Sire and Son

Dear Draco,

Your presence is required for dinner upon

the eighteenth of this month.

Please present yourself accordingly.

Sincerely,

Lucius Malfoy

Lord of House Malfoy

Draco's eyes narrowed as he studied the letter. He was less than pleased with his father's summons, but at least it didn't demand he bring anyone else.

"You look troubled," Harry said as he walked up to Draco and rubbed his shoulders slowly.

'Father has ordered me to show up,' Draco signed before showing the letter.

Harry read it and snorted. "Well, it is up to you what you want to do with that," he said. "If you want to go alone, do so. You are certainly strong enough. If you want me by your side, I will come with you. We are not bringing our sons."

'Thankfully, he didn't specify Scorpius. He just assumes I have nowhere to leave him,' Draco signed. 'I want to go alone. This is my fight and I want to prove to myself that I can fight it.'

"Call Gienah if you need a quick escape," Harry said. "She will hear you."

Draco reached up to clutch Harry's hands. He squeezed them gently. If he didn't have Harry, he would not have the courage to do this. He didn't know why his father wanted to see him, but he doubted it was anything good. He rose from the kitchen table and turned around so he could kiss Harry lovingly.

"It's rough because you love them, isn't it?" Harry said. He felt Draco tense and rubbed his back soothingly.

"I know you are no fan of my father," Draco said. He didn't want to fight about this. He loved Harry. He was forever grateful that he was part of their lives. That didn't change how he felt about his parents, though. Despite their faults, they were still his parents and he loved them.

"I don't share his beliefs. I will probably never get along with him, but as long as he isn't trying to hurt our family, I see no reason to exclude him. I will not be hostile, Draco. I haven't been so far when interacting with him, and that was before we became a couple. I can certainly behave around him," Harry said. "For you and for Scorpius."

"I keep forgetting that you have dealt with him on the political scene," Draco said. "You can take our sons on the eighteenth, right?"

Harry smiled. "Of course I can," he said. "Now let's go pick them up before they tear the school down."

Draco laughed as he went with Harry. He was so glad to be with him, and he knew Harry felt the same way. None of that stopped him from being a nervous wreck for the coming week before the day to meet with his father finally came. He couldn't pick what to wear, and he growled in frustration until Harry showed up and wrapped his arms around him. Harry didn't say anything, he just grounded him and Draco relaxed slowly.

"You are wearing dark blue because it looks good on you and because it is a Black family colour," Harry said once Draco had calmed down. "It will be subtle enough that no one should pick up on it, but still show what family you are coming from now." He walked around the bed and picked up what they needed. Draco started dressing, but Harry bated his hands away and buttoned his shirt slowly before bringing out a west for him. Draco looked at them in the mirror. He was brought back to a similar image of his parents, with his mother helping his father. Though, he felt their interaction had been colder than this. More business-like. Maybe he was wrong about that. He put the robe on and smiled at Harry. "Thank you, my knight," he said.

Harry returned the smile. "I'm forever at your service, my Prince," he said.

"I'm not letting the Fairy Queen take you back," Draco said. "You are mine, and I am not breaking my promises."

Harry laughed. "Go meet the King and let him know we shall not change our minds. You don't exist for his benefit, but you still love him."

Draco drew a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Thank you, Harry," he said. He fixed his hair and headed out so he could say goodbye to Scorpius and Teddy. Harry caught him by the door and kissed him passionately. "I'll be waiting for you," he said.

Draco drew from Harry's strength and teleported away. He landed and looked around the antechamber, where those who apparated or flooed in ended up. The wards at Malfoy Manor tasted sour after the wards at Blackbird. They were tainted with magic that had once been clinging to him, but was now gone for good, and his own magic rebelled against it. He was free, and he was never binding his magic to another again. His infusions with Harry were not permanent, and they were given and received freely without any demands attached.

The marble foyer looked cold after Draco's time at Blackbird. He was used to warm woods and Harry's magic. He realised how quickly he had started taking those things for granted. He knew their relationship was still new, but it didn't feel that way. He straightened and headed up towards his father's study. He was early enough that his father would most likely be there.

