The morning light was bright, streaming through the curtains, and Draco couldn't help but groan at the light splashing over his eyes. It had been a week since Granger and Lyra had come crashing back into his life, and every morning still brought a sense of unease between him and Theo as Draco grappled with the reality of what Granger being the mother of his child meant.
Despite knowing that they needed to talk about Lyra and the deep-rooted guilt Draco felt at having left Granger to be a single parent for all these years, there was something else Draco needed to address.
"I can hear your brain whirling from over here," Theo grumbled into his pillow, trying to hide away from the sunlight. "If you can't lay there quietly and let me sleep, then at least put your mouth to good use."
The pale blue sheets covering Theo's naked lower half shifted as he wiggled his rear, making Draco chuckle.
"I wasn't even moving; how did you know I was awake?" Draco asked, rolling onto his side and pulling Theo into his chest.
"Because your thoughts are loud," Theo complained but allowed himself to melt into Draco's touch.
Draco hummed his agreement, running a finger up Theo's defined muscular arm. His tan skin had the most beautiful glow this morning, and Draco couldn't resist the urge to run his lips over his skin. The taste of Theo was something Draco could never get used to. His scent was addicting, and Draco craved more of the wizard daily.
"Look at me," Theo murmured, drawing Draco's attention to the blue eyes under the pillow. "You can talk to me, you know."
Pulling the silk away, uncovering Theo's face, Draco leaned in, pressing his lips against his wizards.
"I love you," Draco murmured, rubbing his nose along Theo's jaw, letting himself be lost in the feel of this man.
"I know," Theo replied, a smirk from his pressed against Draco's jaw. "But we need to talk about Granger and what's happening in our lives." Draco stopped moving, pulling away slightly, but Theo wrapped his arms around Draco's shoulders, which did not allow him to move. "I get it. You just found out you have a daughter with Granger. You've always had a soft spot for the witch, and now here is the perfect chance for you to be with her."
Theo's voice was low as he brushed a hand through the back of Draco's hair. The tears wet Draco's face, and he maneuvered enough to see Theo and found that his cheeks weren't the only ones with the wet streaks going down them.
"Theo…"
"I just want you to be happy, Draco, and I'm not going to make you choose between me and Granger. I'm not going to make you choose me over your daughter. I'm not Astoria."
Draco hovered over Theo, his forearm resting beside Theo's head as a blush crossed his face. Theo turned his head, looking away from Draco, but didn't move to brush away the tears that were staining his face.
"No one will ever replace you," Draco whispered, lowering himself and using his free hand to turn Theo's face so he could look up at him. "No one, you understand?"
"But…Granger…"
"Might not even consider me anything more than a co-parent she's grateful to have after all she's been through with Lyra."
"Please, Draco," Theo said, pushing his way into a sitting position. "I saw the way she held you after the appointment. I saw how she nearly melted at the sight of you holding Lyra."
Draco wasn't going to try to deny it. The feelings that came rushing back at the reemergence of Granger into his life. The way he'd felt an instant connection with Lyra, the family bond strong thanks to the veela heritage that had forced Granger to return to England. She didn't hold Astoria's actions against him, and the way she glowed at Lyra and Draco interacting had feelings of possessiveness stirring in Draco.
He knew it was partly because of the veela magic in his blood, but there had always been something special about Hermione Granger that had always drawn him to her. As a boy, he'd shown that infatuation by taunting and bullying her. Later in school–well, after she'd broken his nose–he changed tactics and watched her from afar. Until one night, he'd gotten her and then promptly lost her the following day.
However, seeing her as the mother of his child and how motherhood had transformed her body, Draco knew he had to have Granger in his life, and she was like the oxygen he needed.
But if Granger was his oxygen, Theo was his gravity holding him to Earth.
"I could no sooner live without you than I could her. I need you both, Theo. There's no contest, only us and learning how we bring Granger and Lyra into our family."
Draco tilted his face, allowing his lips to brush over Theo's. The gentle connection poured the love and admiration he felt for his wizard. The veela magic hummed in response to Theo's touch as if now that it had been awake by Lyra's presence, this part of his heritage was claiming all that was his.
