Sounds in the Silence

Cold winds blew as the tress and bushes slowly started to bud. It was March. In a little more than a year, Harry and Draco would marry, unless they for some reason broke off the courtship.

Draco put his robes on nervously. Harry had told him he would be taking him out on a date. He was worried. Not because he assumed they would be noticed, really. They just hadn't done anything like this before. It could be because Harry felt uncomfortable going out with his lack of hearing, of course. He had been clear enough that he wasn't overly fond of the idea. He smiled at Harry as he reached out to take his hand. He knew it was time for the third gift soon, and this was the perfect time to do it.

Harry wrapped an arm around Draco before teleporting them to the restaurant. He smiled at the surprised look on Draco's face as he raised his knuckles to his lips and kissed his hand. "Surprised?" he asked before leading them inside.

Surprise was just the beginning of what Draco felt. He had not expected this. He looked at Harry. Thought maybe he should have. He knew Harry was far more refined than people gave him credit for. They were taken to one of the nicer tables. The waiter gave them the menus and Harry asked for a bottle of wine, which had Draco raising an eyebrow. When had Harry figured out what his favourite was? He was sure they had never talked about it, even though they did drink wine on occasion. Could Blaise have said something?

"You have been busy lately," Harry said softly. "I hope things are going well."

Draco smiled. "I have started working on some of my experiments. I know it has taken up a lot of my time and I have been less available," he said. "I'm sorry."

Harry smiled at him. "It is fine," he said. "Just let me know if you need someone to talk to. I might not be great at potions, but I can still listen if you need someone to throw ideas at."

Draco sighed softly. "I know," he said.

"I'm inviting you to walk a road with me that means we will be together for a long time," Harry said as he removed a box from his pocket. He placed the box on the table in front of Draco. "Walking that road means we will support each other. That support can take any form. I don't mind listening to you talk about potions, just like you don't mind hearing about my warding. Never think I will not be there for you."

Draco blinked tears from his eyes as he reached out for the box. He knew how much Harry cared about him already. He could feel that whenever they were together. Hearing the words spoken in such a way, however, was different from just knowing he was there. He opened the box and smiled at the night sky present on the cover of the pocket watch. Then he opened it and his eyes widened. It was a location clock. He saw hands for Harry, Scorpius and Teddy as well as his parents. There was also a blank hand called Baby Sunbeam for now. He knew the name would change once they named the child that Luna carried.

"This model can hold up to eight people. More than that and we will have to take it back to have it adjusted," Harry said calmly. He moved back slightly in surprise before he relaxed into the kiss Draco was giving him. He knew they were in public in a place that would remember the way they behaved. He was surprised Draco was this forward. Not that Draco wasn't usually quite bold, but that was mostly in their own home. "Everyone is staring at us," he whispered against Draco's lips as he helped him back to his seat.

'Let them,' Draco signed. 'My fiancé just gave me a courting gift. I don't care what they think.' He was touched that Harry would travel outside his comfort zone to give him this. While he hadn't minded the way they met and decided to live their lives, he did want to go on dates like this too.

Harry smiled confidently. 'Good,' he signed back.

The waiter joined them and took their orders. He could see the open watch by Draco's plate. There was a moment of realization as he noted just how beautifully crafted the watch was. He looked back at Harry and saw the necklace he wore. He heard the murmurs from the other guests as he headed down towards the kitchen.

"What has everyone muttering like that?" the Chef asked. "The other servers are giggling." He looked less than pleased.

"Table four has a courting pair and a gift was presented," the waiter said. "It was a very expensive and thoughtful gift. The recipient was quite happy with the gift and acted on that feeling. They just kissed. I don't see why there is such a commotion, especially between a courting pair."

The chef shook his head and sighed. "People," he said. "Orders?"

Sometime later, the waiter returned with the appetizer. "A little something from the chef to congratulate you," he said as he placed the plates down.

"Please do let him know how grateful we are," Harry said.

Draco listened to the room as he ate. It seemed most people had calmed down after his little display. He knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted the reactions. His father would be appalled when the news reached him, but he was showing just how different he was. House Black was not going to act like House Malfoy, and that was just the way it was. No matter what, he knew he would be marrying into the Black family when they got married. 'People are nosy,' he signed.

