Severus Snape strode into the parlor at Malfoy Manor with a worried mind. How in the hell how had he gotten into this mess? Was Draco going to understand? Could they make this work? Why in the hell was Lucius still digging at Harry? Would that man ever be satisfied? He had no answers and decided that speaking to Lucius was the best course of action. Looking around the ornate room he shook his head why couldn't anything in this damned house just be simple? Hell no, not for Lucius Malfoy. Everything from the solid oak desk to the Japanese vases were nothing but the best and probably cost more than his home on Spinners End.
"Ah Severus," Lucius smiled looking up from his book. Looking the Potions Master over his smile widened, he looked wonderful, "Come share a drink." he offered.
"You know I can't have alcohol." Severus reminded as he sat next to Lucius with a slight frown.
"No kiss hello?" Lucius teased leaning over to get his kiss. Deeping the kiss until they were both breathless he pulled back as the house elf arrived with drinks.
Severus took his juice sitting back with a soft smile. "Cissa go to bed?" Looking around he realized that she was not there, usually she graced the widow seat at this time, reading or doing her needle point.
"Yes, we had dinner with Draco tonight, she was very tiered." Lucius explained. Sitting back to observe his lover he wondered what was wrong. He was nervous and trying to hide it. Was he worried about how Draco was going to take the news of their pairing? "What's wrong Sev?" he asked wanting to get him to open up.
"A lot of things Luc," Severus whispered softly. He felt bad for avoiding Draco for so long. He should be helping his godson through the pregnancy and here he was hiding from him, "I feel bad for avoiding Draco for so long, I am afraid to face him." he admitted knowing that if Draco took the news badly is magic could get out of hand and hurt him of the baby.
"You wanted to wait because of the pregnancy; I thought he was past the danger point?" Lucius asked sitting up slightly, if tell Draco was going to possibly hurt him or his grandbaby he would risk waiting.
"He is, but I know Dragon. He is powerful if he loses control of his magic because he gets angry it could backlash and hurt them. I just don't want them hurt." Severus sipped his drink
"Do you want to wait?" Lucius asked watching his face seeing the torment and worry.
"We can't, if we wait it will be worse, we need to come clean," Severus decided after a moment, "Can we move to the sofa?" he asked not feeling comfortable in the chair.
Lucius stood and helped Sev to his feet, "Take those robes off, you'll be more comfortable." he suggested leading him over to the sofa.
"You know I don't wear anything under them but my boxers." Severus grinned knowing Luc just wanted to see him nude. Hell, he was hot and he didn't really mind.
"Yes, Cissa and I both know and take off that damned glamour. I want to see your belly." Lucius watched as he stripped off his robes and take off the glamour he kept on himself. Pulling him close they sat on the sofa to continue their chat. "Now, what else is wrong?" one hand wondered to his slightly round belly that carried their future.
"Why do you still dig at Harry? What is going on between you two?" Severus wanted to know if he could help fix the 'problem' he hated the anger the Lucius was projecting. "I want you happy and your not."
"I just hate how that boy hurts Draco intentionally and unintentionally. Look at what happened this past year." Lucius grumbled thinking about his son.
"Which time?" Severus asked softly, "They have been through to much this past year. What's eating at you?" He didn't want Lucius to push them apart and he was, by constantly digging at Harry. Never letting up on him, constantly yelling at him and it wasn't good for Draco. He wasn't sure if Lucius realized what he was doing.
"What doesn't eat at me? Harry leaving at all hours of the night, never home when Draco needed him. Gone for weeks at a time, Draco coming to me in tears because the Profit printed some shit about Harry in the arms of another person. Pressing him to have a baby after losing three. You know as well as I do how it tore Draco up when he lost the twins and yet here is pregnant because Harry wouldn't let up on him." Lucius grumbled clearly thrilled about the baby but not wanting his son hurt.
"That wasn't Harry Lucius. Didn't Draco tell you?" Severus looked up at him concerned that Draco had kept that from him.
"Tell me what?" Lucius set his wine aside and looked down at Severus who's head was resting in his lap. Running a hand through his black hair he wondered what was kept from him.
"It wasn't Harry, Draco came to me and begged for help."
FLASHBACK!
Severus looked up from his cauldron as Draco entered the lab. "Hello Dragon," he greeted hugging him close, "What brings you here?" he asked offering him a seat by the table he was working on.
Draco took the offered seat and looked down at his hands a moment portraying his nervousness. "I need your help." he whispered looking up a moment.
Sensing that Draco needed his undivided attention he placed a stasis spell over the caldron and sat to talk. "Talk to me Dragon." he encouraged call a house elf to bring drinks. Watching his eyes he hurt for him seeing the pain and torment.
