few tiny baby teeth showing. Teddy was smiling, and looking straight at Draco. Tiny fists waved helplessly in Draco's general direction.
"Sounds like Teddy wants you to give 'em some attention, Draco. Are you willing to hold Teddy, then?" Andromeda smiled wickedly. Draco gulped. Teddy aside, there was certainly no mystery about why he felt uncomfortable and intimidated in his - previously- estranged- aunt's presence.
"Al-alright," said Draco shakily. Andromeda came over to carefully pass baby Teddy over Draco, and in that moment he decided that he didn't give a damn if Teddy hated him in the future, this was now, and even if Teddy was only a baby, at least they liked him now. Things might be okay. He had to give it a chance.
Draco took Teddy, and held Teddy carefully, making sure to support the head, and hold firmly but gently, and basically tried to remember everything that his mother had gone over with him earlier. Teddy smiled, and cooed, and looked into Draco's eyes, and reached over, and -
And then, with their tiny little fists, baby Teddy smacked Draco in the face.
Draco felt shocked. His aunt Andromeda's barely restricted laughter, could be heard in the background. Apparently taking cue from his grandaunt and guardian, Teddy let out a babyish giggle as well.
And maybe it was because baby Teddy's laughter was so endearing and adorable, or perhaps it was that Teddy's eyes then turned grey, but Draco couldn't find it in himself, to be even mildly irritated. It was only baby fists, after all, wasn't it? It-It didn't even hurt, not really.
Draco could handle this. It could be okay. He was giving this a chance, and there wouldn't be any turning back.
In light of all the dark news lately, here's a little something more hopeful.
I know it's not much, but if anyone reading this feels a little bit better, then I've succeeded.
"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."
Again, obviously not Cursed Child-compliant.
