Chapter 05
As Harry shook his head in exasperation and the twins laughed - now that they had figured out exactly who Harry was talking about... - ...the rest of the Weasley family was looking at each other in total incomprehension. As Molly was about to open her mouth to start talking, something - or rather someone - stopped her.
« Da,' shouted a small voice, 'is there! »
« I can hear that, baby, I can hear that, » Harry replied, laughing.
The Weasleys looked at Harry, who looked at the door. When the door opened slowly and a tiny little head appeared in front of those present.
« How did you get there, hm? » Harry asked with a big smile on his face.
« Daddy! » Said Gabriel as an answer.
« I see, and is he with you? »
« Viiii! »
« Will you get him for me, sweetheart? »
« All right! »
Harry watched his son leave, surely going to look for his blond father, the first turned to the twins and the others, seemingly remembering their presence.
« You mean your son's here? » Asked Hermione.
« You saw him as well as I did, Hermione. » Harry replied nonchalantly.
« And you mean that the other one there, he's here too? » Spit it out, Ron.
« The first name of 'the other one there' is Draco, Ronald, » Harry said coldly, « and I hope so, he's here and that my three-year-old son didn't come here alone. »
« That would indeed have been worrisome, » confirmed Fred.
« More importantly, how would he have done it? » George continued.
« Harry is his father, and no matter whether I like the Malfoys or not, Draco Malfoy is a powerful sorcerer, it wouldn't be surprising if he thought very highly of Harry and appeared here, » Arthur explained.
« It's true, » Harry admitted, « he's been showing signs of magic for quite some time now. We're trying to do damage control with Draco, but it's not that simple. »
« It's usually like that for all wizard's child, » Arthur began to explain, « but it's much less powerful depending on the parents, with some exceptions, of course. Given your magic and Draco's, that might explain why Gabriel can do things that many children his age can't do. »
« Interesting, » Harry says.
Just as Ginny was about to begin what seemed to be a very big tirade, the door opened and Gabriel ran up to Harry who caught up with him and started carrying him, kissing him all over his face, making the child giggle. He was followed by Draco, face impassive, and came up to Harry, kissed him on the cheek and put a hand in their son's hair. Blaise and Pansy were behind Draco, and as the little family gathered - after only a few hours, but we won't say anything. - they went to greet Fred and George.
« What are you doing in my house!? » Molly screams.
« We just came to get Harry, » Draco replied politely.
« You have no business there, » accused Hermione, « you came uninvited and unannounced! That's a crime! »
« Oh? »
« You are not wanted here, leave before I call the Aurors! » Threaten Molly.
« I thought your son was one of them? » Asked innocently Pansy.
« Yeah, and I'm gonna kick you out, » spit Ron out.
« I'd like to see that, Weasley! »
Harry watched the scene silently, for the moment he decided to just observe. However, his resolve began to crumble as he saw his son's frightened look on his face as he stuck his head into his chest and covered his ears.
« Stop it! » He said calmly, « I'm only gonna say this once, Weasley family. You will not speak to my family or my friends like that. »
« But they broke into our house, Harry! Ginny replied. »
« That's no reason not to hear their reason, nor to frighten my son. »
« Harry-»
« I didn't finish, » the brunette coldly cut off looking Molly in the eye for a few seconds, « they just came looking for me, as Draco has already told you. »
« And Gabriel wanted to see you, » added the blond.
« And my son wanted to see me. I've warned you before, you do NOT come before my family, Weasley. »
« We never said you couldn't see your son, Harry, » Hermione said softly.
« So, let me get this straight, if I want to see my son while I'm in your house, he has to come alone? At three years old? Asked the brunette. »
« That's not what I said, » Hermione started to get angry.
« That's exactly what you said. If my husband and son want to see me or have to come and get me, and I'm here, they have the RIGHT to do so. My friends with. They haven't been rude to you. They've been courteous and respectful. YOU assaulted them without asking for any explanation, without giving them the right to justify themselves. YOU frightened Gabriel. YOU were childish. »
« Why are you defending them, they're clearly wrong! » Retorted Ron and Ginny.
