Chapter 14
The day starts of with a groan and then a yawn, Harry doesn't like waking up - ever. It just means the same routine, the same pestering if he doesn't follow it and the same end - slipping beers with Ron or returning early to watch the news. He doesn't like watching the news but ever since Hermione caught him doing absolutely nothing one wasted night of a Wednesday, he needs a reason to dip - a good reason to skip on the beer which he also does for the two, without him the pair barely hung. At least now they do, they even make plans without him and inform him after they are done with the plan. He's happy for them, he really is. Yesterday's event is a blur to him, not much to remember except Draco fighting with him, getting harassed in the ministry (which still makes him ball his fists) as he tries to swallow the aggression and finally Draco almost getting killed on the stone site. Why are all his thoughts plagued with Draco? Perhaps, he's spending too much time with him or all his time with him. He is so swamped with auror paper work that the only time he's left with is spent with Draco to find the culprit of this case that is killing him. Why is this enemy so good? The floo network is still broken and apparation doesn't work, it's like the enemy has entered his brain and unwired it. Though the potion worked very well and the minute Harry returned, after having a hefty, uneasy talk with Kingsley, he had a chat with Hermione having her allow Draco to use the potion on various stones the ministry had found suspicious. It was Hermione's idea to search for stones; a bit before the enemy's first attack, many stones went missing and there was this never ending gloom encircling above us, too normal for the mundane to see but as aurors, the air smelled different. After the rain, it wasn't earthy and fresh rather damp and stale. Just the sort to make you clench and suffocate.
On the other hand the call with Kingsley was more of a priority. Harry after years and years of being oppressed and violated couldn't let the ministry's incident pass no matter how apathetic Draco seemed. They didn't talk on their ride back but before stepping out Draco told him rather requested to not be bothered by what happened today. Harry was surprised that Draco knew he was going to do something but again it's not like Draco ever managed to convince Harry out of something. Harry had just nodded and returned, quickly placing a call. He hadn't even prepared what he was going to say and when Kingsley answered, he was just stammering seriously. Draco doesn't deserve this - I don't care but he's got children - any more of this and Draco will leave with his children - I am not bothered but it would be hard to work on this case if he doesn't receive his apology - I don't like Thomas anyways, reason I don't have yet but believe me. Kingsley had responded politely and had promised to have a stern conversation with Thomas alongside revoking many of his ministry rights, Harry was planning on suing him for defamation charges later but for now this shall suffice - the destruction must be slow, slowly gripping and painful.
Today was the weekend though and Harry just realized how hard his life actually was without the floo network but it's not like he had any plans. He was going to the burrow in the evening and he was hoping he'd sleep through the afternoon but when has his body ever listened to him, it's like revenge for all the times he didn't listen to his wounded, bruised and shattered limbs charging heads on into a battle. "What shall I do today?" He asks himself in the mirror. Living alone has made his voice echoing throughout the manor, sometimes he sings, sometimes he dances but most he speaks to himself. He'd never tell anyone but there are rare days, he comes across some cardboard boxes filled with frames of the black family, their grim eerie expressions staring at him as he re enacts what he imagines would be happening in that timeline.
"Bellatrix! That hairstyle is awful!" Sirius would mock through concerned, serious eyes.
"Your future will be more if you continue to be with those friends of yours!" She would grit back, Harry would expose his teeth gritting at the mirror.
Walburga would frown. "Have Regulus take you some of the meetings and maybe then your vision can broaden into politics and not flying motorcycles." Sirius would mimic her funnily while walking up the stairs.
Narcissa would always stand on the side smiling gently or peering trying to grab any gossip she could share with Lucius, she would only talk to him and he would listen no matter how long it'd take.
He was truly going mental enacting his oppressor but he was good at it, becoming better each time. He would also wonder if they had never fought, would Draco be a part of this family? At least then no one would dare to harass him and his ancestors would never allow him to take Scorpius and Estella away.
