Hybrid Legacy

Chapter 8

"What time did you tell everyone to be here, Harry?" asked Draco, levitating the birthday banner and casting a sticking charm. "And tell me once again, why is your name not up here with the twins?"

"Because, Draco, they are turning five. This is their birthday party and the focus should be on them. And I asked everyone to be here at noon," said Harry reasonably, setting the cakes on the table.

"It's your birthday party too, elf," said Draco, rolling his eyes at Harry.

"And I'll be enjoying my birthday much later," said Harry, heading back to the kitchen.

Just then, the flames in the fireplace turned green and Hermione stepped through, looking gently rounded with pregnancy. Blaise and Micah stepped through directly after her.

"Where's Mikla and Liam, Uncle Harry?" asked Micah, holding his arms out for Harry to lift him.

"They are staying at their grandpas' house until the party," said Harry.

"And just why is your name not on this banner, Harry?" asked Hermione, arching an eyebrow in question.

"I asked him the very same thing, and do you know what he told me? He said that this was the twin's fifth birthday and the focus should be on them," said Draco. Then he flashed Hermione a wide grin. "Of course, then he said that he would be enjoying his birthday later tonight so I can't complain too much."

"Go, Harry!" said Blaise, whistling as Harry blushed.

"The twins are staying with you tonight, right Hermione?" asked Harry quickly, trying to divert Blaise's attention away from him.

"Yes, Harry, you will be able to enjoy your birthday tonight," said Hermione dryly, snickering when Harry's blush flared up again.

"Who all is coming to this party?" asked Blaise.

"Well, Lucius, Severus, and Remus, Albus and Minerva, Fred and George, Neville and Lavender, Poppy, and you," said Harry. He turned to Draco and asked, "Did I miss anyone?"

"Neville asked if Dennis Creevey could attend. Apparently he's been staying with him and Lavender since Colin died," said Draco. "Do you mind?"

"Not really," said Harry, shrugging lightly. "He was never as bad as Colin with the hero worship, so it shouldn't be a problem."

"When did Colin die?" asked Hermione. "I never heard anything about it."

"A few months ago, I think," said Draco. "Something about being in a car accident."

"How sad," said Hermione softly. It was hard to imagine the Colin she remembered being killed in a car accident. He'd been so excited about being a wizard that the fact that his death was caused by a muggle contraption was surprising. She'd thought that Colin would remain firmly entrenched in the wizarding world, especially after he'd been accepted as a photographer for the Dailey Prophet.

"Yeah, I never really liked Colin, but that was because he constantly hounded me for pictures and autographs. It's still sad to hear about his death. Too many of the people I knew in school have died," said Harry quietly.

"Well, I agreed to let Dennis attend the party, so he'll be here," said Draco, veering back to the original topic. He didn't like seeing that sadness on his elf's face.

Harry glanced at the clock on the wall and gasped. "We've gotta hurry, Dray. The party starts in thirty minutes." He hurried into the kitchen and grabbed the plates and forks and cast a levitating charm on the cups and punch.

Within ten minutes the decorations were finished and the table set. The next eighteen minutes was spent greeting the guests as they emerged from the fireplace. With two minutes left until the party, Lucius, Severus, Remus, and the twins finally arrived.

"Happy Birthday Liam and Michaela!" everyone yelled, standing in front of the table. Harry and Draco moved, clearly showing the cakes with the lit candles.

Liam and Michaela squealed and rushed forward to hug Harry and Draco. Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' and the twins gleefully blew out all the candles. Soon everyone was eating cake and ice cream and the twins were chafing to open their gifts. Harry finally gave them permission to open their gifts, and they delightedly massacred the wrapping paper in their efforts to see what lay inside.

The party was finally coming to a close and the guests were gradually leaving. Hermione hugged Harry once more, then took the twins and left with her family. Neville and Lavender said goodbye and picked up their son, Nathaniel, before waiting at the fireplace for Dennis to say his goodbyes.

"I want a copy of all those pictures, Dennis," said Harry. "Photography must be a gift in the Creevey line."

"It is," said Dennis. "I think we inherited it from our father. It was good to see you again, Harry."

"Yeah, I don't talk to many Gryffindors these days. They seem to think I betrayed them when Draco and I got together. Of course, we don't talk to many Slytherins either, so I don't know what to think," said Harry wryly.

