"Teddy, I'm back," Harry called as he Apparated into Malfoy's living room.

There was a series of small thumps, then the unmistakable pattering of feet fast approaching on soft carpet. Teddy burst through one of the bedroom doors then, carrying his favorite toy, a stuffed elephant with an unusually long trunk. The toddler rushed over and barreled into Harry's open arms.

"Hey, buddy," Harry murmured, breathing in Teddy's scent, letting it ground him. "Ready to head out?"

Teddy didn't answer, but he hummed into Harry's robes and wiggled a bit. It brought a smile to Harry's lips.

But it quickly fell at the sound of Malfoy's voice. "You seem to be in a hurry today."

Harry stood, Teddy's hand in his. "I'm always in a hurry to get out of here. You only just noticed?"

"Oh, I've noticed. But today's different," Malfoy said, crossing his arms. "You have somewhere to be, haven't you?"

"What's it to you?"

Malfoy shrugged. "Nothing at all."

Grinding his teeth, Harry forced himself to take a breath. After three weeks of having to see Malfoy more than he had since before the war, Harry's patience was wearing incredibly thin with the freak. Even when they had been at Hogwarts together, they hadn't nearly as many one-on-one interactions as they had now, and almost none of them required them to be as civil as they both tried to be with Teddy around. It made Harry's skin crawl, having to keep his wand away in Malfoy's presence.

But, after picking Teddy up from Malfoy's flat after work on that first visit, Harry had to furiously admit that it was the happiest he had seen Teddy since gaining guardianship over him. So, after drowning in owls from Malfoy in the days that followed, Harry had caved. Malfoy officially watched Teddy every day that second week, Teddy was happier than ever, and it was all over. Harry was livid that the slimeball had gotten exactly what he had wanted.

But it didn't matter, Harry kept reminding himself. Teddy's happiness was more important than Harry's personal rivalries.

"Well," Malfoy said, pulling Harry from his thoughts. "Go on, get out of here. I'll see you Monday, Teddy."

"Bye-bye!" Teddy waved frantically, and Malfoy smiled, giving the toddler a small wave back.

That had to be the strangest part about the entire arrangement, seeing Malfoy interacting with Teddy. Three weeks later, Harry still couldn't wrap his mind around how genuine Malfoy smiled at Teddy, how the kindness transformed his sickly appearance into something almost human. It wasn't natural.

"Right, then," Harry said awkwardly. He Disapparated, godson in tow.

The switch from Malfoy's flat to Harry's was always a bit jarring, much as Harry tried to ignore it. He set Teddy down and looked around. Having remembered the stress of trying to clean the entire place just before the Care-Seekers arrived last time, Harry took the time to do most of the cleaning the night before after Teddy had gone to bed. All that remained to do that afternoon were a few dishes. Still, the place was nothing compared to Malfoy's roomy flat. Harry sighed and sank into the loveseat.

"Ha-wee?"

He opened his eyes, not realizing he had closed them. "Hm? What's up, Teddy?"

The little boy climbed onto the couch, crashing into Harry's lap. "No seep, pease."

"Oh, I'm not really trying to sleep," Harry chuckled. He pulled Teddy closer, resting a hand on his small back as Teddy slumped into his shirt. "Not really. I was just resting my eyes. I'm tired."

"Ha-wee tire?"

"Tired."

"Tire."

"Yeah, sure." Harry's eyes were closed again. The loveseat was soft, sucking him into the worn cushions like a fierce caress. He had about three-quarters of an hour until the Care-Seekers arrived. He could afford to rest his eyes for five minutes.

There was a knock on the door.

Harry groaned. The last thing he needed was to deal with an unexpected guest before putting on a show for the Care-Seekers. Plus, it was going to take time away from his few minutes to relax. Sometimes it really felt as though he could never win.

"Harry?" Mr. Cook's voice called through the door, sounding concerned.

Harry's eyes flew open. Teddy was passed out on his chest. The clock above the balcony doors read 5:02.

Fuck.

"Coming!" Harry called, struggling to his feet with Teddy's dead weight. Hurrying to the door, Harry gave Teddy a little shake. "Teddy? Teddy, wake up. The Care-Seekers are here."

Teddy just grunted and turned his face from Harry, snuggling closer. Teddy had been sleeping better in the past week or so, which had exactly nothing to do with Malfoy, but as Teddy started sleeping more soundly Harry realized just how deep of a sleeper the little boy was. Once asleep, very little could wake him.

Harry opened the door.

