Every Childlike Heart
Banner by the delightful capitu
Title: Every Childlike Heart
Character(s): Harry/Draco, ocs
Rating: PG
Warning(s): None
Word count: 1960
Summary: The entire family enjoys a sleigh ride and Christmas tea.
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. 21
♦ dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge 2024 No. 21 - North Pole
♦ newyearcntdown New Year's Countdown Challenge, Day 21 - Plant/tree/nature
♦ adventdrabbles Prompt No. 21 - Christmas English Tea
Harry found Frances in the small parlor that he and Draco had converted into a library. She was seated at one end of the settee with her feet tucked beneath her, nose buried in a book. Barnabus was keeping her company.
"Frances?" Harry greeted quietly, not wanting to startle her. "Draco and I are..." He paused to glance back to make sure none of the minions was within hearing distance. "We're taking the children to Hogsmeade today for a sleigh ride."
"How delightful," she said with a smile.
"We'd like you to join us."
Frances' mouth dropped into an O of surprise.
"You needn't feel obligated," Harry hastened to assure her. "We know it's your day off, but Draco and I thought you might enjoy an adventure."
"I...are you certain?"
"Of course," said Harry. "Go get your warmest outerwear, and if you need a hat, I've a smashing, fuchsia bobble hat you may borrow."
~*~
"Listen up, troops," said Harry, eyes scanning the assemblage. "Here is how we are going to do this. Draco will take one baby and one minion to his shop via the Floo."
"What's V-ah, Daddy?"
Harry looked down at Jasmin. "It means by way of," he replied. "We are traveling by way of the Floo, okay?"
"Okay!"
"Next, Carolyn will make the trip by way of the Floo."
"V-ah Floo!" crowed Jasmin.
Harry fought a grin. This was serious business. "Then, I will take the remaining baby and minion to the shop V-ah Floo."
"What about Miss Frances?" asked Ben.
"Miss Frances will hire a cab and arrive in Hogsmeade sometime late tonight."
"For Merlin's sake, Harry."
Harry made a face at his husband, the un-fun stick in the mud. "Either I or your father will come back by way of the Floo to escort Miss Frances," he announced.
Under Harry's keen watch, the operation proceeded as smoothly as planned. Draco took Jamie and Jasmin through the Floo. Carolyn waited a moment and then followed. She was much more adept at Floo travel than Harry had been at that age. Next, he hoisted Lili in her sling, instructed Ben to take hold of his arm, and tossed down a small handful of powder.
"Draco's potion shop!"
Once through the Floo, Harry handed Lili off to Astoria and traveled back for Frances. "You're not nervous, are you?" he asked.
"Oh no," she replied. "I've traveled V-ah Floo before, with my parents when I was a child." Her happy expression dimmed somewhat.
Harry guessed at what she didn't say. She'd traveled with her parents until they realized she was a Squib and began shunning her. He held out his hand, and she placed hers in it. Harry tossed down another handful of powder.
"Draco's potion shop!"
They staggered out like a pair of drunks, Harry apologizing and Frances giggling. She looked around herself in wonder. "This isn't at all what I imagined."
Draco's brow rose. "Oh?"
"A potion shop calls to mind a dim, cramped space filled with dusty bottles and odd ingredients, but this is open and bright and airy and beautiful. Why, you even have a lovely pink Christmas tree!"
Harry snickered and got an elbow in the ribs for his trouble. He rubbed his sore side and said, "I'm off to fetch the sleigh."
Jasmin opened her mouth, and Carolyn immediately clapped a gloved hand over her sister's lips. She then took Jasmin's hand and said, "Let's go say hello to the faeries in the tree."
~*~
Harry pulled Howard, the reindeer, to a halt outside of Draco's potion shop. The sleigh shuddered to a stop, and Howard snorted and shook his head, causing the bells on his jaunty red harness to jingle. Beside him, Maurice the unicorn raised his head and whickered. He crouched back on his haunches and pawed at the air with his front hooves, causing the bells on his breast collar to jangle.
Shopkeeps, villagers, and shoppers streamed outside, delighted to see the spectacle. Harry's minions burst forth from Draco's shop, pulling up only when Draco spoke sharply to them.
"Have a care," Harry cautioned. "Maurice is rather high-spirited today.
Frances had followed Draco and the children out, and her face was a study in childlike wonder. "A unicorn," she breathed. "And a real reindeer to pull the sleigh!"
"Howad and Morris," said Jasmin.
"Howard and Maurice," Ben corrected her smoothly.
Carolyn approached the pair and performed a curtsey. "Good afternoon, Howard, Maurice."
Howard snorted and stamped one cloven hoof, but Maurice acknowledged Carolyn by dipping his head.
Astoria came out with Lilian in her arms, her own eyes shining with delight.
Draco handed Jamie up to Harry and then helped Frances into the sleigh. Astoria surrendered Lili to her, and Frances arranged the blankets more snugly around the baby. Draco boosted Jasmin into the sleigh then told Carolyn and Ben to sit on the front bench seat with Harry. Draco boarded the sleigh last and retrieved Jameson from Harry's arms.
Astoria approached and helped get the lap robes settled on the passengers. "Harry, do you have your camera with you? I can take a photo of all of you in the sleigh."
Harry fished the camera from his coat pocket and gave it to Astoria. She stepped back and peered at the display, suggesting this person or that one lean forward or back. Satisfied, she snapped two quick photos.
"Didja get Howard and Maurice in the picture?" asked Ben.
"I certainly did," Astoria replied. She returned Harry's camera to him.
