This chapter was a dozy to edit! I ended up adding a lot more to the chapter and it came out to a spanking 5,300 of content! I think that's the longest I have ever written of a single chapter!
If you are interested in becoming a beta for this story, pleeeasse let me know!
I do not own Harry Potter!
Laughter and snippets of conversations escaped with Draco through the door. As if he hadn't been forced to endure enough of the Weasley's for a day, he also had to stay and 'indulge' (mind the sarcasm) in an adult party with the rest of them.
Draco huffed, the only thing that made being near those peasants was the children- even if they were the children born by and from imbeciles. He wasn't leaving, he couldn't. Draco devoted years to Harry even before his marriage to Ginny. Those years he'd made it his mission to annoy, bully, and instigate the boy-who-lived into oblivion. To think he gave him the best years of his life. It still burned to watch the she weasel with the bespectacled git and he spent more time than he cared to admit watching the red harlot love him so carelessly in public.
Draco could spend countless hours attempting to convince himself that he carried little for public display and that Ginny was saving him from the embarrassment. But that did little to comfort his cracked heart. The hatred he felt for the she weasel wasn't because he despised the fact that she had his man, no for all he cared she could keep him. His hatred for her steamed from a paternal place. Specifically her treatment of Teddy and the neglect she puts her own children through. Draco knew the signs of a broken family and the Potter Family was as broken as they come. Potter's internalized muggle homophobe may make him see flowers and rainbows streaming out of vaginas but the ginger bitch was as despicable as they come. Of course, Draco would see it that way. He was fucking her husband. But his intense dislike only started after a conversation he had with Teddy.
"Draco," Teddy said as he stood in the walkway of his office. His hair, a mousy brown that dropped in his face.
"Yes, Love," Draco said. He looked up and frown seeing the small frown on Teddy's delicate face.
Teddy said nothing as he slowly moved into the room. He quietly wandered close to him. His small fingers grasped at the desk before pawing at the corner in a childish display of indecision. Teddy kept his head down even know that he was standing right before Draco. Draco could remember the unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. He gently clasped Teddy's delicate chin that he uniquely inherited from Narcissa Malfoy and tilted his face towards him. Teddy's pale eyelids shielded his eyes as he quietly mumbled to Draco, "Am I wanted?"
Draco steeled the small part of himself that wanted to flinch at the morose tone. A small voice that should never escape the vibrant child. Draco shoved the small part of himself that wanted to desperately clutch the child to his chest and rock him to and fro as though he were a babe again. Instead, Draco closed his eyes to carefully pull himself back together to look back down into Teddy Lupin's sullen face. The chin, the small child inherited from his mother. The small eyes, he inherited from his own mother. The nose, he distinctly remembered belonging to a quiet and wise Professor- Draco still desperately cursed his child self for never taking the time to learn or respect. Draco saw all of those people in Teddy Lupin's sad face. And he swore to himself he'd comb every artifact of the past and every picture until the child could see it too.
"Theodore Lupin," Draco said in a grave voice. His grey eyes flashing in the sunlight like steel and his mouth set grim. He waited until Teddy raised his eyes to stare at him.
"Theodore Lupin," Draco repeated, "I am afraid you are not only wanted but desperately needed. I need you very badly. You see, I am very lonely and you are all that's left of my family. Every time I look at you- well- I hope this is not too mushy for you. But every time I look at you, I see my mother, and your mother, and your father, and your grandmother. You sooth my soul, Teddy Bear. So I'm afraid you'll always be wanted and needed."
The small child's eyes glimmered with tears and his hair shimmered in strands of lavender, blues before lightening to the color of Draco's hair. He threw himself in Draco's lap and sat there curled up against him while Draco went back to work. After a long while spent in silence, Draco looked away from grading schoolwork to stare down in the sleeping face of the child. His growing limbs slipping slightly off Draco's lap and his fists firmly clenched in fists full of Draco's comfy pullover.
