Come What May
Chapter Two
Draco heaved a heavy sigh as he watched Harry move about the kitchen, at the moment his mind was still processing what Harry had told him. That he had a daughter eleven years of age, and she was about to attend her first year at Hogwarts.
A part of him couldn't believe that Harry would go through this without him, that he would cut his very existence from his daughter's life for so long. He was only glad that Harry had told his daughter nothing but good things about him. He wondered if the roles had been reversed if he would have been so kind.
It bothered him.
He would like to think that if the situations were reversed that he would have been able to handle everything as well as Harry had, to have been so gracious. But the fact that he didn't know if he would have done or could have been made him feel slightly angry with himself and angry at Harry for acting in the way that he had.
Now it was a question of where they went from here. One answer was clear in Draco's mind, he was determined that Abbey would know him and that he would know his daughter in return.
"So how do we tackle this then Draco" Harry's soft voice brought him abruptly from his thoughts. Sighing he turned to survey the raven haired man his mind still a whirl of confusion.
"I'm still trying to get my head round everything. I can say for the first time in my life I'm at a loss of what to do" Draco finally answered not liking the fact that he couldn't form a solution to the current problem.
"I'd like to offer you a suggestion if I may" Harry said after a pause and Draco looked up to see Harry worrying his lips between his teeth. Knowing this to be a sure sign that he was nervous Draco wondered what could he have to be nervous about? Pondering this he nodded his head for Harry to continue.
"Why don't bring Lyle and have dinner at my house tonight? I suppose we can sit Abbey down and talk there. At least she'll be in an environment she feels comfortable in."
Draco was taken back by the proposition. He had been so sure he would have to fight the other man every inch of the way to gain some sort of access to his daughter. It was just another stark reminder how bitter he had become over the years, there was a time he could recall that he knew Harry well enough to know that he really did wear his heart on his sleeve.
"I'd like that" he said softly and was rewarded with a smile.
He'd forgotten just how disarming Harry's smile could be. It lit up his eyes so that they shone like polished jade, and his face was transformed from just handsome to devastatingly so.
For a moment it was like he had been transported back to Hogwarts where Harry would look at him and smile. In those moments he would see himself in the eyes of his raven haired lover and to Harry he knew he was truly wonderful.
Blinking he brought his mind back to the present as Harry turned away from him breaking the spell he had unknowingly cast. Draco frowned slightly at the smaller mans back.
He didn't want to be thinking of the good times he and Harry had had, it was in the past buried along with all the painful memories it invoked. But as he watched Harry once again move about the kitchen as though he belonged there he had visions of what it could have been like between them. Could see himself walking into the kitchen of the house they would have shared to see Harry sexily rumpled from sleep making breakfast, letting him steal a sweet kiss along with his coffee.
"So you have Luna working for you" he asked as a way to fill the silence that had suddenly loomed between them. Harry looked up from the bread he was buttering to offer another mega watt smile.
"Yeah, I still can't believe that she's getting married to Neville I mean talk about least likely to hook up" he mused. Draco felt himself laughing at the response; he couldn't remember the last time he had laughed freely and genuinely.
He'd laughed a lot when he had been at Hogwarts. Had gone against his Malfoy code and spent a lot of his time just smiling and laughing, again due to something Harry had said or done.
The laughter died from his eyes and judging from the look in Harry's he had noticed it.
"You should do that more often…laugh I mean…Hermione says you hardly ever smile or laugh anymore" Harry said softly not meeting the blondes eyes. He'd said the words so quietly that Draco had to strain to hear.
"And she tells you things about me often does she" Draco asked not meaning for his tone to sound so accusing.
A blush spread across Harry's face and he turned his head away in an attempt to hide it. For some reason Draco found it incredibly endearing that the ex-Gryffindor could still blush so freely after all these years and especially after everything he had been through. It really brought home the innocence of Harry that no amount of time or experience could touch.
"Is it wrong to occasionally ask how your doing? I mean I tried to give Abbey information that's an accurate as I can get" he stated cutting the sandwiches he had made into neat triangles and arranging them onto the plates he had set out.
"Is that the only reason you asked?" Draco replied the words springing past his lips before he knew that he had even thought of them.
The question seemed to startle Harry and once again his cheeks suffused with colour. The brightness of his cheeks easily gave away the fact that that he hadn't only asked about him merely to satisfy his daughters obvious curious nature. He seemed to be thinking of a reply; Draco crossed his arms waiting for the answer.
"Well I guess it wasn't the only reason, but then again I doubt you're surprised" he finally stated surprising Draco with his honest answer.