The healer had explained that with veela, they would feel very possessive and protective of their loved ones. Even though Draco wasn't a full veela, he'd still feel some of the effects of the lineage, and for Draco to feel his magic wrap around Theo and not only Granger, he knew that he'd been right all along about the love they shared.
"I love you," Draco murmured, reaching below the sheet and pulling it away to reveal Theo's pelvis and weeping cock.
"I love you, too," Theo answered as Draco's hand began pumping the straining length. He ignored himself, wanting to give all of this to Theo. The reassurance that his wizard needed after growing up with Thoros.
Draco's thumb swiped over Theo's tip, dragging the precum down his shaft, letting the slow pumps make Theo's abdomen strain and the brunette wizard squirm under his touch. Pulling away from Theo's mouth, he smirked at how his eyes were dark with his need, the blue irises entirely consumed by his blown pupils.
Draco's mouth trailed a path down Theo's chest and abdomen, his lips brushing over where he'd Thoros had punished Theo, then stolen those marks that validated Theo that he wasn't crazy and his father was a monster. Years of therapy and years of memory retrieval uncovered the truth of Thoros's abuse, though the demons still lingered.
Reaching Theo's cock, Draco looked up at his wizard through his thick lashes, and the rise and fall of Theo's chest spurred Draco's actions. Theo was the only man that Draco had ever gone down on, but Theo was the only man that made Draco's blood heat and awakened something deep within him.
Moving slowly, Draco's jaw relaxed as he swallowed Theo, his tongue circling the tip, starting with a tease that would drive them both wild. Theo's moans encouraged Draco to keep moving at a slow pace, a need to prolong this spurring him as he relaxed his throat, taking more of Theo until his cock was suffocating Draco.
"Fuck…" Theo hissed, his hands tangled in Draco's hair. "Your mouth is perfection."
The words caused Draco's need to take and claim this wizard to override the idea of edging him, and Draco began to move, pulling off, only to plunge, retaking all of Theo. He kept up this pace, pulling off and swallowing Theo again, bringing him to the brink, only to deny him that release.
A lubrication spell, Draco's fingers were pumping into Theo, stretching those tight muscles, preparing him for what was to come. Two fingers found Theo's prostate, causing Theo's cock to bob in Draco's mouth when he brushed against it, and that was Draco's undoing.
He couldn't take it anymore.
His need to claim and dive into his wizard was so strong that Draco pulled his mouth away and lined himself up at Theo's entrance. Chestnut curls were soaked with sweat hanging on Theo's face, and Draco couldn't stop the pride that filled him seeing how affected Theo was by him.
Slowly, Draco slid into Theo, taking care as he pressed deeper, relishing in the mewling man beneath him. Unhurried, steady movements allowed Draco to maintain eye contact with his love, pushing in before slowly pulling out.
Theo's hand joined Draco's as they stroked Theo's cock together. Theo's walls tightened around Draco, pulling him in deeper as his cock brushed that place in Theo, driving him wild. Thrust after thrust, and it wasn't long before Theo was gasping for air, the rhythm of his hand quickening, making Draco move faster.
A shout into the morning light and Theo's white seed shot out, painting both their stomach with his release, and the sight was Draco's undoing. A few moments passed, and then Draco was following, his cock pumping inside Theo, filling his wizard with his seed.
Collapsing on top of Theo, neither moved, staying wrapped in each other's arms as they relished in the feel of one another. When Theo's hand came down and ran his nails over Draco's scalp, the utter ease and contentment Draco felt at the simple touch, Draco knew, without a doubt, he'd never leave this man's side.
—
Draco stepped through the fireplace into the main lobby in the creatures department of St. Mungo's. His jaw clenched at the title, but he said nothing as he stepped forward to where Granger and Lyra were sitting on the ground.
At his approach, Lyra looked up; a smile broke out over her face. Her pale complexion, silver eyes, and white hair were unmistakably from Draco, but she had inherited her mother's soft features, round eyes, and wild curls.
"Draco!" The little girl yelled, bounding up to him and jumping in his arms. "Want to play with me?" She asked, her eyes glittering as if they were made of starlight.
