Hope is what is given to us
Harry sat quietly, his emerald green eyes watching as Draco hurried around the loft apartment wearing the Gryffindor's over-sized grey sweater covering his white tunic, his legs bare but for a pair of black silk boxers, the smaller of the two gathering his things for the trip to his parents house, his socks muffling the sounds of his feet as he walked on the wood floors of the apartment. Harry just stared at the blonde, a dark brow raised as the Malfoy heir finally pulled on a pair black designer jeans, a leather satchel slung over his shoulder as he turned to look at his husband, quirking his eye brow at the green eyed man.
"Are you ready?" he asked, tucking a piece of blonde hair behind his ear, looking over the man as he stood from his seat on the table. "They are expecting us there by one o'clock, Potter, and I need not remind you what happened last time we were late."
Harry stood quickly to his feet, straightening out his black button up shirt as his spouse gently brushed him of all the crumbs he had missed at breakfast. Harry lifted the car seat from the table, smiling down at their sleepy son, a chuckle forming on his lips as the baby sucked on his fingers, his eyes half closed revealing the piercing grey of his daddy. Draco looked at the baby, a soft smile curving his mouth, as he leant over their son to place a gentle kiss on the infant's head, running his hand over the dark hair when the baby stretched, whimpering when the blonde withdrew his hand.
"C'mon, they've been waiting forever to see their grandson, to leave them in suspense is just cruel." said the blonde, taking the carseat from the taller of the two, kissing his cheek as he headed toward the door and to the car.
Harry followed, grabbing the keys on his way out, shutting and locking the apartment door on his way out. He met his little family at the elevator, and they rode to to the parking lot together, the silence surrounding them swallowed by the sound of their son sucking his fingers. They settled their son, seating themselves in the front, making it well out of the city before they activated the flying mechanism on the vehicle.
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Narcissa walked leisurely in the garden, her blue eyes making sure everything was perfect for the naming of her first grandchild, a smile blossoming on her face as a house elf popped into view. She stepped toward the door, excitement on her face as she walked through the ancient halls, breathing in to calm her nerves at seeing her son again. She entered the library, her blue eyes brightening as she looked at her child, taking the slender hands in her own, kissing both of his cheeks before pressing her forehead to that of her son's, her eyes shut as emotion crashed through her.
"Welcome home." she whispered, opening her eyes once more, a smile gracing her lips.
"It's good to be home," he whispered back, taking his mother in an embrace, breathing in the scent of her perfume,"I've missed it."
A loud throat clearing caught their attention, drawing them from each others embrace to look at the blonde man standing in the door way, a small smile on his face as he looked his son over. "Well," said Malfoy patriarch, as he stepped into the room," I do believe that the head of the family is to be greeted first, hmm?"
Draco smiled at him, stepping out of his mother's embrace and into his father's, basking in the glow of his family's love for him. He snuggled into the familiar warmth, sighing as his father gently rubbed his back in a soothing manner. "Are you ready for your son's naming day?" Lucius hummed.
Draco nodded, taking a short step away from the embrace, smiling up at the man as he put his clothes back in order. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess. We had to invite the whole Weasley family, and I am not looking forward to that woman being here, but apparently Mrs. Weasley begged Harry to invite her."
"Are you sure it wasn't a polyjuice?" came Severus voice from the door way, as he stepped into the library, his dark eyes twinkling.
"That's what I thought too. So I firecalled her that night, and had Granger and Weasel Six to ask her some very specific questions. Harry was there of course, but everything checked out so, she's coming." sighed the smaller blonde.
"Are you wearing that to the naming ceremony?"asked Narcissa, looking over her son's attire.
The boy blushed slightly, shaking his head. "I brought others. It's just that the baby spits up on all of my clothes, so I wear Harry's to keep mine nice." explained the heir, looking a bit sheepish at the admittance.
Narcissa tutted, brushing a stray piece of hair away from his pale cheek."I know some charms for that," she said, placing a quick kiss on her son's forehead,"but right now, I suggest you go and change. Your guests will be arriving shortly."
Draco nodded, bidding his family a quick goodbye, before heading up to his room, knowing Harry would be waiting for him.
Severus sighed, as he watched Draco leave, running his hand through his dark hair, settling himself in to one of the overstuffed chairs littered about the library, leaning his head back against the high back of the arm chair, shutting his dark eyes against the light that seemed to dim with the departure of the blonde.
"Can anyone explain to me why we even allowed Draco to get back together with Potter?" asked the potionsmaster, not bothering to open his eyes.
