"Draco," the blond looked up from his copy of the Daily Prophet at the sound of his name. "You know I love you…"

"What did you do?" Draco looked at Harry.

"What makes you think I did anything?" Harry said hotly, his cheeks taking on a slight pink tinge. Draco simply raised an eyebrow and Harry's blush deepened. "Okay, so I may have forgotten to get Hermione a gift for her birthday. Which is tomorrow."

Draco stared at him. "You forgot to get Hermione a gift. Your best friend. You just forgot. How, exactly, did you forget to get Hermione, your best friend, a birthday gift? Two years in a row?"

"Hey, I got her a book last year –" Harry began before Draco cut him off.

"That you bought the day after her birthday. How is her birthday the only one you ever forget?"

Harry shrugged. "Unlike some people I know," he gave Draco a pointed stare. "Hermione doesn't make a big fuss over her birthday."

"Then why are you so worried about it?" Draco asked.

"Because she's my best friend and I feel like a bad friend when I don't get her anything." Harry sat on the couch beside his fiancé. "Please, Draco, just help me find something she'd like."

"Just get her another book. Merlin knows she'll never have enough of those. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to continue reading the paper." He replied.

The two sat in silence while Draco read before Harry spoke up again. "But what if I get her one she already has?"

"I'm sure you can find something that she doesn't already have a copy of. Perhaps an old Arithmancy or Ancient Runes book. Or maybe something on Transfiguration. I'm sure you can go to the bookstore in Hogsmeade and find an antique book that she would just die for. Now, will you please let me finish reading the paper?" Draco answered irritably.

"Oh, fine. But if she already has a copy of whatever book I get her, I'm blaming you." Harry leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Draco's cheek before standing. "I'm heading out now. Is there anything you want me to get while I'm out?"

"Some Honeyduke's chocolate would be nice, and maybe some sugar quills for the kids." Draco answered. "Speaking of the kids, why don't you take them with you? You know they always love going to Hogsmeade."

"How about we all go? We can make a day of it. Walk around the town, have lunch at that new little restaurant." Draco stared at Harry. "We haven't all gone to Hogsmeaade together in months. Come on, it'll be fun." Harry pleaded.

"Oh, fine." The blond relented" But at least let me finish reading my paper first. You go tell the kids to get ready."

"Yes!" Harry crowed before running up the stairs.

"How did I end up with three children?" Draco muttered to himself before returning to his newspaper.


"Okay, so first we have to go to the bookstore to find something for Hermione, then we can go walk around. Sound okay?" Harry asked Draco and the kids when they arrived in Hogsmeade.

"Yay, bookstore!" Marissa cheered. "Papa, Daddy, can I get a new book?" The seven-year-old stared up at her parents, eyes shining. Draco smiled at Harry before shrugging.

Harry chuckled. "Yes, Marissa, you can get new book. How about you, Scorpius? Do you want a new book too?" Harry asked, looking at the little blond boy.

"Yeah! I want a picture book!" The four-year-old shouted.

"A picture book, huh? I'm sure we can find one of those somewhere in here, what do you think Draco?" Harry looked at his fiancé.

"I'm sure we can. Now, I think we've stood outside long enough, let's go in." Draco answered, herding the three into the small bookstore.

Ten minutes into their trip to the bookstore, Marissa came running up to Draco, a large text book in her hands. "Papa, look what I found!" She squealed. "It's a new copy of Hogwarts, A History! And it's self-updating! Can I get it, please, please, please?"

Draco raised his eyebrow at the excited little girl. "Isn't Hogwarts, A History a bit advanced for you? You are only seven years old." Draco couldn't keep the smile off of his face at Marissa's pleading look. "Yes, you can get it, sweet girl. We already told you that you can get a book." Marissa squealed again, drawing the attention of the people around them. "Now, calm down. You're disturbing the other customers. Let's go pay for that, okay?" Marissa nodded happily.

They turned to walk to the register but a man blocked their path. "Who the hell let a Death Eater in here?" The man said, looking at Draco.

"Excuse me," Draco said, ignoring the man's comment and trying to walk around him.

The man grabbed Draco's arm. "You should be rotting in Azkaban, you piece of shit."

Draco glared at the man. "Well, the Wizengamot seemed to think differently. I did have a trial where I was declared innocent of all wrongdoing. Now, if you would let me go, I'll leave."

"What are you going to do if I don't?" The man taunted, tightening his grip. "Are you going to curse me? Maybe use the Cruciatus? Or is the Killing Curse more your style?"

Draco's glare intensified. "If I did curse you, I would be well within my rights to do so, and I wouldn't be so stupid as to use an Unforgivable. I spent three months in Azkaban after the war ended, and I have no wish to go back. Now, I suggest you remove your hand from my person before I remove it from yours." Draco wrenched his arm free and took Marissa's hand before turning to walk away.

Draco heard the man shout "Sectumsempra!"Before he could defend himself, the spell hit him and a searing pain ran through his back. He hit the floor with a thud, and the last thing he heard before everything went black was Marissa's screaming.