Draco smiled as he stood in the middle of his small ballroom. Streamers were hung from one corner of the twelve foot vaulted ceiling to meet in the middle at the chandler. All four corners of the room had gold; blue and white streamers twisted together and were glittering with falling snow flaks, all tied to the chandler. Crystal snowflakes hung all over the room reflecting the light from the floating candles bathing the room in a soft glow and rainbows. Flicking his wand at the wireless radio in the corner to turn on the Children's Christmas music his smile widened. They had the room was warmed by the magnificent fire place that was decorated in blue and gold garland and each child that was coming over had a stocking hung by the fire, stuffed with goodies and small toys. Turning Draco moved to the eleven foot Christmas tree; which was decorated in silver and gold garland, blue crystal balls, several of his baby ornaments that his mother had passed to him and even though he was still pregnant Harry had brought home a special ornament for him. It was an angle holding a baby and engraved on it was the words 'Life's greatest gift is a child'. Touching the angle he felt the baby kick him, today was going to be wonderful. They had the table laid out with small snacks and drinks to tide everyone over until dinner was done. Sirius and his two were in the kitchen cooking up a storm to make sure that dinner would be done on time. Looking around to make sure nothing was forgotten he knew that the kids were going to have a wonderful time.
Harry moved into the ballroom smiling, "Neville said that he'll do it." he confirmed moving to his mate. They had wanted someone to play the part of Father Christmas but hadn't been able to find anyone. Harry had finally tracked down Neville this morning and was thrilled that the last of the plans were coming together nicely.
Lucius strode into the Ministry of Magic with a deep scowl on his face. He had to speak to the Minister of Magic and now. He had been giving him the money for the orphanage for five years now. Now he was going to find out what in the hell was happening to the money. The kids needed it; they needed blankets, toys and clothing. They needed everything according to the list that Draco had managed to put together with Mrs. Hanagan. One thing that him really concerned was that some of the children were sleeping on old cots, he had ventured into the home just the other day and left angry at seeing it all first hand. Seeing babies sleeping on the palates on the floor because they didn't have enough cribs, toys were broken, their outside play gym was in desperate need of replacing. The heating system had gone out in half of the building so they were trying to heat the rooms by the fire places and magic. They were in desperate need if help and he was not going to stand aside and let this go one any longer. Stopping outside the Ministers office he knocked briefly before entering. "We need to speak Minister." he said shortly not wanting to beat around the bush.
Terry Boot, the Minister, looked up from his paper work and sighed, "I do not have time for you Lucius," Figuring he was there just to bitch and moan about things again he turned away, "You don't have that much power here any more."
"I don't give a damn!" Lucius snarled. "I want to know what in the hell is happening to the money I give you every year that is supposed to be for the kids?" Silver eyes barley meet black before Terry looked away clearly hiding something.
"What does it matter Lucius? You stay out of Azkaban the money goes to me. Who cares? Every one thinks you are doing your part of the bargain." Terry looked up at him thinking that he would let it go after all he knew Lucius didn't want to go to Azkaban.
"The kids need that money, that home is on its last legs!" Lucius snarled, silver eyes going dark with anger. He was no saint but to take money for kids who had lost everything and had nothing was wrong.
"In fact it's going to be shut down soon if they don't get things back in regulations." Terry shrugged not caring in the slightest, he benefited from all of it, who cared about a few homeless kids.
"Where are the kids going to go?" Lucius asked scowling as he crossed his arms.
"In the streets." The next thing Terry Boot knew was his back hitting the wall as Lucius slammed him against it.
"You listen to me you heartless Bastard! Either you give that money back or I go straight to the head of M.L.E and dose myself with Veratisirum and tell them what the hell you are doing." Lucius threatened pleased to see him shaking, he still had it in him.
"You can't do that."
"Are you really ready to risk that?" Lucius asked as he set him down as Tonks and several Aurrors entered.
"Everything alright?" Blaise asked leading the group into the office.
"Your call Minister." Lucius said pulling a vial out of his breast pocket clearly ready to make good on his threat.
"Everything is fine thank you Blaise." Terry looked shaken as the group filed out. "I'll give it back."
"Tonight! My son is holding a party for the children at his place, either you show up or I go right to Blaise!" he threatened before striding out to finish a few things before heading over to his son's. Blaise was actually due to show up at the party do it was perfect.
"It's almost time." Draco smiled as he set the last of the presents under the tree. Straightening up he smiled at Sirius and Tonks who had entered the room dressed for the evening.
