Chapter 24
It was finally done. Harry and Joseph stood next to each other as they stared at their finished home. They had already inspected the house, and were extremely happy with it.
"What are you thinking about?" Joseph asked.
"Everything" Harry replied.
"Careful, you might confuse yourself" Joseph said with a smirk as he wrapped an arm around Harry.
"Prat" Harry muttered, but snuggled into Joseph's side. "When can we start moving in?"
"Some ministry official will come over later to make sure everything is safe and the proper spells are in place" Joseph answered. "Assuming everything checks out, we can start moving in during the afternoon."
Harry nodded and he began walking around with Joseph. "Andy is moving into Malfoy Manor this afternoon too, so that's perfect."
Joseph agreed, walking past the flowerbeds and greenhouse. They spent a few more minutes walking around before apparating back to London. The two ravens were discussing what time they should head over to Andy's to pick up Teddy as they were walking into Grimmauld Place, but stopped when they heard arguing.
"I'm telling you we should just have a party with the guest list being comprised of a few close friends."
"Translation: the rowdy bunch of Gryffindors you always invite. We should have an elegant affair; hors d'oeuvres, a string quartet and a diverse selection of wines."
The couple walked into the lounge to find Draco and Hermione glaring daggers at each other from opposite ends from the couch.
"What's going on here?" Harry asked, catching his friends by surprise.
"Harry, Joseph" Hermione greeted the two. "Draco and I apologise for letting ourselves in."
Joseph nodded as he put his and Harry's coats away. "It's alright. Now, can you please explain why you two were arguing?"
"Since your house is finally done, I thought a housewarming party would be in order," Draco said as they all sat. "I came to discuss the details with you, and found Hermione already waiting outside."
"Once Draco explained why, I told him I had the same idea and we decided to work together" Hermione continued. "After getting inside and setting up, we both realised that we had vastly different ideas of what the party should be like."
Harry and Joseph shared a look and decided to hear their friends' ideas. Hermione suggested that the party should be more on the informal side; a long table set up in the yard where everyone will sit around, and the food and drinks will be placed on another table. She also had a tentative guest list ready. While it included some of Joseph's friends, majority of the people listed were people Harry knew.
Draco then pitched his idea; a party like the ones he and Joseph had attended when they were younger. They'd have a selection of hors d'oeuvres and wines that would be served by waiters, and some live music. Draco's draft of the guest list included Harry and Joseph's closest friends, but there were some ministry officials even Harry hadn't met yet.
"We shouldn't invite people just because they're in a position of power, Draco" Hermione stated. "I don't think either Harry or Joseph would like someone they barely knew at an event very personal to them."
"It being a personal event is the reason why they should invite ministry officials" Draco explained. "It'll feed their egos and make them feel they're close to Harry and Joseph when they aren't. And with the orphanage opening, having some ministry officials supporting it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."
"Joseph and I are going to discuss this" Harry said. "Try not to murder each other."
Joseph followed Harry into the kitchen, already seeing the shorter raven's furrowed brow. "I thought you said Draco and Hermione were friends."
"They are, they're just very...opinionated about things" Harry said with a sigh. "How are we going to choose?"
"Well, did you like any of Hermione or Draco's ideas?" Joseph asked.
"I would prefer that the party be more on the informal side, but I do agree with Draco that some of my friends can get a bit over the top after a couple of drinks" Harry said. "And I want the guest list to be a good mix of both our friends."
"We can't do much about the guest list since half my friends are in France" Joseph said. "But that's fine. If I hadn't left, I'd probably be friends with all of yours by now."
The couple discussed things for a few minutes before returning to the lounge.
"While we appreciate the planning both of you did, neither really hit the mark" Harry explained, surprising his friends. "It's not that your ideas were bad. Some of them were good and we'll be using them, but they didn't fit us."
"But Harry, in the past, you've always preferred informal parties" Hermione said.
Harry nodded in agreement. "I know, but that's the point 'Mione. This party isn't just for me. It's for me, Joseph and Teddy. You know how some of our friends can get after a couple of drinks."
"You're right," Hermione said and turned to Joseph. "I apologise for not taking your preferrences into account."
"It's alright Hermione" Joseph assured her. "Other than Blaise's birthday and dinner at the Weasleys', we've barely had time to get to know each other."
"While I get why you would reject Hermione's idea, why did you reject mine?" Draco asked.
"Like Harry said, this party isn't just for one of us" Joseph replied.
"I know, I even took the orphanage into consideration" Draco explained. "You know how this game works. You were probably the best player."
Joseph sighed, giving his friend a look. "I was the best, and it was emotionally and mentally taxing. Just because I knew how the game worked and that I played it well doesn't mean I enjoyed it. Do you know any of our friends who actually enjoyed those parties?"
Draco didn't reply, but still met Joseph's gaze.
"If any official want to help the orphanage, we will gladly accept their donations. But the only event we will be inviting them to will be fundraisers."
The two Slytherins stared at each other for a couple of seconds before the blonde sighed and relented.
"What are you thinking for the party then?" Hermione asked.
"We'll keep it mostly informal" Harry answered. "Guest list of close friends and family, food will be on a buffet table."
"But instead of one long dining table, we'll set up several ones" Joseph continued. "We'll also have an open bar and hire a professional bartender for the night. That way if anyone starts getting too rowdy, they can cut them off."
"It seems like you've found the perfect mix of my and Hermione's ideas" Draco said.
