Unfinished Business: Shattered Pieces
DISCLAIMER: Look at first chapter.
WARNING: Look at first chapter.
Happy Holiday
After a successful Halloween, everyone seemed to be in good spirits. November had finally arrived and with it came the first Quidditch match of the season between Gryffindor and Slytherin. There was a lot of excitement with this match, seeing as both teams had strong members this year.
"Leading out Gryffindor in all of their glory is their Seeker, as well as new captain since Lupin's departure, Weasley," Dominique said as she sat in the commenter's chair. "She is followed by chasers Potter, Longbottom and Thomas. Next are Beaters Slopper and Peakes, and last but certainly not least, their Keeper Wood," the part-veela called out over the full stands.
Cheers spread around the stands as the Gryffindor waved to their fans. The only ones not cheering were, of course, the Slytherins, who took to booing their rival house. The exception were Scorpius and Albus, who cheered when they saw James coming out onto the field.
"Leading out the infamous Slytherin team this year is Seeker, as well as captain, Harper. Following close behind him are Chasers Higgs, Nott and Pucey. Beaters comprised of the Goyle twins are out next, and lastly is the new addition to the team, Keeper Zabini."
The Slytherin stand erupted in cheers as their team entered the field. The excitement was high as the two teams faced each other. The entire audience, including the staff, couldn't contain their anticipation.
"Slytherin's going up against Gryffindor today," Draco said as he trailed his fingers through Harry hair.
Since Ginny had to work that weekend, Harry had stolen Lily away and met Draco at the cottage. There, they could spend the day together, pretending that their lives were as it should be. At the moment, they were all outside, with Lily flying around on her toy broom, Draco was sitting on the swinging bench while Harry rested his head in the blonde's lap.
"Poor Slytherins. It'll be such a shame when they lose their first match of the season."
"Are you sure? BJ's on the team this year and I've never seen anyone get past him."
"He's never played against James," Harry said proudly.
"Daddy! Papa! Look at me," a little voice suddenly giggled.
When the two men turned their heads to their daughter, it was to find that Lily had somehow managed to turn her broom so that she was now flying upside-down, her hands no longer holding onto her broom but reaching down and letting her fingers graze along the grass. They watched her fly around like that for a few minutes before she did a little spin and righted herself again, all the while giggling at the feeling of the blood rushing to her head.
"If only James had been a Slytherin," Draco pouted, causing Harry to laugh at his love's childishness as he brushed his stomach.
"That reminds me. I'm going to have to start wearing my maternity shirt," Harry said as he trailed his fingers along his stomach, which showed a barely noticeable baby bump.
Maternity clothing in the wizarding world are a little bit different than the muggle world. Several different kinds of enchantments are built into pregnancy clothing themselves. Some of them have stretching charms on them to let the clothes grow along with the pregnancy. Others have undetectable extension charms on them for those who want to conceal their pregnancy.
Harry owns both kinds.
Now that he was beginning to show, Harry knew that he would have to start wearing the ones that would help conceal his pregnancy. He only ever wore them when he went out into the world. In the muggle world, people were unaccustomed to seeing a pregnant man and would attract too much attention. In the wizarding world, where male pregnancy isn't unheard of, people still tend to get a little too excited when it was Harry Potter that was pregnant. With this curse cast over the entire wizarding world, it was more imperative than ever to keep his pregnancy a secret.
"As long as I get to see her grow, I'm fine with it," Draco said as he caressed Harry's hair.
"You so sure it's a girl?" Harry smirked.
"It better be or I'm in big trouble," Draco explained, which caused Harry to laugh.
"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL WAS THAT!" Harper snapped as he and his team gathered in their changing room. To say that the match was a disappointment would be an understatement. "EVERY SHOT! EVERY SHOT POTTER HAD THROWN! It was like watching a train wreck! I've never seen anyone let someone score on them like you did today! Even though I caught the Snitch, we still lost spectacularly. You better get your act together Zabini or you'll find yourself quickly replaced," he said before disappearing behind one of the stalls, the sound of the door slamming shut echoing throughout the room.