It hadn't really occurred to him that Harry might answer truthfully. In fact if he was a betting man he would have been willing to put money on the other man stammering and stuttering some sort of lie at the accusation, that he hadn't really been keeping tabs on what Draco had been up to.
"And what were the other reasons you asked Harry?" he said finally. For some unknown reason he needed to know the answer, and again for the same unknown reason he hoped that it wasn't anything else to do with his daughter.
"I wanted to know how you were doing. I mean it's not like I stopped caring about you over night…and I guess old habits kind of die hard" Harry stated. Draco sensed that the answer wasn't the whole truth but if it was all Harry was willing to give then it would satisfy him…for now.
"I see" was all he said.
Harry opened a packet of crisps and split them between the two plates, he scrunched up the packet once it was empty and tossing it neatly into a bin. He held one of the plates out for Draco to take.
"It's for Lyle" he stated when Draco looked at the offered food in question. Draco was actually touched that Harry had thought of making food for his son as well as making it for Harry's daughter…no their daughter.
Taking the offered plate he muttered a quick thank you. Harry smiled and snagged an apple from a nearby fruit bowl taking a bite, the action drew Draco's attention to his mouth as teeth bit into the red mottled skin and a tongue dart out as he licked off the stray juices. Then Harry did something that really did make his eyes widen, he held out the apple to offer him a bite.
It was an innocent gesture and by the look on Harry's face he didn't see a problem with offering the apple. But to the blonde the act was like a blatant invitation, his mouth went dry and without thinking he leaned forward to take a bite, he made sure that his lips brushed over Harry's fingers where they held the offered fruit.
He heard Harry catch his breath as his lips made contact with his moist skin and fought to keep the grin off his face.
Standing he looked Harry in the eye almost smirking as he noted the heated flush across his face, his pupils had dilated so that only a small ring of green could be seen. Slowly Draco licked his lips and watched as the raven haired man followed the action.
Shaking his head Harry stalked past Draco motioning for the blonde to follow him as he made his way back into the bar. His steps seemed slightly unstable and his breathing was labored, Draco felt the smirk he had tried to hold back spreading on his lips knowing that he had been the cause for the reaction.
Today was going to be an interesting day.
What the hell had he been thinking?
Harry was calling himself every kind fool imaginable. Why oh why he had thought offering a piece of fruit to Draco was nothing but an innocent gesture was beyond him. Trust the blonde to turn something platonic into some kind of sensual seduction.
Sighing he made his way over to where Abbey was sat, this abruptly brought his thoughts to the problem at hand. The fact that Draco now knew that Abbey was his daughter, and that he was going to have to inform her of the fact later on tonight.
He had known that he couldn't have kept the secret from them forever but he hadn't wanted the revelation to come out in the way that it had.
But Draco had been so angry and no matter what they were now he couldn't bear the idea of the blonde thinking that he had been anything but faithful to him. He had loved Draco with everything that he had in him……still loved him if he was being truthful with himself.
He wasn't a monk and he hadn't lived a life of celibacy during the past eleven years, but every person who had managed to grace his bed paled in comparison to the one person he had really wanted there. It was very telling that almost every lover he'd had had been blonde.
"Here you go sweetheart" he said softly placing the food in front of Abbey. She accepted it with a smile and continued to tell Lyle about the letter she had received from Hogwarts, chattering about what house she wanted to be in.
"Daddy was in Gryffindor so I guess it would be cool to be in there. But he also said that father was in Slytherin so I wouldn't mind being in there either" she went on and Harry noticed Draco give him a look of surprise that he had told Abbey which house he had resided in.
"My father was in Slytherin too" Lyle added eagerly reaching for the plate of food Draco had placed in front of him.
Harry motioned for Draco to follow him and the pair made their way to an empty table in the corner leaving their children to their conversation. Luna brought two drinks over and after giving the pair a knowing look she headed on back to the bar.
"I'm surprised that you wanted her know which house I was in" Draco stated once they were alone, the comment caused Harry to frown.
"Why shouldn't I tell her which house you were in? Being in Slytherin is nothing to be ashamed of Draco, don't forget I was almost placed in that house myself" Harry replied his voice sounding tight as he spoke.
What reason did he have to lie about him? Just because he hadn't been a part of Abbey's life it didn't mean that he didn't want her to know about him and what he had been like.
"I guess my years with Katrina have clouded my judgment where other people are concerned…forgive me" Draco said bowing his head in apology.
