hd inspiration for khateh (2)
Author: Anonymous
Recipient: khateh
Title: Someday We’ll Know (Part 2 of 2)
Someday We'll Know Part 2 of 2
Over the next few months, nothing happened that was too significant for Harry, unless starting a new job was considered significant. He had afternoon tea with Draco and Scorpius everyday, seeing as the two had a free period at the same time, and Ron and Hermione visited him at Hogwarts a few times bringing Rosie and Hugo, who ran around the grounds of the school laughing and chasing Teddy, who had fun changing his hair different colours for the two. Every once in a while, Draco would quietly join them to get Scorpius out of the castle and the three kids would run around together. Harry had been thankful that both Ron and Draco were on their best behaviour and had not argued with each other at all, and Hermione had sent him a lot of strange looks that meant she knew something he didn’t, but wouldn’t tell him until he had already figured it out. But unlike before, he didn’t push and could tell that she was slightly put out that she couldn’t hold it over his head.
It was one afternoon, right before winter break, that everything and nothing changed.
Wandering into their normal meeting room, Harry froze. Draco was already there, this time without Scorpius. He obviously hadn’t heard Harry come in, seeing as how he was sitting and staring out of the window looking pensive. Harry gripped at his chest and looked around, wondering what was causing such pain. He looked at Draco again, but the other professor still hadn’t noticed him. As Harry stood there, breathing swiftly though his nose, he thought over what could have caused his strange feeling of pure… well, he wasn’t sure what it was. Then, it hit him. It was his feelings for Draco, feelings he hadn’t even been aware had changed so strongly. He had always found the blond attractive, and he knew Draco found him attractive too, but he hadn’t realized, hadn’t even paid attention to, his feelings changing. Standing at the door, Harry was unsure of what to do next, so, as the pain subsided, he strolled over to his normal chair and sat down.
“Draco?”
He jumped up, standing and spinning to stare at Harry. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
“I noticed. Where is Scorpius?”
Draco looked up, surprised. He knew that Harry enjoyed the five-year-old’s company as much as Scorpius liked Harry’s, but he didn’t think the Gryffindor paid that much attention. “Weasley called and requested Scorpius’ presence to play with Rose and Hugo.”
“I do hope you consented,” Harry said, eyes dancing and a smile on his face.
Draco became busy making them tea. “Where do you think he is?” He snapped, clanging the stirring spoon against the china.
Staring at Draco for a moment, Harry realized what was bugging him. He leaned forward, placing a hand over Draco’s to stop him from fiddling with the tea. “He’ll be fine. Rosie and Hugo are good kids, and Hermione is an excellent mother. They’ll never leave her sight. Plus, she’s had some Healer training. There is nothing to worry about. It’s good for him to be branching out.”
Draco looked down, seemingly staring at the floor, but really admiring the colours of their skin together. Harry’s so dark and Draco’s so light. “I know he’ll be alright, and I really am glad he’s making friends- but he’s never really been away from family before. I have every right to worry.”
“Of course you do. It shows that you’re a good parent. And I know how you feel; I worry about Teddy every second of every day- but I don’t let it get in the way of other things. Draco, I have a feeling you’ve been sitting in here since he left you this morning, haven’t you?”
Blushing, he looked away. Harry was right. He had been sitting here, since Scorpius had left him three hours ago and it was why he hadn’t heard Harry come in.
Harry grinned. “How about instead of tea, you help me figure out what my Animagus form is? I’ve been meaning to ask you for weeks, but I seem to get distracted by other things and forget.”
“Alright,” Draco said, standing. “Let’s go.”
Together they walked down to the open field that Care of Magical Creatures had been held in during their sixth year, and Draco gestured to Harry to go ahead and transform. The Gryffindor stepped about ten feet away from Draco and stretched quickly before transforming with ease. Draco looked startled for a moment, and Harry, sensing it, sat down, head tilted to the side.
