A/N: Thank you guys for being patient with me. Thank you to Fanofbellaandedward for proof-reading this for me!

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Six

The end of July had them celebrating Potter's 'first' birthday.

Somehow Draco had gotten dragged into helping prepare –a notion he found completely abhorrent. This was one of the things Potter definitely wouldn't remember. Other than from photos, how many people truly recounted their first sodding birthday? Still, the blonde was instructed to clean some of the downstairs rooms manually as well as set-up the table. There was no telling who exactly was going to show up to the sham this event was, however Draco had to concede that it would have been foolish for his cousin NOT to tell anyone else about Potter's current predicament.

Then again, Sirius was a reckless man. There was no telling what he would or wouldn't do.

With a sigh, Draco sank into one of the kitchen chairs, grimacing at the sickeningly 'cute' décor he'd been forced to string-up. Lots of brightly coloured balloons and streamers clung to any high surface and the table had a freshly laundered cloth spread over it, with paper plates –who the hell invented those? –and weird bendy white utensils. Muggles were a strange, ugly breed. Yet, when Sirius came down from changing Potter again, he had a pleased look on his face.

Draco grumbled as his cousin clapped his on the shoulder. He shrugged the hand off, not wanting to be thanked for such rubbish. He didn't even know who else was coming to this thing, other than Remus and his own little snot-bucket. Judging by the number of plates and the size of the cake being kept in the pantry, he could only imagine it was going to be more than ten people.

The thought made a prickly heat rush over his skin.

He told himself it was his starched shirt. He'd dressed in his usual attire as a manner of principle. Just because he couldn't do magic didn't mean he was going to surrender and wear the muggle tat Sirius had bought for him. Still, he unfastened the top button and fanned himself a little when his cousin had his back turned.

"Are you going to join us when everyone else is down here?" Sirius asked as he spoon-fed Potter some sort of orange mush from a jar.

Draco grimaced as Potter dribbled it down his front. Wrinkling his nose he shook his head. "I don't know who else is coming but I think it'd be best for me to keep out of everyone's way."

"Draco, there's no time like the present to start making a good impression."

Letting out a mirthless laugh, Draco stood up from his seat. "The only reason no one would feel physically threatened by me, is because the Prophet had a field day saying that I could not use any magic whilst under house-arrest. I'd rather take my chances bathing that little mandrake before facing whatever cretins you've invited."

Sirius rolled his eyes at the use of language from the blonde teen. He was angry, hot and restless. Like a cage animal, he'd lash out at anything even if it was someone offering a good meal and companionship. "I'd have thought anyone with your sweet-tooth would have loved to dig-into the chocolate cake I bought."

"I can have chocolate sodding cake whenever I damn well please!" he sneered. "I don't have to celebrate Potty's birthday to do that!"

Sirius sighed and scooped up some carrot-goo from Potter's chin. "Well no one else is going to arrive until 2pm. Why don't you go to your room and cool off for a bit? You must be dying in that outfit."

Draco glowered at the man currently wearing thin slacks and a loose fitting shirt. He did look cooler than Draco felt but he wasn't about to admit to that. "Whatever," he said. Turning on his heel he left the kitchen.

As he mounted the stairs, he stretched his arms above his head and worked the kinks out before kicking his bedroom door open. Nothing had really changed in here, except for the single photo of him ad his parents that he kept on the nightstand. Guests would arrive in a few hours. That meant he had just enough time to get some reprieve from this heat, if only for a little while. Unfastening his shirt, he clawed it off over his head and sighed in relief as cooler air drifted over him.

His slacks came off next.

Standing in just his underwear, Draco spun in a slow circle, his eyes fixed on the mirror at the other end of the room. Nope, still skin and bone and just as pale. He didn't know what he expected to see, but the reality always seemed to make him catch his breath. Swallowing thickly, his gut grumbled at the thought of that large, chocolate cake just waiting to be eaten. Then a wave of nausea rushed down his throat and made his insides squirm.

