Chapter 5
Sitting little Scorpius in his lap, Harry realized how cute the little boy was, he was so chubby compared the child Draco he knew. As soon as Scorpius was about to speak a house elf popped in the palour. Pansy frowned and Theodore looked concerned. "Master Missus Nott and Mistress Nott is being required" the creature bowed, it's long ears touching the perfectly gleaming white marble. "What's it Joffy?" Theodore asked looking even more concerned. "Missus Master your father is requiring your presence, Mistress your mother has been very…. Not good! Not good Master!" the elf looked like he was about to cry. Theodore nodded, he kissed his wife "I'll go get the papers and portkey, pack and get everything ready," he ruffled Esme's hair lovingly and apparated away. Pansy sighed.
"Look Draco I'm sorry we have to leave, Theo's mother has been sick for a while and it might be her last days, we really have to go I'm sorry… Oh and harry you are welcomed to stay for as long as you wish. I'm really sorry we have to move.." She excused herself, pulling along little Esme with her and going, probably to pack. Harry sighed as Draco lifted his son from the saviour's lap. "Look Potter…" he sighed as if rethinking carefully his words. "You are welcomed to the Manor if you wish to, my parents are out to France this week attending I do not know what wedding on my father's long lost side of the family but I know you could use company and you'd just get even more depressed wallowing in sorrow and alcohol alone here."
Harry blinked and looked at the man. Was he really trying to help? But they are enemies! Were? He did not know anymore. His world was already spiraling as it was, it could not go any worst. He looked at Draco again, eyes falling on the little bundle that was hopefully looking at him, eyes brimming with excitement. Scorpius' smile was it it took to make up Harry's mind. "Thank you Malfoy," he gave a sharp nod and went to inform Pansy, the latter beamed and approved. Draco was the first to floo to the Manor, followed by Scorpius and finally Harry.
As he stepped in the Manor, Draco asked himself if he had not lost it. What was he thinking to invite the Gryffindor Golden Boy into his house? Wasn't they supposed to hate each other or something? No Harry hated him, he never actually did, Merlin he wanted to befriend the boy! Well the decision was already taken now and he could not go back. "Rosen!" a house elf popped. "We will be having a guest for some days, please show Mr Potter his room, guest room number 5 will be the best I'm sure of that, please make him feel at home". The little elf nodded and looked curiously at Harry before beaming. Harry offered a little smile. "Potter, check your room, freshen up and we'll have dinner. I will give a birth to this little demon meanwhile!" Draco said as Scorpius had already climbed on his shoulders. Harry did not comment on the fact that Draco himself gave his son baths. He found it quite cute to be honest.
Malfoy Manor was huge, it was no more the cold place Harry had stepped in previously it was a pristine house full of elegance and a warm that had nothing to do with warming charms. Rosen showed him his room and excused himself. Harry took a while to take in the room. It was huge, with a high ceiling and giant glass doors leading to a small balcony that gave on the back gardens. The walls were white except for one which was a light blue with touched of lilac. The bed was round with a deep purple covering to match the curtains, there was a little table with two plush chairs in a corner and a fluffly sofa on one side. An inside bathroom was attached along with a walk in closet. It looked more like a room than a guest room.
Getting out of his daze, he quickly went to the bathroom and had a hot shower, thoughts of his family not crossing his mind even once. He went in the walk in closet with his towel wrapped firmly around the waist and began his search for something not too extravagant to wear- it seemed almost impossible! After about seven minutes, he settled on gray slacks and a black button-up. He went to the parlour where he had flooed in earlier and tried to find his way in vain to the dining room. Giving up he called for Rosen who proudly escorted him to the said place – the Manor was a real labyrinth! Harry was grateful for the elf who led him to his chair; the Malfoys were not there yet.