« We're not at Hogwarts anymore. This bickering won't get you anywhere, » Harry turned to his husband and his friends, « I think we're done here. I think we've got some shopping to do... »
« Yes, » replied Draco, « we'd better go. »
« How about it Gabriel, » asked Blaise to the child, « Uncle Blaise will buy you sweets AND ice cream! »
« 'Eally? » asked Gabriel shyly.
« I promise! And who's the best uncle? »
« Uncle Fred and Uncle George, » answered the little one with a big smile.
« I swear that child doesn't love me, » complained the Italian.
« It's your imagination, Blaise, » replied Harry with a smile. « Goodbye, Weasley. The twins, I'll see you in a week at the store? »
« Of course, Harry! »
And with those last words, Harry, Draco and their two friends left the house. Leaving everyone present, except the twins and, oddly enough, Arthur, in complete shock...
The Weasleys for their part, having more or less recovered from the shock of what had just happened, gathered automatically in the living room, faces closed. Ginny was upset. Totally upset. How dare Draco Malfoy interrupt the conversation between them and Harry! She had come so close to showing him how much better it would be if they were together! She wanted him to admit that she was so much better than that blond guy, that she could give him so much more! - What, exactly, she wasn't entirely sure... But she was going to find out. - She could take care of Gabriel with him. Even if the child was half Malfoy's, she could be a mother to him. Something the blond couldn't be. Yes, she had been cut off while her plan to prove to Harry that she was perfect for him was still in progress. And she was going to get her revenge.
Hermione, meanwhile, didn't know whether she was hurt, angry or just annoyed. In a way, Harry had been right. They had all lost their temper immediately after seeing Malfoy and his friends, without giving them time to explain, and had frightened Harry's child. A child who honestly had nothing to do with their problems, and who had not asked for anything. He was Harry's child, and no matter how much he disliked his second father, if they wanted Harry in their lives, they would have to love Gabriel and tolerate Malfoy. Even if they rejected him instinctively. It wasn't by attacking him as they had just done that Harry would soften towards them.
Ron was seething, how Slytherin had DARE to set foot in his house. It was not tolerable! And Harry had taken their side, without question. The redhead knew he wasn't thinking rationally at the moment, but Harry could have stood up for them! Of course they had just come to get Harry back, but that was no reason why only they should have the right to Harry's support! Ron was his -- former -- best friend. Didn't that matter to Harry? Maybe it was time to stop trying...
Harry was like a son to Molly. She wanted the best for him. But she was beginning to understand that even though it would have been best for him if he had married Ginny, who not only could really make him happy, but would have made him officially a Weasley by marriage, and be an Auror. It was only her opinion, after all. Maybe she really had pushed too hard? Maybe Harry was really happy the way he was now? Sure, he wasn't Auror, but by sitting down and thinking about it for two minutes, after everything the Wizard world had asked of him since he was eleven, anyone could understand that he hadn't wanted to catch bad guys all his life. And okay, it left a bitter taste in Molly's mouth, but the fact that he wasn't with Ginny was also his choice. Maybe she had been wrong, and pushing Ginny to keep believing Harry was meant for her and that she would become Mrs. Potter had been insane. Maybe only her daughter would have been 'happy' and not Harry. It was hard to accept, but she could understand. What she couldn't accept, however, was that instead of Ginny, Harry had taken the position of Ginny and put himself with the son Malfoy. Oh, that. That was inexcusable in Molly's eyes.
The twins and Arthur watched as the rest of the family gathered in silence to rant and rave. The twins were on Harry's side. They always were. No matter what happened. So they were just as angry as Harry had been. They were just enjoying the show, a little satisfied smile on their face.
