I Promise I'll Be Home
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: I Promise I'll Be Home
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 655
Summary: The return of the princess
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
Written for:
♦ Jae's Advent Drabbles No. 20
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2023 No. 20 - Holly and Ivy
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 20 - home
♦ adventdrabbles Prompt No. 20 - Christmas manicure
♦ slythindor100 Traditional Prompt No. 20 - Camera and Christmas lights
Harry was thrilled that Carolyn would be home that evening, but Jasmin was positively manic. She had on a tutu and was dancing all over the house, singing a made-up song about 'Caro coming home'. Chewy delighted in capering after her, while Cassi and Barnabus wisely stayed out of the way.
Draco came home mid-afternoon to accompany the family to Kings Cross Station, where they would meet Carolyn when she disembarked from the Hogwarts Express. Everyone bundled up and traveled to the train station.
Harry waited in breathless anticipation for the Hogwarts Express to arrive. They heard it first, and when it came into view, Harry felt his heart pound. He was no longer a student, but the sight of that magnificent engine never failed to lift his spirits. A quick glance at Ben and Jasmin revealed that they were equally enthralled as the train slowed and finally came to a halt.
"Let's step back," said Draco, nudging Jasmin. "We don't want to get run over by a stampede of students."
The doors opened, and students began pouring out. Harry was watching carefully for Carolyn, but he heard her first.
"Dad! Dad!"
"Caro!" shrieked Jasmin. She made to lunge toward her sister, but Draco grabbed the back of her coat.
"Stay still, Jasmin," he said. "Let Carolyn come to us."
Carolyn had a bag with her, and Nick was draped over her shoulders. She dropped her bag and rushed into Harry's arms.
Harry enfolded her in a hug, letting out a small oof when Nick leaped onto his shoulder.
Carolyn knelt and gave Jasmin a hug, then Benjamin, and then Draco. "I've missed everyone," she said. "You didn't go for a sleigh ride without me, did you?"
Harry picked up his daughter's bag and steered his family out of the way. "We waited for you, sweetie," he said. "We've missed you, too."
~*~
Later, after dinner (all of Carolyn's favorites), the family was relaxing on the sofa in the family room. Carolyn sat in the middle with Jasmin on her lap and Ben beside her. Harry and Draco sat at either end. Nick was curled up on the back of the sofa, behind Carolyn's head. Cassi was squashed between Draco and Carolyn, while Barnabus reclined between Ben and Harry. Chewy was half lying on Carolyn's feet, and his tail wagged each time she spoke.
Carolyn had regaled them all with tales of her first months at Hogwarts. Harry was pleased, and wholly unsurprised, that she'd made many friends, not all of them from her own House.
"Nora gave me a Christmas manicure," said Carolyn. "See?" She held her hands up and wiggled her fingers. "Nora painted my nails with holly and ivy."
"Very pretty," Harry commented.
"Your Grammeer will enjoy seeing your festive nails," said Draco. He glanced at the clock above the mantel. "We've all had an exciting day, and we're going to be very busy in the next few days. That means it's bedtime."
His announcement was met with a chorus of groans.
"Wait," said Harry. "I want to get a picture of you children in front of the tree." He stood up and retrieved his battered old camera from the bookcase. "Go stand in front of the tree, minions."
They hastened to obey, Carolyn standing in the middle with her arms around her sister and brother. Moisture pricked at Harry's eyes at the sight of them. Each was wearing holiday pyjamas, and the lights from the tree cast a warm glow over their smiling faces. He snapped three pictures. When Chewy barged into the midst of the children, Harry laughed and took a couple more photos.
"Okay, it really is bedtime now," he said. "We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Carolyn is going to make breakfast."
She blinked at him. "What?"
Harry chuckled and ruffled her hair. "I'm teasing you, Carolyn. I've missed doing that, you know. Welcome home."
The Downtown Lights