"I need you to help me figure out why I am losing my babies." Draco whispered.
Severus sat beside him looking worried, "Dray, you heard your Healer and Father. They don't want you to try again." If he helped him it could kill him and he knew it.
Tears rolled down Draco's cheeks as he looked away. "I want a baby; I know it would help things between me and Harry. I know it would make Father happy, I need this Severus, please." he begged looking back at him.
Hearing the hurt in his Godson' voice nearly broke Severus, "If I do this your Father will kill me."
"I know, but please, I just want a baby." Draco pleaded again looking hopeful that he would help.
"Why not adopt?" Severus asked knowing that Lucius had suggested it "Or a surrogate?"
"Please!" Draco scoffed. "If I adopt Father would never look at the baby as his own flesh and blood, you know it. As to a surrogate, who in the hell would want to carry an ex-deatheather' child? Harry wants to carry the baby but the Healers say he's not a carrier, I am."
Severus knew he had a point and with a deep sigh he nodded, "I'll help, but..." he held up a finger to forestall the hug just yet. "If this doesn't work we find another way and we tell you Healer."
Draco hugged his Godfather. "Thank you." he whispered feeling that he finally had a chance.
END OF FLASHBACK!
"So, I helped him. I thought you knew." Severus explained softly hoping his lover wouldn't be upset with him. Lucius had made his views clear to him and he had gone against those wishes. "I wanted him happy. In his mind if he could just have a baby things would ease up and get better between him and Harry. He also knew that you and Cissa wanted a grandbaby."
"Not at the cost of his life!" Lucius fumed a little upset with the news. "You know how I felt about him getting pregnant again." How could Severus go against what he wanted, it felt like a knife in his heart. "He could've adopted!" he fumed.
"He didn't think you would look at the child as if he or she was your own. I wanted to help and it makes him happy. He wanted you happy just like he wants Harry to be happy," Severus whispered, "But he is not happy right now is he?" he asked. "Cissa and I do talk."
"No he's not. I just want my son to be safe, seeing him broken, not eating, blaming himself for the loss of the babies was more than I could take. So, yes, I was angry with the one I thought was responsible for putting him back in that position." he admitted suddenly realizing why Harry had yelled back at him that night. "That's why Harry was in tears when he was told Draco was pregnant, he was terrified for Draco." he whispered.
"He loves him, but I really don't see the trouble we figured out the problem he was having." Severus looked up at him wondering if he would ever forgive him.
"Wouldn't you be angry, if you thought it was Harry. Don't you remember what it did to Draco? I can never forget. I've caused him so much pain in his life and I don't want him in anymore pain."
FLASHBACK!
Lucius strode through the halls of Saint Mungos trying to get to his son. Harry had called in panic saying that Draco was bleeding and that they were heading to the hospital. They had figured that it was normal but when Harry had Flooed back unable to speak around tears they knew something was not right. Striding into the Maternity Ward he found a nurse and was led to his son's room. Looking around Harry was sitting in an expanded chair with Draco in his lap. Both were crying but Draco was deathly pale and clearly hurting. "Draco?" kneeling in front of them he reached up to brush back his hair from his sweaty brow. "Son?" the lost look in his eyes cut like a knife, he had never looked like this.
Draco looked at him but didn't speak as he curdled into Harry's chest, he felt as if he had let his Father and Harry down, again. Closing his eyes he didn't want to speak to anyone, he was so tiered.
"We lost the twins." Harry explained softly holding Draco close as the sobs broke out. Remembering how he felt when he had lost the first baby just a few short months ago the hurt felt doubled and he wondered if the ache would ever go away.
"I'm sorry!" Draco sobbed feeling that it was his fault. He just wanted a baby. He wanted to give his Harry the gift of life that everyone else seemed to have.
"It's not your fault Draco." Harry whispered trying to offer comfort but it was clearly not having any impact on Draco at the moment.
For hours they both took turns to talk to him until he finally fell asleep. Laying him out in the bed Harry and Lucius slipped into the hall to talk.
"Are you off work?" Lucius asked with a slight scowl, he didn't approve of him working late. Especially when Draco clearly needed him here not working.
"For the next two weeks. You know that I am working on getting a different position. It will be announced tomorrow who got the Child Welfare post things will change." He hated having to explain things to him. He felt like he had to justify his job.
"Are you going to follow the Healers orders?" Crossing his arms he frowned at him. He agreed with the Healers and didn't want his son pregnant again; he really didn't think he could handle seeing his son so broken. He would stay strong though and get him through this even if it meant taking him from Harry.
