Chapter 14: Getting To Know You Part 1
Harry found himself kissing floor as he fell out of bed, jolting awake to Teddy's wailing. Having no regard for his state of dress, and grabbing Teddy, he ran to the one person he thought could help him; Abraxas.
"Professor," Harry said, holding back tears. "Please, help me!" Abraxas heard him and pulled Harry and Teddy into his chambers without a second thought. He took the wailing child and patted him along his back and sides. Teddy let out a large burp and calmed instantly, falling back to sleep. With a satified nod, Abraxas handed the slumbering child over to Harry.
"He had gas. That's normal for babies. Now that I'm awake and you need to be calmed down, shall we have a snack and some conversation?" With a wave of his hand, his wand flew into it and without a second to think it over, Abraxas took a paperweight and transfigured it into a craddle for Teddy. "Put him down Harry, it's all right. He wont wake again his night."
Harry put him down and followed Abraxas to two seats by the fireplace, where there tea and scones waiting for them.
"Professor, I'm sorry that I..."
"Harry it's fine. You are a first time parent, I've gone through it too."
"Speaking of which, what are you going to do with the baby?"
"Well the name has to change. In their eyes, Lucius Gabriel Malfoy no longer exists."
"Any ideas?"
"No, do you?"
"Only one but you may find it odd."
"Let me be the judge of that shall we? What do you have in mind?"
"Liam. Liam Evan Malfoy."
"I love it." Abraxas said with a smile. And he did. It was simple but it held so much meaning. From what he gathered about Harry, he was deeply touched by the name he chose for his son. Liam was in respect for his past, another 'L' name. Evan was for his mother, Lily Evans. It was perfect and Abraxas wouldnt have changed a thing.
"Will you watch him for me while I take care of Liam's birth certificate and papers?"
"Of course Professor..."
"Harry, it would mean a great deal to me if you addressed by my given name."
"Alright, Abraxas."
"Thank you Harry." Lord Malfoy said with a grateful smile. "I will return shortly." Harry nodded and settled down next to Teddy's craddle with a good book. Before he realized it, he fell asleep.
Draco woke up and cast a tempus charm. It was 7:30 and he heard babies laughing. Then, he smelled the food. His stomach announced its hunger by roaring loudly. With a blush, Draco got out of bed, tended to his business and followed the heavenly smell. He stopped stock still as he looked at Harry who was busy cooking and saw the baby toys floating and dancing around two craddles. Despite himself, Draco smirked. Harry looked like a happy housewife.
"You know, if my grandfather saw you right now, he'd get down on one knee and pop the question on the spot." Draco teased, causing the other wizard to blush.
"Oh hey Draco." Harry said with another blush. "Sit down breakfast is ready."
"Sure Grandmother."
"Shut up ferret boy," Harry said as he threw a dish towel at Draco, who caught it and laughed. He sat down to breakfast and helped himself. Harry held one baby in each arm and fed them a bottle each. Draco smiled and watched the scene. His grandfather couldn't pick a better mate than Harry. Without skipping a beat, Harry ran the house and tended to the children. Draco helped of course which was a welcoming sight for Abraxas when he returned.
"Is everything all right?" Harry asked as he looked up from his lunch preparations. Abraxas smiled and sat down. Harry handed Liam over to his father and that's when Draco saw his chance.
"Grandfather, just a thought, but why dont you and Harry have a day for yourselves? I'll watch the boys. And if I need help, Mother's here."
"What a splendid idea Draconis." Abraxas said then looked at Harry. "Harry, what say you?"
"I don't...know if Draco can handle...but if you're sure, alright." Both Malfoy men shared a smirk.
"Harry, don't worry, Draco and Narcissa can watch and tend to the boys for us. Let's be off, even if it's for a little while." He gently took Harry by the arm and with a wave, transported them out of the manor and into Hogsmeade. Harry broke free from the elder's grasp and retched. Abraxas did have the decency to look sheepish.
"Forgive me, I had no idea that would happen."
"Next time, a warning would be nice." Harry moaned. Abraxas nodded and helped the younger wizard to compose himself. After the waves of nasuea left him, Harry followed Abraxas to a nice spot by a shaded tree. There was a simple setting for two but to Harry, it was perfect.
"This is nice." He said. Abraxas nodded and pulled out Harry's chair for him and waited. Harry sighed good naturedly but took a seat. The two men sat to a pleasant yet quiet lunch and neither one wanted to break the peaceful silence first. Harry looked at the elder and smiled.
"Professor...I..."
"Harry, please, call me by my name." Abraxas ordered gently. "I know this is moving a bit fast for you..."
"Abraxas, it's fine, all my life, things have been fast..."
"They shouldnt be and for that I apologize..."
"There's nothing for you to apologize for." Harry said, daring to smile at the aristocrat. "It's been like that for as long as I can remember."
"Well, I intend to change that, that is, if you'd let me..."
"I'd like that." Harry said with a blush. "But, I think...we should get back to the children."
"Somehow, I think you're right." The elder Malfoy said as he and Hary made their way back to the Manor, both a little uneasy and upset for cutting their 'date' short.
(Back at the Manor)
Draco was mentally kicking his own ass as he clamped his hands over his ears, trying in vain to drown out the wails of the two babies. He had been rash and hasty, just thinking of his grandfather and Harry's interest in each other that he failed to consider how the babies would react. Truth of the matter was, both babies were too young to be seperated from their parents, even it was for a little while. Draco was about to yell to his mother when the fireplace flared green and Abraxas and Harry walked through. As soon as the flames died down, Harry hastily excused himself and retched again.
"Looks like he's sensitive to the Floo Network too." Abrasxas said. "Draconis, what happened to you?"
"Grandfather, next time, take the little buggers with you."
"Bit off more than you could chew my little dragon?"
"Up to my kneecap." The younger Malfoy grumbled while the elder chuckled. "Those two almost drove me to wanting to nueter myself."
"Oh, I see. Maybe I should've left some instructions with you." Abraxas said. "But where's Narcissa?"
"Mother's straightening out the destruction the twin terrors left in their wake." Draco said. "From meal time to bath time, those two were hell. And Father found it amusing to crawl around without a nappy and water Mother's flowers." While Abraxas raised an eyebrow, Harry snickered. "How are you feeling Harry?"
"Seedy." The ravenette replied, sitting down and resting his eyes for a moment. "What about Teddy?"
"Well, he struggled in the tub, I almost drowned, then streaked down the manor, drew on the portraits with a bath crayon, managed to redecorate the ceiling with his lunch...it was horrible." Both men looked at each other and sighed.
"Fine Draconis, we will take Liam and Theodore next time."
"Liam?"
"Oh that's right, you didn't know, your father's new name is Liam. Liam Evan Malfoy."
"Who came up with that?"
"Harry."
"And you don't mind that?"
"Personally, I loved his choice." Abraxas said with a small smile. "Harry, you can stay here with Draconis and I'll check on the boys." Once he left, Draco smirked.
"So, how did it go?"
"It was nice, and that's all I'm saying."
"Oh you got to be kidding..."
"Nope I'm not."
"Harry...come on!"
"There's nothing to tell. Even if there was, what makes you think I'd tell you?"
"Harry, you suck!" Draco yelled as Harry got up and made his way to the kitchen. Although he had lunch, the Floo made him lose some of it. There was no way he was telling Draco, that would be too easy and where was the fun in that?
Ok, it's a bit brief and mysterious, but I promise, there'll be more to come.