"It looks wonderful." Sirius smiled hugging Harry then Draco happy that he was going to be part of it all. "You ready for all of this?" he grinned knowing that they were going to have their hands full.
"I think so, we have Father, mother and Severus coming as well as the staff so there will be hands to help," Draco smiled as Lucius entered with Cissa and Severus right beside him, "Good afternoon Father, Mother and I guess I call you Dad now." Draco smirked at Severus. "Or Daddy?"
"Alright brat." Severus smirked but inwardly it was nice to hear him call him dad. It made him proud that Draco was willing to accept him as a Dad in his life, which meant he was going to be able to be a grandfather to the baby Draco was having. He now had a family, yes, he had been apart of a family but now the family was his. Nothing was going to take them away from him now.
Narcissa smiled seeing the look on Severus' face, she knew what was going through his mind and it thrilled her that they could make him happy. "This looks wonderful love." she praised wishing she could've gotten away from her afternoon tea with the Parkinson' sooner, she would've loved to of helped.
"Thank you mother, are the house elves ready to help?" Draco asked knowing that his Father was going to get his elves involved with watching and cleaning up after the kids. He didn't mind really, it was one less thing for him to have to worry about, maybe Harry was right, they needed their own elf.
"Ready and waiting," Lucius nodded as Remus entered with the last tray of small finger foods, "You three have a talent for this." He commented looking the table over.
"It is a passion of ours." Remus smiled faintly not used to hearing comments and praise out of the man. It unnerved him really but he would keep things civil for Harry' sake.
"Our restaurant is number one and we stay packed from open to close." Sirius smiled proudly pulling Tonks closer to him.
"Where is Teddy?" Draco asked suddenly realizing the little toddler was not in sight, which could be dangerous.
"He was..." Remus turned the little one had been right behind him, toddling after him. He had been squealing over the Christmas decorations as they had moved down the hall. Moving back to retrace his steps with his lover right behind him. Stopping he laughed spotting his son, "Where is our camera?" he asked turning to Tonks who always carried the thing.
"Here." handing it over she peered around him and there was her son sitting on the floor wrapped in tinsel and garland.
Squealing in delight Teddy grabbed handfuls of the decorations and waved his arms, his eyes sparkling with laughter.
Harry and the others came up behind them laughing at the scene Teddy made. "Oh that is priceless, look love someone else loves your decorations as well." he chuckled.
Everyone laughed seeing Teddy in the middle of the hall wrapped up like a present. Watching as Sirius move to untangle the boy and hang what had fallen Harry realized that this was one of the many things he was looking forward to as a Father.
Swallowing hard he turned a way a moment to try to regain control of his emotions. It was a mix of pride, worry and love that was just rolling trough him. Trying not to let any of them see the tears but Sirius and Draco did.
"Harry?" Sirius moved to him clearly concerned for his Godson, it wasn't like him to get teary over nothing.
"I'm fine; several things just hit me like a bludger to the gut." He whispered with a soft smile as he pulled his lover closer.
"Like what?" Lucius asked watching the pair as they moved back to the ball room. He had a feeling that the realization of his impending Fatherhood just hit him. It had taken until Draco was born before he was able to come to grips that he was a Father.
"That I get to look forward to little priceless moments like that when my boy get here." He whispered watching Teddy as Blaise entered with Neville, "I'm going to be a Father." he whispered smiling proudly.
"Oh trust us there is much more to look forward to." Sirius smiled as they grouped together to get things underway. Having raised Teddy since he was a baby he knew all about the fun little surprises that came with parenthood.
Lucius smirked at that comment, "Yeah like holding the baby in air and laughing at the smiling face then he throws up and it get right into your mouth." He shuttered at the memory.
"Yep and your lovers laugh their butts off as you sputter and gag begging for someone to take the child, as you try not to throw up yourself." Severus chimed in, that had happened to Lucius once and he had never held Draco up in the air like that again.
Everyone laughed at Lucius face of pure disgust, "I couldn't get the smell out of my hair or off my body for weeks." he muttered remembering that day all to well.
"So, when do I need to enter as Father Christmas?" Neville asked thrilled that they had asked him to participate in this little party.
"Just before we pass out the gifts, we figured that we would let them play for a little, have a little snack then do gifts. After gifts we'll sit down to have dinner. That way the kids won't have to try to sit through dinner while their gifts are just calling to them." Draco laughed as the door bell chimed.
