Don't own Harry Potter or related characters. I own Lafaera and her friends. Please review and I hope you enjoy this new installment.
A.N., Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I was in the middle of finals and struggling to catch up in some classes. I also got caught up in holiday cheer. Classes are now starting again… I'll really try to get things up faster. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get it posted.
Chapter 13: Nightmares and Beginning's of Love
Lafaera was struggling in Harry's arms as he held her trying to calm her down. Siri and Remi were hissing above him on the bed posts. Draco stood in the doorway unsure of what to do. Severus had rushed to get a potion from his rooms. Sirius and Remus were just as unsure as Draco. Severus was suddenly in the room and helping Harry calm the young child down and giving her a calming potion.
"Daddy?" Lafaera's eyes opened blearily and she looked around before clinging to her father as sobs racked her little form. Harry just rocked her until she calmed down and she was able to pull away slightly. Severus was sitting on the bed next to her and Draco, Sirius and Remus had edged completely into the room.
"Are you okay, Lafaera?" Lafaera nodded slightly into her dad's chest her lip trembling. The two snakes hissed overhead and Lafaera glanced up at them with red eyes.
"It was cold… and I didn't know where you were." She whimpered softly after a short time. Harry exchanged a glance with Severus before kissing the top of Lafaera's head.
"Well I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere." Lafaera smiled softly at her dad before looking around. Severus smiled at the girl and ruffled her hair. She giggled softly her nightmares fading. They were still there at the back of her mind but a bit of her magic broke away wrapping around them and pulling them deeper out of the child's reach and memory.
"Will Paddy and Moony stay too?" She looked at Sirius and Remus before her eyes turned to Draco and Severus. "The Dragon and Grandda are staying, too?" The men snickered at her nicknames but all complied none-the-less.
"We'll stay here with you kiddo." Sirius smiled ruffling her hair, Remus nodded in consent. Lafaera smiled and curled closer to Harry her eyes struggling to stay open now that the calming potion had started working fully through her system.
"I'll stay as long as you want me around." Draco murmured stroking Lafaera's cheek. She smiled sleepily at him and Draco blinked at the flash of intelligence that had seemed almost smug.
"Grandda?" Severus looked at Harry who was smiling at him before turning to look at Lafaera who was watching him with rapidly closing eyes.
"Yes, I'll be here." Lafaera smiled and nodded before slipping off into a dreamless sleep. Harry smiled gingerly down at his daughter and picked her up, letting the snakes wrap around his arms as he followed his family to the door.
"Thanks for helping." Harry's voice was hushed. Sirius and Remus both hugged him lightly around the shoulders.
"It was no problem, Harry." Remus nodded and turned back to Harry as the two turned away.
"You're like our son." Harry smiled gratefully at him and Remus nodded before following Sirius down the hall.
"Harry, if you ever need someone to watch Lafaera, I will do it. Even if I am teaching." Harry stared at Severus before smiling.
"Thank you, Sev." Severus nodded stroking back a piece of Lafaera's hair before leaving quietly.
"I never thought Severus would be the one to willing watch over a child." Harry turned to Draco and the blonde smirked at him. "The Dragon?" Harry just blushed lightly and Draco smiled.
"She liked hearing stories from school times and…" Draco rolled his eyes as Harry faded off his cheeks coloring even more.
"Harry, it'll be a pleasure watching Lafaera grow up." Draco lightly kissed Harry's cheek and walked quickly down the corridor leaving Harry standing in the doorway. I believe Little Missstresss would call you a fish.Harry snapped his teeth together and glared down at the little snakes before shrugging it off and closing the door. He carried Lafaera towards his room and set her on the bed before getting ready for bed himself. Once he was settled down Lafaera curled into him once more and the two snakes found a place of comfort for them out of the way of being crushed and Harry fell asleep his daughter in his arms, and Draco on his mind.
