Chapter two

It had been two weeks since Harry had sliced his hand. Two frustrating weeks for both him and Draco. Wee Severus seemed more fussy than ever and Harry was worn out. He had tried, for Draco's sake to look after himself, if not the house, but he found it so easy to keep sitting in his chair, even when Severus was asleep and he had no excuse.

He had forced himself to cook dinner one night, even feeding the baby early, so that he and Draco would have a chance to talk. Draco was appreciative of Harry's efforts, but when Severus woke up, Harry ran to him, leaving his fuming partner to finish his meal alone.

Draco suggested to Harry that he might want to start going to the gym. Exercise might make him feel better, Draco had said. His attempt at helping sent Harry into a rage.

"So now I'm fat, is that it?" Harry said bitterly. "You try having a baby, Draco, and see how great you look."

"I didn't mean it that way," Draco said apologetically. "I just thought you might like to get out for a bit. I can watch the baby while you go."

"I am not going to spend all day looking after our child and then go to the gym. I'm just too tired at the end of the day." Harry said, his eyes flashing.

"I'm sorry," Draco said. "I didn't think of that. There's a moms and tots program at the gym, you could take Severus with you to that."

"Oh, great, now you want me to exercise with the baby. I'll tell you what's wrong, Draco. This place is getting to me, the walls are closing in. It's always a mess, I don't know where to start. And you haven't been all that considerate of me lately." Harry began to take deep breathes to try and stop the tears that threatened.

"If you need help, I'll help." Draco said, looking at his partner worriedly. "I don't know what you want me to do, though."

Harry exploded in anger. "You can start by picking up after yourself! Were you raised in a barn? Or is it the lack of house elves here? You are spoiled rotten, Draco Malfoy, and I am tired of having to do everything!"

Draco was stunned. Of course he missed having house elves around! Of course he didn't like living in this house, but it was Harry's. Once his father had found out about Harry and the baby, Draco had been disowned. He could go back if he renounced Harry and Severus, but deep in his heart, Draco knew he couldn't do that.

Frustrated, angry, Draco watched Harry run upstairs and heard the bedroom door slam. He heard the loud sobs coming from Harry, and turned around to look at the mess. If only Harry weren't so stubborn about house elves. He sighed, and got his wand. Slowly, he began to clean up.

When Harry came out of the bedroom, Draco was working to get the kitchen tidied, although the dishes were giving him a hard time. Severus was playing happily in his swing. In the living room, the piles of laundry were sorted into baskets, and clean clothes folded on the couch and the dust was gone.

"Feeling better?" Draco asked, as he put the kettle on the burner. "I'll make you a cup of tea."

Harry nodded, but Draco was frightened by the blank look in his eyes. He quietly made the tea and they sat down at the tiny table together.

"You were right, Harry." Draco began. "I haven't been pulling my weight around here. But I'm just so tired when I get home. All I want is to eat and play with Severus and cuddle up with you. I didn't think that was too much to ask."

Harry looked at him, his green eyes bewildered. "It really isn't. I don't know what's wrong with me, Draco. I have what I wanted, but some days it seems like too much, if you know what I mean." Draco nodded sympathetically and Harry went on.

"I do love you and the baby. I want to do what's best for all of us. But I'm exhausted, and I just don't have any ambition right now beyond what Severus needs. Can you understand that?"

Draco placed a hand lovingly on Harry's arm. "Of course I can," he said. "And you were right, I am spoiled." He sighed. "Maybe it's time to think about getting a house elf or two."

Harry gave a rueful laugh. "Yes, that would solve all our problems. But after the Kreacher disaster, I really don't want one at all. In fact, all I want is a big box of sleep."

"You go to bed then," Draco said, patting his arm. "I'll get Severus to sleep."

Harry gave him a grateful kiss on the forehead and went up to their bedroom. Draco watched him go, and sat drinking his tea and watching Severus who was still swinging. Seeing his father looking at him, the baby began to fuss. Draco put down his tea and picked up the child. Carrying him into the living room, he sat in the rocking chair and began to hum to his son. Draco loved Severus, and had promised himself that he would give this baby all the love that his father had neglected to give him. Love he hadn't realized he'd missed until he'd met Harry.

Draco was more worried about Harry than he'd said. He had no one to discuss the problem with. The Weasley's might have helped, but they had cut all ties with Harry when they had discovered his love for Draco. As he rocked his son, Draco decided that if Harry continued to fall apart he would send an owl to Severus Snape.