More Love

Barnaby

Barnaby placed a plate full of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of the younger werewolf. Barnaby smiled as wide eyes looked up at him. He couldn’t help but press a kiss to his forehead. It was like he didn’t expect a warm breakfast. 

“Toby, it is your first day at your new job! You will start your day with a full breakfast. I made the eggs just like you like them! Cheesier the better right?” Toby nodded but bit his lip. If Barnaby could keep him in a bubble, he would. Toby’s therapist said he should get out there and contribute to society. 

“Po...Mr. Barnaby you don’t have to cook me breakfast every day. I can have cereal or....” The younger man stopped when Barnaby crossed his arms. He will learn soon enough what love is if Barnaby has to show him extra. The almost slip of Pops did make his heart happy. Soon Toby will feel comfortable calling him Pops.

“What did I tell you about the Mr. Barnaby thing? You can call me Barnaby or Pops. I make everyone breakfast." Harry walked in with his arms full of his children. 

“Is breakfast ready? We are starving this morning! Hey Toby! I’m excited to work with you today! I know you are starting off with Dad. After lunch, I’ll be taking over!” Winnie leaned from Harry’s arms for Toby. Who quickly took her from Harry. Barnaby wished he had his camera again. The babies love Toby, and they are good for him. 

“Hi Winnie bear.” Toby sat her on his lap and shared his breakfast with her.  Barnaby placed more food on his plate. Charlie walked in and placed a kiss on Barnaby’s cheek.

“Morning Pops. Have I told you lately how much I love you?” His son-in-law wanted something. The good thing is it was already over on the counter. 

“You don’t have to flatter me, but I’ll take it. I love you too. Your pastries are on the counter.” Charlie smirked as he walked over to the counter. 

“Oh I want one!” Harry walked over. Charlie glared playfully at him. The redhead had the plate in his hand.“Grumpy Bear if you don’t give me one of those. I’ll...” His son shut up when the pastry was pushed into his mouth.

Typical Monday morning at the Hagrid house. Barnaby wouldn’t have it any other way.

Toby

Wind breezed through his hair as the golf cart drove towards their destination. Toby didn’t know what his new job would entail. He was just happy to do something. Life outside of the hospital was different. Of course, he still had therapy twice a week. One of the days was his music therapy. Lee was still a constant in his life. Not like it mattered. Lee was married. To a very... very handsome redhead. Who was he kidding? Everyone here was attractive. Being out of the hospital was another side effect. He wasn’t being as medicated, which meant he felt like he was going through puberty all over again. 

The golf cart stopped at a building. Toby hasn’t been to this part of the zoo before. They said it would be the perfect place for him. 

“Ya alright there Toby?” He nodded to the half-giant.

“I... I’m fine. Excited to get to work!” Excited wasn’t the right word. He was scared, nervous, excited, happy. Too many emotions. 

“Good! Ya goin’ to have the best job here.” Hagrid walked towards the building. Toby quickly followed. 

Inside the building wasn’t what he was expecting at all. The building of course looked bigger on the inside than it did on the outside. It was like its own mini zoo. There were different exhibits. Though every creature in here was the smaller version of what was in the zoo.

“This is our rescue nursery, Toby. Harry and I get calls about babies needin a home.” A rescue. They wanted him to work in the rescue. He’d be working with baby creatures. 

“O...Oh are... Are you sure you want me to work with babies? I...." Hagrid’s huge hand squeezed his shoulder. 

“Ya will be perfect for the job.” Toby was glad the older man had more confidence than he did in himself.

“But I’m... Well, you know what I am. I shouldn’t be around.” Hagrid shook his head. The look on his face wasn’t pity. iIt was something different.

“These creatures need someone who will love em and take care of em. That is somethin ya can do. I know ya can Toby.” 

“But I’m.... a” 

“Ya what? A werewolf? Toby, I may not turn into a wolf every month but I am a half-giant. Do ya think I shoulda raised a human son? People may look at us like we are different and we are. That doesn’t make us bad or a threat. Now let me show ya around.” Toby looked up at  Hagrid and saw the man in a new light. There wasn’t ever pity in his voice. He patted him on the back then started rambling about the creatures around.

Toby’s head was full of information. Right now he sat on the floor of the small owlery cove. In his hands was a tiny red owlet. She didn’t have a name yet. The owlet was something. When Toby first saw her. She flew up to him. With a few nibbles he finally gently petted her feathers. She was a dramatic little thing, demanded to be taken everywhere he went.  