Arthur, on the other hand, wanted to stay neutral. Between his family and Harry, he couldn't choose... Harry was like a son to him. And he loved his wife and children just as much as he loved the brunette. However, he was really beginning to understand Harry's resentment of them. It was true that in the beginning, when Harry had disappeared without explanation and without leaving a clue as to whether he was okay or not, he had been just as angry and worried as the rest of the family. It was also true that he was with Molly, Ron, Ginny and Hermione when they wanted Harry back, going as far as to go to his house without invitation and without warning to get explanations. He had also followed them in everything they had done up to that point. But he had now understood that Harry was a man. Independent, and that he had the right to choose what he wanted to do with his life, wrong or not. He had been as shocked as the rest of the family when he learned that the brunette was married, with a Malfoy to boot, and had a child. It was also true that he was with Molly, Ron, Ginny and Hermione when they wanted Harry back, going as far as to go to his house without invitation and without warning to get explanations. He had also followed them in everything they had done up to that point. But he had now understood that Harry was a Man. Independent, and that he had the right to choose what he wanted to do with his life, wrong or wrong. He had been as shocked as the rest of the family when he learned that the brunette was married, with a Malfoy to boot, and had a child. But once the shock was over, he was glad Harry made the decision himself and didn't regret his choices at all, even threatening to cut all ties with the Weasleys forever to protect what he had managed to create with the Malfoy son. He had been impressed by the fact that the blond man, even though he admitted that he hated them just as much as they did, was willing to make an effort to get along with them simply for Harry's sake. Something that could not be said of the four people in front of him.
« I think I'll just stop,» Ron finally said, « I mean, I could never accept Malfoy. Let alone the fact that he married Harry. And besides he's friends with Slytherin! »
« Ron...»
« No, 'Mione. Let's face it, Harry has changed. He's not OUR Harry anymore. And I'm not sure I want to sacrifice all my beliefs just to get him to come back to us. »
« Ron's right, » nodded Ginny, « He's just blinded, Hermione. We just need to be able to have Harry and just Harry with us so we can make him see the truth! »
« That's it, » exclaimed Ron, « you're absolutely right, Ginny! »
« No, » sighed Arthur, « it wouldn't do any good. Ron, Harry hasn't changed, he's grown and matured. He's moved on after the war, and even if that wasn't what we had in mind for him, we can't dictate his life. Ginny, I know you think you're in love with Harry, but that's just an image you have of him. And even if it was the real Harry you're in love with, I'm very sorry, but you can't force someone to love you back. It would be painful for him and for you. The only thing you have to do is accept the fact that you'll never be with Harry. »
« But if we can get him to break up with Malfoy, » pleaded the youngest girl in the room.
« It wouldn't make any difference, » Arthur answered firmly, « even if Harry is no longer with young Draco - which, honestly, I would greatly doubt - he would end up with someone else. Meet another young man. Ginny, if he had been with you, if he had been in love with you, you'd have been married a long time ago. Between him and Draco, it's not just a fling like you're trying to convince yourself, they have a child together, they're married! They've built a family, and that's not going to change. »
« I can't accept the fact that it's Malfoy we're talking about, » Molly whispered, « but I can understand what he wants. Why he's changed so much and why he didn't follow the plans he made with us during the war. »
« They're right, » Hermione continued, « we must get to know the REAL Harry. The Harry of now, and leave the Harry of the past to the time to which he belongs, to the past. »
« How can you say that? » Ginny and Ron cried out in a heartbeat.
« They can say that because they are aware of reality, » Fred spoke coldly, « they are aware that if they don't make an effort and don't even try to understand, Harry will end up leaving forever! »
« Are you aware, Ginny, Ron, that Draco doesn't like you either. Can't stand you, yet he has agreed to make the effort to politely tolerate you for Harry? That he agreed to have you in his life when he had absolutely no desire to have you because he knew it would please his husband? Do you understand that he's been much more grown up than you are right now? » George continued coldly.
