Warning: There is no smut in this chapter (sorry)...just cuteness (I hope). Enjoy!

A Busy Day
About two weeks later...
Sunday, 2 December 2007

~ o ~

Yawning, Harry rolled from his back to his left side, slithering his right arm over where Draco's narrow waist used to be and nuzzling the back of the blond man's neck.

"You sleep okay?" he asked sleepily.

Draco just groaned.

Frowning, Harry sat up and rubbed Draco's hip. "Draco?"

"I'm fine. Just uncomfortable."

"Can I get you anything?"

Draco gave his head a little shake, then said, "I'm hot."

"It's December."

"Hot."

Shrugging, Harry took up their heavy blanket and gently peeled it back, then adjusted the pillow that the blond had between his legs and supporting his large belly. Then he watched as Draco's belly shifted. For the last two weeks—which brought Draco right up to the end of his pregnancy—the baby had gone from fairly strong fetal activity to only just barely squirming. There was just no more room in the man's body to house the child and Draco was extremely uncomfortable.

"I need to have a piss," he complained.

Popping up, Harry was on his feet and circling their bed, then helping the other man to his feet.

"I hate this," Draco said as he held Harry's hand.

Harry had slipped his other hand to the small of Draco's back and was helping him along. "I know."

In the bathroom, Harry waited for his pregnant boyfriend to use the toilet—Draco had to sit now, because he couldn't see around his belly to aim properly—then handed him a towel after he'd washed his hands.

"I don't really hate this," the blond admitted, their eyes meeting in the mirror.

Harry grinned, his green eyes shining. "I know."

Draco laughed—then groaned, his face screwing up.

"What's happening? You all right?" the dark-haired man asked, immediately moving in and putting his hands on his pregnant boyfriend. "Why's your stomach so hard?"

For nearly a minute, Draco ignored Harry's questions and worried looks as he breathed through the pain, then his eyes went to the other man.

"Might be time."

Harry's eyes widened. "Might be?"

Draco nodded. "Think so. It wasn't so...fast before."

"But you just woke up," Harry said.

Draco snorted. "I've been up all night, Potter."

Frowning, Harry said, "Why didn't you tell me? I could have—"

"Helped?" Draco shook his head. "You would have just...ohhh..."

Pausing, the blond leaned heavily into Harry, allowing the other man to hold him up while the contraction twisted his middle.

"I'm fine," he said quickly—as soon as the contraction had ended—then finished his previous thought as Harry helped him to sit back down on the bed. "You would have just worried and there's not really much you can do."

"I still would have liked to have known," Harry grumbled. "I've missed so much already."

Draco snorted. "This is worth missing."

"I don't know why you have to go through all this," Harry complained. "Your Healer said you don't actually have to push the baby out...thank Merlin! So, why can't we just go to St Mungo's and have them do this with magic...so you're not in pain?"

Draco nodded. "It's time. We can go now," he said, pointing at the bag he had packed to bring with them. "And I do have to go through this...if I want to know from the beginning if my children are magical."

Harry frowned. "What?"

Rolling his eyes, Draco gave his head a shake. "Don't you listen to Granger...er...Weasley?" he corrected himself. "She's been going on and on about this sort of pregnancy for months!"

"Um. Apparently not," Harry said, frowning.

Draco laughed, then gritted his teeth through another contraction.

Feeling helpless, Harry bit his lip and watched, rubbing Draco's lower back through the intense pain. "I don't understand," he said when it was over.

"If the baby can magick him or herself out of me, then we'll know it's magical...not a Squib. If it can't...or doesn't...then we'd have to wait until he or she shows signs."

"I don't care if the baby's a Squib, Draco!" Harry burst. "It's crazy to put yourself through this when you don't have to."

Draco shook his head. "I don't mind. I like knowing."

Harry sighed. "Okay. Fine. So, what now?"

"Go tell Aunt Andromeda and she can notify Mother and Father."

Harry nodded. "Wait. You told her, but not me."

Draco rolled his eyes—then groaned. "Go!"

Jumping up, Harry ran from the room. He didn't have far to go though, because Andromeda was on the stairs; she'd been staying with them just in case.

"Time?" she asked.

Harry nodded.

The older woman smiled. "Relax, Harry," she said. "This sort of thing happens every day. You'll both do fine."

Nodding again, Harry turned and ran back to Draco—who looked good, despite what he was going through.