Draco hadn't understood why Teddy would ask such a thing. When would his dearly beloved baby cousin ever feel less than utterly adored? He discovered the answer to that particular question from a quiet Lily who shyly admitted to the ginger bitch having a loud talk with Daddy about Teddy joining them for too many dinners throughout the week. That conniving slag told Potter in front of Teddy that she wanted her dinners should be spent with the real family. Of course, Potter made the bitch apologize but what good did that do if Teddy already heard her; if he already knew just how unwelcome he was in the Potter home. Draco could spit on the ginger bitch, curse her with the vengeance of the long line of Black and Malfoy, and spit on the very ground she walked on. Potter could never understand the hatred the blond harbored for his wife.
And Draco would not waste his time explaining it to Harry. He had long since understood that any expression he made against the Weasleys, Ginny, or anyone else Harry held in high regard, no matter how deserved it was, he would be met with repercussions. They were never painful, simply extremely uncomfortable. And Harry hasn't touched him in any way besides intimately. After nearly a year ago, sending a stinging hex at his back causing him to stumble, trip, and then go tumbling down the long winded staircase of the Potter home- head first.
Draco woke up seven days later to an apologetic Harry, and teary eyed James, Lily, and Albus refusing to speak to their father until their Dway'co woke up. He had awakened to paralyzed legs for a month until the final spells casted were fully activated. Even to this day, he has slight discomfort in his legs after standing or walking for too long. It took Draco a long time to understand that magic couldn't fix everything.
"Hello Dragon," Luna smiled as she moved her round belly toward Draco.
"It's crazy in there; I think Ginny and Ron have Snarggles running all over them because Harry and Hermione have the same color."
Draco chuckled at Luna, "What's going on in there?"
Luna is a fellow teacher at his school and they both faced adversity to get where they are. Draco for being a Death Eater and Luna for being Loony.
"Apparently George and Fred thought it would be hilarious for them to test a new invention on the entire party. The colors show how intimate you'd been with other people. You instantly know your color and if you don't well I guess the names attached to your head helps."
Draco jumped horrified, and started looking over his body to make sure a big Harry Fucking Potter Sign wasn't flashing over his head. Luna just smiled serenely, "Don't worry I'm guessing since you were in the room when they sent the invention off it wouldn't affect you."
Draco decided, after a long conversation with Luna, it was time to go home. He snuck a peek into the Weasley home. A small snicker escaped his lips as he watched the Weaslette send Potter glares that surely should have set him on fire. Granger looked pitiful as she attempted to get her husband to even look at her while the bright shining glare of lightning bolts with Harry Potter name in between blazed above her head. Draco couldn't hold back the wince as he noticed Weasel's name looking small, pitiful and pathetic third to even Victor Krum. Another close friend of the family that made it to the party who was also avoiding the angry glare of his date while the Weasley twins sniggered even as the Mother Weasel slapped them about the head. Surveying the commotion of the room with no small amount of amusement, he knew it was most definitely time to go home.
When Draco got home, the plan was to take a nice long shower and have a good wank. He might have even shut down his floo as a silent refusal to any night time visits Potter may make. The brunette would be furious in the morning but it would definitely lead to some angry sex so well worth it in the long run.
What Draco hadn't been expecting when he apparated home; was a haggard looking Andromeda with a medium sized bundle cradled in her arms. It was late and well past Teddy's bedtime and Draco froze for a moment in concern and fear before he moved towards his Aunt.
Andromeda appeared to have aged a 100 years since the last he saw her only hours ago.
"Auntie, do sit down." Draco insisted gently edging her towards his love seat.
She inclined her head in a small show of thanks and delicately sat at the edge of the cushioned seat. "Thank you, nephew. I am ashamed to ask this of you, dear one, but I must for Teddy's sake. Do you love Teddy?" Andromeda asked quietly.
"Yes of course." Draco answered concerned.
"Enough that no matter what it can't be broken."
Draco frowned at Andromeda, what could be so upsetting about Teddy that he wouldn't love him?
"Promise," Andromeda insisted.
"Yes, Yes of course."
Andromeda handed him the bundle. Draco clasped it close to his chest, still confused what this had to do with Teddy. Until he drew a sharp breath and stopped breathing altogether- a small paw dug into his side.
Andromeda sighed wearily, "No one must know."
Draco nodded, deeply concerned now. The bundle had begun to shift every minute or so. He began to ask why, how, why but Andromeda had already begun to explain why.
