Heya People.
Yeah, so this is the revamped edition of Trick or Treat!
I didn't like how it had turned out in my original rendition, so I decided, what am I going to do today.
I know re-do an out of season one-shot. That's what I should spend time on.
Well here it is.
It was originally part of an Autumn Drabbles collection thing for the Flowerpot Server.
Well enjoy?
Waske
XxX
P.S. Yes there might end up being more to this story. Because Yeah. Reasons.
Chapter 1: Going Trick or Treating!
Harry Potter had always hated Halloween. It was the night his parents were killed over twenty years ago. This year would be the twenty-second anniversary of the night Tom Marvolo Riddle decided that a fifteen-month-old baby was his equal, murdering his parents in their own home and the shitshow that was Harry's life following that.
Harry had long since accepted that he would never feel normal or be normal. Having grown up with the Dursleys, he had been taught from a young age that he was no more than a freak, it was almost comical, how right they had been. Harry idly wondered what they were doing right now. He still got Christmas cards from Dudley and his girlfriend, but he hadn't heard a word about Petunia or Vernon since a week before his seventeenth birthday. What a mess that night had been.
Following those years his time at Hogwarts hadn't been all that much better, having to survive one death trap after another at the supposedly safest place in all of Britain. It was nonsense of course looking back at it. A school full of magical children was never going to be safe with magic flying around all over the place, and that was without mentioning anything about kids playing Quidditch.
Of course his life had ascended to a new peak of danger with the second war during the latter half of his school years. Umbridge had made the school a living hell during his fifth year with it ending with a trip to the Department of Mysteries, because Riddle had sent him visions of his godfather, Sirius, being tortured. Sixth year the school had been invaded because Draco Malfoy had fixed up a vanishing cabinet ending in the death of Albus Dumbledore, he still didn't know what to think of the man. So many things that had happened during his first sixteen years of life could be attributed to him in some way or another. It was difficult knowing if he had even meant well towards Harry or if he had meant well to the general population sacrificing Harry in the process. He never even got a chance to go back for his final year, spending all of that time hunting Horcruxes with Ron and Hermione, until it all came to a climax in front of Hogwarts. He had died that night, he was certain of it now, but Riddle had as well. It didn't matter now, it was more than six years ago at this point.
Life had returned to what most people would call normal. He had finally gotten around to taking his N.E.W.T.s last year. There was only so much one man could procrastinate taking those when Hermione Granger was your best friend, and that was not to mention the other people in his life, specifically Fleur Weasley née Delacour.
She had lost a lot in the war as well. She had been about to give birth when the final battle at Hogwarts happened but that hadn't stopped her husband Bill Weasley from joining the battlements to help fight the good fight. He had died saving his brother Fred from a stray killing curse leaving Fleur to raise their child Victoire all by herself. Bill hadn't been the only death that had happened that night. Remus and Nymphadora Tonks Lupin had also left their son to be orphaned.
Harry had ended up being a father full-time taking care of little Teddy Lupin, his godson. He had vowed to be there for him where everyone else had failed to do so for him. He was never going to let Teddy grow up without feeling loved. Teddy's only living relative was his grandmother Andromeda, who had not only lost her daughter, but also her husband during the war. Harry had found her near catatonic in her home near Devon. He had stayed with her and Teddy for almost half a year until Fleur's patronus had burst into their home, screaming about how her water had broken and she didn't know what to do. That had been the impetus for Andromeda to get better. She had been trained as a healer and quickly made her way to the floo, Harry following behind her with Teddy in his arms.
It hadn't been an easy birth, leaving Fleur more than exhausted. She had broken down holding her daughter close to her chest as she confessed just how out of her depth she was being a single mother with a baby. That had been when Harry had asked possibly the dumbest and cleverest question of his life.
"Why don't you come live with me?"
He had had more than enough space living in Grimmauld Place number twelve. The house was too big for him all by his lonesome, which was why he had taken up residence with Andromeda and Teddy, but with Fleur and Victoire in the mix, he had suggested moving there. It had been the best decision of his life, he loved having Teddy and Victoire around.
"Dad!"
"Papa!"
Harry was pulled out of his musings to see two small children competing with each other to get into the room. Andromeda and Fleur had of course tried to teach the two kids that Harry wasn't their father but both had in the end given up. Fleur and Andromeda had agreed that when Teddy and Victoire were older and understood better they would tell the two about their dads and how great they were. Well, Fleur had agreed, Andromeda was still trying to convince him to change Teddy's last name to Tonks, and that there had not been a single ounce of greatness in her daughter's husband. Something, she and Harry would occasionally still butt heads about.
Harry extended his arms and pulled the two children into a hug. Teddy spent most of his time looking like a direct copy of Harry with messy raven-coloured hair and emerald green eyes, something Andromeda would incessantly choose to comment on, telling him how her daughter should have chosen him instead of the coward, as she put it, while Victoire was the spitting image of her mother. Long silver hair that fell down like a moonlit waterfall around her small heart shaped face. Her ice blue eyes sparkling whenever she was up to mischief with Teddy.
"You promised!" Teddy demanded.
"I promise what, kid?" Harry chuckled.
"Papa, you promised that you would go trick or treating with us!" Victoire pouted, puffing up her cheeks.
Harry chuckled and nuzzled his nose further into their hair. He did remember promising to go trick or treating around the neighbourhood with the two children. He had been looking forward to spending some time with the two of them. It wasn't always easy having to be away from home working.
Harry looked up when another set of footsteps approached them through the door. He felt an inwardly sense of relief when he saw the soft smile on Fleur's face. She smiled less since the war. Losing Bill, being pregnant while being unsure of everything, not really liked by the in-laws. Harry was surprised, she hadn't decided to leave England behind sometimes.