"All right. Ready?"

"I'm ready to pop, Potter! Get the fuck over here and help me up."

Helping the blond to his feet, Harry lugged the blond to the Floo and they were gone.

~ o ~

"Merlin, I hate traveling by Floo," Draco bitched as they stumbled into St Mungo's reception area. It was good that the hospital had added themselves to the Floo Network—about five years prior—but traveling that way was a messy business.

Nodding, Harry led the blond over to the Welcome Witch—who glanced up at them and frowned at Draco.

"Back again, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked snidely, then pursed her lips. "Surprise, surprise."

Opening his mouth to reply, Draco was silenced as another contraction hit him—causing him to nearly drop to his knees. Thankfully he did not, because Harry was there to grab him and hold him firmly. And then the dark-haired man glared at the woman.

"I know you think you're a person of great consequence, with an extremely important position here, but...would you kindly get my laboring boyfriend the help he deserves...just like anyone else does," he said sternly—it was not a question. "And then I want you to notify the proper floor, so they're ready for us when we get there. And then, I expect you to wipe that nasty look of that bigoted pinched face of yours, witch, you are no better than this wonderful man here!"

The woman gaped at him for a moment, then gave a clipped nod. "Certainly, Mr. Potter. Of course, Sir. I'm so sorry."

"As you should be!" Harry snapped, his eyes going to Draco, who was puffing up proudly.

Within seconds they were on their way upstairs, Draco sitting in a Muggle-type wheelchair that hovered instead of rolled and smiling.

"I have never, in all the years I've known you, Potter, been so grateful for your fame," he said. "Where the fuck were you the last three times I went through this?"

Harry laughed. "Yeah, usually I hate it, but it can come in handy...at times like this. And Draco, had I known about all this," he said, gesturing between them, "nothing could have kept me away."

Draco grinned, then groaned.

"Ahh, Mr. Malfoy, there you are," a witch in lime green robes said when they'd exited the lift. She rushed toward them and frowned down at the blond. "You're further along in this than last time. I warned you to come right away this time...these things tend to speed up with each one," she said exasperatedly.

"I know, but...Harry was sleeping," Draco said.

"Wait. We were supposed to come sooner and you let me sleep?"

Grimacing through another hard contraction, Draco nodded. "You needed the sleep, Potter."

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Malfoy! I can sleep after this!"

As the pain subsided, Draco snorted. "Right. Sleep in a house with a newborn. What are you...new?"

Harry frowned. "Well, apparently I am, but...let's not argue."

"Brilliant idea," the green robe-wearing witch agreed. "Right this way, gentlemen."

Turning into a decent-sized room, Draco stood up, stripped down and changed into the gown he was given, then waddled over to the comfortable-looking bed and settled into it—after which the witch pulled out her wand and started performing a series of tests.

"Oh Merlin, Mr. Malfoy, you sure let this progress, didn't you? You're just about at the end."

"Is that bad?" Harry asked, clearly ready to panic.

The woman shook her head and placed a hand on Harry's arm. "Oh no, Mr. Potter, but if this one," she said, gesturing at Draco, "weren't so bloody stubborn, he could avoid all this Muggle nonsense."

Harry frowned—and so the woman continued.

"Only Muggles have to suffer through labor. Witches and wizards do not. There is a handy spell to remove the baby and poof! the baby is here!" she said with a boisterous wave of her arms. "But nooo, Mr. Malfoy wants to suffer."

"Draco?"

The blond rolled his eyes. "It's not like I want to suffer, Harry," he said, giving the witch a glare, "I would just like to know if he or she is magical and not have to wait for him or her to show signs. Is that too much to want?"

Harry was still frowning, totally confused—and so the witch tried to explain.

"If the baby can magick itself out of Draco's womb, then he or she will have magical abilities."

Nodding, Harry said, "Oh, okay. And if it can't magick itself out?"

"Well, it's more like doesn't. If the child doesn't magick itself out, then he may or may not have magical abilities. Mr. Malfoy here just wants to know upfront."

"I see," Harry said—then he had to wait as Draco's belly contracted painfully, leaving them all speechless for the duration.

"So. The children. You did this each time?" Harry asked, impressed by the other man's strength. He would have thought Draco Malfoy would have caved at the first sign of discomfort.

Draco nodded, then beamed. "They're all magical, Harry," he said. "I was worried about Caelum...you know Greg...but all is good."