"Hey! Hello, sorry about that!" Harry said, trying to sound more sheepish and less guilty. "I guess I didn't hear the door the first time."

"We knocked several times, Mr. Potter."

Harry pretended not to have heard Ms. Dribble, waving them both in with a smile. "Come on in."

"Oh, has Teddy fallen asleep?" Mr. Cook asked as he stepped inside.

Harry nodded. "Fell asleep just as we got home. He can be a pretty heavy sleeper, so I don't know if he'll wake up to talk or not."

Ms. Dribble frowned. "Does he often take a nap so late in the day?"

"Not since I've had him," Harry said, thinking quickly. "But I think he went to the park today and is a little more tired than usual."

"Well, sounds like the tyke had a bit more fun than he can handle."

Harry chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, I suppose."

"Toddler often bite off more than they can chew," Ms. Dribble said, turning towards the kitchen.

"Definitely." Harry watched as the old witch disappeared to inspect the flat. Mr. Cook was helping himself to the sitting area, pulling out his Quick-Notes Quill and parchment. Harry joined him, Teddy still a deadweight in his arms. "So, good day, Mr. Cook?"

"Oh, yes, thank you, Harry," Mr. Cook replied. "And how have things been for you since we last spoke?"

"Well, I think Teddy's settling in better now. I know I am, and I think that's helping him, too." Harry adjusted Teddy as the toddler twisted, trying to sink deeper into his lap. "He's sleeping better. He's eating a little better."

"Any concerns there?"

"Er...concerns?"

"Such as, say, any strange reactions to food? Do you feel he's eating enough?"

"It might take some time for you to gauge if a toddler has eaten enough," Ms. Dribble spoke up behind Harry, startling him. "Toddlers are strange creatures; they have odd eating habits and inconsistent stomachs."

An uncertain laugh bubbled in Harry's chest, shaking Teddy. "I suppose. I do with he ate more," he admitted. Teddy often only ate a few bites of whatever he was given. It drove Harry mad, not just watching the food go to waste but also certain that Teddy was going to starve on his watch.

"But he doesn't seem hungry?" Ms. Dribble asked. She strode over to the bathroom, letting herself in without looking back.

"Well, no."

Mr. Cook waved his hand dismissively. "Then he's likely fine. A toddler won't let himself starve."

Teddy moaned then, a drawn-out and frustrated sound. He squirmed slowly as he stretched out his arms and legs individually. A hand smacked Harry in the face, knocking his glasses askew. Mr. Cook chuckled.

"And you mentioned that he's sleeping better?"

"Yeah. Not all night but he doesn't seem to...to wake up sad anymore." Harry rubbed Teddy's back, recalling those first couple weeks. The desperately sad wails that punctured the darkness as Teddy would wake from a nightmare and realize that he wasn't with Andromeda. "He goes back to sleep almost immediately when he does wake up, so it's more sleep for both of us."

"'a-wee..." Teddy's soft voice was croaking with sleep. His eyes weren't even open. "Ha-wee?"

Harry twisted his head to look at Teddy. "What's up?"

"'lank? You 'lank?"

"Your...?" Harry's brows drew together as he tried to decipher what Teddy was saying. It was something else he hadn't quite been prepared for, the constant translating from toddler gibberish to actual English. "Your lank? Lank...oh! Your blanket?"

Teddy nodded. "'lank."

"Okay let's...where did you put it?" Harry asked. But he was already standing, not really expecting an answer from the half-asleep toddler. Mr. Cook turned his head a few times, scanning the room. Harry searched briefly, too, but didn't immediately see the dull blue blanket that Teddy had taken a strong liking to in the past month. "I don't think we even went into the bedroom since we've been home...oh no."

Mr. Cook tilted his head. "Everything alright?"

"Oh, I think he left it."

Teddy huffed. "D-aco?"

"Yeah, Teddy, I think the blanket got left at Malfoy's."

"Malfoy?" Ms. Dribble asked sharply, popping back into the living room. "What's this about a Malfoy?"

"D-aco?" Teddy's head lifted then, his eyes open more. "'lank, Ha-wee?"

"I..." He spoke to Teddy first. "I'm sorry, but your blanket isn't here. We'll find another one in a minute." Then Harry looked back to Mr. Cook and Ms. Dribble, who had come to stand next to her partner on the loveseat. "It's, er, Draco Malfoy. A few weeks ago, he asked to watch Teddy while I was at work. I let him once, then it kind of turned into a regular thing...he's been watching Teddy while I'm at work instead of the Weasleys."

The Care-Seekers raised their brows and glanced at one another.