The two Malfoys sighed, seating themselves into chairs opposite the dark man, each wondering the same thing. Narcissa spoke first, throwing her bright blonde hair over her shoulder before she opened her mouth to speak.
"Draco always had this philosophy, that people deserve to try to right their wrongs."
"Correct, but to the extent he is allowing? If I didn't know any better I would have said it was a textbook case of beaten spouse syndrome." commented Severus, finally opening his dark eyes, looking over to the silent patriarch.
Lucius sat silently in his chair, his elbows resting on the armrest of the overstuffed chair, his long, elegant fingers steepled as he looked over them, as though he was peering into the future. "There is a saying, a muggle saying if I'm not mistaken." said the man, almost conversationally, though his dark eyes seemed turbulent, a storm brewing behind the calm visage of aristocracy."Fool me once shame on you, but fool me twice shame on me."
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Harry looked out the door of the suite, his green eyes almost frantically searching out their grey eyed counterpart, peering back into the room to look at the fussing baby, before once again taking his post at the door. The Slytherin watched him silently from the corner of his rooms, watching the Gryffindor looking out the door, his face pulled into an expression of panic as the baby all out wailed.
The dark haired man hurried to the little creature, wringing his hands nervously as the child continued to cry, big, fat tears of pain rolling down those plump cheeks as his little fists clenched in agony. Harry was practically jumping around the baby, hurrying back over to the door to see if his spouse had yet returned, finding the hall empty. He cringed as the baby let out an especially loud cry, making his way swiftly to his side, gently shushing the small infant as he flailed about in his car seat.
"What's wrong?" he asked the infant frantically, once again wringing his hands as his tried to look at the baby from different angles,"I don't know what's wrong?!"
Draco decided that now was the time to step in. The blonde extracted himself from the shadows, seeming to materialized from the darkness that contrasted to him, gently lifting the child from his car seat and into his arms, shushing him gently, humming under his breath as he held the infant against his chest, rubbing small, soothing circles in the small back. Harry immediately looked relieved, watching as their son quieted his screams, his small whimpers, and hiccuped sobs permeating the room.
Draco chuckled gently, nuzzling the tender little head, placing a kiss onto the dark curls, as he rocked their son, his grey eyes dancing in amusement as he looked at his husband.
"What took you so long?" Harry asked, his voice nothing but a whisper as to ward off any stirrings from the small boy.
The baby whimpered, pulling his little fist into his mouth, trying to find some relief from the growling his little tummy produced.
Draco sighed, gently pulling that little hand from his mouth, seating him self against the numerous pillows on his bed, before unbuttoning a few buttons on his shirt, having discarded his sweater on the desk in the corner of his room. The baby immediately latched on, comfortably suckling, little whimpers escaping his little frame as he nursed, his large grey/green eyes drifting closed.
"My parents wanted to welcome me before I came back up." said the blonde, gently stroking his son's curly hair, a contented smile on his face, a his son nursed.
Harry smiled at that smile, settling himself next to the blonde, planting a kiss on his forehead a feeling of contentment raising in his chest.
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The guests began to arrive, filing into the manor greeted by the elder Malfoys, the blonde couple cordially greeting their fellow wizards, helping to direct them to their seats in the garden, their eyes sharpened looking for any type of trouble that may occur before it did. Once all the guests had arrived, they shut the doors, prevent anyone from entering that had not been invited, seating themselves in the reserved seats. Severus sat behind them, able to lean inconspicuously over to speak to the couple.
Narcissa smiled gently as the ceremony began, watching as he son and his husband stood on the dais. Draco held their son close, the little creature swaddled his white woven cashmere blanket, his little head was covered against the cold, his dark curls trying to escape the hat, his little hands peeking out from the blanket. Harry stood protectively at his side, one of his hands resting on the slim blonde's waist, his own dark hair seeming to copy his son's as it rustled against the cool afternoon wind, his dark robes, tailored to curve to his form, showing off his tall, muscled adjusted the baby, tucking a stray piece of long blonde hair behind his pierced ear, his grey robes bringing out his eyes, accentuating his figure.
Dumbledore smiled at the young couple, stepping up to the podium a large book in hand, as his wizen visage cracked into a smile. He gently set the book upon the podium, his arms spreading in a gesture of welcome, his smile the one of a proud grandfather.
"Welcome to the Naming Ceremony of the first born son of Harry James Potter-Malfoy and Draconis Lucien Abraxis Hyacinthus Malfoy-Potter." said the old man, his eyes twinkling.