“I do believe you are a Nundu. Normally it’s a very large, magical leopard, but you seem to be smaller than normal,” he said, reaching out and running a hand over Harry the Nundu’s head. Harry couldn’t help himself, he purred and Draco grinned at him. “Nundu carry disease on their breath. I’m quite surprised you are one, and even more surprised that no one else recognized it.” He paused here, and Harry nudged him, “Nundu mate for life, but I’m not sure if that will affect you or not.”
Transforming back, Harry stood in front of Draco and looked at him. “They mate for life?”
“Like wolves or penguins.”
“How would I know if it affected me?”
“Have you felt any unwelcome, unexpected urges or stirrings towards anyone?”
“Yes, but they are neither unwelcome nor unexpected.”
“Then I would suggest asking that person if they had the same urges and stirrings and then having someone cast the spell on you that tells researchers which animals are mated in the wild. It should be able to prove it. However, I’m not sure who will be able to see it if there is a connection. Excuse me.” Draco said, walking away. He felt suddenly as if his heart was being squeezed in his chest and he wanted to be far away from that feeling, as far away as possible.
Harry watched him go, wondering if it really was true. Did Animagus forms affect people that much? And if so, would Draco be against it? He stood outside for a while, knowing that Draco wasn’t expecting their tea time for the day to continue, and contemplated what to do next.
>>>>
“Could it really happen? Could I have a ‘mate’?” Harry asked Hermione. They were seated around the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place, which Harry had given to Ron and Hermione when he left, sipping tea. Ron was outside with the kids, leaving them to talk.
“If anyone would know the answer to that it would be Malfoy, so if he says yes, then I have no reason to not believe him Harry. Why? Have you felt what he says you might feel?”
He leaned back and looked away from her, giving her the answer she needed. Reaching across the table, she held onto his hand and he looked back at her. “Harry, you deserve love more than anyone else I know. We’ll support you, no matter what.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” He said quietly, “I’m worried that the person will think it is for different reasons. Such as because it’s only my Animagus form and not my own feelings. ”
“Oh,” Hermione said, staring at him for a long moment before moving to hug him from behind. “Everything will work out in the end, love.”
“You say that a lot.”
“And I believe it. I kind of have to believe it now.” She looked out the window at her children as they ran around with play wands from George that squirt anything from water to flowers at the victim, who happened to be Ron at the moment. Harry stood and watched them. He felt Hermione’s eyes on him but said nothing. They drank their tea in silence for the rest of his visit, Hermione understanding the need for the quiet.
>>>>
“Harry!” Teddy called, jogging up the rest of the stairs to come rest by Harry on the next floor.
“Teddy, you have to call me…”
“Professor Potter, I know, but it’s the weekend, and I was heading to your office as it was, and everyone knows you’re my godfather,” Teddy rationalized, but Harry just rolled his eyes.
“What did you need me for, Teddy?”
The young boy looked at him, really looked at him, and Harry paused, waiting. “Are you alright?” Teddy finally asked, and Harry’s eyes widened slightly.
“I’m fine.”
“Now you’re lying to me.”
Sighing, they entered Harry’s office, and he closed the door behind them. Teddy quickly hopped up onto Harry’s desk and stared him down. Sighing again, Harry looked at him and moved towards the book shelves.
“Harry?”
“Teddy, what’s bugging me has nothing to do with you.”
“But you’re my godfather; I do worry about you, you know.”
“And I worry about you. But there are just some things that you don’t have to concern yourself with, alright?” Harry said, placing his hands on Teddy’s shoulders. He stared into his eyes which so much like Remus’ and, as always, was harshly reminded of what he lost and what he had gained. “This is something I have to figure out for myself, okay?”
“Alright, if you say so.”
“I do. Now,” he leaned back and let go of Teddy’s shoulders, “Was there anything else you needed?”
“No, I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Harry opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by knocking. Glancing at the time, he was confused. He didn’t have a class, it wasn’t tea time with Draco until three, and he hadn’t done anything to warrant a visit from Minerva lately. He looked at Teddy but the boy was just as confused as he was. Quickly making his way to the door he opened it to spot Draco there, a stack of books in his hands.
