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Voldyismoldy: well here you go the next chapter and I am so sorry it took me so long to update this story. To be honest I was almost thinking of putting this and my other stories up for adoption but I finally got some time to write and my inspiration back. Hopefully I can keep it up and get these stories finished soon. Anyway please forgive me and enjoy this chapter!
Warning: some mentions of abuse
Chapter 13: The Truth Comes Out!
For the longest time all Draco could do was stare at the young man he had searched so long for and the beautiful little girl he held protectively in his arms. His mouth opened and closed several times in a futile attempt to say something, anything, but his mind was blank unable to focus on anything long enough to complete a thought let alone speak. In all the scenarios he had imagined for when he finally found the other man this had not been one of them leaving him uncertain of how to continue now.
All this time he had been a father and he hadn't known it. He had missed the birth of his little girl, her first words and steps, so many things he should have been there for. Why hadn't Harry told him he was pregnant? Why hadn't he come to him for help, he would have taken care of him and his daughter, Harry had to have known he would. Except would he have trusted him to after what had happened the last time they were together and could Draco blame him for not doing so.
After all Harry believed Draco had only used him for sex so why would he have thought he would accept him and his child into his home after that. Well Draco would have to prove him wrong for he wanted his child and now that he knew about the little girl he couldn't imagine his life without her, without either of them. They, along with Siri, were his family and it was more than time his family got put back together again.
"Harry . . ." he began then stopped as the others man's face paled slightly. The younger of the two seemed to be deciding something and then gave a resigned sigh as he adjusted the child in his arms.
"Come with me this isn't the place for this," Harry told him indicating all of the other parents and children mulling around as well as the nursery worker who was watching them curiously.
Draco nodded knowing he was right and followed him out of the daycare and back onto the street. The little girl, Arianna, watched him from over her father's shoulder, uncertainty and curiosity warring in her eyes that were so like his. He smiled to reassure her he meant no harm to them and she ducked shyly behind her father with a small giggle. Draco grinned ecstatic that he had made his daughter laugh already as she peeked up at him and then ducked back down again almost immediately afterwards.
This pattern continued several more times until Draco realized Harry was leading him back toward the café. But why were they going back there? He had distinctly heard Harry say he was off for the day but perhaps he had forgotten something there he needed. Curiously he watched as Harry led them up to the restaurant and then instead of going in went around to the back where a white wooden staircase lead up to a room above the café.
This must have been where Harry lived then and he eagerly followed him up the stairs wanting to see how he had lived for these last five years. Once they reached the top the black haired man took out a key and unlocked the door bringing them into a comfortable looking apartment. Along the walls were numerous pictures of Harry and Arianna and even some of Siri as a baby. A hallway lead off to the left of the living room they were in a wall blocked off the kitchen up to a small cherry wood table and chairs in what was obviously the eating area.
"Harry you're home," A voice said from the kitchen. It sounded vaguely familar and Draco's heart clenched at the thought of him with someone else until the person came walking out to the shock of both them and Draco.
"Remus?" The blonde man questioned as Remus Lupin stared back at him wide eyed and he felt a sense of anger and betrayal fill him. "How could you do this to me? How long have you known where Harry was and kept it from me?"
"Don't be mad at Remus, Draco, he only found me a couple weeks ago by accident," Harry told him as he put Arianna down and she ran over to the werewolf who scooped her up in his arms. "He's been trying to convince me to talk to you too."
"Is that true?" Draco asked. The older man nodded looking tired and strangely relieved.
"Yes Draco but Harry is stubborn and I thought it best to give him time before telling you I had found him," Remus explained ignoring the green eyed young man's glare as Draco smirked knowing very well how stubborn the other man could be. "I am glad that you have found each other though and that you can talk now so I will just take this little imp and give her a bath so you two can have some time alone."
The little girl pouted at that but giggled as the older man tickled her and before Harry could say a word carried her down the hall to disappear into the bathroom. Within minutes they heard water running and the two of them were left alone to stare at each other with only the muffled voice of Remus and the delighted squeals of Arianna to interrupt them.
"She's beautiful Harry," Draco said at last glancing at the pictures of the younger man and the little girl. "I wish you had told me about her but I know why you didn't."
"And what do you intend to do now," The brunette asked his voice tight and accousing. Draco looked at him and was taken a back at the scared but determined glare he was being given. "I won't let you take her from me without a fight. I have a good job now, money enough to care for her, and a safe place to live the judge won't be as willing to take her from me as he was with Siri."