"He shifted for the first time tonight. He was crying, so badly horrified. He was too deeply caught in his fear to feel any bloodlust or at least I think so. I can barely handle such an excitable child Teddy is, but he is also a, a..." Andromeda couldn't finish, she could say the words. All her greatest fears were coming true right in front of her eyes.
She had hoped, hoped with all her heart that her daughter hadn't really damned her child with this horrid curse. It was an often and ongoing argument they had when she was still alive and swollen with child. Andromeda had sworn that she would not stand around and watch her only grandson suffer the horrid curse that aged his father so painfully quickly.
She wouldn't abandon Teddy but she must sit along the outside now. Guide Teddy as gently as she could while assuring him that she loved him no matter what, but this- this was too much. She could not provide for him, this path that he must now walk. As a black she had once believed that family held a greater sway than anything else, after her family abandoned her she let go of that ignorance wistfully.
She now in a greater age and mind understood there was a time when a family can only help so much. It only broke her heart that she had to let go of Teddy so quickly.
Draco sat stunned as he watched his Aunt Andromeda's eyes well with tears she would only release in the silence of her pillow.
Poor Teddy, Draco thought even as he clutched the bundle tighter to his chest.
"-I would ask Harry, but after such horrid event. And in all honestly I do not believe Ginny would let Teddy stay. I however am asking you because I trust you with my grandson's safety, more in all honesty than I trust Harry."
Draco was once more stunned again, and more than slightly smug at the slight jab at Harry. Despite being lovers, Draco had never completely let go of his competitive streak against Harry.
"Of course I'll take care of Teddy," Draco said without a second thought.
Andromeda hefted a sigh of relief that dropped her shoulders, while Draco looked down into Teddy's small furry face and sad eyes. He rocked him in his arms and hummed low in his throat, You ain't never had a friend like me. He used the pad of his finger to carefully wipe the tears that slipped beside a furry snout and continued to hum as he eased Teddy back into a careful slumber. Andromeda, content simply watching them even as her eyes suspiciously shined in the light of the flames that warmed the small living room. It seemed unspoken between Andromeda and Draco that he wouldn't let go of Teddy for the rest of the night.
"But Auntie what am I to tell Teddy?" Draco questioned his aunt, while he understood the woman's reasoning to leave Teddy with Draco as soon as possible, he still feared Teddy's reaction to it. The sad question Teddy asked him not so long ago coiling around his throat like noose.
Am I wanted?
Would Teddy know that, the only reason he lived with Draco now was because of the danger he posed to the only guardian he ever knew in his short life? Could Teddy even understand that, that Draco loved him so deeply and desperately wanted him to live with him? Could Teddy accept Draco as more than a fond cousin who was a frequent visitor in his home?
Teddy would never be completely safe with anyone else. Harry, having his own family to think about would have to put his children's safety above Teddy's. And neither Draco nor Andromeda would ever wish to force him to make that decision. It was better for Teddy to begin his new life as soon as possible. The longer he was in Andromeda's care could do more harm than good. Her frail aging body would never be able to withstand the excitement of a young wolf. In his condition he would surely hurt her. And Teddy would only hate himself if that were to happen.
Yes, Draco thought in his mind. It would do best by both parties to leave Teddy with Draco.
It was extremely late into the night when Draco could finally release Teddy from his arms. He settled the small werewolf in the center of Draco's bed. And stood at the edge of the bed, content to watch the grey coat shimmer in the moonlight through Draco's bedroom window. Draco only moved away when he heard Harry calling for him through the fire place.
"Draco. Come on Baby don't tell me you're pissed with me too."
Draco rolled his eyes and quickly stepped out from the room before closing the door quietly behind him.
"Potter, I haven't the time for the idiotic and pointless words that will no doubt escape that senseless trap you call a mouth. You've never cared before for my knowing of your past exploits what is the difference now?"
Harry blushed after stepping all the way through, he brushed the few specs of ash that strayed on his draft muggle clothing before moving toward Draco.
"Ginny kicked me out of the house. She was right pissed about me and Hermione. Though I don't see the point it happened years ago. And she's been with far more partners."
Draco reclined lightly against the wall staring at Potter. It appeared the years of being catered to and salivated over have finally changed the tune on the goody goody Gryffindor. The man that stood before him no longer a mindless follower but an arrogant, proud man. Draco would be insulted if he hadn't found it so bloody hot.