Harry nodded and grimaced. "Right." Then he grinned.

"Aria was the quickest. She apparently wanted out!" the blond said.

"Well, who wouldn't," said Harry, laughing. Then he pretended to shudder. "Girls!"

Draco might have giggled if he'd been in his right mind—or body—at this point, but... Contraction! "Oh, fuck, this hurts!" he growled, grabbing onto the dark-haired man's hand and squeezing hard.

"I'm so sorry, Draco," Harry said, wincing at the blond's grip. "I promise not to do this to you again."

As the twisting ache in his middle receded, Draco took a deep breath and tried to relax, smiling up at Harry. "Damn straight you won't!"

Laughing, Harry wiped the sweat from Draco's brow and looked deeply into the man's gray eyes. "And the twins?" he queried, obviously curious about the two who'd been created by his own essence.

"Those little shits were the hardest of them all, now that I think about it," Draco bitched. "It's completely believable that they're your offspring, Potter!"

Harry laughed.

"Um. Mr. Malfoy," the witch interrupted. "Your belly is glowing now, so I'm going to go get the Healer. Will you be all right for a moment?"

Draco nodded. "I'm fine."

Turning, the woman left.

But, as soon as she was out of the room, Draco's stomach started to feel as if it were on fire, then it began to shimmer—and then, as another massive contraction ripped through him, the image of a child began to appear.

"It's...coming, Harry," the blond ground out through the clenching pain. "It's Apparating! It has magic."

Though Draco was clearly elated, this was terrifying to Harry. Not knowing what to do, Harry rushed forward and held out his hands, not sure if he was supposed to catch the child or what. And then it was there in his arms and he was staring at the tiny naked thing.

"It's a boy, Draco!" Harry gasped as he clutched the slimy, black-haired infant to his chest. "He's...beautiful."

His head throw back in exhaustion, Draco sighed. "Well, of course he is."

Harry laughed. "Oh thank you, Draco," he said, tears coursing down his cheeks. "Thank you for this."

Opening his eyes, the blond watched the man he loved, as he lovingly held their new baby, and decided that everything he'd lived through up until that moment had been worth it, just to see this look on Harry Potter's face. Life was good and he couldn't be happier.

But then he started to feel...odd.

"Harry? I don't...feel...right," he said, grimacing.

It took an extreme effort to look away from his new son, but when he did he noticed how pale Draco looked. Paler than normal. And clammy.

"Draco? Are you okay?"

But Draco wasn't answering. Panicking, Harry ran to the door, threw it open, and yelled for help. Immediately the room was flooded with hospital personnel. Someone took his son and whisked the newborn away. Someone else pushed Harry to the far side of the room and up against the wall to get him out of the way. And several others crowded around Draco's bed so that Harry couldn't even see what was happening. Standing at the wall, sweating with worry, Harry began to shake violently, with terror.

But then he heard the sound of a crying newborn and tried to focus.

"Mr. Potter," a Healer said, "could you please hold your daughter while we work on Mr. Malfoy?"

Blinking, Harry nodded as he took the screaming pink bundle and brought her to his chest without thinking, then stood there waiting, confused.

But not for long.

After what seemed like hours, though it has been just minutes, he was asked to leave the room—led away by the same witch who pushed him away and into the wall earlier—and now he was sitting in a small room staring at his tiny new babies and wondering if their other father was going to live through this mess.

~ o ~

Tap. Tap.

Turning, Harry saw Hermione and Ron standing at a window looking at him. Swallowing, he cast a glance down at his sleeping babies, then went to his friends.

"Harry?!" Hermione burst, throwing her arms around him and squeezing tightly.

"Twins," he said, his face buried in her bushy curls. Then his eyes filled with tears and he shook his head. "But Draco. I don't know what's going on. They haven't told me anything."

Detaching herself from Harry, Hermione nodded. "I'll go find out what's happening. Ron'll stay here with you."

Numbly, Harry nodded, his eyes going to his first ever friend, then to the tiny bundles resting in the tiny hospital cots. "Twins," he repeated.

Ron grinned. "Yeah, mate. Now you have two sets of 'em."

Harry nodded. "Yeah...I do."

"I can't imagine how mum got through Fred and George. Let's hope yours are nothing like them."

This made Harry smile. "How'd you know we were here?"

"Hermione Floo'd over to check on you guys and only found Andromeda with six kids."

