Interview - Harry and Draco
“Scorpius and I are just alike, and Jamie and Harry are pretty much the same person.” Draco says. “But Albus-”
Harry cuts in, “He’s not like either of us.”
“He’s a sensitive boy.” Draco corrects.
Harry smiles, “I have no clue where he gets it from, but I wouldn’t change him one bit.”
“Well…” Draco says drawing out his thoughts.
“Well what?” Harry asks, “What would you want to change?” He questions a little defensively.
Draco sighs, “Maybe just the clinginess…”
“Oh.” Harry says, “...Yeah…
Albus coming Home From Hogwarts
Draco and Harry stood expectantly on platform 9 ¾.
Harry had his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket and Draco held onto his right arm.
The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station with a loud screech.
The doors opened and children flooded off the train, each running towards their respective guardians.
Draco let go of Harry’s arm when he saw his boys approaching. Harry followed.
Scorpius was walking while dragging his trunk, Jamie had his backpack over his shoulder and Albus’ backpack in his hands.
Albus was walking – running – several steps ahead of his brothers. A large smile spread across his face.
Albus – of course – reached his parents first.
Draco let out an audible “Oof” at the sheer force of the hug Albus pulled him into.
Draco – of course – hugged him back.
“Daddy! I missed you so much!” Albus said, his words muffled from where his face was pressed into Draco’s jacket.
Draco stroked Albus’ messy hair, “I missed you too, sweetheart.” He whispered, while kissing the top of Albus’ head.
Harry greeted Scorpius and Jamie each with a hug, taking Albus’ bag from Jamie’s hands, slinging it over his own shoulder instead.
Jamie let out a long sigh, “Come on Al, you gotta give the rest of us a chance to say hi.” He said while rolling his eyes.
Albus ignored his older brother, continuing to cling to his father.
Draco gave Albus one last tight squeeze before saying, “Sweetheart, go say hi to Papa.”
At that Albus let go of Draco and promptly ran at Harry.
Harry and Draco’s approach to Albus’ jump hug was different.
While Draco would open his arms and hold his son, Harry had a habit of going low and lifting Albus to hug him. It was something that had started when Albus was 2, no one expected for it to continue till he was 13.
Scorpius’ eye roll was almost audible when he saw his father lifting Albus like a toddler in the middle of platform 9 ¾.
“Papa, put him down! People are staring!” Scorpius said to Harry, who was completely oblivious to the onlookers.
Draco pulled Scorpius into a one armed hug – anything more in public and the boy would probably run away. Draco’s other arm was wrapped firmly around Jamie’s shoulders, probably due to Draco’s irrational fear of the boy wandering off.
“Alright Papa put him down.” Jamie said while Scorpius tried to look anywhere but at his family, “Jeez, might as well just buy him a pram.” Jamie rolled his eyes.
Draco smacked him lightly on the arm.
When Albus is Sick
Summer break was a lively time in the Potter household.
Jamie was constantly running and going out with friends, Scorpius hogged the living room and watched murder documentaries all day, and Albus he was the craziest – as far as Draco was concerned.
Albus was always going on “adventures” grabbing his skateboard and polaroid and coming home with a stack of photos to show his parents.
So today seemed fairly normal, Jamie had left early with his broom for what he said would be a “long flight.” Scorpius was settled in the living room with a blanket and an industrial size bowl of popcorn with a documentary playing obnoxiously loud.
So normal.
Except for Albus.
It was nearly 2 pm, so not seeing Albus this late in the day was, odd, to say the least. Draco knew that.
Just then Harry walked down the stairs.
“Hey Scorp, whatcha watching?” He asked.
“Murder.” Scorpius said without looking away from the television.
“That’s nice buddy.” Harry responded as he joined Draco in the kitchen.
“He needs a new hobby.” Harry whispered to Draco, “We should buy him a videogame or something.”
“Goodness Harry, stop making up words.” Draco said, despite having video games explained to him numerous times. “What’s Albus doing?”
“I don’t know, isn’t he down here?” Harry responded.
“I haven’t seen him all day.” Draco answered.
“Weird.” Harry drawled while walking into the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water.
“I’m gonna go check on him.” Draco said while already walking towards the stairs.