'Aren't they always,' Harry signed back. 'I'm surprised they haven't realised exactly who we are yet, though I guess this is the kind of establishment where people can stay in their seats and behave even when they figure things out.'

'I don't think they know exactly who you are,' Draco signed. 'They definitely recognise me.'

'Well, that is the point of using my full name,' Harry signed. 'Hydrus has its uses.'

'As long as you don't expect me to call you that when you're fucking me,' Draco signed back, and he could hear someone down in the gallery below choke on their drink. It must have shown on his face.

'Naughty Draco,' Harry signed. He smiled charmingly at the waiter. "It was lovely, we really appreciate the care given," he said.

"You two are making a scene without even making one," the waiter mouthed. "Please don't scare our patrons away."

"We shall do our best," Harry said. He wasn't going to stop Draco, though. He was having far too much fun ruining people's expectations of him. 'We will be taking dessert at home.' He signed.

'Would you be okay with a dance first,' Draco asked.

'If you can manage to lead me, sure, if that is what you want. I can't hear the music so…' Harry took Draco's hands

"I won't lead you astray," Draco said. They headed down towards the nearby dance floor and people could see the emblem of the house Black on their robes as well as the ring on Harry's finger.

Draco smiled as Harry placed a hand on his shoulder. They moved with the music. At least here, in the magical world, the fact that they were both men didn't matter. They were far from the only same-sex couple on the floor. It was more the novelty of who they were. Heir Malfoy and Lord Black.

"At least they can't procreate with each other."

Draco saw the woman who had spoken. She was sneering at them, and he rolled his eyes at her. She had once wanted her daughter to marry him. He didn't care much for her opinion. After a few dances, he pulled Harry off the floor. "I think maybe that is enough," he said. He had enjoyed dancing with Harry, and he could tell that Harry knew how to, but it wasn't the same when Harry couldn't hear the sounds around him.

Harry shook his head. "It's fine if you want to keep going," he said.

Draco smiled at him. "I would rather take a walk," he said.

"Harry!"

Draco looked over Harry's shoulder and raised an eyebrow as he saw her. Harry hadn't really been looking for her since her falling out with Weasley and Draco certainly didn't blame him, especially since she was blacklisted by the goblins. Still, it didn't look like Granger was any worse for wear. She was wearing an expensive-looking dress and quite a few pieces of jewellery.

"Harry!" Her tone was irate the second time.

"The least you can do is look at someone who wants your attention, Potter."

Draco wasn't sure who this was. He recognised him vaguely, but he didn't have any proper reference. He knew Harry had noticed that his attention was drawn by someone else, but Harry trusted him to alert him if needed. He moved back slowly and let go of Harry's hands before he quite visibly signed to Harry. 'Granger plus one wants your attention, love.'

Harry turned around slowly. He looked at Hermione curiously. "Hermione, what a pleasant surprise," he said, though his tense shoulders against Draco told a very different story. He moved closer and felt how Draco's arms wrapped around him.

"It is customary to acknowledge people who speak to you," McLaggen sneered.

Harry tilted his head slightly and looked from Cormac to Hermione. "I'm sorry if you were trying to catch my attention, but I can't hear, so it is a little hard to tell when someone is saying something behind my back." He tapped in runes and raised a ward to keep other's out of the conversation.

"Impossible," McLaggen said.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I assure you that my fiancé's medical condition is far from impossible," he said.

"Medical condition," Hermione repeated. "What happened?"

"I really don't feel like that is any of your business," Harry said. He had once thought of her as a good friend, but he would pick his friends on how they acted now, and she was still angering his brethren even if it was no longer about him.

"After everything, my wife did for you Potter, that is all you can say?" McLaggen said.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you are referring to," Harry said. "And it is Black, not Potter. Lord Black, to be precise." He could tell that Cormac was a bit taken back by that information, even though both he and Draco openly showed their affiliation to their common house.

"You are telling me that our friendship means nothing to you?" Hermione asked. She couldn't believe this. After everything she had done for him.

"Your friendship meant a lot to me," Harry said. "Past tense because it used to be. Maybe If you hadn't angered my brethren and listened to the people around you telling you to leave things alone, things would be different. I stand with the Nation."

"She fought for you," McLaggen said. "She ruined her reputation with the goblins for you."