"You know I will!" He snarled getting annoyed at being practically yelled at. "I have the potions and will take them every night." Harry swallowed hard, he wished he had someone to talk to at the moment, not some one to yell at him about what to do and not to do with his husband. "I need to be alone!" turning away from Lucius he was relived to see Ron moving to him clearly worried. Moving to his best friend he knew that he could talk to Ron with out being yelled at.
END OF FLASHBACK!
"I never want to see him like that again," he whispered holding Severus close, "Are you going tomorrow?"
"Yes and if you want to see your son happy then lay the hell off Harry. You would be surprised at the results." Severus whispered, "Between Harry trying to establish himself and having to work late hours to do that. Then with their loses the last thing they need is you yelling at Harry. Have you ever though that Harry needs a Father figure as much as Dragon?"
"Where is all of this coming from? I thought you hated him?" Lucius looked at him curiously.
"I just don't like the tension any more. I was stupid and was punishing him for his Father but he is not his Father. He is his own person; I have to put things in the past." He whispered. "The baby doesn't like the anger either, he make me sick when people start fighting."
"When did this start?" Lucius asked sitting up a little, usually you couldn't feel the baby until six months along, he was only four.
"Two weeks ago, he is powerful Lucius. Please? For me?" Severus asked looking up at him.
"I will go with you tomorrow and talk to Harry." Lucius kissed him thinking about his new son, he was proud and content. With his new son on the way and a grandbaby what more could he want. Thinking about what Severus had told him, he knew he couldn't stay angry with his son or Sev. They were just doing what they thought was best.
Waking to the wonderful smell of frying potatoes and sausage Draco rolled out of bed grinning. He had so much to do and so little time. He wanted to get things set and planned out before talking to the head of the orphanage. He knew his house was more than big enough; they had a small ballroom that would be perfect for the party. Friday he'd have all day to setup the party for the afternoon. Pulling on his dressing gown his mind forming plans, this was the perfect distraction. It was also something a little more for him; this party was the thing to help pull his families name out of the gutter. He needed something to just take his mind off the worries and stress of the month. Moving to take his daily prenatal potions and hormone potions, he was thankful for his Godfather. Figuring out that his body was lacking the proper hormones needed to carry the baby to term had been a miracle. As the months proved just by taking that one extra potion he was able to have kids. His Healer cautiously told him that he might consent to letting them try for more but would wait to see how he did after the baby was born before telling them yes. Making his way down the stairs he paused by the small ball room that they had, it was the one addition he had insisted on. It was perfect for large family get-togethers or parties. Looking around he could see the kids playing and opening their gifts. Looking at the far corner he would have to have one of his mothers house elves help him set up a large tree there. It was going to be wonderful. Moving to the dinning room he smiled at Harry. "I think we should make this a tradition."
Looking up a little clueless Harry set the plate of tomato slices aside. "Make what a tradition love?"
"This Christmas party we're planning. We could all it 'The Paper Angles Christmas Party,'" He smiled kissing his lover good morning, hoping that he would agree. They had the money and he had the time, "Please?"
Pulling him close he had to admit it sounded like a good idea. It gave the orphanage the help the needed and maybe they could get some prospective families too attended to see the kids. "I like that idea. We'll see what the Head of the Orphanage says." He promised as they sat to eat breakfast.
"Can you possible tell me the names of the kids?" Draco asked hopefully as he spooned jelly into his oatmeal.
"Actually love, I can tell you names and ages because that is public knowledge. What I can't say is why they are there." reaching for the sausage he smiled at the look of delight on his face.
"We'll make a list after we eat; I know Severus is coming over this morning. I have a feeling that something is wrong and no one wants to tell me." he grumbled.
"Severus will tell you, he has always been open with you," Harry groaned as the doorbell rang, "I guess he's early." he grinned standing to answer the door. He hoped that Severus had good news; they hadn't seen him in almost six months. Draco missed him and he knew it even though he didn't voice it. Looking around as he opened the door he nodded to Severus then inwardly sighed seeing Lucius, what was going on now? "Good morning, come in." Stepping aside to allow the two men into the house he noticed that Severus was walking funny. It was as if he was off balance a little.
"Hello Severus." Draco stood in the door way to the dinning room with a broad smile. His round belly showing proudly under his shirt, "I've missed you and you have yet to see your handiwork." he teased as the baby kicked him.
Severus smiled seeing just how healthy Draco looked, moving to hug him one hand stayed to his belly. "Boy?"
"Yes," Draco smiled proudly as he showed him into the study, "So what is going on?" he asked as they sat not noticing that Lucius had asked to speak to Harry alone in the parlor. Looking the Potions Master over he could see the worry and slight fear he was trying to hide.