Harry grabbed Draco’s wrist before he could leave.
“Leave him be, babe, he’s probably just sleeping in.” Harry says, drinking his water.
Draco levels him with a look.
Harry jumps, suddenly looking more alert.
“Let’s go wake him up, it’s too late to be sleeping.” He joins Draco, beginning to lead him to the staircase.
“Oh now you care.” Draco says dryly.
“I care if you care babe.” Harry says while planting a kiss on Draco’s cheek.
“You’re insufferable.” Draco says walking ahead of Harry to check on Albus.
Albus’ bedroom door was firmly shut.
Draco knocked – loudly – on Albus’ door.
“Albus! Sweetheart, are you awake!” Draco called.
No answer.
Harry reached forward and knocked on the door a bit louder.
“Al! Buddy you good!” Harry said.
No answer.
Draco was opposed to entering the boys bedroom uninvited – Harry on the other hand, not so much.
Harry opened the door and walked in, Draco rolled his eyes and followed.
The room was dark despite it being midday in the height of summer. The curtains were drawn and Albus was lying on his stomach in bed, his blanket kicked off and a box of tissues on his bedside table.
“Albus sweetheart? Why are you still in bed?” Draco asked, “Did you stay up late again?”
Draco reached a hand out and put it on Albus’ back to shake him lightly.
When Draco’s hand made contact with Albus’ back he let out a sympathetic hiss.
“Darling, you feel warm.” He said while he knelt down to be closer to Albus’ face.
Albus groaned sleepily.
Draco pushed Albus’ hair back and felt his forehead.
“Harry, he has a fever.” Draco said, looking at Harry while stroking the side of Albus’ face.
“Does he?” Harry asked while reaching forward to put his own hand on Albus’ face.
“I’m a healer. I think I know what a fever is.” Draco said to Harry, though his eyes never left Albus.
Harry poured some of the water from his bottle into his hand and rubbed it over Albus’ face.
“He’s burning up.” Harry mumbled.
The cool water on his face woke him up more, and rather than groaning Albus actually opened his eyes.
“Daddy…” Albus mumbled in his small nasally voice, “I think I’m sick.”
Harry chuckled, but Draco – Draco absolutely melted.
“You think?” Harry teased.
“Oh my love.” Draco cooed, “When did this start?”
“Last night.” Albus answered while sitting up and reaching for Draco.
Draco slid into the bed next to Albus wrapping him in his arms.
“Why didn’t you come get me or Papa?” He asked while kissing Albus’ sweaty hair.
“Thought it was allergies…” Albus trailed off, laying his head on Draco’s shoulder and closing his eyes.
Harry brushed back Albus’ sweaty hair.
“Allergies?” Harry asked with a cocked eyebrow, staring suspiciously at the crumbled tissues on his bedside table. He handed Albus his bottle of water, “Drink this love.”
Albus complied and – without opening his eyes – had a sip of the water.
“Poor thing.” Draco said, “Let me go get you something to break your fever.”
Draco tried to stand from the bed, but Albus let out a pitiful cry.
“Daddy don’t leave me.” He whined.
By now Scorpius – having noticed the lack of people downstairs – walked into Albus’ room, his popcorn bowl still in hand.
“What’s wrong with him?” Scorpius asked, his mouth full of popcorn.
“He’s not feeling well.” Harry answered, “Maybe you should leave the contamination zone.”
Albus let out a pained cough and Draco cradled him like an infant.
“Say less.” Scorpius replied before quickly leaving the room.
“Harry, go get my potions.” Draco ordered while pulling Albus in close.
“You got it babe.” Harry said, – while making a vague finger gun motion at Draco who just rolled his eyes – he then leaned down to look at Albus, “Hang tight sweetheart.” He pressed a gentle kiss to Albus’ sweaty forehead and ran off – presumably to Draco’s study.
When Harry Gets Hurt On The Job
Interview - Draco
“Harry’s an auror. He has been since we got together.” Draco stated, “I hate it.”
His arms are crossed and his mouth is drawn into a thin line.
Interview - Jamie, Scorpius, and Albus
“Papa’s job is cool!” Jamie announces loudly, “He always has the best stories to tell after work.”
Surprisingly Scorpius nods his head in agreement.