"I don't want to take her from you Harry, I would never do that to you," the former slytherin told him lifting his hands in a placating way in front of him. He wasn't surprised that the other man thought he would but was disheartened by it. "I have been trying to find you all this time so that I could explain what really happened the day you left and hopefully get you back in my life. Knowing now about Arianna only makes me want you back even more if that's possible."
"Why would I ever be willing to take you back after what you did to me?" Harry questioned with a sneer arms crossing in front of his chest as a way to keep distance between them. He had been betrayed and hurt twice already he would not allow it to happen again.
"Because what you think happened that day isn't truly what happened at all," Draco explained patiently. Harry scoffed in disbelief but there was a glimmer of doubt and longing in his eyes that he probably hoped the other man wouldn't see. "I swear Harry for all the good my word is that I never used you for sex or would abandon you when you needed me."
"But you did I heard you tell Theo so and none of you were there for the trial," The green eyed man replied bitterly turning his face away from him so that the fringe of his hair covered his eyes. "None of you were there when they took Siri from me because you never really cared about me or him at all. It was just some sick game of yours."
"No Harry it wasn't. You were only made to hear what you were supposed to hear, what I was forced to say, but none of it was true," the older man told him. He took a step toward the smaller man wanting to touch him, hold him, but not daring to. "Please Harry at least look at my memories or give me veritiserum, truth spell me, I don't care as long as you will believe me."
"You would do that? Take veritiserum or go under a truth spell if I wanted you too?" Harry said hesitantly looking at him again with in uncertain expression. Draco nodded immediately and after a moment something in Harry seemed to relax slightly. "Fine I have a pensive and I can tell when memories have been tampered with so we'll use that."
Draco felt his shoulders slump slightly in relief as Harry went over to a hutch and took a small stone bowel out of a drawer. Carefully he brought it over to the coffee table and they both sat down on the couch leaving far too much room between them for the blondes liking. Draco took out his wand and brought it to his temple concentrating on the memories he wanted. Carefully he removed all the ones pertaining to what had happened that day and what Pansy had done and put them in the pensive.
When he finished the former slytherin sat back and watched as Harry leaned forward and fell into the pensive. It would take some time for him to go through the memories and Draco decided to take that time to look around some more. There was a very cozy and warm feeling to this place and despite its modest appearance Draco felt comfortable there. He was unsurprised as this was Harry's home and he had always felt he belonged where the other man was.
Draco hoped his memories would work to convince Harry of the truth of what had happened. Now that he had found the other man again he couldn't possibly imagine his life without him again and of course his daughter as well. How could he possibly live his life knowing Harry and his little girl were out there and he couldn't be with them? There was no way and he would do all he could to keep both of them in his life from now on.
Nearly an hour passed by before Harry emerged from the pensive with a gasp. Draco watched tensely as the other man sat back eyes closed and face contemplative. He remained silent for quite some time and the blonde haired man had to force himself not to fidget as he waited as that was unbecoming of a Black. He knew Harry needed time to adjust to the memories he had been shown and to decide what they meant to him so he would be patient for as long as he needed to be.
"So all of this was orchestrated by Pansy with help from Theo?" Harry began softly startling Draco. He nodded as the green eyes landed on him wet with unshed tears and bright with anger and building hope. "You were being controlled when you said those things. It was never you saying them and none of you wanted to abandon me at the trial?"
"No Harry it wasn't me. I love you and want you for so much more than just sex," Draco told him. Tentatively he reached out and placed his hand over Harry's nearly crowing with delight when the other didn't pull his hand away. "My mother and Severus were devastated by your disappearance and we have spent all this time searching for you along with Blaise and others. We all want you back in our lives Harry I swear."
"God Draco this is like a dream. For so long I hoped you would find me and tell me it was all a mistake," the green eyed man replied a small smile slowly appearing on his face as the tears began to fall. "But it's not a dream. It's real and I have missed you so much."
"No more than I have missed you Harry," Draco said with a grin of his own. His free hand coming up to cup the others cheek tenderly. Harry sighed and leaned into the touch. "And if this is a dream then I never want to wake up again."
Harry nodded in agreement and for a moment they both only stared at each other both unsure about what to do. Then tentatively Draco leaned forward, watching Harry for any signs that this was unwelcome, and brought his lips to the other man's. Harry didn't respond at first and then slowly he kissed him back. The kiss was tame at first as they shyly explored each other for the first time in years, reveling in their nearness and feel.