Harry cringed. "Maybe you guys could go check on her later?"

Ron nodded. "She was doing great though...had Teddy and Caelum as her little soldiers to keep the others in line."

Smiling, Harry nodded.

"So," Ron said. "Red."

Harry frowned. "What?"

"The girl. She has red hair," Ron pointed out, then laughed. "I bet Malfoy loves that."

This caused Harry's face to scrunch up and tears to immediately start pouring out. "Draco hasn't even seen her. What if he doesn't wake up? He'll never see her."

Awkwardly, Ron put his arms around his friend and patted his back. "I'm sorry, Harry, I wasn't thinking, but...I'm sure he'll be fine, right? I mean, the Ferret's luck is second only to yours."

Sniffling, Harry nodded. "Right. Of course he will."

"Do you guys have names picked out? Because, that was hard for us. Hermione wanted one thing and I wanted another, but...I figure that, since she has to carry them, she should get to choose."

Harry smiled.

"She's pregnant again...Hermione," Ron went on. "Due in June."

"That's great, Ron," said Harry, but his voice was flat.

Ron tried to smile, but it was hard when his best friend was so sad. "So, do you...have names for them?"

First Harry shrugged—and then he nodded. "Yeah, we agreed on Sirius James Malfoy-Potter for a boy and...Lyra Lily Malfoy-Potter if we had a girl. I guess we have both," he said, letting out a sob.

~ o ~

Several hours later, still waiting for Draco to awaken—Harry'd been told that Draco would survive, but that he needed serious rest and recovery—Harry sat in the chair beside the unconscious man's bed, his head resting on the mattress beside Draco's legs. He was exhausted, but desperately wished Draco would wake up and speak to him. Even if it was just one word.

"Mr. Potter?" a female voice whispered, causing Harry to sit up groggily. "I know you need some rest too, but...would you like to help feed your children? It's fine if you'd rather not...we do have milk witches on staff."

Harry frowned, wondering if that was like a Muggle wet nurse. "Um. No. I'll feed them."

The witch smiled. "Very well, I'll have them brought in. Lyra seems to be awake and ready. She was quite angry that she's had to wait, but one of the nursery wizards is holding her, so she's quieted down a bit. And Sirius has slept through all his sister's cries. Less of a temper, it seems."

Harry smiled. "Okay."

"I'll get them, but it'll be a minute," the witch said, then left.

Sighing, Harry rubbed a hand over his scruffy face, then through his disaster of hair. "What the fuck were we thinking, Draco?" he whispered, his head in his hands.

"Weren't."

Harry's head snapped up. "Draco?"

"Hmm."

"Oh Merlin, you're alive," he said, now leaning over the blond's bed.

Snorting, Draco said, "Of course. You can't...get rid of me...that easily."

"I wouldn't want to," Harry said, looking the man over from head to toe. "Can I touch you?"

Draco shrugged. "Think so."

Leaning, Harry gingerly wrapped his arms around the prone man, then peppered gentle kisses over his face and head. "I was so frightened, Draco."

"What sort of Gryffindor are you?"

"The sort that was terrified of losing you. Don't you ever do that to me again!"

"It's not as if I planned it, Potter," the blond said. "Where's our son? Is he as perfect as I remember him to be? I remember black hair."

Harry grinned. "Yes, black hair, but..."

Draco frowned. "But what?"

"He um...has a sister."

Draco blinked. "Yeah, all the boys do."

Harry shook his head. "No, not Aria. You had twins."

"Again?!"

"Yeah, 'fraid so."

"Un-fucking-believable! Your fault, Potter," the blond accused. "Both sets are yours...your fault."

Harry blushed. "Sorry."

Draco shrugged. "I want to see them."

Nodding, Harry motioned toward the door. "They're bringing them in."

~ o ~

The rest of the day Draco and Harry—and the babies—had a stream of visitors. Molly and Arthur were the first to arrive, but they weren't, by any means, the only.

"Oh, Harry dear, they're lovely," the red-haired woman said, "Sort of a little James and Lily."

"Yes, they are. Thank you, Molly," Harry said proudly.

"And Draco, how are you feeling, dear?" asked Molly, her eyes going to him. "Having babies can be rough business. And I hear you did it the hard way. Well, almost the hard way."

Draco nodded. "I'm fine, Mrs. Weasley, thank you."

"Please, call me Molly. We're family now."

