Disclaimer: Yes I own Harry Potter . . . Ok not really.
Voldyismoldy: thank you for all of the reviews and alerts and favorites. I still can't get over how many people like this story its amazing and I am deeply grateful to everyone reading this story and my other ones. However some of my reviewers officially scare me with what they wanted to do to the Dursley's and Dumbledore (shudders thinking about it). Please don't do those things to me I will update as often as I can promise. Looks around for scary reviewers and sees them waiting impatiently for the next chapter. All righty then lets get on with the chapter shall we.
This chapter is dedicated to the reviewer who said the last chapter was heart wrenching and powerful thank you very much.
Warning: not much to warn about in this one except for the twins cause you never know what they will do.
Chapter 8. The Twins
Harry slept for most of the rest of that day waking only when Draco brought him supper and to feed his son a bottle before putting him to bed. He spoke little, his face still pale and shaky looking, but allowed Draco to hold him and comfort him. The two of them spent the rest of the day together with Siri without anyone disturbing them. Most of the time was spent with Draco sitting in the bed watching over Harry while he slept. The trial had drained him both physically and emotionally and that night Draco had to wake him from more than one nightmare.
Harry was alarmed at first when he had found Draco in the bed with him both dressed in pajamas after awakening from one of his nightmares but had quickly relaxed to his surprise and snuggled into him. Draco had kept his arms wrapped around him for the rest of the night waking him only when he had a nightmare. He was glad Harry trusted him so much and that he was able to protect him that night. Despite the nightmares that woke him from time to time he had never slept better than he did then while he held the smaller boy in his arms.
The next morning Harry had recovered somewhat from the experience of the day before and was delighted to hear that the twins were coming over around lunch time. He spent most of that morning playing with his son after begging Severus to let him skip the normal talk they had everyday still to shaken up to talk about anything that had happened to him. Severus had reluctantly agreed but they still did his lessons with Draco and Blaise. He was nearly caught up with his classmates now and had passed his potions owl with flying colors so that he was now able to be in newt level potions.
Professor McGonagall had already assured Harry that he would have a private room when he returned to Hogwarts for him and Siri and to his surprise Narcissa. Draco's mother had decided to come to the school to help watch the baby while her son and Harry were in class and would have a room of her own while staying in his suite. Harry was grateful for her help and only wished he could do something to repay her and the others for everything they had done for him and his son. Narcissa however had told him it wasn't necessary and that she enjoyed taking care of Siri because it reminded her of when she had taken care of Draco as a baby.
At noon exactly the Weasley twins showed up through the floo in the sitting room where Harry, Siri and Draco and Blaise had been waiting for them. They each carried a gift in their hands and were delighted to see Harry again at last and the 5 month old baby on his lap. Siri was weary of them at first but soon enough he was laughing happily in Freds arms while the man tickled him.
"He's beautiful Harry," George told him as he looked at the baby in his brothers arms. He was still waiting for his turn to hold his nephew. "Fortunately he didn't get to many of our dear baby brothers looks and he hopefully didn't get to much of his personality either."
"Thanks George. I don't think he is much like Ron at all he is far to calm to be anything like his hot tempered father at least for now," Harry told him gaining a laugh from everyone present as well as some nods of agreement from those who knew Siri well enough to know he hadn't inherited his father's famous temper. "I just hope I will get him back from your brother."
"I don't know mate Fred doesn't look like he is going to give him up any time soon," The red head replied scowling playfully at his brother who glanced at him briefly while sticking out his tongue before turning back to the baby. "We brought some gifts with us, belated welcome to the world and Christmas gifts you could say. We thought Siri deserved something from his favorite uncles you know."
"Oi you I may not be related by blood to Siri but I will have you know that I am his favorite uncle," Blaise told him in mock anger. George only laughed and Harry and Draco chuckled Fred to wrapped up in the child in his arms to hear what they were saying. "But you can be close seconds if you want."
"I think Siri loves all of you the same," Harry told them still chuckling and now sure his son was going to be very spoiled by his three uncles. That thought made him wonder about his other uncles and his aunt as well as his grandparents and he quickly sobered. "I am just glad he has uncles that want him and love him."