"I'm surprised, given your history with Mr. Malfoy, your willingness to allow such an arrangement," Ms. Dribble said.

Harry swallowed. Was letting a known ex-Death Eater watch Teddy, regardless of circumstances, going to make Harry look like an unfit guardian?

"I just...well, it seemed like the best idea," he stammered. "I mean, he-he-he doesn't know Fleur or Mrs. Weasley almost at all, and it seemed like a fair idea to try since...well, I mean-you know, since Malfoy lived with Teddy before and already knows him, and Teddy so far seems to really really like the arrangement and-"

"Mr. Potter," Ms. Dribble interrupted. "I must say, I am impressed."

"I know it-wait, what?"

"Impressed, Mr. Potter." For the first time since Harry had met her, Ms. Dribble was actually smiling. "That takes a lot of maturity, to not only recognize what would be best for a child, but to make it a reality even when it makes you uncomfortable."

Mr. Cook nodded. "It's quite well-known, the tension between you and the Malfoys. But as Mr. Draco Malfoy has only proven himself to be a law-abiding wizard since the war and has been regularly in Teddy's life until recently...well, Harry, I quite approve of Teddy having two familiar faces in his life versus your original routine with the Weasleys. This is likely why Teddy has been making great strides in his adjustment, wouldn't you say?"

"Er..."

"I would certainly say so," Ms. Dribble said. "Teddy, how do you like it?"

Still groggy, Teddy only looked at the Care-Seeker, face expressionless. Harry gave him a gentle jostle.

"Teddy, Ms. Dribble asked you something."

Nothing. If Harry was being honest with himself, he really wanted Teddy to tell the Care-Seekers that he didn't enjoy Malfoy or was at the very least indifferent. If Teddy lacked enthusiasm for the arrangement, perhaps Harry would be given a golden opportunity to tell Malfoy to shove off for good.

Ms. Dribble leaned in and softened her voice. "Teddy, honey? Do you like going to visit Draco Malfoy?"

Teddy lifted his chin. "D-aco?"

"Yes, dear."

"D-aco!" Teddy's voice betrayed Harry. It was all smiles and happiness, and it took everything in Harry not to openly groan in the Care-Seekers' beaming faces.

"This is excellent, Harry," Mr. Cook said. "Do you and Mr. Malfoy plan to continue this arrangement for long?"

"Er..." How long could he and Malfoy continue to see each other five days a week until they inevitably drew their wands and landed them both in trouble?

"Well, I should think at least until the end of your Auror training, yes?" Ms. Dribble interjected, brows raised sternly. "That's only until...when exactly are you due to graduate, Mr. Potter?"

"I...uhm...I believe next summer," Harry said. "June, I think."

Mr. Cook clapped his hands once. The sound startled Teddy, who jumped in Harry's arms before worming around to be set on the floor. Harry stooped over and let him down. Harry's stomach squirmed as Mr. Cook began to speak.

"Well, that's just perfect then, isn't it?"

"I...I'm not sure what you mean, sir."

"A little over a year of this arrangement would be perfect for Teddy. Nice and consistent, with two people he already knows and trusts. I think this is promising for Teddy, Harry, I truly do."

"However," Ms. Dribble began. "It is over a year that this would be in effect at the very least. I think, at the very least for legality's sake, we ought to have this in writing with binds. This way, as Mr. Malfoy would be spending so much time caring for Teddy, there would be guidelines for you both."

"Almost along the lines of partial custody," Mr. Cook added thoughtfully.

Harry's jaw dropped. "Partial custody?" he rasped.

Ms. Dribble shook her head. "Oh, not in such a way. You would still be Teddy's legal guardian. All Jameson meant by that was that a contract would hold Mr. Malfoy legally responsible for Teddy's safety and care rather than as you both are now."

"Uh..."

"And I believe it might even financially benefit you in certain aspects..." Mr. Cook said slowly. "Kara and I would have to review a few previously documented cases and see if they can apply to your unique case, but I think it could be done."

"Of course, all this does require your consent, Harry."

Ms. Dribble's words washed over Harry as he stared in horror at the two people who held Teddy's future in their hands. It was an innocent statement, but Harry knew there was a pointed nudge in the old witch's words. If he blatantly refused at this point, after it being so obviously approved of by the Care-Seekers and Teddy, it would look childish on Harry's part. Not exactly ideal for a hopeful guardian. He was backed into a corner with nowhere to go but exactly where he didn't want to go.

Fuck, he really hated Malfoy.

Trying to sound casual, Harry found himself saying, "Of course. Whatever's best for Teddy. When should we do this?"