It was only Teddy and Victoire, who could with some frequency bring her out of her mind's dark places anymore. Harry shuddered to think about what exactly she was remembering, when her eyes dimmed and her body shuddered. They all had demons, Harry more than most. He had more than once woken up with either Andromeda or Fleur sitting on the side of his bed stroking his hair while he had had a nightmare. He had long since begun silencing his room every night, so at least the two children were spared from seeing him like that.
"Oui 'Arry. You did promise them," Fleur said hiding her smile behind the back of her hand. "I hope you have a costume ready for tonight."
The only word Fleur, likely stubbornly, didn't pronounce with an H sound anymore was his name. He hated how it made him feel to have her searing blue eyes on him as she spoke his name, it was the sweetest sound and the most addicting. She must have known how it would make him react. She probably enjoyed seeing him squirm under her steady gaze. It had been absolutely unbearable during the first year, they had lived together. Her voice would haunt his dreams, filling him with shame as he woke up, but now If he was being honest with himself, he didn't even mind it all that much anymore.
"And where are your costumes?" Harry asked Teddy and Victoire, diverting the topic from his lack of costume.
"Grandma Andy has mine," Teddy said proudly.
"Grandmama has mine too," Victoire smiled.
Harry shook his head. Andromeda had insisted on being called grandmother by both of the children, even while she often acted like their mother. She had been the one teaching Fleur and Harry how to raise babies when they had had no idea what to do. Harry found it funny that Mrs. Weasley, Molly, he corrected himself inwardly, that was going to take some getting used to, was also Grandma and Appoline Delacour was also Grandmére to the two of them. Having three grandmothers who all doted and spoiled them only made it harder for Fleur and Harry to discipline them but he was happy for them. He was happy to be part of this small slice of happiness that one decision had cut out for him.
"I see," Harry said with a conspiratorial smile. "And what do you suggest I should go as?"
Harry smiled as he watched the two children stick their heads together, whispering while taking glances between him and Fleur. He had a growing feeling that they were up to no good. While Victoire had inherited more of her mother's aloof personality and less of Bill's reckless and danger seeking nature it still was there and if there was one child who could bring that out of her it would be the boy beside her. It was likely his parents' fault being the son of Marauder and a famous Hufflepuff jokester. Harry swore he could hear something about a dragon being thrown around in there.
Harry had come to know when a tantrum was brewing. Victoire would always begin to go Weasley red whenever she was upset, a stark contrast to her silver hair while Teddy did the opposite and turned his hair red in stark contrast to his otherwise calm face.
"Alright you two," Harry interrupted before it exploded, and someone started crying. "What are your best ideas?"
"Dragon!" Teddy said immediately, before Victoire had a chance to open her mouth.
Harry gave him a long nod and a smile before turning his attention to little Victoire. She was trying to drill a hole in the carpet with her dainty little foot. Harry was certain she had an idea, but she was hesitant to voice it out loud.
"Come on, ma chéri," Harry whispered gently. "Nobody is going to get angry at you."
Victoire looked between Harry and Fleur for another few seconds before she breathed in deeply. Harry smiled gently at her to give her some courage. He firmly believed in allowing them to say what they thought and gently guiding them rather than stubbornly tell them what to think.
"You could go as my real Dad," Victoire whispered. "With Mama."
Harry's smile froze on his face. It still looked gentle to everyone around him but behind it had stopped reaching his eyes. Signs of shock mixed with fear and not a small amount of longing and hope had begun to swirl behind his gold rimmed glasses. He exhaled and breathed in, giving him time to gather his thoughts before opening his mouth.
"But I'm that every day. I can't be that for Halloween."
"Oh," Victoire deflated. "Then you can just be a dragon."
Harry breathed out a sigh of relief, sounding like a strained chuckle. He used the back of his hand to wipe the accumulated sweat off his brow. He felt awkward, guilty and resigned - too many emotions were floating around his body. He remembered how his co-workers at the Auror Office kept calling him the Orphanage Dad behind his back.
It was disgusting. He had always known that people would be jealous of the perceived glory credited to him for what he had done. Disparaging him was the only way they could feel better about themselves. It often made him think about quitting and doing just that, becoming a father full-time.
He loved his current life and he loved taking care of the two balls of joy so untainted by the war. Everyone else around him had felt the war in one way or another. Andromeda had lost everyone except for Teddy. He was the last of her family, while Fleur had lost Bill, she still had her parents and little sister, but they were so far away in France, that it was only during holidays that they visited. She had never been close with the rest of the Weasleys, so when Bill had died it was Harry who had helped her reconnect to that side of the family, helping her to understand that while she might not like them Victoire still deserved to know her Dad's family.
"I guess, I'll have to be a dragon then. Now go find Grandma, so that the two of you can get ready."
Harry tickled the miscreants, making them laugh and run out of his office in delight. Harry chased them all the way until he was blocked by Fleur who had a playfully stern and protective look on her face. Teddy and Victoire hiding behind her legs.
"That is enough, 'Arry," she playfully teased. "I'll protect them from the Evil Dragon."
"Dragons aren't evil though!" Teddy piped up, sticking his head out on the side of her thigh.
"This one is, Teddy! Mama said so," Victoire stomped her small little foot on the other side.
"Off to grandma with you two," Harry laughed. "I think she might be making tea, or …. I'll… eat you!"
Sounds of running and laughter filled the halls of Grimmauld Place as the two of them ran down the stairs. Harry rose up with a bemused smile on his face. He spotted the signs of Fleur holding back her laughter. Her happiness was infectious to him. He let out a soft chuckle that soon turned into a gentle laugh before ending up as a full-on belly laughter. Fleur's bell-like giggle soon joined his and it was music to his ears. They only ever laughed because of Teddy and Victoire these days.