The knock was direct and the response stiff. Draco walked into the room and paused. He was seeing the differences between the rooms here and the rooms at Blackbird everywhere he looked. Harry's study had expanded for him to have space there as well, and they sat together when they dealt with what little they did need a study for. There was no space for Narcissa here. He couldn't live like this. He wanted to spend time with Harry. He wanted to be near him. Sure, the lab was more or less his and the studio was Harry's, but they were seldom locked out of each other's spaces. "You wished to see me, father," he said calmly.

Lucius turned to look at his son. He hadn't felt his grandson through the wards. "Where is Scorpius?" he asked.

"With my partner," Draco said. "I saw no reason to bring him here." Especially since Scorpius reacted badly to the wards. If they wanted to meet Scorpius, they had to come to him. He had been clear about that last time. Lucius hadn't met Scorpius since then.

Lucius looked at his son. Draco had changed. His back was straighter and his eyes held an air of determination he had lacked last time. Something had happened since the last time they had spoken, and Lucius had to assume that it was this partner. He had seen Narcissa's memories of meeting him, and he was not impressed with what he had seen. "This Angel?" he asked.

Draco gave his father a levelled look. "That is simply what Scorpius calls him," he said.

"Your mother was less than pleased. Did you truly move in with this man?" Lucius asked.

"Mother saw what she wanted to see. My partner and I were there to pack. He chose to act the way he did because Mother was upsetting Scorpius," Draco said. "What she saw and the reality of the mater are two very distinct things."

"She was under the impression he does not have magic," Lucius said. "That you would sink so low as to take a muggle as your lover."

Draco wanted to laugh, but he didn't. "If my partner didn't have magic, I'd like to know how he moved from Scorpius room to my bedroom without mother noticing. Mother saw what she wanted to see, nothing else," he said.

Lucius searched his son's face for deceit of any kind but found none. If the whole interaction was planned not by Draco, but by the other man, he would have to re-evaluate his actions. "We have other guests and should head downstairs," he said. He watched his son as they walked downstairs to one of the smaller dining rooms set aside for groups of up to ten people. Draco acted the perfect pureblood heir once more, but his mannerisms were slightly off. This was not what he had taught his son. However… his mother did act in a similar fashion. Why was Draco acting like a Black and not like a Malfoy?

It was not something Lucius had time to think of however as the other guests arrived. He did however observe his son and the polite but distant way he greeted the people who walked in. He had seen this way of acting somewhere else, and he could not put his finger on it.

They ate while speaking of many things. Questions of what Draco worked with came up, and he answered that he produced and developed potions. Lucius did wonder with what backing. He was not touching the family vaults.

Draco observed the people around the table. Theodore Nott was an old schoolmate. He had not joined the Death Eaters, but he had been well on his way to. The people who his father surrounded himself with were disturbing at best. He was very glad to know that he had Harry and also Neville in his corner.

After dinner, whiskey was brought out and Draco raised his glass. He was not a big drinker, and he didn't really want any now. Not when he felt the need to be clear-headed.

"So, Lord Malfoy, have you thought any closer on our request?"

Draco could tell that the question irritated his father. Lucius did not like being questioned. "What you are asking is for us to trust you with the heir of my house and his well-being," he said. "What guarantees do we have?"

"Lord Malfoy," Theodor said. "You do know the impact your participation will have. A child with abilities like his are rare. The ritual will certainly succeed if we can simply use the child. We promise no harm will come to him."

Draco rose slowly. "No," he said calmly. "You will not be using my child in a ritual." He might have imagined the relief that flashed by Lucius' eyes, but he would like to think he hadn't. "Scorpius is out of your reach, and he will not be involved in anything of the sort."

"I don't think you understand, Draco," Theodore said. "With the aid of your son, we could bring HIM back. Stronger than ever."

Draco shook his head and sighed. "No Lord Nott. You are the one who does not understand the power shift of the world. The Dark Lord is nothing but an irritating bug. Bring him back if it pleases you. He will not survive. Just don't think you can use my son to do so."

"You speak big for a Potion Master," Theodore said.