Soon it became more heated as hands joined in the exploring of each other's bodies. Draco groaned softly as he brought Harry closer to him exulting in the feel of him in his arms again after being so long apart. He never wanted to let Harry go again and was contemplating how to keep him in his arms at all times when they were interrupted by a childish giggle. Instantly they broke apart, much to Draco's disappointment, and found Remus watching them from the hall with a freshly bathed and pajama clad Arianna in his arms.
"Well I see you two have cleared up all your misunderstandings," the werewolf told them with a relived smile. Harry blushed but nodded as Draco took his hand again. "That's good pup I'm glad. Now take this little hellion and I'll make dinner."
The older man gently plopped the little girl onto Harry's lap and then disappeared into the kitchen where the sounds of cooking soon arose. Arianna stared at Draco speculatively for a few minutes her right thumb slipping into her mouth and Draco smiled at her. Her hair hung damply against her back and she was dressed in purple footsy pajamas with unicorns prancing around them. Her silver gray eyes, so much like Draco's own, entranced him and he was pleased to see little of the Malfoy features in her.
"Are yous gonna be daddy now," the little girl asked at last startling them both as Draco blushed slightly at her bluntness. "I's want a daddy and papa said maybe I have one someday so are you daddy?"
"Yes Ari, sweetling, this is Daddy, your real daddy," Harry told her gently. The child's eyes widened and she looked at Draco in awe and curiousity. "Do you remember how I told you you had a daddy too but he had to go away?" The girl nodded happily. "Well he's back now honey so say hello ok."
"Hi Daddy what took yous so long ta come back," Arianna asked. Before Draco could respond she crawled into his lap bouncing excitedly and kissed his cheek. "Now yous here you not gonna go away again right? I promise to be good if yous stay."
"Arianna I promise you now that I'm here I won't ever leave you or your papa again," Draco promised her. The child beamed happily and snuggled into his chest as he wrapped his arm around her. "I want to know everything about you and your lives here."
"Ari, sweetie, why don't you play with your toys so daddy and I can talk ok," Harry told her. The little girl frowned but obediently got off the blondes lap and crawled over to her toy chest pulling out some toys. "She's four Draco and was born almost exactly nine months after the trial. She's very bright and energetic and magically strong. I have a hard time keeping her magic from being seen at the daycare. She's mischievous too and I haven't raised her to be a pureblood but she's a good girl and I think she'll make you proud."
"I am already proud and I think she's absolutely perfect. Mother and Sev will adore her," Draco replied taking Harry's hand again as they watched their daughter play. "Tell me about your life Harry. How did you come to work and live here?"
"I don't just work here Draco I own this place," the green eyed man said grinning at his look of surprise. "After I left I thought about what I could do without having gotten my newts and I always enjoyed cooking so I thought I would try it. I found a magical culinary school that didn't require newts and learned all that I could."
I enjoyed it a lot and became one of the top students even though I found out soon after I began that I was pregnant again. It was hard dealing with another pregnancy and school but I managed. I took care of myself the best that I could and kept up with the class for the most part. It was harder after she was born but there was daycare at the school and sometimes I took her to class with me. I just knew I had to do all I could to keep her with me, I couldn't bear to lose another child.
I graduated with top honors and decided to go to the muggle world to find a restaurant to work at. I had changed my name by that point too so I would be harder to find. One day I came across this place while I was searching and loved the food. It was called "The Old Time Kitchen" then and run by an older man named Richard. I got him to talk to me and try my cooking and he hired me as a line cook. We became friends he and I and he told me about how he used to do most of the cooking but now had an executive chief as he was getting to old to do it himself.
One day he told me he wanted to sell the place but he wanted it to go to someone who would love it as much as him. His executive chief, Rodger, wanted the place but two years after I started here he found out the cook was stealing funds from him. He fired him and made me the executive chief. It was a dream come true for me and I loved running the kitchen and seeing the people enjoy my food. Richard was pleased to and said I had brought new life to the place. . . ."
Harry paused his voice trailing off and his eyes growing shadowed as his arms wrapped around himself. In concern Draco moved closer to him and put his arms around his shoulders. He waited patiently for the smaller man to continue not wanting to push him but wanting to know what had upset him.
"About a year or so after Richard had a heart attack and passed away. He had no children or family so in his will he left me this building and asked me only to keep it a restaurant. I moved into this apartment and spent two weeks reinventing the place and then opened it as "The Cozy Hollow". I kept nearly all of his original staff and used a lot of his recipes. I wanted to do as he asked of me and keep the place he loved alive for him."