"No, she simply chose not to listen. When I took the blame for our actions, I cleared her record with the goblins. Had I not done that, she would have been blacklisted. Instead of listening to William Weasley telling her to leave things alone, she argued with the goblins to such an extent that they have once again blacklisted her. That is not my fault. She chose her own path," Harry said. "My path led me to be a Master Warder, not only recognised by the Enclave but part of it. Every goblin youth is branded, something she should have known considering she was the only one who ever listened to Professor Binns." He was keeping himself calm and Draco's arms around him were very comforting. "Our choices make us who we are. I chose to walk the path I did. I do not regret it, and most of my old friends are quite happy for me."

"That is the last time I ever do anything for you. You are just an ungrateful pureblood whore," Hermione said, clearly hurting.

Harry smiled softly at her. It was clear enough that her life had not turned out the way she wanted it to. "I hope it pleases you to know that I'm not in need of your aid then, Mrs McLaggen. I hope you have a fruitful life." He turned around and took Draco's hand so the two of them could leave.

Hermione stood there, frozen in place. Tears streamed down her face. He had abandoned her. That much was clear. He had picked Malfoy over her. It disgusted her.

Draco and Harry walked down the street slowly. "Let's go muggle for the rest of the evening," Draco said.

Harry smiled at him. They headed over to Ferngale and threw their robes off. The rest of their clothes were muggle enough to pass.

"I'm impressed by the way you handled Granger," Draco said as they headed towards the river. He knew Harry wasn't going to take shit from anyone, but he had still been just a bit worried when Hermione, one third of the golden trio, showed up. He shouldn't have worried. Especially not when it had been so obvious that Harry sought strength from him.

Harry smiled. "I didn't lose my cool with her," he said proudly. Part of him would have loved to say a much worse thing than he did.

"Did our voices carry?" Draco asked.

"No, they did not," Harry said. "People might still draw the right conclusions, but they did not hear me confirm anything."

"Wise," Draco said. "Her husband isn't doing her any favours. He obviously wants her to hate you. What did you ever do to him?"

"Denied him a spot on the Quidditch team," Harry said. "He is Cormac McLaggen. He was almost as bad as you back in Hogwarts. Though, he started when you had stopped. Father this, Father that. You had grown out of that by then. You had seen the world for what it truly was. He certainly had not."

"If he is turning Hermione against you…"

"Then he is," Harry said. "Hermione is a smart girl. She just doesn't like admitting when she is wrong. He can't make her feel something she isn't already feeling. He doesn't have what it takes to do that."

Draco nodded slowly. He doubted Harry was wrong. They walked hand in hand along the river for a good long while before sitting down together to watch the ducks.

"Harry!"

Draco raised his hands. They had a lull in their conversation. 'Someone else is calling for you. You are popular today, love' he signed.

Harry turned his head and snorted as he pushed himself up. He had been seated last time. He wasn't doing that again. "If it isn't Lucas," he said coldly.

Draco tensed. So this was the guy Harry had been dating when he went deaf. He didn't look like much to be honest. Though, Harry didn't really go for guys because of their looks.

"Harry, you are back. I thought that, you know, maybe you would come back some day. I am so sorry for shouting at you. Can you forgive me?" Lucas said.

Harry sighed. "No," he said. "You need to learn to live with the consequences of your actions. The things you said to me hurt a lot."

"Oh, come on, I love you," Lucas said. "Harry, please just give me a chance." He looked at the blond standing next to Harry, wondering who he was.

"This is my fiancé, Draco Malfoy," Harry said calmly, seeing the questioning look Lucas had. "As you can see, I did not miss you very much after what you did." he took Draco's hand. "Let's head home," he said. "I'm tired of people interrupting us."

Draco sighed as Lucas shouted after them. He didn't care what the guy had to say. His actions had almost cost Harry his life. He would never want anything to do with that.

"You are back rather early," Andromeda said softly.

"We ran into Hermione and Lucas," Harry said. He picked up an envelope that must have arrived after they left. He opened it. "Vekk wants to see us again," he said.

Draco nodded. "Then we will go see him," he said.

"Tomorrow," Harry said. He just wanted to be alone with Draco for now.

"I'll take the boys, don't worry," Andromeda said. "I might even take a trip to Malfoy Manor with them."