"What happened out there?" Travis asked as the rest of their teammates went to go and change.
"I just lost my concentration is all," BJ said, slumping down on one of the benches before rubbing his eyes as if fatigued.
"Does it have anything to do with the rumor that McLaggen is spending the Christmas holiday with Potter?" Thelma asked her weathered friend.
"Where did you hear that?" Travis asked in shock before turning to his dark friend.
"Girls are such shameful gossips," BJ mumbled.
"I'll take that as a yes then."
"It might not be true, though. As you said, girls are shameful gossips."
"But it is true, I overheard Potter talking about it to his brother this morning," BJ confirmed.
"Which, I guess, is why you were so distracted today."
BJ groaned, falling back on the bench at his dilemma. With the addition of McLaggen at Malfoy Manor, BJ's plans to put a wedge between the new couple had hit a snag the Slytherin couldn't see past.
"And here I thought the Slytherins would be the toughest to beat," Wood said as he strode into the Gryffindor common room. "Harper's been boasting his Keeper's abilities non-stop since Zabini joined the team. Looks like Harper's Keeper was no match for my Chaser, though," he boasted as he wrapped his arm around James' shoulder.
"I guess not," James smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.
After giving James a good pat on the back, Wood joined his friends for a celebratory game of exploding snap.
"Word has it that Zabini was too preoccupied to focus on the game today. Something about finding out that you and McLaggen were spending Christmas together," a familiar voice said.
"You've got to be kidding me," James said as he turned to Molly. "No wonder Zabini was such a pushover today. Well that's no fun," he said as he slumped onto the couch.
"You mean that you didn't plan for this little bit of information to spread so that you could distract Zabini on purpose?"
"Are you kidding me? What fun is there if everyone doesn't play at their best? When I beat him in Quidditch, I didn't want there to be any doubt that it's because I'm better than him. Now I'll never know," he said in dismay.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure Zabini isn't feeling too pleased right now either."
As the weeks past, another Quidditch match came and went. Ravenclaw had beaten Hufflepuff with ease, even with the latter catching the snitch. When snow started falling and December rolled around, the last Hogsmeade weekend before Christmas break saw most of the student body in a panic to find last minute presents.
When break finally came, those that were not staying at Hogwarts boarded the train back to Kings Cross.
"Did you find a present for your brother?" McLaggen asked James as the two sat next to each other in one of the compartments.
"For him and Scorpius. I saw it during our last trip to Hogsmeade and thought that it just screamed Scorpius and Albus."
"Does it consist of anything explosive?" Dominique asked, though she already knew the answer.
"The best presents always do," James smiled mischievously.
"Where are they anyway, and Rose for that matter?" Victoire asked curiously.
"Yeah. I thought they would be riding back with us," McLaggen agreed.
"They're all with Zabini," James frowned. "The big baby's still pouting about you coming along."
"I guess he hadn't anticipated you asking me. I'm glad you did though," McLaggen smiled.
"So am I," James smiled brightly.
"I cannot believe James asked McLaggen's son to join us during Christmas," Draco complained as he, Harry and Lily waited for the boys to arrive. "His son's probably just as much of a twat as he is."
"I'm sure he's harmless," Harry said, finding Draco's reaction amusing.
"I'm going to hex him."
"I'm sure that'll go over well. I think James' first boyfriend suddenly getting hexed by a man he barely remembers meeting once might prove to be a little confusing to him."
"I don't care," Draco said resolutely. "McLaggen is a twat. Therefore his son is a twat, and twats get hexed."
"True. After all, I seem to remember you getting hexed quite a bit."
"Oh shut up," Draco pouted to which Harry laughed.
"I'm just saying that maybe you should give him the benefit of the doubt before you aim your wand at him. Getting to know his first name might help."
"Fine," the blonde said with resistance as they saw the train coming towards them. "I'll play along. But if he tries anything, and I mean anything, with James, I'll hex him."
