AN: A present to all of you who favorited and reviewed this story, especially when I was still writing it. Will some of these details be relevant in some future story? Will they be related to this one? Some yes, I've just had some ideas for future stories, but not given them much thought. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy my special gift to you guys. I hope you continue to review and support my and other writers' works in the future, because a favorite, follow and review for ongoing stories are the best way to show your support for a writer, and your support is one of the best gifts we can receive.
Happy Holidays!
Best Christmas Ever
15th July, 2009
St. Mungo's
"Draco, take in slow deep breaths and try to calm down." Harry said.
"Easy for you to say! You're not the one they're extracting to human beings from!" Draco yelled
"I take it now's not the best time to ask if you changed your mind of wanting to know whether the twins will be identical or fraternal?" Joseph asked as he moved his wand over the blonde's stomach, and Draco yelled something incoherent at him. "It'll still be a few more minutes."
"How did I let you convince me to do this again?" Draco asked Harry.
"If you recall, it wasn't me." Harry replied. "It was our good friend Head Healer Duskgem, his loving husband, and their adorable son."
26th January, 2008
"Do you think we should get a cake or should I make something myself?" Draco asked.
"Dray, it's just Theo, Joseph, and Dan, not the minister." Harry replied.
"Yes but before he left for the holidays, he was promoted and we didn't get a chance to throw him a celebtion." Draco explained.
"I think he's celebrated enough." Harry said. "Besides, it's Joseph; he'd just want something simple."
Draco eventually decided to just make a treacle tart and after helping him with most of the work in the kitchen, Harry went into the den to read the Prophet. He was engrossed in an article about a dragon sighting in Scotland when James rushed in.
"Are they here yet?" He asked excitedly.
"If you mean, are they in the country, then yes." Harry said and chuckled at his son's frown. "They'll be here for dinner, James. Why don't you go flying until then?"
"I already flew this morning." James said. "I just want to see Dan again."
Harry smiled and ruffled his son's hair, agreeing to go fly with him. Teddy had begun his first year in Howgwarts the year before and James started feeling a little lonely, since they spent most of their time together. Daniel helped in that regard, since Theo and Draco brought the boys to the apothecary with them on most days. This train of thought eventually led to the idea of having another child, but he pushed it back since he still didn't know if Draco was on the same page as him.
Draco called the two of them down after an hour and they all got ready. When they were finished, they all went to the lounge and soon, emerald flames erupted in the fireplace. Once the flames dissipated, James rushed over to give his friend a hug, then his parents.
"Welcome home." Draco greeted as he hugged his friends. "How was your trip?"
"Wonderful." Theo replied. "There were a few small hiccups, but nothing too major."
"I don't think our son using magic in a muggle zoo and ending up releasing some of the animals counts as a small hiccup." Joseph said. Daniel scratched the back of his neck while James looked like he couldn't wait to hear the story. They moved to the dining room and began having dinner. Joseph, Theo, and Dan began telling them about the places they visited, like India, Japan, and Vietnam. They eventually returned to Japan, since that's where the zoo mishap occurred.
"It couldn't reach its food." Daniel said. "Was I supposed to let it starve?"
"No, but you could have told one of the zoo keepers." Theo said.
"Thankfully, the Minister for Magic in Japan was the one who invited me to give a lecture at Mahoutokoro, the wizarding school there." Joseph explained. "He gave that young man a stern warning and let us off."
"Which reminds me, we have gifts." Theo said and summoned their house-elf from their home, who brought several boxes with it.
"As you can guess, there's a common thing among most of these." Joseph stated and Harry noticed how most of them were wooden things, and that they were made from Cherry wood. "I'm not sure why, but wood from the Japanese Cherry tree seems to be extremely valuable there. Even the students who had wands made from it were held in high regard. I've brought some and a few saplings to conduct some research, although I have a feeling that the regard is due to something cultural."
Draco received a set of knives, all of which had jade hilts and some seeds of Asian plants. Harry, James, and Teddy each got a broom made from Cherry wood. They weren't as fast as the Firebolt, but were much more manoeuvrable. Harry also received a book on a lot of Asian potion ingredients. Dan got James a wizarding chess set, the pieces fashioned to look like samurais, an emperor, empress, and a few more medieval Japanese soldiers.
"We also went to a mountain temple, which was amazing." Daniel said with a smile. "You could practically feel the magical energy around you."
"What was your favourite part of the trip?" Draco asked as he sat back down after serving the treacle tart.
"It was when my dads told me the great news." Daniel replied.
"What was it?" James asked
"Daniel." Joseph said warningly.
"Come on, it's Uncle Draco and Harry. If you can't tell them, who can you tell?" Daniel asked. "I'm going to be a big brother!"
"Is it true?" Draco asked and his two friends nodded.
"See, I told you he celebrated enough." Harry said.
"Boys, why don't you go play?" Theo suggested and the boys left. "We found out mid-December. We weren't telling anyone yet since we haven't told our parents."
"So, were you planning on having another kid?" Harry asked and Joseph and Theo nodded. "What helped you decide?"
"I guess it was when we begun planning our holiday." Theo said. "Dan kept asking if you guys would be coming along and he insisted that we invite you, even when we said that we just wanted time for us."