"Only because you are blind to see me as more than that." Draco held his arm out and Gienah materialized in the air above it, landed and brought him home. His hands were shaking. He needed to speak to Harry. They had to do something to protect Scorpius.

Warm arms wrapped around him as Harry reached him. He let go and relaxed against his lover. He felt Harry's magic wash over him, and he breathed in calming breaths until he could focus. "I want to show you what happened," he said.

Harry nodded and brought him along to the living room. They sat down and Draco invited Harry in. He watched Harry walked around the table slowly as the people there spoke to the memory of him. "Lord Malfoy doesn't like what they are saying."

"So that wasn't just me," Draco said. He was glad to hear Harry reaching the same conclusion.

"He might cave if they have good enough leverage," Harry said. "They must have something on him for him to associate with them in the first place. He is not the one pulling the string and despite joining the Death Eaters he is the kind of man who likes to be in control."

"We are similar in that way," Draco said softly.

"You are more likely to ask for help, though," Harry said. "You trust that I have your best interest at heart too. Lucius doesn't really have that. He probably loves your mother, but he doesn't trust her to keep him safe. Doesn't want to show weakness."

Draco nodded slowly. "I guess I see what you mean," he said. "I… I feel like as long as we are each other's strengths, it doesn't matter that I show weakness to you. You will strengthen me, and I strengthen you."

Harry smiled brightly at him, and the light in his eyes danced happily. He sighed at the end of the conversation before Draco left. "I will see if I can work some kind of tougher wards. It would be easier if these people had something in common, but as far as I know they weren't marked."

"Theodore certainly wasn't," Draco said. "He seems to be important in this."

"I'll put out feelers and see what we can come back with," Harry said. He closed his eyes. "Right now, I'll assume that our boys are safe enough in school. Magical people don't understand the non-magical world enough to find them."

Draco nodded. "So we are more careful in the magical world then?" he asked.

"We don't bring the boys, either of them, unless we are two adults and we better tell Andromeda what is going on. I'm also going to tell Teddy some of this because that will keep him alert." Harry sighed. "I hate it when I'm right," he said.

"What?" Draco said.

"When I warded Hogwarts, I told Minerva that it has been almost ten years. That was technically all we had last time," Harry said. "Ten years between Voldemort killing my parents and the mountain troll being let into Hogwarts."

Draco closed his eyes. "We are not sitting on our arses this time. We are the adults, and we aren't just going to let our children get hurt," he said. He met Harry's soft green eyes. There was determination there, and he knew Harry agreed with him. Harry pulled him up and he leaned closer to him.

"There is nothing we can do tonight," Harry said. "Let's get ready and head to bed."

Draco sighed. "Will you take care of me?" he asked.

Harry smiled at him. "If that is what you want, of course I will," he said. He took Draco's hands and brought them over to the bedroom.

Draco stared up at the ceiling later that night as Harry slept next to him. It pissed him off that Scorpius was even being considered for this awful ritual. He clutched on to Harry and kissed his bicep. At least he wasn't alone.

…

"This is insane," Andromeda said as she finished listening to Harry and Draco. "I will help any way I can, of course." She looked at Harry. "You might want to inform the Minister. I know you don't like it, but just tell him about this, don't ask for anything."

"At least that way they get an idea of what is going on," Harry said. "I will contact him."

Draco nodded as he looked between them. "Thank you," he said.

"Draco, I don't want anything happening to Scorpius either. I will do everything I can," Harry said. He sighed. "Time to pull the guys together and see what we can do." He looked at Draco. "Do you want to be there?" he asked.

Draco sighed. "If they are working to protect my son, I should at least show my face," he said.

"The power Scorpius has… are they referring to his parseltongue?" Andromeda asked.

Harry rubbed his face. "Probably," he said. "He also shares blood with the latest incarnation of Voldemort since my blood was used in his resurrection ritual, and he is a mage. He does not have a core. They could talk about all of these things. I don't know how they think they can bring him back, though. I watched that body burn myself so it could not be used."

"Maybe people with Dark Marks?" Draco said. "Enough of them would be his magic at least."

