December 13 - Harry and Draco go shopping together
"Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?" Freya asked finding Harry in the bathroom on the fourth floor brushing his teeth after breakfast.
"Sure," he replied stopping to rinse his mouth out and put his toothbrush away. He turned to the child. "What's up?"
"Christmas is coming," she started.
"Yes, it is."
"Well, I want to give everyone a present because you said Christmas is a time to give presents to the people you love, but I don't have any money so I can't buy presents for anyone."
"You could draw them a picture," he suggested.
The girl shook her head. "We did that already when we decorated our rooms. I don't want to do the same thing again."
"We're going to make special Christmas biscuits in a few days you could make some that you give to the others."
"Maybe, but I don't know that doesn't seem quite right. Everyone is making biscuits so it's not as special. Is there something else I could make?"
"Let me think about it and talk to Draco. We'll come up with something."
"Thanks, Dad," Freya said and hugged Harry.
He shook his head and smiled. Leave it to the little momma. Why didn't I think of the kids giving each other presents? We gave each other gifts at Hogwarts as friends but I don't remember Ron and his siblings trading presents. Draco didn't have siblings so, of course, he didn't think of it. One more thing to shop for, like we have time for that. I guess we can always owl order something.
"Harry?" Draco said and waved his hand in front of Harry's face.
"Huh?"
"You look rather distracted. I called your name four times before you responded. Are you okay?"
"I'm good just thinking," Harry responded and told the other man about his conversation with Freya moments before.
Draco smiled. "Naturally she'd be the one to think of that. Well, we can get some small craft kits and they can make each other something."
"Oh, yeah," Harry said. "They could make bracelets, ornaments, or suncatchers. There have to be more things like that."
"We could even buy some Muggle and some wizarding so they have a variety. We do have to have ten kits after all, ten kits with enough in them to make nine projects. They can pick which ones to give each person."
"It's a great idea, but when do we have time to go shopping again?"
"That's the bigger problem," Draco replied as suddenly the children began to make quite a bit of noise. "What now?"
"Sounds like someone is here to visit," Harry replied hearing deeper voices in amongst those of the kids.
"Were you expecting anyone?"
"No, were you?"
The blond head shook.
"Guess we'd better go see what's up."
They tramped down the stairs together to the drawing room where the kids surrounded Theo, Ginny, and Blaise.
"Surprise!" the three called.
"What are you up to?" Harry asked.
"We thought you might need time to get things done, so we're taking over for the day," Ginny answered.
"You are are you?" Harry said with a smirk.
"And how did you come up with this particular plan? I mean the three of you together." It was Draco's turn to question them.
"It doesn't matter," Ginny responded. "Go do whatever the two of you need to do. We'll be here. The kids will be fine. You know it. We've all helped take care of them before."
Harry and Draco exchange a glance.
"I suppose we could use this time to go do what we were just talking about," Harry suggested.
"Take your time, hours if you need, all day even," Theo grinned. "We've got everything here."
"Really?" Harry commented and just barely resisted rolling his eyes. "Okay, fine, but everything includes lessons both morning and right after lunch if we're not home."
"We can do that. It's not like we're dumb," Blaise argued.
"Having your own business and knowing how to order people around to do everything doesn't necessarily mean you're smart enough to teach children," Draco shot back with a smirk.
"Whatever, go away," Ginny said.
"Come on Draco, let's go."
The two men turned and went back down the hall to the front door grabbing coats as they went. They stepped out onto the front porch.
Draco asked, "So, where do we start: Muggle or wizarding?"
"I have no idea," Harry said. "We'll figure it out. I think there's a craft store just a couple blocks down the street if you're okay walking."
"As long as you don't mind that I cast a warming charm real quick before we go."
Harry shook his head. "Just don't be seen and I'm good."
Draco did just that and the two took off down the road. As they walked they passed a pub.
"We should come back here for lunch," Harry suggested.