"And after every three days, he'd send a letter to James." Joseph continued. "We also thought about how it would be when Daniel goes to Hogwarts, but we're not having another kid because we thought Daniel was lonely or that we want something to have someone around when Dan is in school. We both agreed that it was time to grow our family."
They returned to talking about Joseph and Theo's trip and they departed a few hours later. After tucking in James to bed, Harry returned to his room and found Draco looking out the window.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked as he wrapped his arms around the blonde.
"Just thinking." Draco replied.
"About?" Harry asked
"Our family." Draco replied. "Are you…happy with it?"
"Of course I am." Harry answered. "I wouldn't change anything for any reason."
"Does that resistance to change also include adding another member?" Draco asked as he turned and looked at the raven.
"Dray, are you sure?" Harry asked wide-eyed.
"I am." Draco said with a nod. "I've actually been sure for a while, but thought you changed your mind since you hadn't asked in a while."
"I'd love to have another kid." Harry said and pulled Draco in for a kiss.
13th October, 2008
"So you're finally pregnant." Joseph said to the couple. "Congrats, although I doubt that the past few months has been that bad, Draco."
"Let's just get on with it." Draco said and sat on the examiner's table.
Joseph moved towards the blonde and ordered him to lie down. He then took out his wand and moved it over Draco's stomach. Harry stood on the wall opposite of the table and smiled at Draco encouragingly.
"Well, everything seems to be in order." Joseph said when he finished. "You're all healthy, that's your main priority for the next nine months. I hope you have two spare beds by then."
"What?" Draco asked and looked confused.
"Two beds. You're having twins." Joseph replied.
Harry and Draco stared at Joseph before slowly turning to each other. Joseph observed that they looked shocked, but that was it. He left the room to give the two some privacy.
"Well…" Harry said after a long silence. "That was certainly unexpected."
"Yeah." Draco agreed. "When I said I wanted to add another member to our family, I meant for it to be one at a time."
"Are you alright?" Harry asked and held the blonde's hand.
"Yeah, I was just caught off guard." Draco said and gave Harry a smile. "But now, we'll need to change the plans for expanding the house. We might need one more room, if we're having a girl and a boy."
Harry agreed and Joseph walked in again.
"So, do you want to know the genders, whether or not they'll be identical or fraternal, and what they'll look like?" He asked.
"We just want to know the genders, since we need to know if we're going to need another room." Harry said and Draco nodded.
"Well, it looks like you've taken something from Molly and Arthur, Harry, because they're both boys." Joseph said.
"Four boys, two more and a girl and we'll be exactly like them." Harry joked.
"God forbid that we become anything like them!" Draco exclaimed. "And I will not put my body through three more children!"
"Who knows, the next time, we might have triplets." Harry said and earned a glare for Draco. "And not all of them are bad. And Ron's a little eccentric."
"Who's he with now?" Joseph asked Draco.
"Romilda Vane." Draco replied with disgust.
"I think she might be the one for Ron." Harry said.
"That's what you said about Lavender Brown." Draco returned. "Who he hooked up with thirty minutes after breaking up with Hermione."
"That's what you also said about Parvati Patil." Joseph added.
"And Padma, who he dated two girls after her sister." Draco continued, making Harry groan. "Face it love, you're a terrible judge of character and stupidly loyal."
"Alright, alright." Harry sighed. "Speaking of Hermione, have you heard from her?"
"Yes, she and Viktor are still on holiday in Spain." Joseph replied. "I'm glad she's with Viktor now, they're better for each other."
"Well, once she found out Viktor had tried to return to England during the war when he visited a few years after graduation, it was inevitable." Harry said.
"Alright, so here are the usual potions for morning sickness." Joseph said and brought out an entire box of potions. "We'll have a check-up every month just to see if everyone's healthy. If you strangely ill, call me immediately."
Harry and Draco thanked their friend before returning home and telling James the news, who practically jumped until dinner time.
Present
"Alright Draco, just keep focusing your magical energy on the children. We're nearly there." Joseph said. "Same to you, Harry."
"Is this really how male wizards give birth?" Harry asked. "The parents focus their magical energy on their children while the healer transports them out using magic."
"Basically, yes." Joseph replied. "Think of it as we're apparating the kids out, with the parents magic enhancing their magical power while protecting them from being splinched, and the healer acting as their eyes for the place they're apparating to."
"I think we have more important things to focus on than lecturing Harry, who was too much of prude to listen to Madame Pomfrey's lecture!" Draco yelled.
A few more minutes and several yells later, there were two, naked, baby boys in Joseph's arms. He handed each to a mediwitch, who cleaned and disinfected them. They were then handed back to Draco, who smiled widely.
"Look Harry, it's our sons." He said tiredly.
"They're beautiful, just like you." Harry said as he kissed Draco's head. "I think we should know what they're going to look like."
Draco nodded and asked Joseph about it.
"They're fraternal twins, as you can see from their eyes." Joseph explained. "One of them has yours, the other has Harry's. I expect they'll be near copies of each of you once they're seven years old."