Power seemed to pour from the man; overwhelming an entire room and those in it. His magic seemed to thump and hum through inanimate objects.
"Hmm I do have better things to do with my time, Potter. Can you just get to the point already?"
Harry quirked an eyebrow walking toward Draco, his magic seemed to drop lower and pulse against the walls of the room. It seemed to bath Draco with slow seductive purpose-filled strokes.
"I figure I don't need to rely on your approval to stay in my home, now do I?"
Draco swallowed carefully, a small ball of resentment burning fierce in his chest. After the Malfoy family fell down from their pestle in the wizarding community, it was only Potter's testimony that saved them from prison. Luckily enough, Lucius had memories showing his reluctance to perform acts in his favor. The one that seemed to sing to most hearts was of Lucius being forced to torture and kill a 15 year old muggle child. The child was the same age as Draco at the time. Bella seeing his hesitation, imperio'd him to do the deed.
Afterwards, the Malfoy Patriarch apparated home to cry over Draco's sleeping form in the breast of his wife. Having been saved from Azkaban, they were placed under heavy probations. Draco was sentenced to three years parole, Lucius seven years parole, and Narcissa walked away fully pardoned- her only crime being the company she kept. Somehow in the midst of war, Harry had grown fond of her and took it upon himself to visit the Malfoy Manor. During that time, Draco and Harry had fallen into a habit of fucking. During his probation that included a heavy spell of house arrest, Draco began teaching the house elves certain potions for healing after discovering Dumpy, with a gash across the waist.
Normally, Draco wouldn't have cared but- well he was bored. Lucius hadn't approved of that and only grew further appalled when Draco renounced his prejudice against muggles. And began donating and working in a beginning school for muggleborns and magical beings alike.
As soon as his parole was lifted, he was unceremoniously cut off and kicked out of his ancestral home. Narcissa, having no say in the manner, only mentioned her worries to Harry. Harry was only too willing to help, but of course for a price.
"Of course not, Harry."
Draco pushed away from the wall to walk away, only to stop when he felt Harry press against him. Harry bumped his erection against the small of Draco's back, lowering his head down he pressed small kisses along his neck.
"I'm stressed, Baby let's go to bed."
Remembering Teddy was in the other room; Draco shrugged from Harry's embrace and attempted to will his erection away.
"I don't feel like it right now, Potter."
Draco, could already tell from how still Harry went, exactly what the brunette thought of that statement. Draco very rarely refused him despite their past filled of rivalry. Harry's brilliant green eyes seem to grow dark as he stepped even closer to him.
Glancing over at the empty glasses on the coffee table, Harry jaw tightened.
"Harry. It's not what you think," Draco, knowing exactly where his mind was going, sighed before looking down at the floor. Harry seemed to be trying to glare a hole into him. Hearing a moan from the inside of Draco's bedroom, Harry moved briskly toward the door. His magic violently humming as he twisted the doorknob.
He stopped short, completely surprised of the sight of a sleeping Teddy. His short stubby legs sprawled everywhere over Draco's bed with a green cashmere blanket thrown over him. His hair, a violent red and his eyelids fluttering while his chest rose and fell with every gentle breath he took. Harry's brow wrinkled as he closed the door.
"Satisfied Harry, I'm not cheating on you with anyone."
Harry shrugged, uncaring of how much of a hypocrite he was.
"Your mine simple as that." He roughly tugged Draco back into the living room and settled for thorough kissing and heavy petting to sedate his urges.
In the morning, Harry awakes to talking. He quietly rose to peek a sneak around the corner. His face, scowling at the taste of mourning breath on his tongue. He listened to the discussion going on, on the other side of the wall.
"Teddy are you okay staying with me from now on," Draco asks concern underlying in his voice.
"It is because of me," Teddy asked.
"No, oh heavens no Teddy. Your grandmother loves you it was just decided that you would be safer and happier living here. Don't you want to be with me, Teddy Bear?"
Harry wanted to frown at what was being said but couldn't help but smile at the pout he heard in Draco's voice.
"Yeah but will Grandma still visit?"
"Of course, Love."