Harry couldn't understand why Draco had stayed with someone for so long who did nothing but make him miserable. He'd seen pictures of her in newspapers along with articles about whatever fundraiser she was attending or social function she was hosting, from those images he had likened her to an ice-sculpture.
Pretty to look at yet no substance beneath the surface.
He supposed that such an observation on his part was not well grounded; being as though he had never met the woman he should not have judged. But listening to how people talked about her and how Draco described his life with her he doubted he was not far off with his assumptions.
"Look I know that you haven't had the easiest of years Draco, but rest assured that your position in our daughter's eyes has always been the same. She respects the person she knows you to be, even if she doesn't know who you are. Just because you weren't there didn't mean you were out of mind" he offered and noticed a flicker of unknown emotion light the grey in Draco's eyes.
"Thank you" he whispered. Then to Harry's utter shock he leaned in so that his lips were mere inches from his ear, the blondes hot breath ghosted across the sensitive skin and he fought to stop the reaction his body longed to make.
"Just so you know Harry your not completely off the hook, you and I will be talking privately later on" Draco whispered. Whatever response Harry had wanted to make was cut off by the untimely arrival of Hermione and Oliver, their troublesome five year old twins heading straight for Abby and Lyle who were still chatting happily at the bar.
"Harry I didn't know you would be here today" Hermione stated looking completely relaxed in black combats and a blue vest top. Her hair was pulled high atop her head with loose tendrils falling softly about her face.
To Harry she had become so very beautiful and he was happy she had found love with Oliver Wood who with his smiling face, lighter hair, jeans and a form fitting black t-shirt complemented her well. Smiling he stood and kissed her cheek in greeting before turning and shaking Oliver's hand.
Yet all the while he was conscious of the words Draco had whispered to him, of the way the blonde had leaned in towards him and how his eyes lingered over his body still.
Anxious to take his mind off things he decided to play the act of host. Making his way to the bar he ordered the drinks he knew his friends favored by heart, he knew that if Hermione was here then the others wouldn't be far behind. When he pondered what Draco would like he found himself ordering a particularly expensive merlot.
Luna smiled and went about getting them ready. Harry turned to make his way back to the table just as Ron and Pansy came through the door followed closely by Ginny and Blaise young Artemis sauntering after his mother and father his face pulled into his usual superior look…Harry had to smile at the kids antics, he was ten going on twenty that one.
He also had quite the crush on Abby, not that he would ever admit it out loud.
He had actually been surprised how his friends had turned out. Ron's once gangly form had filled out to make a well presented man, he was broad shouldered and still had his long legs. However his years of Quidditch had leant a suppleness to him, his hair hung in a plait down to his mid back and a blue diamond winked in his ear, he was dressed in beige combats and a white polo neck top…he'd come a long way from the boy he had once been.
Pansy…he was still surprised that Ron had married her but had quickly grown to like the woman she had become. Her hair was cut fashionably into a bob that accentuated her heart shaped face. She looked beautiful in her pregnancy, her slight bump showing easily beneath the gauzy white dress she was wearing.
Motherhood had done wonders for Ginny, she had blossomed during her pregnancy and even more so since the birth of her son. Her long red hair was pulled into a messy bun and she wore a pair of denim dungarees with a pale pink baby-t, simple yet it looked stunning on her giving her an almost natural beauty. Her eyes were always sparkling and her lips always pulled into a smile.
He mused when his eyes wondered over to Blaise. The man sported a pair of leather pants coupled with various chains that clinked as he walked, he'd completed his look with a blood red vest top and a matching leather bracelet his hair spiked fashionably…obviously he had been in work today.
All in all they made a handsome group.
After making his usual round of greetings he seated himself next to Draco and began to chat with Blaise about his ideas for purchasing a property to transform into a club…the other man had owned his own clubs now for the better part of four years and they were a booming success.
"Planning on giving me competition are you Harry" Blaise mused and Harry laughed in response. He highly doubted that the kind of club he had in mind would give Blaise any competition…the other man was a genius when it came to the party scene.
"I was thinking about a gay club actually" he returned smoothly, now it was Blaise's turn to laugh his eyes sparkling.
"Should have known well if you want a hand with the décor and such I'll be more than happy to help you…erm that's if you think input from a straight guy is ok" Blaise teased. Harry felt a light touch on his wrist before he could respond, turning he noted that Draco was giving him an odd look.
"You know if you need help Harry I'd be more than happy to give you a few pointers" he whispered so that only Harry heard. The way that he phrased it sounded like a sexual invitation and he bit back the urge to groan…fortunately he was saved the embarrassment of trying to answer by the arrival of their drinks.