"Baby steps, Daddy," Lily said as she got Harry's attention. "Baby steps. I doubt any of James' boyfriends would get on any better against Papa," she said as the train pulled to a stop in front of them.
Moments later, students started piling out of the trains. The station was suddenly overwhelmed with the loud voices of parents and children greeting each other after such a long time away.
Scorpius and Draco spotted each other quickly seeing as they were the only ones with stark blonde hair.
"Father," Scorpius said as he rushed up to the blonde, Albus running close behind him after spotting Harry.
"It's so good to see you," Draco said as he wrapped his arms around the blonde boy.
"Dad," Albus said as he hugged the raven-haired man. "You'll never guess the time I've had at school."
"I bet you he would, seeing as how you write to him every day about it," James said as he came up behind him, with McLaggen's arm wrapped around his shoulder.
"Right," Albus giggled, never noticing the menacing stare Draco was giving McLaggen.
"Hello," McLaggen said as he held out his hand to Harry. "Hector McLaggen."
"Nice to meet you?" Harry smiled as he shook the boy's hand, ignoring Draco scoffing 'Twat' beside him. "Harry Potter."
"Of course," McLaggen laughed nervously. "Everyone's heard of you. The chosen one. Saviour of the wizarding world and all that."
"Just call me Mr. Potter," Harry smiled.
"Of course," the Ravenclaw said embarrassingly, never noticing when James, Draco, Lily and BJ all rolled their eyes at him.
"Blaise Zabini," BJ said as he shook Harry's hand. "Everyone calls me BJ, though."
"Nice to meet you BJ," Harry smiled, finding it odd being introduced to BJ when he's known him for most of the teen's life.
"Shall we go," Draco said as he gestured towards the exit. "We'll be taking my car to the manor."
As they headed through the barrier between platforms nine and ten, James turned to McLaggen in disbelief.
"'The chosen one. Saviour of the wizarding world,'" James mocked.
"I got nervous okay," the Ravenclaw said in defence. "It's not every day that you get to meet one of the most famous wizards of all times."
"If you ask nicely, I might get you an autographed picture of him," James said straight-faced.
"Really?" McLaggen asked a little too quickly before spotting the irritated look James gave him. "Right."
After leaving the station, Draco led everyone to three old-fashioned dark green cars that were waiting outside. A furtive-looking wizard wearing a suit of emerald velvet sat in the front seat of each of them.
"Where's Mum?" Albus asked as he stopped before the cars.
"She was sent away on a business trip, so she won't be able to join us this time," Harry said as he packed Albus' luggage in the trunk of the rear car.
"Oh," Albus said, looking a little relieved as he got into the car.
Even though he hadn't lied to his son, he hadn't given the whole truth either. The truth of the matter was that Ginny had refused to spend her Christmas holiday living at Malfoy Manor. She claimed that the house was seeped in dark magic and refused to spend a day there let alone two weeks. She didn't want her child to be harmed by their influence. Harry and she had argued about it for nearly a week before she said that she would be spending the holiday with her Holyhead Harpies teammates in France.
She claimed that her boss had wanted her to do an interview for The Daily Prophet's Christmas edition's Holiday with Quidditch article. Harry wasn't fooled, but he let her go. It was bad enough that he had to spend the holiday with one of the women suspected of splitting their lives apart.
Harry had wondered what kind of person didn't want to spend the Christmas holiday with their kids, no matter where they were, until she had tried to take Lily with her. Both Harry and Lily put an end to that thought right away with Lily creating a fuss about wanting to see her big brothers again. Ginny had finally conceded and left that morning in a huff.
After everyone had settled into their cars, Lily, Albus and Scorpius in the last car, James, BJ and Hector in the middle one, and Draco and Harry inside the front car, they drove away from King's Cross Station.
What would normally have been a very long car ride for a normal muggle car, the ministry car was able to bring the small party of eight at the gates of Malfoy Manor within the hour. Once the wards were brought down, the drivers rode past the gates before the wards shimmered back into place. Then the party was driven up to the main doors.