Lafaera was fiddling nervously in her father's lap as they waited for the students to start coming through the doors and into the Great Hall. Two weeks had passed and Harry was still reeling from all of the lesson plans he had had to make. He was also worried about Lafaera, she had been having black outs nearly everyday and nightmares every night. Madam Pomfry couldn't figure it out and had suggested a visit to St. Mungo's but Harry was wary of the place and told her that she was one of the best medi-witches around. Everyone was being a big help though, taking Lafaera when he needed to work and helping him create lesson plans, and Kat was turning into a great friend for Lafaera. The girl seemed to sense when Lafaera was about to have a lapse and she'd alert someone to retrieve a calming potion. Ron and Hermione were surprised at how fast their children had taken to Lafaera. They had said that Kat had difficulties making and keeping friends, but the slightly older girl had immediately taken to caring for Lafaera and showing her around. Lafaera fidgeted and Harry looked around, shaking himself from his thoughts, a few other teachers were filtering in, but the students hadn't arrived yet. Harry smoothed down Lafaera's hair and she smiled up at him. Harry felt eyes on him and looked up to find Draco staring at him. Harry ducked his head slightly and turned to talk to Severus. Draco had been acting strange ever since Harry had told them about his experience with the elves and Lafaera had called him Dragon. She still called him that on occasion and he would laugh and call her Moon Song. How Draco knew what her name meant Harry had no idea, but Lafaera seemed to enjoy it. The doors opened and the first students started to filter in. Lafaera was watching in fascination, but he could tell she was also slightly nervous. He was too, but he wasn't going to show it in front of the students.
"You're going to be a fine teacher." Harry glanced at Severus but he was already looking out on the students a scowl on his face. Lafaera was looking at him a frown on her face until Severus turned to her and smiled lightly, winking at her. Lafaera smiled before her attention was soon taken by the sorting hat. She stared as the hat ripped open and started singing. Once it was finished she looked up at her father and he looked down at her in apprehension.
"I want a singing hat." Harry smiled as Sirius snickered on his other side. Lafaera looked over at Sirius before turning her attention back to Harry as the sorting started.
"It's a special hat darling, I don't think I can find one quite like that for you." Lafaera made a face before looking back to the front of the room as the first sorting went to Gryffindor. She said nothing else but Harry had a feeling that it wasn't over. Once all the students were sorted Dumbledore stood up and the hall fell silent.
"Welcome and welcome back to Hogwarts. I am sure this year will bring many surprises and new friendships. I'd like to welcome our new defense professor, Harry Potter." Harry stood with Lafaera in his arms and it was dead quiet for a moment before the hall erupted into claps and whispers. Lafaera looked up at her father who seemed very uncomfortable and smiled at all of the students. "Ah yes, his daughter will be residing in the castle as well. I ask that you all be considerate and make sure to enjoy the new company. Now eat up. Fantabulous." Food appeared on the tables as Harry sat again and Lafaera started happily piling things onto her father's plate. Harry had found that it was best to just let her put whatever she wanted on his plate because she would eat whatever he didn't.
"So, Harry, are you ready for classes to start tomorrow?" Harry made a face a McGonagall who smiled at him.
"Not really, but it'll come whether or not I'm ready." McGonagall smiled and Harry smiled tightly back.
"I'm sure you'll do fine, Harry. You're a natural leader. You did really well with the DA club back in our fifth year." Harry just shook his head at Hermione who smiled knowingly and turned back to her conversation with Flitwick. Lafaera yawned widely and leaned back into her father who smiled down at her.
"I think I'm going to go put Lafaera to bed." He stood after nodded to Severus, Draco and his godfather's. Hermione waved and Ron nodded as Harry left through the teacher's entrance of the hall. He smiled lightly as Lafaera dozed, thinking back to two days before when Molly Weasley had offered to baby sit Lafaera for him.
/Flashback/
Harry looked up at the knock on the door. He had a smear of ink on his cheek and papers were spread around him. Lafaera was doodling on the floor in front of the fireplace with muggle markers that didn't mark on anything but the paper. Harry frowned when the knock sounded again, and stood brushing a piece of hair from his eyes.
"Coming. Who is it?" Harry stopped at the door and Lafaera looked up from her coloring. He smiled seeing where the snakes were, one was forming a tiara like thing on her head and the other was curled around her neck.
"It's Molly, dear." Harry grinned and opened the door hugging Molly once she entered the room. He noticed Kat had rushed in and over to Lafaera who was happily showing the older girl a picture of the two of them. Kat laughed and started looking over all the other pictures Lafaera had made. "Hello, Harry."
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a few weeks." Molly smiled and followed Harry to the couch.
"I've been good. I've been watching Kat and the boys for Ron and Hermione." Harry nodded and looked over at Lafaera who smiled up at him. Kat had gingerly taken Remi from Lafaera's neck and the small snake had wound about her head in much the same fashion Siri was on Lafaera's.
"That must be nice for them. I've been having trouble getting my lesson plans ironed out. There's just so much to do and so much these children are behind on. Mix that with catching up with everyone and Lafaera's nightmares and blackouts." Molly nodded as Harry trailed off. "I never realized teaching could be so difficult."
"Listen, Harry, I came to see if you'd like me to take Lafaera for a little bit so you could finish your lessons. I don't mind and I'm sure Kat would like another girl around to play with." Harry looked at Molly and glanced back at the two girl's who were coloring together now.