Draco smiled at her. He was glad that she was on speaking terms with his mother. It did make his life a lot easier. "See you tomorrow," he said before Harry pulled him along to their bedroom.

…

"Sit."

Harry walked forward and took a seat. They had arrived at Gringotts quite early, knowing exactly why Vekk wanted to see them this time.

"We will need to shave part of your head for the procedure," Glint said. "I can do so in a way that will still look good if you would like."

"Yes, please," Harry said. He held still as black locks fell down between his feet. He trusted Glint to do a good job, considering she was one of two people he trusted to do it.

They cleaned the hair away and cleaned him off. This was partially a magical surgery, so it felt a lot more intrusive than regular surgery. They were moving into his magic too. His eyes closed, and he relaxed his tense muscles as well as his magic. He felt a second set of hands join Glint's as Vekk started working on him. He opened his eyes in case there was something he wanted to convey.

"You are doing great," Vekk said once Harry was looking at him. "Your magic is very receptive. There should be no problems with this."

"Will it be visible after?" Harry asked softly. He could tell that Draco was sitting nearby. He could feel the nervousness in his fiancé magic, and he wished he could promise that everything would be alright.

"Not much if you let your hair grow back," Vekk said. "There will be metal visible where we merge it with your skin. That might feel a little strange."

They moved the devices in place properly, and Harry could feel how they connected with parts of his inner ear. They needed him awake throughout this so they would know if something went wrong. If he felt discomfort, they had to stop.

Eventually, Glint seemed satisfied. "Do we keep him in here while we work on his man?" she asked.

Vekk looked at Harry. "I want to monitor him, so yes," he said. He did not want Harry in another room. That would just make things harder for them.

Glint pulled Harry up and moved him over to a recliner. "Please lay back," she said.

Harry nodded. "As you wish," he said. He sat down and pushed himself back. He relaxed as he felt Draco move to the chair he had been siting in just a moment ago. He connected to the magic of the devices implanted into his head and made sure his own magic wouldn't interfere with their matrix. They had worked with Vekk a lot to make sure that their magic wouldn't be a problem. He moved into Gringotts' wards and shifted them around to make sure that everything was fine. As he moved back to himself, there was a sound accompanying his own breathing. A groan sounded through his mind as if he had made the sound himself, yet it didn't sound like him.

"I feel strange. It isn't bad though, just different," Draco said.

"You can still hear?" Glint asked.

"Yes, there seems to be no difference," Draco said. "I'm doing okay. How is Harry?"

Harry closed his eyes. This would take some getting used to. His own voice wasn't a problem. Draco's breathing. Draco's voice. He knew that others didn't hear Draco quite like he did. In that way, he was glad that he had been deaf when he met Draco again. He didn't have any fresh reference to what he sounded like. He had a feeling that was a good thing. His voice was familiar in a way that sent shivers down Harry's spine, though. Like the echo of his past. Draco's voice might have deepened over the years. He had changed, so certain things he had said in the past he wouldn't say now, but the rhythm of his speech was the same. He moved his recliner back to neutral. "Oh, I'm doing swimmingly," he said. He could feel tears streaming down his face. He knew he was happy, but this was a whole new thing he needed to get used to. They didn't breathe in tandem, and it messed with him.

Draco rose and walked up to Harry. He reached out, but he didn't touch him. "You can hear me?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer. He had hoped this would work. He had wished for this. It was a selfish wish, but he didn't care.

Harry laughed watery. "Yeah, I hear you," he said. He felt Draco's fingers bury in his hair. "I need to adjust the matrix for yours too, and I'm having a hard time not just breaking down." He moved back as Draco sat down in his lap and buried his face in Draco's shirt as he activated his magesight again.

Draco smiled as Harry messed with his implant. His head cleared slowly and Harry's eyes stopped glowing. "Don't cry, love," he said as he reached up to wipe away the tears. He felt Harry's arms wrap around him as tears soaked into his shirt. "Hey, love, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere." He ran his fingers down Harry's back slowly. He did wonder why Harry was crying. Slight panic moved through him as a thought crossed his mind. What if Harry regretted this? "Is it what you hoped for?" he asked. He felt Harry nod against him and felt his worry fade away, glad that he had taken Harry's advice to just ask questions he wanted answers to.