Harry got up. He had letters to send out. He wanted more information about these people, and he had a network that could and would help, even if he didn't necessarily explain everything. After that, he was looking into the wards at Ferngale and Blackbird, just to make sure they were up to par.

"I fear that we will prepare now and then relax later, even though it isn't safe and mess up then," Draco said as he looked at Andromeda.

"That might be so. We'll be careful, but we don't want Teddy and Scorpius to be scared. That is no way for them to live, and we are better equipped to handle these things than anyone else," Andromeda said. She looked up as Harry returned. "What else can we do?" she asked.

"I can make sure no one can take the bracelets off us," Harry said. "I just need to figure out how to protect against physical damage so they can't cut an arm off."

Draco retched at the mental images that provided him with. He felt Andromeda's warm hand on his back. "We will protect them," she said. "Scorpius is a child. He should not have to worry about this, but we will make sure he knows there are bad people out there so he knows he has to be careful."

Draco nodded. "Yeah, I know," he said. "It is his birthday soon. Can we wait until after that?"

"With telling him, yes," Andromeda said. "With starting this up, no. I will be telling Teddy, though."

"Harry already said that," Draco said.

"I'll take it. It will feel less excluding than it would feel if Harry does it," Andromeda said. "I will go pick them up today. We will continue to go through Ferngale since that is ward to ward transportation."

Draco nodded. "Also it is your home and as long as people don't quite understand that Scorpius is associated with Harry it will be safe," he said.

Andromeda paused. "That reminds me of the charm Harry gave Scorpius this summer to change his eye colour," she said. "He could use that when he or I are with him. It won't work if you are there, though."

Draco nodded. "It would mean people don't make the connection as easily," he said. "If people don't understand that my son and the child with Harry is the same person, that is good too."

"Most people don't realise who he is, which is good as well," Andromeda said. "We'll be careful."

Draco nodded. "Thank you," he said. It felt good to know that there were other adults looking out for his son. He wasn't alone. He got up and headed into the living room so he could sit next to Harry as he worked on the bracelets. He leaned against Harry and watched the threads. It felt good to know he had Harry and Andromeda. Hopefully nothing bad would happen.

Hopefully.

…

Scorpius birthday rolled around and he was nervous. He had never had a party with friends before. Half his guests were Teddy's friends, and half were his classmates. Teddy was telling him it would be fun. What if it wasn't?

Harry walked into his room and picked him up. "Hey, no more worrying," he said. "How do you want your hair today?" Scorpius kept changing his mind between his hairstyle and Draco's.

"Like yours," Scorpius said.

Harry smiled as he fixed Scorpius hair. "There you go," he said. "Now let's head over. I'm pretty sure they are ready for you." He teleported them over to Ferngale.

Scorpius looked around as they landed. The house looked amazing. It was a medieval fort, kind of like Cair Paravel.

"Which colour do you want?" Harry asked.

"I would like red like Lucy," Scorpius said.

Harry smiled. "Okay," he wrapped a cloak around Scorpius shoulders. "Teddy is wearing yellow like Peter."

Scorpius smiled at him. "Yeah, that makes sense," he said. "Does everyone get a cloak?"

Harry smiled. "Yes," he said.

"Cool," Scorpius said.

"People will start arriving in about ten minutes. Teddy will join you if you want him to," Harry said. He called his son over and checked, so everything was ready.

The doorbell rang and Harry walked back to the door as Teddy opened it. He smiled as Wendy dropped her daughter Sarah off. Sarah was Scorpius best friend, and she unlike any of the other children had magic. A good reason for Harry and his family to keep an eye on her.

Wendy smiled at Harry. She had met both him and Draco when they picked their children up, and she knew they were a couple. "We're first?" she asked.

Harry smiled. "Yes, what colour would you like Sarah?" he asked as he held out four different cloaks.

"Blue," Sarah said. She touched the cloak and felt the nice fabric. "Thank you, Mr Harry," she said as he put it on her. Teddy went with Sarah so she didn't have to stay by the door as Scorpius greeted the rest of his guests.

Draco watched the children and just like back during David's party, they were wild and messy while Harry somehow managed to keep the games going the way he wanted them too. His lack of hearing didn't seem to matter with most of these children. They all knew he couldn't hear. He did his best to play his part which thankfully was the Winter King, something he certainly knew how to act like.

