Disclaimer: Not Mine
Author's Note: here are your last three days! I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did writing them. I wish you all a happy Christmas/holiday period. Stay safe and have a Happy New years as well.
jamie
xxxx
Al arrived back at the Manor later, in time for dinner. Draco paid careful attention to the two boys and reexamined how they interacted with each other. There didn't appear to be any difference, and he didn't really expect there to be. Just because Scorpius admitted he might have wondered about himself and Al, didn't mean there was anything to it. Perhaps only the discussion of his past with Harry, who looked so much like Al, might have prompted the boy's thoughts.
Still, things were rarely as they seemed on the surface; Draco had learned that a long time ago, taught by better, harsher teachers than these two boys.
'You boys done all your shopping now?' Draco asked.
'Just about. I still have to get something for Dad, assuming he'll be home in time,' Al said.
'I'm sure he will be,' Draco said, smiling.
'And I have to get Al something. Bloody git has just about everything; he's so hard to buy for,' Scorpius teased, grinning.
'Oi!' Al exclaimed, elbowing Scorpius in the stomach playfully. 'You know I'll be happy with you agreeing to do your share of the housework charms in the flat.'
'That's what house-elves are for,' Scorpius protested, rubbing his stomach.
'And where are we going to get a house-elf? Aunt Hermione would have a fit if I tried to smuggle one in.'
'We can borrow Pippy,' Scorpius said grinning.
'No, I am too scared to let that house-elf out of the manor. No telling what trouble he'd get up to,' Draco said. 'He'd probably go around telling people he's family.'
Draco laughed and the boys joined in good naturedly.
'Anyway, Dad, carry on with your story.'
'All right. Just let me think about where to start.'
Perhaps it was time to start on when things began to go wrong for real.
The day had started so well; Draco having spent his first night in Harry's bed. When Draco woke, he'd found Harry draped over him and around him, tangled in a warm sleepy mass of limbs and torso. Draco merely snuggled down into Harry's arms and fallen back to sleep, a feeling of extreme peace pervading his whole being.
He probably should have known that things were too good to last.
…
'Time to get up, Blondie,' Harry whispered in Draco's ear, warm breath tickling the fine hair on his cheek.
'Are you mad?' Draco grumped from under the covers. 'What is this fascination you have with freezing cold, Potter?'
Harry dived under the covers and tickled Draco's belly, blowing raspberries on it and making Draco squeal…er … yell. 'Potter, you idiot,' he said, but he was silently laughing. Who knew his belly was ticklish?
Harry's flushed face appeared from under the covers and he grinned. 'But you love me anyway,' he quipped and jumped out of bed, naked as the day he was born, and ran quickly to put his clothes on.
Draco sighed, wondering if Harry even realised what he'd said. And the problem was, it was probably true. After last night, Draco was fairly sure he was falling in love with Harry bloody Potter.
He changed the subject. 'Why are we up at this hour on a weekend?'
'Because I have some last minute gifts to buy and I know you haven't got me anything yet, so move that pretty arse of yours because I want a Christmas present.'
Draco couldn't help but laugh at Harry's presumptuousness, even if he was right. Draco was having an awful time selecting the perfect gift for Harry.
'But wouldn't you much rather snuggle under the covers with me?' Draco tempted.
'Yes, of course, but if we get to the shops early then the crowds will be manageable. As soon as they realised who I was last year, I could barely move for people wanting to talk to me and touch me.' Harry shivered. 'So now I shop early when I know there'll be big crowds; less disruptive for everyone then.'
Draco sighed and gave in to the inevitable. He was getting up early on a weekend to go shopping with Harry. It was the sensible thing to do but Draco wondered if he'd ever get used to Harry's fame.
Before long he was dressed and ready to go; hat, scarf and gloves all charmed to keep his fingers and toes toasty warm. Harry was similarly dressed and he grinned at Draco.' You look adorable with your hat and scarf on. Why did I never notice it before?'
'We were too busy hating each other, Golden Boy,' Draco replied, leaning in to kiss Harry's plump lips. 'I could ask when did you get hot, but I think it rather redundant, don't you?" he whispered, smiling.
Harry smiled back, amusement flashing in his eyes. 'As long as we're in agreement now, then that's all that matters, right?'
'That's right, Mr. Potter.' Draco slid his hand up to cup Harry's cheeks with his gloved hands and kissed him again; a tender slow kiss meant to convey a depth of feeling Draco was unused to openly expressing. His heart jumped when Harry responded in the same manner.