"Hey now Harry, Bill and Charlie believe you and want to meet this little one and Percy and Ginny well who cares about them their both idiots and our parents well its there loss you know," Fred told him reluctantly handing Siri over to his twin as he moved to sit beside the younger boy one arm wrapping around his shoulders. "Believe me mate if they want to be this way than your little boy is better off without them in his life and he is definitely better off without Ron as a dad, I can just imagine what little Ronnikins would do to the poor kid. No he is much better off with you and Draco and Draco's mum and us."
"Thanks Fred I know you're right but I miss your mum and dad and spending time at the burrow," The green eyed boy replied fighting back tears as he thought of the family he had once loved and wanted to be a part of. "They were like parents to me you know and you were all my big brothers, even Percy in a way, and Ginny was like a little sister to me. I just . . . I just wish things hadn't turned out this way."
"I know but eventually mum and dad and the others will realize that you are telling the truth. Anyone who see's Siri can tell he is a Weasley with his hair and freckles," George told him rocking the baby in his arms as Siri cooed and stared curiously up at him his hand reaching for him. He gave him his finger and then exchanged a glance with Fred who nodded. "Why don't you open the gifts we brought mate that will cheer you up."
Harry nodded and took the two packages off the coffee table to settle them in his lap. He quickly unwrapped the first one that was from George and smiled when he saw the clothes and the snitch teething toy. The ball was bigger than a normal snitch and its two wings stuck out for the child to grab and hold while it sucked on it. Harry chuckled and gave it to Siri who grasped it in his small hands and immediately stuck it in his mouth sucking happily on it.
The others chuckled as they watched the baby happily slather his new toy and then Harry put the clothes aside and moved to open the other present. The one from Fred was slightly bigger and within it was a stuffed wizard that reminded him slightly of Dumbledore with its long gray beard and pointed hat. It held a felt wand in its hand and the tip changed color every few seconds as if it was casting different spells. It was what was beneath the wizard doll that truly touched him though and sent tears to his eyes.
Folded carefully beneath the wizard doll was a beautiful emerald green blanket with snitches sewn in. He lifted it carefully in his hands and saw on one corner stitched in gold threads the letters S. J. P. and knew instantly they stood for his son's name. Someone put a lot of time and care into making this blanket and he doubted it was either of the twins who had done it unless they were hiding some very impressive sewing skills.
"Mum made that for the baby mate. She still cares about you and this little one even if she's not sure that she believes that Ron is his other father," Fred told him. Harry stared at the blanket in awe and then draped it on his lap before burring his face in the older boy's chest as he cried. "Hey there now its ok little bro. They will realize their mistake soon enough and everything will be all right you'll see. Just know you're not alone."
"Thank you, thank you so much and thank your mum for me too I love the blanket," Harry told him trying to regain control of himself. Siri stopped playing with the snitch as he watched his father and then began to cry upset that his father was upset. "Oh don't worry little one daddy's ok he is just very happy."
Siri however would not be that easily placated and reached out his hands for his papa squirming in his uncles arms. George gave him over to Harry who held him close to his chest and rocked him as he moved away from Fred and wiped away his tears. It took a few minutes for him to calm his son down but Siri eventually settled and put the snitch back in his mouth. Harry showed him the little wizard toy and though Siri liked the changing colors he was more interested in his snitch and wouldn't take it from him.
"Sorry Fred Siri seems to like the George's snitch more than your wizard," Harry told him. Fred laughed good naturedly and tickled the baby who giggled and then yawned obviously growing tired. "Are you getting sleepy Siri it probably is time for your nap."
"Blink," Draco called as Harry sang softly to his son putting the baby to sleep. The little elf appeared at once and bowed to the blonde boy. "Can you put Siri in his crib for his nap, have one of the elves keep an eye on him as well and alert us as soon as he starts to wake up."
"Yes Master Draco," Blink replied as Harry put the now sleeping child carefully in the little elf's arms along with his new blanket. "Come along Master Siri."
The little elf popped away and another appeared to tell them that lunch was ready. The five young men followed it into the dining room where Narcissa was already waiting for them and sipping on a glass of wine. She was delighted by the gifts the two had brought that Harry showed her except for the blanket that was with Siri and thanked them for coming to see Harry and the baby and for testifying in court the day before.
