Fic: After Effect, Harry/Draco, NC-17, [Complete]
Title: After Effect
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Summary: No one knew Draco had a daughter, but due to unfortunate circumstances surrounding the end of the War he'll have to bring her to school for his eighth year. Perhaps a bit of innocence can help to open eyes.
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter Nine
Draco couldn’t help smiling. He was alone in the Room of Requirement with Hermione-whom he’d begun calling by her first name, as if things couldn’t have gotten stranger-and Weasley, decorating for Carina’s birthday. Harry had been the one to suggest the Room. He and Draco had gone to check it out beforehand to make sure it was still usable. The walk to the blank stretch of wall had been silent and a little nerve-wracking. Draco had been so ready for the door to open up to a destroyed room, Crabbe’s ashes among the filth.
Harry had walked past the wall, asking for a simple, plain room, anything that would confirm that the magic was still intact, and when the door had appeared he’d looked at Draco for a few moments before holding his hand and pushing it open.
It had been very anticlimactic. They’d faced a small closet, entirely empty, and nothing more. Draco had heard Harry sigh before turning to face him.
“Still works,” he’d whispered. And then he’d kissed Draco chastely on the lips and pulled away to look into his eyes. “I’m glad I saved you.”
“Me too.” He’d felt at that moment, for the first time since agreeing to try a relationship with Harry, that he’d done the right thing in saying yes. Although he’d been harboring a small crush on the boy wonder for about a week before anything had transpired, it had been difficult to agree to date him, if only because it felt too quick to be real. To mean anything. Even after the way Harry had kissed him and whispered his name before climaxing… Draco just hadn’t been sure.
This, though. This meant something. He couldn’t be sure why, but it made a difference. He was still a bit nervous, and rightly so, he thought, as both of their feelings had come out of nowhere. But for now, this felt right.
Which was precisely why he continued to smile even as he worked with Weasley and Hermione to decorate the small, cozy room that had appeared when he’d walked past the wall an hour ago.
Ribbons and streamers were flying from Hermione’s wand and draping themselves elegantly across the ceiling, Weasley was wrapping the mountain of presents in the corner, and Draco was busy dusting glitter over the surface of every piece of furniture he could get to. The food, thanks to the Room, had been neatly arranged on a pretty pink table, along with a bunch of pink and purple bean bag chairs and a sofa. They’d found that the Room couldn’t quite do everything it used to, which was why Hermione was putting up streamers and Draco spreading glitter, but the overall room was adorable and he knew his daughter would love it.
There weren’t too many people coming. The four of them, of course, and Hermione had invited Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, Luna Lovegood, Weasley’s sister, and Neville Longbottom. Harry had laughed and grabbed his hand when this information had been revealed.
“It’ll be fun for Carina,” he’d said, kissing Draco on the cheek.
The two hadn’t been hiding their relationship, but they hadn’t announced it to the school, except of course to Weasley and Hermione. And the Weasley girl, who Harry had had to talk to. He hadn’t spoken to Draco much about that.
Other people had noticed, though, in classes and corridors and in the Great Hall. It had been only two days and Draco thought the whole of Hogwarts was privy to their personal information. No one had said anything directly. At least, not to him. He imagined Harry got heckled a bit more. Especially considering who he was. No one besides the golden trio seemed to want anything to do with him and Draco was just fine with that. Weasley had even been attempting civility and Draco supposed it was more than he deserved, loathe as he was to admit it.
Just as Draco was about to ask why Weasley was wrapping a small fish tank there was a tap on the door and then it opened inwards. Lavender Brown poked her head in, smiled, and then strolled casually inside, a large present in her hands.
“Hello!” she said with a grin. Draco raised a brow and looked to Hermione, who smirked at him before flicking her wand and causing the stream of ribbons to cease. Behind Lavender were the Patil twins, each carrying a present as well.
“Oh, good,” Draco said, folding his arms. “I was hoping to thoroughly spoil her before the age of four.”
“Oh, hush, Malfoy,” one of the twins-Parvati, he assumed, due to her red and gold tie-said. “Like you were any better.”
He looked to Hermione in shock, who merely giggled. Was everyone going to remind him of the way he used to act? It certainly seemed so.
“What an adorable room!” Padma said, looking around fondly.
“Oi, bring the presents over here.” The three girls looked to Weasley, who was finishing up the last gift, and added their presents to the not-quite-modest pile.
“Do you know where Luna, Neville, and Ginny are?” Hermione asked. She’d sat down next to Weasley and was helping him to organize the pile. “Harry should be bringing Carina around in the next twenty minutes or so.”