Andromeda smiled softly as the children finally defeated the King, and Harry rescued Draco from the mess of children and hugged him close. "It is amazing to see him this happy," he said.

Draco nodded. This was the first time he had ever given Scorpius a proper party, so he was glad it was going well. He grabbed Harry's hands and pulled his arms tighter around himself. He knew they should head in and help Andromeda. He just wanted a few seconds to recharge. He turned his head and kissed Harry's cheek before moving away from him.

The cake was a replicas of Lucy's bottle of potion. They wanted everyone to leave in good health, and they had known Scorpius would pick Lucy's red cape. The children laughed and ate cake and made a mess. They were very glad to have magic for the clean-up.

Harry brought the children back out to the garden after they had eaten cake, and set up another game for them. They paired the older children with the younger ones, and Jenna took Sarah under her wing for the games, and the girls were having loads of fun fooling around together.

If nothing else, Teddy and Scorpius were making sure the younger students of this school had older students looking out for them. It wasn't just Teddy and Scorpius. The older kids were definitely going to be protective over all, especially after this.

Parents started showing up to take their kids home until only David and Sarah remained. Diane showed up to bring her son home and there was just Sarah. She and Scorpius were playing happily, messing around and chasing each other, until there was a crash.

Draco moved over to the living room as Sarah repaired the vase in sheer panic. He blinked. Well, Harry had said she had magic and he trusted his partner in these cases.

Sarah turned around, looking from him to Scorpius and back again. She was scared. She was scared in a way that either meant she knew what she had done, and she knew she shouldn't, or she had done something like this before and been punished for it.

"Hey, Sarah. It is okay," Draco said. He held his hand out and conjured a bird. She stared at him. "You know?" she asked in a whisper.

Draco smiled at her. "Yes, we know," he said. "All of us do. All of us have magic." He could see her relax. So his first assumption then.

"Mum doesn't know," Sarah said.

"That's okay. You fixed what you broke. No need to mention it," Draco said. "So your father knows about magic?"

"And Nana, but she doesn't speak. She signs like we need to do with Harry," Sarah said.

"Exactly like with Harry?" Draco asked as he signed.

"Yes," Sarah said. "I understand when Teddy and Scorpius sign to each other during recess."

Draco nodded slowly. So a father with magic who came from magic, most likely. "Well, that is great," he said. They really should try to invite her over at some point. He shouldn't dig, he knew that, but he wanted to make sure she was safe. And her father wasn't a threat to Scorpius.

Wendy showed up apologetic that she was late and picked her daughter up. Harry reassured her that it was fine, though. They didn't mind, and the children had been playing. He turned to Draco once he had closed the door.

"Father is magical," Draco said.

Harry sighed. "You want to know who it is?" he asked.

"Before the Resurrection guys, I wouldn't have cared," Draco said. "Now we need to know she is safe for Scorpius."

"Sarah is safe. She is just a child," Harry said. "Her father, on the other hand, is another matter, and we will look into it carefully and kindly."

"Her Nana signs like us," Draco said. "So we know he is at least a half-blood."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, we will have to check on it, but not in a way that harms Sarah or Scorpius," he said.

Draco nodded. "I know," he said.

…

About a week later found Draco sitting in the kitchen at Blackbird with another letter in his hands. It was from his Master. He sighed.

"Now you are looking unhappy again," Harry said. "What is going on?" He was handed the letter and read it slowly. He sighed. "Please, Draco," he said.

"Can I invite him?" Draco asked.

"Yes, go ahead as long as you can put your foot down. If you want to do so here in our home, then invite him. This is ridiculous, are you going?" Harry asked. He would support and help Draco no matter his choice, but he knew Draco didn't like running these errants.

Draco looked at the letter. "No," he said. "If he can give a good enough reason when he gets here, then maybe I'll choose to help." He hummed as Harry kissed him and pulled his lover closer. He knew Harry approved of this choice. Not because he didn't want him to leave, but because he was fighting for himself. He was doing what he wanted.