When Harry hears nothing more being said, he walks inside the kitchen. Draco is crouched by Teddy's chair, wiping tears from his face. Turing from Harry, Draco rises off his knees and walks over to his seat.
"What's with the tears buddy," Harry asked walking further inside the room.
"Nothing," Teddy said sullenly staring down into his plate.
"Hey Teddy why don't you go to the living room you can watch the telly while you eat."
Since Draco lived in a wizard and muggle mixed faculty Draco had cable frequency that didn't go haywire with magic, though it did get a little wacky when Harry came around. Teddy quickly scouted out of his seat and walked to the living room.
"What's this about Teddy living with you, Malfoy," Harry asked, the hard tone in his voice hard to ignore.
"Teddy is living with me simple as that. That is nothing too complicated to understand even for a brain of your size."
Harry narrowed his eyes, though the attempt at intimidation was completely lost seeing as how he had slept in his muggle attire and looked very unkempt and messy.
"You know that Teddy won't be comfortable here. He needs a stable home with a family. I wasn't right letting him leave with Andromeda. A child needs to be raised in a home with both a mother and a father. He should be living with me and Ginny."
Draco narrowed his eyes at Harry, "Teddy has grown up perfectly find under Andromeda's parenting. A child does not need a mother and a father to be raised proper, simply a pair or a person who loves them deeply enough to guide them to the path meant for them."
Harry snorted "Then what screwed up your path and lead your ass on my dick."
Draco snarled at him. He has never felt so furious at Harry before not even when they were in Hogwarts. "Do you think I'm somehow going to turn Teddy queer, Potter?"
Harry almost flinched away from the affliction of venom he put in his voice. Harry hadn't heard so much hate directed at him from Draco since before the war. Harry decided he most definitely didn't like it but it didn't stop him from what he was going to do. Ginny wouldn't like it, but as far as Harry was concerned, she'd have to get over it.
"Teddy," Harry shouted, "Get dressed you're going home with me!"
Draco sneered at him, "No he's not."
Harry turned to face him, "Yes he is."
Harry walked close to Draco and stroked his tense quivering cheek.
"Don't test me Draco, do you really think you can win against me, love. The ministry would always side with me."
Seeing a glimmer of tears in Draco's eyes, Harry moved back. He pressed a quick kiss to Draco's pursed lips. When he turned, he saw a very sad Teddy standing behind him.
"I'm ready," Teddy said, staring not at Harry but past him, at Draco.
Closing his eyes in defeat Draco said, "Fine."
The bitterness and defeat in his voice making Harry smile.
"This is for the best, you'll see. Teddy needs to be with a normal family."
Draco refused to watch them go. He's glassy eyes, unseeing as the question, Am I wanted, swirled in his mind. When he blinked tears streamed down his face and he hurled Teddy's mushy unfinished breakfast at the wall.
As Teddy crossed the room to the floo, he looked back to see Draco. But his cousin hadn't even turned to look at him. He was scowling at the floor. Teddy's nails dug into his palms as he followed his godfather through, not even Draco wanted him.
When Teddy steps through the floo, he saw a ministry owl picking at the window. Uncle Harry swears and frowns before yelling to Aunt Ginny to watch the children. Then he goes back through the floo, no doubt to the ministry. Ginny stepped out of her room, silently and stared down at him with blurry blue eyes before turning around and going back in her room without saying a word to him.
Teddy never really liked going to Harry's house. He was never home anymore. Teddy was forced to stay with his god siblings and Ginny. Teddy loved to be with his sibling, never let that be mistaken. It was Ginny; he didn't appreciate much in his life. She wasn't evil or manipulative. He just felt as though she didn't belong with them. Perhaps that was ironic considering she tried to pretend that he didn't belong.
Teddy was never an irrational little boy. He knew well that his opinion would not sway his siblings or his godfather's opinion of their mother and his wife. So he kept his thoughts to himself. Teddy was a very bright five year old. He never pretended to understand why Harry kept Ginny around, especially when it was so obvious that he preferred Draco.
Teddy has always been surrounded by friends and family. But at times those friends and family would be with their own family, and Teddy would be all alone.
Even Draco didn't want him.
"Fine," was all that Draco said.
Fine.
