I can't believe I'm up to 134 Reviews already. *jaw drops* Thank you for giving me that many reviews. It is truly more than I deserve. I never expected this story to gain that much popularity.
El: I'm rather fond of Cherish as well. I'm glad you found the update.
Fyre Eye: I hope this update is up to caliber and don't worry. . .they will. *winks*
Jade: Cherish is a smart ass, I know. Like father, like daughter.
Mike: Thank you for giving me my sense back. *hugs*
Koneko Tenshi: *Huggles back*
Sunfreak: I believe some angst comes back. I hope. *shrugs* Either way, there's a bit of fluff as well.
Taryn: I honestly hope I didn't make you die. My update is here. J
Temptress: Of course Cherish will agree. Why not?
Evil Laughter: Yeah. I got flames but it's all good. And you aren't the only one who is in love with Joel.
To everyone else who reviewed, read, or put me on your favorites list, thank you. Really. I'm overwhelmed.
Not JK Rowling. I don't own Harry Potter or the entire world within. Anything you recognize would belong to her. Anything you don't would belong to me, including the crack!plot of this trifle of a story. I am (obviously) making no money off this though if you really want to sue me, I've got $10.00. Good day.
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"So we're going to try and work things out between us if your daughter has no objections?" said Harry, circling the rim of his glass with his index finger. He heard Draco sigh and he stole an upward glance to see Draco also staring down into his juice.
"Yeah. I guess so. I'm not going to promise you anything, Harry. I don't expect this to have a happy ending and you shouldn't either."
"That's what you said the first time, Malfoy. Stop being so scared of a good thing."
"You have gotten demanding. Perhaps the Voldemort thing went to your head. All the Potter worship seems to have inflated your ego."
"It was bound to have an impact on me eventually. When you've got people staring at the blatant blemish of an everlasting reminder on your forehead everywhere you go, it tends to become inevitable. Look, Draco, there is a good thing between us and it isn't going to go away just because you don't want it to be there."
"I never said I didn't want it to be there."
"Well you sure do act like it."
"I've gone through a lot in the past ten years, Harry. I'm not the same person you fell in love with."
"Yes you are. You're still Draco Malfoy, there's just more to you. You've evolved. I have too. It's expected. I wouldn't want you to be the same incorrigable git you were when we were back at Hogwarts. Come on, Draco. Let me love you. Just give us a chance and maybe, just maybe, we will have a happy ending and that friend Joel of yours can stop bothering you about getting laid."
"You heard."
"It was hard not to."
"Yes, Joel has a very large mouth."
"Please give this a chance, Draco. If you don't give it a chance then there's no point in even trying."
His sigh was heavy as he avoided Harry's eyes. "It's just very had for me to get close to anyone again. I always seem to hurt everyone I come even remotely close in contact with."
"I'm a big boy, Draco. I can take care of myself. Don't spare me a minor injury when we could have something great."
"If Cherish is cool with it, I won't. I somehow don't think Joel, Sam, or Cherish would let me get away with letting you walk out of my life a second time. I wouldn't ever forgive myself and they all know it."
"Your friends are just looking out for you. They have very good intentions."
"The road to pudding is paved with good intentions."
"What?"
"Long story involving Joel and a lot of instant pudding. One of the many marvels that comes from living with Joel Montgomery."
"Part of me fears things working between us and having to see a lot more of Joel."
"It should scare you. I've been around him for ten years. I can vouch from personal experience that its a scary place to be for so long."
"Understood. So you're going to talk to Cherish. She's adorable but I'm sure you know that."
"I do."
"She's got that platinum trademark Malfoy hair. Well, except for those black highlights."
Draco's face scrunched up at the mention of the black streaks that occupied Cherish's hair. "Yeah. That was all Samantha. She somehow convinced Cherish that it would be a good idea to put black streaks in her hair. I believe she said that it was too blonde and needed some sprucing up."
"And you hate that."
"Oh yeah," he said, nodding. "Have you seen it? You don't mess with hair that platinum. She has black streaks in Malfoy hair."
"I think it looks good. Rather modern."