“Neville said they’d be coming soon when we left. Luna was with Ginny in her dorm apparently.” Lavender glanced at Draco so quickly he could have been imagining it. One look at Hermione’s face, though, told him she’d seen it too. She hadn’t looked at him, but she’d bitten her lip almost imperceptibly. Weasley, too, looked uncomfortable.
“Oh. Well, I certainly hope they hurry. I told Harry one o’c-”
“Sorry we’re late!” Longbottom hurried inside the room, Luna trailing in behind him and the Weaslette behind her. She was staring at the ground, her cheeks redder than normal. Draco scowled and sat down in a chair at the table. Neville was apparently carrying all of their gifts because his arms were full. Hermione rushed over to help and together they put them with the rest. Draco glared at the three new presents, dying to know what Ginny Weasley had gotten his daughter.
Before anything had a chance to become awkward Lavender sat down next to Draco, smiling brightly, and he raised a brow at her. Everyone in the room was watching, even Hermione, though she was trying to hide it.
“Yes?” he asked smoothly.
“We were just wondering…” she began, and Draco knew immediately it couldn’t be anything good. He sat up straighter, his folded arms going rigid. Lavender looked to Parvati, whose face went red, and giggled. She looked back to him and placed her arm on the table, leaning a bit closer. He felt suddenly like he was being interviewed by Rita Skeeter.
“You were wondering..?”
“Well, what’s the story?!”
He swallowed. “What story?” he asked tightly.
“Behind your daughter, of course!”
“Lavender!” Everyone turned to see Hermione, her cheeks red, glaring at the tactless girl. “That’s not your business.”
“Well excuse me for wondering,” she huffed. Her smile didn’t leave entirely though and she looked backed to Draco. “She was French, wasn’t she?” Draco clenched his teeth. “She has a teeny accent sometimes. And she calls you Papa. It’s absolutely adorable!”
“Oh!” Hermione’s sudden yelp distracted even Lavender. She was looking at a small coin. “Harry and Carina will be here in five minutes! Everyone start finding your hiding places!”
Draco could have kissed Harry for his timing. Before his eyes everyone began to scramble around the room looking for the cleverest spot. Weasley and Hermione hid behind the presents (Draco snorted at the fact that this was a possibility). Weaslette and Luna ducked behind one bean bag chair while Longbottom used another. The Patil twins crouched behind a couple of chairs and Lavender went behind the sofa. Draco stood against the wall next to the door, ready to greet Harry and Carina first when they walked in.
“Everyone ready?” Weasley whispered. There was a general murmur of consent. A small click could be heard and all the lights in the room flew behind the pile of presents.
They all sat that way, crouched and ready in the dark, for about three minutes before one loud knock echoed off the door. Everyone tensed. Draco could hear Carina babbling away to Harry outside and smiled.
“But Papa said we could get pink lights for Christmas if I was really good and-”
“Carina,” Harry cut her off, a smile in his voice. “Open the door, sweetheart.” The pet name made Draco’s heart swell. He was itching to grab Harry and kiss him within an inch of his life.
The handle jiggled and then the door swung inward. Carina stepped inside first, looking around the dark room in confusion, and then Harry, who shut the door behind them.
Another click and the lights flew back to their original position from behind the presents where Weasley had been storing them in what looked like a silver cigarette lighter. Draco nearly laughed at Carina’s expression but was saved when everyone in the room jumped up and shouted, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Carina squealed in excitement and Harry laughed. Draco came over and knelt down next to his daughter, who turned to him, an enormous smile lighting up her face, and pulled her into a hug.
“Happy birthday, my darling,” he whispered. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and squeezed. When she let go she dashed further into the room, soaking up the birthday wishes and cheek-pinches from everyone else in the room, none of whom seemed to tire of her. Draco stood and looked at Harry. He pulled Draco over by the loops on his denims and kissed him directly on the mouth. Draco felt him smile into it.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Harry said, pulling away and smiling at Draco. “I hope Ron and Hermione weren’t too bad.”
“I think I could get used to them,” Draco laughed. He was delighted when Harry’s entire face lit up.
“You have no idea how much that means to me.” He kissed Draco again, and then again, and one more time because he couldn’t seem to help it.
“Oi, you two, care to join the festivities?” Harry and Draco looked over to find Weasley mock-glaring at them, an eyebrow raised. Harry chuckled, kissed Draco once more, and then dragged him further into the room.