Joseph and the mediwitches left as soon as they checked that the babies were healthy and brought in two cribs. Soon, Narcissa, Andromeda, James, Teddy, and Hermione came in.
"Dragon, they're simply gorgeous." Narcissa said as she cradled one of her grandchildren. "What are their names?"
"Well, the one Harry's holding is Albus Severus." Draco answered. "And the one you're carrying is Scorpius Hyperion."
"Really?" Harry asked with a raised eyebrow.
"You named him after the old man. I get to name our other son anything I want." Draco said and Harry rolled his eyes before returning his attention to Albus.
"It's typical behaviour, dear. No one other than purebloods know the reason behind we choose such names." Andromeda said.
"What are they?" Hermione asked. "I really want to know why Draco named one of my and Viktor's godson that."
"You're not being named godparents until you get married, Granger." Draco said
Everyone stayed for a few more minutes before leaving Harry, Draco, and James with the newest additions to their family.
25th December, 10 Years Later…
Harry, Draco and their kids were all the ballroom of Duskgem Manor. They, along with Narcissa, Andromeda, Joseph, Theo, Hermione, and Viktor decided to spend the holidays there to be together.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Krum." Draco greeted Hermione as he gave her a present.
"It's still Granger, Draco." Hermione said as she rolled her eyes, but smiled.
"Doesn't that sound like you're trying to keep you options open?" Draco asked.
"I agreed to this because I don't vant Hermione to get unvanted attention because of my name." Viktor explained.
"But the press will eventually find out about how you two are married, probably when Hermione's three months pregnant and you accompany her to her healer." Draco said.
"And we'll deal with it then. I would've taken Viktor's surname from the start…" Hermione began, but was cut off by her husband.
"If you veren't having your first law being reviews by the Minister and Vizengamot." Viktor finished. "I understood that if news got out that ve got married, it could give your law unintended attention."
Draco smiled at the two of them because they were perfect for each other; Viktor made Hermione more of a risk taker and adventurous while Hermione made Viktor a more critical thinker. It's been ten Ministry Balls since he hadn't said something to offend anyone, even though the look on the offended party's face always made Draco laugh.
"Dad, dad!" Albus called as he approached Draco. "Look what uncle Joseph got me and Scorp; his newest book on the potions ingredients found in cold countries and weather, and what they're best suited for. It's not going to be out for two more months!"
"That's great Al." Draco said with a smile. Even though they couldn't change Harry's mind about the name, he and Joseph agreed that Albus should embody his second namesake more.
"James, I know it's the newest broom, but no flying indoors!" They heard Harry yell.
They looked up to see James riding on the new broom Viktor and Hermione got him, which was made from redwood.
" But dad, it's snowing outside and I need to practice on it if I want to be prepared for our match against Slytherin." James said.
"You're a natural James." Viktor called. "I vouldn't be surprised if you made it into the English national team in the future."
"Don't encourage him!" Harry said.
"It's alright Harry, the ceilings are high enough so he can fly a few rounds without hitting anything." Joseph said and James took that as a cue to continue his rounds. Daniel eventually joined James in flying around.
"Father, can't I fly too?" Richard, Joseph and Theo's youngest, asked the raven.
"No, not until you're older." Joseph replied sternly. "You haven't even flown your broom at that speed."
Richard pouted, but moved to sit on the couch where Al and Scorp were.
"You look stressed." Draco joked when he approached his friend.
"Well, we've been getting a lot of that lately, Richard asking to do thing his brother's doing." Joseph sighed. "I just hope he'll come up with his own identity when he gets to Hogwarts."
"Can you believe it? Nine more months and he, Al, and Scorp will be heading to Hogwarts." Draco said as he looked at the trio. "It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating their fifth birthday."
"I know. I also hope those three are in the same house together." Joseph added. "Still, anything can happen. In a complete line of Slytherin students, Dan was the first one in Gryffindor."
Draco smiled and spotted Harry talking to Teddy, most likely about his work in the Ministry in helping Hermione in acquiring equal rights for werewolves and eventually, all magical creatures. Never did Draco ever think that Teddy would work in the Ministry and when he did, at best, he thought of him as an auror.
"Do you think I should tell Harry now?" He asked Joseph.
"I think you should've told him when you found out, but I'll serve the desserts to distract everyone if you want it to be private." Joseph said and Draco nodded.
Several cakes, pies, and bowls of ice cream appeared on the long table and everyone headed for it.
"Harry, I need to talk to you." Draco said as he caught the raven by the wrist.
"Can't we get cake first?" Harry asked with puppy eyes.
"There will still be cake when we get back." Draco said. "This is important."
Harry followed Draco out to the balcony and casted a spell to prevent them from being buried in snow.
"So, what is it?" Harry asked.
"Well, I went to see Joseph a few days ago when I was feeling sick for the third day in a row." Draco explained, looking at Harry intently. "As it turns out, I'm pregnant."
Harry's eyes widened before a huge smile broke out on his face.
"Dray, that's amazing news. This is the best Christmas ever." Harry said as he kissed and hugged the blonde. "I'm so happy."
"I have even better news." Draco said with a small smile as he pulled away from the embrace slightly. "It's going to be a girl."