Today was going to be a most trying day.
For the first time in years Draco could honestly say that he was having fun. His anger from earlier had been forgotten but that didn't mean Harry was off the hook, he had many questions for his ex-lover…questions which he was determined to get the answers to.
Smiling at Pansy as she discussed her pregnancy with him he secretly wondered what Harry would have looked like whilst pregnant.
He was also confused as to what Harry had done with Abbey during the war. His daughter would have been no older then eighteen months old when Harry fought and defeated the dark lord…what would have happened to her if Harry had fallen during his fight? Would she have been raised by someone else with no idea who her second father was?
Granted Harry hadn't technically told her the identity of her second father yet, but he had still supplied her with the knowledge of his character and answered as many questions as he could without revealing the whole truth.
But the thought that his daughter could have been raised by someone else had Harry not made it through the fight with Voldemort caused a brief wave of anger to surge through him. The anger almost making him unaware of the fact how much his heart clenched and bile burned the back of his throat at the thought of Harry dying.
He watched his ex lover converse with the people about him with the same laid back ease he had done in his youth.
His eyes were so animated and his mouth always curled in a warm smile, it had been Harry's ability to see the good in people and have faith in said people which had once allowed Draco to take up residence in the other mans heart. He wondered if he still held a place within Harry's heart much like Harry still retained a piece of Draco's own.
His mind kept on wandering to what Harry had said to him earlier, about how his mother had interfered once she had learned of Harry's pregnancy. If this was the case…and Draco didn't doubt for one moment that what Harry had said was anything but the truth…Narcissa Malfoy had a lot to answer for.
When Harry had called their relationship off it had devastated him, never before had he met someone who could look past the trappings of the Malfoy name and see him for who he was. That he wasn't the perfect emotionless machine people perceived him to be…Harry had seen that he was a flesh and blood person, who feared, who dreamed and above all else who loved.
Surprisingly his father had accepted his relationship with Harry. Lucius was not the cold hearted bastard that so many people thought him to be, much like Draco people tended to have a deep misconception when it came to Malfoy patriarch.
He also wondered if his father's acceptance did not also stem from something much deeper. He was well aware that his father's marriage to his mother was for appearance sake and that alone, Draco often wondered if his father too had loved deeply and a part of him knew that if he had it had also been a love he had shared with a male.
"…that ok with you Draco" Blaise's voice brought him from his musings and he realized that everyone was looking at him. Not wanting to appear flustered and show that he had not been listening he nodded in response to whatever question was asked of him, it suddenly dawned on him that his response may have been a mistake since a wicked smirk spread across his friends face.
"Excellent, don't worry about Lyle I'm sure that Molly Weasley would love to have him for the night since she'll be having the others as well" he mused ignoring Ron's indignant huff on his mothers behalf even if the red heads eyes were filled with mirth.
"You do realize that you've agreed to a night out in one of Blaise's clubs and it requires you to ware fancy dress" Harry whispered to him in amusement. Even though he couldn't see his own face Draco imagined that his eyes had gone very wide at the moment, and his mouth had probably slackened just a little.
"I don't have anything to ware" he whispered back.
Harry looked at him for a moment his eyes raking over his face before promptly throwing his head back and bellowing laughter, the rich sound of it caused a shiver to run through Draco and he realized how much he had really missed that laughter. A few seconds later and he too was laughing when he realized how gay he sounded worrying about his clothes.
Draco sobered when he realized that the group was looking at them with a knowing light in their eyes.
He had the distinct feeling that he had been set up today, but when his gaze rested on the still smiling face of his ex lover he found that he didn't mind so much about being set up. He'd tackle the situation regarding his daughter…and then see how things went from there.
"So Draco how are you enjoying your first night as a single man" Pansy asked softly. Draco smiled at her in response…it had been an age since he had last seen her, he suddenly felt unhappy about the fact he had allowed his ex wife the pleasure of cutting him off from many of his former friends.
"I think it is very much to my taste. Perhaps now that I do not have a leash about my neck we can try and rebuild the friendship we once had" he replied his eyes portraying the hope he felt that she would be willing to give their friendship another try.
"I never stopped being your friend Draco, I am very much aware of the reasons why I was unable to visit with you as often as I would have liked…I would dearly love to catch up with you. That is if Ron allows me out of the house" she said directing her gaze to her husband a teasing glint in her dark eyes that was echoed in Ron's light blue ones.
"As if I'd have much of a choice to stop you" Ron mused capturing Pansy's hand in his own and leaning down to press a soft kiss to her knuckles.