The small party unfolded easily. First they ate, and Draco was pleased to note that Carina did as well. When they’d almost finished Harry called out, quite out of nowhere, “Kreacher!” and a vaguely familiar house-elf appeared, bowing low in front of Harry.
“How can Kreacher serve Master Harry?” the small elf asked excitedly. Most of the table hadn’t seemed to notice his appearance, as he was directly between Harry and Draco’s seats.
“Can you get the cake, please, Kreacher?” The elf nodded vigorously and disappeared again with a crack. Harry looked at Draco, whose brow was quirked, and laughed. “What?”
“I’m sorry, did I miss something? When did you obtain an elf?”
“That’s Kreacher,” he explained. “I inherited him from Sirius when he died.”
“Wait,” Draco said, understanding beginning to dawn on him. His stomach clenched. “You mean that elf was the Blacks’? That’s..?” Harry nodded. Draco swallowed hard, putting the pieces together. Sirius’s mother, Walburga, Draco’s great aunt, had been close to his own mother. He imagined her visiting her aunt’s house when she was young. She’d no doubt known Kreacher. Harry seemed to guess his train of thought because he laid a hand on Draco’s thigh.
“He loved your mum,” he whispered, and Draco could sense some other emotion behind those words; an emotion he couldn't place. Draco bit his lip. Harry squeezed lightly. “And you.”
“What?” Draco looked at him, confused. “I never knew him.”
“When I first inherited him he hated me. I hated him. He… Er-well, he made things … difficult fifth year. In a number of ways. And then sixth year I…” He trailed off, his cheeks going exceptionally red, and rubbed the back of his neck. Draco couldn’t understand where this was going and how it had to do with him.
“You what?”
Harry was silent. He seemed to be thinking. Finally, he said, “I’ll explain later, yeah?”
Draco nodded slowly. “I’m holding you to that.” Harry smiled.
“Deal.”
Kreacher appeared again moments later in the company of another house-elf, both holding a fabulous cake, one that would have probably reached Draco’s waist.
“Thanks, guys,” Harry said with a smile. “The icing looks beautiful, Winky.” The two elves bowed so low that their noses touched the ground. Kreacher stole a quick glance at Draco before they both disappeared once more. Harry placed the enormous pastry on the table and called everyone’s attention. There was a great fuss over the cake and a lot of squealing from Carina, but Harry eventually managed to gather everyone’s attention long enough to sing to Carina before they dug in.
* * *
About an hour and a half later Draco sighed, exhausted, as he shut the door behind Lavender, who was the last one to leave. Hermione was charming the presents so that they could easily be carried back to Draco and Carina’s room, Weasley was sitting near her with a piece of cake, and Harry was holding Carina and dancing, both laughing like they hadn't a care in the world.
“Why don’t we open those here?” Draco said. Hermione looked over at him.
“Oh, okay.” She looked back to the presents. “Actually, that’s a better idea. We can leave the paper in here then.” Harry put Carina down and the little girl dashed over to the presents, sitting down before them.
The four of them sat down next to her, Hermione beside the presents.
“Alright,” she said, picking up a large one and checking the name on top. “This one’s from Lavender.” She handed it to Carina, who promptly ripped the paper off, revealing a lovely set of earrings and matching necklace.
“Oh!” she squealed. “Harry, can you put them on me?” Harry leaned over and draped the necklace around her neck, fastening it in the back while Draco held the blond hair away. Hermione helped her with the earrings.
The next one was from Neville, who’d gotten her an adorable stuffed monkey. The monkey sat on her lap as she opened the strangest dress Draco had ever seen from Luna, more jewelry from the Patil twins, a number of things from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes from Ginny Weasley (Harry had blushed furiously and Draco had remained silent as Carina had excitedly picked through the items), and several toys from Zonko’s from Ron.
When Hermione handed Carina her present Draco knew immediately what it was. The fish tank he’d spotted earlier. And that meant…
After Carina had ripped open the paper and looked to Hermione in excitement Hermione handed over a small bowl containing three gorgeous, rainbow fish. Draco’s mouth fell open and Hermione smirked, refusing to make eye contact.
“Thank you!” Carina shouted, and raced over to hug Hermione around the neck. The two shared a conspiratorial grin that Draco was sure he wasn't imagining.
“You’re welcome,” she laughed. “We’ll get them set up later. Open the rest of your presents right now.”
She obeyed, though a smile was stuck on her face. She seemed to love the many and varied gifts from her father, everything from candy to toys to books, and was nearly exploding with joy by the time she received the thin package from Harry.