"We just finished breakfast about twenty minutes ago and you're already thinking about lunch?"
"If Blaise, Theo, and Ginny want to take care of the kids all day let's let them. We can take our time."
"Who are you and what have you done with Harry Potter?"
"Very funny, Draco."
"No, seriously, where's the Harry that was panicking just days ago at the thought of my being alone with the kids all day. You're going to just let those three watch the kids because there's three of them?"
"They know how to get ahold of us. I'm sure if they absolutely need us they'll find a way, or they'll just break down and call Molly. Either way we should take this as the gift it is."
Gift? Draco thought. Yeah, I think it's more of a set up but we'll go with gift.
"We'll go back after lunch and shopping. We can get back after rest time and we can actually get the kids started making things for one another. That way they have something to do until dinner. Then this evening we can watch another Christmas show."
"Freya, Conor, and Marcus never nap. Michael and Riordan only do occasionally. They could start their projects during rest time," Draco pointed out. "That way we don't have to try to teach them all how to do their crafts at one time, especially because they're going to want to keep them secret.
"Okay, so we'll do that with them first. Come on, let's go. There's the shop right there."
As they wandered the aisles of the shop picking up craft kits and putting them back down Draco began to wonder if this was the best idea.
"Do we really want them to make the same thing for each other kid?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"It's just we've been trying so hard to treat them each as individuals. It's not that we don't occasionally buy them the same things but if they see everyone else opening the same thing nine times will it mean as much?"
"Do you have a better idea?"
"Not really."
"It will be the same things but the kids can customize each item for each sibling."
"True," Draco acknowledged. "Maybe what we should be talking about is giving them an allowance so they can do their own buying next Christmas."
Harry stared at the other man. "Um, you were shocked that so shortly after breakfast I was thinking about lunch, yet we aren't even to this Christmas yet and you're thinking about next year?"
The blond's cheeks flushed. "Yeah, I know. I also know that taking ten kids shopping would be a major undertaking. It might be best to be an owl order thing or get everyone we know involved to take a kid each."
"We could do that this year. We could find a day before Christmas when everyone can take a child or two with them and go to Diagon or Hogsmeade. The couple of us that are familiar with Muggle shops could do that."
"It's not a bad idea," Draco said. "Do we really have time to get that figured out before Christmas though?"
Harry shrugged. "We can try. In the meantime maybe what we do is buy a few kits and some other small craft things or small toys and they can pick out at home if they need to. We can set up a sort of shop in one of the rooms of Number eleven."
"That might work. Where did you come up with that idea?"
"When I was in primary school each year for Christmas some group, I don't know who, set up a bizarre where children could take their change and purchase things for their parents or siblings."
"You never got to do that though did you?"
"Of course not. I never even got to go to the room it was in. I could see it from the hallway but not go in. Petunia had convinced every teacher that I was a horrible child that I would steal or do some other horrendous thing the first chance I had."
"They didn't realize you weren't that child?"
"I think maybe one or two did, but I was never sure. Miss Hagarty didn't watch me nearly as closely, neither did Mrs. Maregenian. It was a nice break from Mr. Bollows and Mrs Wentworth who watched me like a hawk. I saw right by their desks the entire year and if we had recreation time I was to stay close to them then as well."
"Meanwhile your cousin was able to get away with everything," Draco predicted.
"Yes. It was what it was. I don't give it much thought anymore."
"It didn't get any better at Hogwarts did it? Severus was horrible to anyone not Slytherin. We all knew it."
"And enjoyed it," Harry noted. "Now that we're adults and beyond it I can say I don't blame you. You all were right twits when you wanted to be, but you were also treated like shite by so many others. How many little first years were booed when they were sorted into Slytherin. Not every professor was even handed with you either."
"McGonagall always was," Draco said with a smile. "So was Lupin. We should get going. You realize we've been standing in this same aisle for ages now. The shopkeepers are going to get worried."
