Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Warnings: Deaging, AU, nonslash.
Author's note: Sorry it has been so very long in between updates. I must say that my muse is very finicky as of late. I also do not have a home computer, which thought finally I hope to remedy by next month and I am so excited. This chapter is unbetaed for the time being. I am at the library and simply do not wish to wait to post it. I am going to try to update my story in rounds since I have chapters, yes chapter written for each. The update order is as follows:
Pair Up, then Everything Unexpected, then A Cure for Loneliness, then Life Renewed, followed lastly by Hogwarts Marauders Era! Please be patient I am writing, but my stories have been sitting for way to long and I would like to try to finish them all.
In better news, I am an aunt with a brand new little nephew having been brought into the world. I am just gushing over him.
Chapter 6 - A Family Outing
Draco sat in the living room going over some last minute details for the wedding. Life was in an uproar since a week after Alyssa's party; Draco was determined to have the perfect wedding. All the morning had been dedicated to making certain the manor and the ballroom were clean for the wedding and reception. Draco was happy to be able to use the Malfoy Manor for the reception, but was even happier about the fact that his mother had finally come around, even if it was just two weeks ago. There were still the threats aimed at Harry if he ever dared to leave Draco, that were rather nasty, but otherwise his mother was excited about her baby getting married and wouldn't miss it. Tomorrow was the 13th of February and he they would have the last dress rehearsal before the wedding. Draco was wishing on every star in the night sky that all would go as planned. After the fitting, Severus nearly beheading him for having to wear a color other than black, the flower mix up and early delivery, as well as the dinner menu for the reception which was lost and reworked twice; Draco was ready to just be married.
Draco laid his checklist to rest on the table and looked over to Alyssa who was sitting on the floor with a rubber chicken in her hand. She was highly amused by the Weasley twin's prank wand and waved it around laughing as it changed and changed back. He could not help, but to watch her with a smile on his lips. He had to silent thanked his little girl she was one of the reasons his life was so good right now.
While Draco gazed, at Alyssa, Harry walked in and hugged him from behind, his arms wrapping around Draco's shoulders.
"Hey Dragon," he said before kissing his fiancé on the cheek. "Almost done," he asked looking at the checklist on the table.
"Hello Love," said Draco softly picking up the list. "As far as I can see everything is all taken care off. I am very excited to see us happily married."
Harry smiled releasing Draco, "that's good because I thought maybe we could go out to eat tonight. I am happy and excited for our wedding as well, but we will be spending a whole week away from Lysa, so we should spend the evening together."
Draco smiled, "that sounds like a very good plan. I will miss our daughter so much while we are away. To be away from her for a whole week, I can hardly imagine it at all."
Harry smiled nodding at his love while laughing lightly. "Think of it as a week of pure bliss for your mother. Surely that will put you at ease."
Draco joined in the laughter at Harry's comment knowing it to be fully true. "Alright then let's get ourselves together so that we might enjoy a worry free evening out."
Harry nodded and went to retrieve their wand waving daughter, who dropped her toy upon seeing her daddy and raised her arms to be lifted. "Daddy," she exclaimed before spewing out incoherent babble at an amazing rate. Harry simply hugged her with a laugh and retreated out of the living room behind Draco.
The evening found the trio at a very familiar restaurant, but neither could figure out why as they we're seated and even while they ordered their meals. It had been day time the last time they had visited and nearly a year ago.
"Harry," questioned Draco in the middle of Harry's sentence.
Harry stopped talking and gave Draco a question glance.
"Does this place seem as familiar to you as it does to me?" Draco spoke to Harry, but his eyes roamed the restaurant as if to examine it.
Harry nodded, "Yeah it does, but for some reason I just can't seem to place it. Though I guess since you are familiar with it too, then that means we have been here before.
Draco nodded in turn, "I cannot place it either, but it is definitely very familiar to me."
Harry laughed before helping Alyssa to maneuver a glass of pumpkin juice to her mouth. "Don't think about it Dragon. It will continue to elude you if you do."
Draco gave a small snort, "elude, mmh Phoenix. Since when do you speak in such a manner? I think you have been spending too much time at work. The others aurors finally expanded your vocabulary."
Harry glanced at Draco giving him a pout at the insult, even thought it really hadn't raised him. He cracked a smile and then nearly jumped out of his seat as Alyssa knocked the cold glass of pumpkin juice into his lap.
