Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
An insistent tugging of his hair dragged Draco unwilling out of his slumber. He laid face down on a pillow, a weight pressed on his upper back. His groggy mind slow to process the reason he was in that uncomfortable position. Before remembering the previous night.
He swatted at the annoyance with less force than intended due to sleep-heavy muscles. Quiet giggles sounded after the movement, and the weight on Draco's back shifted. A loud 'shhh' was attempted between the two kids.
His eyes opened and blinked to banish the fuzzy film that seemed to cover his eyes. From his position he could see Thomas curled up a blanket wrapped tight around himself. And Macy clinging to Jasmine, somehow climbing over Draco last night.
The pressure on his head increased as the culprit realized Draco was awake. Looking up, Draco met the eyes of Isabelle who sat crossed legged in front of him, her hands still gripping blonde strands.
"Good morning!" She greeted.
"Isabelle, I told you he'd wake up!" Came Max's indignant voice from above Draco's head.
A red blur appeared in Draco's vision as the boy leaned over the man's shoulder to deliver an apology on Isabelle's behalf.
Merlin, he must have been dead to the world if both Macy and Max were able to climb all over him like that.
Reaching over to get a hold on Max's waist, Draco turned so he was now on his back with Max trapped by one arm. Shutting his eyes, he blindly reached for Isabelle as well to get her to lay down.
"It's too early guys. Let's go back to sleep." Draco murmured already half-way back to sleep.
He felt Isabelle crawl to his side, but instead of lying down like he expected she poked his cheek.
"But Draco I'm bored. Can we go play outside now since the sun is out?" Isabelle complained.
Draco hummed at the question, until he processed her words. Max was just getting comfortable when Draco's rush to sit up dislodging him from the older man's side. Looking to the tea room, the blonde saw that the sun was beginning to illuminate the room.
"Everyone up! We're going to be late!" Draco yelled, getting up while throwing a pillow at Thomas. "Come on, there's no time to sleep."
A panicked Draco began to herd a confused Macy and Jasmine out of the room.
"There's always time for sleep." Thomas grumbled through a yawn, but left the room still wrapped in his comforter.
Once he was sure that the older children weren't going to fall back asleep, he rushed to dress Max and Isabelle. Unsurprisingly, Max was already dressed in black trousers, a gray shirt, and a black robe with blue lining. It was Isabelle that presented a challenge that morning.
"No Draco, I want to wear the purple one!" She said as Draco pulled a red shirt over her head.
"You can wear that one tomorrow Kiki. Mittsy took that shirt for cleaning." Draco compromised, hoping that the use of her nickname would soften the scowl on her face.
"Fine!" Was her reply, instead of the tantrum he was expecting.
"Thank you, Isabelle." Draco ruffled her hair before leaving the room. The lack of footsteps behind him had Draco turning around to call for the young girl. But when she emerged from the room Isabelle was wearing a purple shirt.
"Where'd you find that top?" Draco asked confused.
"You just put it on me." Isabelle said with enough attitude that Draco knew he was not forgiven from their argument.
"No, that's not the same shirt." The girl glanced down, her countenance becoming cheerful when she spotted the bright color. Giving Draco a cheeky grin, she continued down the stairs with a skip in her step.
Draco stood there, stunned. The only explanation Draco could think of was accidental magic of a minor. As his initial surprise subsided a feeling of pride and relief replaced it.
Pride because Isabelle showed magical signs so young and relief because of how small the incident was. Every wizard and witch knew of the deviation untamed magic could cause.
Even Draco's own magic sprouted when his mother found the young boy in his room surrounded by rabbits. It took days to extract all the creatures from the Manor and to release them into the wild, with a very tearful Draco. Weeks after that Lucius would continue to find a bunny in his sock drawer nibbling holes in the material.
Max is around the age of his awakening, Draco would need to look out for the signs. He will also need to look for some good training material for the two.