After several long moments, Draco slowed the kiss and finally parted their lips reluctantly. 'Now, we were going shopping, I believe?' His voice was husky as if unused for a long period of time.
Harry's voice was just as hoarse when he replied, 'I'd much rather be back in my bed with you but…'
The light flush across Harry's cheeks and the breathy quality to his voice told Draco all he needed to know, and he took Harry's arm and Apparated them both to Diagon Alley.
'We're going to have to shop alone if I am to get you something without your knowledge,' Draco said. 'How about we meet back here in an hour?'
'Sounds good,' Harry said and kissed Draco again before heading off to do his own shopping. Draco watched him go, smiling after him, enjoying the confident swaying of his shoulders as he walked and the long, assured strides he took.
Draco had no idea what to get Harry, but thought he might start with some Quidditch books or even look at some new equipment. He had an hour so he decided to start at the book shop and go from there.
Harry had been correct about the crowds being less at this time of morning. The shops were barely open and there were only a few early birds out in the cold doing their shopping.
Unfortunately, when he walked into the book shop, the first person he saw was Ginny Weasley. She didn't see him initially but as he moved along the aisle, she looked up and smiled at him. Draco smiled hesitantly back, unsure of just why she was being nice to him.
'Hello, Draco,' she said cheerily.
'Hello,' Draco replied politely, still confused and wary as to the change in attitude.
'Oh, I'm over all that fighting,' Ginny said, waving a hand in his direction as if to dismiss his fears. 'Harry said he's dating you and so that's all there is to it.'
'Why?' Draco asked. There must be some other reason; she wasn't the type to just give him up like this.
She gave him a complacent smile, and Draco knew he wasn't going to like what her answer would be. 'Because I know one day he'll come back to me. I can give him what you can't, Malfoy, I can give him a family of his own. He'll have his little fling with you, get you out of his system and then he'll come to me when he's ready to settle down and raise a family.'
As she walked out of the shop, Draco could only stare after her, knowing deep in his bones that she was right. He couldn't give Harry anything like a family.
***
Draco paused in his tale, finally coming to the part of the story that had broken his heart at the time. He still had reservations about telling this part of it to the boys, especially Albus because it involved his parents so intimately. But as the blue sleigh was an integral prop in his story, despite the embarrassment to himself, he would just tell it. Besides, both Al and Scorpius were enthralled by the tale and wouldn't let him not finish it now in any case.
'Didn't you hate my mother for saying something like that?' Al asked, concern in his green eyes. 'Especially as it turned out she was right?'
Draco shrugged in an attempt at nonchalance. It was all so long ago, now. 'At the time, no, I think I always knew she'd win, but it made me want to fight harder to keep him.'
'And what did he have to say about all this when you told him?'
'Why would I tell him? She was like family and she had a point. I couldn't give him a family.'
Al sighed and Draco could see the emotions warring in Al's eyes.
'I still don't get what any of this story has to do with the blue sleigh,' Scorpius said, breaking the tension with a grin.
Draco looked away, feeling the telltale warmth of a blush rising to his cheeks. At the time, wrapping himself in Christmas tinsel, decorating his privates with a bow and delivering himself in the blue sleigh had seemed like a good idea to convince Harry he should stay with him. Perhaps he could leave that bit out…
…
Ginny's words had more effect on Draco than he would have liked. They seemed to echo in his thoughts, forcing themselves to he heard above his belief that Harry felt something real for him and would stay.
He left the shop without a gift for Harry and headed for their meeting place, knowing he had a lot of thinking to do. Should he give in to what was becoming something inevitable? Break the relationship now while he might still emerge relatively undamaged? Should he fight and maybe lose anyway?
He sat on a bench waiting for Harry, deep in thought and wondering if he should broach the question of family. Perhaps Ginny's insistence that Harry would want a family so much was wishful thinking on her part.
Some time later, Harry strolled around the corner, whistling a tune off-key and trying to look innocent, though his eyes had a wicked look in them. He grinned; his face lit up when he saw Draco and he bounded over and flopped down on the bench beside him.
'Finished?' he asked, leaning in for a kiss.
'All done,' Draco said, giving him a smile in return. He decided that he had to ask.
'I was thinking,' Draco said.
Harry gasped in mock surprise. 'Who would have thought…?'
Draco elbowed him in the ribs and scowled playfully at him. 'I was thinking,' he started again. 'Christmas got me thinking about family and how little of it I have left, and I was wondering if you see a family in your future.'
'Serious thoughts for such a festive season,' Harry replied, clearly puzzled.