When the toy broomstick was revealed Carina’s eyes went wide and she looked to Harry.
“Is this for me?” she whispered. Harry burst into laughter.
“Of course!”
“Oh, thank you!” she shrieked, and dove at him with a hug. He chuckled and hugged her back.
“You’re welcome,” he said, petting her hair. “I’ll help you with it tonight, okay?”
“Okay!” She plopped herself down in Harry’s lap and continued to marvel at the broomstick, inspecting it in her own lap like a precious gem. Harry smirked at Draco, who rolled his eyes.
* * *
Harry had helped Carina try out her toy broomstick for about an hour in Draco’s room later that evening. She’d been nervous, but eventually managed to stay upright while the broom hovered about a foot in the air for a few minutes. Her proud smile had warmed Harry’s heart.
Now Draco was showering and Harry was putting Carina to bed. She held a stuffed elephant in one arm and her new monkey in the other. Emilie was sleeping at the foot of the bed.
Harry sat down and pulled the quilt up to Carina’s chin and tucked her in, laughing when she smiled and wiggled around to get comfortable.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked.
"Mhm," she mumbled sleepily. Her thumb had found her mouth and her eyes were slowly drooping closed. "Harry?" she said around the digit.
"Yeah?"
"What's a crush?"
Harry's stomach knotted up and he froze.
"What do you mean?" he asked, hoping she meant anything other than what he knew she meant. After all, she'd used the term only a few days ago and it had been a catalyst. Why in the world would she ask what it meant?
Carina dropped the thumb from her mouth and yawned, as though the conversation was not especially important. As though she was merely curious.
"Hermany said Papa has a crush on you. What does that mean?"
It was like a veil had been lifted. In that one sentence Harry was able to deduce what had happened that day beneath the beech tree. He finally understood the way Hermione had been acting.
And he coudn't find it in his heart to be mad at her because, after all, look where it had gotten him.
He was tucking Draco's daughter into bed while Draco himself, Harry's boyfriend, showered.
But now Harry was faced with a dilemma. He could expain to her that he had feelings for her father, that her father had feelings for him, but would she understand that? Would she understand that the feelings he and Draco shared weren't platonic, but romantic? Did three-year-olds understand that? Would she get that it was more than a crush, because that didn't cover the way he felt about Draco?
Would she ask about her mother?
Harry sighed and looked to the bathroom door and back at Carina.
"When someone has a crush on someone else," he began, "they ... have feelings for them. They like them more than as a friend."
"But I thought you and Papa were friends!" Carina looked panicked. Harry laid a hand on her arm.'
"We are friends," he chuckled. "It's just that it's a little bit more than friends."
He had no idea how to explain the concept without using the word 'love,' and he desperately wanted to avoid that. For now.
"Like best friends?" she asked, her smile returning.
"Carina," he said softly, "a crush is another word for ... well, a less extreme word for-er-love."
Merlin, he didn't know how to talk to children. Extreme? He was sure she wouldn't understand that. He didn't want to even begin to imply that he was in love with Draco. He wasn't. That wouldn't make sense. It was too soon.
He bit his lip.
"Your daddy and I are ... he's my boyfriend. When Hermione told you that your daddy has a crush on me, she meant that he ... really likes me. And I feel the same way. I care a lot about your dad."
"Boyfriend?" she said, looking perplexed. "But you're a boy, too!"
Harry swallowed thickly. Merlin, this was difficult.
"Two boys can ... have a crush on each other, too," he said.
"So ... is that why you make Papa so happy? Because he has a crush on you?"
Harry laughed softly, figuring this was the best he'd be able to do without breaching subjects that simply weren't appropriate to breach.
"Yes. And he makes me happy, too."
Carina smiled. "Will you stay?" she asked. The words brought back achingly sad and scary memories, but he pushed them away. At least the conversation was over.
"I'll stay until you fall asleep, of course." He made to lie down but Carina stopped him with a small hand.
"No," she said. "Will you stay with me and Papa?"
Harry hadn't cried in a long time, but he wasn't sure how much longer he could manage. This little girl had no one in the world but her father and, from it what sounded like, he was unhappy most of the time. Her situation-it hit home.
In that moment he knew he wouldn't-couldn't-leave these two. He was a part of their lives as much as they were a part of his. And the strangest part was that he couldn't help but smile.
Harry leaned over and kissed Carina's forehead, letting his lips linger on her soft skin for a moment, thinking about how much he loved her, about Draco, about his mum and dad...
"I promise," he whispered, and she reached up and hugged his neck.