“Papa has my dream job.” Scorpius says with a grin into the camera, “Studying criminals and putting away dark wizards who have committed all kinds of crimes!” He finishes – seeming way too happy to be discussing crime.
Albus shifts slightly in his seat between his brothers.
Albus speaks hesitantly, “I mean it is a cool job I guess.” Albus pauses, “...I don’t like when he comes home late though…”
***
“Do you have to leave so early Papa?” Albus asked Harry.
He was still dressed in his pajama pants and t-shirt.
Harry ruffled Albus’ bed head with a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry sweetheart. I wish I could stay here with you all day.”
Albus frowned, “Be careful.”
“You got it.” Harry whispered while kissing the top of Albus’ head.
“Now go on back to bed.” Harry told Albus while nodding towards the stairs, “It’s still early.”
Albus put his arms up to give his papa a hug.
Harry smiled and crouched down to pick Albus up — like always — and held him close.
“I love you.” Harry said.
“I love you too.” Albus replied.
Harry set him down with one last squeeze, and Albus hesitantly ran up the stairs, back to his room.
Harry turned to the front door — where Draco was standing.
“You better not come home hurt again.” Draco told Harry, but the threat held no weight.
“I won’t.” Harry said while grabbing his jacket from the coat rack and slipping it on.
“You always say that,” Draco huffed, “Then you come home looking lost a fight to a hippogriff.”
“Well,” Harry continued to adjust the cuffs of his jacket cuffs, “You would know all about that wouldn’t you.” He teased while going in to kiss Draco’s cheek.
Draco groaned, while Harry walked out the door.
***
“Ugh!” Jamie groaned while splayed across the living room couch.
“What?” Draco asked, slightly agitated.
“I’m bored…” Jamie answered, “And I’m hungry. Where’s papa?”
“Papa’s at work.” Draco answered, leaning back in his chair and turning a page in his book.
“Well I’m tired of waiting for him.” Jamie stated, “Can I go eat dinner on my own?”
Draco looked up from his novel, “I suppose you might as well.” He answered.
Jamie ran off to the kitchen.
Draco went back to his reading.
“Daddy?” Albus asked from his spot on the floor, where he was scrolling through his cellphone.
Draco put his book down now — long having stopped reading it — “What’s wrong sweetheart?” He asked.
“I’m kinda getting tired of waiting for Papa too.” Albus admitted.
“Me too.” Said Scorpius from across the room – where he was assumed to have not been listening.
Draco stood and retrieved the – what was it called? A landline? – from the mantle of their large fireplace.
“Hold on.” Draco said, pressing buttons roughly, “I’ll call your father and see when he’s coming home.”
Draco continued to press buttons to no avail.
“Jamie! Come show me how to use this blasted thing!” He huffed.
Jamie peaked out of the kitchen, still chewing something.
“What?” He asked – his mouth full.
Draco shoved the phone at his son, “Call your father.”
“You’re so old.” Jamie said, snatching the phone and pressing a couple buttons.
He pressed a button that made the volume louder – he put the phone on speaker.
It rang for a moment, but no one answered.
Albus sat up straighter, “Why isn’t he answering? Did something happen?” He asked with wide eyes.
“Calm down.” Jamie said while redialing, “He probably just doesn’t have any signal.”
Before Jamie could call Harry back the phone began to ring.
Jamie answered the call and held it to his ear.
“Hey uncle Thomas.” He said, while Draco reached to snatch the phone from him.
“Thomas, this isn’t a good time, can I call you back later?” Draco said to his brother.
Jamie wandered back into the kitchen and Draco snapped his fingers in his direction.
“What?” Draco asked, “Can you say that again?”
This peaked all of the boys' attention.
“What did he say?” Scorpius asked, but Draco just held up a hand to tell him to be quiet.
Draco’s mouth pressed into a thin line and his brows furrowed.
“Ok,” He said seriously, “I’m coming right now.” Thomas must’ve hung up then cause Draco put the phone down.
“Put your shoes on.” Draco told the boys while he ran upstairs.
“Why?” Scorpius questioned, though he was already slipping on his sneakers.
Draco came back down in his jacket, tucking his wand into the pocket of his robes.
