Beta Reader: pussycatadamah
Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I merely use them in my plot for fun.
A/N 1: "Normal speech"-'Thoughts'-songs/incantations
A/N 2: The chapter has been edited
Part Ten:
July 20th, Hogwarts Infirmary:
The moment Harry regained his senses Draco never left his side except when Harry himself made him. They both had missed each other.
After numerous times of being poked and prodded by the Healers and a very eager Madame Pomfrey Hogwarts' own nurse he was declared healthy and completely out of danger.
After that, almost every friend they had came by to see him, Sirius staying by his side for hours, as well as Ron, Hermione and the majority of the Weasley's.
At some point Harry was alone long enough to thank Severus Snape for keeping Draco safe.
He also spoke long with Lucius Malfoy, who had saved his own life from Bellatrix and the rest of the Death Eaters, as well as Narcissa for donating magic for his son.
Once he was strong enough to walk he went to see the boy and cried.
Draco was the one to calm him even though he had been warned that the baby had been in danger for a while and what they had done to keep him healthy.
"He's handsome," Harry observed.
"He has my hair," Draco replied as if that was obvious. "And since he now opens his eyes, we know that's something he got from you."
They spent a long time just staring at him before Narcissa steered Harry back to his bed.
July 23rd , Hogwarts Infirmary:
"Have you thought of a name yet?" Hermione asked the pair.
She, Ron, and Ginny had camped around Harry's bed for the day. Most of the Weasley's stayed at the castle just to be safe after the attack at Malfoy Mansion and Harry saw them more or less all day. Even though it was summer, the castle was generally buzzing from all the Order members that came and went as well as the crew of house elves Narcissa had recruited for the bonding ceremony.
This time without harassing the boys she dealt with all the details, insisting they rested and enjoyed the surprise she had for them. She and Molly were in charge, and sometimes pulled Hermione aside. Fleur was in the country with her little sister and they also stayed in the castle.
In addition to them, several families were residents, like Neville and Luna as their families and even Blaize Zabini who was currently with Snape forming a plan to save the Slytherin's who had Death Eater parents but wanted little to nothing to do with Voldemort.
"Father had several 'grand' ideas," Draco offered. "Harry woke up screaming when he heard them."
Hermione shook her head. "Honestly! Some of the pure-blooded families have such weird names! I respect tradition but what about the poor kid?"
"Exactly" Harry replied. "My son will not be named Evrard Draconius Laelius."
Ron shuddered. "I'm with you on that!"
They all laughed until Ginny smirked at Harry. "You have already decided, haven't you?"
Draco and Harry shared a smirk and the Slytherin cleared his throat.
"Our first son will be named Brendan Eaman Potter-Malfoy," he announced, looking at Hermione who processed it and smiled.
"It fits," she admitted. "Gaelic and French?"
Harry nodded. "Brendan means 'Brave' in Gaelic and Eaman is French for 'Protector'."
"I think it won't earn him a bad reputation at school," Ron admitted.
"Of course not," Draco replied. "You'll protect your godson, won't you?"
There was silence at that declaration until the words registered and Ron stood up and shook hands with Malfoy while the girls had tears of joy.
"Thank you guys," Ron said to the pair.
"Harry'll make it up to me," Draco teased but he was obviously smiling.
"Who else would I choose?" Harry asked.
"Hermione seems the wise choice," Ron said with a laugh.
"Marry her and we'll have no problem then," Harry told him.
Ron and Hermione blushed.
"Harry!" the girl exclaimed.
"Keep it down," Madame Pomfrey demanded and they quietened down with blushes and apologies.
"And congratulations," the medi-witch added as she left the group alone again.
August 1st , Hogwarts Infirmary:
Harry was content to lie in bed with Draco sitting in a comfortable chair next to him as Madame Pomfrey made her last exams so he could leave the wing once and for all.
The medi-witch smiled as her wand ceased glowing.
"Will I live?" Harry asked cheekily.
"Do that again and I'll kill you myself!" Poppy threatened but nodded.
"It's not my fault Voldemort wants to kill me!" Harry complained.
"This argument is getting old," Draco told him and the arguing pair smiled.
Harry got dressed and stood up. "Finally! Free!"
Madame Pomfrey glared him but he just gave his 'warden' a dazzling smile.
August 4th , Hogwarts Infirmary:
Days later they were back receiving his son from the incubator.
The two young fathers immediately gathered over the small form of the blond baby, smiles on their faces.
"He's gotten bigger," Harry whispered as the small formed moved his hands and feet.
Draco smiled at the baby, extending his pinkie for the little one to grab.
"Hey Brendan," Draco greeted. "We are going home."
Madame Pomfrey smiled at the picture they made.
"He's truly fine, right?" Harry asked her, looking up from the baby he held.
"Yes!" she repeated; a habit she developed the last days. "He was premature but healthy already. Now he's completely fine! Get him to the tower, stay with him, get to know him. You have another coming soon so you'll need to practice."
The two chuckled and nodded.
"Thank you," Harry told her.
"Thank you Madam," said Draco.
"Enough! Go! And I don't want to see you back unless Mr. Malfoy is in labour. Is that clear?"
"Yes!" came the unanimous answer.
August 15th:
Hogwarts grounds:
The grounds of the ancient castle were crowded despite being summer and the school closed.