Link to Chapter Ten
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Summary: No one knew Draco had a daughter, but due to unfortunate circumstances surrounding the end of the War he'll have to bring her to school for his eighth year. Perhaps a bit of innocence can help to open eyes.
This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Chapter Nine
Draco couldn’t help smiling. He was alone in the Room of Requirement with Hermione-whom he’d begun calling by her first name, as if things couldn’t have gotten stranger-and Weasley, decorating for Carina’s birthday. Harry had been the one to suggest the Room. He and Draco had gone to check it out beforehand to make sure it was still usable. The walk to the blank stretch of wall had been silent and a little nerve-wracking. Draco had been so ready for the door to open up to a destroyed room, Crabbe’s ashes among the filth.
Harry had walked past the wall, asking for a simple, plain room, anything that would confirm that the magic was still intact, and when the door had appeared he’d looked at Draco for a few moments before holding his hand and pushing it open.
It had been very anticlimactic. They’d faced a small closet, entirely empty, and nothing more. Draco had heard Harry sigh before turning to face him.
“Still works,” he’d whispered. And then he’d kissed Draco chastely on the lips and pulled away to look into his eyes. “I’m glad I saved you.”
“Me too.” He’d felt at that moment, for the first time since agreeing to try a relationship with Harry, that he’d done the right thing in saying yes. Although he’d been harboring a small crush on the boy wonder for about a week before anything had transpired, it had been difficult to agree to date him, if only because it felt too quick to be real. To mean anything. Even after the way Harry had kissed him and whispered his name before climaxing… Draco just hadn’t been sure.
This, though. This meant something. He couldn’t be sure why, but it made a difference. He was still a bit nervous, and rightly so, he thought, as both of their feelings had come out of nowhere. But for now, this felt right.
Which was precisely why he continued to smile even as he worked with Weasley and Hermione to decorate the small, cozy room that had appeared when he’d walked past the wall an hour ago.
Ribbons and streamers were flying from Hermione’s wand and draping themselves elegantly across the ceiling, Weasley was wrapping the mountain of presents in the corner, and Draco was busy dusting glitter over the surface of every piece of furniture he could get to. The food, thanks to the Room, had been neatly arranged on a pretty pink table, along with a bunch of pink and purple bean bag chairs and a sofa. They’d found that the Room couldn’t quite do everything it used to, which was why Hermione was putting up streamers and Draco spreading glitter, but the overall room was adorable and he knew his daughter would love it.
There weren’t too many people coming. The four of them, of course, and Hermione had invited Lavender Brown, the Patil twins, Luna Lovegood, Weasley’s sister, and Neville Longbottom. Harry had laughed and grabbed his hand when this information had been revealed.
“It’ll be fun for Carina,” he’d said, kissing Draco on the cheek.
The two hadn’t been hiding their relationship, but they hadn’t announced it to the school, except of course to Weasley and Hermione. And the Weasley girl, who Harry had had to talk to. He hadn’t spoken to Draco much about that.
Other people had noticed, though, in classes and corridors and in the Great Hall. It had been only two days and Draco thought the whole of Hogwarts was privy to their personal information. No one had said anything directly. At least, not to him. He imagined Harry got heckled a bit more. Especially considering who he was. No one besides the golden trio seemed to want anything to do with him and Draco was just fine with that. Weasley had even been attempting civility and Draco supposed it was more than he deserved, loathe as he was to admit it.
Just as Draco was about to ask why Weasley was wrapping a small fish tank there was a tap on the door and then it opened inwards. Lavender Brown poked her head in, smiled, and then strolled casually inside, a large present in her hands.
“Hello!” she said with a grin. Draco raised a brow and looked to Hermione, who smirked at him before flicking her wand and causing the stream of ribbons to cease. Behind Lavender were the Patil twins, each carrying a present as well.
“Oh, good,” Draco said, folding his arms. “I was hoping to thoroughly spoil her before the age of four.”
“Oh, hush, Malfoy,” one of the twins-Parvati, he assumed, due to her red and gold tie-said. “Like you were any better.”
He looked to Hermione in shock, who merely giggled. Was everyone going to remind him of the way he used to act? It certainly seemed so.
“What an adorable room!” Padma said, looking around fondly.
“Oi, bring the presents over here.” The three girls looked to Weasley, who was finishing up the last gift, and added their presents to the not-quite-modest pile.
“Do you know where Luna, Neville, and Ginny are?” Hermione asked. She’d sat down next to Weasley and was helping him to organize the pile. “Harry should be bringing Carina around in the next twenty minutes or so.”