"I'm not sure… I don't want to add…" Molly snapped her fingers and ruffled Harry's hair causing him to duck his head.
"Nonsense, I don't mind at all and I'm used to dealing with children. Goodness knows I had so many." Harry laughed and looked over at Lafaera.
"It really wouldn't be too much of a problem?" Harry smiled and looked over to Lafaera. "Lafaera, would you like to go with Mrs. Weasley and play with Kat today?" Lafaera grinned from her spot on the floor.
"Yes!" Kat was grinning as well and the two girls stood up quickly gathering Lafaera's coloring things.
"Thank you so much, Molly. I don't know what I'd do without you." Molly hugged Harry and finally reached out to wipe the ink from his cheek.
"It's no problem, dear. I'll have her back here for supper." Harry smiled and kissed Lafaera on the head before she and Kat were racing out the door. He had managed to complete his work with help from Sirius and Remus and had spent the entire day before the students came playing with his daughter.
/End Flashback/
Harry smiled down at Lafaera as he entered their rooms. He took her shoes off and settled her onto her bed. Two resounding hisses had him lifting Siri and Remi onto the bed so they could be near their mistress. Lafaera pouted lightly before rolling over and opening her eyes slightly.
"Goodnight sweetheart." Lafaera smiled sleepily and cuddled into her blankets.
"'Night, Daddy." Harry kissed her daughter's forehead and tucked her in before turning out the light and closing the door. He made sure her nightlight was working though. It was a new magical device that allowed the room to be bathed in whatever the child wanted. Lafaera had liked the stars and moon the most so that was what was on her ceiling. He smiled and went into his kitchen to set water to boil. He was glad that Dumbledore allowed him to not need the House Elves for everything. When the tea kettle whistled he quickly took it from the stove and poured himself a cup. Harry sighed and sank back against the counter top his mind wandering. He shook himself from thoughts of Draco and sank down at the table to go over his lesson plans before morning. He had first year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first thing so he didn't think there would be too much trouble. His afternoon class may be a little different; fourth year Gryffindor and Slytherin. From conversation's he'd had with everyone the house rivalry was still going strong. Harry shook his head, he'd have to try and fix it in some way.
Harry bolted up in bed and looked around in confusion. A scream from his daughter's room had him up and out of bed. He slid into her room and rushed to her side. She was whimpering and struggling in her sleep.
"Lafaera, sweetheart, wake up. Lafaera, come on." He looked around frantically. "Accio Calming Potion." A bottle flew into his hand and he held the bottle to his daughter's lips. "Come on 'Faera. It's okay." He stroked back her bangs as her whimpers died to small hiccupping sobs. "»Pae air pyli, kyli so mel. Thys si jhaji, thys sic or, thys si mia. Eir ari shaer, maraeli a vaer. Padia air bol.«(1)" Harry's soft voice floated through the room in the soft lullaby that Myihel had taught him while she was pregnant. Lafaera finally settled and opened her eyes slowly.
"»Padia?«(2)" Harry stroked back Lafaera's hair and kissed the top of her head. The snakes hissed soothingly from the bed frame and Lafaera clung to her father tighter.
"»Ai't caesi.«(3)" Lafaera sighed slightly and loosened her hold on her father as the calming potion took affect. Harry didn't feel right waking her so he cradled her to his chest and fell asleep humming softly to keep her calm. Harry woke and looked around with a yawn remembering why he was in his daughter's room with a frown. He slowly got up from the bed to not wake his daughter and waved his hand to quiet the alarm sounding from his bedroom. He stretched and left the room heading to his own to shower and get ready for the day. When he was dressed in a new pair of teaching robes he went back to Lafaera's room. Harry smiled when he entered her room and saw her sitting on her bed talking with her snakes. She was dressed but her hair was a tangled mess.
"»Cyrn eisi o thaelol?«(4)" Lafaera looked up at her father with confused eyes before she smiled slightly.
"»Eilol.«(5)" Lafaera took the hug Harry offered when he moved towards her. "Is it breakfast time?" Harry laughed and wandlessly summoned her hair brush.
"Once I get all these tangles from your hair." Lafaera giggled and sat still stroking Siri and Remi's heads as Harry started brushing out her hair. He hummed softly to her the entire time and she smiled her eyes closing every few moments. "Do you want me to braid it?" Lafaera shook her head and turned to look at Harry.
"I wanna go see Dr'co." Harry smiled and kissed her forehead.
