Fae Method
Title: Fae Method
Author: enchanted_jae
Characters: Draco/Harry, Lucius/Narcissa, Darius
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Suggestion
Word count: 755
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for: Birthday gift for magical_jen, who asked for more of my Fae verse
Summary: Harry is subjected to a visit from the Malfoys, and he learns something that leaves him grinding his teeth. Draco, of course, has a solution.
Harry chided himself for being so nervous. It was only natural that the Malfoys would wish to see their new grandson. Draco cleaned the cottage using Fae magic, and Harry cleaned it again with flicks and swirls of his wand. Harry changed Darius' outfit three times until Draco scolded him for subjecting the baby to so many disruptions.
Now, they waited.
...
Harry was slowly going mad.
"When will they arrive?" he asked for the second time.
"Harry, you have asked me that twenty times already," Draco exclaimed. "Mum has probably donned eight different outfits in an effort to impress you."
"Impress me?!" Harry cried. "I've been worried that I won't pass muster!"
"Nonsense, Harry," said Draco. "You are the Chosen One who saved all magic folk from utter destruction. Why, even my father is impressed that I managed to pull you."
Harry's chest swelled with pride, and he felt a reluctant grin tug at his lips.
~*~
"Oh, Draco, he's even more precious than you were as an infant."
"Thank you, Mum," Draco said drily.
Narcissa smiled up at her spouse. "What do you think of our little Darius, Lucius?"
"He doesn't have blond hair," muttered Lucius.
Harry stiffened at the affront, but Narcissa quickly leapt to Darius' defense.
"Lucius Orion Malfoy!" she gasped. "Darius is Draco's son and our grandchild, and it matters little what color his hair is."
"You're right, of course," Lucius said hastily, hoping to mollify his wife. "Draco, Potter, he is a fine son and a welcome addition to the Malfoy family."
"Thank you, Father," Draco responded. Harry simply glared at the elder Malfoy until Lucius flushed and looked away.
The awkward moment passed when Narcissa encouraged Draco and Harry to open the gifts she had brought for the baby. Harry would have preferred to snatch Darius away from Narcissa and retreat to the bedroom with him, but he knew this was a ritual he must endure.
There was an overwhelming amount of gifts, and Harry and Draco began opening them at the same time. The wrapped packages contained clothing, toys, blankets and a bassinet. Harry glanced around the small cottage and rolled his eyes. They would have to magically shrink these items in order to have room for it all.
When everything had been opened and exclaimed over, Draco looked pointedly at Harry. Harry cleared his throat. "Thank you, Mr and Mrs Malfoy," he said dutifully.
Once it was time for the Malfoys to take their leave, Narcissa reluctantly surrendered Darius to Harry. "Draco, Harry, you simply must come for a visit soon," she said. "I want to see my grandson as often as possible."
"Of course we will, Mum," said Draco, bending to kiss his mother's cheek. "I'm sure Harry will be excited to venture from the orchard."
Harry felt his mouth fall open, and he closed it with a snap.
~*~
"I thought I wasn't allowed to leave the orchard," Harry growled as soon as Draco's parents had Disapparated.
"Why ever would you think that, Harry?!"
"You never said I could!"
"You didn't ask."
Harry's mouth fell open again, and he quickly clenched his teeth, lest he begin yelling and wake up the baby. He took a deep breath and said, "I thought the terms of our handfasting period were that I was to remain with you for a year and a day."
"That is true, Harry, but you needn't take it so literally," Draco explained patiently. "As you recall, we've been apart many times during the months we've been handfasted."
The truth of it left a bitter taste in Harry's mouth. He'd been missing his friends all these months, and to find out he could have visited them any time he wanted was maddening. Harry acknowledged to himself that he could have asked Draco, but that just made him angrier.
"How soon will Darius be able to travel safely?" Harry asked, in lieu of yelling at Draco.
"He can travel at any time, using the Fae method of translocation," replied Draco.
Harry tightened his hold on Darius, lest his baby suddenly disappear from his arms. "Isn't he a little young for that?"
"I meant, I can take him with me," Draco said.
"You wouldn't take him somewhere without telling me, would you?" Harry asked sharply.
"Of course not, Harry! Do stop fretting," Draco admonished. "Now, why don't you put Darius in his new bassinet, and I'll treat you to a nice suck to calm your nerves."
Fae Welcome