Draco watched the interaction with a slight feeling of envy, turning his gaze over his companions it was easy to see the love they held for their partners. Ginny was blushing as Blaise blew softly into her ear after leaning in to whisper something to her. Hermione was touching Oliver's knee as she conversed with Harry, Oliver in turn had wound his arm around her alternating between checking on the children as they harassed Luna and gazing adoringly at his wife.
They all had someone to love, all happy in the choices they had made in life which had led them to where they were today. Even Harry…for all the hardships his ex lover had endured he still retained a lust for life that even now still had the ability to astound Draco.
"Penny for them."
Jerking his head up he found Harry looking at him smilingly, Draco wondered for a fleeting moment why he had not fought harder to keep the raven haired man in his life. Harry may have made the choice to let him go but Draco had never really tried to get him to change his mind…perhaps at the time he had been too afraid of the emotions the other man had invoked within him.
"It gets to me too sometimes, I find myself getting nostalgic more often than not when I'm surrounded by constant reminders that love truly is a breathtaking sight to behold" Harry said softly. His honesty and the fact he had been able to read him so well left Draco quite surprised.
"Abbey sweetheart make sure you take those empty plates out, don't leave them for Luna."
Draco watched as his daughter moved to do as Harry had instructed, making sure to politely ask Lyle if he had finished before collecting his plate and heading towards the kitchen. It made Draco's heart swell with pride at the young girl she had grown into…it gave hints to the young woman she would become.
"Gwen please get that out of your mouth this instant" Hermione shouted, her daughter had picked up something that looked like the inside of a muggle pen and had started to chew it happily. Obviously she must have gotten over enthusiastic about it for she suddenly screwed up her face and spat it out along with a few drops of ink.
"Oh god she's gotten ink on her tongue, what if it poisons her" Hermione panicked and made to rise only to have Harry stop her.
"Relax Mione I'll sort it out ok. You invited Draco out for a friendly drink and a chat did you not?" he stated softly and before she could even protest he was already standing and making his way over to the now teary eyed child.
Draco watched as Harry scooped the child up into his arms rubbing her back comfortingly and obviously voicing something to Luna who scurried to comply with whatever it was he had asked her. Pulling out his wand he pointed it at the girl's mouth and muttered a spell that Draco couldn't hear.
Two minutes later and Luna came back holding a lollipop. She handed it to Harry who used his teeth to help him unwrap it and presented it to his little bundle…making a happy sound Gwen promptly snatched the treat from Harry and stuck it straight into her mouth, her antics causing a grin to light up Harry's face.
"He really is something else isn't he" an amused voice cut in. Draco turned and focused his attention on Hermione only to note that she had an intent look upon her face as she looked at him.
"You know Draco…keeping Abbey a secret wasn't easy for Harry. It took him almost four years to eventually tell us that you were her father as well…there's a lot of sadness that surrounds that decision in his life, I know that deep down he never wanted to hurt you" she said softly. Draco nodded acknowledging her words, inwardly he already knew that Harry's intention had never been to hurt.
Watching Harry interact with the children now, seeing how at ease he was with them and how they all obviously adored him caused a pang in Draco's heart.
He ran a hand through his hair. He was so confused by these feelings that were running through him, feelings that he had tried to forget what seemed almost like a lifetime ago. But there they were steadily rising in his heart just like in the old days.
He was still in love with Harry of that he was certain…what he intended to do about it was another matter.
Pushing the door open Harry shifted his sleeping daughter in his arms and pulled his key silently from the lock. Toeing the door to a close behind him he made his way through the apartment and into her room.
He'd allowed Abbey to pick out her colours and create her own style for her room. It was a mixture of cream and brown…not the usual type of room you would expect an eleven year old girl to have. But then with Malfoy blood also running through her veins Harry was hardly surprised with how she had decided to decorate.
Placing her gently on the bed he maneuvered her from her jacket and removed her shoes, he pulled the top sheet over her and kissed her forehead before quietly leaving the room.
It was only eight but Abbey had run herself ragged with the twins and Lyle…Artemis would never lower himself to indulge in such childish games, perhaps he thought that if he acted like more of an adult Abbey would notice him.
Harry decided to let her sleep while he prepared the food for when Draco and Lyle would arrive. They'd decided on a late meal around nine o clock…they would be sharing the bed in the guest room being that Harry imagined Lyle would be tired after such a long day and Abbey might want Draco to stay once she learned the truth.
The prospect of telling his daughter everything terrified him.