"Fine. Take their side."
Harry snorted. "Oh relax, Draco. It's just hair. Go talk to your daughter and find out if I can kiss you without feeling guilty, like I'm pushing myself onto you."
Sighing, Draco climbed off of the stool and swaggered to the door. He disappeared into the hallway, shutting the door to 1512 behind him and crossing the hall to knock once and enter Joel's apartment. Samantha and Hermione were seated just inside the door at the kitchen table while Joel and Ron were on the couch. With wild gesticulations, Joel was waving his hands about in the air and Draco presumed this had something to do with a story. Stopping mid-leap, Joel paused and stared at Draco's lingering prescence in the doorway. He wished he could sink down into the floor to avoid the stares of old friends mingled with new ones but he tried to be nonchalant as he glanced around for any sign of his eight-year-old daughter.
"Don't you know how to knock?" said Joel, dropping back into the couch next to Ron.
"Hi there, Malfoy," said Ron through snickers. Draco suddenly was reminded of why he truly hated the Weasley prat.
"Ron," hissed Hermione. "Hi, Draco."
"Er. . .hey. I've simply come to collect my daughter."
"Cher's with Devin," explained Samantha. "I think they're in Dev's room with Harper and Ellie."
"She told us you were coerced into talking with Harry," said Joel and Draco didn't miss Ron's smirk as he crossed the apartment to Devin's bedroom door. "How did it go?"
"Shut up, Joel," said Draco, making it a point to send a chilling glare in Ron's general direction. He knocked once on the door, paused, and then said, "Cherish, love, I suggest you come out here before I come in and retrieve you by force."
"Am I grounded?" came a voice through the door. Draco sniggered.
"No but I do need to talk to you. Would you please come out here?"
"Am I going to receive disciplinary action of any kind?"
"Only if you don't come out here right this instant."
The door cracked open and Cherish stuck her head through to see Draco staring down at her. A big grin spread across her face as she inched out of the room and gently shut the door behind her. "Hey, Daddy. What's up?"
"We need to have a discussion. I suggest you follow me."
"Yes, Daddy," she muttered, throwing a desperate look to Joel and Samantha as she inched along behind Draco. "If I don't come back, make sure Chipper gets fed, okay?"
Joel snickered as Draco turned around to glare down at Cherish. "Your hamster will survive, babe. There will be no murders today."
"If you get in a lot of trouble, I'll make it up to you," said Joel. "We'll go to China Town and I'll teach you some new Japanese phrases. We'll finish off our collection of fast food memorabilia by finally stealing the tray from McDonald's. I'm sure we could make a quick getaway. There's always the option of visiting Francois."
"Thanks, Uncle Joel," she said as Draco opened the door. Sending one last desperate glance to Samantha and Joel, Cherish slipped under Draco's arm as he held the door for her and disappeared into the hallway.
"You will be doing no such thing," snapped Draco at Joel, "and Weasley, wipe that smirk off your face. I'm sure you're thoroughly enjoying seeing the great Draco Malfoy after he's been ruined and fallen from grace but Joel has still got my back even if he is your new best friend and I promise you that he would make your life miserable."
"I would. Isn't Draco cute when he starts to act like you've shoved a very large stick up his ass?" Ron snickered causing Hermione to send a disapproving glare in his direction. Draco rolled his eyes, shaking his head, and disappeared into the hallway where Cherish was waiting, leaning against the door to their apartment.
"Hold up, babe. Harry's still in there so we need to talk out here."
"What's up, Daddy? Am I in trouble? I just knew he was your Harry and after hearing about him all these years. . .well, I thought you should talk to him. I knew you were too proud to do it on your own so I made you. Please don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you, babe. You were right. I did need to talk to Harry but we need to get some things straight between us." Draco kneeled down before her, taking Cherish's hands in his own and looking up to meet her eyes. "First of all, I'm your father. If I want to be pretentious and create my own destruction, I want to reserve the right to do so. Just because you were right doesn't mean that you need to interfere. Nevertheless, thank you."
"You're welcome. What else? What about Harry?"