Severus sighed looking at Draco hoping that he was not going to be mad at him. "There are several things that are going on Dragon, please know that I waited to tell you because I didn't want to jeopardize your pregnancy." he explained watching Draco a moment proud to see that the pregnancy was progressing well. They were going to have a grandson, for if all went as planned that what he would be grandfather.
Draco shifted to place his hand on his, "What ever it is Severus, please tell me," he whispered clearly concerned for him, "You know that I am not a child any more. I can handle it."
"I know and I hope you are right," Severus took a deep breath and allowed the glamour to fall reveling his slight baby belly, "I'm four month pregnant."
Draco looked at him thrilled, "That's wonderful," hugging him tenderly he sat back, "Who's the lucky Father? Are you getting married?" He loved the fact that his Godfather was finally getting a family of his own.
Severus looked hesitant again as he looked Draco over, "He's your brother Dragon," he explained, "Your mother, Father and I are going to be initiating a triad bond." he explained softly.
That paused Draco a moment, but when he thought about it, it was actually kind of nice. He was gaining a second Father and a baby brother. Was it really that bad? He knew that his mother was unhappy with her marriage and so was his Father. If it took Severus to make them both happy then who was he to ague it. "I wish you had told me sooner." he smiled hugging him.
"We weren't certain if you would understand, this rarely happens." Severus smiled softly. He should have know that Draco was able to deduce why they were a threesome. He loved Lilly and had since he saw her in at that park by their homes. When he had lost her it had been Cissa and Lucius to pull him out of the depression he had been in. Allowing him to be parent to Draco and always including him in the family plans. When he had started to have feeling for both Lucius and Cissa that were more than brotherly he had tried to hid them. Cissa had been the one to dive off the deep end so to speak and invite him to share their bed. She knew that her marriage was on the rocks and she also saw just how happy Lucius was around him. She had confessed that she felt the same and didn't want to let that go. Seeing Lucius smiling again made it all the better, she hadn't seen that smile since Draco was born. Lucius had been a little harder to convince but after a few short weeks he had given in and admitted that he saw what Cissa was seeing. She was also happier when Sev was around and he admitted that he was feeling more alive. So, they had entered into a whole new phase of their lives. Then Severus dropped another bombshell on them when he announced that he was pregnant. At first Lucius had been upset because he was afraid for ruining another child life. Cissa and Severus had talked him around seeing this as a chance to try again and raise a child with out the influence of the Dark Lord. They all loved Draco and admitted that he had grown to be a wonderful man and could be prouder. But, there was a hunger that they were all feeling, a hunger to try again.
"So, I gain a brother and another Father," Draco smiled proudly, "When are you going to formalize he bonding?" Sitting back watching the fear and worry leave is eyes he was proud that his family was growing. Yes, he had always looked to Severus as another parent and loved him as his God father. He wanted more though he wanted him to be another 'Father'. As Godfather it was more like a beloved uncle now he was going to have a firm part of the family and they would always take care of him.
Severus sat back feeling more at ease then he had when he had started the conversation. Discussing the plans for the bonding and the naming ceremony that they were going to have after the baby was born. The feeling of pride and love was overwhelming at that moment. Feeling the tears of pride on his cheeks he had to stop a moment realizing that it was mainly the baby that was influencing him. He was happy, he could feel it like a warm blanket surrounding him and comforting him. Swallowing hard he took a deep breath and smiled at Draco. "Your brother is very happy at this moment."
"You can feel him?" Draco looked excited as he laid a hand on Severus belly.
"Yes, have you felt yours?" Severus asked resting his hand on Draco's belly feeling the baby kick him.
"Oh yes, it's wonderful and just wait until he kicks you." Draco smiled as talk turned to things to look forward to during the pregnancy.
"Harry can we talk?" Lucius asked softly not wanting to disturb Draco and Severus. He really didn't really want to do this but he had to for his son's and Severus sake.
Looking a little concerned as to why Lucius wanted to talk to him alone he turned to the parlor. Was this why Lucius had come along, to yell at him for one reason or another. What did he do this time? Hiding his emotions from Lucius as he led him to a seat he hoped it wouldn't be a yelling match. "What did I do now Lucius?" he asked softly.
Lucius was taken aback a moment as he found a seat next to him "What do you mean?" he looked at Harry trying to figure out what in the hell he was talking about.
Harry sighed, "What did I do to deserve being yelled at now?" he asked sitting on the edge of his chair, "The only time you want to talk to me is when I have made you mad."