Harry was the first to calm down, well, it would have been more correct to say that he was the first to stop laughing. He drank in her laughter like a man thirsty for water in a desert. She was beautiful. He had always known that. She had always been beautiful to him but most of the time it had been ephemeral, fleeting, unattainable. Since the end of the war it had become even more distant like a great big veil had permanently settled unto her face after Bill's death. She was mourning him, even though it had been years. Harry could never fault her for that. Bill had been the love of her life, the way she had looked at him at their wedding, as they had gotten married. She had been radiant. She still was in the moments when she laughed. It was like the veil over her face was being torn away and her beauty was laid bare for everyone to see.
"… ask? 'Arry?!"
"Huh? What?"
"Are you even listening to moi?" Fleur tsked, doing a superb impression of the stereotypical French woman, her nose pointed high into the air.
"Sorry, my thoughts were in another place," Harry smiled sheepishly. "I'm listening now."
"Good. What did Victoire ask of you? I couldn't hear from over here."
Harry awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't know how to tell her without bringing up either bad memories or making her feel awkward about them or both. He didn't want to lose the way she had just laughed because of the ghosts of the past. She knew him better than that though. She grabbed his ear and twisted it a little.
"Tell me."
"Ow – ow – alright. Merlin, you don't have to twist it like that."
Harry rubbed his ear and sent her an angry glare with no heat in it. He was just trying to protect her feelings. He didn't want her or Andromeda to hurt anymore. He loved both of them in their own way. It was weird and probably idiotic and definitely something taken out of a teenage boy's wet dream, but they were the only women that he came in regular contact with, and well… They were beautiful.
"What did she ask you to be?"
"Her 'real' dad with you," Harry whispered, still rubbing his sore ear.
He knew it would happen, but he hated the way his words had made the veil fall back over her face. He wanted to turn back time and somehow stop her from hurting any more.
She didn't say anything or show any sign of emotion before turning around and walking out of the door. He knew Fleur didn't cry about it anymore, none of them did, at some point the tears had just stopped coming and had settled as a numb pain in the bottom of their stomach, but it didn't make it any less painful for her to be reminded of him. He sighed loudly and returned to his desk where he had been going over some work. His eyes didn't seem to register what was written in the file. He leaned his head against the backrest, he wouldn't be getting any more work done tonight. He should probably head down into the kitchen instead, but he needed to collect his thoughts before he could at least pretend he hadn't hurt one of the four most precious people in his life. Sometimes his life was exceedingly simple, go to work, take care of Teddy and Victoire, cook some dinner, wash some dirty clothes, other times… it was like walking through a crossfire of killing curses, trying not to rip open old scars and hurts.
Harry was brought out of his musings, when Andromeda's low dulcet tones reached his ears.
"Dinner's ready. Teddy and Victoire are excited about tonight."
Harry looked up and found her warm chocolate brown eyes staring at him with a fondness and a hint of pity. He ruffled his hair, seemingly to shake off the darker thoughts that Andromeda had undoubtedly picked up on. It wouldn't do to hurt both of the women in the house in one fell swoop.
"I'm going to be a dragon tonight. Do you think the muggles would realize it if I transfigured myself some wings and a tail? It just seems easier than trying to make it look like a costume."
"Hmm. I don't know. It'll be dark by the time you go out and it's not like they would go with the conclusion that you would be using magic. Just don't move the wings or tail independently and you're good. Have you seen Fleur?"
"Maybe she's in her room," Harry said defeatedly.
"And why would she go there, Harry James Potter?"
Harry felt like a scolded child whenever Andromeda used his full name. She did the same to Victoire and Teddy whenever they had done something worth being scolded for. It was immediate and effective in its use of conveying disappointment. Harry grumbled. She never did it with Fleur though. It was clear to Harry that while he was only three years younger than Fleur, he was still being treated like a child while she was being treated like an adult.
He supposed this was how having a real mom would feel like, except for the fact that he sometimes would imagine Andromeda's body heat next to his own on the lonely nights. That was definitely not something you thought about your mother.
"Victoire asked me to be her 'real' dad tonight with Fleur," Harry sighed, explaining as best as he could. "Fleur didn't let me brush it over when I got that changed to Dragon."
"I see," Andromeda frowned. "Go watch the two menaces. I'll go talk to her."
"Thank you, Andromeda. I didn't know what I was supposed to do."
"You're welcome, and when are you going to start calling me Andy like I asked you to?" Andromeda pouted.
"The menaces, right?" Harry decidedly avoided that topic.
Harry quickly made his way out of the room before she had a chance to stop him. She had been pestering him to become more familiar with her, and it wasn't that he didn't want to, it was just... well there were many reasons why he couldn't do that to her, so instead he focused on the holiday cheer.
He loved being in Grimmauld Place on the holidays. Everywhere was decorated with different motives. He never even had a chance to contemplate too much about the day. None of them would allow him to wallow on the eve of Halloween. Teddy and Victoire would bring with them a fresh breeze of air as they ran through the halls, laughter and cheer ricocheting against the walls. Andromeda had shown them all of the old traditions surrounding Samhain, old stories that had been passed through generation after generation of magical families, and Fleur had become enamoured by everything muggle on the holidays.
Andromeda didn't seem to have much interest in it even though she had married a muggleborn, but she would still smile as some of the muggle traditions reminded her of a happier time with Ted. Fleur, however, had fallen completely in love with the muggle side of every holiday, having picked up the interest from Mr. Weasley and Bill. While Bill hadn't been as obsessed about Muggle technology as his dad, he had been the one most interested in their culture, and in their time together Fleur had been completely swept away by the festivities.
Harry was glad to find the two menaces in the kitchen sitting around with their own pumpkins, carving them into scary shapes. He should have been more worried about the two of them using what looked to be scary, but magic helped make a lot of things safer. He loved when magic was being used that way. Andromeda had charmed the two knives in their hands so they wouldn't cut the children no matter how much they tried, making it fairly safe for them to cut their own faces on the pumpkins.
