8/

Floreans and Other Shopping Excursions

It was a bright when Harry woke on Saturday. He rolled over and grinned to himself, today was going to be a good day. No paper work, no aurors, just him and his kids mucking about maybe having a two on two Quidditch match.

Shit.

Kids.

Harry soon lost his grin and jumped out of bed and looked at the clock. It was 8.45am and Ginny was due to bring the children over in 15 minutes. Harry raced out of his room and into the bathroom where he leapt into the shower and scrubbed as if his life depended on it. He was going at such a rate that he got shampoo in his eye and cursed loudly and then, as tears streamed out of one eye he remembered one very crucial thing that he was supposed to be doing today.

Shit.

Draco.

Harry, still trying to rinse his eye whilst drying his bottom half, fell over and cursed some more. Finally when he pulled himself together and got dressed it was 9.00 precisely. Ginny flood in with the children and was met by a slightly flustered Harry. Albus, James and Lily ran up to their father and hugged him round the knees.

"Hi Dad!" They chorused together. Harry ruffled their hair in turn, to which Lily pouted.

"Morning." Ginny said cheerfully "You look dreadful, what happened?"

"Nothing happened, just a bit of a late start, tis all."

"Harry... You have a black eye and it's all red and bloodshot. Looks like you've been hit." Ginny said sceptically.

"Oh, right… yeah, well I got shampoo in my eye and fell over a bit... I'm fine." Harry tried a winning smile.

"Clumsy." Ginny reprimanded, "At least you're not going out today though right?"

"About that... Kids, run along and grab yourself some cookies. I made some yesterday."

"Hell yeah. Cookies!" Cried James

"Ginny... We're going to Diagon Alley. I'm meeting up with someone I am hoping to ask to be my partner" Harry said bluntly, avoiding Ginny's eyes as he spoke.

"Draco?" Ginny asked with a smile.

"How- how did you know that it was him?" Harry stuttered.

"Oh Harry, I've known you for a long time now. I remember your obsession with him. I hear Ron talking about it sometimes, even now. It makes sense. I hope it goes well for you, and I hope he will be okay with the kids. You have told him about them haven't you?" She asked and when Harry still avoided her eyes she lifted his face so he would meet her eyes.

"Harry?" Ginny probed.

"No, no I haven't. He'll find out today though. Anyway, he said he had something to show me today. So I guess we're both gonna be surprised."

"Well, good luck with that. I've got to get going. Got a team meeting this morning" Ginny smiled ruefully and she made her way back to the fireplace. "See ya later kids!" She yelled in the direction of the kitchen.

"Bye Mum!" They yelled back.

As soon as Ginny had gone Harry made his way into the kitchen.

"Right you three, we're going into Diagon Alley today but before we do I need to talk to you. This is very important. As you know your mother and I were just not compatible together and so we both decided to be apart."

"Oh Dad we know all of this, why are you telling us again?" Lily asked.

"Well, because today we are going to meet a very close friend of mine… And to be quite honest I have a very good feeling about them, err… relationship wise" Harry fumbled over his words.

"Oooooo how romantic!" Lily squealed.

Albus and James just looked at each other.

"Now I would like you to be open minded and respectful because… ahh… this is probably not going to be what you are expecting…" Harry said awkwardly. Why was talking to his kids about this so hard?

"It's alright Dad, we know you're a ponce" James said with a cheeky smile. Harry looked taken aback.

"What? How?" Harry exclaimed.

"Overheard Mum talking to Uncle Ron about it the other day" Albus said with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Oh, ahh, you're okay with that?" Harry said tentatively.

"Yup!" His three children said in unison, looking at him like absolutely nothing had changed.

"Err, alright then. Well that makes this a lot easier. Still, be open minded anyway and best manners please." Harry said, sternly. This three children saluted and filed out of the kitchen and into the living room to watch some TV whilst Harry continued to get ready, before having to leave.

Draco was nervous. Today was the day that Harry would meet Scorpious. What if they didn't like each other? What if Scorpious showed him up and said something impolite or offensive. He knew Scorp had the manners of the landed gentry but sometimes he didn't think before he spoke. Draco had told Scorpious that he had no interest in women a long time ago. It had led to some awkward discussions but he had eventually understood. Scorpious still regularly saw his mother and their arrangement was quite a happy one. However, this weekend it was Draco's turn to look after him. Draco had explained that they were going to meet a very old friend of his today and that he needed Scorpious to be open minded and on his best behaviour. Having been assured that he would, Draco felt less nervous.

Draco was still worried about what Harry had to show him, however. What if it was something horrible that would put Draco off Harry, if that was even possible.

