You are a lot like a flower, Neville
Severus
Severus woke up with a little boy on his chest. Big onyx eyes looked down at him. Silas’s black hair stuck up and his smile was bright.
“Tad! Tad! Tad! It’s Chrisma!” The toddler bounced up and down on his chest. Co-parenting with Neville is working better than he thought it would. Though he never sees him. One of his many family members would be there when he would pick him up.
Severus wished Neville would just talk to him. If he could just explain. He made the mistake of not telling Neville. He didn’t even know why he kept Draco living with him a secret. Maybe it was the guilt of why Draco left Britain. He was hurt because of him.
Draco at least was getting better. The hospital where he was having one-on-one mind healer sessions, as well as a group. He took potions every day for his mental health. Draco should get to come home in a couple of days. Severus has already started brewing some for when he gets home. He wanted them to be quality and not what the hospital has.
“TAAAADDD!” Silas bounced again. His son brought him out of his head. He had little time with him. Severus had to have him back after dinner.
“Yes, it’s Christmas. Let's see what Father Christmas brought us, shall we?” Severus asked the toddler as he picked him up and got out of bed. Silas wriggled free from his hold and ran towards the living room.
Severus thought this Christmas they would celebrate it at Neville’s home. It was where he felt the most at home. He had to win the man back. Their son deserved to have both parents together.
All the presents that were under the tree were opened. Ripped paper littered the floor and Silas was asleep, holding onto the stuffed mooncalf that magicked so its eyes would open and close.
Severus flicked his wand, and the mess was cleared away. He should have started on dinner, but he picked up his son and laid down on the couch. A quick kip, then he would start with dinner. Silas cuddled up on his chest. Potion-stained fingers ran through his son’s hair. Severus closed his eyes and hummed. He didn’t fight the tears that fell down his cheeks. The potion master cried himself to sleep.
Neville
Neville groaned. He was face down in the toilet. There was a knock on the bathroom door. It was Christmas morning. He and Silas spent the night at Barnaby and Hagrid’s. Like they did every year.
“Neville, may I come in?” Barnaby’s worried voice asked behind the door. Neville answered yes, head still in the toilet. “Oh, my sweet flower.” Barnaby cooed, and he felt a cool rag on the back of his neck.
“How long has this been going on?” Neville looked up at the man he thought of as a father. There was a knowing look in his eyes.
“A couple of weeks. I thought it was just stress.” Neville took a deep breath. “Why…. I can’t be not again. I can’t do this again, Pops.” He threw his arms around the smaller man and sobbed. “It was supposed to work out this time.”
Barnaby pulled him away so he could look into his eyes. “I know you are not feeling well Neville, I know this has been hard for you and if you are what we think you are, this is bigger than it was before. Pops is going to have to give you tough love. You know I would do anything and everything for you. I would protect you from any and everything that is, including yourself.” Barnaby cupped his cheeks, and Neville nodded. Deep down, he knew that this was coming.
“You need to talk to him. I don’t think what you saw was what it was. Severus loves you. I can tell I know that look. It’s the same way Charlie looks at Harry and how Ruby looks at me. You were scared and I know why you would be. Why would that man not tell you about Draco? That is what you need to find, my flower. You know you are a lot like a flower, Neville. You know how. to protect yourself from your surroundings. You don’t open up with the fear of being hurt, but when you do, oh Neville, you are beautiful.”
Neville sobbed more. Why did Barnaby always know what to say? “I… I don’t even know if I am… I have been feeling off well before Silas’s birthday. I truly haven’t felt myself since before Halloween. So if I am, it looks like we will have a July baby.”
Barnaby’s lips broke into a smile. “Well, before you get my hopes up, let's run the test, okay?” Neville didn’t want to know, but he had to know. If he was, he knew what he had to do… Even if he wasn’t, he knew he had to do something.