It was an absolutely brilliant Saturday morning.

Draco strode in the brisk March air toward the Ministry's main entrance, his pleasure leaking into his step. It was hard not to grin as he made his way through the atrium, up the lifts, and into the Department of Magical Familial Services. The letter of victory was carefully folded in his breast pocket. Draco could practically feel the parchment emanating a warmth.

It had come only a few short hours after Potter had collected Teddy the night previous. Ministry owls were always obvious, being very well cared for and efficient in their work. Unsure what the Ministry could possibly want from him, it had been with great unease that Draco had untied the scroll from the large barn owl's leg.

MR. DRACO MALFOY,

After our second scheduled visit to MR. HARRY POTTER's residence in regards to his temporary guardianship of THEODORE LUPIN, it has come to our attention that you have been taking care of THEODORE during MR. POTTER's work hours. In positive regards to this arrangement, the Department of Magical Familial Services requests that you appear in the office of AGT. JAMESON COOK or AGT. KARA DRIBBLE no sooner than 11 o'clock in the morning on Saturday, the 25th of March. It is our hope that this meeting will result in a signed, legally binding contract that outlines the duties expected of yourself and MR. POTTER during THEODORE's temporary placement.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Agent Kara X. Dribble

Draco could have flown with the ecstasy. Instead, he settled for arriving at the Ministry right at eleven o'clock the following morning, trying not to look too eager while still allowing himself to be openly pleased.

At eighteen passed eleven, Potter finally showed up. Teddy was on his hip, the small blue backpack slung over his opposite shoulder. Looking harried and tired, Potter stumbled on the foot rug that was just inside the department's main door.

"D-aco!"

Teddy squirmed out of Potter's arm and hurried to throw himself into Draco's embrace. It was a brief hug, Teddy was used to seeing him now after all, but Draco was a bit surprised at the absolute fury that raged in Potter's eyes as he stomped closer.

Barely concealing a growl, Potter asked, "What are you doing here?"

Draco didn't answer immediately, choosing to pull back from Teddy and watch while the boy wandered off for the small play area before rolling his eyes back to Potter.

"I received an owl from Teddy's Care-Seekers requesting my presence for a joint custody meeting, Potter," Draco drawled, deliberately showing how satisfied he was. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

"It's not joint custody."

"Oh, dear Potter, that is not what the letter said."

"You-"

"Oh, Harry!" Mr. Cook's voice called. The man poked his head out from his office door, a large smile on his face. "You're right on time! Why don't you come on in?"

"Right," Potter said, turning his back on Draco. "Teddy, come on."

Teddy frowned from his position on the floor of the play area, blocks stacked about six high and another poised in his hand. "I wanna play."

"Teddy-"

"Don't worry yourself, Potter, I'll keep an eye on him." Draco smiled pleasantly as Potter shot a glare over his shoulder. "That is, afterall, why we're all here."

"Too right!" Mr. Cook answered enthusiastically, waving Potter into his office. "Come along, Harry, and we can make this quick."

Only the chance of having an audience kept Draco from laughing out loud at the look on Potter's face. There was no way they wouldn't end up killing each other one day, but for today, Draco and Potter were coming together for Teddy. It would do Potter some good to stop being so constipated about it for Teddy's sake.

Draco crossed his legs as he relaxed in his chair, watching Teddy play. He always had seemed to enjoy constructing things, something Draco wasn't sure he understood. Perhaps it was simply a toddler behavior. Perhaps Teddy would end up being a constructor of some sort.

And just like that, Draco realized that one day...Teddy would grow up. He wouldn't be little forever. He wouldn't ask Draco to sing for him forever. He wouldn't survive solely on rice, yogurt, and fish sticks forever. He wouldn't stack blocks forever. One day, Teddy would grow up. And Draco wanted to be there for it.

What were the details of the contract he was about to sign? If Potter was discussing the finer points with Mr. Cook just then, as Potter would still have much of the final say in those things, it was incredibly likely that there would be a time limit on the arrangement.

"Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco snapped his head up, surprised that Mr. Cook was already peeking out at him.

"Would you collect Teddy and come in, please? I think we're ready."

Thankfully, Teddy came without much argument, but he did refuse to sit in Draco's lap once he settled into the chair next to Potter. Teddy opted to wander around the little space behind them, examining the tables that held bowls of fake fruit.

"He's fine," Mr. Cook said to Draco and Potter as they both glanced back at Teddy. "There's nothing he can permanently damage. While he's content, however, let's cover as much of this as we can, shall we?"