“These are some books that I found in the library about magical creature Animagi and the affects the creature has on the person- and then there are a few on Nundu themselves.” Draco blushed. “I just thought you’d like to know.” He then turned and fled down the hall as if he was late for a class.
“Was that Professor Malfoy?” Teddy asked, attempting to peer around Harry.
“I believe so.”
They looked at each other and Teddy shrugged, giving his excuses before running off. Harry sat at his desk and began to read the books Draco had given him, which only confirmed his suspicions. His Animagus form was going to affect who he spent the rest of his life with- and if his urgings were correct, then that person was Draco. Now he only had to figure out a way to tell him.
>>>>
Spring came quickly, and Harry spent most of his time outside in the sun. It was a habit from his travels, one that he was not going to give up. He had selected a spot at some distance from the lake, hidden slightly by some of the trees from the Forbidden Forest where he went to think, and at the present moment, he was lying on his back in the too tall grass, staring at the sky. He was thinking about Draco, and how much had changed since the other professor had revealed Harry’s form to him. Their teas had all but ended, and Draco had taken to going out every weekend with Scorpius instead of sending the now six-year-old to play with Rosie and Hugo, neither of whom understood why their new friend was suddenly not a playmate anymore.
“Harry?” Ron called out. He had come to the school to visit his best mate, only to be told that Harry was not in the castle, and that he should be able to find him somewhere around the lake. So Ron had gone all around the lake, calling out to Harry, only to find him closer to the forest than to the lake. “Mate?”
“Hi Ron,” Harry said from where he was. He had no intention of getting up. When Ron realized this, the red head took his place next to Harry in the grass.
“Everything alright, mate?” He couldn’t help what he was feeling right now. Harry was just so… completely Harry. Ron would always love him, but it was getting easier and easier to fall in love with Hermione more and more every day.
“I’m sure Hermione told you about my Animagus form and the effects of it.”
“She did.”
“I can’t figure out a way to tell the person.”
“Bloody Hell, you’ve been living with this news since January?” Ron asked anxiously.
Harry nodded the best he could, arms sliding behind his head.
“You just have to get it out there mate. Just say it. That’s what Hermione always tells me to do.”
Shrugging, Harry said nothing and together they stayed in the grass until the sky grew dark and the shadows grew long. Then, together, they walked back into the school and said their goodbyes. As Harry wandered back to his office, he thought about what Ron had said and realized that he did just have to say it. He had to get it out there and let Draco make the next move. So with determination quickening his step, he made his way to their guardian and entered, knocking on Draco’s door.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked, concerned as soon as the door opened.
“Scorpius is sick,” Draco said, rubbing at his neck and sighing heavily. He looked tired and on the verge of sickness himself. “Susan and Eddie, along with three students in the infirmary, have Dragon Pox, so I can’t take him there.”
Pushing past Draco, Harry went straight for Scorpius’ room, where the little boy was sitting up in bed, crying and looking decidedly miserable. Settling on the bed next to the six-year-old, Harry gently coaxed him down to a lying position, while Draco watched from a distance.
“What hurts, lovey?” Harry asked softly, brushing blond hair away from the sweat-soaked face.
“Everywhere,” Scorpius whined, before submitting to a coughing fit. Draco flinched. It hurt him that Scorpius was so sick, and that there was nothing he could do about it. Most potions had to be made specifically for each child, and since both professors able to make such potions were currently sick themselves, Draco could do nothing until morning. So instead, he watched as Harry snapped his fingers and a house-elf appeared.
“Inky, will you please prepare the Prefects’ bathroom with some lavender scents. Along with that, can you bring me some warm thyme tea with honey and lemon mixed in, not too hot because it will be for Scorpius here and broth, dry toast, and bananas to the bathroom? Then please purify this room’s air and change the sheets.”
“Inky will, Master Harry Potter sir.”
“Thank you,” Harry said, smiling at the house-elf which then disappeared with a pop. He then carefully wrapped Scorpius up in his blankets and looked over at Draco. “Can you grab him some new, close-fitting pyjamas?”