"What else could we do . . ."George replied with a shrug.
"Harry is our friend . . ." Fred agreed.
"We just wish . . ."
"We could have gotten . . ."
"Our dear baby brother. . ."
"To testify too . . .
"The git," George finished frowning at the thought of their little brother who had refused to even go to the trail along with Hermione neither one wanting to see Harry.
"Its not like we needed the weasel anyway," Draco sneered in disgust. He had never liked the hot tempered red head and had wished more than once that Harry had never become friends with him. "No offense."
"No offense taken mate," Fred told him chuckling suddenly. Draco looked at him suspiciously especially when everyone else started laughing. He picked up his spoon fearing the boy had done something to him and his eyes widened as his face paled at what he had done. "Hey no offense mate."
"No offense, no offence! Change it back this instant," Draco screeched grasping at his now bright red hair. If there was one thing he prided himself on it was his hair and he would certainly never want it red! God he looked like a Weasel almost or a bright red tomato. "I refuse to have red hair!"
"I don't know Dray it looks kind of good on you," Harry told him struggling to keep his face straight. He failed miserable as the other boy glared at him making him burst out into laughter again. "But I think I'm glad you weren't born a Weasley."
"Yes so am I your father's hair color is so much better on you dear," Narcissa agreed with a chuckle of her own. She was one of the few people who knew how important his hair was to him and was surprised that he hadn't attacked the twins yet. "Fred, George can one of you please be a dear and change my son's hair back I am afraid we won't get a moments peace until you do."
"Sure thing Miss. Black, it was just a bit of fun," George agreed flicking his wand in the younger boy's direction with a grin. Fred whined about having to get rid of it but was grinning as well as Draco glared at them. "There you go mate everything back to the way it was."
"Thank you and don't ever touch my hair again if you value your lives," He told them looking into his spoon and sighing in relief when he saw his hair was back to its normal blonde. "I can't think of anything worse than having red hair."
"Um Dray my mother had red hair you know and Siri does too some what," Harry pointed out. Draco blinked in surprise not having thought of that and blushed sheepishly not having intended to insult Harry's family. "It's ok I know what you mean. Just be glad you didn't get my fathers untamable black hair. It always looks like a mess no matter what I do."
They all laughed and agreed that the Potter curse of messy hair was something none of them would have wanted. Fortunately it seemed that Siri had escaped the curse as his father hadn't been able to but they couldn't be sure yet. Harry hoped that he had though as he knew what a pain it was to try to tame his hair and didn't wish that on his son.
Fred and George stayed for several more hours until Siri had woken up from his nap so they could say goodbye to him. They spent the rest of their visit talking to Harry and Draco and Blaise and seeing if the younger boy was ready to return to school in two weeks. Harry wasn't entirely certain that he was but Draco assured him that he would do fine and that he and Blaise would be there to help him as well as Snape and some of his Gryffindor friends who hadn't abandoned him.
Harry wished the twins were going to be there but they had already graduated and were doing very well at their joke shop. The only Weasley's left at Hogwarts now were Ginny and Ron and while he wasn't worried about seeing Ginny again he wasn't sure if he was ready to face Ron. He and Ron hadn't spoken to each other since the day the Weasley's had come to the school and he prayed the boy would leave him and his son alone.
Before they left the twins told him to tell them if Ron was giving him a hard time or if he wanted them to send him any pranks to play on him or anyone else. As a shareholder Harry would get anything he wanted from the store free and they would be more than happy to help put their little brother in his place. Harry thanked them and watched them leave wishing they didn't have to go. It had been nice having his honorary big brothers with him again and he hadn't realized how much he had missed them until then.
Blaise left soon after having to go to a dinner with his mother and father that night but promised to be there the next day. Harry told him it was fine but Draco could see that he was upset and lonely after his friends had left and decided to do something to cheer him up. While Harry was busy changing Siri he called for Blink and told him to have the elves make them a special diner for just the two of them that night. He also told them to tell his mother they wouldn't be joining her for diner as they would be eating alone in the room
Harry was delighted when he saw the small table decorated with a light blue table cloth and two candles in silver candle holders. The elves had prepared a meal of steak, baked potatoes, and carrots for their meal with Harry's favorite Treacle tart for dessert. They had even made a small meal of mashed potatoes and carrots with applesauce for Siri who sat happily in his high chair with the snitch toy in his hand.
