Harry knew they had to get through the trial, but it was almost over. The man who had run his life, left him with abusive relatives, and used him as a pawn, would soon be gone. All that he may have forgiven, but what he had done to drive Harry from Draco, never. Draco and their sons had missed five years, he and Draco should be married, and so much more. He knew he would never have had Adriana, and he wouldn't ever give up his princess for the world, but still. He hoped when this was over, they could focus on the twins' birthday, which was coming up in a few weeks, and their future. They had a party for Teddy, whose birthday was back in March, and the twins would be a big event too.
Harry woke up in the morning after the arrest, and was surprised how late it was. He was used to being woken up, either by Adriana, or by the boys. There were filled bottles, just in case, but it was the latest he had been allowed to sleep in.
He poked his head in the nursery as it had been one of the first nights she slept in there. He found the bed empty. "Where is she?"
Kreacher appeared. "Mistress Adriana be with Master Draco."
Harry was a bit surprised. "Are they downstairs?"
Kreacher shook his head. "They be in guest room, where Master Draco be sleeping last night."
Harry was reminded Draco had spent the night, had not gone back to school, as he had no morning class. "
Remus appeared when he was in the hall. "I have the boys eating breakfast, where is Adriana?"
Harry pointed at the door to one of the three guest bedrooms. "I was told she was with Draco."
Remus smiled. "That little princess already has him wrapped around her little finger doesn't she?"
Harry nodded. "I think from birth."
He opened the door, remembering when she was born, only weeks before. He had been worried, when he asked Draco to cut the cord, not sure if he asked too much. He had almost lost Draco when he found out about her, not because of Draco, but because he was scared to ask. Draco had sworn he could love her for Harry, but since her birth, there was no doubt he loved the little girl for herself.
He found Draco in the old chair near the window, with Adriana against his shoulder, looking like he was burping her. There was an empty bottle next to him, but both Draco and Adriana were blissfully asleep, her little hand entwined in Draco's hair.
Harry found a camera, and as quietly as he could, took a photo. "I think we will want to remember this one."
Remus agreed with his son on that. "Seems to have tuckered him out."
Harry smiled as he put down the camera. "Better not tell the boys that, or they may call him old, like Lucius."
Remus laughed softly when he heard that. "I don't think Lucius has gotten over that. He may be a grandfather, but they think him ancient."
Harry shrugged as he went across the room. "Well he does have the white hair for it."
Draco came around when Harry bent down and kissed him tenderly on the lips. "Good morning."
Harry reached and took his daughter from him. "What time did she wake up at. I didn't hear her. You didn't have to get up with her."
Draco got up and stretched but kissed him. "I didn't have to, I wanted to. Now give her back, I'll go bathe and change her."
Adriana was coming around, and seeing she was happy with Draco, Harry handed her over. He watched from a distance, and again took a few shots, as Draco did just that. He was amazing with her, he always knew Draco would be an amazing dad, but it could still amaze him. He was not sure he had seen Draco as happy, except perhaps with the boys, as now. He was reminded of their wedding they hoped for, and more to come.
The boys were happily finishing pancakes when they got downstairs. There were some left for the adults, and Harry finally claimed his daughter, so that Draco could have a free hand to eat. Harry was much more accustomed then Draco, to balancing a baby, and eating.
Jamie looked at Draco. "Will you come swimming with us? We don't have school today, and Daddy said the weather is warm enough."
Draco shook his head. "I wish I could, but I have school today, but I promise soon."
Caelum had a pout on his mouth. "Can we come to school with you?"
Harry shook his head. "We told you boys we'd take you in the summer. And I thought you wanted to swim?"
Draco assured the boys. "School ends in a week, so you don't have too long to wait. Have you thought about your birthday party?"
Jamie nodded his head. "We want a beach party. We want friends from school to come, and they can't come to the manor."
Harry actually thought they would have two, they had for Teddy, though on a smaller scale for one of them. They had a small one here at the house for his school friends, and then they had gone to the zoo and the manor for the family one. Lucius would of course go overboard, and it would be hard to explain, for muggle guests of course. Of course there were no protests from the boys about having two.
Harry looked down at his daughter and at the boys and thought. 'Soon there will be nothing to worry about, but watching you three grow up.'