Probably best to avoid that.

Climbing up onto the bed, Draco felt the hairs all over his body stand up at the coolness of the cotton. Rolling over onto his back he stretched out, knots loosening in his joints as he flexed his fingers and toes, staring up at the dark ceiling over his head. This room never seemed to get much light, which was a blessing considering how hot the rest of the house was.

He soon fell asleep in the cool room, not caring if he ever woke up again, let alone for Saint Potter's birthday.

~0~

Sirius wiped Harry's chin and dropped a kiss onto the sleek cap of black hair. It was hard to believe that when he grew up, it would still be the same wild mess as before. Not that he minded. He'd missed so much of Harry's experiences growing-up that even arguing over a decent haircut was going to seem like pure magic to him. He sighed, wishing that the timing of his current state of affairs was better organised. Handling Harry was one thing, but Draco was something he wasn't sure how to handle. He did his best, taking as much advice from Remus as the man was willing to give, but there was only so much other people could offer.

"What're we going to do with that boy, eh?" he asked as he lifted Harry out of his high-chair.

The baby blew a raspberry, his chubby little legs kicking in the air.

Sirius chuckled, cradling the alert baby to his chest. The last few weeks had been so surreal to him. Despite how ill-prepared Remus thought he was, he'd managed to handle Harry quite well before Draco had come into the picture. He'd figured out how to change a nappy with only two mishaps and he'd watched Lily prepare Harry's bottle for feeding all those years ago. The rest he'd admittedly had to wing-it, however so far there had been no problems caring for Harry.

Draco on the other hand.

He was in a state of denial. It was almost like he expected to wake up each morning in Malfoy Manor again. The rest of his day seemed to go downhill from there.

Glancing over at the calendar, Sirius felt a weight settle in his chest. A few more days and he'd need to take Draco to his first counselling session. He'd asked to postpone it to allow Draco some time to adjust to being in a new living environment, however their leniency had only pushed the ordeal back a month. Something tickled at the back of his mind; therapy would no doubt have been a miracle after he'd escaped from Azkaban. He'd barely had time to breathe before the Second War came about. He was lucky that he still had Remus by his side.

Oh, Remus.

The man was too lenient, too caring and too easy on Sirius –far easier than he actually deserved. He had done some stupid things in his time –granted escaping from Azakaban was still the top of the list –however allowing Harry to de-age himself was coming a close second.

Bouncing Harry in his arms, he stroked his thumb over the pudgy cheek and cast a glance around the kitchen. Despite himself, and Draco's lack of magic, the kitchen did look cheery enough to resemble a child's birthday. He needed to make a point of thanking the blonde teen as soon as the last guest left.

Harry grizzled against his chest.

"Oh alright you bubbly little thing," Sirius grinned. "Let's get you dressed and all handsome for when everyone arrives!"

He carried the infant up to the little nursery room he'd made out of one of the spare rooms next to his own bedchamber. He thought it best not to mention to Draco that he was currently sleeping in Harry's old room. Settling Harry on the changing table, he flicked his wand and three of the finest little baby outfits levitated out of the nearby drawer and hovered in the air. Harry chirruped with laughter, clapping his little hands as he tried to reach for the clothes.

Sirius chuckled, "Well which one do you prefer? Dragons? Unicorns? Or pygmy puffs?"

Harry gurgled.

"Pygmy puffs? Really?" Sirius frowned. When Harry wriggled with delight, the man chuckled. "Alright, you're the boss, kid. Pygmy puffs it is!"

Within forty minutes the cavalry had arrived.

That meant Remus, Teddy, Andromeda –who was not entirely approving of their situation –and Molly and Arthur Weasley, even though he didn't entirely approve of the woman's parenting style. The kitchen was adorned with fairy-lights twinkling everywhere and the table was laden with food. Harry was settled in the highchair, gleefully clapping and grabbing at the colourful robes people were wearing and the gifts presented in-front of him.