"Thank you Dray this is wonderful," Harry told him as they sat down at the table and began their meal, Harry feeding Siri in between bites of his own. "And thank you for letting the twins come over today it was good seeing them again. I missed them."
"Anything to make you happy Harry even if it means I must spend time with the Weasley's in my own home," Draco told him with a suffering look that made Harry laugh and he smiled. He had heard Harry laugh today more than he had the entire time he had been there and for that if nothing else he could get along with the red headed family. "And it is obvious that they care a great deal about you no matter what may have happened between you and them."
Harry nodded and Draco could see that some of the strain and worry had been lifted from him. He was amazed by the progress the smaller boy had made especially after what had happened the day before. He had never expected Harry to let the twins touch him but he had without flinching or having to be coaxed to. They were the first ones besides Draco that he had voluntarily touched and it showed just how close he was to them and how much he trusted them.
He was glad that there was someone that Harry trusted that much but in a way jealous too as Draco wanted to be the only one he trusted like that. But he was willing to share Harry with the other two as long as he was the most important except for Siri. No one could come between Harry and his son and he smiled as he watched him feed his son.
He loved Siri and hoped one day to make him his own son but knew that they were both to young for marriage and that Harry still had a long way to go before he would be ready for that. He could tell even now that Harry still wasn't entirely sure that Draco truly loved him and wanted to be with him. He had been too heavily abused all his life to really believe that anyone could actually want him and it would take time for Draco to convince him that his feelings were true.
He would take that time though to show him and convince him that he really did love him and that he deserved to be loved. That was the other thing Harry truly believed that he wasn't worth anyone's love and it wouldn't be easily to get him to believe otherwise. But Draco would show him that he was and that he wasn't a freak as his uncle had told him. So that one day when they were old enough he could make Harry his partner for already he couldn't see himself spending his life with anyone else.
Once they were finished eating they bathed Siri together, who giggled and splashed them with water in his little child's tub, and then put him to bed. He went down easy that night tired out from the visit by his uncles and Harry tucked his new blanket around him while he clutched his little owl toy. They stayed up for a few hours more talking about the twins and about school starting again in two weeks and how Harry felt about that until he was having trouble keeping his eyes open.
Seeing this Draco decided it was time to turn in and gently he took Harry into his arms and brought his lips to his in a goodnight kiss. He was pleased when the smaller boy didn't pull away from him and in fact allowed him to deepen the kiss if only slightly, the first time he had allowed him to do so. The kiss lasted for only a few seconds but it left both wanting more and Draco quickly left the room before he did something he would later regret. He would never hurt Harry in anyway but his lower body wanted to do something that he knew the other boy wasn't at all ready for.
Harry seemed to understand if the slight blush on his face was any indication and let him leave. In a way he wanted to be with Draco like that and knew it was what the other boy wanted but he wasn't ready to be with someone intimately again after what had been done to him. But he knew that Draco would only wait so long and if he didn't let him sleep with him as he wanted he feared the blonde boy would eventually leave him for someone who would like Pansy.
He didn't want that to happen but he couldn't bring himself to be with him like that at least not right now. But maybe one day he would be ready for that step. He could only pray Draco would be willing to wait that long for him even if he wasn't worth waiting for. It was a troubled and restless sleep Harry had that night and for several nights to come as he prepared to return to school and wondered how long Draco would wait for him.
A/N: ok I know this chapter was kind of short but I tried to make it as long as I could and the next one will be longer. I hope you liked this chapter and seeing the twins again and yes Bill and Charlie believe Harry too now the twins managed to convince them. Arthur and Molly still aren't sure but I wanted to show that they still cared about Harry and his child regardless of the truth so Molly made the baby a blanket. I also wanted to do a more light hearted chapter since there has been a lot of drama lately in this story. Of course it will be back in the next chapter when Harry returns to school and Ron sees the baby for the first time. What will he do stay tuned to find out!
Oh and what did you think of Draco with red hair I hope that part was funny at least a little bit. Any way please review and any suggestions you have for what you would like to see in this story feel free to tell me I am always open to suggestions and new ideas. Thanks again and review, review, review!