The day of the trial had come. Harry had been worried, that Albus would find some way out, or that he may escape. They had been assured his security had been tripled, and instead of a holding cell, he had been sent to the prison. Every precaution had been taken, no one would let him get away, especially after he had confessed under the truth serum. The man could not be tried for his actions in the war, like forcing Lucius to spy, he was given a pardon for it long ago. But Lucius still assured them he'd have justice, as long as the man went to prison, even if not for the crimes against him and Severus. All of them believed he had no chance out, but were holding their breaths, until it was done.
The boys and Adriana were with Andromeda and Ted at the manor for the day. Harry and his dad with the Malfoys were there, but so were many others like Neville and Luna, her dad and his Gran, and the Weasleys too.
Harry had not seen Augusta since his return as she had been ill. She came over. "It has been too many years. I was worry for your loss."
Harry kissed the woman on her cheek. "Thank you, your grandson passed along your condolences. I was worried to hear you were ill."
Augusta looked at her grandson and back. "He is not rid of me yet."
Neville squeezed the old woman's arm. "You know how much I love you, even when you meddle. You aren't dying on me any time soon."
Augusta returned the squeeze. "No I suppose not. I would like to see Frankie and little Alice grow up a bit more."
Luna had given birth to Alice Callista a few months ago. "We should be getting inside."
Alice and Frank had been in the hospital all Neville's life, well since he was a baby, Augusta was like his mother. Harry knew the woman would pass away, she was up there now and her health was not good, but likely not for a few years. Neville had been lucky, he may not have had his parents growing up, but he had his Gran. The woman may have seemed cold in public, but she loved Neville deeply, warm in private. Harry had not had his dad, thanks to Albus, and had been left to people he wished never to see again.
Albus was led into the room not long after, and the trial began. It was nothing but a formality, all of his memories were shown, from his interview when he had taken the vertiserum the day he had been arrested.
Draco squeezed his hand when they heard Albus speak about how he had broken them up. "He will pay for this."
Harry returned the squeeze. "I want him to pay for everyone he hurt, including you and your dad. My dad too. So many people."
Remus was not surprised his son never thought about himself. "It's okay to want it for yourself too."
Harry nodded. "I do." And after a moment. "Will Ginny have added charges, since he admitted what they did to Vince?"
Draco shook his head. "No, not unless Vince pressed to have the charges done, since she is already in prison."
Harry looked at the twins who were with him, and over at the others. "I don't think the family needs to go through any more."
Draco agreed with him. "It isn't just about the press. Vince knows his daughter will hear about it one day, when it comes out, about her mum."
Vince didn't care about Ginny, he'd see her in prison, for what she did to him. But their daughter he did care for, even if she was a product of Ginny raping him, and he had no hand in raising her. She was still his child, she had come to see Cadmus and Dahlia, twice now. She was happy with her Uncle, she called Bill and Fleur mummy and daddy for a month or so now, but still. If Ginny was charged, it would hit the papers, and one day Lily would know about it. He'd do all he could to protect his daughter, and again his wife agreed.
Albus had stood there watching in silence as all the evidence was presented against him. He was allowed to talk, before the court made a ruling, and Harry wondered what he would say. He knew the man would not hold his tongue when given a chance.
Albus turned to look at Harry. "You know this isn't right, I did everything for you, to protect you. You are like a grandson, I love you."
Harry shook his head. "You do nothing for anyone but yourself. I am done being fooled by you."
Albus shook his head and addressed all. "I have done nothing but protect this world. You owe me."
Madam Bones spoke. "Your crimes in war time were pardoned, you have no such excuse. We will take a vote."
Harry was not surprised when every hand went up for guilty. "Thank Merlin."
Madam Bones spoke. "Albus Dumbledore you have been found guilty. You are sentenced to twenty years in a medium security cell."
Albus looked towards the Weasleys. "You can't let them do this to me. After all I have done for your family."
Molly spat. "Even if we could help, we wouldn't. I guess Ginny will have some company, though you'll be there much longer."
Harry went into Draco's arms when the man was gone. He knew it was not technically life, but at Albus' age, he would never be released. He was old, and with dementors there, he'd not last twenty years more. Lucius had turned to the board, and had Minerva appointed as headmistress, which was the obvious choice of course. Filius would be the assistant headmaster for now.
Lucius noticed Aberforth and said. "It's not official, but your brother's money and properties will be turned over to you, as it was family money."