The group answered in kind, with smiles, nods and cheers( of course, from the Weasley twins). The young couple on the dais smiled, seeming to edge close to each other. The baby woke, his large eyes tiredly opening, that sweet little bow mouth yawning as he snuggled close to the blonde, his nose nuzzling closer to the blonde's chest. The crowd 'awwed' at the scene, their eyes shining with pride at the fae like creature.
Dumbledore chuckled good naturedly, holding out his arms for the infant, ready to begin the ceremony. Draco stepped forward, Harry stepping in tow with his lover, as the blonde offered up the child to the older wizard, gently hushing the child as he left his arms. The older man hummed gently, settling the little one in his arms, brushing away his blanket to give everyone else a view of the child.
The ceremony consisted of first naming the baby, after that naming all relatives that were to be given responsibility of the child should something happen to the parents, then naming the godparents. Standing next to the old man, Draco helped him pull off the baby's hat, revealing the curls and little elven ears. The older man chanted under his breath, dipping the child in the water that resided in the basin on the podium, the words asking the spirits of magic to protect the waif.
Harry took the child this time, as the old wizard asked his name, gently soothing his new son in his arms, before revealing his name to those present.
"Hadrian Seirios Anenmone Potter-Malfoy." said Harry, smiling as the little creature in his arms yawned sleepily, his large eyes drooping closed.
"Do the witnesses that have been summoned here accept Hadrian Seirios Anenmone Potter-Malfoy as a citizen of this world?" asked the older man, his eyes grave as he asked the crowd.
"I object to his citizenship." came a feminine voice from amongst the crowd.
The crowd parted, allowing the youngest Weasley to the front, her blood red hair moving in tandem with her steps, her black robes with it's golden trim billowing out behind her, as she advanced on them, her blue eyes trained on the infant. She stopped short, surprise rising in her eyes as she saw Harry position himself in front of Draco, handing the baby off to his spouse as he stared her down.
"Why do you contest his name?" asked Dumbledore, following the age old tradition, coming to stand in front of the podium, facing his old student as she crossed her hands over her ample, magically enhanced chest.
Ginny glared up at the old man, her eyes looking back at Harry her gaze becoming menacing as she took another step forward."That child isn't Harry's child." she said.
The crowd began to whisper, rumours spreading through them like fire in a dry field. Harry's eyes filled with rage as he stepped toward the girl, watching as she took several back at the look in his eyes, before remembering herself, her eyes hardening. "How dare you suggest that he isn't mine!? I want you to leave and I never want to see you again, I don't want you near my son, or Draco. If I find that you have been doing anything, that includes looking at them, I hope you don't live to see what I will do to you."
A strong hand reached for her, settling itself on her shoulder, pulling her roughly from the group, out of the house and off the property. Harry stood there his gaze emerald fire as he scanned the crowd, his body tense as he looked around for a fight. A pale delicate hand rested on his shoulder, squeezing with a hidden strength that turned him around to face the blonde. Harry sighed, drawing in a deep breath to calm himself before nodding to Dumbledore, signalling the man to continue the ceremony.
The rest of it went off without a hitch, allowing them to have their guests leave, with the exclusion to those they considered close, such as Hermione, Ron, Blaise, Theo and Pansy. Narcissa kissed her son briefly on his cheek, scooping her grandson from his arms and whisking the infant to bring him to Lucius. The patriarch of the family smiled indulgently at the child, pulling him from his wife's arms and into his own as he looked over the child's features. Severus rolled his eyes, leaning over the blonde man's chair to look over his shoulder at the baby, as Narcissa seated herself on the arm, joining her husband in cooing over their first grandchild.
Harry sat in the large overstuffed chair in the library as their friends settled around them, Draco seating himself comfortably on the arm, only to be pulled into the dark haired man's lap. Draco relaxed into his arms, allowing Harry to tuck his head under his chin, as he dozed, listening to their friends talk. Harry sighed contentedly, running his hand up and down the blonde's leg, relishing in his warmth and smell, knowing that their baby was safe, knowing that Draco was there in his arms, and would stay. He realized in that moment, that that is what he had been searching for when he had slept with Ginny. He had wanted to know if Draco would stay, if they would last, if....if he could take being away from the blonde he loved more than life itself. Now, he knew he couldn't. He couldn't live without the blonde, couldn't cope if the blonde had loved him less. He held Draco just a little tighter, loving a little harder, because to let go of the blonde, would be his demise. And he was content with that.
Fin