She was too young to understand the reasons why he had done it and he didn't want her to turn from him in anger over keeping secrets from her for so long and for hiding the truth about who her father really was.
Busying himself in the kitchen helped him to keep his mind of what was to come. Soon the apartment was full of the delicious cooking smells of the roast beef and rosemary potatoes…the faint smell of vanilla and cinnamon could also be defined from the apple pie Harry had cooling on the side.
"Smells yummy" a small voice stated softly and he turned to regard his daughter as she made her way towards him.
She'd changed into a pair of black pants and a dusty pink cardigan top combination. She'd pulled her hair into a messy bun atop her head and Harry was quite amused to see that she was wearing her fluffy bunny slippers rather than shoes; it reminded him that she really was just a child.
"Hello sweetheart, have a good sleep did you?" he asked when she pulled herself onto one of the stools. She lay forward cushioning her head in her arm on the counter…a tell tale sign that she was still tired but would never openly admit it.
"Yeah, you should have woke me earlier daddy cause then I could have watched you make the pie" she pouted and Harry stifled a chuckle. Obviously she would never learn that she had not been possessed with Harry's culinary skill in the kitchen.
"Do you like Draco?"
Harry almost choked at the question, his nerves were strained enough as it was without his daughter mentioning the other man. He leaned over the oven to check the beef pretending that he hadn't heard the question, she'd probably repeat it though which would mean he'd then be forced to answer it.
"It's just that he seemed to focus on you a lot, and well you even blushed when he was talking to you. I've never seen you blush like that before, you looked really cute" she mused and he couldn't help but chuckle in response.
"Of course I like him sweetheart, I used to be involved with him once" there he had told a truth to his daughter, the world hadn't stopped spinning on its axis nor come crashing down around him. Turning he caught her curious look and it was obvious a question was on the tip of her tongue, so like Draco.
"Is that how he knew my father?" she asked him softly.
"You could say that" he responded awkwardly, she was starting to ask far too many questions and he wanted to hold them off until Draco actually got here. Sighing he made her a fruit juice drink to occupy his hands and hopefully her inquisitive tongue as she drank it.
A knock on the door had him instantly on edge, a quick glance at the clock showed that Draco was very early…nothing new there.
Offering his daughter a lopsided grin he ruffled her hair as he walked past chuckling at her indignant cry to such an action. Picking his way towards the door panic spread through his veins like wildfire, taking a breath he did his best to quell the sudden quickening of his heartbeat.
He opened the door with a welcoming smile only for it to freeze and fall off his face completely…for the person on the other side of the door was most assuredly not the person he had been expecting to see.
"M…M…Mrs. Malfoy" he finally managed to get out his whole voice laced with not only surprise but an underlying note of fear as well. Funny how he had been able to face down the most evil wizard of all time, yet this diminutive little woman could paralyze him with an unknown terror.
Narcissa Malfoy looked down her pointed nose at him and tapped her foot impatiently; obviously the mannerisms which had been installed within her dictated that she would not enter his home with his invite. Acting on some automatic system Harry moved aside to allow her entrance wondering why in the hell he hadn't slammed the door in her face.
Closing the door he turned to regard her as she eyed his apartment, obviously she approved of the décor but he noted how she wrinkled her nose in distaste…probably due to its smallish size.
"I do believe Mr. Potter that I was most insistent that you have nothing further to do with my son" she drawled, her methods were always straight to the point when it came to discussing things.
"Yes, but I'm afraid that something happened today which revealed to Draco just who Abbey is…I assure you Mrs. Malfoy I will make no request from Draco in regards to monetary needs for my daughter…it is merely down to him if he wishes to be involved with her life" Harry responded his voice low. He was well aware that his daughter had retreated back to her room but she could walk in on the conversation at any time.
"Listen here Potter and listen well, I will not have my only son soiled by your filth…that little insipid creature will not get her greedy little claws into his inheritance" Narcissa fumed and Harry felt his whole spine snap ram rod straight at her words.
"I warn you Mrs. Malfoy that you are talking about my daughter in very derogatory terms. Need I remind you that I single handedly vanquished the world's darkest wizard…would you care to see how far you can test my patience" he growled out noting how her eyes narrowed in response to his threat.
"You can not threaten me Harry, I know you to be far too noble to accost a woman…and you also know by experience what a deadly enemy a Malfoy can make" she returned smoothly an underlying malice to her words that chilled Harry slightly.