Mr. Cook pulled out a long scroll of parchment from the opposite side of the large desk and laid it on the surface between them. The writing was neat and small, filling the entire thing with all sorts of indentations, asterisks, bolded phrases, and blank underlines for signatures. It was a daunting piece of paperwork.

"Now," Mr. Cook began. "You both will be taking home copies of this agreement for your own records, so don't feel like you have to memorize this. But we'll begin with the points of importance.

"This beginning section covers the generals of your agreement; that you, Harry, are to remain Teddy's sole legal guardian, pending final approval by the Care-Seekers managing Teddy's case. You, Mr. Malfoy, are not being granted custody in the sense that you will not be legally awarded, nor will Harry be legally bound to grant you, overnight or holiday privileges with Teddy. Your part will be to keep Teddy during Harry's work time hours during the week, which means that you are not legally obligated to watch Teddy should Harry have an evening or weekend need of child care."

"Alright," Draco said.

Mr. Cook nodded. "Excellent. Now, the rest of this document goes into the finer details and specifics of the agreement, mostly legal catch phrases that cover everyone's tails if there is an issue later down the line. However, if you two are quite alright with Harry dropping Teddy off at Mr. Malfoy's flat to be watched every weekday for an agreed-upon amount of time with no additional visitations, I highly doubt that either of you will stumble into legal trouble. Most of the time, disagreements appear in these types of agreements because one party tries to take advantage of the other."

Potter scoffed, just lightly enough to be ignored as a cough.

"But as both of you are very eager to keep Teddy out of the adoption system, Kara and I are quite confident that neither of you will try to step out of the agreement once you both have signed.

"There's also the matter of financial responsibilities."

Draco frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, right now, Harry is solely responsible for any financial needs Teddy requires." Mr. Cook sat back in his chair. "Annual check ups with a Pediatric Healer, nappies, food, clothes, future education costs, any emergencies that come up. That's all on Harry, however he can make that happen. As you will be caring for Teddy approximately a quarter of any single week, by signing this agreement you will become legally responsible for a quarter of these costs until the agreement is concluded."

Draco could feel Potter's gaze on him as Mr. Cook spoke. The hope radiating from the fool was suffocating. It couldn't be more obvious that Potter wanted Draco to decline, to place money above his love for Teddy and give up all rights to the boy, than if he had painted the words across his bare chest and danced on the desk. Frustrated hatred surged through Draco; could Potter stop being so predictable for five sodding seconds and just behave until their could get out of sight of the Care-Seekers?

"Seems fair to me," Draco said evenly.

"Excellent. So, as far as renewability, this written agreement will expire on..." Mr. Cook glanced down the scroll, reading swiftly toward the bottom. "...at 11:59 in the evening on Friday, the first on June, 2001."

"Why-"

"That is Harry's graduation date from the Auror training program. Once he has graduated, he will be given a brief vacation, then his schedule will adjust to the department's needs. Depending on if Harry has been approved for permanent guardianship by then or now, another type of agreement between you two might be drawn up at that time."

"And if he is granted guardianship?"

"Then a renewed agreement would not be necessary. It would simply be up to Harry without our department's interference, as would be the case for any biological parent."

Draco swallowed. "And if he is granted guardianship before this agreement expires?"

"Well, as this is a legally binding document, you both would still be obligated to abide by it."

The sudden tension left Draco's shoulders, seeming to transfer directly to Potter's back, which went rigid at Mr. Cook's words.

Unable to help himself, Draco said, "That makes sense. It would give Teddy the most stability, which is what we all want."

The heat that came off of Potter was insatiably amusing. Draco bit his lip in an attempt not to laugh when Mr. Cook beamed at him.

"Yes, precisely! Glad to hear that you're both on board with this. We do try to avoid stranger adoptions at all costs, and I must say that you young men are putting your best feet forward for Teddy here with all of this. I must say that I am overjoyed at the dedication."

If only poor Mr. Cook knew a fraction of it.

But, with a copy of the agreement rolled up in his robes a moment later, that was how Draco found himself signing his name under Potter's. As of 11:48 that brisk Saturday morning in late March, they were legally bound by the Ministry of Magic itself to work together for a little over sixteen months. There was no specific date or deadline for Potter to be approved for full guardianship, leaving the entire arrangement hanging on the rocky hope that Draco and Potter could play nice long enough to keep Teddy from being given to a family of strangers. Little fingers gripped his robes as Draco signed his name alongside his bitterest rival, reminding him that if it meant keeping Teddy, Draco could make it work.

He had to.