Harry looked at the display. "Oh, it's perfect," he said. Everyone was happy and smiling, except for the babies, who were snoozing. But, their precious little faces were visible. Howard didn't appear especially merry, but Maurice did.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Harry. His family cheered, and he lifted the reins, clucking to Howard. "Hang on!"
The sleigh lurched into motion, startling a little shriek out of Frances and a giggle out of Jasmin.
"Are you still with us, Miss Frances?" asked Harry.
"Oh, yes!" she called back.
"Now that we're in motion, the ride will be smooth," Draco told her.
"Jasmin, how are you doing?"
"Okay, Daddy!"
"Ben?" Harry looked back. "Where's Ben? Did we lose him?"
"I'm right beside you, Dad."
"Oh, good job, Ben," Harry praised him. He then concentrated on the reins in his hands, the steady lope of the reindeer in the traces, and the road ahead. Maurice cantered along beside them, his hooves kicking up a spray of snow.
"Maurice is not domesticated by any means," Draco was telling Frances, "but he and Howard are best mates and don't like to be apart. Thus, our unusual traveling companion."
By this time, they'd reached the turnoff that took them deeper into the woods. Howard made the turn without any urging from Harry; he'd made the trip before. When they reached their normal stopping point, Harry drew the reindeer to a halt.
Frances gasped. "Look at that tree!" She was staring at the tall evergreen that Neville and Luna had decorated this year. "It looks like a scene straight out of the North Pole!"
Carolyn and Ben climbed down from the sleigh, Draco passed Jamie to Harry and disembarked, and then he lifted Jasmin down. Next, Draco relieved Frances of Lili and used one hand to help her alight from the sleigh.
Harry handed Jamie off to Frances and climbed down. He pulled his camera out, taking some photos of the older children as they approached the tree to admire it. He took a close-up of Draco and Lili before saying to Frances, "I'll trade you two apples for my son."
Frances laughed. "What are the apples for?"
"Not what, who," said Harry, handing her the apples from his pocket and taking Jameson. "Feed one each to Howard and Maurice."
Her happy smile fell. "Oh, but...what if they don't like me?"
"Does the Kneazle like you?"
"Well, yes."
"Then what are you afraid of?" asked Harry, raising his brows at her.
Frances firmed her chin and approached the animals slowly.
Harry quickly transferred Jamie to Draco, leaving him holding two babies, and readied his camera. He took photos of Frances as she fed an apple to Howard and then cautiously extended the other one in her open palm to Maurice. The unicorn snuffled her hand and up her arm before accepting the apple with dainty precision.
From where he stood, Harry heard Frances heave a relieved sigh. She returned to them, beaming with delight. Harry showed her the last photo he'd taken, of her holding an apple out to a unicorn. Frances responded with a tiny gasp.
"If I may be so bold," said Harry, "I suggest you use this photo for next year's Christmas cards."
Frances got a glint in her eye and a grin on her face. "That's an excellent idea," she said. "Now, why don't you give me your camera, pick a baby, and I'll take a picture of you and Draco with the twins?'
Harry took Lili, ignoring Draco when he muttered, "Sure, take the lightest one." They faced Frances, turning the babies so their faces were visible and smiled for a couple photos.
Harry turned to where the older children were now playing in the snow. "Let's go, minions!" he called. "The babies are getting cold, and Maurice says he and Howard are going to leave without us."
"Da-ad," huffed Ben. "Maurice can't talk." He floundered his way back to the sleigh, with Jasmin wisely following his trail. Carolyn brought up the rear.
The family boarded the sleigh once more, and Harry expertly turned Howard around and urged him to head back to the village.
~*~
It was late afternoon by the time Harry got back from returning Howard and Maurice to Hagrid. Astoria was ringing up a sale, while Draco was giving Frances a tour of the back room where he brewed potions. The children were sitting on the floor near the Pink Tree. Carolyn and Ben were holding the twins, and Carolyn was charming Ben and Jasmin with more tales of Hogwarts.
Harry pulled his camera out and snapped a few photos of his daughters and sons.
Once the customer exited the shop, Harry clapped his hands together. "Who wants to go to Madam Puddifoot's?"
The minions cheered, startling the babies and causing them to fuss. Draco and Frances emerged from the brewing room. Draco looked aggrieved at the thought of going to the Pinkery, but Frances appeared delighted all over again.
"I've heard of Madam Puddifoot's tea room," she said, "but I never imagined I'd get to visit."
Draco's expression shifted instantly. "By all means, let us go to the tea room," he announced.
~*~
Frances halted just inside the tea room door. "Oh, this is utterly lovely!"
Madam herself hastened forward to greet them. "Thank you, my dear," she said, giving Harry and Draco a quizzical look.
"May I present Miss Frances Finifrock, our children's governess," Draco announced grandly.
"Welcome, Miss Finifrock," beamed Madam as she led them to a table near the windows. Soon they all had hot drinks before them. Draco and Frances had chosen tea, the older children had hot chocolate, and Harry was sipping a peppermint mocha.
Madam Puddifoot placed a tiered tray, filled with savory nibbles and delectable sweets, in the center of their table before rushing off to wait on another customer.
Frances was still looking around and admiring the feminine decor. "What a beautiful place," she murmured. "My sister and my cousins all gushed about it, but it's so much more impressive in person. Why, she even has her own pink Christmas tree!"
Harry caught Draco's eye and smirked across the table at him. Draco just rolled his eyes and sipped his tea.
I Don't Think Santa Claus Will Mind