Photographs and All
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Photographs and All
Author: enchanted_jae
Character(s): Harry/Draco, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 670
Written for: dove_drabbles Prompt No. 133 - Never be too old for jumping in leaves
Summary: Twice the number of babies, twice the amount of work
Disclaimer: Characters are the property of JK Rowling, et al. This fic/drabble was written for fun, not for profit.
"I shouldn't be gone more than an hour or two."
"We'll be fine, Harry," said Draco. "Josh can handle the shop, and Ben and Jasmin will help take care of the babies."
Babies, Harry was learning, were a lot of work. Especially when they came in pairs. He plowed a hand through his hair and said, only half-joking, "What we need is a nanny."
Draco smiled up at him from where he was seated on the sofa, a baby tucked into each arm. "We've got this, Harry. I'm looking into hiring additional help for my shop, which will free my time. Go on, and be sure to tell Mr Pierson hello from me."
~*~
Harry entered the care home and turned down a familiar corridor. He'd left the twins at home in Draco's capable hands. Ben was eager to help, too, as was Jasmin. And Kreacher. And the Kneazle, the cat, and the dog.
Harry rapped softly on the door to Mr Pierson's room before stepping inside. The old gent was sitting in his stuffed chair and watching the telly. He smiled when he saw Harry and switched the television off.
"Mr Potter," he greeted. Harry didn't bother to correct his last name. "How kind of you to come visit me again."
Harry handed Mr Pierson a small box of chocolates and a bag of grapes. They conversed for a while, discussing such things as the weather, Harry's children, and Barnabus. The Kneazle had belonged with Mr Pierson but was unable to live with him in the care home. Harry found Barnabus in a Muggle rescue and adopted him on the spot.
He pulled out his mobile and began showing Mr Pierson photos of the children and the pets. Harry chuckled when they came to a short video he'd taken just the day before. He had raked up a large pile of leaves and let Ben and Jasmin dive into it. Even Chewy had gotten in on the action, jumping into the pile and scattering leaves everywhere.
Mr Pierson laughed in delight. "I miss jumping into leaf piles," he mused.
"Shall I rake some into a pile for you outside?" teased Harry. "You'll never be too old for jumping in leaves, you know."
Mr Pierson grinned and shook his head. "I'd probably break me hip, and then where would I be?" He scrolled back to a photo of Barnabus stretched regally across the back of a sofa.
"Would you like me to see if I can print out a copy of that for you?" Harry asked.
"Oh, that would be terrific," Mr Pierson replied, a smile wreathing his face.
Harry excused himself and went to the office, where a pleasant young man was happy to print the picture. Harry offered to pay for it, but the man waved him off. As Harry returned to Mr Pierson's room, he almost ran into a woman who came rushing out, tears in her eyes.
Alarmed, Harry entered Mr Pierson's room once more, relieved to see that he appeared fine, if a bit troubled.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. He sat down and handed the printed photo to Mr Pierson, who looked at it and sighed.
"That was my niece, Frances Finifrock," he said. "She's a Squib like me, so we've always been close. She just lost her job as a governess to a wizard family. Their children are manifesting magic, and the parents didn't think Frances could handle any outbursts."
Harry frowned. "What will she do?"
"I dunno," Mr Pierson shrugged. "She never married, has no husband to take care o' her, and no education beyond secondary school." Mr Pierson's brow furrowed before he visibly straightened in his chair. "She'll be okay," he said, although he didn't sound convinced. "Would you mind hanging this picture of old Barnabus on my cork board?"
Harry did as asked, using a push pin to hang the photo on Mr Pierson's board. When he was finished, he squared his shoulders and said, "Do you have a phone number for Ms Finifrock?"