Smiling, the blond nodded again. He was still a little uncomfortable around Harry's adoptive family—given their histories—but was aware that they had nothing but good intentions toward him these days and wanted to make nice.

"Thank you, Molly," he said, giving the woman what she wanted.

Arthur Weasley, who'd been standing there quietly, leaning over and examining the babies—who had just fallen asleep again—looked at Draco and pursed his lips, then said, "The boy might have your eyes, son."

"Yes, Sir, I think he might. And his name is Sirius."

Arthur nodded. "Of course. Named after a good man. Two good men," he amended, thinking of Harry's father. "Excellent choice, boys!"

"I think Lyra might have Harry's eyes though," said Draco. "It's hard to tell this early, but...I think she will."

"And his mother's hair as well," Molly said as she lightly stroked Lyra's brow, causing her tiny forehead to pinch up, then relax again.

Draco smiled and bit his tongue to avoid saying something that would get him into trouble—and then they were distracted by the door opening.

"Oh, Draco. How are you, darling?" Narcissa Malfoy asked as she glided into the room, her husband on her heels. "I heard there was some trouble."

Draco nodded as his mother kissed his cheek, but didn't elaborate; if she didn't know he'd almost died, then he wasn't going to be the one to tell her. "Yes, but I'm fine. Hello Father."

Lucius Malfoy gave his son a stiff nod, but didn't say anything to him, then his eyes turned on the others in the room and narrowed. "Arthur," he greeted coldly—and completely ignored Molly and Harry's presence.

"Lucius," Arthur responded, his tone equally frosty.

Her lips thinning, Narcissa's shining blue eyes went to Harry. "I hope you will tell us everything that happened today, dear...I can tell my son isn't going to be forthcoming."

Smiling, Harry nodded. "Of course. Later."

Satisfied by Harry's response, Narcissa went over to the babies and rubbed her palms together cheerfully. "May I hold one of them?"

"Certainly," Harry said, instantly moving to pick up a baby. "Sirius or Lyra?"

Narcissa shrugged. "Either is fine. Lucius can hold the other."

Sitting in the chair Harry had vacated, Narcissa accepted the blue-bundled baby that Harry placed in her arms and grinned. "So small," she said. "You forget how very small we all start out."

"Indeed," Molly said. "And twins are often smaller."

Narcissa looked up and gave the red-haired woman a sympathetic look, then reached out and squeezed her hand. She didn't actually say anything, but the two women seemed to understand each other—if only for the moment.

"Would you prefer to sit, Mr. Malfoy?" Harry asked, unsure how to talk to the man who'd never been any more than a thorn in his side, but was now sort of like his father-in-law.

For a moment Lucius Malfoy just glowered, then he moved into the chair beside his wife, squirming a bit to settle into it, then looked up at Harry.

"Ready?" Harry asked.

The blond man gave a clipped nod, then had his left arm filled with his son's red-haired newborn, who was wrapped tightly in her pink blanket.

"Well, Draco dear, we'll let you have some time with your parents," Molly said as she leaned over the bed and gave Draco a quick kiss on the forehead. "I'm sure we'll see plenty of you later on...after things settle down."

"Of course, Molly," Draco said. "Come over any time."

Molly grinned at the invitation. "We'll take you up on that offer." Then turning to Harry, she said, "Take care of them, dear."

Harry nodded.

"Draco. Harry," Arthur Weasley said, holding out his hand first to the bedridden man and then to the other. "Congratulations to you both."

Harry took Arthur's hand after Draco and grinned. "Thanks!"

Then nodding a somewhat chilly goodbye to Draco's parents, the Weasleys turned to leave, Molly practically galloping, her handbag swinging wildly in one hand while she held onto Arthur with the other. "Let's go see, Georgie, Arthur," she was saying at they walked out.

"Colorful," Lucius said as soon as the door closed.

"Behave yourself, Lucius!" Narcissa scolded. "This isn't the time."

Shrugging with just one shoulder—because he didn't want to disturb his sleeping granddaughter—Lucius looked at his wife. "What? They're colorful people. Are they not?"

Narcissa's lips thinned, but she didn't respond.

"There are colorful," Harry admitted.

"See? Even Potter agrees with me," Lucius Malfoy said, though he didn't even look at Harry.

Draco scoffed. "I hardly think Harry's agreeing with you, Father. He's merely being nice. You might try it sometime," he said snidely. "But you can pretend if you wish."