Confused, Draco did as he asked. “Why?”
“Because after Scorpius has had his bath and is back in bed, we’re going to open up that window in here and let him sleep with fresh air tonight. Close-fitting pyjamas will keep him from being too cold in the middle of the night,” Harry explained, moving out of the room and towards the corridor. Draco followed, holding the pyjamas and together they walked to the Prefects’ bathroom- up one floor.
The room was exactly as Harry had requested when they walked in, tea and foods waiting under a warming charm. Together, the two stripped Scorpius of his sweaty pyjamas and helped him slide into the large tub. Draco watched as almost instantly, some relief came to his son’s face, and then, in amazement as Harry stripped down to his trousers and climbed in with him, coaxing him gently to eat the broth and bananas while sipping at the tea from a sip cup. When that was finished, and after Scorpius begged Harry to let him stay in the bath for a while longer, Harry himself climbed out and settled next to Draco on the bench. They waited another half hour before pulling a half-asleep Scorpius out of the tub. Together they managed to dress the boy, and Harry carried him back to Draco’s rooms, settling him into his bed before opening the window to let in fresh air. Then, almost as if they were a family, both tucked Scorpius into bed and exited the room.
“Thank you,” Draco whispered, suddenly very tired as they settled on the couch in front of the fireplace. Harry reached over and felt at Draco’s forehead, tsking.
“You need to take care of yourself, just as much as you take care of Scorpius.”
“He’s my top priority.”
“I know, Draco, and you’re a great father, but if you’re sick, you can’t take care of him- that’s all.”
Leaning onto Harry’s shoulder, he closed his eyes and nodded. “Have you found out if your form affects you yet?”
“It does.” He felt Draco stiffen and waited for the next question that was sure to follow.
“Have you found the person?”
“Yes.”
“Oh,” Draco breathed as he felt as if his whole body was falling to pieces around him and that there was nothing he could do about it.
“Do you know the spell?”
There was a pause, almost as if Draco was reluctant to answer but he did with an almost imperceptible nod.
“Then, will you perform it for me?”
“Now?!”
“Whenever.”
“Don’t you want the other person to be there?”
Harry shifted suddenly, upsetting Draco who looked up into Harry’s eyes. “Who says that the person isn’t?”
Sniffing and blinking, he stared at Harry, head filling with unthinkable thoughts, body awash with suddenly irrepressible feelings. Harry just stared back, face blank, eyes serious. Wordlessly, Draco cast the spell and watched as Harry’s eyes flickered closed and a feeling of great warmth spread over the whole area, heavy in the air surrounding them. He looked down at himself, noting the soft, almost inconspicuous glow, then over at Harry, seeing the same. They stared at each other for an instant, and then suddenly both were moving, leaning forward, wrapping arms and latching onto lips. Shivers racked Draco’s body; he felt as if he had never kissed anyone before, and that any other kiss after this would never live up to it. Pushing Harry backwards, he shifted so that he was on top, leaning down, kissing with everything he had in his body and soul. Under his lips, he felt Harry’s mouth turn into a smile, and then the other professor was laughing, unable to contain his joy. Draco sat back, confused and slightly heartbroken until Harry silently but determinedly pulled him back down, kissing away his confusion and past heartbreak. Kissing him until he wondered why they hadn’t had gotten together years ago. Kissing and kissing and kissing.
Then, together, they moved slowly into Draco’s bedroom, stripping down to undergarments and sliding into the bed unable to bear the thought of being without one another. Curling around Harry, Draco laid there, not worried about the days coming up, or the years, or even of telling Scorpius and Teddy of this new arrangement. All he cared about was the feeling in his chest that, now that he thought about it, had been there since they had met at eleven, and was now subsiding, sliding into a new place to be replaced with a different feeling, one that he hadn’t felt since Scorpius had been born- love. Harry, whose breath had evened out minutes ago, subconsciously pulled him closer, and Draco rested his head over Harry’s heart, knowing that this was where he wanted to be forever. And ever and ever.