“What’s happening?” Jamie asked, stumbling with his shoes half on his feet.
“Papa’s in the hospital.” Draco said, walking towards the fireplace and grabbing a handful of floo powder.
Albus was quiet, but also the first person in the fireplace.
In seconds the Potter’s were all standing in the middle of St. Mungos hospital.
And right in front of them stood Thomas Malfoy.
Draco walked ahead of the boys and reached his brother first.
“What happened?” He asked, already walking past Thomas – who quickly followed.
“He brought in a convict and I checked him out, it’s not that serious.” Thomas said, trying to keep up with his younger brother.
“Is papa okay?” Scorpius asked while walking behind the two blonde men.
Albus ran to catch up and grab onto Thomas’ arm.
“Is he hurt bad uncle Thomas?” Albus asked, eyes wide.
Draco stopped and turned to Albus.
“Papa’s gonna be fine sweetheart.” Draco said, grabbing Albus’ hand before he continued walking.
“He doesn’t know that.” Jamie whispered to Scorpius behind them.
Thomas eventually took the lead of the group and led them through a sterile hall, he held open a door for them to enter.
Harry was inside – of course – blood dripping from a gash across his cheek.
“Papa.” Albus called, running to Harry and climbing in the hospital bed beside him and wrapping his arms around him.
Harry wrapped his arms around Albus with a light hiss of pain that the boy must’ve not heard.
“I told you not to call them.” Harry said to Thomas with an aggravated look, his arms holding Albus tight.
Draco crossed his arms while he stared at Harry.
“You asked him not to call me?” Draco asked, “Harry, you're bleeding!” He shouted, pointing to Harry’s split cheek.
“You are bleeding…” Jamie said, his eyes darting around the room.
“Jamie baby it’s not that bad.” Harry said, freeing one of his arms and gesturing for Jamie to join him and Albus on the hospital bed.
Jamie sat at the foot of the bed.
“You had all of us worried sick.” Draco continues scolding.
Harry just rolls his eyes.
“It’s not that bad, babe.” Harry said.
Albus leaned back to look at Harry.
“It looks like it hurts…” Albus whispers, “Papa, I was so scared.” He admitted.
“Oh sweetheart,” Harry said, “I’m so sorry for scaring you.” He reached up to pull Albus close and kiss him on the cheek.
Draco put a hand on Scorpius’ back and led him deeper into the room.
Harry opened one of his arms, “Scorpius, come here my love.”
Scorpius climbed into bed with Harry – and Albus and Jamie.
Draco reached for Harry’s chin, turning it to see the cut on his face clearer.
“For Merlin’s sake Thomas why hasn’t this thing been cleaned.” Draco snarked at Thomas.
“Don’t worry.” Harry said to his husband with an easy smirk. “That goes for all of you.” He added, looking around at his sons.
Albus whined and pushed his face into Harry’s neck.
“Papa,” Albus said, “Can you quit your job?”
Harry sighed and rubbed up and down Albus’ back.
“Oh my sweet boy.” He said, pulling Albus closer with one arm and Scorpius with the other.
When Draco’s Babysitting
“Daddy, can we go to Diagon Alley today? I need new robes for school.” Albus asked across the breakfast table while finishing his eggs.
Draco turned from where he stood by the sink, washing dishes.
“I’m sorry my love, we'll have to go another day.” Draco said, “Your uncle Thomas asked me to watch baby Flora today.”
“Why?” Albus asked, standing to put his own plate in the sink.
“Sweetheart please understand,” he continued, “your Aunt and Uncle have been working opposite shifts since the baby came, and they just want a day together.”
“Okay,” Albus responds, “When are they gonna be here?-”
The doorbell rang.
Draco dried off his hands and left to open the door, Albus following behind him like a puppy.
Thomas and Posie were smiling when they opened the front door. Posie held baby Flora in her arms while Thomas lugged around their ever present diaper bag.
Posie grinned when she saw Draco and Albus.
“Hello Albus sweetheart!” She said, “How are you my love?”
Albus just shrugged, “Fine.” He said
While Posie seemed more conversational, Thomas just shoved the overstuffed bag into Draco’s arms.
“Merlin, what's in this thing?” Draco muttered while dropping the bag on the floor next to him, making Posie chuckle.