"Good point. I say we get a stack of this origami paper and a few of the easy books, this big assorted box of beads and string, and…"
Draco picked up another box. "This one of suncatchers are good."
They grabbed several more crafts and took them to the counter. Harry again paid. Loaded with bags they headed back out into the cold.
"Let's drop these at eleven and check in on the kids," Draco suggested.
"I'm sure they're fine. Besides, we don't have to actually pop in, we can just crack the door between and listen. We probably could call Winky or Kreacher over and ask them how things are going."
"Their magic won't mess up the electronics?"
"I don't know but you know house elf magic is different."
"True," Draco agreed, noddinghis head. "I guess it can't hurt to try."
"Right well, let's get home first."
"I assume you have a key for the front door of number eleven."
"Of course," Harry answered.
"And you have it on you at all times?" Draco commented. "I mean we did leave rather suddenly. So unless you keep the keys in your pocket at all times how did you know to grab them?"
"Yeah we did leave quickly, but I keep them in my coat pocket because if I'm going out right now I might need to get in there. Now, let's go and get out of this cold."
They went quickly back down the street to number eleven where they let themselves in the front door and stuck the gifts in the first-floor Library. They then did exactly as Harry had suggested and stood by the secret door in their theater that they had opened just a crack. Hearing nothing concerning they closed it again.
"We have a while until the pub opens for lunch don't we?" Draco asked.
Harry checked the clock on the wall. "At least an hour, why? Do you have an idea of something to fill the time?"
Several things I can't mention. Draco thought to himself then said allowed. "We could start wrapping gifts or I had a delivery made to the Manor. You could go with me to pick it up and bring it back if we can apparate from here somehow or from somewhere close by."
"What did you get that you couldn't have delivered to our house?" Harry inquired.
"Brooms," the other man replied trying to look innocent as he realized suddenly he should probably have run that idea past Harry before now.
"Brooms? You bought rooms for all of the children?"
"I know, I know. I shouldn't have done that without consulting with you first. You're their dad."
"I trust you to make decisions Darco. If I didn't you wouldn't still be with us."
"Still they're your kids and I should have asked you. I was just walking down Diagon and saw the brooms in the window at Quality Quidditch Supplies and they do have to learn to fly at some point and you know it's better if we teach them then if we wait for Hogwarts besides how can we train up a bunch of quidditch players for whatever house team they wind up on if they don't have brooms," Draco said running out of breath.
"Fair point. I assume you did get the child-size brooms," Harry said thinking of the fragment of a photo he'd found with his one-year-old self zipping in and out on a tiny broom.
"Do I look like a fool? Don't answer that. Yes, I got children's brooms and we'll teach them and stay low, to begin with. We can use the Manor grounds or maybe around the Burrow. Theo has a full quidditch pitch at Nott Manor that he'd be willing to let us use. He'd probably appreciate having someone else around the house."
"So, he did move back in?"
Draco nodded. "When it was confirmed that due to Thoros's incarceration and life sentence he can't be in control, that Theo is the rightful heir he hemmed and hawed for a week or so, then finally gave up."
"That would mean an additional adult that could fly to help out. It's certainly an option. Did you buy a practice Quidditch set?"
"I thought we could wait on that until next year when they've all had a chance to get comfortable on the broom."
Harry cocked his head to one side. "You keep bringing up next year."
"Yes."
"So you're planning on staying around?"
"Did you think I was going to go somewhere? Where would I go?"
"I don't know. I thought maybe you might eventually want to actually get a real job out of the house. You might want to have your own life."
"Do you want me to leave?"
"Now why would I want you to leave?"
"You're the one asking about my staying. It would make it easier for you to have a life of your own, much like you think it would for me," Draco responded. "You could possibly start dating."
"And it would be easier for you to date as well if you weren't living with us," Harry pointed out.
"I'm not worried about dating. If I get to that point, I get to that point. If I don't, I don't. The children come first right now."