"We still don't have everything figured out and we need help getting everything ready" Harry said.
"I'll take Friday off so I can help you guys" Hermione said as she stood. "Have to get back home."
Harry and Joseph thanked her and she hugged everyone before flooing home.
"Which catering company do you plan on hiring?" Draco asked.
"I was thinking of cooking the food myself" Joseph said, surprising both Harry and Draco.
"Why?" Draco blurted out.
"Are you sure, love?" Harry asked. "I'm not doubting your skills, but cooking food for a little over thirty people will be extremely difficult."
"I'm sure, and because I want to" Joseph replied, placing a kiss on Harry's head. "Don't worry, I won't make anything too complicated."
"If you need any help, let me know," Harry said.
"And as long as you don't make me handle food, I'll help out too" Draco added.
Joseph thanked them both, and the three males spent the rest of the morning planning.
After lunch, Harry and Joseph flooed to Andromeda's to help. Majority of the stuff had been packed, leaving a couple of items here and there. Harry offered to help Teddy pack his stuff, but the young wizard said he would do it himself. Harry gave Andromeda a concerned look, but the witch said to let him be. The three of them began packing things and within an hour, they were done.
"Thank you for helping us pack" Andromeda thanked.
"You're very welcome" Joseph said. "If there's anything else we can do to help, please let us know."
"You boys have done more than enough already" Andromeda stated. "Let me go make us something to drink."
Harry approached Joseph as the taller male put away the last of the boxes. "Teddy's been up there a while."
"It's understandable if he's having a hard time with the move, even if it's what he and Lady Andy wants" Joseph stated. "He's spent his whole life here. It was going to be hard regardless of the situation."
"I know. Can you go check on him?" Harry asked.
"Sure, but I thought you would want to."
"I would, but what can I say that would make things better? The only real home I've ever known has been Hogwarts. And I've lived in Grimmauld Place the past couple years, but I've never completely settled in."
"I understand. I'll talk to Teddy."
Harry thanked him and went to help Andromeda in the kitchen. After shrinking the boxes in the lounge, Joseph headed up the stairs and stopped in front of Teddy's room.
"Teddy, is everything alright?" Joseph asked after knocking.
"Yes" Teddy replied. "I'm nearly finished."
"Can I come in then?" Joseph asked.
"No, you don't have to" Teddy immediately replied. "I can do this myself."
"I'm sure you can, Ted" Joseph called back. "I just want to shrink the boxes so you'll have an easier time bringing them down." Teddy didn't answer this time, and Joseph waited a minute before calling out again. "Teddy, are you sure everything's alright."
"No" Teddy replied.
"Can I come in?" Joseph asked.
Teddy didn't reply, but the door unlocked. Joseph opened the door and walked in to find Teddy sitting on the bed, majority of his stuff still around the room, and only one box that had a few shirts in it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Joseph asked as he sat next to Teddy.
"It's nothing" Teddy replied.
"It's clearly something" Joseph returned. "You can tell me."
"I'm worried you, Harry or nan will be upset with me" Teddy admitted.
"I promise I won't get mad" Joseph said with sincerity, and waited until Teddy nodded. "Now, what's wrong?"
"I know moving away will be what's best for nan, and I really want to live with you and Harry, but I still feel really sad about leaving."
"I get it, and I understand how you feel."
"Are you talking about when you had to move to France?"
"A bit, but at that time, I wasn't able to go through my things and choose what to bring. I was mostly referring to when I came back and visited my family's estate with Harry."
"Harry said your house was burned down by the Death Eaters."
"It was. I could've rebuilt the place exactly as it was before, but I didn't."
"Why?"
"Because as much as the place meant to me, it wouldn't have been practical with only a few people living there. It was kinda like Malfoy Manor. It was nice and big, but I don't think you want to walk five minutes to get to breakfast every morning."
"No, but how is that the same as now?"
"Well, I had a lot of great memories growing up there, and I imagine you have a lot of great memories growing up here. Just because you move away doesn't make any of those memories less happy, and you now have an opportunity to make even more happy memories with everyone you love."
It was quiet for a few seconds before Teddy smiled at Joseph and gave him a hug. "Thank you for checking on me."
"You're very welcome" Joseph said as he hugged back. "Now let's pack your stuff before Harry or your nan come up here."
Teddy chuckled and nodded. Joseph began by using a spell to pack up Teddy's clothes while the metamorphmagus sorted through his things, deciding what to keep. Once they were done, Joseph shrunk the boxes and put them in his pocket.
"Thank you again for talking to me, and helping me pack" Teddy said.
"It was no trouble at all" Joseph returned. "If there's anything you want to talk about, whether it's about something that's bothering you or just something you're curious about, you can always come talk to me and Harry. If you're worried that we'll react negatively, then come talk to me. I promise I'll keep my composure 99% of the time."
"Thank you" Teddy said again with a smile. "There is something I want to talk about with you."
"What is it?"
"Well, I'm going to be living with you and Harry now, and you guys are going to be my parents. I already call Harry 'dad', but I was wondering if I should call you 'papa' or something like that."
"While I would like you to call me something like that, I would understand if you don't want to yet. Harry has been with you your whole life, so him transitioning from 'Harry' to 'dad' has been almost natural. I don't mind waiting until we get to know each other better and you trust me more to call me 'papa'. Until then, call me with whatever name you're comfortable."
"Alright. Thank you, Joseph."
The two males shared a smile before gathering the rest of Teddy's things and heading downstairs.