“Draco, darling, how are the boys? How’s Harry? Is he home?” Posie asked politely.
“They’re well. Jamie’s off with his friends, Scorpius’ in his room reading, and Harry got called into work. …Again.” Draco answered.
Before Posie could continue talking Thomas cut in.
“She just ate so you should be good for a while, but there’s formula in there.” He spoke quickly, “We’ll be back at 6.” He said with an air of finality.
“Thomas is taking me shopping for crystals.” Posie announces.
Thomas rolls his eyes, but the smile on his face is still prominent.
“Be good for your uncle Draco.” Posie said to the baby in her arms, before handing her off to Draco.
Thomas reached for his wife's hand and made to leave, “Bye!” He waved while walking away.
“¡Te amo mi Floracita!” Posie shouted while blowing a kiss at the baby.
Draco closed the door behind them and turned to walk off with the baby.
“Sweetheart, can you bring Flora’s bag into the sitting room?” He asked Albus.
Albus huffed while dragging the bag to the living room.
“Can I help?” Albus asked while flopping onto the couch beside Draco, who still had Flora in his lap.
“Don’t worry sweetheart, just go enjoy your day,” Draco told Albus while ruffling his hair with one hand, the other still holding Flora firmly.
“But I wanna spend time with you Daddy…” Albus whined while leaning into Draco.
Draco just smiled and ruffled Albus’ hair again.
And all was well.
Until Flora started crying.
And Draco was all over her, moving his hand away from Albus’ hair to rock Flora gently.
“Oh don’t cry darling.” He shushed the baby, to no avail.
Now Flora was full on screaming, Draco stood from the couch with the baby still in his arms and began pacing with her, which quickly began to calm her.
Albus just stared.
“Sweetheart, won’t you look in that bag and find her pacifier?” Draco asked Albus, “I’m sure she wants it.”
Albus quickly moved to do what was asked of him.
He found Flora’s pink pacifier and handed it to Draco, who then immediately gave the pacifier to Flora – who gladly took it.
“Maybe now she’ll be quiet.” Albus mumbled.
Draco started at this son with furrowed brows.
“Albus, sweetheart, be nice.” He warned.
Albus crossed his arms and returned to his spot on the couch.
…
Flora was a bit more pleasant with her pacifier in her mouth, keeping her quiet. And Albus began to not mind her presence …that much.
Until Draco started “playing” with the baby.
If it could even be called playing, apparently Flora laid on her stomach multiple times a day.
Draco called it “tummy time,” but Albus didn’t see a point.
To make it worse Draco spent all of Flora’s “tummy time,” sitting next to her blanket on the floor shaking a rattle in front of her, making her giggle.
Albus chose not to join them on the floor, instead watching them from the couch feeling a little out of place.
And “tummy time,” wasn’t that bad, because it ended about just as soon as it started.
But then Teddy decided to show up.
Teddy just walked through the door, he never knocked.
“Hello everybody!” Teddy hollered when he entered the home, his blue hair a frazzled mess.
“Where are you coming from?” Draco asked.
Teddy flopped on the couch beside Albus, kicking his shoes off.
“A small wizarding village in Italy.” Teddy answered, “The locals were lovely.”
Teddy pointed towards the baby in Draco’s arms.
“Did you have another kid while I was gone?” He asked teasingly.
Draco rolled his eyes.
“No, this is Thomas’ daughter, Flora.” Draco answered, “Have you never met her? Weren’t you at the baby shower.”
“Nope,” Teddy said – popping the “p,” – “I was apprenticing a Peruvian wandmaker.” He stood from the couch and approached a confused Draco.
“Peruvian wandmaker?” Draco muttered.
“Hello you!” Teddy said to the baby with a wide smile, “I’m your big cousin, Teddy.”
“Aren’t you just the cutest little thing?” Teddy continued while taking Flora from Draco’s arms.
Albus watched the scene unfold.
“Hi Teddy.” He said flatly.
Teddy turned to Albus, Flora still cradled in his arms “He Al, didn’t see you there, how's it going?”
“Fine.” Albus huffed.
“...Okay…” Teddy said, “I brought you a present from Italy, I’ll bring em tomorrow, yeah?”
