"HooOOONNnnnk!"

"Be patient. You'll get your turn," Draco chastised his son, Thuban, who was leaping in circles on the pillow. He cradled his firstborn daughter, Eltanin, against his chest, feeding her milk from a small bottle. His other three girls, Altais, Arrakis, and Alsafi, had been fed and were sleeping in a furry pile in their cage.

Perched on the edge of his bed, Draco watched Eltanin suckle from the bottle, squeaking and snorting as she did. His nipples ached every time he bottle-fed his kits. They would be weaned fully soon and the phantom tenderness in his chest would cease. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad about it.

Draco lifted his head and looked outside. Twilight cast long shadows over the yard and the fence gating the property. The warm summer air wafted through the partially open window. The evening beckoned him into her arms.

He could leave anytime he wanted, he knew. He could pack up the kits, their supplies, and floo home, or simply walk outside and keep walking. Spare wands were hidden in nearly every room of the Manor. The pet care book he'd found outside his bedroom door one morning told him everything he needed to know about caring for his kits.

He wasn't really welcome to remain, either. He ghosted the hallways, avoided or ignored by the Gryffindors, except when Weasley yelled at him to stay invisible or be hexed. He found himself just as alone as he'd be at the Manor, and since he had no compunction to report what he may have overheard, there was little keeping him at Potter's home. Leaving would probably be the best thing all around.

Draco fed Thuban and then the kit joined his sisters in the cage. Collecting the five empty bottles, Draco left the bedroom and headed downstairs. He hesitated at the bottom, as usual, when he heard Potter's voice coming from the library. He gave in to his pathetic desires and sat quietly on the lower step.

"—sure the Ravenclaw horcrux won't turn you into an eagle again?" Weasley said.

"I carried it down here without any problems," Potter said. "It reckon it was a one-time curse."

"I'd have to concur," Granger said. "It was a very powerful transfiguration, much stronger than the one that changed Malfoy into a ferret."

"Do you mind not mentioning that git's name?" Potter said. "It's bad enough knowing he's here without being reminded of it."

Draco winced.

"Harry," Granger said, "I'm not going to censor my words because you're in a strop."

"I'm not in a strop." Something banged in the library. "I just don't want to hear that name."

"I wouldn't mind not hearing it, either," Weasley said.

"Fine. May we move on?" Granger said. "We've a lot to decide and it's getting late."

Draco propped his chin on his clasped hands, elbows resting on his knees. The bottles clinked softly in his lap. He really should move on, from the stairs, and from the house.

If only he wasn't in love with Potter.

It hadn't been as much of a shock as Draco would've thought, realizing his feelings. Somewhere between the kisses and being called pretty, Potter's laughter and constant affection, Draco had fallen for Potter.

Draco let the conversation from the library wash over him, fighting the urge to burst in and demand attention. He doubted that would go over well. He no longer fit in Potter's lap, anyway.

He missed it a lot. He missed curling in the vee of Potter's thighs or snuggling against his chest. Getting hand-fed biscuits like royalty, as he deserved. Being petted and kissed, and freely kissing Potter back. Though, I wouldn't mind kissing Potter as a human, either.

The thought made him tingle in some places and swell in others. There had to be a way to get Potter-kisses again without getting hexed in the process. Simply being cute wasn't the answer, or Potter would've been all over his human-self.

No, what Draco needed was a plan. A cunning, clever plan.

A sly smile spread slowly across his lips.

Mwahaha.

tbc...