Draco remained in his room.

It seemed easier that way, so that they could get the party over and done with by the time he awoke from his nap.

Once Harry had eaten his food, Sirius extracted him from the high-chair and bounced him on his lap. Remus was next to him and saw that the man had a slightly awkward grip on the infant in his hands. He reached out and placed a comforting hand on Sirius' wrist. The smile shot his way made him flush a little. He readjusted his grip on Teddy nestled comfortably in his lap.

Molly came over and settled down in the chair beside Sirius. Remus watched as his friend tensed up, his jaw setting a little tighter as the ginger woman reached out for Harry. "Sirius, I still can't understand what the point of all this is," she stated.

"Birthday's are meant to be celebrated, Molly," he replied. There was a bite in his voice as Harry was taken from his lap and positioned on Molly's plump one. Wooly flowers were suddenly surrounding Harry as he leaned back against her bossom.

"I didn't mean the birthday, Sirius. I think this is incredibly ridiculous. You need to write to someone at the Ministry and just explain what happened so that they can make Harry the right age again."

"Molly let's not discuss this here okay," Remus cautioned.

"Well why not? We're all here. We can talk some sense into the man."

Sirius bristled, his fingers tightening into fists.

If there was one thing Sirius hated more than anything, was being told that he wasn't good enough. He'd fought in the war, he'd seen his entire life end in the span of a single night, and he'd spent twelve years believing that all those whom he'd loved dearly, thought him a murderer.

He was more than sane. He was the most rational he'd even been in his adult life. He was taking this seriously; why could no one trust him?

Molly didn't seem to notice the change in his demeanour, however Remus and Andromeda did. Swooping into the situation in a mass of brunette curls, Andromeda announced loudly that it was time for the birthday cake. Sirius released a breath under his nose as Andromeda stealthily shifted Harry back into his high chair. Flicking her wand, she levitated the cake from the counter and slowly coaxed it over to float in front of Harry. Arthur dimmed the lights and Sirius knelt down beside Harry so that they were almost cheek-to-cheek.

"Ready kid?" he grinned as Harry gnawed on his chubby little fist.

Altogether, they started singing 'Happy Birthday'. Harry, of course, had no idea what was going on but he was more than happy to stare around as the grown-ups chimed his name.

"Time to blow out the candles!" Sirius gave the baby a tickle under his chin. Harry squealed excitedly.

Sirius and Remus helped to blow out the candles.

Harry blew a spit bubble.

Everyone applauded with adoring laughter, even Molly.

Sirius had been there for Harry's original first birthday. This time around there were a few more people, some newer faces, however Harry still looked as happy as he had been the first time around. He couldn't wait to get the photos developed tomorrow, once all the decorations were tidied away.

~0~

Draco awoke to the sound of crying.

It was faint and if he hadn't woken up to go to the bathroom he wouldn't have heard it at all.

Swerving away from the bathroom door, he made his way down the hallway, the boards creaking a little as he walked. The door to Potter's nursery was ajar and he could hear Sirius' gruff voice, tired from sleep, trying to soothe the brat back to sleep. Folding his arms against his chest, Draco leaned back against the wall beside the doorframe, listening as Sirius paced in the room.

Was he trying to rock Potter back to sleep?

It couldn't be that late, not really. The sky seemed to only just be darkening outside the landing window. It could only be 9PM the latest. Why was Potter still awake?

That's when it clicked.

Potter had just turned one. That meant that he'd be ageing another year over-night. By the sounds of it, it was just as pad as re-growing one's bones with skele-grow. Draco shuddered at the thought. He did not envy the brat.

"Come on, kiddo, I know it's painful but you just need to relax."