"What are you two making?"
"Scary thing," Victoire smiled proudly, turning around her pumpkin so it faced him.
"Dragon!" Teddy said.
Harry shook his head. The sudden interest in dragons had been a recent thing. Charlie had given Teddy a replica model not unlike the one Harry and Fleur had gotten during the Triwizard tournament, and it had been all Teddy could talk about since he had gotten it. Harry had given his own as well and Fleur had asked her little sister Gabrielle if she was willing to part with Fleur's dragon model. Maybe Teddy would get it for Christmas.
"Well you are doing a wonderful job."
"Where is Grandma and Mama?" Victoire asked.
"They'll be here in a moment. They just had something to talk about. Boring grown up stuff."
Victoire frowned with her small face, looking cuter than what should have been physically possible. Harry ruffled her silver tresses before beginning to clean up the small pieces of pumpkin around the table. He wanted to shield them from the darkness both he, Andromeda and Fleur carried.
"Why are you doing that Dad?" Teddy asked.
"Well, we are supposed to eat soon and then get ready to go trick or treating, right?"
Teddy and Victoire both nodded enthusiastically.
"Well then we'll need to clean up so we can eat right? Are you almost finished with your pumpkins? We'll place them outside and put a blue-bell flame inside of them. It'll look really cool."
Harry enjoyed playing around like this with them. It made him feel like his struggles had been worth something. That the world had been worth saving even if it had come at a great personal cost to so many of the people around him, that wasn't to say that they had been the only people affected but some days it felt like it. It had gotten so bad sometimes that he had made it a habit of calling his parents and Sirius on this night every year before going to bed. Apparently, the barrier between this place and the beyond was thinnest on the night of Samhain.
He hadn't told anyone else that he still had the Resurrection Stone. He had kept it in his pocket on the night he had died. It had been a spur of the moment decision. A small part of him had felt like the world owed him a chance to talk to his parents. He had kept it for himself even if he had told people that he had dropped it in the Forbidden Forest.
It wasn't that he needed to have his parents back but that one conversation a year was the chance to actually have a conversation with his Mum. He didn't call anyone other than those three. It wasn't that he didn't have more people he could call. That list was never ending.
He knew he should let other people talk to their loved ones on this day. Andromeda would love to talk to Nymphadora and Ted while Fleur might find closure if she could talk to Bill. It was selfish of him to keep it for himself, but if he shared it with anyone else it wouldn't be his anymore. It wouldn't be sacred the same way it was now.
He had also found out one of the first Halloween nights that only the person touching the stone could see the phantoms of the dead. He had been interrupted by Fleur and Andromeda after the kids had been laid to sleep. Not being able to see the phantoms of long dead people had made it seem like he was rambling to himself. They had both hugged him tightly in their arms, trying to offer even just a small amount of comfort for him.
Harry still couldn't forget the smirk that had appeared on Sirius's face and the warm smile on his mother's. It was like she had already known something he hadn't understood at the time. It still irked him that he didn't understand why Sirius and his Dad had looked at each other with mischievous smiles on their faces that night. He understood it now, but it was better left unsaid than bringing it to the light. After that he had remembered to lock his door behind him. Andromeda and Fleur would still be able to reach him if they really needed him, but it was clear that he wanted to be left alone and they seemed to be respecting that.
Harry and the children had finished cleaning the table except for the two carved pumpkins on top of it when Andromeda and Fleur returned to the kitchen. Harry didn't say anything, he didn't want to think about what had happened between them earlier, instead he just reached out to carry the pumpkins to the front door. He was surprised when Fleur stepped in front of him, gently putting her hands on his chest. She usually didn't get that close to him.
"I'm sorry."
"It really was no problem, Fleur."
"You didn't deserve…"
"Forget it. We all carry our own scars from the war," Harry whispered so only the two of them could hear it. "It's alright. You didn't hurt me."
Fleur nodded, stepping to the side letting him through. Harry spotted over his shoulder how Fleur was fussing around Victoire, trying to get pieces of pumpkin and juices out of her t-shirt, while Andromeda had planted Teddy on her lap in an attempt to clean some leftover pumpkin from his face with a wet cloth. Harry chuckled at the way Teddy squirmed to get out of her arms. One thing about Teddy, he did not like to get wet in the face. It made for a very interesting time whenever Teddy had to take a bath or shower. Andromeda had told them that Nymphadora had been the same way until she had been about ten after that she stopped fighting it. Here's to hoping that he would be the same or Professor McGonagall would be sending letters back home about bad showering habits when he made it to Hogwarts.
Harry put down the pumpkins outside and cast a bluebell flame inside both of them. The blue flame lit up the street in front of it. He enjoyed the way the flame would change the shapes as it magically floated around the container. Something about the colour made it especially spooky.
He spent a little more time, taking in the crisp autumn air before heading back inside. Andromeda had already placed the food on the table and Fleur was guiding the children to wash their hands in the sink. Harry stopped in the doorframe to admire what he always thought a family should be like, filled with love and kindness. It wasn't a normal family by any means. He wasn't the father of either children, not to mention that was just the beginning of it, but it still was family to him.
Harry joined Teddy and Victoire at the sink and cleaned off his own hands after Fleur had approved of their hands, Harry's too, much to his amusement. If he didn't know better he would think it was because she treated him like a child, but as must things in this home it was for the amusement of the kids. The sound of Teddy's and Victoire's giggles was worth any sort of embarrassment Fleur put him through.