"I feel the same," Harry replied. Not that I haven't thought about it he mused but I'm not telling you that. I'm pretty certain you'd think I'm going mad.
The discussion over they went to the Manor where they spent a few minutes talking to Narcissa, collected the brooms, and apparated back to number eleven landing in the back garden.
As they stored the brooms in yet another room of the house Draco commented, "We might have to make a list of where we're hiding everything so we don't forget."
"We'll be fine. Come on, let's go have lunch. I'm hungry."
Draco laughed, "I think you're always hungry."
"Maybe," Harry shrugged.
"Am I dressed okay for a pub?" Draco wanted to know.
Harry looked the man up and down. The blonde, that day, had chosen to wear black slacks paired with a stark white button-down shirt open only at the collar showing just a touch of skin. Harry mentally shook off the thoughts crossing his mind and said, "You're in muggle clothes. What does it matter?"
"I don't want to be overdressed. You're in denims and a jumper."
Harry assured him. "I don't think you have to worry about that. There will be businessmen and women having lunch in their suits as well as those in physical labor jobs there. It will be a large variety of people. They won't even notice you or me."
"If you're sure."
"I'm positive Draco. Come on."
When they were seated in a booth at the pub with menus in front of them Harry observed, This is the first time we've eaten out together isn't it?"
"Yes."
"And this is the first time you've ever eaten in a muggle restaurant."
"Yes," Draco replied looking around a bit uncomfortably.
"No one's going to know," Harry said. "It's not like we eat differently. Everyone uses forks and knives and spoons the same way. Relax."
"I'll try."
"I suppose that's all I can ask for."
"I did have another idea I wanted to run by you," Draco began then paused when the waiter stepped up to take their order. Harry ordered while Draco looked down at the menu and then back at Harry who smiled and told the waiter to make it two.
"Sorry."
"No worries," Harry replied. "I used to come here every so often during Auror training. Haven't been back in a while but the menu hasn't changed. Anyway, you were saying."
"It's not for Christmas, so it's no rush but I was wondering if you'd thought about getting a pet for the kids, a cat, or a krup."
"What exactly is a krup? I've heard of them but never seen one and it was never covered in any of our care of magical creatures classes."
"It wouldn't be, no matter who our teacher was. Krups are like dogs, just a magical breed."
"So are they magical?"
"No," Draco looked around to see if anyone might be listening. "They've just been bred and raised by wizards. It's like kneazles are magical cats."
"That makes more sense. I hadn't thought about it. Do we really have room for a pet? Won't the kids fight over who gets to sleep with it? Or who gets to play with it?"
"Maybe, so we get it its own bed that would be on the main floor or down in the kitchen," Draco answered. "As for arguing I think they're more likely to argue over who has to clean up after it. You're right though one pet doesn't seem like enough for ten kids and more than one is a lot more for us to take care of. Forget I said anything."
"No, it's not a bad idea, just one we need to spend more time with before we make a decision. Do you have any other thoughts?"
"Not right now."
"How long have you been thinking about a pet?"
"A little while, a few weeks maybe."
Harry shook his head. "You know you really don't have to wait so long. You can suggest things as soon as you think of them."
"I'm still sorry about the brooms."
"Draco stop. You know Molly isn't consulting me on the gifts she and Arthur are getting for the kids. Neither is anyone else."
"Yeah but brooms are a different thing."
"No, they're not. How many times do I have to tell you it's okay. You are their second parent even if it's not official. They see you that way and so do I, and so does everyone else we know. That would be why your mother is Nana Cissa."
Draco shook his head. "She thinks she's never going to get grandchildren of her own and she may be right."
"Does that bother you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you want children of your own? Biological children I mean."
"I could ask you the same thing."
"But I asked you first," Harry said with a smirk.
Draco resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Yes, you did. Fine, I'll answer. I don't know. I haven't thought about in years. Other than, haven't we had this conversation?"
"Have we?"
"Yeah, back when we first talked about the fact that we're both gay."