"Very well, lead on dear one." Lafaera laughed and scurried from her bed, heading towards the doors. "Don't forget to put on shoes." Lafaera giggled and Harry came out of her room to see her sitting at the door pulling her shoes on. He smiled and took her hand as they left their rooms. There were some students out who looked at him in curiosity as they made their way towards the Great Hall. When they entered the hall Harry took the chance to survey the few students at the tables. Lafaera darted towards the staff table where Kat was sitting. Harry nodded a greeting to Severus and sank into the seat next to him.
"She's a bundle of energy isn't she?" Harry smiled at Severus and looked to see Lafaera talking amiably with Kat, Sirius and Remus had joined the two youngsters and Harry narrowed his eyes at his Godfather's before shrugging.
"She's always a bundle of energy, even when she was a baby." Severus smiled slightly before scowling when the door opened to admit more students. "You're not going to be able to keep up your mean Potion's Master stunt if you start keeping Lafaera with you." Severus just shrugged and Harry smirked at him.
"I'd watch out for pranks if I were you." Harry looked up to see Draco sitting next to him. The blonde smiled and Harry's stomach flipped before he smiled back.
"Watch out for pranks? Whatever for?" He looked back to his daughter and groaned lightly. She was talking quickly to Sirius and Remus her eyes alight with excitement. Kat was grinning wickedly next to her hanging on every word. "Good heavens. My child is going to be the death of me." Draco laughed and Harry loved how his laugh sounded. "»Pas cysylaer.«(6)"
"Pardon?" Severus snorted into his goblet and Harry looked up at Draco with innocence.
"Nothing, it was nothing." Draco just raised an eye brow at Harry as Severus regained his composure. "Really it was nothing." Draco just rolled his eyes and turned to his breakfast.
"I will see you gentlemen later. I have first years to terrorize." Harry laughed and looked back at his daughter who was eating now and listening to Kat talk.
"Which houses this morning?" Draco smirked at Harry and swallowed his bite of toast.
"Raven's and Puff's, he wouldn't be in as good a mood if it were the Snake's or Lion's." Harry nodded thoughtfully smiling at Draco's use of the house names. It was the way Myihel had termed them when she was first learning of the school.
"Harry, what did you teach your darling child?" Sirius and Remus had come over to Harry. Remus was carrying Lafaera and Kat was standing next to them.
"Why?" Harry's eyebrow raised and Lafaera giggled at him. Draco was watching with an amused expression on his face.
"She has the most fascinating ideas for pranks. Some we've never even dreamed of." Lafaera looked innocently at her father and he laughed.
"She comes up with most of the ideas herself. I usually just help her plan them better." Draco nearly spit his pumpkin juice all over the table.
"You encourage it?" Sirius and Remus were both laughing and Kat was watching in interest. Lafaera wiggled from Remus' arms to climb into Draco's lap. Draco blinked down at the child grinning up at him before turning his attention back to Harry who was smiling at him.
"Of course I do. Nurturing imagination is good for children." Draco shook his head and looked up at the clock.
"Goodness, nurturing imagination… I have class Princess so I shall hand you over to your father." Lafaera giggled and turned in Harry's arms to watch as Draco left. "I'll see you later."
"Do you want us to take her? Our first classes aren't until afternoon today." Harry looked at Remus before looking down at Lafaera.
"Do you want to come to class with me or go hang out with your grandfathers?" Lafaera frowned lightly before looking at Kat who just shrugged.
"If I stay with Moony and Paddy can Kat stay too?" Sirius smiled at Lafaera and Harry looked over at his godfathers.
"I don't see why not. I'm sure Molly wouldn't mind if we kept her for the day." Lafaera grinned and squirmed out of her father's arms to Kat. Kat smiled and hugged the younger girl around the shoulders.
"Thanks Siri. I don't know how I'm going to get through the day." Sirius smiled and hugged Harry tightly.
"You'll survive. Remus and I did." Remus nodded and Harry smiled hugging the werewolf as well.
"Thanks, I guess I'd better get going then." Harry saluted the men and Kat before he kissed Lafaera's forehead and left the Great Hall.
Harry sighed in relief once the last student had left the classroom. The Slytherin's and Gryffindor's were still at each others throats and Harry was at his wits end. The first day of classes was finally over and he hadn't seen Lafaera since breakfast. Molly had taken the two girls out to lunch and was supposed to have them back an hour after that was over. He ran a hand through his hair and rested them over his eyes thinking back to the past couple of weeks. Draco was starting to be a closer friend but there were also some very confusing emotions coming back from school that he wasn't quite ready to face. Lafaera was getting better and worse in turns. Some days she would be completely fine. Other days… Harry shook his head and sat up coming face to face with Draco.