“Neville said they’d be coming soon when we left. Luna was with Ginny in her dorm apparently.” Lavender glanced at Draco so quickly he could have been imagining it. One look at Hermione’s face, though, told him she’d seen it too. She hadn’t looked at him, but she’d bitten her lip almost imperceptibly. Weasley, too, looked uncomfortable.
“Oh. Well, I certainly hope they hurry. I told Harry one o’c-”
“Sorry we’re late!” Longbottom hurried inside the room, Luna trailing in behind him and the Weaslette behind her. She was staring at the ground, her cheeks redder than normal. Draco scowled and sat down in a chair at the table. Neville was apparently carrying all of their gifts because his arms were full. Hermione rushed over to help and together they put them with the rest. Draco glared at the three new presents, dying to know what Ginny Weasley had gotten his daughter.
Before anything had a chance to become awkward Lavender sat down next to Draco, smiling brightly, and he raised a brow at her. Everyone in the room was watching, even Hermione, though she was trying to hide it.
“Yes?” he asked smoothly.
“We were just wondering…” she began, and Draco knew immediately it couldn’t be anything good. He sat up straighter, his folded arms going rigid. Lavender looked to Parvati, whose face went red, and giggled. She looked back to him and placed her arm on the table, leaning a bit closer. He felt suddenly like he was being interviewed by Rita Skeeter.
“You were wondering..?”
“Well, what’s the story?!”
He swallowed. “What story?” he asked tightly.
“Behind your daughter, of course!”
“Lavender!” Everyone turned to see Hermione, her cheeks red, glaring at the tactless girl. “That’s not your business.”
“Well excuse me for wondering,” she huffed. Her smile didn’t leave entirely though and she looked backed to Draco. “She was French, wasn’t she?” Draco clenched his teeth. “She has a teeny accent sometimes. And she calls you Papa. It’s absolutely adorable!”
“Oh!” Hermione’s sudden yelp distracted even Lavender. She was looking at a small coin. “Harry and Carina will be here in five minutes! Everyone start finding your hiding places!”
Draco could have kissed Harry for his timing. Before his eyes everyone began to scramble around the room looking for the cleverest spot. Weasley and Hermione hid behind the presents (Draco snorted at the fact that this was a possibility). Weaslette and Luna ducked behind one bean bag chair while Longbottom used another. The Patil twins crouched behind a couple of chairs and Lavender went behind the sofa. Draco stood against the wall next to the door, ready to greet Harry and Carina first when they walked in.
“Everyone ready?” Weasley whispered. There was a general murmur of consent. A small click could be heard and all the lights in the room flew behind the pile of presents.
They all sat that way, crouched and ready in the dark, for about three minutes before one loud knock echoed off the door. Everyone tensed. Draco could hear Carina babbling away to Harry outside and smiled.
“But Papa said we could get pink lights for Christmas if I was really good and-”
“Carina,” Harry cut her off, a smile in his voice. “Open the door, sweetheart.” The pet name made Draco’s heart swell. He was itching to grab Harry and kiss him within an inch of his life.
The handle jiggled and then the door swung inward. Carina stepped inside first, looking around the dark room in confusion, and then Harry, who shut the door behind them.
Another click and the lights flew back to their original position from behind the presents where Weasley had been storing them in what looked like a silver cigarette lighter. Draco nearly laughed at Carina’s expression but was saved when everyone in the room jumped up and shouted, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Carina squealed in excitement and Harry laughed. Draco came over and knelt down next to his daughter, who turned to him, an enormous smile lighting up her face, and pulled her into a hug.
“Happy birthday, my darling,” he whispered. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and squeezed. When she let go she dashed further into the room, soaking up the birthday wishes and cheek-pinches from everyone else in the room, none of whom seemed to tire of her. Draco stood and looked at Harry. He pulled Draco over by the loops on his denims and kissed him directly on the mouth. Draco felt him smile into it.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure,” Harry said, pulling away and smiling at Draco. “I hope Ron and Hermione weren’t too bad.”
“I think I could get used to them,” Draco laughed. He was delighted when Harry’s entire face lit up.
“You have no idea how much that means to me.” He kissed Draco again, and then again, and one more time because he couldn’t seem to help it.
“Oi, you two, care to join the festivities?” Harry and Draco looked over to find Weasley mock-glaring at them, an eyebrow raised. Harry chuckled, kissed Draco once more, and then dragged him further into the room.