"All of your rooms are located in the south wing," Draco said after they had climbed out of the car. "I have assigned a house elf to each of you, with the exception of Albus. Scorpius, you will share your house elf and room with him," he said as six house elves suddenly appeared before them.
"Yes father," Scorpius said, finding the idea acceptable.
"Your house elves have already taken your things up to your room, follow them there and get settled. You have free reign of the manor until six o'clock when the elves will come and show you to the dining room for supper."
After getting settled into their rooms, Lily decided to wander the halls. She wasn't afraid of getting lost since she already knew the ins and outs of the Manor. Albus and Scorpius had also decided to leave their room since Scorpius wanted to show Albus around. James, on the other hand, didn't know the ins and outs of the Manor or have a guide to lead the way.
But that never stopped him before.
The moment Harry's feet landed in his and Draco's room, the house elf beside him bowed before disappearing again.
"Using my personal house elf to sneak me into our room…," Harry said as Draco pulled him towards the bed. "Ingenious."
"I thought so," Draco smirked as he pulled Harry into his lap and captured his lips.
The kiss was a soft, yet possessed a yearning that left Harry breathless. But something just didn't feel right about it.
"What's the matter?" Harry asked, noticing Draco's distraction as he straddled the blonde's lap.
"He's just like his father," was all the blonde said as he flopped backwards onto the bed, to which Harry scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"You just met him," Harry laughed as he looked down at his sulking husband.
"I'm a good judge of character, Harry," Draco said as he propped himself up on his elbows. "I can tell just by looking at him that he's no good."
"No good for James, you mean," Harry guessed.
"And what is James even doing with McLaggen anyway?" Draco continued ranting as he got up from the bed, ignoring Harry's correction. "You told me that he had a crush on BJ, but James barely even looked at him."
"First of all, I never said that James had a crush on BJ," Harry said as he sat on the bed, watching his husband pacing in front of him.
"Yes you did, in our room at the Leaky Cauldron, right before this whole mess started."
"I was talking about BJ. He confessed to James right before school let out. I thought Lily already told you this."
"All Lily told me was that James blew up the girls' lavatory because he was probably trying to brew a love potion for BJ."
"That's not exactly what happened."
"Then tell me, because I am rightly confused."
"I think you should ask James. He should be telling you this. Not me."
"You mean our son," Draco asked as he walked back to Harry, "who doesn't even remember that I'm his father? You want me to ask him about an incident that he probably doesn't even remember?"
"I never said it would be easy," Harry said cheekily as he smiled up at the irritated blonde.
"He said that we had free reign of the place so I don't see why I need to answer you," McLaggen said as BJ followed him down the hall.
"Because, unlike Mr. Malfoy, I know you," BJ said scathingly.
"And here I thought Ravenclaws and Slytherins got along," a small voice said from behind them. When they turned around at the sound, it was to find Lily walking up to them.
"No one gets along with Slytherins. Ravenclaws are just the only ones that can tolerate them," McLaggen said to the girl while making a sideways glance at BJ.
"James said that your dad works for the Ministry of Magic," Lily said suddenly.
"He works for the Department of Mysteries," Hector said conceitedly.
"Well, you already know who my dad is," she gushed. "The Harry Potter, the Head Auror," she continued smiling as she walked right up to him, "and if you hurt my brothers in any way, my dad can get you put away for a very long time. No matter where your dad works."
"Excuse me," McLaggen stuttered in surprise.
"My brother's a Slytherin, his friend's a Slytherin and we're in a Slytherin's house. You might want to start thinking before you speak. Ravenclaws are supposed to be good at that, aren't they?"
"I like you," BJ said, smirking at the shocked look McLaggen was giving the young girl.
"Most people do," Lily said as she smiled at BJ before turning back to McLaggen with the same sweet smile, "unless they cross me."
End of Chapter: Happy Holiday