Tittering, Narcissa never took her eyes off her grandson, but Lucius glared harshly at his son before looking down at the baby in his arms. Reaching up with his right hand, he touched Lyra's soft red hair.

"It's sort of...strawberry blonde," the older man said, as if that were more tasteful to him.

Glancing at Harry, Draco frowned—clearly worried about what his boyfriend would think. But Harry didn't appear upset at all. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying the fact that both of Draco's parents were lovingly holding a Potter child.

"Oh, Lucius, look," Narcissa cried, giving her husband a nudge. "Sirius just opened his eyes and...they look just like yours and Draco's."

Turning, Lucius Malfoy looked from his pink bundle to his wife's blue one and smiled—and Draco thought it was the most genuine smile he could ever remember seeing on his father's face.

And then Draco understood. His parents might have once wanted more children, but never had them...for whatever reasons. He knew they'd always loved him—adored and cherished him—but they'd gotten wrapped up in the craziness that was their life and couldn't really be there for him. And then the war ended and his pregnancy issues began and they'd been forced to stay away from him. The separation had caused a huge rift, but he hoped it was one they could mend now that they didn't have to worry about him anymore.

Looking at Harry again, Draco smiled. Harry smiled back and moved to his side. After a second, Draco patted the bed next to him, silently asking the dark-haired man to lie next to him—and, after a moment's hesitation, Harry sat down and made himself comfortable.

Draco could immediately feel his father's eyes on them, but he didn't bother looking up. And Harry, oblivious as always, just closed his eyes and sighed.

~ o ~

Later in the day, close to evening, Ron and Hermione showed up again, this time with Andromeda, Teddy, and Draco and Harry's gaggle of children.

"Dad!" Caelum burst as he entered the room. "Aunt 'Mione said we have twins again."

"Yep," Draco said, answering his son, then sending a questioning look at Hermione Weasley.

Looking at him guiltily, Hermione shrugged. "He asked if he could and...I didn't know what to say. Was it a mistake?" she asked, biting her lip worriedly. It wasn't like she and the blond were friends, but...she hadn't wanted to tell the boy no.

After a moment, Draco shrugged. "Whatever," he said as his older twins clamored up and onto his bed and cuddled close—they apparently still hated the hospital. "Doesn't matter at this point, I guess."

"Poppy, up!" two year old Scorpius demanded. He'd been holding Hermione's hand, but as soon as he noticed Harry he let go and was tugging on Harry's pant leg. "Want up, Poppy."

Smiling, Harry scooped up the boy and kissed his chubby cheek. "Would you like see your new brother and sister?"

Scorpius nodded emphatically. "Babies. Two," he said, pointing at them and then back at himself. "Me two."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, Scorp, you're two and we have two babies," he said, holding up two fingers.

But Scorpius frowned and shook his head. "No. Twee baby." Then he pointed again. "Baby, baby," he poked in the air, once at Sirius and a second time at Lyra, then looked at Aria, who was in Andromeda's arms. "Baby too. Twee baby."

Everyone looked a bit shocked, but recovered quickly.

"Smart kid you have there, Malfoy," Ron said.

"Yeah, that's my boy," Draco said proudly.

Handing Aria to Teddy—who entertained her by running his hair through a gamut of colors—Andromeda moved in and placed a kiss on her nephew's head. "Congratulations, dear," she said. "Hermione filled me in. Thank Merlin you're still with us."

"Thank you, Aunt Andromeda," Draco said. "I guess I don't really remember what happened. Didn't even know we had twins...Harry had to tell me when I woke up. I'm good now though."

"Can I hold them, Dad?" Caelum asked.

Draco nodded, then looked at Harry for help. Though he was back to his pre-pregnancy size and shape—magic was pretty awesome!—he was thoroughly exhausted and didn't want to move.

"If you sit here," Harry told Caelum, "I'll give you your brother."

"Uh-uh. I want my sister first," he said as he hopped onto the chair and held out his arms excitedly.

Laughing, Harry nodded. "All right." Gently setting Scorpius on Draco's bed, he picked up Lyra.

"She's...tiny," remarked Caelum after Harry'd laid her down in his arms. "Is Siri bigger?"

Picking up his newborn son, Harry sat down beside the seven-year-old and said, "No, not really. Twins are usually smaller at birth, because there's less room inside to grow, but...they're a good size. And they'll grow quickly, just like Aria."