It had been a few weeks since the trial, and it was the birthday for the twins. Harry had always loved the birthdays, doing something for the boys, even back in Boston. He may not go overboard like Lucius, but they had always been special, the zoo for the twins last year. The birthday party for their friends from school, was a few days early, and at their home. It was the one Harry planned, he had no idea what Lucius had up his sleeve for the one he was doing, It had been a simple beach party, but having friends there and Draco, made it special.
The day of the twins' actual birthday was the family one. Harry knew it would be a bit hard, why they decided to have this party this day. The twins had done so much better, they had been bonding with Draco and allowing kisses, but still. It was not yet a year since Papa died.
They had spent the night at the manor and Harry went to wake up the boys, Adriana was with Grandpa. "Happy birthday boys."
Jamie sat up in bed hugging his moose, who after a few months of retirement, was back. "Thanks daddy."
Caelum even had the leopard, Harry was not sure, they must have snuck them in bags. "Daddy."
Harry held them both in his lap. "I know you guys miss Papa, but he is watching. And you know Papa would want you to have fun today."
Jamie nodded. "I know Daddy. I just miss Papa. Papa took us to see monkeys and elephants last year."
Draco had come into the room. "I know it may not be as cool as the zoo, but I am sure you'll like what Grandpa Luc has planned for you."
Caelum turned to look at him. "Papa is gone, but we have Adriana, and Grandma and Grandpa, and Father now too."
Jamie nodded. "Daddy and Father."
Draco was in tears, as he knelt, and took his sons into his arms. It may have been their birthday, they had celebrated his a while back, but those words were a belated birthday gift. He had wanted to hear them so long, but he knew he had to be patient, They had referred to him as father, but never used the term, until now. The boys had known for months he was father, but they were still not sure, because of Papa. It seemed they had finally decided they could have a daddy and a father, and a Papa, it was okay.
They took the boys downstairs where there was breakfast waiting for them. The morning was just for the immediate family, but some of their relatives were coming over The Weasleys were coming, and to the shock of Molly and Arthur, they had been invited to come for lunch.
Jamie wasn't sure when he saw the couple come at lunch. Or Hermione, Percy was at work. "Daddy who are they?"
Harry knelt. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. They are Uncle Fred and George, and Bill's parents. They came for lunch."
Caelum looked at the couple and at Hermione with baby Clarent. "But Daddy who is she?"
Harry smiled. "Remember Daddy told you about Ron? Well Hermione was my other good friend, and she is married to Uncle Percy."
Jamie looked at Molly. "You have many children Mrs. Weasel."
Molly smiled when she heard that. "I do, including one I love as a son."
Harry kissed the woman on the cheek. "I am happy you accepted to come to lunch."
The couple was just happy they had been invited, even if not for the party after. Bill, the twins and their wives would stay for the whole party. Harry had known, after the trial and the memorial, he had perhaps been willing to open the door. He was not ready to forgive, and even if he did, he'd never be able to forget, but it was a start. These people had once meant a lot to him, and he was happy they at least met his kids. They even had a chance to hold his daughter, which put Molly in tears, to see her.
After lunch the couple and Hermione left, their gifts had been opened, and the real party started. Lucius unveiled why he had kept the boys away from the backyard since they came. They had been in the pool that morning, and had a swim party, with their school friends.
Jamie beamed when he saw the backyard. "Daddy, daddy, daddy it looks like the school."
Caelum nodded. "But the school is bouncy castle."
Lucius smiled and whispered to Harry. "I know Teddy di the zoo, but I thought perhaps animals might be a bit hard on them."
Harry agreed with him. "I think you had the right idea for sure."
Draco smiled as they watched all the kids. "They sure loved the trip to the school."
There was a train going around the backyard, like the school train. There was a big bouncy castle that looked exactly like the school. There was no swimming pool, but a wading pool, with big sprays and sprinklers, a splash park, that looked like the black lake. There was even a kid size quidditch pitch, with kiddie brooms for them to use. There were no centaurs, but the ponies were out, for pony rides. The kids were all a varied age, but they would all have fun, and soon enough they were. The day ended with a pizza party and gifts, and a cake shaped like a hippogriff.
Draco was so happy to finally celebrate a birthday with his sons. He thought to himself. "Now to get the ring back on Harry for good."
