~ By The Lake ~
Draco and George were sitting on the sand by the lake, watching Daniel pile sand up and pat it down. He was making a sandcastle, which he insisted would look just like 'Hogwarss' when he was finished.
School had started last week and luckily all the new Slytherins had settled in quickly this year. Draco had a good bunch of prefects and the Head Girl was a Slytherin this year, so they made his load a little lighter. It was late on a Saturday afternoon and Draco had invited George up to the castle to spend time with him and his son.
Draco really enjoyed being a father. Daniel had a way of brightening even the worst day with his giggles and his smile. And when he wrapped his tiny arms around Draco's neck and pressed sloppy kisses over his face, Draco felt such a surge of paternal love like nothing he'd ever experienced before.
"Where's the Quidditch pitch?" George was asking Daniel.
"There," Daniel replied, pointing to a flat patch of sand by George's leg.
"How about if I build the stands for the fans to sit in?" George suggested, starting to scoop up sand to mould into the towering stands.
"No!" Daniel protested, hitting George's hands away. "Me do it!"
"Daniel! That's not very nice," Draco chided him, smiling apologetically at George.
"Draco!"
Draco turned to see Hermione flying across the grass towards them. She dropped down beside him, trying to catch her breath.
"Herm-Herm-Herm-Herm," cried Daniel, his little face lighting up at the sight of his godmother. Herm was the only part of her name that he could pronounce so far. He also had a habit of chanting people's names. Once was apparently not good enough for Daniel.
"Hello Daniel," she said, reaching out to caress his cheek.
He smiled at her and pointed to his caste. "Hogwarss."
"That's a great castle there, Daniel."
Daniel beamed and returned his attention to making it bigger.
"Hi George," Hermione said, flashing him a smile.
"Hi Mione," he replied, smiling back at his sister in law.
"So what's so important that you had to run over here?" Draco asked, looking bemused. It wasn't like Hermione to be in such a rush.
"There's something you should know," she said gravely.
Draco frowned. This was obviously serious.
"He's here," she said, watching him carefully.
Draco felt confused. "Who?
Hermione smiled sorrowfully at George, who must have understood what she meant, because he nodded resignedly.
"Draco, I'd better get back to Hogsmeade. I left Fred in charge and knowing him, the store will be blown up if I leave him any longer," George said, grinning at him.
"I'll see you next week though, won't I?" Draco asked. He had a gut feeling that George was saying goodbye but he couldn't work out why.
"Maybe. We'll see. The store's getting really busy lately. I'll owl you," George said. "Bye Daniel. See you Herm."
George walked off in the direction of Hogsmeade and Draco watched him leave with a thoroughly stunned expression on his face.
"What's going on, Mione? Just spit it out already," Draco said, rapidly losing his patience with the situation. "Who's here?"
"Harry," she said simply.
Draco paled. "What?"
"Harry's here. He just showed up a few minutes ago," she said, looking as shell-shocked as Draco felt.
"Did you talk to him?" Draco asked cautiously.
"No, not really. Ron's with him. I thought I should warn you," Hermione replied.
"Thanks," Draco muttered. He stood up and picked up Daniel. He set the little boy on the grass and pulled out his wand to cast a spell to clean all the wet sand off all three of them. Daniel was upset about being forced to leave his castle but he soon cheered up when Hermione produced a biscuit from her pocket.
Draco picked Daniel up and started striding up towards the castle. He was about half way there when he stopped. Harry had left the castle and was walking towards them, Ron was hurrying to keep up with him (with Isabella in his arms). Draco held Daniel protectively. He hated being this unsure of Harry's intentions but he had no intention of letting Harry just waltz back into their lives like nothing had happened.
"Draco," Harry said as he neared them. A brilliant smile lit up his face and Draco felt himself melting, just as he always had when that radiant smile had been directed solely at him. He breathed in and braced himself. Be strong, he told himself firmly.
Hermione was standing beside Draco and she had a guarded expression on her face. Draco knew that while she might have been Harry's best friend during their school years, since then she'd become Draco's best friend. She'd been there when he'd cried after Harry had left. She had been there when Daniel had been teething and Draco had felt like he was going to lose his mind when Daniel wouldn't stop crying. And she had been there for every significant event in Draco and Daniel's lives, and quite a few insignificant ones too. Draco knew he could count on her for her support, even in this difficult situation. Just as she could count on his support in any situation she might find herself in.
Harry stepped forward. Draco took a step back. This might have been what he had been longing for over the last two years but he couldn't just forget all the pain Harry had put him through.
Harry looked shocked that Draco was backing away from him and his smile turned into a frown.
"Draco, I'm sorry, alright," Harry said, looking desperate as he stared into Draco's eyes.
Draco didn't reply. He didn't think he could speak even if his life depended on it. Harry looked so….so perfect. His hair was longer, brushing his shoulders and looked as if he hadn't cut it since he'd left, but it suited him. His green eyes were sparkling with life, far more than they had in the months leading up to his disappearance. And while his clothes were dishevelled and a bit dirty, it didn't matter. It was Harry. His husband. Daniel's father.
"Why don't we go inside and you can tell us where you've been for the last two years," Hermione said, her tone suggesting that the explanation had better be good or he'd have to deal with her.
Harry nodded jerkily, as his eyes flitted from Draco, to Hermione and finally to Daniel. The little boy was still eating the biscuit Hermione had given him, he had crumbs all over his face, and he was staring up at Harry with wide silver eyes.
Hermione had grabbed Ron's arm and was tugging him towards the castle. Draco could hear snatches of their heated discussion, Ron was insisting that Hermione was being too hard on Harry, he'd obviously been through hell. Hermione merely snorted in response.
"Can I hold him?" Harry asked, looking hopefully at Draco.
"No," Draco snapped, finally finding his voice. "You lost that right two years ago."
Ignoring the hurt expression in Harry's eyes, Draco stalked up towards the castle, feeling incredibly angry. Harry really did think he could say he was sorry and everything would be fine, Draco thought incredulously. Well, he can think again.
Draco felt more anguished than anything else. Harry could have the most logical explanation in the world, but it wouldn't make any difference to their relationship. Harry didn't love him anymore. And Draco wasn't prepared to settle for anything less.
TBC