"Her hair is red," the boy said next.

"Yeah, it is. My mother had red hair," Harry explained.

"Not a word, Weasley!" Draco warned from his bed, glaring at Harry's redheaded friend.

Holding up his hands in mock surrender, Ron shook his head. "I said nothing, Malfoy!"

"Pretty sure you're going to," the blond said, still glaring.

Ron smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about, Ferret."

"Ooo, can we get a ferret, Dad?" Caelum asked. "That would be way cooler than a dog."

Ron snickered and Draco glared at him. "No son, we cannot get a ferret," the blond said.

"Hmm. Okay. Well...I think Lyri's red hair is pretty," said Caelum, putting in his two knuts. "Different, but pretty. What color are her eyes?"

"It's hard to say with new babies, buddy," Harry answered, "but...your dad thinks they're going to be green."

Caelum grinned.

"You'll have to tell us what color you think they are when she wakes up."

Nodding, the seven-year-old grinned; he clearly liked that Harry wanted to know what he thought. "Can I hold him now?" he asked, nodded at Sirius.

Harry nodded. "Sure."

After Andromeda had taken Lyra from Caelum, Harry placed Sirius in the boy's arms.

"He feels heavier."

Harry shrugged. "Only by a bit."

"His hair is black like yours...much darker than Orion and Cory," Caelum observed, his eyes going from his new brother to the older twins, obviously realizing that their hair was dark brown and not black.

Harry nodded. "And his eyes are definitely gray...like your dad's and yours and Scorpius'."

Caelum grinned—then gasped when Sirius opened is eyes, because they were very gray. "Will they change?"

Harry shrugged. "I suppose they could, but...I think they'll stay gray."

"Hmm. Okay. Can we have ice cream?" he asked, changing the subject.

Andromeda laughed. "You already had ice cream today, young man...and biscuits. I think that's enough sweets for today. Maybe tomorrow you can have more," she said. "Maybe...if you behave."

Both Draco and Harry nodded when their son looked at them to make sure Aunt Andromeda's answer was law.

"Sorry son...what she said goes," Draco said, causing the boy to pout.

"But hey, I wouldn't worry about it," Harry put in. "When have you ever not behaved?"

Draco nodded. "Good point. You've always been daddy's little helper."

Caelum beamed proudly. "When will you be home, Dad?"

"Harry'll go home with you tonight and my Healer said, as long as I get enough sleep tonight, I can go home tomorrow."

"Daddy home tomorrow?" Orion asked, popping up and looking at Draco. Like Corvus, he'd had his thumb in his mouth and head buried the entire time, but wanted to be reassured that his father was coming back soon.

Draco nodded. "Sure will be."

"As long as he gets some sleep tonight," Harry corrected his boyfriend, then looked at the worried little boy. "Having babies is hard work and daddy is very tired. The Healers are here to make sure he gets the rest he needs. Do you understand?"

Orion nodded. "You sleep, daddy, so you can come home," he said, causing Corvus to nod his agreement.

Draco laughed and nodded and pulled Orion back down onto his chest. "Don't you worry, son, I will...and Harry will take good care of you tonight."

"Can we sleep with you tonight, Poppy?" Orion asked, his dark head pushed firmly against Draco's chest, but his gray eyes trained on Harry.

Harry shrugged. "Sure. I don't see why not."

Corvus sat up. "Me too?"

"Of course! We'll have a slumber party," Harry said. "Anyone who wants to come, can."

Corvus clapped his hands. "Yay!"

Orion frowned. "Not Ron and 'Mione though...they're too big to fit."

Ron smiled and Hermione giggled. "No, sweetie, not us. We have to get home to our daughter. Do you remember Rose?"

Orion nodded. "She has red hair like Lyri."

Ron smiled and Hermione said, "Yes, she does."

"What about you, Andromeda?" Harry asked with a grin. "You joining us?"

The older woman laughed. "As intriguing as a slumber party sounds, I think I'll bow out as well," she said. "Teddy and I are going to go home and get some rest, but we'll be back tomorrow."

"Thank you, Andromeda," Harry said, "You've been unbelievably helpful."

Draco nodded. "Yes, thank you, Aunt Andromeda. You are very kind."

"You're welcome, Draco. Harry," the older woman said. "I'm very happy to be here. But now, I think we should go."