Harry took the two children by their hands and sat them at their favourite seats. Harry wasn't sure when it had happened, but at some point he had ended up at the head of the table with Teddy on his right with Andromeda, sitting next to him and Victoire on his left with Fleur, sitting next to her. They always sat like that even when they had guests. Teddy and Victoire would without a doubt both throw a small tantrum if anybody sat in the 'wrong' seat at the table.
"You need to eat your food," Harry pointed out when both Teddy and Victoire were too excited to eat. "You wouldn't want to stop early just because you ended up hungry."
"No, Dad."
"No, Papa."
Harry looked away from the smiles Andromeda and Fleur sent him. The indulgent smiles he knew they were sending him whenever he acted like the two's dad made him curl his toes in embarrassment. Their approval felt both itchy and addicting and he didn't know how to handle it. They somehow always managed to make him feel proud and incredibly small at the same time.
"Then eat your food," Harry said gently. "Grandma Andy has worked hard to make it taste so well."
He kept his focus on the kids, not daring to let his eyes wander towards Andromeda. It was the first time since they had begun living with Fleur and Victoire that he had called her by her preferred nickname. He had a feeling that she had a shit eating grin plastered on her face. Maybe a look of triumph too. He didn't want to see it. He knew it would make his heart tighten once more. It made it harder for him to keep his mind from going places.
Harry had tried to tease out what their costumes were but neither Victoire nor Teddy told him anything. Victoire was looking like the spitting image of her mother whenever either of them were hiding a surprise, a small mischievous smirk playing on their lips. Teddy just had an excited look on his face like he was certain his costume was going to be a big surprise for him.
Harry was practically ordered by Fleur and Andromeda to clean up after dinner while the four of them got ready for trick or treating. Harry didn't mind, cleaning up after them. It had been easy enough for the three adults in the house to swap between chores. Teddy and Victoire had even gotten old enough that they could help with picking up their toys. It wasn't much for a six and five-year-old to do but it was something. The rest was easily taken care off with magic. It surprised him how little effort it took for them to actually clean up the place. He supposed it was easier keeping it clean than restoring it as they had tried to during the summer before his fifth year.
He gently wiped off the surfaces before dropping the cloth back over the tap for it to dry. He made his way to his own room. He was slowly beginning to regret allowing Teddy and Victoire to pick his choice in costume. Partial human transfiguration was always harder than the full-scale transfiguration but then again, he only needed to give himself dragon scales on the edge of his face, the hands, a pair of wings and a tail. He also needed to cut a few holes for his wings and tail in his clothes. On second thought, he should ask Andromeda and Fleur for help before he hurt himself doing this.
He walked out wearing nothing but his trousers. Once upon a time, Harry would have been embarrassed about his scrawny stature and the scars littered across his body, some of them from his time before and during the war, but most of them were from the last six years as an auror. It had taken him growing out and putting on some muscles before he had begun to feel comfortable in his own body. Andromeda had been a big help in that process. He would never recover the lost inches because of malnutrition, but he had stopped minding about the what's if of his life. He acknowledged it all as being part of him.
He followed the sounds of laughter through the halls until he reached Andromeda's bedroom, remembering that she had the costumes with her for both of the kids. He knocked on the door not wanting to ruin the surprise that the kids had for him. It was part of the fun for them.
He heard the sound of footsteps on the other side of the door and took a step back. Fleur opened the door, poking her head out through the gap. Harry had to bite his knuckles, so he didn't laugh at her half-painted face. She had half a set of cat whiskers extending from under her nose and her nose were coloured black. She looked cute but ridiculous at the same time.
"Are you laughing at me, 'Arry?" she frowned dangerously.
"No. I wouldn't even think about it. But you might want to ask Hermione for pointers about being a cat. She has first hand experience."
"Why are you here?" Fleur ran her eyes over his body. "And like that?"
"I need help not messing up my transfigurations and maybe someone to help me with some clothes. It's hard getting dressed when you have wings and a tail."
"Oui," Fleur nodded seriously. "We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. I'll ask Andromeda to help after the children are ready, not before, oui?"
"That's alright. I'll just wait in my room until you guys are done," Harry turned around, walking away. He had almost made it out of earshot when he looked over his shoulder straight back at Fleur. "Nice whiskers by the way."
Harry laughed as he heard the frustrated groan coming from Fleur. He would have never imagined himself teasing the woman when he had first met her during his fourth year at Hogwarts, the thought of his embarrassing past made him chuckle as he made his way back to his room. He found a set of clothes that he didn't mind losing if he somehow messed up the costume for himself. He decided to wait for the women to arrive. He wasn't about to cut something before Fleur or Andromeda got here. He was sure it wasn't going to take much longer for them to finish up with the children.
He was just about to go check on them when the door to his room was opened. He gasped in surprise. He hadn't expected Andromeda to have gotten a costume too and definitely not the one she was wearing. He was certain that one couldn't be considered innocent anymore. Her nurse costume consisted only of a second world war apron on top of what looked like a black corset, her legs were covered by a dark set of leggings and the knee length black boots did little to make it less risqué. A healthy amount of skin was shown around her shoulders and under her arms. Andromeda was awkwardly holding her arms around her chest to cover what was being revealed.
"She's beautiful, non?"
Harry turned to Fleur who had bought a full body latex suit that was hugging her curves tighter than Harry thought was possible, her silver hair was tied up around a pair of black cat ears that almost looked like they were transfigured on top of her head if it wasn't for the fake look they had. The zipper at the front of her costume was barely pulled up past the curve of her chest showing the same amount of skin as Andromeda, but she wasn't embarrassed to show off her assets in a very self-confident way.
Harry nodded dumbly at the sight of both of them. It was times like these when he was forced to acknowledge that both of them made him feel something more than just a platonic co-existence. Something he kept trying to squash in himself. Squash so thoroughly that he didn't do something entirely stupid and very much male.
"I think we broke him," Fleur's voice sounded alluring and teasing to him.