Sneaking a peak through the gap in the door, Draco watched as the older man rubbed his face, trying to stay awake long enough to get Potter settled. As he watched the red-faced infant whimper and drool onto his godfather's arm, Draco couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy. There had been many memories from his parents that consisted of him being left to his own devices, to squawl into the night for hours on end. Self-soothing, it was called. Bullshit was a more preferable term.

Merlin, was he really jealous of Potter as a baby?

Rubbing the back of his neck, he let out a soft sigh. He needed to get back to bed, despite having slept the entire afternoon away. He felt a little guilty at having missed the party completely, however with the people who had been invited, he knew he wouldn't have been welcome.

Even though one of them was his own aunt.

He didn't notice that Potter had settled down until the nursery door swung open. Sirius stopped short when he saw Draco standing there. They stared at each other for a moment before Sirius raised a finger to his lips and pulled the door to. The hallway was in total darkness for a while until Sirius flicked his wand. The small, pearly-blue light stung Draco's eyes. He had only just adjusted to the eerie glow before realising that Sirius was already making his way down into the kitchen. He had no choice but to follow.

Once in the kitchen, Sirius illuminated the low-hanging light and set about pouring two glasses of chilled milk and honey. Setting the glasses on the table, Draco shot the older man an inquisitive look at the chosen beverage.

"It settles the mind," Sirius stated, his voice rough and dry.

"Rough night?" Draco asked.

The older man sighed. "It really shouldn't have been. The party went well, Harry didn't fuss too much and I got through the entire evening without strangling Molly Weasley."

"A feat in itself," Draco remarked.

"Hmmm," Sirius hummed, shooting his cousin a glance. "They all left before 7pm. Poor thing fell straight to sleep. He's been tossing and turning for the last few hours, I was just too tired to notice." Leaning forward, head in his hands he groaned. "I'm such a shit father-figure."

Draco blinked. He hadn't been expecting that. He shifted awkwardly in his seat. "I … I don't think you've been doing a bad job."

Sirius gave a dry laugh. "Whatever you say, kid."

"Honestly," Draco continued. "You've definitely improved since I first arrived. At least you don't drink when the brat's awake. That's something."

Sirius scoffed. "Shouldn't be drinking at all."

"Well … I'm sure even your parents drank at some point when you were little."

They lapsed into silence.

Draco hugged his arms around himself.

"There's still some cake in the pantry if you fancy a piece of it," Sirius mumbled. It almost sounded like he was talking just to fill the silence.

The blonde teen sipped at his milk, decided he liked it, and continued to drink.

"I'm going to have to sort out a reply for old Moggie in the morning," he groaned. "I am not looking forward to that conversation."

"Moggie?"

"McGonagall. She's a cat. Get it?"

Draco rolled his eyes and focused on his drink.

"Have you thought about your therapy session at all?"

That shocked a response out of him. Spluttering, he wiped his mouth on a napkin and glowered up through his blonde fringe. "The only reason I'm going to talk about mental issues that do not exist, is because the Ministry has stated it's part of my parole. That's all. Don't think I'm about to come back with a renewed outlook on the world."

Sirius shot him a wry smile. "I wouldn't dream of it. However, your first appointment is this Thursday. I'll be escorting you."

"Who's going to handle the snot-bucket?"

"Remus has kindly offered to look after Harry since this is a 'special circumstance'. He's also made it very clear it will not be a regular thing, so you'd better get used to being around messy things that scream too loud."

"I lived with Pansy in the Slytherin dorms for six years. I think I can handle Potter."

"We'll see about that."

The smirk Sirius wore as he eyed Draco over their glasses of milk, was enough to make the blonde's blood freeze in his veins. That look was something he had only seen on two other people's face before in his entire life. Usually, when they wore that sort of mischievous grin, it meant there was going to be a lot of drama, a lot of screaming and no doubt something to do with loud, colourful explosives.

Whatever Sirius had in mind, it did not bode well for Draco.

A/N: *cue dramatic music!*

So what do we thing Sirius is going to make Draco do?!