"Oh well, it's their loss anyway," said Dennis, smiling as Harry's cheeks flushed slightly.

"Thanks," said Harry softly. "Don't forget the pictures, okay?"

Dennis nodded and turned to leave but was stopped by Harry's hand on his shoulder. "I was sorry to hear about what happened to Colin. If you need anything, just let me know," said Harry, squeezing Dennis' shoulder comfortingly. Dennis just nodded again and hurried to the fireplace.

Draco walked up behind Harry and wrapped his arms around his elf, smiling when Harry relaxed into his chest. "You all right?" he asked softly. "You looked so serious and Dennis looked like he was about to cry."

"Yeah," said Harry, sighing softly. "We were talking about Colin and the photography gene being passed down the Creevey line."

"Hey, you two, are you going to help us or not?" asked Severus irritably as he gathered up gifts.

"Not," muttered Draco, tightening his hold on Harry. Harry just laughed softly and started walking towards Severus with Draco still holding on. Harry finally pushed his clinging husband away with a quick kiss and helped Severus clear the gifts away.

"Where are your other thirds?" asked Harry cheekily.

"Lucius had business to attend and Remus wasn't feeling very well. The full moon is tonight," said Severus.

"I can finish this if you need to leave," said Harry quickly. He knew that Severus would rather be with Remus if the werewolf wasn't feeling well.

"No, that's all right. He'll be fine after his nap," said Severus softly. Harry just nodded and continued up to Michaela's room.

After getting the gifts settled in the twins' respective rooms, Harry started to clear the remains of the cakes and ice cream away. He'd only been working on that for five minutes when his skin suddenly felt flushed and he got a little lightheaded. Swaying slightly from dizziness, Harry grabbed the edge of the table until the black spots receded from his vision.

"Elf?" asked Draco, seeing the white knuckled grip Harry had on the table. "Are you all right?"

Suddenly the black spots swarmed back in force and Harry lost the battle with consciousness. Draco yelped and leaped forward, trying to catch Harry before he hit his head on the edge of the table. He managed to prevent Harry from hitting the table but couldn't keep him from hitting the floor. Draco quickly scooped him up into his arms and laid him on the sofa, calling for Severus.

"What is it?" asked Severus, running around the corner. He paled when he saw the still figure lying on the sofa. "What happened to him?"

"I don't know," said Draco worriedly, caressing Harry's face soothingly. "I looked over to see him holding onto the table, and then he just fainted."

Severus pulled out his wand to cast a diagnostic spell, but before he could say the incantation, Harry bolted upright. Ignoring Draco and Severus, he quickly pulled off his shirt.

"Harry, are you all right?" asked Severus calmly.

"No, I'm hot. I'm burning up," said Harry, fanning himself with his hands.

"Oh!" cried Draco, jumping to his feet and turning to Severus. "He's in heat. I don't suppose you have any contraceptive potions handy, do you?"

"I thought you wanted more children?" asked Severus.

"We do, but do you really think it's wise for Harry to get pregnant when there is a stalker after him?" asked Draco pointedly.

"No, but unless you have some on hand, I don't see how you can avoid it. I don't think he'll wait for me to go home and brew one first," said Severus sarcastically.

"I am still here, you know," muttered Harry irritably. He was hot, he was horny, and this waiting was making him testy. "I'm going to bed. Draco, you can join me when you've decided what to do." With that, Harry got off the sofa and stumbled to his room.

Harry figured Draco would try to contact Poppy for the contraceptive potion, so he climbed into the shower and turned the water on cold. Since Draco wouldn't help cool his heat, he'd use cold water for a temporary fix. By the time he had washed, Harry was shivering under the steady stream of water.

Harry turned off the water and grabbed a towel. He quickly wrapped the towel around his hips and grabbed another towel. Absently drying his hair, Harry walked back into his bedroom. He stopped in shock when he saw Draco lying on the bed completely nude.

Irresistibly drawn to the bed by the sight and scent of his husband, Harry slowly climbed on the bed. "You think you're up to it, Draco?"

"Death by sex isn't such a bad way to go." With that sentiment in mind, Draco threw himself into enjoying fully the next two days.