Andromeda seemed to catch a second wind and relaxed her hands down to her hips, twirling around for him to see everything. She smiled more reassuringly by the time she was facing him again.
"I'm glad you enjoy it. I must admit when Fleur talked me into this I was more than a little skeptical."
Harry found his voice. "No, no. You both look amazing. Seems like I'll be having a hard time keeping the uncouth men away from you two."
He enjoyed the blush that surfaced on both of their faces. They shyly smiled at him making them both seem more beautiful than they had been just a moment ago.
"Then we are lucky that you will be a fierce dragon, non?" Fleur winked.
"Right, you needed help?" Andromeda coughed.
"Yes, I wasn't sure how to get the transfigurations and the clothing to work right. It's over there."
Harry pointed to a pile of clothes on his bed.
"I'll help with your transfiguration, Fleur was always the best of us with charms."
"Oui, I'll take care of it, 'Arry."
Harry described what he had thought for his costume and soon a half-dragon half-human hybrid was standing in front of his full-length mirror. He flexed his shoulders and watched the wings fold and unfold behind him. They were magnificent. He was sure it was going to be a hit with Teddy.
"You probably shouldn't do that when we are outside," Andromeda smirked, running her hands over his scales.
Harry shivered and his tail twitched a little at her touch.
"You can feel them?" Andromeda asked wonderingly.
Harry nodded, sending her an embarrassed smile. He shivered again, turning his head with an incredulous look on his face. He had expected her to stop running her hands over his wings when she found out he could feel it. He was even more surprised when he felt Fleur's dainty fingers running down his tail, making it stretch and move around.
"Magnifique," Fleur whispered. "You make an impressive Dragon."
"Thanks," Harry said dryly. "How do I put on my clothes?"
"I think it'll be easier if you fold in your wings first and then extend them through the holes in the back," Andromeda said. "Here, we'll help you out, but I think we should forego a shirt. What do you think, Fleur?"
"Oui, it would be more trouble than it is worth, we will just use warming charms."
Harry finally managed to fit his extra appendages through his modified black coat. His tail sticking out through a hole in a pair of slacks. His coat was split in the back just above the tail, parting it on either side. He stretched his wings and made sure they were sitting in a comfortable position.
"How do I look?" Harry asked.
"Teddy will be so excited," Andromeda said.
"Victoire might be a little frightened, you look big and scary like an evil dragon," Fleur said.
"If I'm an evil dragon would that make you my kidnapped maidens?" Harry teased.
He had been expecting anything else but the reaction he had gotten. He had thought they might slap him for his idiotic comment or maybe roll their eyes, but instead they both blushed and turned their head away each other, before snapping them back to have a silent conversation between them.
"We should go check on Teddy and Victoire to see if they are up to mischief," Harry interrupted whatever was going on.
"Yeah," Andromeda said, turning her attention back to Harry.
Fleur nodded as well and made for the door. Harry followed after her with Andromeda taking up the rear. They found the children sitting patiently in the kitchen. Both their heads turned around to see them. Their excited faces made all of them smile warmly at them. Teddy was dressed up as a werewolf, probably because of what he had heard about Remus. Victoire was dressed as what the muggles thought a witch looked like. She had a stuffed cat as well as a pointy hat.
"You look amazing," Harry said genuinely. "A werewolf and a witch."
Fleur and Andromeda had been right about their reactions. Teddy's eyes lit up with excitement when he spotted the scales and Harry's wings. He ran excitedly around Harry taking in his whole appearance.
"You became a dragon!"
"I did little man," Harry chuckled. "That's what we decided on, right? Watch this."
Harry extended his wings to their full length. Victoire had chosen to hide behind Fleur but Harry had spotted how she would extend her head out from behind her, taking in his appearance. She was interested, if a little frightened.
"How is it, mon chéri?" Harry asked gently. "I'm still the same Papa."
"Papa is a little scary," Victoire said timidly. "You look like you would eat me."
"You think I'm an evil dragon?" Harry asked, getting down on his knee in front of Fleur. He didn't hear the small hitch in Fleur's breath.
"Maybe," Victoire whispered.
"Don't worry, your Mama and Teddy will protect you, right?"
"Right," Teddy nodded fiercely, getting himself in between Harry and Victoire. Fleur was gently pushed to the side by him.
"See, there is nothing to be scared of."
"Okay," Victoire nodded. "You aren't all that scary."
"That's good," Harry chuckled.
Harry rose from his position and got back up on his feet. "Is everybody ready to go trick or treating?"
A chorus of 'yeahs' filled the kitchen while Andromeda and Fleur got their coats and the children's coat from the hanger in the hallway. Harry had gotten them each a bag with a featherlight charm on it so they wouldn't get tired from carrying their own bags around all evening. It might be cheating but then again, what surrogate parent wasn't biased.
Harry found his hands being taken by Teddy and Victoire, making Fleur and Andromeda trail behind them, whispering about something that Harry couldn't hear. They made their way to the nearest house. Harry gently pushed the two of them forward. Teddy as the oldest one took Victoire's hand, squaring his small shoulders and pushed the doorbell.
An elderly woman opened the door with a big smile on her face and a bowl of sweets in her hand.
"Oh my, how scary. A werewolf and a witch."
"Trick or treat!" The two of them shouted in unison.
"Oh, I must go with treat. I'm getting far too old for any tricks you two look like you could come up with."
Teddy and Victoire both extended their bags and the woman dropped in a few pieces of candy in each. Her eyes turned to the grown-ups behind the children and a small gasp of shock came out of her mouth.
"That might just be the most impressive costume I've seen in a long time."
Harry awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.
"Dad is a dragon."
"An evil dragon," Victoire added. "He eats little kids."
"I much prefer candy," Harry chuckled. "Come on you two rascals. We have many more places to visit."