It was nearing 10.30, the time they had agreed to meet outside Floreans. Draco and Scorpious got their coats and shoes on and headed out into Diagon Alley. Draco was nervous again and Scorpious seemed to sense this and reached for his father's hand.

"It'll be alright father, honest" he said with a smile. Draco smiled back.

"I hope you're right, Scorp."

Harry was also feeling nervous. He didn't know if he should tell his kids that it was Draco Malfoy that they were meeting today or leave it and let it play out. In the end he decided to leave it. He was sure that his children wouldn't show him up, they were always so well behaved.

With that thought Harry called his children to put on their shoes and then, they too headed to Diagon Alley.

Draco was already outside Florean's when Harry and his children walked up Diagon Alley. Draco didn't recognise him at first because of the three small, highly excitable children running about his legs.

"Dad…" Scorpious said.

"Hmm?" Draco responded.

"Isn't that Harry Potter?" He questioned, seemingly in awe.

Draco's head jerked up in surprise. How could he not have noticed Harry walking towards him? Then he spotted his three children… Oh. His eyes widened in surprise, was this the 'something' that Harry had wanted to show him? How ironic, he thought as he looked towards Scorpious.

Harry noticed Draco at about the same time and he also registered Scorpious, and he smiled. So this was the surprise that Draco wanted to share. How alike they were. Their eyes met and they both grinned sheepishly.

"Hey" Harry said and smiled at Draco.

"Hello" Draco replied warmly and smiled at Harry's children, who were looking like they were trying really hard to hide surprised expressions.

"These are my kids. James, Albus and Lily" Harry said and gestured to them in turn. "Guys… this is Draco Malfoy."

"We know Dad," Lily said brightly, "Hi Mr Malfoy, it's great to meet you" she said, and smiled.

"Hello there" Draco smiled. "This here is Scorpious." Gesturing to his own son. "Scorpious, this is Harry Potter and his children."

"Hello Mr Potter, I have heard many things about you. It's a pleasure." Scorpious' manner was fairly stiff but Harry suspected that it was because he was nervous. Being faced with the Potter brood was usually a nerve wracking experience.

After their introductions which didn't go as badly as Harry was anticipating there was a slight lull in the conversation which was immediately filled by James' voice.

"Err guys…. I don't mean to be rude, but we are standing outside an ice-cream parlour… and we don't have ice-cream. I wanna get in before all the raspberry ripple has gone!"

Harry laughed.

"Better get in before Draco then, as I recall it's his favourite."

Draco looked surprised that Harry had remembered that. They smiled at each other and missed the adoring look they got from Harry's daughter.

"What are we waiting for then?" James asked indignantly. "I'll race you to it Mr Malfoy."

Draco smiled at James.

"After three? And please, call me Draco."

James nodded, "Okay. One… Two…" He dashed off before he got to three and left a slightly dazed looking Draco who caught on and pulling Scorpious along with him also raced into the shop.

Harry smiled fondly after them. Yes, he thought, I think this will work out nicely.

After they had paid for their ice-cream they wandered up Diagon Alley stopping off at various windows to check out the latest books, fashions and broomsticks. James had made his way straight to Quality Quidditch Supplies to which Draco made a 'like father like son' comment. Harry smiled, he was glad that Draco seemed to feel so comfortable around his family. Draco was right however, Harry just could not resist following his son over to look in the window.

"Look Dad!" James said in awe, "it's the new Nimbus 4050!"

"It is said to be faster than the Firebolt." Came a voice from behind them.

Scorpious had left his father and joined Harry and James at the window, clearly the lure of fast, shiny broomsticks was enough to bring him out of his shell.

"Really!?" James said, his face lighting up. "Boy do I wanna try that..!" and with that he looked up at his father.

"No!" Harry said firmly.

"But…" James began, "It is my birthday soon..?" He finished, widening his eyes.

"Well, we shall see, but I am not making you any promises."

And with that, James knew he had won. All any of Harry's children had to do was make a pleading face at Harry and he would give in to them completely.

By that time, Draco, Albus and Lily had also joined them at the window.

"Ergh, broomsticks again." Lily exclaimed, "Every time."

"You don't like flying Lily?" Scorpious asked politely.

"Well, I don't mind real-" She was cut off.

"She's an amazing flyer, Scorp." Albus blurted out. "You don't mind if I call you that do you?" Scorpious shook his head. "Good. Anyway, she is excellent. She runs rings round us, she can even match Dad with speed and manoeuvres sometimes. But she is very modest and wouldn't ever tell anyone. This one time, we were playing in the garden with Mum as well. It was Dad and James against Mum and Lily. I was ref. And she managed to outsmart Dad and she caught our snitch. It was amazing. Between you and me, I think Dad was a little put out." He laughed and Scorpious joined in, it was hard not to. Albus had an infectious laugh.