~ Fin
Recipient: khateh
Title: Someday We’ll Know (Part 2 of 2)
Someday We'll Know Part 2 of 2
Over the next few months, nothing happened that was too significant for Harry, unless starting a new job was considered significant. He had afternoon tea with Draco and Scorpius everyday, seeing as the two had a free period at the same time, and Ron and Hermione visited him at Hogwarts a few times bringing Rosie and Hugo, who ran around the grounds of the school laughing and chasing Teddy, who had fun changing his hair different colours for the two. Every once in a while, Draco would quietly join them to get Scorpius out of the castle and the three kids would run around together. Harry had been thankful that both Ron and Draco were on their best behaviour and had not argued with each other at all, and Hermione had sent him a lot of strange looks that meant she knew something he didn’t, but wouldn’t tell him until he had already figured it out. But unlike before, he didn’t push and could tell that she was slightly put out that she couldn’t hold it over his head.
It was one afternoon, right before winter break, that everything and nothing changed.
Wandering into their normal meeting room, Harry froze. Draco was already there, this time without Scorpius. He obviously hadn’t heard Harry come in, seeing as how he was sitting and staring out of the window looking pensive. Harry gripped at his chest and looked around, wondering what was causing such pain. He looked at Draco again, but the other professor still hadn’t noticed him. As Harry stood there, breathing swiftly though his nose, he thought over what could have caused his strange feeling of pure… well, he wasn’t sure what it was. Then, it hit him. It was his feelings for Draco, feelings he hadn’t even been aware had changed so strongly. He had always found the blond attractive, and he knew Draco found him attractive too, but he hadn’t realized, hadn’t even paid attention to, his feelings changing. Standing at the door, Harry was unsure of what to do next, so, as the pain subsided, he strolled over to his normal chair and sat down.
“Draco?”
He jumped up, standing and spinning to stare at Harry. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
“I noticed. Where is Scorpius?”
Draco looked up, surprised. He knew that Harry enjoyed the five-year-old’s company as much as Scorpius liked Harry’s, but he didn’t think the Gryffindor paid that much attention. “Weasley called and requested Scorpius’ presence to play with Rose and Hugo.”
“I do hope you consented,” Harry said, eyes dancing and a smile on his face.
Draco became busy making them tea. “Where do you think he is?” He snapped, clanging the stirring spoon against the china.
Staring at Draco for a moment, Harry realized what was bugging him. He leaned forward, placing a hand over Draco’s to stop him from fiddling with the tea. “He’ll be fine. Rosie and Hugo are good kids, and Hermione is an excellent mother. They’ll never leave her sight. Plus, she’s had some Healer training. There is nothing to worry about. It’s good for him to be branching out.”
Draco looked down, seemingly staring at the floor, but really admiring the colours of their skin together. Harry’s so dark and Draco’s so light. “I know he’ll be alright, and I really am glad he’s making friends- but he’s never really been away from family before. I have every right to worry.”
“Of course you do. It shows that you’re a good parent. And I know how you feel; I worry about Teddy every second of every day- but I don’t let it get in the way of other things. Draco, I have a feeling you’ve been sitting in here since he left you this morning, haven’t you?”
Blushing, he looked away. Harry was right. He had been sitting here, since Scorpius had left him three hours ago and it was why he hadn’t heard Harry come in.
Harry grinned. “How about instead of tea, you help me figure out what my Animagus form is? I’ve been meaning to ask you for weeks, but I seem to get distracted by other things and forget.”
“Alright,” Draco said, standing. “Let’s go.”
Together they walked down to the open field that Care of Magical Creatures had been held in during their sixth year, and Draco gestured to Harry to go ahead and transform. The Gryffindor stepped about ten feet away from Draco and stretched quickly before transforming with ease. Draco looked startled for a moment, and Harry, sensing it, sat down, head tilted to the side.
