"C'mon! Everyone! Now!" Harry raced through the large house barking orders at elves and family alike.
"Harry!" Narcissa's hand gripped her son's collar. "I know you're excited, but there's no reason to work yourself into a tizzy."
"Or act like Lord and Master," James chimed in. "Need I remind you who's in charge here, Hogwarts or not?"
"You and Mum!" Draco smiled charmingly at his father before tossing Harry a smirk.
"But everyone's so SLOW!" Harry had never been very patient, but with his sorting awaiting him he was downright raring to go. "Dad! He's looking at me again!"
"Not my fault I have eyes." Draco glared and pushed his brother from behind.
"Enough! Both of you." James sighed and shook his head at the pair. "Need I remind you that Mummy and I won't be at Hogwarts with you and how lucky you are to have each other? Some students won't have anyone at all. Imagine how scared you'd be then?"
"I wouldn't be scared," Harry argued. "I can't wait!"
Draco pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. It was no secret Harry was a natural explorer while Draco much preferred sticking to what he knew. And though he was loathe to admit it, he was terrified of leaving James and Narcissa. "Am not scared neither."
"Good. There's no reason to be." Narcissa smiled warmly as she bent to kiss Draco's cheek. "Your godfather cannot wait to see you."
At the reminder of Severus, Draco's own face brightened. "Yeah! He said I'll be in his House for sure!"
"You don't know that, Draco." James' words were uncharacteristically short which rewarded him with a scowl from his wife. "I only meant," he quickly amended, "That no one can promise you a House, tiger. The hat will do the sorting."
"But I'll be a Gryffindor, right Dad?" Harry tugged at James' hand. "Just like you and Mummy Lily!"
Narcissa's eyes clouded at the mention. While neither she nor James had neglected to tell the boys about their biological parents, Narcissa always felt like she got short-changed. Lucius wasn't much competition, but Lily? Muggle-born or not, the woman had been a damn good mother and wife. Narcissa hated that she was still known as the second mother where James had virtually won the title of only father from Draco. "Sweetheart, Daddy's correct. The hat will sort you. However, do remember where I was housed." She forced a smile and hugged the child to her. "You've learned quite a bit from me, yes?"
"Course, Mum, but still! It's in the genes or something! I wanna be there!" Harry didn't mean to hurt which was obvious when he freely snuggled into Narcissa's embrace.
"Well, I don't." Draco picked up his owl's cage, frowning. "Godfather's Head of Slytherin."
"Your godfather." Harry followed Draco's lead and began taking up his prized possessions. "Think we'll still get to play even if we're in different Houses?"
Draco bit his lip and looked toward their parents.
"No matter where you sleep, you'll still be brothers. Now, stop worrying." James ruffled his sons' hair though his heart sunk at Draco's nervous eyes. Over five years later and the boy still sought reassurance of his place with them; the healer had explained Draco's base personality coupled with Lucius' harsh ways left him needy, but James always felt like he was failing whenever Draco turned those scared eyes up at him.
"I know, now let's go!" Harry hopped from foot to foot.
"We'll be later if we need to adjust that attitude, young man." James fixed Harry with the well known final warning stare.
"Now, James, he's simply excited." Narcissa rubbed circles into the man's back. "I'm sure you were the same little imp your first day!"
Giving into a grin, James landed a peck on Narcissa's lips. "No idea what you mean, love."
CH. 6.1
"We're here!" Draco tried to take in every sight and sound as the family walked the platform. "It's as brilliant as they said, Harry!"
"I'm not in the habit of fibbing to my favorite little boys," James teased.
"There's the train! Daddy! Er, Dad!" Harry hauled himself at James' legs. "Bye! Mum, quick, before anyone sees!"
Narcissa rolled her eyes, but she dutifully hugged and kissed Harry -- just not as quickly as he commanded.
"Mummy! I mean Mum! People are watching!" He squirmed against Narcissa's stomach.
"And they'll keep watching until you bid me a proper farewell, mister." Narcissa blinked back tears. She couldn't bear the idea of returning home without her babies.
"Arg, FINE." Harry laughed and squeezed his mother hard.
"Daddy?" James knelt down at Draco's whisper. "What is it, little one?"
"You'll still hug me, won't you?" Draco looked anxious as he fiddled with his top shirt button. "Even though I'm a big boy now?"
James' response came in the form of a bone crushing embrace that lifted Draco straight off the floor. "Can I tell you a secret?" James murmured the question into his son's ear. "You're a big boy going off to Hogwarts, but no matter how old you get? You'll always be my baby." He nuzzled his cheek against Draco's. "You go be our brilliant son and whenever you miss this? Just close your eyes and think realllll hard about it feels."
"I love you." Draco's lips quivered, but he bravely held back tears while his thin arms clung to James' neck.
"I love you too. And if you want to write every day to read that? You do it." James squeezed Draco one last time before setting him back on the floor so that the child could bid Narcissa a similar goodbye.
"Harry, you rascal, you're not going anywhere without…" James picked the boy up and flung him around before pulling him close.
"Arg, Dad! So embarrassing!"
"Exactly what I do best," James returned. "Now, big hugs, tiger."
Sighing as if asked to perform the hardest act ever, Harry took his time in doing as asked. However, once his face was buried against his father's shoulder, he frowned. "Miss me?"
"Always."
CH. 6.2.
Dear Mummy and Daddy,
I did it! I'm in Slytherin! Godfather makes me call him Professor Snape here, but it's brilliant being in his house anyway! It still stinks I can't make Quidditch til next year, but I'm going to be the best flyer in class just wait. They should make an exception for me don't you think? Anyway, Mummy? Can you send me some sweets pretty please?
Love,
Draco
Mum & Dad:
I'm in the best House! Gryffindor! Draco got Slytherin, but that's okay I guess. I'll make sure he gets some mates. I met lots of brill ones like Ron Weasley, but he's just hanging out with these scary boys named Crabbe and Goyle. They're right awful, Dad. You should tell him to play with us and not them. Mum? Can I have some chocolate frogs?
Love Harry.
Dearest Draco,
We're both very proud of you! Of course, we also miss you and Harry tons.
Remember to mind the staff and don't go sneaking off to fly alone. You might be living at Hogwarts for the moment, but Daddy and I can find our way there to remind you of our rules if need be. One year isn't the end of the world.
And of course I''ll send you your favorite sweets straight away.
Loving and missing you,
Mummy and Daddy
Dearest Harry,
We are extremely proud of you!
It's good of you to watch out for your brother, but remember it's okay for you two to have separate mates sometimes. We're sure he still wants to play with you though.
I'll send you your chocolates in the next package. Behave or you'll be seeing us sooner than later.
Loving and missing you,
Mummy and Daddy
A/N: I apologize for the few weeks it took to get this up, but I've appreciated all the comments and feedback. I DO plan on having Severus make an appearance and there's definitely more bonding to be had for Draco and James. :)