By this time the two of them had walked off, leaving Harry, Draco, James and Lily looking after them, talking of Quidditch and how Scorpious was going to apply for the Slytherin Team next year. Harry and Draco looked at each other and smiled.

"Come on Dad," Lily said, tugging at her Dads sleeve, "I need robes, the start of school isn't that far away!"

"Alright Lily, we'll get you measured up at Madam Malkin's."

They all moved off and caught up with Albus and Scorpious, who were still talking Quidditch and which broomsticks they thought were better and who would be the new Seeker in the Hufflepuff Team seeing as the previous one had since left the school to peruse a professional Chaser career. Harry steered the two boys in the direction of the robe shop.

"Oh Daaaad." Albus whined when he looked up and saw where they had ended up. He had been so caught up in his conversation with Scorpious that he hadn't realised where they were heading. "Do we have to stay?" he pleaded. "Scorp, do you wanna go to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes instead?"

Scorpious nodded, "If that's alright with you father, Mr Potter?" Looking at the both in turn.

"Alright with me kids, Draco?" Harry looked at him and Draco nodded his approval.

"Of course you can, we will meet you there when we're done." Draco said with a smile.

"Yes!" exclaimed Albus, "C'mon Scorp." He said and proceeded to practically drag Scorpious with him towards the joke shop.

With a smile and a shake of his head, Harry led Lily into the robe shop to get her fitted for her first set of school robes. Whilst Lily was in the dressing room and James had wandered off to look at the dress robes that he would one day need for the Yule Ball, Harry and Draco were left alone.

Draco was quiet.

Harry reached out and put a hand on his arm. "Are you alright, Draco?"

Draco looked down at Harry's hand and covered it with one of his own. He looked up into Harry's eyes then.

"This is where we first met, just there," he pointed to a stool in the middle of the floor. "I didn't know who you were then of course, or how much you would change my life."

Harry blushed and smiled, "Don't get sappy on me, Draco."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Malfoys don't do sappy." Draco said with a grin of his own.

Harry still had his hand on Draco's arm when Lily emerged from the changing room and witnessed the closeness between her Dad and Draco and she gave a small, happy smile. It was about time that her Dad found someone who made him smile like that again. She gave a small cough to let them know she was there and they jumped apart and spun to face her, both rather red in the face. She giggled.

"So, what do you think?" She asked, and gave a twirl in her robes.

"Like every bit a good scholar." Said Draco and gave her an encouraging smile.

"Thank you," she beamed, "I almost feel smarter just wearing it!"

"You looked lovely darling," Harry complimented. "Now you go and get changed and I will settle up with Madam Malkin."

After Harry had sorted payment and delivery of Lily's robes, the four of them made their way to the joke shop to meet up with Albus and Scorpious. When the little party arrived however, the two boys were nowhere to be found. James headed off to check out the new merchandise and see how much he could get away with carrying around school, and Lily immediately made her way to the Wonder Witch section to see if they had a new stock of PigmyPuffs. This left Harry and Draco alone again.

"Harry, I err… I wondered if," Draco coughed "Would you like to, maybe, have dinner with me next Tuesday. If you're not busy of course." He finished, mumbling slightly and looking at his feet.

For the second time that day Harry placed his hand on Draco's arm, and he raised his eyes to meet Harry's.

"I'd love too." Harry said with a smile.

"Oh, really? Wow, okay. Umm, shall we say 8pm? Will you be all done with work by then?

"Draco, stop panicking. You talk too fast when you panic. Of course I will be done with work by then and I would love to spend the evening with you." He gave Draco a winning smile. "Now, let us go and find our wayward sons and head back home."

They managed to locate George Weasley and he was kind enough to inform them that their sons were in fact out the back, looking at some new products that had yet to hit the shelves. Both George and Harry caught Draco's stricken look.

"Not to worry mate," said George cheerily, "Everything is perfectly safe." He winked and directed them both out to the back area.

Draco moved off but George caught Harry's arm before he could follow.

"Harry mate, is this what it looks like?" He said with a stern voice.

"Err, depends what it looks like…?"

"Well, it kinda looks like you're on a date, but with your kids." He grinned.

"It's not a date, no." Harry said. "That bit comes next Tuesday." He grinned back.

"Ahh well, nice one mate. I mean I know he's a Malfoy and by rights a bit of a posh twat, but whatever floats your boat. Hope it all works out for you." He paused at Harry's surprised expression. "I know you're gay mate, Ginny told me. Hope you don't mind?"

"Nah, it's going to come out sooner or later isn't it. I guess the more people know now, the more time they'll have to let it sink in. I just hope the Daily Prophet doesn't get hold of it too soon. Skeeter would have a bloody field day. Anyway," he said, checking his watch, "I'd better go find the others."