"Deadly enemy or no I will not have you demean my daughter. I suggest you tell me exactly what you hoped to achieve by coming here before I throw you out" Harry's voice may have been calm but his insides were churning. He knew that Narcissa would carry out each and every one of any threat she leveled him with, he also knew that she had the power to make his daughters life very difficult.
It was as though the past was happening all over again.
"Since Draco is aware he has a daughter there is nothing I can do to change that, it isn't pleasant but it's a fact I will allow. You will however tell my son that you want nothing of his inheritance, you will also tell him that you do not want to be a part of his life" her voice was frosty as she made her wishes clear.
"I can not do that Mrs. Malfoy, Draco wants to get to know his daughter so contact between us is inevitable" he responded. He watched as distaste clouded her face and for a moment he felt satisfied that he had been the one to cause it.
"Then maybe we should just cut you from her existence then" she drawled.
Harry knew that were he to look in a mirror at that moment he would see a face drained of colour. Narcissa's eyes widened, then slowly a smirk spread across her lips. She had found her weak spot to exploit.
"I can do it you know Harry, I still have very powerful contacts" she stated. Her words may have been soft but the deadly iron beneath them brooked no argument, Harry knew all too well the power that this woman held. He also knew that she was not above playing dirty to get what she wanted.
"I don't doubt the fact that you would try, bear in mind the key word is try Mrs. Malfoy because I sincerely doubt you would get far in a bid to take my daughter" Harry ground out in response. His voice lacked the bravado his words should have carried, no matter what she did he would fight her every step of the way to keep his daughter safe.
"What would I want her for, anything sprung from your filthy loins I would never dirty my hands with…but if taking her from you keeps her from interfering with my sons life then I will have her placed somewhere you would have no hope of reaching her."
Harry didn't understand how a woman could talk so cruelly and coldly about a child. He could never imagine wanting to use someone so young and innocent as a means to an end, her problem was with him and not his daughter. But as long as she got her way Narcissa Malfoy did not care who she hurt in the process.
Her need to keep control over Draco's life would threaten to tear Harry's apart.
"I may have let you coerce me once, but I am no longer the naïve young boy I used to be. I see you had no trouble finding your way up here so it stands to reason that you will have no trouble seeing yourself out" his words were icy and clipped. Her eyes narrowed and a hissing breath left her lips, her hand raised with all intentions of flying towards his face.
Closing his eyes he tensed and waited for the contact of her palm upon his cheek…it never came.
Slowly prizing open his lids his mouth slackened and his gaze went wide. Long pale fingers held a vice like grip around Narcissa's slim wrist; Harry followed the arm all the way to the shoulder, above the shoulder and up to the face finally resting on grey eyes which had hardened to steel.
"I trust you have a good reason for being here mother" was the deadly question spat from the lips of Draco Malfoy.
Harry noted that Lyle looked positively terrified as he hid partially behind the blondes legs, acting on impulse he leaned down to scoop the child into his arms. Holding the small and shaking body close to his chest he watched with morbid fascination as Narcissa rounded on her son.
"I won't have you destroying your life over this ex Gryffindor whore" she fumed. Her whole body radiated an anger and distain that caused Harry to shiver, but if Narcissa's reaction was unsettling then Draco's was positively frightening. The fingers that still held Narcissa's wrist tightened considerably and Harry felt himself involuntarily wincing.
"It is my life, I will do with it what I wish and I will not have you interfering with it" Draco hissed, he flung her arm away from him as though its very touch disgusted him. His eyes narrowed almost hiding the icy storm that raged within them…Harry could never recall a time where he had seen Draco so angry.
"Mark my words Draco and mark them well, Harry cares nothing for you…you are a means to an end and I will not see you be used in such a way. I would be very careful in the choices you make my son" she stated softly yet the quietness of her voice did nothing to mask its deadly intent.
Leveling a look of pure venomous rage at Harry she promptly turned and stalked from the room, a resounding slam echoed out from the door as she left. Harry felt a chill run the length of his spine and knew that it was not the last he had seen or heard from her.
His whole body was shaking from the episode; he slowly slid Lyle to his feet not trusting his strength to hold him. He felt as though a fist had taken hold of his heart and had begun to squeeze it in earnest…then he felt warm arms pull him into a tight embrace and hands run soothingly down his back to calm him.
"I'm so sorry Harry, so sorry" Draco whispered against his hair.
Harry wanted to reassure him, wanted to tell him that his apology was not needed and that he was not responsible for his mother's actions. He felt his lips move but no words left them.
"Daddy"
His daughter's voice had him breaking from the safety of Draco's hold and he composed himself, he would not let his daughter see him in such a state. Turning he smiled at her warmly doing his best to ease the worry from her face.