Harry seemed to enjoy taking in the place, especially the emerald green curtains that looked like velvet. Just as he was about to stand up to touch it, the little Malfoy heir made his appearance, with his adorable smile and sat immediately next to him, he seemed to be smitten with his head resting on his two little wrists and eyes gleaming. Harry smiled and ruffled his hair, returning his smile. Malfoy (senior), entered with one fine brow arched. Then he shook his head and smiled. He seated himself next to Scorpius. Dinner was a fine affair- probably the finest food Harry had ever tasted. He did not fail to notice however that the little boy kept staring at him during the whole meal. Maybe he was doing something wrong?
"What's wrong Scorpius?"
"Oh- nothings Mista Potta!"
"Then why are you staring at me? Did I do something wrong?"
"No no no! Papa was just right!"
Draco and Harry were both shocked at his statement, the brunette looking at the elder male for answers and the latter clearing his throat under the gaze of the green-eyed man.
"And what exactly is it that I was right about Scorpius?"
The little boy giggled. "His eyes!" he said pointing accusatorily at Harry "They are so Gween!" Harry smiled. "They wook like jewels! Emeuwalds!" Draco laughed. Actually laughed; not a smirk but an actual laugh and it was quite pleasant to Harry, he thought it made the man look human. Scorpius frowned and pouted, crossing his little arms as though he was being made fun off. "No! The answer is no Scorp.." Draco said trying to calm down his laughter. "I do not understand", Harry asked puzzled. "You see Potter, my little snake over here has been having an obsession about emerald things, to the point that he started collecting them and he likes you." Harry still didn't get it.
"Can I pleuleaaaase keep 'im Pappa?" Scorpius asked with the biggest puppy eyes Harry had ever seen. Draco burst out laughing again and Harry finally understood. "No Scorpius, people are not mean to be kept," Draco tried to argued recomposing himself. "But this is not fair!" the little boy whined. "Well… we'll discuss the matter afterwards, it's not a no", Harry replied to the pouting boy who immediately cheered up and hugged the brunette who had yet to reply to Draco's questioning look. He shrugged and proceeded to rock Scorpius to and fro gently. The silent was not an uncomfortable one, it was quite warming if Draco was to be honest with himself.
After a while Scorpius had fallen asleep and Draco escorted Harry to the little boy's room to put the latter to bed. After carefully tucking the blond head in bed, they both quietly stepped out of the room. They padded to the living room where they dropped to the couch, Draco quite more gracefully than Harry. "You did a great job with him. He's an adorable child,"Harry complimented. "I tried to Potter, he's the most precious thing that I have.." the silence that hung afterwards was crushing and could be sliced and served with pie. It was after a while that Draco broke it "Wanna go out? For a drink? I usually go to the Three Broomsticks on Saturdays.." Harry considered this for a while but what did he have to lose anyways? "Sure, I could make with a drink.." He took Draco's offered hand and they apparated.
They landed in front of the Three Broomsticks. Draco went in first followed by Harry, sitting by the bar. Draco had ordered something that Harry had never heard about but the blond assured him that it was worth it so he took a sip of the purple liquid hesitantly. The instant burning and heat provided to his body made him smiled under the appreciative eyes of Draco. It was not long before Harry was dead drunk- it was maybe his 6th Oregdona and Draco was only on his 3rd but he was wise enough to know it was time to head home- it was almost two in the morning anyways! He grabbed Harry by the arm after much protest and whining from the brunette he was able to drag the man away from the bar. Harry near slipped more than once, clutching for dear life on Draco and laughing like a lunatic.
After quite some time Draco finally managed to apparated them both to the manor. He dragged Harry to his room and the older man flopped on bed like a little child, he looked quite adorable. No! Draco did not find THE Harry Potter adorable, he shook his hand and was about to leave when the brunette caught his hand. He promptly turned around. "Stay?" Draco halted to that word, "Please? I have nightmares and the mean monster will come again!" Potter was clearly being delusional but he not about to let go. Draco sighed and tipped off his shoes getting in bed with Potter. The Hero cuddled to him contently and fell asleep without blinking, soon after Draco too drifted to sleep.