Look Where We Are
Chapter 4: Look Where We Are
Their new dorm looked much like an apartment, except with a bit more cobblestone. The traditional house banners and colors that once stained the inside of both boys’ dormitories were nowhere to be seen. In their place were deep royal purple accents purposefully placed around the room. In the livingroom, purple curtains draped elegantly behind cream couches with matching purple accent throws. Malfoy placed their lightened baggage on the floor and went into one of the two bedrooms. Harry followed him in with a slightly fussy Teddy in his arms. Inside the room was a nursery. A white cradle was set against the furthest wall. A large, rounded window decorated with stain glass owls let in the soft afternoon light. Walking into the room, Harry made note of a changing table, wooden rocking chair, and helpful supply of nappies, clothing, and toys for his godson. The one thing he didn’t see in the room was a bed.
The other bedroom was beautiful. Inside was a queen size bed with thick purple bedding, with Malfoy almost immediately transfigured into silk. Also in the room was a desk, a wardrobe, and another door that led to a restroom. Neither man commented aloud on the clear proposed sleeping situation. Instead, they both left the room and found themselves in their small kitchen. Here they found bottles and formula for the baby. Andromeda had packed some of his own, but it certainly wouldn’t had been enough, so they were grateful for the supplies they were offered. Both men stood in silence taking in the gravity of their new situation. All three of their lives had just changed so much.
Harry knew he always wanted children, but he didn’t feel ready yet. He had gone through so much with the war and the reparations afterwards to both Hogwarts and society. He needed to rest. And Draco, just a few days ago was just a publicly forgiven and liberated but privately hated and shamed war criminal. Now, he’s the teenage co-parent of the child of a distant relative he barely knew and two war heroes. Now, he is expected to raise a child when he too feels like a child himself. And on top of all of that, he’s expected to do it with Harry Potter, Golden Child and Savior of the Wizarding World, nonetheless. Both men were brought out of their thoughts by a hungry Teddy Lupin. Looking down at the squirming infant in his arms, Harry decided it was his turn to break their silent streak. “Guess we should probably feed him then.” Malfoy nodded and started walking towards their small kitchen.
“I’ll make a bottle.” A few minutes later Malfoy handed him a warm bottle, and when he was met by Harry’s confused look, took Teddy out of his arms and promptly cradled him in his arms, sat on the one of the light couches, and fed Harry’s godson.
“When did you learn how to do that? Never took you for the sort that spent a lot of time with children Malfoy.” Harry moved over to sit on the couch as well.
“My mother showed me once I got back from the ministry. She taught me to change a nappy, swaddle a baby, burp a baby, which we’re apparently supposed to do every time he eats by the way, and how to feed an infant. I figured I owed it to Ed-, er Teddy, to at the very least be able to provide him with basic care.” Harry nodded along in slight surprise. Why didn’t he think to ask Hermione or Mrs. Weasley? He had, just like he always did, jumped headfirst into this challenge, but this time he wasn’t sure if that was enough. “And it’s Draco.”
“What?” Harry’s face embodied a constant look of surprise.
“My name’s Draco. We’re raising a child together. Don’t you think it’s time you call me by my given name?” Harry heard Draco’s words echo in his head, ‘we’re raising a child together’. What a strange place to be with someone who was once your enemy.
“Draco”, said Harry, looking from the blond man sitting next to him, to the now sleeping baby in Draco’s arms. Harry can’t say for sure, but he swears he caught the faintest hint of a smile on his lips, not that it changed anything, at least that’s what he told himself because it made him smile too.