Vekk and Glint moved closer to them, and Draco smiled at them. "I think he might be overwhelmed," he said as he continued running his finger's through Harry's hair. "You are such a mess. Glint and Vekk want to look you over."

"Moment," Harry mumbled.

Draco chuckled. It felt great for him that Harry could hear him. He had no idea what it sounded like for Harry, though. He felt the shudder as Harry drew a calming breath. He moved so Harry could see the others.

"How is it?" Vekk asked.

"I hear him basically the same as I hear myself," Harry said. "His voice sounds different from mine, which is certainly preferred. I… it is going to take a while to get used to. His breathing pattern is… different from mine, and it confuses me a bit. I'll get used to it or adapt."

"You hear me breathing?" Draco asked softly.

"Yes, because Vekk copied how things work for me, and I hear my own breathing. I have told you that before." Harry said, and Draco nodded. He knew. He was just a bit surprised. "I will learn to live with it, just like I did my own breathing. It isn't a problem for me. I just need to adjust," Harry continued. He wasn't worried. He held still as Vekk checked him over.

"You need to overload so we know they can take that," Vekk said.

"Do we have to stay in this room?" Harry asked.

"Yes, but we don't," Vekk said. "We will leave and be back in two hours. I will leave my magic monitors on, and I will show up if something is acting up."

"Understandable," Draco said. He watched them leave before he looked back down at Harry. He leaned down to kiss him. "You have no idea how much I've wanted this. I fucking love what my voice can do to my partner, and you haven't been able to hear it. I wasn't willing to lose you because of it, but…"

"We're similar that way," Harry said softly. "I could speak to you, but not hear the response, and it isn't as much fun when you don't get feedback."

Draco laughed and Harry placed his hands over his ears. "Loud," he whimpered.

"Shit." Draco cut himself off. He placed his hands over Harry's hands. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just some sounds are going to be a bit more jarring the first few times than others," Harry said. "It was the same when I got used to myself. You aren't harming me, I'm just not used to it. I want to hear you laugh. It sounds nice."

Draco nodded. It was the same as it had been after Vekk triggered his hearing to be overactive with his tests. "I just surprised you?" he asked.

Harry nodded. "It's okay," he said. "This isn't going to do us any good if you stop talking. Don't hold back."

"If you don't hide when it gets too much," Draco said. He didn't want to hurt Harry. He wanted him to enjoy this new connection between them, not hate it because it caused him harm.

"Promise," Harry said. He twisted them around and placed Draco down on the recliner. "Tell me, my Prince, what do you want me to do?" They had to overload the devices, and he preferred doing that in a pleasurable way. They could fight too, but why do that when he could pleasure his fiancé?

Draco grinned as he pulled Harry down to his knees. He placed his arms on Harry's shoulders.

Lips pressed together in a sensual kiss. Harry hummed into the kiss and opened his mouth for Draco. Tongues danced together. Harry whimpered, and his eyes flew open as Draco bound his arms behind his back. He tried to pull away, but long agile fingers buried in his hair holding him in place. Slowly, his eyes fell shut once more as Draco rubbed their tongues together.

"You don't need your arms for this," Draco purred once he ended the kiss. "They will stay that way until I decide differently. He looked down at Harry's body.

"Maybe I should…" he waved his hand lazily. Ropes twisted around Harry's legs and held him in place. "You better be good for me, my knight," he whispered.

"I'll do anything you want, my Prince," Harry said.

Draco reached out to run his fingers gently along Harry's jaw. "Don't hold back," he whispered as he ran his fingers up into Harry's hair while he cast a spell over him. He grinned as Harry pulled at his bonds and moaned. "How does it feel… to be entirely under my control, knowing that what I am about to do to you will fill your well with my magic, my love?"

Harry opened his mouth slowly to answer as the magic inside him moved. His head fell forward and he moaned loudly. "Please, Dray…" he mewed. He was yanked forward.

"Feel that? This is what you do to me," Draco growled as he pressed Harry's face against the bulge in his pants. He helped Harry adjust before he unbuttoned his pants. "Open your mouth." He ran his fingers down the side of Harry's face before rubbing his tongue slowly. Bright green eyes looked up at him as Harry whined. The magic inside him was increasing in speed. The fingers moved out of his mouth slowly. He lowered his head and breathed heavily. "Please Dray. Please…"

Draco chuckled. "I do so love it when you beg. I'm sure you can do better than that." He wrapped his legs around Harry and tightened his hold. He rubbed his feet along Harry's back.