The small party unfolded easily. First they ate, and Draco was pleased to note that Carina did as well. When they’d almost finished Harry called out, quite out of nowhere, “Kreacher!” and a vaguely familiar house-elf appeared, bowing low in front of Harry.
“How can Kreacher serve Master Harry?” the small elf asked excitedly. Most of the table hadn’t seemed to notice his appearance, as he was directly between Harry and Draco’s seats.
“Can you get the cake, please, Kreacher?” The elf nodded vigorously and disappeared again with a crack. Harry looked at Draco, whose brow was quirked, and laughed. “What?”
“I’m sorry, did I miss something? When did you obtain an elf?”
“That’s Kreacher,” he explained. “I inherited him from Sirius when he died.”
“Wait,” Draco said, understanding beginning to dawn on him. His stomach clenched. “You mean that elf was the Blacks’? That’s..?” Harry nodded. Draco swallowed hard, putting the pieces together. Sirius’s mother, Walburga, Draco’s great aunt, had been close to his own mother. He imagined her visiting her aunt’s house when she was young. She’d no doubt known Kreacher. Harry seemed to guess his train of thought because he laid a hand on Draco’s thigh.
“He loved your mum,” he whispered, and Draco could sense some other emotion behind those words; an emotion he couldn't place. Draco bit his lip. Harry squeezed lightly. “And you.”
“What?” Draco looked at him, confused. “I never knew him.”
“When I first inherited him he hated me. I hated him. He… Er-well, he made things … difficult fifth year. In a number of ways. And then sixth year I…” He trailed off, his cheeks going exceptionally red, and rubbed the back of his neck. Draco couldn’t understand where this was going and how it had to do with him.
“You what?”
Harry was silent. He seemed to be thinking. Finally, he said, “I’ll explain later, yeah?”
Draco nodded slowly. “I’m holding you to that.” Harry smiled.
“Deal.”
Kreacher appeared again moments later in the company of another house-elf, both holding a fabulous cake, one that would have probably reached Draco’s waist.
“Thanks, guys,” Harry said with a smile. “The icing looks beautiful, Winky.” The two elves bowed so low that their noses touched the ground. Kreacher stole a quick glance at Draco before they both disappeared once more. Harry placed the enormous pastry on the table and called everyone’s attention. There was a great fuss over the cake and a lot of squealing from Carina, but Harry eventually managed to gather everyone’s attention long enough to sing to Carina before they dug in.
* * *
About an hour and a half later Draco sighed, exhausted, as he shut the door behind Lavender, who was the last one to leave. Hermione was charming the presents so that they could easily be carried back to Draco and Carina’s room, Weasley was sitting near her with a piece of cake, and Harry was holding Carina and dancing, both laughing like they hadn't a care in the world.
“Why don’t we open those here?” Draco said. Hermione looked over at him.
“Oh, okay.” She looked back to the presents. “Actually, that’s a better idea. We can leave the paper in here then.” Harry put Carina down and the little girl dashed over to the presents, sitting down before them.
The four of them sat down next to her, Hermione beside the presents.
“Alright,” she said, picking up a large one and checking the name on top. “This one’s from Lavender.” She handed it to Carina, who promptly ripped the paper off, revealing a lovely set of earrings and matching necklace.
“Oh!” she squealed. “Harry, can you put them on me?” Harry leaned over and draped the necklace around her neck, fastening it in the back while Draco held the blond hair away. Hermione helped her with the earrings.
The next one was from Neville, who’d gotten her an adorable stuffed monkey. The monkey sat on her lap as she opened the strangest dress Draco had ever seen from Luna, more jewelry from the Patil twins, a number of things from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes from Ginny Weasley (Harry had blushed furiously and Draco had remained silent as Carina had excitedly picked through the items), and several toys from Zonko’s from Ron.
When Hermione handed Carina her present Draco knew immediately what it was. The fish tank he’d spotted earlier. And that meant…
After Carina had ripped open the paper and looked to Hermione in excitement Hermione handed over a small bowl containing three gorgeous, rainbow fish. Draco’s mouth fell open and Hermione smirked, refusing to make eye contact.
“Thank you!” Carina shouted, and raced over to hug Hermione around the neck. The two shared a conspiratorial grin that Draco was sure he wasn't imagining.
“You’re welcome,” she laughed. “We’ll get them set up later. Open the rest of your presents right now.”
She obeyed, though a smile was stuck on her face. She seemed to love the many and varied gifts from her father, everything from candy to toys to books, and was nearly exploding with joy by the time she received the thin package from Harry.