The healer had explained that the family bond with Veela magic was part of why Lyra had been struggling to gain control of her magic. Not having her sire or Veela relatives near her at such a young age made the magic coursing through her a danger to herself and anyone around her. After that, Draco and his mother made every effort to spend as much time with Lyra as possible. Even though neither possessed the full-blooded Veela gifts like Lyra, they still had an undeniable connection with her that gave them a sense of peace.
"Good morning, Draco," Granger said, smiling at the father and daughter. "Everything go alright with the thing?"
Granger was asking whether the mediation was for the ongoing divorce proceedings with Astoria. She and her lawyer had refused to reach any agreement, which meant they would have to speak in front of the Wizengamot.
Any trial or case became public knowledge, so Draco decided to attempt to settle outside the courtroom. He and Granger had discussed and decided they'd like to keep Lyra from the public eye for a while longer until she had a better handle on her magic.
Draco must have made a face because Granger's eyes softened at the look he gave her and nodded in understanding of his not wanting to talk about the mediation yet. He would tell her after their therapy appointment with the healer.
"Lyra Granger," the magic therapist called, looking out and smiling at the three of them. It took no encouragement from Granger or Draco for the little girl to jump from her place and run across the waiting room to the open arms of the waiting healer.
"Do you have any questions or concerns before I take her back?" The healer asked, looking between them. Granger shook her head, and Draco did the same.
Granger explained that the magic therapist was like a physical therapist in the muggle world, helping rehabilitate injuries or muscles that had not developed properly. It'd made zero sense to Draco, but the magic healer explained that her role was to work with Lyra to strengthen her magical core and give her control of the magic.
So, Granger and Draco would bring Lyra to these appointments every week and sit in the waiting room for an hour. Draco would act as an anchor if need be, and Granger would be there for Lyra's emotional needs.
"How is the apartment search going?" Draco asked once he'd retrieved a cup of coffee. He settled himself into the comfortable lounge chair beside Granger, who was flipping through the rental section of the Prophet.
"Not well, now that we know Lyra's a Veela and it's been recorded by St. Mungo's, it's been a nightmare. The anti-creature laws allow relators to decide if they want the added risk of renting to someone with a creature status. The ones that don't care have all been in areas where I don't feel comfortable living with Lyra." Granger answered, setting the booklet aside and looking at him. "I considered going to a muggle area, but until Lyra has a better handle on her magic, it just feels too dangerous."
"Move in with me."
The words were out of Draco's mouth before he could stop them. He might not have even realized he'd said them out loud had Granger's head not snapped in his direction so quickly; he wouldn't have been surprised had it fallen right off her neck.
The silence was thick, and Draco began tapping his foot as the anxiety took hold, but it was too late to back out.
"Theo is a charms master; his wards on our place are impenetrable. We own the entire building, so there is no need to be concerned about neighbors, and the rooftop garden is pretty magical. Also, me living with Lyra could only help with her magic." Draco pressed, his words spilling out of him faster than he wanted. Granger was going to think he was utterly mental at this rate.
"That," Granger smiled, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear before she looked up to meet his gaze. That sounds wonderful. Wouldn't Theo mind?"
Draco bit back the groan he wanted to make at his body's reaction to her concern about how her presence might impact his relationship with Theo. Fuck, she was perfect. Without a doubt.
"I think Theo might like you and Lyra more than he does me now. He'll be thrilled at the idea of getting to set up rooms for you both." Draco finished, ensuring he pointed out that Granger could have her own room and space. Though, if it were up to him, Granger would be snuggly tucked in on one side of his bed with Theo on the other. He was a greedy, selfish man; he'd never deny it.
"If you're sure…" Granger trailed off, but the way the gold specks in the brown pools of her eyes sparked with hope, Draco knew there was no place else he ever wanted her to be.
"Positive," Draco confirmed.
The rest of the therapy session went without a disruption. A man who was a werewolf and had recently bitten came in, seeking his magical therapy to help with his body's changes and a house elf who'd gotten a head cold, depleting her magic.
When Lyra came bounding through the door, her purple dress over a jumper and trousers swished around her hips, flaring out behind her as she galloped and lunged into Draco's waiting arms.
"Can we get ice cream?" Lyra asked, her smile bright as her little fingers found the hair at the nape of Draco's neck and began playing with it. "I did good today."