'I'm a very serious person, Potter.' Draco tried to give him a stern look but it faltered into a faint smile under Harry's responding grin.
Harry slipped his arm around Draco's waist and pulled him close. 'Are you trying to get rid of me?'
'What? No, I was just wondering, that's all.' He settled comfortably against Harry's side. There was no way he was going to give this up without a fight.
'Serious answer, then,' Harry said. 'Some time in the future, maybe there might be children. I can't predict that. But not for the foreseeable future anyway. I am having too much fun being free to live my life how I choose.'
'But you do want children?' Draco pushed.
'One day, yes,' Harry affirmed.
Draco nodded; he had his answer. Eventually he would lose Harry, but not yet, and there was still time to make it virtually impossible for Harry to leave him easily.
He needed to start by finding Harry the perfect gift.
Later that day, he thought he might have an idea. Harry's love of all things Christmas had sparked the desire to want to share all the things that brought him joy, so the rest of the afternoon was spent in preparation. He also let Harry know he had a surprise for him and to meet him in Hogsmeade out the front of the Three Broomsticks.
Some people, he knew, would curse him for being a romantic fool but Harry seemed to like that, and he was determined to do whatever it took to keep his Harry with him and not lose him to Ginny's clutches.
Snow was falling as he stepped into the bright blue sleigh. There were charms on it to keep him warm, a charm to keep steaming mugs of cocoa liberally stuffed full of marshmallows warm, and the horse that drew it was suitably attired with Christmas tack. Draco was wrapped warmly in a fur coat that draped to his ankles, and little else. He'd been rather embarrassed earlier when selecting the tinsel and bow that would decorate his body but he was certain that Harry would appreciate the romantic sleigh ride and then being able to unwrap his present.
He'd even managed to work out how to Apparate everything into Hogsmeade. It was the perfect picture postcard village for his romantic sleigh ride and, while he was nervous about being seen as a silly romantic sap, excitement tickled his belly in anticipation.
Having safely arrived, Draco took the reins of the horse and urged it forward. The lights of Hogsmeade twinkled against the snow, reflecting the glow of Christmas windows. Snug and warm as he was in the sleigh, he still lifted his face to the falling flakes and grinned like the child he had been once as he licked them from his lips.
He felt giddy with happiness as he rounded the corner and traveled along the snow-covered road to the pub.
As he approached, his joy vanished like a window suddenly being smashed and exploding in shards of pain all around him.
Harry was waiting for him, of course he was, but he was in the arms of Ginny, who was kissing him like she owned him.
He let go of the reins but the momentum carried him to a smooth stop right in front of them. Harry broke away from Ginny and looked up at Draco smiling, wide eyes shining with delight.
'This is my surprise?' he asked. Draco was speechless with rage, defeat, and an agony deep in his chest that threatened to break him apart if he examined it too long.
Something of his pain must have shown in his face, because Harry's smile dropped and he moved toward Draco.
'Draco, this is not what it looks like…'
But Draco didn't stop to listen and Apparated himself and the horse and sleigh home.
…
'Oh, Merlin,' Scorpius breathed, the shock written allover his features.
Albus had closed down his emotions, Draco saw with a frown. His face was as blank as he'd ever seen it.
'Why would she do that?' Scorpius asked. 'In fact, why would he do that?'
'Because my mother is a calculating bitch, that's why,' Al snarled.
'Now, Al, I didn't tell you that story to make you hate your mother. They both Owled me for weeks after, trying to explain that it had just been a Christmas kiss between friends, but I was too hurt and humiliated to listen.'
Al stood and paced the room, hands running through his hair, eerily reminiscent of his father. 'Anyone could see how much you meant to each other, why didn't she just leave you alone?'
'It was as much my fault as it was theirs,' Draco said trying to calm him down. Then he spoke softly. 'And you and James and Lily wouldn't have been born if I had listened.'
Al gave him a tortured look. 'Even so…' he shoved his hands in the pockets of his trousers and hunched his shoulders. 'I have to go. I need to think.' He turned and walked out of the room.
Guilt flooded Draco; he hoped Al wouldn't take this knowledge out on his parents. 'Go after him, Scorpius,' he said. 'Look after him.'
'I will.' Scorpius stood and placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. 'Thanks for telling us, Dad. Al will be all right when he's had a chance to think about it.'
'I'm sure he will.' Draco was grateful for the support and placed his hand over his son's and squeezed. 'I'm so proud of you and I don't regret for one minute marrying your mother and having you.'