« How dare you - »
« Grow up, » says Arthur, « accept it. Ron, be glad your best friend has found something to live for. Live for himself and not for others. If you really are the best friend you claim to be, you should be able to. If not, then you're not worthy to be in his life. Same goes for you, Ginny. Stop being stuck on what you thought you wanted from a young age. Accept the fact that Harry is happy, even if it means it's not with you. Even though I know it's not easy. Just accept it and give up, move on. And find someone who can love you just the way you are! »
« It's not that easy, I know, » Hermione said sadly, « but I think it's the only thing we can do. »
« I don't want to accept the ferret! » Spit it out Ron.
« And Harry didn't ask you to. He just wants courtesy between you. And the fact that you can be in the same room without killing each other, » Fred replied.
« I don't know if I could do it, » said the redhead, « but I'm willing to try... »
« That's all we're asking. » Smiled George.
Ginny didn't answer, lost in thought. She didn't want to give up her life with Harry. ...ever. But she knew her father was right. Whether he was with Draco or not, she knew full well he would never be with her. But she didn't know if she could accept it without trying EVERYTHING…
On the side of the couple and their friends, as they had just left the Burrow and had appeared near the side path, they burst out laughing.
« Did you see their faces? » Laughed Blaise.
« Totally, I thought they were going to explode, » replied Pansy.
« I'm not sure I see where you get the funny stuff, » Harry scowled as he held Gabriel closer to him.
« Oh Harry, » sighed Pansy, « you never see the value of what's right in front of you. »
« What I saw, dearest Pansy, was my son being terrified because the Weasleys don't know the word 'Control,' and I didn't really think it was funny. »
« ... It's true that for that I can understand you, » nodded Blaise, « but what about the rest? Sorry but it was really hilarious. »
« You have to admit love, » said Draco, « it was fun. »
« I can see... » sighed Harry, « so that's what you were up to this morning? »
« Yes and no, » confessed the blond, « I wasn't planning on coming over this early, but Gabriel really wanted to see you. Personally I knew they wouldn't let you leave like that, it was totally predictable, and don't look at me like that Harry, you know I'm right, I had talked to Pans' and Blaise, and we decided that if, at a certain hour, you still weren't there, we'd go and look for you. We didn't really think they'd react like that. »
« Well, I can understand... » Harry smiled suddenly sending shivers down the spine of the three friends, « I think Uncle Blaise had promised Gabriel an ice cream, eh sweetheart? »
« Ice c'eam! » cried the child, seeming to forget the fear he had just had.
« Let's go then! »
As the four friends and the child made their way to the nearest Ice Cream seller, Gabriel's big smile returned, Harry was no longer really angry but greatly exasperated, and the three friends were pleased with themselves, they didn't notice - or didn't pay attention and didn't know? - the looks of the people around them. After all, it wasn't every day that you could see the Saviour of the Wizard's world out there. Even more rarely with his son - because it must have been his son, even if they hadn't seen anything in the Prophet. - Many frowned when they saw who he was with. Three people called Ex-Death Eaters. Child of Death Eaters. Their Savior had nothing to do with them. And even though some of them simply sighed and decided that it wasn't their place to say anything about the Hero's way of life--who didn't want to be--many of the people there didn't feel the same way. Because it was well known, the brunette who had killed Voldemort could not associate with just anyone. Free will or not, if it made him look bad, he had no right to do that, and they were going to let him know.
The small group, blind to what was going on around them, went to buy the ice cream promised to Gabriel before finally deciding to start shopping for the child's first day of kindergarten. As they were happily talking to each other, a voice suddenly interrupted them.
« Harry Potter, Hero of the Wizard's world, » said a sarcastic voice, « going out with friends. With Death Eaters. I can see that on the front page headline of the Daily Prophet. »
Harry put his mask of indifference over his face and turned around slowly, already knowing what was waiting for him...
Will our friends be able - at last - to have some quiet time? Where did everyone get the word to spoil their day?