When the toy broomstick was revealed Carina’s eyes went wide and she looked to Harry.
“Is this for me?” she whispered. Harry burst into laughter.
“Of course!”
“Oh, thank you!” she shrieked, and dove at him with a hug. He chuckled and hugged her back.
“You’re welcome,” he said, petting her hair. “I’ll help you with it tonight, okay?”
“Okay!” She plopped herself down in Harry’s lap and continued to marvel at the broomstick, inspecting it in her own lap like a precious gem. Harry smirked at Draco, who rolled his eyes.
* * *
Harry had helped Carina try out her toy broomstick for about an hour in Draco’s room later that evening. She’d been nervous, but eventually managed to stay upright while the broom hovered about a foot in the air for a few minutes. Her proud smile had warmed Harry’s heart.
Now Draco was showering and Harry was putting Carina to bed. She held a stuffed elephant in one arm and her new monkey in the other. Emilie was sleeping at the foot of the bed.
Harry sat down and pulled the quilt up to Carina’s chin and tucked her in, laughing when she smiled and wiggled around to get comfortable.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked.
"Mhm," she mumbled sleepily. Her thumb had found her mouth and her eyes were slowly drooping closed. "Harry?" she said around the digit.
"Yeah?"
"What's a crush?"
Harry's stomach knotted up and he froze.
"What do you mean?" he asked, hoping she meant anything other than what he knew she meant. After all, she'd used the term only a few days ago and it had been a catalyst. Why in the world would she ask what it meant?
Carina dropped the thumb from her mouth and yawned, as though the conversation was not especially important. As though she was merely curious.
"Hermany said Papa has a crush on you. What does that mean?"
It was like a veil had been lifted. In that one sentence Harry was able to deduce what had happened that day beneath the beech tree. He finally understood the way Hermione had been acting.
And he coudn't find it in his heart to be mad at her because, after all, look where it had gotten him.
He was tucking Draco's daughter into bed while Draco himself, Harry's boyfriend, showered.
But now Harry was faced with a dilemma. He could expain to her that he had feelings for her father, that her father had feelings for him, but would she understand that? Would she understand that the feelings he and Draco shared weren't platonic, but romantic? Did three-year-olds understand that? Would she get that it was more than a crush, because that didn't cover the way he felt about Draco?
Would she ask about her mother?
Harry sighed and looked to the bathroom door and back at Carina.
"When someone has a crush on someone else," he began, "they ... have feelings for them. They like them more than as a friend."
"But I thought you and Papa were friends!" Carina looked panicked. Harry laid a hand on her arm.'
"We are friends," he chuckled. "It's just that it's a little bit more than friends."
He had no idea how to explain the concept without using the word 'love,' and he desperately wanted to avoid that. For now.
"Like best friends?" she asked, her smile returning.
"Carina," he said softly, "a crush is another word for ... well, a less extreme word for-er-love."
Merlin, he didn't know how to talk to children. Extreme? He was sure she wouldn't understand that. He didn't want to even begin to imply that he was in love with Draco. He wasn't. That wouldn't make sense. It was too soon.
He bit his lip.
"Your daddy and I are ... he's my boyfriend. When Hermione told you that your daddy has a crush on me, she meant that he ... really likes me. And I feel the same way. I care a lot about your dad."
"Boyfriend?" she said, looking perplexed. "But you're a boy, too!"
Harry swallowed thickly. Merlin, this was difficult.
"Two boys can ... have a crush on each other, too," he said.
"So ... is that why you make Papa so happy? Because he has a crush on you?"
Harry laughed softly, figuring this was the best he'd be able to do without breaching subjects that simply weren't appropriate to breach.
"Yes. And he makes me happy, too."
Carina smiled. "Will you stay?" she asked. The words brought back achingly sad and scary memories, but he pushed them away. At least the conversation was over.
"I'll stay until you fall asleep, of course." He made to lie down but Carina stopped him with a small hand.
"No," she said. "Will you stay with me and Papa?"
Harry hadn't cried in a long time, but he wasn't sure how much longer he could manage. This little girl had no one in the world but her father and, from it what sounded like, he was unhappy most of the time. Her situation-it hit home.
In that moment he knew he wouldn't-couldn't-leave these two. He was a part of their lives as much as they were a part of his. And the strangest part was that he couldn't help but smile.
Harry leaned over and kissed Carina's forehead, letting his lips linger on her soft skin for a moment, thinking about how much he loved her, about Draco, about his mum and dad...
"I promise," he whispered, and she reached up and hugged his neck.
Link to Chapter Ten