The shock showed on Scorpius' face. 'I'd never even thought about that. What happened?'
'Well eventually, years later, Harry did marry Ginny and had James. It was then I decided that I needed to move on and have my own children.' He gave a soft snort. 'Having more than one was too difficult once I'd realised what sort of person she was and that I was still in love with someone else.'
Scorpius nodded. He didn't need to say anything; they both knew what a disaster Draco's marriage had been. 'I'd better go after Al,' he said.
'All right, I'll see you in the morning then. And thank you.'
Scorpius smiled and went, leaving Draco alone and surrounded by his painful memories.
***
Trying his best not to do his usual trick of falling through the Floo, Harry finally arrived home. The hour was late and while he was hoping that someone would still be up to greet him, he didn't expect it, as no one was aware he was on his way. After he and Simon had interviewed Blaise, it had been relatively easy to apprehend the wizard who had been trying to sell stolen dark artifacts.
Stifling a yawn, Harry headed for the lounge to divest himself of the surprise packages he had brought with him. He thought maybe age was catching up with him, although he knew his current tiredness had as much to do with the hours he'd spent captive, and missing his family, as it did with age. Still, he was in his forties, maybe it was time to retire and find something less demanding of his time away from loved ones before they all made lives of their own without a place for him in them.
In the dim lighting of ever burning candles, he could see festive stockings hanging across the mantle and he grinned widely to see the traditional colours, all named appropriately. He unpacked his gifts and enlarged them to their proper sizes before tucking them into the stockings. The larger ones he placed under the enormous Christmas tree. The fairy that inhabited the top of the tree was asleep and Harry, who normally loved to tease her by chasing her with mistletoe, let her be.
He could hear music from somewhere in the house, a Christmas carol tinkling merrily. He assumed it was Lily's as she was the one who had hounded him for the music a number of years ago when she and Hugo had discovered Muggle entertainment. It was nice playing softly in the otherwise silent house, but he was tired and he wanted nothing more than to snuggle up in bed.
He walked slowly up the stairs and stopped out the front of Lily's door, as the music had become louder the closer he came. For a moment he was tempted to enter and turn the music off, but he decided against it, smiling and moving to his room humming the tune instead.
He opened his door and stopped at the sight on the bed before him. 'I do believe in angels,' he breathed. Even after ten years, the sight of Draco asleep filled him with awe. It never failed; he had his very own living angel. Quickly stripping off his clothes, he slid into bed behind Draco and moved close, slipping his arm around Draco's waist, so thankful to feel the warm solid body in his arms again.
Draco muttered something unintelligible and covered Harry's hand with his, snuggling back into his body. Harry felt the moment that Draco was awake enough to realise that he was home, as he stiffened for a moment and then rolled over. In the low light, Harry thought Draco's sleepy eyes shone, and he smiled.
'You're home?'
'Unless you're dreaming,' Harry said, leaning in for a kiss.
Then Draco's lips were under his, arms around his shoulders hugging him so tightly, Harry suddenly wondered what was wrong.
'This is a lovely welcome,' he said.
Draco merely nodded and clung to him tighter. Now Harry was worried; there was no smart comment, nor even admonishment for nearly missing Christmas. 'Draco, what's wrong?'
Draco shook his head. 'Nothing. Can't I be glad you're home from that job that takes you away far more often than I'd like?' He hadn't released his grip of Harry's shoulders though and as Harry pressed closely to him he could feel the slight tremble in Draco's body. Something was not right, but he knew that Draco tended to put up walls if you pushed him so he changed the subject.
'The kids all arrived, then?'
Draco nodded, pressing his face into Harry's neck.
'They're all in good health? Not cursed or hexed?'
Another head shake. Harry sighed. 'Your mother is well?' Draco nodded. 'Scorpius?' Again Draco nodded and Harry had had enough. He moved back enough to lift Draco's face up by his chin. In what light there was, Draco appeared distressed. He kissed Draco's lips gently. 'I've missed you terribly, you know. In fact, I've decided to hand in my resignation just so I can spend more time with you.'
Draco's eyes widened and he smiled, more like the Draco he knew. 'You don't think I'll get sick of seeing you round the house all day?'
Harry kissed him again. 'But you have your own job. You won't see me lazing on the couch in singlet and boxers all day, gorging on junk food and giving Pippy hell for not cleaning up fast enough.' Harry grinned. 'Because I will ensure that by the time you're home I am bathed and dressed and ready for inspection and you will never know what I slob I really am.'