“I do believe you are a Nundu. Normally it’s a very large, magical leopard, but you seem to be smaller than normal,” he said, reaching out and running a hand over Harry the Nundu’s head. Harry couldn’t help himself, he purred and Draco grinned at him. “Nundu carry disease on their breath. I’m quite surprised you are one, and even more surprised that no one else recognized it.” He paused here, and Harry nudged him, “Nundu mate for life, but I’m not sure if that will affect you or not.”
Transforming back, Harry stood in front of Draco and looked at him. “They mate for life?”
“Like wolves or penguins.”
“How would I know if it affected me?”
“Have you felt any unwelcome, unexpected urges or stirrings towards anyone?”
“Yes, but they are neither unwelcome nor unexpected.”
“Then I would suggest asking that person if they had the same urges and stirrings and then having someone cast the spell on you that tells researchers which animals are mated in the wild. It should be able to prove it. However, I’m not sure who will be able to see it if there is a connection. Excuse me.” Draco said, walking away. He felt suddenly as if his heart was being squeezed in his chest and he wanted to be far away from that feeling, as far away as possible.
Harry watched him go, wondering if it really was true. Did Animagus forms affect people that much? And if so, would Draco be against it? He stood outside for a while, knowing that Draco wasn’t expecting their tea time for the day to continue, and contemplated what to do next.
>>>>
“Could it really happen? Could I have a ‘mate’?” Harry asked Hermione. They were seated around the kitchen table in Grimmauld Place, which Harry had given to Ron and Hermione when he left, sipping tea. Ron was outside with the kids, leaving them to talk.
“If anyone would know the answer to that it would be Malfoy, so if he says yes, then I have no reason to not believe him Harry. Why? Have you felt what he says you might feel?”
He leaned back and looked away from her, giving her the answer she needed. Reaching across the table, she held onto his hand and he looked back at her. “Harry, you deserve love more than anyone else I know. We’ll support you, no matter what.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.” He said quietly, “I’m worried that the person will think it is for different reasons. Such as because it’s only my Animagus form and not my own feelings. ”
“Oh,” Hermione said, staring at him for a long moment before moving to hug him from behind. “Everything will work out in the end, love.”
“You say that a lot.”
“And I believe it. I kind of have to believe it now.” She looked out the window at her children as they ran around with play wands from George that squirt anything from water to flowers at the victim, who happened to be Ron at the moment. Harry stood and watched them. He felt Hermione’s eyes on him but said nothing. They drank their tea in silence for the rest of his visit, Hermione understanding the need for the quiet.
>>>>
“Harry!” Teddy called, jogging up the rest of the stairs to come rest by Harry on the next floor.
“Teddy, you have to call me…”
“Professor Potter, I know, but it’s the weekend, and I was heading to your office as it was, and everyone knows you’re my godfather,” Teddy rationalized, but Harry just rolled his eyes.
“What did you need me for, Teddy?”
The young boy looked at him, really looked at him, and Harry paused, waiting. “Are you alright?” Teddy finally asked, and Harry’s eyes widened slightly.
“I’m fine.”
“Now you’re lying to me.”
Sighing, they entered Harry’s office, and he closed the door behind them. Teddy quickly hopped up onto Harry’s desk and stared him down. Sighing again, Harry looked at him and moved towards the book shelves.
“Harry?”
“Teddy, what’s bugging me has nothing to do with you.”
“But you’re my godfather; I do worry about you, you know.”
“And I worry about you. But there are just some things that you don’t have to concern yourself with, alright?” Harry said, placing his hands on Teddy’s shoulders. He stared into his eyes which so much like Remus’ and, as always, was harshly reminded of what he lost and what he had gained. “This is something I have to figure out for myself, okay?”
“Alright, if you say so.”
“I do. Now,” he leaned back and let go of Teddy’s shoulders, “Was there anything else you needed?”
“No, I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”
Harry opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off by knocking. Glancing at the time, he was confused. He didn’t have a class, it wasn’t tea time with Draco until three, and he hadn’t done anything to warrant a visit from Minerva lately. He looked at Teddy but the boy was just as confused as he was. Quickly making his way to the door he opened it to spot Draco there, a stack of books in his hands.