Barnaby brought out his wand and moved it over him. Neville’s breath hitched. It was the same results that he got 4 years ago.
“Oh, Neville! This is the best Christmas gift you could give me! It will be okay! Remember, you are not alone, you are never alone! Let's get you cleaned up. I know there is a little boy who is very excited that Father Christmas has come.”
Neville nodded and freshened himself up. When he walked out of the bathroom, a very excited toddler slammed into his legs.
“Daddy! It’s Chrisma!” Neville leaned down and picked up his son and kissed him all over his face.
“It is Christmas, my little mandrake. Father Christmas has been here! We better hurry downstairs so we can see what he brought. I bet Unca Harry Unca Charlie and Topher will be here soon!”
“ ‘Innie?” Silas asked with his head cocked. Neville laughed. Silas and Topher have been so excited to meet their new sister and cousin.
“Not yet! She should be here soon!”
“Happy Christmas!” Harry's voice boomed through the house.
“Happy, Chrisma!” Silas yelled back as they both entered the room. Harry looked like he was about to pop. Their matching pjs red, white, and green plaid were stretched over his bump.
“Aww, you guys look so great!” Neville walked up to Harry and hugged him.
“Thanks, I feel like I’m the size of a whale. I wish she would have come before Christmas but Little Bear was comfy in her hotel. Are you okay?” Harry’s green eyes roamed over his face. He knew his brother could tell something was off.
Neville looked around the room, Silas and Topher were in the kitchen with Barnaby getting some type of sweets, no doubt. He figured he could tell Harry.
“Well, in about 7 months, I will be the same. I’m pregnant.” Neville told him quietly.
“You’re PREGNANT!” Harry squealed. Good thing the boys were in the other room. He doesn’t want to tell Silas yet.
“Ya pregnant Neville?” Hagrid copied with a big smile. “I’m gonna be a Grand again!” The half-giant pulled both of them in a hug.
“Congrats Neville.” Charlie patted his back. “Now our Winnie will have a playmate just like our Topher did.”
With those words, Harry started crying. “Oh, Neville! We get to do this all over again! I love you!”
Neville felt tears burn his eyes. “I love you too. So much Harry.”
“Hey, why are we missing all the hugs?” Barnaby asked as he carried both of his grandchildren into the room.
“Oh, we are just excited about Christmas!” Neville answered. He didn’t tell them he wanted to keep it a secret from the boys.
“Ya, we already got one present. Let's open the other!” Hagrid pulled away from the hug and picked up Topher from Barnaby.
“Charlie, you will be Father Christmas this year and pass all the presents out,” Barnaby instructed as he sat down next to Hagrid.
Neville chuckled. The redhead has changed so much in the past couple of years.
Charlie shook his head and sighed. “Fine, but tomorrow on Boxing Day I get the last piece of pie.”
“Of course, Charlie, you know I made your favorite.” Barnaby winked. “You know I love ya!”
Neville, for the first time since Silas’s birthday he was happy.
Draco
Draco sat in group therapy. In his hand was a crudely wrapped present. They had a holiday gift exchange for all the people in his group. They couldn’t shop for anything or use their magic. He was actually happy with what he made.
“Happy Holidays everyone! I’m so glad that you are all here today! I see a lot of beautifully wrapped presents. I know there is someone that today is their last group. Draco, how about you give your gift?
Draco bit his lip and started signing. Thankfully, they had an interpreter at the facility. *I’ve got Toby Finch Fletchley.* Draco always signed his full name, he knew that he and his brother went to Hogwarts for a little while. Then he and his brother disappeared. His Father was an Earl or something in the muggle world.
Toby had a smirk on his face. He was the first person to befriend him here. He even learned some sign language to talk to him.
Draco walked over and handed him the present. Toby signed thank you before he tore into the paper. The blond had painted one day in art therapy and after that day, that is what he spent most of his time doing now. He missed potions, but he was glad he had something that he enjoyed.