"Alright there?" Harry blinked and blushed dully. Draco smirked and leaned back against the desk in front of him. "You seemed out of it."
"I was thinking." Draco laughed and Harry sighed smiling up at him. "Who has Lafaera?" Draco shook his head and leaned forward on Harry's desk.
"Sev, has her. Kat's actually behaving too. You should have seen the look on his face." Harry smiled and ran a hand over his face looking back up at Draco who was watching him.
"How do they do it everyday? How did you stand it?" Draco frowned lightly tilting his head to the side. "Deal with these kids. The younger classes aren't too bad, but the older ones…" Harry shook his head and yawned widely. "They're all terrors…" Draco laughed and rested his elbows lightly on the desk still staring at Harry.
"You get used to it. It gets fun after the first few weeks and they're used to your way of dealing with things." Harry smiled and looked Draco over silently. Draco smiled back at him and leaned forward. "It also helps to have someone help you with different things." Harry frowned but before he could voice his thoughts out loud Draco's mouth was pressed lightly against his. Harry kissed him back and they broke apart breathless after a few moments. Draco was flushed and Harry was staring at him in slight confusion.
"Draco…" Harry's attention was diverted by the laughter coming down the hall before his daughter came rushing into the room.
"Daddy!" Harry laughed and looked back at Draco before going around his desk and scooping his daughter into his arms. When he turned to look at Draco again the blonde was smiling softly at him before he waved and left the room. "Guess what!" Harry was brought back to his daughter and smiled down at her, smoothing back her hair.
"What?" Lafaera smiled her eyes alight with excitement.
"Grandpa let me help him with potions. Kat and I also got some Lion's with green paint." Harry looked up sharply at Severus who just shrugged, an eyebrow raised. "They were fighting some Snake's and so Kat got the Slytherin's in red too." Harry looked down at his daughter with a smile.
"It sounds like you had fun today." Lafaera nodded and wiggled from his arms to rush towards Remus and Sirius who had just entered the room. When she was occupied with them Harry turned to Sev.
"Sev… What potions did you let her help you with? She gets into enough trouble with things in the kitchen and my potions." Severus just laughed and hooked an arm around Harry's shoulders.
"Don't worry. It was just a cheer potion. The simplest one, she can't hurt anything with that. She was also just mixing ingredients I had prepared." Harry sighed and hugged Sev back.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should have brought her back here earlier so she could get a proper education." Severus just shrugged and allowed Harry to greet his Godfather's. He frowned noticing that Draco wasn't around anywhere.
"Harry have you seen Draco? I need to ask him something." Harry flushed lightly before shrugging.
"He left a few minutes ago. I don't know where he went." Severus raised an eyebrow before shrugging it off and following the three men and child out of the room towards the Great Hall. He could ask his questions later.
Lafaera looked between her father and Draco when they were all seated in Harry's rooms after dinners. She frowned slightly before crawling up into Draco's lap.
"Tell me a story." Draco smiled down at the little girl and looked up at Harry who had stopped looking over the review tests to watch them.
"Alright. I'll tell you a story of a boy with dark brown hair and bright emerald green eyes. He was the youngest Seeker in over a century and I helped him get that position." Lafaera was listening in rapt attention while Draco told her of how her father became a Seeker for the Gryffindor team. Harry just flushed and went back to grading papers. After a while Harry yawned and looked up to see Draco leaving Lafaera's room and quietly closing the door.
"Thanks for that Draco." Draco just smiled and sank down onto the couch.
"No problem. How far did you get on your grading?" Harry made a face which caused Draco to laugh.
"I'm nearly done." Draco nodded and stood with a yawn.
"Well goodnight, I'll see you in the morning." Harry rose and went with him to the door.
"Goodnight." Draco turned suddenly and kissed Harry soundly before leaving and walking down the hallway. Harry stayed standing in the doorway staring after him a hand on his lips before shaking his head and going back to grading his papers. He had no idea what Draco wanted but he hoped he would come out with it soon. Neither of the two men noticed the shadow that had been standing in the hallway or the grin that spread across his face as his blue eyes flashed when he darted for his own quarters and his mate.
Sorry this is so rushed but I wanted to get something up for everyone.
Here's Translations: (Sorry I forgot them before)
1) Day is done, gone the sun; From the lake, from the hills, from the sky. All is well, safely rest, Daddy is night.
2) Daddy.
3) I'm here.
4) How are you feeling?
5) Alright.
6) Damn Hormones
Mialanna Rose