“These are some books that I found in the library about magical creature Animagi and the affects the creature has on the person- and then there are a few on Nundu themselves.” Draco blushed. “I just thought you’d like to know.” He then turned and fled down the hall as if he was late for a class.
“Was that Professor Malfoy?” Teddy asked, attempting to peer around Harry.
“I believe so.”
They looked at each other and Teddy shrugged, giving his excuses before running off. Harry sat at his desk and began to read the books Draco had given him, which only confirmed his suspicions. His Animagus form was going to affect who he spent the rest of his life with- and if his urgings were correct, then that person was Draco. Now he only had to figure out a way to tell him.
>>>>
Spring came quickly, and Harry spent most of his time outside in the sun. It was a habit from his travels, one that he was not going to give up. He had selected a spot at some distance from the lake, hidden slightly by some of the trees from the Forbidden Forest where he went to think, and at the present moment, he was lying on his back in the too tall grass, staring at the sky. He was thinking about Draco, and how much had changed since the other professor had revealed Harry’s form to him. Their teas had all but ended, and Draco had taken to going out every weekend with Scorpius instead of sending the now six-year-old to play with Rosie and Hugo, neither of whom understood why their new friend was suddenly not a playmate anymore.
“Harry?” Ron called out. He had come to the school to visit his best mate, only to be told that Harry was not in the castle, and that he should be able to find him somewhere around the lake. So Ron had gone all around the lake, calling out to Harry, only to find him closer to the forest than to the lake. “Mate?”
“Hi Ron,” Harry said from where he was. He had no intention of getting up. When Ron realized this, the red head took his place next to Harry in the grass.
“Everything alright, mate?” He couldn’t help what he was feeling right now. Harry was just so… completely Harry. Ron would always love him, but it was getting easier and easier to fall in love with Hermione more and more every day.
“I’m sure Hermione told you about my Animagus form and the effects of it.”
“She did.”
“I can’t figure out a way to tell the person.”
“Bloody Hell, you’ve been living with this news since January?” Ron asked anxiously.
Harry nodded the best he could, arms sliding behind his head.
“You just have to get it out there mate. Just say it. That’s what Hermione always tells me to do.”
Shrugging, Harry said nothing and together they stayed in the grass until the sky grew dark and the shadows grew long. Then, together, they walked back into the school and said their goodbyes. As Harry wandered back to his office, he thought about what Ron had said and realized that he did just have to say it. He had to get it out there and let Draco make the next move. So with determination quickening his step, he made his way to their guardian and entered, knocking on Draco’s door.
“What’s wrong?” Harry asked, concerned as soon as the door opened.
“Scorpius is sick,” Draco said, rubbing at his neck and sighing heavily. He looked tired and on the verge of sickness himself. “Susan and Eddie, along with three students in the infirmary, have Dragon Pox, so I can’t take him there.”
Pushing past Draco, Harry went straight for Scorpius’ room, where the little boy was sitting up in bed, crying and looking decidedly miserable. Settling on the bed next to the six-year-old, Harry gently coaxed him down to a lying position, while Draco watched from a distance.
“What hurts, lovey?” Harry asked softly, brushing blond hair away from the sweat-soaked face.
“Everywhere,” Scorpius whined, before submitting to a coughing fit. Draco flinched. It hurt him that Scorpius was so sick, and that there was nothing he could do about it. Most potions had to be made specifically for each child, and since both professors able to make such potions were currently sick themselves, Draco could do nothing until morning. So instead, he watched as Harry snapped his fingers and a house-elf appeared.
“Inky, will you please prepare the Prefects’ bathroom with some lavender scents. Along with that, can you bring me some warm thyme tea with honey and lemon mixed in, not too hot because it will be for Scorpius here and broth, dry toast, and bananas to the bathroom? Then please purify this room’s air and change the sheets.”
“Inky will, Master Harry Potter sir.”
“Thank you,” Harry said, smiling at the house-elf which then disappeared with a pop. He then carefully wrapped Scorpius up in his blankets and looked over at Draco. “Can you grab him some new, close-fitting pyjamas?”
