Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used, the world of Harry Potter and everything involved with it belongs to JK Rowling.

Inktober Prompt - hope

teasing smirks

"Harry, I hope you and Draco are packed and ready, because we need to go, now!" Regulus yelled up the stairs of the manor, hurrying through the foyer as he ran through the mental checklist he had created of everything his stepson would need for the incoming train journey.

"We're coming Reggie! No need to panic now, this isn't our first trip on the Hogwarts Express," the boy sauntered down the stairs, carding a hand through the black curls he inherited from his father. Behind him, his boyfriend followed, blonde hair sticking up in all directions, giving away what they had been up to before Regulus had interfered.

"Of course I need to panic! I'm not sending you anything you've forgotten to Hogwarts, so you best hope you've remembered everything, and Narcissa entrusted me with Draco so I need to make sure he gets there safely," Regulus was on a roll, the words spewing out at a rapid pace. "And for the love of Merlin, I can't find your bloody father anywhere!"

"I'm right here darling," James strolled through the main doors without a care in the world, "I was just outside testing the boys' brooms before they head back to school. Can't have them playing up during a big game now, can we?" He had the same carefree grin as his son, completely at ease and uncaring of how late they were going to be in leaving for the train, it drove Regulus mad.

"I will not curse my husband, I will not curse my husband!" He muttered under his breath, moving towards the trunks that had been discarded at the bottom of the staircase. Quickly casting a feather-light charm, Regulus directed the trunks towards the fireplace, intending on them flooing to London as quickly as possible.

"Draco, could you be a dear, and grab the floo powder from the kitchen? It should be in a jar the tall cupboard," Regulus directed.

"Sure thing Regulus, why don't you help me Harry?" The pair shared a sneaky grin as Harry began to rapidly nod his head, moving to follow his boyfriend, until a hand on his chest forcefully held him in place.

"No! Harry will stay right here, otherwise we'll be here for an age, waiting on you two to stop with your ridiculously amorous displays of affection." The words were teasing, yet the edge of stress was still clear, causing Draco to hurry towards the kitchen, intent on escaping the incoming hurricane that was a stressed out Regulus.

"Reg hun, calm down, we're not going to be late I promise you! It's only 9:30 now, the train doesn't leave until 11, there's plenty of time," James gently massaged his shoulders, attempting to relieve the stress Regulus was feeling. Realising how distracted the pair were, Harry slipped out of the foyer and headed off to find his boyfriend, intent on making the most of their last few moments together before they returned to Hogwarts.

"Harry, get back here now, we don't have time for you two to be kissing in the kitchen."

~oOo~

Smoke filled the platform as it billowed from the great crimson steam engine on the tracks. Witches and wizards of all ages hurried across the platform, darting through the crowds as they searched for the least full carriages. Harry slipped his tanned hand into his boyfriends, clutching onto Draco tightly as they made their way through the crowds and towards the seemingly calmer back portion of platform 9 and 3/4.

"I told you we'd be late!" Regulus moaned, his arm looped through James' as he powered forward. "All of the good carriages are full, and now you're stuck at the back, most likely with all of the first years too." he huffed and puffed as James rolled his eyes. He had become rather used to the over dramatics of his husband, taking them in his stride as he reassured Regulus that the boys would be fine.

"There's nothing wrong with the back end of the train Reggie, if anything it's more quiet and the boys don't care anyway, we both know they'll be snogging throughout the journey,"

"Thanks dad, really, because I absolutely want to hear about you two snogging!" Harry fake vomited, grossed out by their discussion. "Ugh, you're both disgusting!"

"Leave off Harry, I think it's adorable that your parents are still so in love!" Draco exclaimed from his side.

"Yeah Harry, we're adorable," James stuck his tongue out at his son, before smirking slightly as he carried on teasing. "Anyway, how'd you think you came about if we weren't-"

"Please stop!" Harry begged. "Dad, make him stop!"

"Alright, that's enough James, stop teasing the poor boy," Regulus admonished him, sneaking a glance out of the corner of his eye, he made contact with his husband, sharing a sneaky grin. "Although he definitely has a point, the things we would get up to on that train." He spoke so innocently, but the intention was clear as his eyes shone with mischief.

"Dad! Really? That was so unnecessary!" The adults both snickered as the two teens scrunch their faces up in disgust, unable to believe the direction the conversation had turned.

"Oh alright Harry, we won't embarrass you anymore," James rolled his eyes towards his husband, before pointing towards an empty carriage of the train. "Here you are boys, one empty carriage for you to snog in." He chuckled, before ushering them onto the train, lifting Hedwig and her cage up into the train. Slipping a piece of chicken between the bars, James gave the faithful owl a scratch on the head before passing her over to his son.

"Alright, hurry up boys, it's leaving in just a few moments," Regulus faffed, quickly making sure their trunks were piled onto the train and that both looked their best. With a swipe of his wand, clothing smoothed down and their hair flattened, any attempts at taming Harry's curls failed, but at least the pair looked more put together than before. The pair hurried inside the compartment they had claimed as their own, rushing to the window as the whistle blew loudly.

"Bye, see you at Christmas!" They both yelled as the train pulled away from the station, waving vigorously as faces passed, Regulus holding in tears while James lifted one hand in a lazy goodbye. Harry couldn't wait until Christmas, knowing that Draco would be joining them for the festivities and he'd get to relax with his dads away from the crowds surrounding him at Hogwarts.

"This is going to be a good year Harry, I can feel it," Draco clutched his hand tighter as the pair shared a grin, knowing that this would be the best year at Hogwarts possible, and they would be doing it together.

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