Teddy wasn't important. He was just fine, he thought. Dropping down hard on wooden floor and kicking his feet off of the top first step. It was too early for anyone to be up so Teddy was all alone right now too.
Ginny was right, Teddy acknowledged silently in his mind.
He didn't belong with them he didn't belong with any of them. Teddy would never be wanted but he would be loved. Teddy wasn't so far gone in his depression that he couldn't acknowledge that. However selfish it may be, Teddy wished that he was wanted as well. And Teddy knew that was impossible, he knew they all already had the perfect lives.
Even Draco.
He wasn't needed. Nobody wanted him, but they would deal with him. He was the son of their dear friends. He didn't mean anything to anyone, not even to Draco. He was an unnecessary burden that no one had the heart to send away. Teddy silently observed how far down the floor was from the top step.
He wondered how it would feel to die, and just how quick it would be before he would finally be able to join his very own family. He understood the concept of death. He even knew everybody could die. He knew, he would die eventually, but he wanted to go now. He was really tired and so lonely. Death was like a long nap after all, at least that was how his grandmother described it. And he'd really like a long nap.
Four hours later, Harry Potter flooed home to his hysterically crying children, and his god son lying in a puddle of his own blood at the bottom of the long wooden stairs.
Draco sprinted through St. Mungo like Hell's flames were licking his heels. Tears building behind his eyes as he moved desperately to get to Teddy. The only child he would come close to having as a son. The worry seemed to build in his belly, making his eyes burn, and his muscles clench as he tries to find a source to blame for this sweet, sweet child's pain.
When Draco made it toward the room he witnessed quite the scene, the three Potter children were still in hysterics and the entire Weasley family were all there as well- red eyed. He walked quickly toward the room and pushed it open.
Ron appeared to be ignoring Hermione and Harry, while sitting in a corner. Harry and Hermione were arguing with Andromeda. While Ginny sat with her brother, twisting her fingers anxiously.
"Why was I the last one notified," Draco demanded to know as he walked toward the small group.
"It was none of your concern," Hermione said with a snarl in her voice.
She probably would have said more if Draco hadn't spoken before she could, "It would do well for you to keep your trap closed, Granger. I understand how hard it is to keep it shut considering it's near impossible for you to keep your legs closed, but please show some decorum and class for goodness sake." The venom of his tone, lethal and barely restrained the aggression, he felt.
Hermione gasped and turned bright red, she turned to Ron and said, "Are you going to let him speak to me that way?"
Ron simply turned his head and spoke in a low voice, "I have nothing to say to you or the ferret."
Draco's eyebrow arched, reluctantly surprised the Weasel hadn't tried to bash his brains in.
Hermione's eyes watered, and she walked away from the group. Refusing to meet Draco's smug eyes or Harry's sympathetic eyes.
"I do apologize, Draco. I would have made you aware as well. But I wasn't informed until thirty minutes ago as well," Andromeda said glaring at Harry, "Why was I not informed earlier?"
Harry glared right back, "well you just abandoned Teddy at Draco's house unexpectedly. Why would you care?"
Andromeda gasped and placed a hand over her heart, before slapping Harry so hard, his face turned to the other side.
"Don't you ever insinuate that I don't care for that boy. He is my blood, Mr. Potter. Do not speak of things you do not understand."
Tears still glistening in her eyes, she moved to sit at the edge of the bed. She stroked the hair out of Teddy's face. He slept on, unaware of the chaos going on right above his head. His hair a platinum blond, looking like a cherub.
An Auror stepped forward to ask what happened. After Harry gave a brief description of what happened, the Aurors were forced to ask Ginny to come to the Ministry. Harry, still donning his Auror robes, refused to watch as his wife was led by three of his fellow men to a holding cell.
Looking at Teddy, Harry wondered if he could ever trust her again with one of their actual children. Draco refused to look or speak to Harry at all. And it bothered Harry more than he cared to admit. He was so caught up in his own problem, the boy-who-lived didn't even notice as his two best friend's marriage fell apart. It only became obvious to him later, when a hysterically crying Hermione stumbled through his floo; crushed by Ron walking away and taking their children with him.
It seemed as though the mighty Golden Trio had finally fallen apart.
Review please! Chapter 3 and 4 will be edited by tomorrow as well. Chapter 5 will be out by Friday!