"Maybe, but that was months ago. I don't remember. Do you?"
"Vaguely, that's why I asked."
"So tell me again because if you told me I've forgotten and I'm sorry."
"It's not like we haven't been a little busy," Draco pointed out. "If Lucius were free he'd be pressing me to have children to carry on the family legacy, the family name. Mother fortunately doesn't care as much about that part. She would be happy if I adopt a child. She's not worried about them being my flesh and blood."
"Yes, but what about you? What do you want? Do you want a child of your own?"
"I don't know the part of me thinks it would be wonderful have a little me running around and then I remember just who little me was and I think maybe not. I also would hate to subject a child of mine to living with the family name. It's not the symbol of pride it once was."
Tt was Harry's turn to chuckle. "It doesn't have to be like that, the child being like you were. If you're raising a child you raise them differently that's all."
"Oh that's all," Draco scoffed, "like it's really that simple."
"Why not? You're not raising these kids to be like you were. I distinctly remember you telling me you want to do exactly the opposite. You could do the same with a biological child."
"I guess you're right. Still that would require a surrogate and I don't know that I could find one. I'm not sure I'm worried about that part. What about you?"
"I have ten kids. I think that's enough."
"But none of them are your biological children."
Harry shrugged as the waiter returned with their food.
"It's not that important to me. Maybe it would have been if I didn't have the children I have now."
"Are you worried if you have biological children the others wouldn't feel as special?"
"Maybe that's it," Harry replied. "I hadn't thought about it that way, but maybe that is it. Maybe I worry that if I were to have children biologically through a surrogate the other children would feel like less than, somehow."
"I don't think you have to worry about that. I think they all feel pretty secure, and you could always talk to them about it."
"I don't know, maybe. The food's going to get cold if we don't eat," Harry remarked.
Draco nodded, "Shepherd's pie, good choice for the weather."
"You always liked it at school."
"So did you."
"We spent way too much time watching each other didn't we?"
"Yes, we did. Though that has made living together strangely easier than I thought it would be."
"Agreed," Harry said.
After each eating few bites, Draco tilted his head to the side for a second. "You mentioned earlier you hadn't been here since Auror training. Do you miss it?"
"Bloody hell! No! No one misses training."
"I didn't mean training, I meant being an Auror. Do you miss being at work?"
"I guess some days just a bit when the kids start to feel like too much, but overall no. It seemed like a good idea when I first planned on doing it. Although I really was just trying to get at Umbridge originally. The idea took hold though and I started to think it was the perfect job for me. I enjoyed the few cases I worked on when I finished training. I might have continued to enjoy it, but now that I'm away from it I'm not sure I'd want to go back."
"You have a while to worry about that," Draco commented. "It's a good seven years from now before all of the kids will be at Hogwarts. That's plenty of time to think about what you might do when they're there."
"Have you thought about what you might do?"
"Not really, perhaps potions. I wouldn't mind having my own little potions shop and apothecary if I can find someone who'd be willing to buy potions from me."
"If you wait just a few years I think you'll be alright. You can always use me as a reference.," Harry said and held up a hand. "I know you don't want to do that."
"You're right I don't. Blaise and Theo have both tried to get me to go into business with them."
"And what do they do exactly?"
"Blaise is an art dealer. He buys and sells piece or arranges purchase of various art both muggle and wizarding for people that want it. Don't ask me how that works because I have no idea and little to no interest."
"Intersting, I guess. I think I'm like you I don't really care about art. Then again, maybe I haven't given it a fair try. It's not like I ever went to art museums. What about Theo? What's his business?"
"Theo is looking into property development. That's all I know. He's been rather busy, so we haven't actually talked much about it. What are we going to do when we're done with lunch?"
"I actually had an idea."
"Oh, what's that?" Draco wanted to know.
"I thought we might put a tree up in the theater room at eleven."
"I thought trees were on the agenda for tomorrow."