"Well, let me go greet our special guests," Harry kissed Draco before heading to the door. Opening the door he smiled at Mrs. Hanagan, "Hello Mrs. Hanagan, hello kids." he greeted seeing that each one was dressed in the outfits Draco had sent to the orphanage.
One by one the kids entered the home, each girl was dressed in silver and gold laced dressed with matching shoes. Their hair was done up with new hair bows and ties. The young boys were in suits with new shoes and their hair comb back. Even the babies and toddlers were dressed up their eyes shinning with anticipation. The adults were also gifted with new dresses or suits for the occasion as well.
"Is everyone excited?" Harry asked as the last entered the home. Looking the kids over he could see and feel the excitement.
"What do you say?" Mrs. Hanagan encouraged wanting to instill proper manners.
"Yes, sir, and thank you for inviting us to your home." The chimed in unison with big smiles.
"You are very welcome, come on." Harry smiled leading them down the hall. They entered the ball room gasping at the decorations.
Draco smiled as he greeted the kids then accepted their thank you, "Go look." he encouraged wanting to let the kids explore and play around a little bit. He knew that they were excited, how could they not be, he remembered the conversation with Mrs. Hanagan and her telling him that some kids never got to talk to 'Father Christmas' to tell him what they wanted. It just about broke his heart; he had always been taken to see Father Christmas. It had made him realize just how well he had it and just how much he had taken his life for granted. Feeling arms around him he smiled, "I think they are going to have a blast."
"Oh yes," Harry smiled watching as the kids scattered out to look at the tree and everything that was underneath it.
"Oh look!" one exclaimed as more adult guest arrived including Mr. and Mrs. McFarren, "That has my name on it." he smiled looking around at his friends.
Several of the kids laughed as they looked at the gifts before wondering to get a drink or try their hand at dancing. Most though stayed by the tree excited that presents had their names.
"Mrs. Hanagan? Look!" One of the little girls ran up to her looking thrilled, "They have our names!"
"I know Amy," Smiling as she jumped up and down in excitement she turned to Draco, "They are going to be to excited to eat."
"We know, we'll open gifts before they sit to eat." Draco smiled as he joined the kids to get a game or two going as they waited for Neville to slip off for a few moments.
Harry joined Draco and Sirius with the kids letting the normal caretakers sit back and enjoy the party. Talk was main centered on the kids and how much they were enjoying their smiles. They just hoped it would last, even though they knew that if they didn't get the help they needed they would lose it all.
"HoHoHo! MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Father Christmas entered the ball room as the kids turned and gasped seeing him. He was dressed in all red trimmed with white fur. His hair and beard were pure white and his eye twinkled as he moved to his seat.
All the kids backed up a moment some ran back to their caretakers clearly scared.
"It's alright kids, that's Father Christmas." Mrs. Hanagan explained as one by one the kids were called forth and handed not only mounds of gifts but a hand crafted trunk with there names on it to store their new goodies. Even the babies were given mounds of clothes and toys. Then came the shock when Mrs. Hanagan had been called to Father Christmas' side.
"I was instructed to give you this. Merry Christmas." He smiled as she opened the small box to revile a picture of a new home for the orphanage. "Sir I can't..."
"Yes, you can." Lucius smirked, "I told him to." he confessed knowing that it was much needed and that he had the properties. "There are enough rooms that each child that is old enough could have their own room."
"This is wonderful." She whispered as the Minister moved in not really looking at anyone.
"For you Ma'am." Terry Boot handed her the envelope and left with out another word as the kids dug into their new toys and clothes.
The adults opened the gifts that were for the entire orphanage, new blankets, towels, new dishes, new play equipment and everything else they could possible need. Draco made sure that all 'Paper Angles' were well taken care of.
The adults that had come along to watch and get to know some of the kids were smiling as they sat helping them try on things or open their new toys. Yes, it was clear some had found new home tonight.
It wasn't long before dinner was over and the kids headed home with their new found goodies.
"We, defiantly have to do this again!" Draco smiled as the house elves cleaned the ball room.
"Oh yes, I am glad that you found out what was going on Lucius." Harry commented.
"He won't do it again, I will make sure that it never happens again." Lucius swore, "That house has everything they need, new beds, new cribs, new play equipment, even horses. I have even made sure that they have tutors."
"Thank you Father." Draco was proud that he was taking care of things, no longer would the kids suffer.
TBC One more fluff chapter to go