"See you tomorrow," Teddy said, grinning at Caelum.

"Bye, Teddy," said the seven-year-old, after which he was quickly distracted by everything going on.

~ o ~

After kissing Draco goodbye and telling him to get some rest—demanding that he rest!—Harry took the children home—with Ron and Hermione's help—and had a movie night.

Their movie night didn't really last very long though, because they were all physically and emotionally exhausted. It had been a long day! And come the following day, there would be two new tiny human beings living among them. The thought of that was daunting, but also...wonderfully amazing! Harry now truly had a family.

Shifting to get comfortable in his crowded bed, the dark-haired man sighed, then looked at the children. Only Aria was missing, because he'd felt that she should be in her cot in her own room and not smashed into the bed with the rest of them. Scorpius, on the other hand, had vehemently objected when he'd tried to do the same to him. Harry had quickly capitulated, settling the two year old between Caelum and Corvus.

Orion and Corvus—and Scorpius too—were sound asleep. The twins had been the first to drop off into slumber. Even the short time they'd spent at the hospital that day had been enough to stress and exhaust them, making Harry curious about their fear of the place. He'd been under the impression that none of them got out much, because of Draco's condition. Maybe that wasn't so. He'd definitely have to ask Draco about that at some point. Like soon.

But now, with one of his twins on either side of him, snuggled into him lovingly, one of each of their small arms draped over his chest, Harry smiled. It was mind-blowing how much his life had changed in less than five months. He went from single and fatherless to being in a working relationship with seven children. He now had a family! With Draco Malfoy. His school-time rival. It was odd, but...brilliant!

"Harry," came a quiet voice from the far side of the bed.

Turning, Harry saw Caelum's eyes on him—and they were troubled. "What is it, Cael?"

The seven-year-old frowned. "I...ahh...I'm the only one who didn't change to look like you."

"Scorpius didn't either," Harry reminded the boy.

"But Scorp has a mother...none of the rest of us have one. Only dad and...you."

Harry nodded. "Yes, that's true," he said, wondering where this was going.

"Scorp's mum left him, because of Aria. I heard her yell that at daddy. Then she left us. I liked her, but...she must not have liked me, because she left."

And suddenly Harry understood. "I'm not going anywhere, Caelum," he said emphatically. "I promise, okay?"

Caelum nodded.

Reaching out over Corvus and Scorpius, Harry grabbed Caelum's hand and squeezed it. He wished he could pull the worried boy into his arms, but they were basically full of the others.

"I promise, Caelum," he repeated. "There's nothing that could get me to leave you guys!"

Caelum frowned. "But...what if daddy gets pregnant again?"

"Well, first, that's not going to happen, because we've figured this out, but...if it did, then we'd have another beautiful child to raise, wouldn't we?"

Caelum nodded.

"And second," Harry went on, "I would never leave a child of mine, so you don't have to worry."

But this only made Caelum frown some more. "But...I'm not your son," he said, his bottom lip trembling. He was fighting tears, but wasn't going to win.

"Ahh, Cael, is that what this is about?" Harry asked.

Nodding, Caelum blinked, causing big tears to fall.

"Oh, love, I know I wasn't the one who created you, but you are mine...to me. So, whether you like it or not, I'm your other dad and I'm here to stay."

"Can I call you poppy like Orion and Cory and Scorp do?" he asked, obviously still worried that his father's boyfriend would say no.

"Of course!" Harry said, agreeing immediately. "I would absolutely love that."

Caelum grinned. "Really?

Harry nodded. "You can call me anything you'd like, Caelum...as long as it's not something naughty, of course. I don't think your dad would like that much."

The boy giggled, his gray eyes sparkling in his glee. "Okay. Thank you, Harry. I mean...Poppy." Then he frowned again. "Do you think that sounds funny? Poppy, I mean."

Harry shrugged. "It sounds fine to me, but you can use that or choose something else. I'm fine with anything."

Caelum nodded. "So, daddy's good too."

"Yep!"

"You don't think Dad would care?"

"Your dad and I have already talked about this, sweetie...he just wants you all to be happy. All we both want is for all of us to be happy."

"Okay," Caelum said, his voice much lighter now. "Goodnight, Daddy."

"Goodnight, my son."

Note: If you found any mistakes/typos, I want to know...please tell me so I can fix them. Thank you. And thanks for reading and reviewing...it is greatly appreciated!