"As you know, thanks to your big-mouthed Uncle Joel, I'm still very much in love with Harry."
"Is he still in love with you? You should be happy, Daddy."
"I will be. The thing is, I haven't been dating in a very long time. In fact, I think I've had one date since your mum left."
"Yeah and Uncle Joel made you go out on that one. I remember. I was six."
"Yeah - well, I didn't want to promise Harry anything until I discussed it with you first. I don't want you to feel like Harry would replace you. You're the most important person in my life. No one comes before you. Ever."
"I know that, Daddy, you tell me all the time. Harry's got his own place. Uncle Joel says that Harry's place is so big that there's no room for anyone else. I have to agree."
"So it's okay with you if Harry and I were to start dating?"
"Of course. Does this mean we're moving to England?"
Draco gave a short laugh. "It's a little soon for relocation."
"But you were with Harry all those years ago, right? What happens when his vacation is over and he needs to go home. Harper says that they're only here on holiday until the end of June."
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, I don't want to even think about it. I don't even kn ow if this is going to work out yet."
"Alright," said Cherish, shrugging. "Can I meet him now? Like, really meet him instead of just in passing?"
"If you want to." Cherish nodded. The corners of Draco's lips curled up into a soft smile and he wrapped his arms around her thin shoulders, pulling her into him and hugging her. "Thank you, babe. This means a lot to me."
"I know. That's why I'd have made you go out with Harry if you didn't want to on your own. Uncle Joel and I were conspiring."
Frowning, Draco pulled back from her and glaring. "Your Uncle Joel needs to have a leash put on him."
"Now, now, Daddy, I think that's going a little far but he could use some sort of restraining device. I love you."
"Love you, too."
Standing up, Draco reached behind Cherish to open the door to their apartment. With one hand on her shoulder, Draco guided Cherish inside and let the door fall shut behind him. Harry was still seated at the counter, watching the door expectantly, and when Draco entered with Cherish, he jumped up to greet them.
"Harry, this is my daughter, Cherish. Cherish, this is Harry."
"It's nice to meet you," said Harry reaching out to shake Cherish's hand.
"It's a pleasure to make you acquaintance as well. I've heard so much about you over the years. Most of it comes from my Uncle Joel because my daddy is a very private person. He's right, though. You are cute."
"Cherish," hissed Draco turning a light shade of pink. Harry grinned at him.
"What? I was just telling Harry that he's cute. It's called ego inflation. You do it to me all the time. By the way, I told my daddy that it was okay with me if you date him but I must warn you, if you make my daddy cry, me and my uncle Joel will make you cry."
"Warning noted," replied Harry, eyes wavering between Cherish and Draco, a smirk crossing his face.
"That's quite enough of this," said Draco, his hands planted on Cherish's shoulders as he led her over to the counter. "Take a seat. You might want to as well, Harry, unless you feel like standing. I've got a very long story to tell you."
"Me?" said Harry, sitting down across from Cherish.
"No. Cherish."
"Me?" she said, sliding onto the stool. "You've got a very long story to tell me?"
"Yes," said Draco as he disappeared into his bedroom and his voice became muffled. "You're my daughter and if I'm going to be dating Harry, you deserve to know the whole truth." He reemerged with a long, narrow black box in his hands and he crossed back into the kitchen to take a seat next to Harry.
"Is that-" said Harry, reaching out to just brush his fingers over the cardboard. Draco nodded.
"What do you mean 'the whole truth'?"
"You know that I don't tell Joel everything. In fact, you know that I don't tell Joel much of anything about my life back in England and since Joel tells you everything you know, you don't know very much. You're my daughter and you deserve to know everything, even the stuff I've never told Joel. I don't want you to get mad at me for keeping things, but I never told you because it was from my old life and I was trying to escape. However, with Harry back," he cast a look at Harry and smiled, "I feel that I need to tell you. There's no point in hiding from it now."
"Daddy, you're making little to no sense. Maybe you should tell me and then you can apologize for not telling me sooner."
"Right then," he said fumbling with the box. "Well - babe - the thing is, you know how I've been helping Joel write the Morgan Straker books all these years. The real fact of the matter is that I've been able to help him because I. . .really am a wizard."