Confused, Draco did as he asked. “Why?”
“Because after Scorpius has had his bath and is back in bed, we’re going to open up that window in here and let him sleep with fresh air tonight. Close-fitting pyjamas will keep him from being too cold in the middle of the night,” Harry explained, moving out of the room and towards the corridor. Draco followed, holding the pyjamas and together they walked to the Prefects’ bathroom- up one floor.
The room was exactly as Harry had requested when they walked in, tea and foods waiting under a warming charm. Together, the two stripped Scorpius of his sweaty pyjamas and helped him slide into the large tub. Draco watched as almost instantly, some relief came to his son’s face, and then, in amazement as Harry stripped down to his trousers and climbed in with him, coaxing him gently to eat the broth and bananas while sipping at the tea from a sip cup. When that was finished, and after Scorpius begged Harry to let him stay in the bath for a while longer, Harry himself climbed out and settled next to Draco on the bench. They waited another half hour before pulling a half-asleep Scorpius out of the tub. Together they managed to dress the boy, and Harry carried him back to Draco’s rooms, settling him into his bed before opening the window to let in fresh air. Then, almost as if they were a family, both tucked Scorpius into bed and exited the room.
“Thank you,” Draco whispered, suddenly very tired as they settled on the couch in front of the fireplace. Harry reached over and felt at Draco’s forehead, tsking.
“You need to take care of yourself, just as much as you take care of Scorpius.”
“He’s my top priority.”
“I know, Draco, and you’re a great father, but if you’re sick, you can’t take care of him- that’s all.”
Leaning onto Harry’s shoulder, he closed his eyes and nodded. “Have you found out if your form affects you yet?”
“It does.” He felt Draco stiffen and waited for the next question that was sure to follow.
“Have you found the person?”
“Yes.”
“Oh,” Draco breathed as he felt as if his whole body was falling to pieces around him and that there was nothing he could do about it.
“Do you know the spell?”
There was a pause, almost as if Draco was reluctant to answer but he did with an almost imperceptible nod.
“Then, will you perform it for me?”
“Now?!”
“Whenever.”
“Don’t you want the other person to be there?”
Harry shifted suddenly, upsetting Draco who looked up into Harry’s eyes. “Who says that the person isn’t?”
Sniffing and blinking, he stared at Harry, head filling with unthinkable thoughts, body awash with suddenly irrepressible feelings. Harry just stared back, face blank, eyes serious. Wordlessly, Draco cast the spell and watched as Harry’s eyes flickered closed and a feeling of great warmth spread over the whole area, heavy in the air surrounding them. He looked down at himself, noting the soft, almost inconspicuous glow, then over at Harry, seeing the same. They stared at each other for an instant, and then suddenly both were moving, leaning forward, wrapping arms and latching onto lips. Shivers racked Draco’s body; he felt as if he had never kissed anyone before, and that any other kiss after this would never live up to it. Pushing Harry backwards, he shifted so that he was on top, leaning down, kissing with everything he had in his body and soul. Under his lips, he felt Harry’s mouth turn into a smile, and then the other professor was laughing, unable to contain his joy. Draco sat back, confused and slightly heartbroken until Harry silently but determinedly pulled him back down, kissing away his confusion and past heartbreak. Kissing him until he wondered why they hadn’t had gotten together years ago. Kissing and kissing and kissing.
Then, together, they moved slowly into Draco’s bedroom, stripping down to undergarments and sliding into the bed unable to bear the thought of being without one another. Curling around Harry, Draco laid there, not worried about the days coming up, or the years, or even of telling Scorpius and Teddy of this new arrangement. All he cared about was the feeling in his chest that, now that he thought about it, had been there since they had met at eleven, and was now subsiding, sliding into a new place to be replaced with a different feeling, one that he hadn’t felt since Scorpius had been born- love. Harry, whose breath had evened out minutes ago, subconsciously pulled him closer, and Draco rested his head over Harry’s heart, knowing that this was where he wanted to be forever. And ever and ever.
~ Fin