"Coming, Dad."
"Coming, Papa."
The woman looked oddly at Harry, before turning her eyes to Fleur and Andromeda. She shook her head and smiled at them. It wasn't any of her business. She was sure the little girl was the silver haired woman's daughter which would make the boy the other woman's. If both of the children called him Dad… well she had seen her fair share of different families during the sixties she supposed.
"Though I'm certain my old nurse's uniform didn't look like that," she chuckled to herself.
Harry led the two children down the street towards the next house. This time around they needed no encouragement to run up and push the doorbell. Another series of compliments and shocked impressions about Harry's choice of costume and they were on their way to the next house.
By the fifth time Harry had gotten a compliment for his 'costume', Fleur couldn't stop herself from giggling at his expression. His face was pulled taut in a strained smile.
"I think we might have done too good a job," Andromeda mused.
"Maybe," Harry admitted. "I didn't really think about that. I'm an Auror, I should be arresting myself."
"You look magnifique," Fleur said. "Most impressive."
"Too impressive, maybe. I also don't want to take anything away from Teddy and Victoire."
"You aren't, Harry. Look at them, they are having so much fun doing this. I'm surprised it's so popular," Andromeda mused.
A lot of parents were walking around with their own children trick or treating, moving around in small groups all the way down to just pairs of a single parent and child. The general noise of happiness seemed to fill the cold streets.
"I think it's because it gives them an excuse to spend time with them," Harry shrugged, making his wings twitch. "We all work so much and while they do fine, being in school. Even with the three of us it still gets hard spending any real time with them."
"I think I understand, 'Arry. With me at Gringotts, Andy at St. Mungo's and you with the Aurors. We are all busy at times."
"I'm just glad we are able to be there for them," Andromeda said. "It warms my heart seeing their friendship as they grow up."
"Don't you see them more like siblings?" Harry asked.
"Maybe now," Andromeda smiled secretively. "But I wouldn't be surprised if they end up together in ten years."
"Andy! Mon petite chéri with a brute like that?" Fleur gasped in mock-horror.
"Whose grandson are you calling a brute?" Andromeda quipped back.
"Yours of course," Fleur laughed. "I suppose my petite chéri could do worse."
"Alright, no fighting. That might not even happen."
"I have a galleon which says it does."
Harry ignored the older woman's retort and turned to look at the two in question and saw the signs of them getting into an argument. He quickly rushed forward and placed himself between them.
"What's going on?"
"Teddy won't let me push the doorbell," Victoire sniffed.
"Why not Teddy?"
"It's my turn."
"Have you been switching every time?"
"No," they both said.
"This time Victoire will push the doorbell and next time Teddy will okay?"
"Okay, Dad."
"Okay, Papa."
"Good."
Harry was already beginning to see the signs of tiredness on their faces. If he wasn't able to guide their way back to Grimmauld Place soon, he would likely have to carry them in his arms, not that he would mind. He enjoyed these last few years where he would still be able to carry them around before they got too big. Teddy was already growing so fast and Victoire wasn't a small child either. She had a healthy appetite too, must be the Weasley genes in her.
They managed to make it through three more streets before Victoire yawned loudly, blinking her eyes tiredly.
"You feeling sleepy, mon chéri?" Harry asked softly.
"No!" Victoire said fiercely.
"Do you want me to carry you?"
Victoire yawned once more and nodded. Harry got the bag out of her hands and handed it to Fleur before he put his arm under her thighs and lifted her up so she could rest her head against his shoulder. Fleur sent him an apologetic smile, but he just waved off with his free hand. He saw Andromeda whisper something in Fleur's ear that made her turn her face away.
"What about you, little man?"
"I can still go on," Teddy said.
"If you get tired, just tell me. Let's go this way."
"Alright, Dad."
Harry followed behind Teddy checking him for any signs of him falling asleep. They must have been out there for a couple of hours at this point. He knew that Teddy was just putting on a brave face but it was still cute to see him soldier on like that, being the big brother came with some responsibilities. Harry was sure that any 'extra' candy Teddy managed to get would be shared with Victoire. They were already a team even if they didn't realize it yet. Teddy would always have Victoire's back .
Teddy made it past another street before his shoulders began drooping down as well. Harry preemptively got up next to him and pulled him up on his free arm. Andromeda got the bag out of his small hands. With a smile on his face Teddy rested his head on Harry's other shoulder and fell asleep almost immediately.
"I think it would be better if we went home," Harry said, voice tinted with humour. "You got the goods?"
"Of course," Fleur rolled her eyes. "I can carry Victoire if you want. You must be tired."
"Not at all, she barely weighs anything. Light as a feather like her mother. Although I will remember your offer in a few years. But until then I can make it home without any trouble. Lead the way."
Andromeda looked around and found the quickest way back. It didn't take them long before they made it to the front of their home. Harry would have lied if anyone had asked him if his arms were alright at this point. He might have said that Victoire didn't weigh anything but having to carry her for the past half an hour and then another fifteen minutes with Teddy on the other arm did make both of his arms and shoulders get sore.
He gently lowered them into their respective beds, neither of them caring that they were still wearing their costumes. Sleeping in their clothes for one night wasn't going to ruin anyone's day and tomorrow they would be too excited about their gained spoils to even notice it themselves. The only point of concern was having to clean their covers of any makeup being smeared on their pillow cases but Harry was more than happy to do that if it let them sleep a little more.
He made it to the kitchen, finding Andromeda and Fleur sitting with a cup of tea, each still in their own costumes.
"Did you want some?" Andromeda asked almost apologetically. "I figured it would help us warm up a bit. It was a bit cold out there."
"They enjoyed it, non? I say it was worth any amount of cold. Are they sleeping?"
"Yeah," Harry smiled. "I put them in still wearing their costumes."