Lucius sighed, "I know it's early but do you have a strong drink?" he asked needing something to steady his nerves. A moment later the bottle of Firewisky was beside him and a crystal tumbler. Pouring the amber liquid into the tumbler he sat back, "You haven't done anything wrong Harry," he started not liking the feeling of awkwardness that was settling over him, "No, in fact I am here to start over. I was stupid and have poked my nose into my son's love life. It's his life and I need to stay out of it..."
"That's not true sir, he want's you in his life, we just don't like the fights it causes," Harry sat back trying to find the words with out starting a fight, "I know that I am not perfect, I know that I have caused Draco much heartache but you have to understand no marriage is perfect."
"I know," Lucius sighed, "Look at mine. If it wasn't for Sev I would probably be divorced by now," he admitted looking away "I want him to be happy, I won't lie I was pissed off at you especially lately because I thought you had gone against the Healers orders." he tried to explain downing his glass of Firewisky in one shot. Clearly needing something to steady him.
"I didn't, Draco did! I tried to tell you but you were so busy yelling at me and blaming me that you wouldn't listen. Have you ever thought that maybe I needed a Fathers advice as much as Draco this past year? I had no one to turn to after losing the babies. The only one that comforted me was Ron," Harry spoke in a rush clearly starting to get a little nervous as well. He had never told Lucius anything and tried to just keep his feeling to himself but it was clear that maybe he shouldn't anymore, "I had no one to turn to when Draco wouldn't talk to me after I would come home late, I had no one to turn to when the Profit printed that shit about me, but I stood there and let you yell and blame me."
"Why did you?" Lucius asked knowing that Harry could have done him serious damage.
Harry looked away, "Because, you are my husbands Father and I didn't want him taken from me. I knew you had that right, it's a fear that I live with every day. I am terrified that one day I am going to come home to him gone because you have taken him away." he explained knowing that it was an old law. If the Father of a wife or husband saw that their child spouse was not living up to being a proper spouse then the family could remove their child from the marriage. It was meant to protect against domestic abuse.
"I won't do that, Draco loves you and I realize now that I need to back off a bit. I was scared for him, he has suffered so much and now that I think about it so have you. Can we start over, at least for Draco' sake?" Lucius asked clearly avoiding the right out apology but it was clear to Harry what he was trying to do.
"I would like that because I want my husband happy, having you around and being apart of his life does. I don't think you realize just how lucky you are some days." Harry replied hoping that Lucius wouldn't bite his head off.
"I am starting to realize it because if I was in his shoes after all that I have put him through," He shook his head, "I wouldn't want anything to do with me." he admitted.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I am willing to try if you are." Harry offered clearly starting to feel better about this house visit.
"Thank you Harry," Lucius smiled for the first time as he sat back wondering how things were going with Draco, "I guess I need to go see how Sev is doing with Dragon." he stood as Harry did.
"Is everything alright?" Harry asked hoping that it was nothing that would upset Draco. They moved out side by side.
"Yes, just something's are changing with in our family and Sev has been worried about telling Draco." he admitted as they entered the parlor seeing nothing but smiles.
Harry stopped seeing Sev' slight belly and he smiled, "Congratulations Severus. Who's the lucky Father?" he asked moving to Draco.
""My Father is," Draco smiled, "We're going to be brothers."
"We're going to be a triad." Lucius explained seeing the worried look in Harry's eyes.
Harry sat beside Draco looking thoughtful, "are you going to formalize the bond?"
"Yes, in fact Cissa is just having a ball planning in all," Severus smiled, "So any plans for Christmas?" sitting back to sip his juice he saw the look pass between the boys.
"Well, yes, we are planning a small Christmas party the day before we go to the Manor." Draco admitted knowing that he couldn't hide it from his Father.
"Really? I didn't think you were in to those." Lucius looked from one to the other looking a little shocked.
"It's not a Ministry party Father," Draco took a steadying breath as Harry wrapped his arms around him, "it's for the orphanage." he whispered not sure how his Father would react.
"Really, I give them money every year they should have more than enough..." Lucius looked a little astounded at the news.
Harry sighed, "Well, they aren't getting it, in fact the orphanage is almost broke," sighing he explained what he knew he could and was actually pleased to see the anger in his eyes, "You didn't know?"
"No, I give the money to the minister every year, I stopped giving it straight to the orphanage because I couldn't handle going in there." He admitted "It's depressing see those kids. I will endeavor to fix that and would you mind a little help son?"
Draco's eyes lit up, "Really Father?" he smiled brightly, "That would be wonderful." talk then turned to what Draco had on his mind and as the morning progressed they had the majority of the party planned. Things would get better with one small step at a time.
TBC