"What shall I do?" Harry asks again. The ministry is close and Ron, Hermione are at the burrow preparing for his arrival which he really doesn't understand. It's not his birthday and neither has he cracked a huge case, why do they always treat him like a brother who is returning home after decades. All of this makes it harder for him each time and it only becomes more harder once he's settled in his seat. "Harry, have you gotten yourself a girl yet? Harry, have you spoken to Ginny? Harry, do you wish to spend the night? Who knows when you will visit next!"
"What shall I do!" Harry doesn't want to be in solitude, he'd rather be doing anything else but it's not like his friends are available and the ones who are will just sneak in the same questions after a drink or two. No one has to be concerned for him because it makes him concerned for himself, he just fought a war and he needs a break no matter how many years it takes. But sometimes he ponders in the library of the manor where there's one small frame of the entire black family - will he be late in finding love? Or has his time already passed? Perhaps he should have accepted that girl's address and apparated there? Then he glances once more on the frame - I rather be single and at peace in my solitude then be in a family of this sort because if the war taught him anything, it is that he has simply no more love to give and he'd be damned if he has to spend another second saving someone else. As he wears his only washed shirt, he decides he will just take a walk in the center of the city surrounded by families and couples - perfect. Because then he won't need his car and won't be consumed by Draco's posh perfume. He's barely got any money yet uses a strong fragrance - of apples? Harry thinks. He also thinks what would Draco be doing - probably teaching the children some education so that they can survive in France away from magic and engulfed by strong perfumes. He gags at the thought.
The street is empty as everyone's outside in the city or inside with their families and he's proven right when a loud cheery buzz of children and parents greet him at the park. He has honestly not seen so many children before, it's quite suffocating. Even the wizarding amusement park had less. It's not the number rather again being reminded of his loneliness and incapability to love and have a family with someone; should he just settle with anyone, it's not like anyone rejects him but again he'd be bounded and the war has taken so much from him that he cannot - just cannot. He didn't even want to join the ministry, just spend his days in the manor or at the burrow but he needed something and being part of battles your entire life doesn't excel you in anything other than being an auror. Also, it would give him some routine, if not for himself then for Teddy to be grounded and not completely lose himself to the depression and insanity that followed after the events of the war finally clicked. As he walks some people recognize him and some don't, he's gotten better at using his disheveled form as his disguise, he smiles glancing around till his eyes land on a box of golden, now not many have such hair. He finds himself easily without a push walking towards that direction which now reveals two tiny blocks of golden hair and he smiles. It's surprising to see them here amongst a crowd but he's happy to see them finally out of their comfort zone indulging in what they deserve as equal members of the community - well at least for him.
Draco is pushing down Estella on the sea-saw as Scorpius sits on the opposite side, they seem happy in their bubble. Should I not disturb them? Harry thinks but he has already reached them and now is speaking. "Fancy seeing you three here?"
They look at him and smile. "Fancy seeing you here." Draco says and Harry raises a brow. "I didn't think you'd be here ... somewhere so public and not with your friends."
"But I am with my friends." Harry claims ruffling both Estella and Scorpius's hair, his hands extending and ruining them much to Draco's annoyance.
"Hey! It takes time to tame them." Draco swats his hand, patting down Estella's hair.
"It's already sleek and straight Malfoy, this hair needs the jumble." Draco gives him a - what's a jumble? - look, rolling his eyes.
"There are so many people staring at you Mr. Potter." Scorpius points around and it's true, it's one thing to see Harry Potter out but it's another to see him beside the family of his rival. Harry grunts in their direction and quickly their eyes alongside their muggle phones drift away.
"I doubt they will disturb us." Harry goes behind Scorpius pushing him down and up on sea-saw, much better than Draco.
"There's a reason I was being slow." Draco informs and Harry realizes. Scorpius is just out of the hospital and he must be more delicate.
"Sorry." Harry says sheepishly. "Why isn't he on the slides or the swing."
"I wanted to be there." He says with a grim expression like someone just stole his only christmas cookie. Draco sends him an icy look but Estella having her back turned towards Draco continues.
"The don't like us."
"Who doesn't?" Harry asks.
"Evewone."
"It's no worry Potter, really. If anything, at least I can have the both of them in front of my eyes or else do you remember the amusement park, it was so hard. I still have nightmares." Draco rubs his head.