"The sheets?!" Andromeda exclaimed.
"I'll wash them all tomorrow," Harry said gently. "And yeah I think they enjoyed themselves."
"That's good."
"I agree," Fleur nodded. "I would do anything for my petite chéri."
"We would all do anything for them," Harry added. "They might not be mine either of them, but for as long as they still call me Dad or Papa and need me, I'll be there for them and after they have stopped needing me, I'll probably be needing them. I would still give my life for them to grow up without having to worry about anything."
Harry idly poured himself a cup of tea adding a little milk to it. He knew that Fleur was appalled at his way of drinking tea. He still chuckled whenever she would scrunch up her nose in displeasure as she saw the murky mix of milk and tea. He had just turned around when he felt a set of lips on his. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the silver hair and Fleur's closed eyes, his own automatically closing themselves in response to the soft touch of her lips. He felt them fall away from his but her closeness was still there.
"What was – "
He was interrupted by another set of lips, different, fuller. He responded equally with the new set of lips, but his brain was working overtime. When they disappeared, Harry opened his eyes finding both Andromeda and Fleur pressed up against him. Their soft bodies in contrast to his own hard and muscled surfaces.
"What is going on?" Harry asked hoarsely.
"We want you," Fleur said.
Andromeda blushed and lowered her head.
"Why now?"
"We…" Andromeda whispered. "I… I didn't think you would want me too, so I was waiting for you and Fleur to get together, but seeing your reaction to…"
"I told her she was being bête. The way you look at us. You want us both, non?"
Harry groaned. Their scent, distinct and different, teased his nostrils making his thoughts muddy and unclear. Arguments for and against were waging war inside of his head.
"Do you want us?" Fleur asked again, breathing into his ear.
"Yes," Harry groaned. "But…"
"No buts," Fleur interrupted. "We want you too."
"I can't be with both of you," Harry moaned.
Andromeda took a step back. Her warmth felt like the loss of something precious to him. Fleur reached out and pulled her back in.
"No worries, Andy. He is being bête too. Harry, look at us."
Harry opened his eyes and looked into two sets of eyes, one ice blue and one chocolate brown. Andromeda blushed once more but her eyes were fierce and determined.
""Harry… If we are sure we want this… Why are you so against it?" Andromeda asked in a fierce whisper.
"It's just not done that way."
"Mon dieu. 'Arry James Potter. Since when have you done anything the 'normal' way. Two beautiful women want to be in a relationship with you and you are telling us no?"
Harry felt himself faltering, his legs turning unsteady. He pulled himself away and found his way to a chair. Fleur and Andromeda pulled out two chairs, turning them to face him. Harry emptied his cup of tea in one go, his head still spinning.
"I… Saying… how… how would this even work?"
"He really is… dense," Fleur shook her head.
"You did say he couldn't make sense of it."
They both sat back waiting for Harry to say anything. Harry groaned and rested his forehead in his hands. Andromeda got up and filled up on tea for all of them. He finally raised his head again and looked straight at the two women.
"What would starting this mean for Teddy and Victoire? What if it doesn't work out? No matter what happens between us, it will not affect them negatively."
Fleur beamed and clasped her hands together. Andromeda was more subdued, but her relief and joy was plain on her face as well.
"What?" Harry asked dumbfoundedly.
"He always thinks of them first. See, that's why I feel for him."
"I know," Andromeda smiled. "He really makes a good dad, maybe this house will soon have more small ones running through it, you are still young, Fleur."
"You are a witch, Andy. It is not too late if you wish for some yourself."
"Wait, hold up. You didn't answer my question though."
"For the moment nothing changes for Teddy and Victoire. If we decide to marry and trust me there have been precedents for multiple marriages, well, then it would really be up to us. Teddy is a Lupin, so while he is my grandson and your godson, he is free to keep his last name, no matter how much it irks me, you could adopt him making him a Potter if you want. I suppose there is inheritance to think about, but that's about it and hopefully not until far in the future."
"Victoire would still be a Weasley," Fleur frowned. "Same as Teddy, you could adopt her as a Potter, but I guess we would have to talk to Molly and Arthur about that. It is mostly for legal reasons, but still it is worth considering.
"Wow…" Harry breathed out. "That's…"
"A lot," Fleur finished. "We understand."
"This is still in the future and only if we one day decide to do that. As Fleur said earlier, you have a habit of doing nothing normal after all," Andromeda explained. "Right now…"
"We still want to try it out and you were too much of a coward to do anything yourself. So we had to do something," Fleur continued.
"And you did call us your maidens, Evil Dragon," Andromeda smirked.
"I was just joking," Harry said weakly.
"We're not."
"We are being serious," Fleur said. "The children both think of you as their father already. They would not care about it, and we have needs."
"And you are both sure this is what you want?"
"Yes, you dense man." Andromeda sighed. "Do you know how difficult this is for me? I'm older than your mother. I was about to finish Hogwarts when she started. Not to mention that I have to compete with this tight piece of arse."
"Why thank you, Andy. You look very beautiful yourself, doesn't she 'Arry?"
Harry nodded. He still couldn't comprehend what was going on. He stared dumbly at the smirking women. His eyes roaming their bodies taking in every inch of their curves. Andromeda was fuller while Fleur's lithe body was even more emphasized by the latex suit she was wearing.
"If you are going to undress us with your eyes, I would prefer it if you continued in the bedroom," Fleur said seductively. "Don't you agree?"
"I do," Andromeda breathed out heavily. "Come on, Evil Dragon. Show us the treasure you are hiding."
"You did not just say that," Fleur giggled. "She is right though, Mr. Dragon."
Harry opened and closed his mouth, still not believing this was real. Not even when they each grabbed one of his arms pulling him up the stairs towards the master bedroom.