By the Great Lake tents were set up, made of white, linen fabrics that filtered the sunlight, while allowing the summer breeze to cool the guests having their light conversation just before the ceremony was to start. There were trees and flowers planted or spelled to look as if they naturally grew there, adding green and white colour, like the family intended, lilies being the dominant flower.
Hermione was dressed in a soft lilac dress, a cross between Muggle and wizard fashion that left her shoulders bare but was long enough to be a wizarding dress but without the cloak, her dress piled high. Ginny was dressed similarly in soft yellow, Luna in pink, Pansy in red and Fleur in sky blue.
Narcissa stood out in her silver-green dress as she greeted the guests.
The male wizards were dressed in summer robes in more usual colours, like black, blue and grey, with the exception of Dumbledore who wore mauve robes with white lilies and silvery vines that moved and twirled on the fabric.
The guests were few in numbers, including the family of the bonding pair, the Weasley's, Snape, Tonks and her parents, Lupin, Neville and his grandmother, Luna and her father, Zabini and his mother, Pansy with her father but not her mother. Then there was Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas and the rest of the sixth years from Gryffindor as well as Harry's Quidditch mates like Oliver Wood, Alicia Spinet, Angelica Johnson and Katie Bell. Daphne Greengrass and Millicent Bulstrode from Slytherin. Hannah Abbot and Justin Finch-Fletchley, Padma Patil and her sister, two graduated Slytherin's that were in the Order, Fleur and her sister Gabriel, as well as Victor Krum and a few aunts and uncles from Draco's side of the family, Kingsley, Moody, Hagrid, McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey, as well as most of the ghosts that could leave the castle walls and wander the grounds (Peeves was excluded and the Bloody Baron was keeping an eye on him).
"Have you seen Harry all day?" Ginny asked the girls that were all gathered close, chatting.
"He was nervous and kept messing with his hair," Hermione replied.
"Draco looked a bit pale and kept complaining he was fat," Millicent added.
"We kept telling him it was not the case but…" Pansy shrugged.
"My mother was the same," Fleur replied. "When she was with Gabrielle and her brother was getting married she refused to attend. Father had to drag her out. And she's half Veela."
"At least Harry has finished with the mood swings," Hermione commented.
"I'd like to see you pregnant," Ginny teased her.
"Hello girls," Narcissa interrupted. The teens cooed when they saw the elegant lady carrying her grandson.
"Could you keep Brendan for a while," Narcissa asked of them.
"Of course!" Hermione replied, taking the gurgling baby boy from her hands. The infant settled in her arms and Narcissa left them to fawn over it in favour of fetching the soon to be bonded pair.
Lucius approached Dumbledore when the wizard was finally alone.
"Joyous day," the Headmaster told Lucius.
"Yes, and a bit surprising. I never thought I'd see this day."
"I, on the other hand, always had a vivid imagination," Albus admitted. "Though I was pleased when the boys chose me as mediator. Though this was not the only thing you wanted to tell me."
"Not really. I wanted to thank you for taking us in," Lucius said modestly and maybe for the first time in his life.
"Nonsense! Every child that went to school here is like a child of mine, some more than others. Remember that Lucius."
"I think I will," Lucius admitted.
"And call me Albus," the older wizard said, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Thank you."
"Nothing my friend. Now I believe I must take my place, your son and son in law are coming."
"Of course."
"We will talk later though," Dumbledore told him and Lucius nodded.
Harry was dressed in white robes with a green cloak over them while Draco wore blue robes with a white cloak.
They stood side by side in front of their Headmaster while the rest of their guests were in a circle around them. The immediate family behind the boys in an inner circle and the other guests in a larger.
"We are gathered here today in this joyous event by unusual events," Dumbledore spoke up, his voice strong so everyone heard him, without a spell. "Today we celebrate the life and fertility of this union, the strength of two families becoming one and the erasure of past mistakes and grudges. I think we all know mister Potter and mister Malfoy well enough to skip the introductions. Do you all wish them Prosperity, Long life and Fertility, so the bond will flourish and the blood will strengthen?"
There was a unanimous "Yes" from the crowd.
"What do you Draco Malfoy of Lucius and Narcissa have to offer to this unity?" Dumbledore asked as he filled a cup of wine for him and handed it over.
Draco took it carefully, pouring his magic into his words.
"I offer love and devotion, magic and blood," Draco answered, seeing his magic light up the cup.
"What do you Harry Potter of James and Lilly have to offer?" Dumbledore asked again as Harry received the cup from Draco.
"I offer love and devotion, magic and blood," Harry repeated and his magic simmered as he joined Draco's.
Dumbledore smiled. "By the love and devotion of the pair, the magic of the individual and the blood of their lines may this bond form," he said.
The spell made the wine bubble for a while until it settled again.
As soon as it settled Harry brought it to his lips and drank half, then gave it to Draco until the wine was gone.
They felt each other's magic enter their bodies and their hands glowed for a while until each had a platinum like ring on their ring finger, made from the magic of their bond.
"You are now a bonded pair," Dumbledore announced. "Congratulations!"
Harry and Draco shared a smile before they kissed.
End of chapter
A/N: How did you find it? Did you like the name? How was the ceremony? Sorry I did not update earlier, but I had some technical problems. Still, tell me what you think.
Next: Back to school!