Draco found himself laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his seat while Harry frowned at the cold wetness that seeped through his pants.
"It's not funny Dragon," he said fully rising from his seat and pulling his wand out to banish the mess and dry his pants.
"Yes, yes it was," said Draco, "you should have been paying closer attention."
Alyssa babbled something neither man understood which caused them neither to break into laughter before they proceeded to finish their meals.
In all the time in the restaurant neither man realized it was the very same restaurant where Harry first saw Alyssa, assuming incorrectly Draco has successfully moved past him. They left none the wiser simple happy to have finished a peaceful meal as a family. No one coming up to ask for an autograph, a picture, or an impromptu interview, the latter of which occurred at an increasing rate over the year especially now their wedding was just days away.
They walked through Diagon Alley looking at the displays in the shop windows before going into a toy store to buy a new toy for Alyssa, a stuffed companion for her to have while they were away. While they browsed Draco turned to Harry a question brewing in his mind. Harry gave him a quizzical look, but waited patiently for Draco to gather his thoughts.
"Harry," he said softly still looking at his fiancé curiosity written all over his face. "Do you think our godfathers will soon follow our lead putting their differences behind them and moving forward?"
Harry looked up to the ceiling and Alyssa, whom he carried in his arms, copied him. "I don't know," he said his eyes coming back down and continuing to look over the stuffed toys. "Why do you ask?"
Draco frowned slightly at the answer, but continued on to make his point. "Severus spoke about a date two weeks ago. He said Sirius was rather insistent and he agreed to get him off his back. The pair went out, but Severus did not enjoy himself and does not wish to go again. However, the opposite can be said for Sirius."
Harry turned and really looked at Draco wondering how he knew what Sirius could feel about the date gone horribly wrong, but said nothing knowing his love would explain especially now he knew he had Harry's full attention.
Draco knew to explain at Harry's expression and nearly laughed at Harry's silence. It seemed the pair had truly grown to know each other very well. "Severus has expressed a certain amount of exasperation with Sirius who has asked him no less than 6 times for a second dates," said Draco parroting much of Severus own words.
Harry laughed lightly shaking his head at Draco, then laughing harder when Alyssa parroted his movements. Draco had to laugh as well, at his daughter's antics, while he waited for Harry's explanation.
"Dragon, trust me, that by no means did Sirius enjoy the date. I asked him about it and he said it was an absolute flop as they found out neither of them really knows anything about the other. He said he wanted to a try a second date, something simple so that they could remedy that. Sirius is nothing if not persistent, he will keep at it."
Draco's eyes went alight with understanding before laughing. "Would it be terrible of me if I left my godfather to figure this one out on his own? He is so lacking in proper social etiquettes."
Harry laughed shaking his head, "no, Dragon. I think this time it would be best if the pair is left alone." Harry paused momentarily, considering something, but then said, "for the moment anyway."
Draco nodded with a smirk before his attentions turned to Alyssa who seemed to be excited pointing at something. She babbled to Harry wiggling in his arms in an attempt to get the item she pointed to. It turned out to be a stuffed dog that greatly resembled Sirius and this made the pair laugh wholeheartedly before purchasing it for their daughter.
Continuing on their way through Diagon Alley found the little trio waltzing into an ice cream shop despite the fact that it was actually February. Harry and Draco shared a chocolate ice cream, but gave Alyssa a smaller vanilla cone. By the time they finished their ice cream Alyssa's little teeth chattered from the cold and Draco had to reluctantly cast a heating charm on her coat. He was still wary about using magic on her since she was so aware of magic and so magically strong at such a young age.
Harry placed an arm around Draco as they continued to walk, a warmed Alyssa sleeping peacefully in Draco's arms despite the ice cream she had just eaten. She was likely to be up at 5 the next morning, but they would leave Narcissa to deal with that. Harry looked onward and gave a contented sigh. "Just imagine Draco. In just ten years we will be pulled down the alley by a very excited Alyssa wanting to get all her things for Hogwarts."
Draco looked to Harry and smiled. It was nice to know Harry was looking forward to the future, a future with the three of them together. "I love you," he said his eyes finding Harry's.
"I love you too," said Harry giving Draco a gentle kiss. The pair walked a little longer before heading home. The next day was going to be a long one full of last minute preparations.
AN: Sorry it so very short. I wanted to have this little outing, but did not want to make the wedding chapter even longer than it already is. It will be the next chapter and may not be up for another 2 weeks.