Harry groaned as he did his best to focus. "Please Draco… let me pl-leasure you. Use me… and fill me with your ess-sence," he moaned.

Draco smiled triumphantly. "If you want it this badly, it would be quite mean of me to deny you. Look me in the eyes, my love." His smile broadened as Harry's mouth fell open once more. Harry hummed around him, and he smiled as he ran his fingers through Harry's hair slowly as his fiancé moved within his restraints. "You feel so good, my knight. Relax for me," he said softly as he tightened his hold on Harry's hair and held him in place. A lovely moan rocked through him and he smiled. "Beautiful," he whispered as Harry swallowed. Then he pushed Harry back gently to repay the favour.

"I need to clean us up, love," Draco said softly. He smiled as Harry murmured something incoherent in return as he worked through the infusion to his well. Oral, always made that a bit harder to do since the infusion was so much closer to the brain. From experience, he knew it could take Harry several hours to get coherent again. He would help with what he could do in the meantime.

"How are you supposed to answer any questions now?" Draco asked with mirth dancing in his voice. He pulled Harry's pants on and helped him button his shirt. "Poor thing," he said. "We really are pathetic when we get this way." He had only let Harry do this to him once. He… he had enjoyed the experience, but he was also eternally grateful that Harry could and would clear his own magic out.

Harry shook his head. "Not pa-etic," he mumbled. "Like this 'cause trust."

Draco smiled. It warmed his heart to know Harry trusted him enough to let his magic affect him this much. Most people wouldn't be okay with acting the way Harry was as he cuddled closer to Draco and buried his face against Draco's neck. "You make it sound as if I don't trust you." He knew that wasn't the truth. He trusted Harry with his life and more importantly with Scorpius life.

"Dray no enjoy," Harry mumbled.

Draco smiled. That wasn't quite true. "I don't mind," he said.

"Not morning after," Harry said.

Draco chuckled. "True, I prefer being clear-headed the next morning, and you tend to be a bit woozy still unless you have somewhere to be," he said. "I am eternally grateful you are so good at making sure I'm okay."

Harry nodded slowly against his chest. "Want Dray happy," he said.

"I know that, but it is nice to hear you say it," Draco said. "You are very keen on my happiness." He stood up. "I want you happy too, Harry." He said, as he pulled him up to his feet and moved him back to the recliner so they could sit back down. "Can you clear up before they arrive?" he asked.

"Don wanna," Harry mumbled. "Want Vekk to take direct test."

Draco shook his head. At least Harry wasn't having any issues speaking or hearing him, even if his answers were a bit messy. He checked their timer. "Should we just let them know they can come back?" he asked.

"Might as well," Harry said. He opened his eyes and looked up at Draco with misty eyes. Magic swirled around him and inside him. He couldn't focus his gaze. He wasn't sleepy, though. It was kind of interesting to look at the world in the lust-filled haze their collected magic had put him in.

The door opened and Vekk headed straight for them. He ran several tests on both of them. "Extraordinary," he said. "These readings are just off the charts." Harry looked up at him. "How aware is he?" he asked.

"He can answer questions I ask," Draco said. "His vision is knocked out, though. He can see, but it is hazy, so he can't read lips or sign like this."

"Can hear Draco just fine, though," Harry said. He was concentrating just a bit more so he wouldn't slur as he spoke. "Feels kind of like being drunk but better."

Draco rolled his eyes. "Is there anything else you need or can I bring him home," he asked.

"You can bring him," Vekk said after a short exchange with Glint. "But come back if anything seems off. Otherwise, we want to see you two weeks from now."

Draco nodded. "Thank you," he said. He took Harry's hands and pulled him up. "Let's go home."

…

By the following morning, Harry was clear-headed again. He lay there, listening to his own breathing as well as Draco's breathing. It was strange and would make it very hard for him to fall asleep without aid. The night before, he had still been fuzzy. He really hoped he could adjust or learn to ignore it. Until then, he guessed he would be very actively pleasing his fiancé before bed because he didn't want to do the other alternatives.