Draco walked down the stairs to the sound of Macy and Thomas fighting over the amount of luggage she had with her.
The group burst through the magicked brick wall of platform 9¾. The train was already stationed, the only people left on the platform were parents and a few stragglers that were nervous to leave. In the windows boys and girls could be seen waving to their families. Others hid their face to avoid any embarrassment from their parents.
Stares and whispers followed them as they approached the train's entrance. Draco couldn't hear what was being said but he couldn't imagine it was anything good.
Glaring at the nosy individuals, the blonde wished he had remembered to down a potion of Polyjuice in the mad rush to leave the house. The kids hadn't picked up on the attention the ex-death eater had drawn, too busy lugging the many suitcases forward.
"I told you Macy, four trunks are too much." Thomas claimed as he watched his sister huffing as she struggled with her load. He had opted out of placing his single trunk with the others, deciding to carry his himself.
Jasmine and Macy were teaming up to push the cart topped with both girls supplies.
"Thomas if you're not going to help, shut your mouth!" Jasmine panted, digging in her heels for greater leverage.
"I swear this thing has gotten heavier." Macy said, giving Draco a look begging for his help with the overweight cart.
"Don't look at me like that. I told you if you brought that many trunks you'd be responsible for carrying them. And what did you tell me..."
"That I'd be able to handle it." Macy grumbled.
Nodding Draco continued, "Besides I need to keep an eye on Max and Isabelle."
"Huh, speaking of, where are they?" Thomas asked, brow furrowed looking around the station.
Draco jerked around and indeed the two were no longer beside him.
"OK, nobody panic." Draco tried to keep everyone calm, even if dread was running through his veins.
"MAX, ISABELLE!" Macy screeched, not keeping calm.
"We passed a candy store on the way, maybe they slipped into it without us noticing.' Jasmine worried, eyes wide.
"I'll go," Thomas dropped his case ready to sprint down to the store.
"Stop. No one's going anywhere. Macy please stop screaming." Draco brought out his wand, "First, we need to get the Aurors down here."
At the mention of Aurors, a thud was made somewhere in the pile of trunks.
Jasmine and Thomas were the only two who heard the noise as Draco was too busy trying to placate a panicked Macy. She had latched onto his arm, bemoaning the kids absence.
"How are you no worried? They could be taken, scared, or worse, dead."
"Don't say that!" Draco snapped. "Just let go of my arm Macy." He said trying with little success to shake her off.
Jasmine and Thomas peered in the cart as one of the cases hanging precariously on the edge started to shift. A hissed, "Max" came from within the mass of trunks.
In a crevasse made by Macy's trunks were two stowaways. They were crouched, huddled together to take up as little space as possible while remaining hidden. Thomas let out a snort and went to go extract Draco from Macy's octopus like grip.
"You all are in so much trouble," Jasmine said, shaking her head. Then, proceeded to lift the children out of the maze of leather boxes.
"What were you doing? Were you trying to give me a heart attack?" Draco exclaimed, striding to them. He knelt to check them over for injury.
"We wanted to go with everyone." Isabelle said.
"I don't want them to leave." Max said, at the same time as Isabelle.
"We'll be back soon, and you both will have some much fun with Draco you won't even notice we're gone." Macy assured, hugging the two close. She released them wiping the wetness that had gathered in her eyes.
Jasmine ruffled their hair, "I'm going to miss you guys. Eat a slice of Mittsy's cheesecake for me."
Thomas lifted them in his arms causing them to let out giddy squeals. "You better give the old man trouble for me, OK."
Max and Isabelle promised once they were back on the ground.
"Oh, ha ha very funny." The blonde man dryly said, before he found himself trapped once more in Macy's arms. This one with less yelling, but with more tears. Macy's head was buried in Draco's chest making her next words muffled, "You had better write to me!"
She stepped back a smile on her face.