Draco laughed at that and Harry's insides warmed. 'I think after ten years I am well aware that you are a slob, Mr. Potter.'
And just like that Harry knew what Draco's problem was. Draco had only ever called him Mr. Potter back when they were teenagers and madly in love. Before it all went wrong for more years than he liked to remember. Thinking back on those hard times usually made Draco feel sad and guilty.
'You've been thinking about it, haven't you?'
'Worse,' Draco replied.
'How could it be worse than thinking about?' Harry's hand rubbed along Draco's spine down to cup his bum.
'I told Al and Scorpius.'
'God, I hope you didn't tell them everything,' Harry said, laughing.
That drew another smile from Draco. 'Mooning Mistletoe,' he said slipping one thigh between Harry's legs.
Harry chuckled. 'How did they take it?'
'You might have a bit of explaining to do to them. Al was rather angry about how it ended. With his mother particularly.'
'Well he shouldn't be; it all ended well, we're back together and nothing is ever going to separate us again.'
'I think Al took it hard for a reason. His emotions are heightened.'
'And why is that?' Harry's hand was stoking Draco's hip, noticing how he was rolling them slightly dragging a slowly hardening dick across Harry's thigh.
'I think he's in love with Scorpius,' Draco said and stilled Harry's hand. 'He's not said anything but I recognise the look he has on his face when he looks at him. It's part of the reason I told the boys about us. I thought perhaps it might help him see that if it's meant to be then it will be.'
'And what does Scorpius think of this?" Harry asked. He wasn't entirely comfortable with the situation, as he was becoming used to thinking of Scorpius as his third son. It felt faintly incestuous, but he would adjust if it seemed a possibility.
'I don't see the same look on his face, I'm sorry.'
'Nothing to apologise for, Mr. Malfoy, I'll speak to him in the morning about not hating his mother. Now come here and welcome me home properly.'
Harry grinned and took Draco's cock in his hand, his skin feeling like it had just reconnected to something of his that was lost. As he stroked Draco and watched in awe as the man he loved with every fibre of his being fell apart, he knew that no mater what their past or their future, they would always be two halves of the one whole, each lost without the other and only really living when being touched by the devotion of their love.
…
Downstairs, Al was sitting on the couch in the lounge room, looking at the Christmas tree and its blinking lights. He'd not been asleep when he'd heard footsteps past his door. He assumed it had been his father and was glad he was home for Christmas but he was having trouble sleeping, worrying how he was going to deal with asking his father some hard questions. Logically, he knew that he couldn't be too hard on him; no one was wholly to blame, though he knew his mother's manipulations hadn't helped. But he wondered how his father had kept his love for Draco alive during all those years. Hadn't he ever given up hope that one day they'd be together? Al thought if he had no hope…Hope seemed like the wrong word anyway. To hope meant that you have some indication that things might change – but how could Al have any indication of that when Scorpius had no idea how Al felt and was straight as well? On the other hand, hope seemed appropriate because Scorpius didn't know how he felt and therefore was unable to say unequivocally 'no'.
A soft cough behind him made him start. Scorpius rounded the couch and flopped down beside him.
'You ok?'
Al nodded. 'I heard dad come home. You dad will be happy.'
'Yeah. You're not though, I can tell. What's up? Thought we worked stuff out this afternoon.'
'We did, just going over a few things in my head.' Al rubbed the bridge of his nose, tiredly. Al froze as Scorpius slid his arm around his shoulder
'Don't make them roll over too much in there, they'll leak out your ears.' Scorpius laughed in his ear and Al's skin broke out in goosebumps. Damn him.
'Idiot,' he said fondly.
'Seriously, though, you'll always have me to talk to. We are not our fathers. I'm your best friend and I'll never not listen to you when you want to tell me something.'
Al looked into Scorpius' face; noticing the deep grey eyes full of sincerity and honest caring. Al's heart panged and his throat ached but he smiled and hugged his best friend tightly.
'Thank you,' he whispered.
It would be enough. This… this was worth fighting his attraction for.
'Of course if you start blubbering like a girl or running off at the mouth talking nonsense I might have to hex you or something,' Scorpius said, pulling out of the hug and pretending to be serious.
But Al saw the slight curling of his lip and punched him in the arm. Whatever happened with this attraction, happened. If he and Scorpius were meant to fall in love with each other then they would, and no amount of planning or scheming, like his mother had done, or even denying it as Draco had done, would alter the outcome. In the end, if they were destined to be together then they would be.
Perhaps, hope was the right word, after all, he thought.