"No problem Harry, but here," he said putting a multi-coloured fluffy ball into his hands. "Lily was looking at them, but this is a new breed just in. I think she'll like him." He winked, "See ya later Harry!"

Harry found Draco standing behind Scorpious and Albus who were looking intently into a big box that was emitting a purple smoke.

"C'mon guys, we've got to get back. Your mum will be nearly done with her meeting and she's taking you to see Grandma this afternoon for tea and cakes, remember?"

"Ooohhh cake!" said Albus with excitement, "I'd forgotten about that. You ready to go Scorp?"

"Yeah, I'm ready. Really looking forward to seeing this in the shop Mr Weasley." Scorpious said to George who had materialised behind Harry.

"I am certain they'll be a smash hit." George said with a mischievous grin. "Something new to terrorise the halls of Hogwarts."

Harry sighed, he wondered how many letters he would get home about the bad behaviour of his children when this, whatever it was, came onto the shelves.

They found James and Lily by the skiving snackboxes and ushered them out of the shop. Harry had hidden the multi-coloured Pigmy Puff in an inside pocket and was planning to give it to Lily before she left for her first day of school.

As they ambled back to the Leaky Caldron, Albus caught up with his father and asked,

"Dad, do you think Scorpious would like to join us at Grandma Molly's this afternoon?"

"I'm not sure Al. That might be too much for him for one day. He has only just met you after all, although you two do seem to be getting on very well. Maybe invite him next time?"

"Yeah, I did think that. Too many Weasleys can sometimes be too much for anyone!" he laughed. "I do like him though Dad. I'm definitely going to make more of an effort with him at school. He always seems so quiet and reserved and I think the other kids are mean to him just because of his name. When really, he seems nothing like the other Malfoys. Even Draco, the stories I've heard about him… they hardly seem true, he seems so nice!"

Harry looked in wonder at his son who seemed so young sometimes and others, he would come out with profound feelings and statements that it was astounding.

"Well, that is very nice of you Al. If there are indeed people being mean, then you should definitely stick up for him. I know the Malfoys have a bad name, but they are truly loyal and that is one of the best qualities to have in a friend."

By this time they had reached the Leaky Caldron and Draco, Harry, James, Albus, Scorpious and Lily were all saying their goodbyes. Scorpious was wishing Lily well in starting her first year and Albus was looking forward to seeing Scorp soon at school. Draco and Harry stood side-by-side watching their children who seemed to be becoming fast friends all the while.

"I am so glad that they are not at all affected by our past, it is wonderful to see them getting along so well." Draco said, turning to face Harry. "It was good to see you again, Harry."

"You too Draco, and I look forward to seeing you Tuesday. Don't forget to send me an address so I can floo in."

"I certainly shall." Said Draco, holding out his hand for Harry to shake, which he did. "Until then Harry." He said with a smile. "C'mon Scorp, let us leave this family in peace."

They made their way to the floo and Draco disappeared first, followed by Scorpious.

"Well," Harry said, "Now that wasn't so bad was it? Thank you for behaving so well, I am very proud of you."

"That's alright Dad. He was so much nicer than I had expected." Said James.

"Yeah." Chimed in Lily, "All the stories about him and his family are horrible, but he is actually lovely, isn't he!"

"Scorp is alright too, got on really well. Didn't expect to, but there you go." Albus enthused.

Harry smiled down at his kids. He really couldn't have asked for better, better behaved children if he tried.

They flood back to Grimmauld Place to find Ginny lounging in one of the over-stuffed arm chairs. She grinned at them as they trooped in.

"So?" she asked, "How'd it go?"

She was so bombarded with thoughts and opinions about both Malfoys from the three children that she couldn't get a word in edgeways. She gave Harry a look that said 'Scorpious?' but Harry shook his head and mouthed 'Later'.

Ginny finally managed to say to Harry that they had to go, or they'd be late for Molly, Harry nodded and smiled and ushered them towards the floo. The children gabbling the whole while.

"Why don't you tell me more about it when we get to Grandma's, hmm?" Ginny managed to break through the din.

"Alright Mum." They said in unison.

And, saying goodbye to their Dad first, one by one they left via the floo until Harry was once again, alone.

I am so so sorry that this took so long. I have been suffering terribly with writers block for some time now until some inspiration hit the other day although I do think that this chapter is rather all over the place and feels a little disjointed. However, I hope all you lovelies enjoyed this instalment and I really hope to be publishing more often in the future. Hopefully they will have a better flowing plot line too…

Please do leave a comment telling me what you liked and what you didn't, and as always please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes and I still don't have a beta. (I am working on it).