Hagrid sent him to lunch. He ate a small sandwich and an apple. Harry would be here soon to take over training. 

“I have more training to do. I will have to leave you here.” The owl trilled, it looked like she shook her head. “You are a sassy one. My Sassy girl.” Her beak nipped at his fingers. “Sassy, maybe that should be your name.” A small hoot of agreement left her beak before it went back to nipping. 

“I see someone has already claimed you! Have you ever owned an owl before?” Harry’s voice surprised him. Sassy ignored the new person and went back to preening herself.

Toby shook his head. “I’ve never had any type of pet. My parents wouldn’t allow it and at the hospital. Well, there were therapy dogs but,” Toby cleared his throat. He didn’t want to talk about that.

“Then once she is ready to leave here she is yours!” Harry smiled wide, picking up the clipboard. “Now let's see, we will go to the baby Jackrabbits, then the Kneazles. Right before we leave we will see the new mooncalf rescues. They are late sleepers.”

Toby wants to tell Harry he can’t keep Sassy, but when the owl moves onto his shoulder. When the owlet nuzzled into his neck he was a goner. Sassy was his. 

“T… Thanks Harry.” It was all he could say. 

“Of course Toby. You are family.” Harry helped him from the floor. It looked like the man wanted to hug him, but didn’t. He was thankful, but a little disappointed. He wasn’t used to touch just yet. The only people who could and would touch him were Justin, Draco, and Barnaby. 

--------------------

After training, Toby walked into the big house. He could hear the giggles from down the road. Laughter from toddlers is the best sound. Harry announced he was home when Charlie entered right after him. Topher and Winnie went running towards them.

Silas, Nash, and Lola still played waiting for their parents to come home. Toby stood in the doorway and watched. What it must feel like to have a child be excited to see you.

“Toby!” His head snapped up just in time to see Lola run towards him. Her curls bounced with each step. “Hi! Do you wanna come to make a bracelet with me?” She pulled him toward the small table. He spent time with Lola during the party when they found out Draco and Justin were having a little girl. 

“Of course my lady!” Toby sat down next to Lola. Who smelled a perfect mixture of her parents. Not that he memorized her parents' scents. That would be awkward. His wolf nose made it easier.

George

As he walked through the floo he noticed two things. One he wasn’t almost knocked over by Lola. The second thing he noticed. Was Lola talking animatedly to the handsome shy werewolf. 

“How do ya like that? You don’t even notice when ol’ dad comes to pick you up.” Lola’s head snapped up. With a squeal, she ran towards him.

“Dad! Look! Me and Toby made matching bracelets 'cause he is my best friend!” Lola held up her wrist. On it was a brightly colored beaded bracelet. 

“Best friend huh?” George looked over at Toby who was blushing. Gods that blush. 

“Yep! He is super nice, Dad! Did you know he got a new owl today! Her name is Sassy! She is red! That's what Toby said.”

George picked up his daughter and walked over to Toby. The werewolf stood up. He crossed his hands in front of himself. There wasn’t much eye contact. Which was a shame. 

“Congratulations on the new owl.” George smiled widely. “I hear you made friendship bracelets.” There was that blush again. 

Toby held up his wrist. “Erm.. Yeah, she did a great job. She used all my favorite colors. I’ll never take it off, Lady Lola.” Lola giggled. George held on to her as she leaned and threw her arms around Toby. The werewolf was shocked but soon hugged her back.

George’s eyes finally looked at Toby’s. They were beautiful. The ring of honey around his iris was breathtaking. 

“I think we should invite your best friend for dinner soon Lola. What do you think, my trickster?” George needed to get to know their shy wolf. Lee spent more time with him. Now he wanted time. It would be good for both of them to be together when they have that talk. Maybe Toby wouldn’t want a relationship with both of them. Gods he sure hopes not.

”Ya, Dad! Daddy can make yummy dinner! Toby can play with all my dolls and have a tea party!” Toby’s eyes widened and swallowed. 

“Let's see if Toby is available. What do you think? Care to come to dinner, Sir Toby?” George gave him the smile he knew no one could say no to. 

Toby took a big breath. Then a small smile appeared on his lips. “O..Okay anything for Lady Lola.”