"I'm fine sweetheart, we were just having an adult discussion" he stated softly. He felt his body relax under her tender gaze and she rushed forward, he bent down on his haunches to accept her heartfelt hug. God how he loved her, his beautiful ball of sunshine…he would do everything in his power to protect her from anything that threatened to hurt her.
Slowly easing out of her grasp he ruffled her hair, at the expected cry of outrage he chuckled and stood.
Looking at his guest he noted that Draco was watching him pensively, it brought the current situation back with stark clarity. Although he was glad that Draco had arrived early and inadvertently ended his conflict with his mother it meant he was one step closer to the talk.
Sighing he ran a hand through his hair; it was going to be a night to remember to say the least. He only hoped that his daughter was still speaking to him at the end of it.
"Who's for food" he asked brightly and turning he led the way to the kitchen his stomach twisting and his heart in his mouth. With each step he took he felt the heat from Draco's gaze upon him and his nerves tightened in response.
It was time for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth…so help him god.
Chapter two finally done, I am in two minds on how many more chapters to do. I may only do another one and possibly an epilogue depending on the response I get. I also want to thank my lovely reviewers:
wolfygirl88 – Glad you liked the first part, hope you like the second just as much.
animegurl088 – Thanks for reviewing, happy to know you thought it was good.
DBZfanalways - Blushes thanks for adding me to your favorites. Glad it didn't deter you that I revealed a lot in chapter one, here's that update even if it is a little later than I intended.
drippy123 – Thanks for pointing the errors out. I hope that this chapter reads better, I still don't have a beta reader so I did try my best to catch those pesky mistakes I seem to make.
jaredletos – Its good to know that people like the story enough to favorite it. Thank you so much for your review, and the waits finally over since I managed to get off my backside and update.
Angel-Wings6 – You're reviewing my stories…wow I feel much honored lol. Thanks for the review but maybe you should take a leaf out of my book and get some updating done.
Tinabedina – Thanks for the review, glad you thought it was good. Hope you liked the second chapter.
Sarahamanda – It's nice to know that people like what I'm writing, thanks a lot for reviewing.
Jenny18 – Glad you liked the start of it, hope you enjoyed the second just as much. Sorry for the wait on the next chapter, little life events keep getting in the way.
Fifespice - Don't you worry bout Harry and Draco, I have many things in store for them. Did Hermione tell Draco intentionally about Harry's pub, well I'm sure we'll find out very soon (but this is Hermione we're talking about). Where do they go from here you ask, that my friend will all be shown in the next chapter…gotta keep you all on your toes somehow.
AngelikRebel – Glad you liked it, thanks for dropping a review. Sorry it took a bit longer than I anticipated for this chapter, but hopefully you will enjoy it just as much as the first.
Sakura Sango – A girl could get used to these fabulous comments. Glad you enjoyed it and thought it was good, yeah those pesky periods. I'm either the most forgetful person when it comes to grammar or fanfiction eats them when I upload…probably the former lol. Hope you enjoy this chapter and I am almost one hundred per cent positive I managed to get the periods to stay where their meant to.
Nika Dawson – Thank you, our Abbey is a little gem isn't she. Mind you look at the genes, wish I'd have been a bit like her when I was younger but alas some things were never meant to be lol. Hope you like the new chapter.
RocklifeDude – I'm beginning to wish I'd started writing stories on here ages ago, you do wonders for my ego lol. Glad you enjoyed it enough to put it on your alerts, yes still more chapters to come, I have a feeling this is going to end up longer than originally intended.
Crash And Burn93 – Thanks for reviewing, hope I'm keeping my standard up and you enjoy.
cinderella-loves-her-shoes – Thank you for the compliment, its nice to know my works enjoyed. I'm doing my best to try and keep on top of the updates so hopefully this will suffice for now.
Missy Padfoot – Wow I've never inspired someone to do something before, I feel very honored now!! Thanks for the review, Hope you managed to update whatever story it is you were thinking of, I'll have to drop by your author page and read some of your work. Hope you liked the new chapter.
You guys rock and your comments were much appreciated, if I have missed anyone I do apologise. I hope that there aren't too many mistakes in this chapter; I don't have a beta reader so I guess it makes for a few mistakes so please feel free to point any out. I'm now determined to start dropping by peoples pages and checking out their work, so you may just find me lurking in your review section soon. Please review again and I will hopefully have the next part out soon. I am currently working on another Harry/Draco story called 'Break Out' so feel free to check it out or comment. Ciao for now!!