"What?" she asked, slamming her hands down on the counter.
"I'm a wizard. Harry and I met back in a wizarding school in England. It was called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A lot of the stuff I suggested for Joel's books I got from being a wizard. Purebloods, mudbloods, wands, dragons, brooms. All real."
"What about the Owl Post?"
Draco snorted. "Yeah, that one got Joel, too. Yes. Wizards use the Owl Post."
"How about Quidditch?"
"That's real, too."
"You're a wizard."
"Yes."
"Prove it."
Draco sighed, nodding, and he lifted the lid from the box. With gentle touches, he unwrapped the scrap of old t-shirt and extracted his wand. He could feel the warmth running through his fingers as he held his wand in his hand. "Mahogany and dragon heartstring. Eleven inches."
"This is your wand?" she said, cradling it in her hands as Draco passed it to her. He nodded.
"It's the only thing I have anymore. Please be careful with it."
Cherish nodded. "Sure I will. Can you please tell me the whole story now? I think I'm beginning to understand all the preliminaries."
Sighing, Draco looked to Harry for reassurance. Harry gave him a gentle smile and wrapped his fingers around Draco's. "I'm a pureblood from a long wizarding line and my father, your grandfather, is a Death Eater. You've been reading Joel's books so I'm sure you understand what that means. In the books, Morgan is Harry's equivalent. You can only imagine what kind of a mess that would make with a relationship between us."
"A rather sticky one, I imagine," she said and Draco nodded.
"Indeed. I was expected to become a Death Eater but I couldn't do it. That's the matter my father and I disagreed on. I was disowned and I was too humiliated to grovel to Harry so I ran and when I stopped running, I found myself in New York."
"You decided to be a muggle," said Cherish, "to escape becoming a Death Eater?"
"Yes. Those are the specifics I've been keeping from Joel."
"You went to Hogwarts. Joel's been writing about Hogwarts for years and you really went there? It really exists?"
"Yeah. It really exists."
"Cool," Cherish breathed. "Which house were you in?"
"Slytherin."
"Daddy! Slytherins are naughty!"
"I told you my father was a Death Eater."
"I was a Gyffindor," said Harry, interrupting.
"Don't boast you bloody Gryffindor."
"Better a Gryffindor than a Slytherin."
"Now boys," said Cherish, giggling as she handed Draco his wand, "that's quite enough. Are you going to tell Uncle Joel?"
"I suppose," said Draco, looking down at his wand, a sad and wistful expression on his face.
"He won't be mad because you didn't tell him. He'll probably think it's really cool like I do. . .Since you're a wizard, does that mean I'll be a witch?"
Draco bit his lower lip. "I don't know. Melody wasn't so I'm not sure. Maybe. I hope so. You'd be a half-blood."
"I can't believe this. It's incredible. It's unbelievable. It's unfathomable."
"You can keep going on like this if you'd like."
Cherish laughed. "Wow. This is the coolest thing in the world. My daddy is a wizard. Why don't you ever just hex Uncle Joel or Francois?"
"I think about it. Believe me."
"I bet you do," said Harry. "A Malfoy and a Slytherin to the end."
"And you love it."
"I did then and I do now."
"Awe," said Cherish, clutching her hands before her chest. "I haven't seen Daddy smile like that ever. Harry, I should think that you will need to be working things out with my daddy. He's so happy. Keep doing whatever you're doing. Otherwise I'll be forced to follow you all the way back to Britain where I'll have to stand outside your home and yell obscene things in your general direction for breaking my daddy's heart."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Well, Harry, I'd like to give you an unofficial welcome to our family," said Draco, grinning. "I grant you permission to punish my daughter."
"Daddy," she scolded. "Don't be like that."
Draco laughed, rounded the counter, and wrapped his arms around Cherish. From the corner of his eye, Draco caught sight of Harry watching them embrace and he made a gentle motion with his head for Harry to join them. He watched, grinning, as Cherish wrapped Harry in a tentative hug, his heart bursting in his chest upon watching the two people he loved more than anything together.
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