"What are you thinkin about?" Draco mumbled before sighing to himself.

"Your breathing," Harry answered. He wondered how often Draco's sleep ridden brain had to remind him that he couldn't hear for him to sigh like that.

Draco was in his face in seconds. His breathing had picked up in excitement as he remembered what they had done the day before. Then he registered what Harry had said. "Is it bothering you?" he asked.

"I won't during the day," Harry said. "We will see how hard it will be for me to fall asleep, though. Since we don't breathe in sync, I keep having to think about my breathing. It is going to create difficulties for me for now at least."

"Is there anything you can do?" Draco asked.

"Get stupidly drunk. Take dreamless. Suck you off. I know which one I would prefer," Harry said.

Draco snorted, and Harry's hands flew up to his ears as he gasped in pain. He felt Draco's hands on top of his. "I'm sorry, Harry," Draco said softly.

"I'll get used to it eventually, and it won't be as jarring," Harry said as he relaxed. "You going completely quiet is not going to help me."

"I guess we should get up," Draco said as he pulled Harry with him. They got into the shower and cleaned up before heading to the kitchen. Draco wrapped his arms around Harry and leaned against him as he started making breakfast. "I'm glad we have this now," he said. "I'm glad I can talk to you, even if you are occupied with something else."

"It will seem even more like I can hear now. I don't know how good that is," Harry said. "People will start thinking that I'm faking my disability."

"Maybe you should keep the haircut then," Draco said. "It does suit you, you know."

"We'll see," Harry said. He knew what Draco was after, though. The metal pieces behind his ears would be telling enough that something was up.

"Good morning, Draco," Luna said.

Draco responded and Harry turned his head. "Good morning, Luna. How is today treating you?" he asked. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please, Harry," Luna said. She smiled. "So it did work out," she said. "I'm glad for that."

"Yeah, I'm not adding anyone else," Harry said. "One extra voice in my head is more than enough." He kissed Draco before he started making that tea for Luna. He gave her the cup and went back to making breakfast. The wards pinged as Andromeda showed up with their sons. Scorpius ran up to his father and was quickly picked up. He spoke excitedly and Draco laughed.

Harry dropped the jar he was holding and collapsed to his knees, clutching his ears. Andromeda grabbed Teddy so he couldn't run up to his father through the glass on the floor. "Why is dad hurting?" Teddy asked.

Draco placed Scorpius down as he turned around. He cleaned up the mess on the floor and walked up to Harry. "I'm sorry, Harry," he said. He kissed Harry's forehead. "I'm sorry, love. Open your eyes for me."

Teddy watched them as Harry did as Draco told him. "What is going on?" he asked.

"I'd like to know that too," Andromeda said.

Draco sighed. "We went to Gringotts yesterday. Master Vekk fitted us with a set of devices that connect. Harry can now hear me the same way he hears himself. Meaning that he will have to get used to it, the same as he had to learn to live with his own voice."

"Dad can hear your voice?" Teddy asked, as he walked up to them. He was kind of happy that was the case.

"He hears me the same way he hears himself, so he hears my breathing too. He will hear every sound I make," Draco said.

"Need to figure out how to ward against the devices between rooms," Harry said softly. He shook his head. "There are some noises people make I can live without hearing."

Andromeda snorted. "Oh, yes," she said. She certainly could think of a few of them right away. "This is safe?" she asked, and she was looking at Harry quite intently.

"Yes, we tested and retested, and we will be seeing Glint and Vekk for several months just to make sure," Harry said. "I literally is just me having to get used to it." He smiled at Teddy. "You know that leaves you as the odd one out, buddy. Is that okay?"

Teddy smiled at his father. "You are playing on spending the rest of your life with Draco. I'll go to Hogwarts and move away from home. It makes more sense that you have his voice as company. I'm not angry about that."

"We are checking if we can get me to understand parseltongue as well," Draco said. "If that works out, Vekk says we should be able to make something for you with just that ability."

Teddy smiled. "So I can understand. That's neat," he said. At least that would be something, and it would be kind of cool at Hogwarts when Scorpius joined. He was going to make sure people did not look down on his little brother's ability. That was just stupid.

Harry hugged him close. "You are the best son anyone could ask for," he said.

Teddy smiled.