Draco couldn't help but laugh as Granger stood speaking to the therapist, giving a full rundown of what Lyra had worked on and requesting any exercises they needed for her to practice at home between sessions.
"It's so cold out; why would you want ice cream and not hot cocoa?" Draco asked the girl, tapping her nose with his finger. "That just makes you sound silly."
"I'm not silly!" Lyra exclaimed, squealing in his arms when he began tickling her. "You're silly, Draco!" Her giggles filled the small space.
Granger finished speaking with the therapist and had since joined them, her face brightening at the look of Draco and Lyra today. Draco raised a brow in question at Granger, not wanting to overstep and do something that she wouldn't approve of for Lyra.
At the way Granger shrugged her shoulders, Draco could feel his heart pick up, and a smile widen on his face at the prospect of spending more time with Lyra. But they want to keep her existence from the Wizarding World at a minimum, so going to Diagon Alley wouldn't be an option for now.
"There's a little muggle cafe that always had frozen treats, nothing like Florean Fortescue's, but Lyra's a simple vanilla type of girl anyway," Granger explained, pulling the coat off the hook and putting it on Lyra as the little girl stayed in Draco's arms. "It's within walking distance, so we can go to the hotel to get our things."
"Sound perfect," Draco answered. He didn't move to set Lyra on her feet, enjoying the weight of his daughter perched on his arm.
The girl chatted about as Hermione and Draco made their way to the elevator to take them down to the main lobby so they could exit the street. Draco loved how Lyra spoke with her whole body, her arms gesturing and waving wildly around as she described what she'd done in her therapy. She was an outgoing child and never shied away from a new adventure.
She was brave, just like her mum, which warmed Draco daily.
"And then Nana–"
"Who's Nana?" Granger asked, cutting her daughter off, a brow raised.
"Ms. Cissa, I told her I didn't like calling her Ms. Cissa, and she said I could call her anything else, and I said Nana. Anyway, Nana let me have two scoops of the cake, and it was vanilla!" Lyra continued, her body bouncing on his arm.
Draco was about to ask the following question that died on his lips; however, chaos met them as the elevator doors slid open.
"MR. MALFOY! IS THAT YOUR DAUGHTER?" "IS THAT HERMIONE GRANGER?" MR. MALFOY, DID YOU HAVE AN AFFAIR? IS THAT WHY YOU'RE FILING FOR DIVORCE?" "WHAT'S THE CHILD'S NAME? WHY ARE YOU WITH HER IN ST. MUNGO'S? IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH HER?" "MS. GRANGER, WHY DID YOU HIDE MR. MALFOY'S DAUGHTER FROM HIM? DID HIS PAST AS A DEATH EATER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT DECISION?"
The paparazzi had gathered and shouted questions, the cameras flashing, blinding Draco. He was grateful he was already holding Lyra because as soon as the madness had begun, the chipper and outgoing little girl had ceased, and her body had started to tremble.
"MR. MALFOY, DOES YOUR WIFE KNOW ABOUT THE INFIDELITY?" "MS. GRANGER, DID YOU COME BACK TRYING TO GET A PAYDAY?"
It was too much of a coincidence; Draco had refused to bend to Astoria's demands and compromise with her that morning. He'd seen her walk past after he'd told his solicitor they couldn't go over because he had an appointment to get to. There was little doubt in his mind that Astoria hadn't contacted every news organization with the tip.
Draco turned his attention to Lyra, trying to shield her from the shouting as Draco held his daughter with one arm and gripped Granger's hand. He willed his magic to reach out and wrap around the little girl, to soothe and comfort her, but the shouting and the blinding lights negated any of his attempts.
"NOOOO!" Lyra screamed, and where Draco held her began to burn as her magic lashed out.
"LYRA!" Granger yelled, but it was too late. With an anguished scream, Lyra threw her head back, and the most beautiful pure white wings exploded from her back as her body temperature continued to rise.
"Draco!" Granger begged, her eyes wide with fear. At the sudden appearance of her wings, the crowd around them still for a moment, but it was enough for Draco to react. Gripping the leather band around his wrist, Draco tugged free a pebble lodged in the strap.
The port key began to glow at his touch, and then, in a blink, they were gone.