"I think Richard would be very happy with what you've done with this place," Draco told him. He knew he had said the right thing when Harry smiled at him in gratitude. "I am so impressed by all you have accomplished here Harry, it's amazing."
"Thank you Draco, I've really come to love this place," Harry replied leaning into his side and resting his head on the man's shoulder. "What about you Draco? What have you been up to these last few years?"
"Well besides looking for you I've taken over my father's old businesses allowing my mother to retire which she enjoys a great deal," the blonde haired man explained happy when he heard Harry chuckle softly. He sobered quickly though and gave a small sigh as he went on. "I have also been visiting a wonderful little boy every other weekend to make sure he's ok."
"Siri! You've spent time with him, watched him grow?" the green eyed man said his voice strained and his eyes glistening with tears as he looked at him. "I never meant to leave him Dray. I think about him every day and in the beginning I always intended to go back for him but then I had Ari and I was so afraid I would lose her too that all I could think about was not letting you know about her." His eyes turned to his little girl so filled with guilt and regret it hurt him to see it. "Merlin he must hate me and I don't blame him I would hate me too."
"No Harry he doesn't hate you. I tried my best to explain to him why you left and that it had nothing to do with him. He's anxious to meet you and I promised him I would find you for him," Draco told him reassuringly. Harry tried to force a smile but failed as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I'm glad I was able to keep my promise and I know he will love having you back and having Arianna as his sister."
"We'll have to go get him as soon as we can, Dray, I want my little boy back with me," Harry said determinedly. Draco nodded as the smaller man sat back looking thoughtful. "What's going to happen now Draco? With us? I don't want to lose this place but I know you can't stay here."
"You and Ari will come live with mother and I at the manor, Siri too, and as soon as we're able we'll marry so we will be a real family," the blonde haired man replied enthusiastically a grin brightening his face, though he saw the worried and uncertain look on the others face. "And of course you will continue to run this place. You can apparate into this apartment then go down to the restaurant. I need a good place to have my business lunches after all."
His silver eyes sparkled with mischief and Harry smiled at him gratefully. They talked for the next hour getting to know each other again and the little girl they shared. Every so often though Harry would ask him again about Siri and Draco would patiently answer all of his questions despite the fact that he may have asked them already. He could tell that Harry felt guilty for leaving his little boy for so long so he tried not to be too detailed with his answers. Draco wanted Harry to see Siri again before he told him about his suspsions of how he was treated by his other family.
Draco thought it would be better for him to wait to tell him then have him get upset and do something rash. They had to do everything the right way so a judge would be willing to give Harry back custody of his son and once they had him they could take care of the younger Weasleys. It shouldn't be too hard Draco had a lot of influence in the ministry now and Harry had a good job that gave him enough to take care of both of his children even without Draco. He was glad that Harry had been able find a way to support himself and their daughter and knew that the smaller man was stronger than any of them had wanted to give him credit for and not just magically. He had lost everything but had managed to pick himself up again and gain back so much more than he had lost all on his own.
The blonde haired man sat back on the couch with a sigh of contentment. A smile softened his face at the feel of Harry's head on his shoulder and the sight of his daughter playing on the floor. This was how it was supposed to be, him and his lover sitting on the couch after a long day and their children playing on the floor. All of it was right and left him with a sense of belonging so strong it was nearly overwheleming. The only thing missing, to make it perfect, was a little boy to play happily with his younger sister. That would be rectified soon enough so for now he just closed his eyes and basked in the warmth of his family.
All too soon the scene of domestic bliss was interrupted by Remus calling them to dinner. Reluctantly Harry and Draco got up from their positions on the couch and the blonde man scooped up the little girl in his arms grinning at her squeal of delight. That night they shared their first meal as a family and then Draco, for the first time, put his little girl to bed. She wouldn't go to sleep until he promised he would be there again the next day and kissed her forehead. He stayed a few more hours, not wanting to leave at all, but eventually decided he had worried his mother enough and after sharing one more passionate kiss with Harry left for the night.
A week later Draco was once again walking down the path to the Weasley's place only this time with Harry by his side. The smaller man looked pale and nervous as he held Draco's hand and he could only imagine what was going through the other's mind. He knew that despite what he had told him Harry still believed deep down that his son hated him for what he had done. He also knew that the only thing that would fully convince him otherwise was seeing his son so he didn't try to give him any other reassurances but merely squeezed his hand a bit.