Harry doesn't care. "How about we try the swing now." He tells Scorpius and in a second lifts him up, carrying him to the swings as his legs and hands dangle.
"Potter! What are you doing!" Draco whispers beside him holding Estella. "There's no need for this!" He asserts.
"What's the problem Malfoy, the park's yours just as much as it ours and you expressed everything was absolutely fine ... unless it's not." Harry stares at the children swinging.
"Potter! Harry, stop it!" Draco harshly whispers trying to take Scorpius from his grasp but failing because of his other hand holding Estella. "There are kids already and I don't want to snatch someone else's turn."
"But papa these kids were swinging ever since we arrived!" Scorpius exclaims and Draco almost sends him to Azkaban with his death stare. The one that makes a child gulp knowing he's in for a beating when they get home.
"We wouldn't even come here if it wasn't a holiday. Be grateful Scorpius!" Draco snaps at him.
Harry is about to speak to the mother of the children - because he's learnt better than to fight with children, when a voice interrupts them. "Scorpius." Harry turns towards the soft, gentle unsure whisper and almost stumbles seeing Astoria Greengrass. This is her! The hair, the eyes, there's no denying that it is her!
I thought she was dead! So many thoughts cloud Harry's mind as she smiles and quickly comes to pull Scorpius but Harry's hand just tightens protectively, unsure whether it's actually her or her ghost. "Harry." Her gentle, swimming with life eyes meet his. "My child." She motions and down and Harry gulps.
"Harry." Draco's voice interrupts him and he looks at him, Draco seems tensed. Draco motions towards Scorpius and reluctantly Harry hands Scorpius over to Astoria.
"I thought ..." Harry begins but Draco shakes his head, his attention turning to Astoria who is smothering wet kisses on Scorpius much to his discomfort.
"Astoria." Draco steps forward putting Estella down as she gives the same treatment to Estella, both children confused as Scorpius shields behind Draco. Harry can't even speak, he thought she was dead, is she not the mother because the mother is presumed dead. But why would she say "my child"? The sentence ringing in Harry's ears.
"Draco." She responds straightening herself, her hand clutching Estella's. "It's been long." Draco nods.
"Papa, who is she?" Scorpius asks wiping the wet trails of saliva off him and Harry feels like he's invading something intimate, something personal.
"Maybe I should leave." Harry says and Draco nods though he wants to stay and listen. He feels so strange with this new piece of information. He thought there was nothing left for Draco to hide, perhaps there is more. Perhaps he is not so innocent as he seems to be.
"She is a friend." Draco answers Scorpius and Harry turns, his mouth parted in shock. Did Draco just lie? Draco must have noticed because now he tells rather requests Astoria. "How about we catch up at my place, you know the place." She looks hesitantly between the two kids, forcing tears to not slip out but she nods, smiles and leaves without a goodbye.
"She's too touchy." Scorpius states now wiping Estella's face, now Harry notices the striking resemblance between her and Astoria - there's no doubt about who the mother is. Draco takes Scorpius and Estella by the hand leaving and Harry can't help but follow. Everyone witnessing this just looks on strangely, they all presumed she was dead?
Once they are in the clear, Harry has to ask. He whispers. "Why would you lie?"
"I had to. It's not a news you tell your children in a park surrounded by enemies." He whispers back.
"Why would you not tell them before?"
Draco halts then sighs continuing to walk, his own breathing is shallow and heavy. "I wasn't expecting her to show up."
"Doesn't answer the question."
"I don't have to answer you."
Harry needs to think of something fast. "The ministry may not like it."
This affects Draco as he stops. "I will deal with it, I don't expect you to be quiet about this. Goodbye Potter."
Harry wants to ask when has he ever been able to deal with anything? If anything, it's Harry who helps him out each time. Scorpius tugs his hand. "Mr. Potter, you could come over to our place in the evening, I don't want to be alone with that lady, She's too touchy." Harry wants to tell him that's his mother but he nods, he needs to know what the story is and exactly how much more is Draco Malfoy hiding from the world.