Jasmine was more hesitant, but when Draco held is arms open to her it wasn't long before she wrapped her arms around Draco as well. The hug didn't last long but both gave a tight squeeze. Jasmine cleared her throat as she took a step back, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Take care of yourself."
"Thank you, Jasmine. I'll try to survive the next few months without you, it will be difficult," Draco sarcastically replied. But everyone heard the truth in the words.
Thomas punched Draco's shoulder lightly, "Take good care of Max and Isabelle. Remember they need three meals a day."
"Who's the adult here?" Draco grumbled, straightening out his robe.
Thomas laughed good naturedly then engulfed the older man in a hug. Draco could have sworn he heard his ribs groan from the force, but he didn't complain. Instead, he wrapped his own arms around the boy and gave back as good as he got. Both were smiling when they parted.
Facing the three, Draco said, "You all stay safe, and if there is anything you need send me a message. I'll make sure you get it. Also, wear warm clothes around the castle. Trust me, the common rooms may be warm, but the halls always seemed to have chill." Draco took a breath ready to continue but the first warning whistle sounded cutting him off.
Draco startled before jumping into action, helping Jasmine and Macy with their luggage. Even Thomas grabbed two of their cases.
Draco checked twice to confirm that Max and Isabelle were still by his side as smoke poured out of the train's shoot. A window dropped open a few meters away from the trio and Macy's head popped out.
The brunette waved wildly at them. Jasmine and Thomas stood behind Macy's shoulder. They were also waving but safely in the compartment.
Max waved back shyly, while Isabelle had both hands over her head waving and jumping up and down. Draco gave his own wave.
The train started to move with Macy still sticking out of the window. Draco's relaxed wave turned into gestures to get her back inside, cupping his other hand to his mouth to call out to her. She didn't seem to hear him but luckily the two teens behind her dragged her back in.
They stood there watching as the train became a tiny speck in the distance. Glancing at the children, Isabelle was silently crying, eyes still on the spot the train disappeared a hand still waving. Max gaze transfixed on the same place, his bottom lip trapped between his upper and lower teeth. He was once again scratching at his arm.
The previous injuries had healed nicely over the summer thanks to Draco's ointment and everyone keeping an eye out for Max's anxiety. To try to curb the harming habit before the redhead started it. Now, all that there were ragged white scars on his arm.
Draco reached for the hand picking at Max's fragile skin and for Isabelle's hand, gaining both of their attention. He gave those small hands a squeeze and asked gently, "Who's up for some ice cream?"
Draco watched as Max pushed the chocolate chunks around his ice cream bowl, his head rested forlornly in a hand. Every now and then the ginger would release a heavy sigh that caused his frame to slump further in his chair.
Unfortunately, his other charge wasn't looking much better. The older man cringed at the tear streaks and snotty nose that Isabelle still sported even an hour after they'd said goodbye. Isabelle scooped a huge spoonful of ice cream into her mouth between loud sniffles.
Watching the two, Draco was positive taking them out for ice cream was a mistake. He could now recognize that going home, changing into pajamas, ice cream on the couch, and a story would have been the best way to go.
But seeing the absolute devastation on both faces as the train carried Macy, Jasmine, and Thomas away, Draco wanted to cheer them up fast. To be honest, he also needed a little pick me up.
Draco stabbed at his melting strawberry flavored ice cream, angry that it couldn't solve his problems. He was about to suggest they go home when the hairs on the back of his neck rose to attention and a shiver ran down his back.
This was a reaction he was familiar with, a sort of warning that malicious eyes have been set on him. Trying to be discreet, he slowly took in their surrounding but was unable to spot anything unusual. Only people in the shop were parents with their kids and no one out the window glanced in.
Before Draco could track where the stare was coming from it was gone, leaving behind an uneasy feeling. And he dismissed it as someone glaring at him because of his infamy as a Malfoy.
"Come on guys let's go back home." He told Max and Isabelle, who did so without a word. Draco sighed as he led the two children, already forming a second plan to cheer them up. Hopefully, the next one would work.