Toby looked down at the canvas. His brown eyes widened. Draco used watercolor to make a tree of life. The trunk twisted into the branches and the leaves were multicolored.
Draco never felt self-conscious about a gift before. Most of the time, he went and bought the most expensive thing. Malfoys could afford the best.
*Thank you Draco! This will look great in my room!* Toby signed thank you but spoke the rest.
Draco felt himself blush. “That is beautifully made Draco! I hope when you leave, you will not give up your painting.” Rebecca, the mind healer, said before they went to the next person.
A girl named Joanna had him. She was mute. She hasn’t spoken since she was a child. Joanna was a sweet woman. Draco shared many quiet nights painting while she made jewelry from clay. Joanna made him a black, silver, and green braided bracelet. Draco has had platinum rings and watches, but this bracelet meant more than anything to him.
Draco placed it on his wrist. When he gets his wand back the first thing he will do is place a preservation on the bracelet so it will never break.
Once the group was done, Draco had the rest of the day off. He had dinner with Toby and then that night he lay in his bed. This is when his mind would wander. He couldn’t wait to see Severus make sure that he truly was okay. The older potion master sounded horrible during floo calls.
Draco was excited to meet Silas. He has heard so much about the little boy. Severus has shown him a picture and you could see Severus in the little boy, as well as Neville.
Draco had to tell himself he wasn’t the reason that Severus and Neville were not speaking. It was Severus who failed to mention him to Neville. Draco needed to rest tomorrow was his last full day here. He closed his eyes for meditation, soon his breath evened and he let his mind become blank.
Harry
Harry was miserable, his back hurt so badly. When he was pregnant with Topher, his back never felt this bad, even during his labor. He didn’t think he was in labor, was he?
He sat down on his bed. Charlie walked into the bedroom with the biggest smile on his face. That was until he saw Harry’s face.
“Harry, are you okay? It is the baby?” The redhead sat down next to him and rubbed his lower back. Harry groaned. That felt so good.
“My back hurts so bad, Charlie.” Harry leaned into his husband’s touch. “This little girl better be cute.”
Charlie pressed a kiss on his temple. “She will be beautiful. I mean, look at you. You are the most beautiful pixie in the world.” Harry rolled his eyes.
“You are nuts. I’m a whale. Look at my ankles.” Harry raised his feet. They were swollen.
Charlie pulled up his pants and smirked at him. “I know the feeling.” He teased him.
Harry laughed until a sharp pain stabbed him in the back. Then he felt a familiar wetness.
“Harry!” Charlie jumped up.
“It’s okay. We have had a baby before. Send a patronus to Pops and Dad. Then Neville, so he knows we are dropping Topher off.” Another wave of pain moved across his back. “We need to hurry. This feels different from Topher. Winnie is ready to come.”
Barnaby
Barnaby cuddled into bed next to his husband. It was a very long but wonderful day. He couldn't have had a better Christmas. Their family was growing again. Neville took his advice, too. Severus was a good man, everyone makes mistakes. Barnaby has done his share of them.
“Whatcha thinkin about love?” Ruby asked as he pulled him back against his chest. His lips tickled Barnaby’s neck. The blond wriggled back into his husband's arms.
“I was just thinking about how we have another baby coming. I feel like I say this all the time, Ruby, but I want our house full of grandchildren. Did you have a good Christmas?” Barnaby looked back at his husband.
“It was wonderful because I have ya. My family, it’s all I need.” The half-giant squeezed him gently. Barnaby turned around to face his husband and kissed him soundly on the lips.
“You are trying to get lucky tonight, my Ruby?” Ruby smiled and pulled him closer.
“No, I meant every word. Though if ya want me to love on ya.” Barnaby giggled as he rolled on top of him.
“There will never be a time that I won’t want to love on you.” He leaned to kiss his husband until a patronus flew into his room.
“The baby is coming!” Charlie’s voice screamed.