The last week had been a busy one for them both. Draco had told his mother and Severus about finding Harry as soon as he had gotten home and both had been estatic, or as estatic as Sev got. Narcisse had insisted he be brought to the manor at once and demanded to know everything about her newly discovered granddaughter. Draco had told her all he could and had gotten very little sleep that night but didn't mind that much. The next day the woman had gone shopping excitedly and came back with bags of clothes and toys for the little girl. The day after that he brought his family home.
Arianna had been delighted with the knowledge she had a grandma and had immediately run up to the regal looking woman hugging her legs. Narcissa had instantly scooped the little girl up and within minutes she had both the woman and Severus wrapped around her finger. Harry had been happy to see it and gladly accepted the hug Narcissa gave him shocked when Severus followed suit. The old potions master made him promise to never disappear like that again and then had taken the child from Narcissa telling the little girl in no uncertain terms that she would be a great potions mistress one day unlike her papa who was a complete dunder head in potions. The little girl had giggled, not really understanding what he was saying, and the strange moment was over instantly.
Within a few days both Harry and his daughter had settled in the manor as well as Remus. The man had been reluctant to come at first but Harry had insisted and Draco had agreed. Arianna loved her new room, that was twice the size of her old one, and all of her new toys and clothes. Narcissa had bought a variety of things for Siri as well and Harry and Draco had set up a room for the boy next to his sisters wanting everything to be ready for him.
Harry had wanted to get Siri right away but Darco had convinced him to wait until he was supposed to visit him again albeit with great reluctance. They had spent that time getting to know each other again as well as learning to share a room and a bed. For the first few nights they had only done intense make out sessions but then the night before Harry had decided he wanted more. Darco had readily agreed and after casting a contraceptive charm, as because of Harry's power he very easily got pregnant as evidenced by Arianna and Siri, they made love for the second time.
It had been amazing and Draco had awakened with a smile on his face as he looked at the other man sleeping next to him. They had stayed in bed until Arianna had run in and climbed up on them, they were fortunately covered by the sheets. After that they had gotten up, showered, and shared breakfast with the rest of the family. Harry had been tense and anxious ever since and especially when they had sat their daughter down and finally told her she had an older brother. Harry had barely gotten a few words out and Draco had to take over the explaination.
Ari had taken the news well enough but hadn't understood why her sibling hadn't been with them already. She had insisted that they go get him right away and wouldn't stop until Narcissa distracted her with wedding plans. The idea that she was going to be a flower girl and was going to get to dress up like a princess was enough to occupy her until they left to get the little boy.
So now here they were at the Weasley's home and squeezing Harry's hand one more time Draco knocked on the door. There was some sounds of commotion inside but nothing distinguishable and a few minutes later the door was opened by a harried looking young woman. Hermoine frowned when she saw the blonde haired man her eyes widening in startlement when she noticed Harry standing next to him. For a moment the two former friends only stared at each other not knowing what to say then the dark look returned to the girls face.
"So I see you finally found him," She sneered turning back to Draco who glared at her as Harry's hand tightened around his. "Well come in then and let's get this over with."
Hermoine moved out of the way and held the door open for them grudgingly. Draco and Harry exchanged glances and then walked into the house stopping just inside the entre way. The woman huffed in annoyance and then gestured impatiently toward the kitchen where the noise seemed to be coming from. Giving his hand another gentle squeeze. Draco led Harry toward the kitchen just as the sound of a dish shattering arose and the loud stomping of feet.
"You idiot look at what you've done!" A voice that could only be Ron's screamed in outrage. Alarmed they rushed over to the kitchen. "You broke one of your stepmothers favorite dishes you useless brat!"
Just as Harry and Draco entered the kitchen the sound of flesh hitting flesh rang out. Harry's face paled and they froze at the sight that met them. A small auburn haired boy sat sprawled on the floor among shards of broken pottery. His left hand was on a cheek already turning red with the image of a hand print and his green tear filled eyes stared fearfully up at the red headed man looming over him with his hand raised and rage blazing in his own eyes.
A/N: well there it is at last the next chapter and what a chapter it was. Harry and Draco are back together and I know it seems fast but since none of it was really Draco's fault Harry decided to forgive him pretty quickly. Now though Harry is faced with the sight of his son being abused by Ron just as he was by his uncle. Is this the first time or has it happened before and what will Harry do now. Find out in the next chapter that I hoped to have out soon as it seems my writing block has finally gone away. Keep your fingers crossed and please read and review and enjoy.