“Okay.” Albus said.
Draco just stared.
***
Teddy never ended up leaving. He stayed rocking the baby and gushing about how cute she was.
Normally this would be a good thing, Teddy swooping in to handle most of the babysitting so Albus could finally talk to Draco.
But this wasn’t the case.
Draco described Teddy as a “chaos demon” and because of this spent forever hovering around Teddy while he swung the baby around making her giggle.
“Did you ever play with me like that?” Albus asked his older – cousin? brother? Whatever…
Teddy chuckled, “Nah Al, when you were a baby I was only 6. Nobody even trusted me to be in a room with you.”
Draco smiled.
Albus huffed.
***
Teddy left eventually.
“Yeah, I’ll see you later, Scotty needs me to come with him to bail him mom outta jail.” He said before leaving.
And then Flora’s care went back to being only Draco’s responsibility, when Teddy left she was peacefully napping in a – portable crib thing?
But of course the moment Draco gets time with his father she has to start up again.
“Daddy I’ve been having a really hard time with potions lately,” Albus told Draco while leaning his head on his father’s chest.
“Do you think you could help me study sometime?” Albus asked, “I don’t get why it’s so easy for Scorp.”
Draco wrapped his arms around Albus tightly.
“Oh sweetheart, you and Scorpius both have your strength. Just because-” Draco was cut off by Flora’s sudden crying.
Draco, abandoning his sentence, stood from the couch to pick up the baby.
Albus bit the side of his cheek as Draco rocked and shushed the baby.
“She’s so dramatic.” Albus grumbled while pulling his feet onto the sofa.
Draco sighed, “She’s a baby, sweetheart.”
“She’s not your baby.” Albus mumbled.
Draco paused as Flora’s sobs turned to sniffles.
“Albus darling,” Draco said as returned to his spot on the couch with his son, “Is something wrong?”
“No.” Albus said.
“Albus, don’t be like that.” Draco said with a raised eyebrow, “I know something’s bothering you, you’ve been in a bad mood all day.”
“No I haven’t been.”
Flora started fussing once again in Draco’s arms.
Albus rolled his eyes and let out an audible sigh.
Draco shushed the baby and turned to Albus.
“Is that what this is about?” He asked.
“What?” Albus questioned.
“Sweetheart?” Draco asked, “Are you jealous of the baby?” He chuckled.
“No.” Albus said, “That would be stupid.”
Draco put an arm around Albus’ shoulders.
“It wouldn’t be stupid,” He said, “You’ve never had a baby in the house before, you’re not used to it.”
Albus stared down at his lap.
“Albus, I love you,” Draco said while kissing Albus on the cheek, “but I can’t always give you a hundred percent of my attention.”
Albus leaned into his fathers embrace.
“Why not.” Albus whined.
Draco took a breath.
“Well, you’re growing up.” He said, “I can’t always swoop in and take care of you, especially when I need to watch Flora.”
“I wish Flora would go home.” Albus mumbled.
“Albus.” Draco scolded, “It’s not like she lives here.”
“I guess…”
The front door opened then and Harry entered kicking off his shoes and dropping his keys on the hall table.
Albus smiled at the arrival of his papa.
Harry looked confused when he walked into the living room, seeing baby toys scattered abouts and Albus curled up to Draco – still holding Flora – on the sofa.
“What happened?” Harry asked.
“Papa, thank Merlin your home!” Albus shouted while running into Harry’s arms.
Harry – as per usual – picked him up when he jumped in his arms.
Harry held Albus up with one arm, the other coming behind his head to rest in his messy hair.
“Hi, buddy, did something happen?” Harry asked Albus, still holding him tight while eyeing Draco suspiciously.
“Daddy ignored me all day.” Albus mumbled from where his head was shoved into Harry’s neck.
Harry gasped dramatically and turned to Draco.
“Did he now?”
Albus nodded.
“Well I bet he spent the whole day with that stinky baby?” He teased.
“Mhm.”
“Aww, you poor thing,” Harry said while holding onto Albus tighter, “How's about you and I have some ice cream? Leave daddy here with the baby.”
Albus smiled and nodded as Harry leaned in to kiss the top of Albus’ head.