Harry was panicking. He had no idea what was wrong with him. All of a sudden he cared about how he looked for someone. Especially someone like Draco Malfoy. His old school arch nemesis. Although he has changed from school. Changed alot since school.
Today was the day of the first home visit and the dinner and he was getting ready. His house was all clean and the Little One's room was all set. While he was exploring the manor he had found the old master suite and nursery. He decided to move his room to that one so he could be closer to the Little One when she gets to the house. He hoped that she would like the room; he hadn't gotten much out of her due to her lack of talking, except when she seemed frustrated and threw herself at him in anger. He rubbed the Band-Aid on his shoulder where she latched on. He hoped because she eventually fell asleep in his arms that meant she wasn't totally lost to the world. Regardless he wanted the house to be ready for when Draco came over so that this would go through without any hitch. He has always wanted a child of his own and he hoped she would be it.
Suddenly the doorbell rang. Harry froze. You can do this. No big deal.
Draco on the other side of the door was thinking the same thing All professional he told himself.
"Harry It's nice to see you"
"Same to you Draco"
"SO should we go see the house?"
"Sure let me give you a tour." Harry replied walking towards the front hall.
Harry led Draco throughout the house, leaving no room untouched. He didn't want to seem like he had something to hide after all he truly wanted to adopt this child. Occasionally Draco would make a comment of the decorations or the structure nothing bad just small talk. Soon they arrived at was Harry called 'Little Haven'.
"And this is her room, as you can see I picked the old nursery so that she would be near me but not in the same room. When she is older she can move into any room she chooses but for now I think having her close is best for me and her." And with that he opened the door.
The room was a decent size with a small child's bed on the far right side. Draco walked in and observed the light blue walls with clouds and a forest background. Each wall depicted a different season. The wall behind the bed had a light fall day, with the leaves falling like a gentle mobile on the window wall there was a spring scene with a tree arching the window's opening, the sunlight lighting the tree's light green leaves. By the closet was a winter wonderland snow falling in varying speeds and sizes. The last wall was summer painted over the doorframe, a gentle waterfall flowing over the door. Walking into the room he wasn't sure but he thought he saw a bird. He stepped closer to the walls. There is was again.
"Oh I see you found Hedwig." Harry said coming from behind Draco making him jump just a bit.
"Your old owl?"
"Yes I added her to the mural myself although I had Luna come out and paint it for me."
Draco chuckled at Harry's lack of artistic value and moved further in the room. Harry showed him the dresser and the book shelf which were moderately filled with books, toys and clothes.
"I wanted her to have some stuff already before she came and then when she is more comfortable we can go and purchase more." Draco nodded but was distracted by the large terrace window on the east side of the house he could see it through the bedroom's window. Its twin French doors gleaming in the late sunset. He was curious what room would lead to the balcony he could see.
Draco continued to ignore Harry's explanations as he moved towards window feeling it's soft breeze coming through. He reached for the handle of the window and leaned out looking at the view the window had over the luscious garden moors. He could imagine greating a garden for his potions and a small play area for children and –
"Umm Draco is everything ok? You seem a little lost."
Harry said tapping on his shoulder looking out at the view he decided on for the little girl. It did seem to be the perfect view for a girl to flow and flourish within it. "Umm soo you've seen everything now so maybe we could go for dinner now? Unless you have anything else you need to see."
"No I've made my investigations." Draco started as he walked and followed Harry to where the dining room was found. "I've seen the living areas, by that meaning living room, family room, sun room and bedrooms both hers and yours as well as appropriate guest living areas. I've seen the play and learning areas, meaning the library, playroom, outdoor moor, play area and classroom as well as your office which is very well organized something I didn't expect Harry. You have a kitchen, dining room, appropriate size and number of bathrooms and other ammedidies and I can tell that you are dedicated to having this child in your home." The two men stepped into the dining room and two house elves stepped into the room to present dinner. "Oh! Draco I forgot to introduce you… Ladies a moment if you don't mind."
Draco was awestruck at his motioning towards and language to these elves, though he didn't treat them like his parents did he never thought to ask them what they do and don't mind or just general manners. " I would like to introduce you to the lovely ladies that keep me and this house together." Harry said gesturing to the house elves standing before him. They wore a uniform not unlike a child's school jumper with a crest and the letter 'P' on it. Their ears and eyes were attentive and shining waiting for their moment to speak.
"This is Misty and she is the Mother and Head Elf of the house. She deals mostly with me and oversees the other elves and this is Agatha she is in charge mainly of the kitchen as well as most medicinal needs. She will be working directly with your staff to provide the appropriate meals and potion distribution as you see necessary. I have 3 other elves though not as popular though one I want you to meet. Claire!"
"Yes Harry?"
Draco was dumbstruck no Master no Sir?!
"I want you to meet Draco Malfoy the Healer for the child we are trying to foster and adopt. Draco this is Claire she is a nursery elf trained by the best and she will be helping with the Little One. Not to say that I won't because I plan on being and raising her as much as a muggle parent or magical parent without elves would, but she will be assisting with lesson and as a seamstress and small but simple this especially when I eventually go back to work. Thank you Claire, Misty and Agatha"
"Thank you Harry" The three elves said together.
"The only other elves I have are Marshall he works in the gardens and landscape both indoor and out, he will help unsure the play areas are safe and free of natural dangers as well as any botanical teachings. And I have Oscar who is Misty's husband and he runs the security of the house and maintenance as well as anything I need help with."
Draco sat eating his dinner is awe, "Harry I never thought I would say this but bo have you changed. When I saw you waiting in the lobby of the hospital I thought this was one big joke but I can tell now that this isn't and you are serious. I can't believe the way you treat the elves and the way they respond I mean they didn't even bow or address you formally. I mean how?!"
"That took more times than I thought But I wanted to be equals with my elve because they bring and do a lot for me and the house and soon for the Little One they deserve recognition, besides because you're here they were being tame usually they would've been squealing over the news of anything for the child. But lets get onto dinner they maybe we could discuss the next steps."
And with that Harry and Draco moved onto dinner and pleasant small talk before discussing how Draco would have to submit the paper work and in two days once he recived the 'ok'ed papers Harry could come back to receive the child. But Draco had a feeling that every day until then harry was going to visit to make her comfortable.