"It's going to take all day to decorate the two trees we're going to put up tomorrow and that's after we find them. This way we can get one done today and surprise the kids with it tonight for movie time."
"Not a bad idea."
"I know of a shop not far from here that sells artificial trees. We can go after lunch to pick one up."
"Artificial? Really? Don't they look odd? Like can't you tell they're not real?"
"Some of them are bad, but we'll pick out a good one. We can buy it, some ornaments, and lights while we're at it. I do know how to string lights on a tree, sort of."
"What do you mean sort of?"
"Well I couldn't touch the actual tree though I watched as Vernon did it every year, so I have some idea of how it should be done."
"Because you watched it you can do it sure. Okay, then I know how to hang ornaments even without magic. So let's finish eating and head out."
An hour later found them in the theater room number eleven, tree erected, and branches fluffed out."
"I know the walls aren't incredibly thick here," Draco noted. "I can occasionally hear the neighbors in ten when we're here, so why can't I hear the kids?"
"There's always been an incredibly strong silencing charm on the dividers between houses," Harry explained.
"How did you manage to get the door cut in the wall without anyone noticing?"
"Magic," Harry replied.
"Obviously but still."
"Late at night when everyone else was sleeping. Arthur showed me how. It took me a lot less time than I expected. The trickier part was attaching the cabinet to the door."
"When did you have time to close on a house? You said you did it two years ago. You would have been in training."
"The Grangers helped me find a realtor that worked with me, and I was able to sign the papers on a day off."
"What made you buy it?"
"It was on the market and I thought it would be nice to possibly have a space for movies and things. I also thought about buying thirteen if it ever came up in case I wanted to expand the house."
"Why would you ever expand the house?"
Harry shrugged. "I have no idea."
"Did you have some idea that you might need a ton of space?"
"No, I just, I really don't know."
"Was it perchance a reaction to having spent so much of your early life living in a cupboard under the stairs?"
Harry stopped dead in the midst of wrapping lights around branches. "I think you might be right. Why didn't I think of that?"
"No idea."
Harry returned to lighting the tree and mused to himself.
"Wait a minute," Draco said suddenly.
"What?"
"You told me you were thinking about buying one of the houses this summer."
"Did I?"
"Yes, you did. I remember because I told Arthur about it at that first Sunday dinner."
"I can't believe he hasn't asked me about it since then," Harry commented.
"Neither can I and don't change the subject."
"Who's changing the subject?"
"You were trying to."
"I was not."
"Potter," Draco warned.
"Malfoy," Harry intoned.
"You're trying to distract me from the fact that you'd mentioned it but you'd already bought this place. Why didn't you tell me that then?"
"It wasn't ready yet."
"I didn't need to see it. You could have told me. Didn't you trust me? I suppose I can't blame you if you didn't."
"After you'd stood in the Wizengamot and let them question you and were willing to step out of the children's lives just so I could adopt them. How could I not trust you?" Harry turned to the other man looking at him earnestly.
"So, you really just wanted it to be a surprise?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
They both went quiet and neither man said much as they finished the lights and hung the ornaments. There was a bit of laughter as they hung tinsel and it seemed to get everywhere. Finally, Harry turned out the room lights and flipped on the tree. He stood back. Draco came up beside him and rested a bent arm on Harry's shoulder.
"It's lovely," he said. Looking down he chuckled.
"What?" Harry wanted to know.
"You have tinsel," Draco brushed it from the other man's cheek, "right there. Hold on there's another piece."
Harry turned to face Draco peering up at him in the light of the tree. The taller man reached down and plucked the other strand of tinsel from Harry's hair just above his ear. They stood staring at one another for a second longer before Draco stepped back as smoothly as he could.
"That's it, all clear. It's been long enough don't you think? We should go home." He didn't wait for an answer instead opened the door and stepped through into the number twelve drawing room.
Harry took a shaky deep breath and looked at the open door. He blinked once, twice, then turned off the tree lights and followed Draco through the door.