Safe in Their Arms
Harry took an hour to console the sobbing Little. Glaring at Ron in between, who gave sheepish smiles but did not lift a finger to help him. Harry swayed with the Little in his arms to help him calm down, and slowly the sobs tapered to hiccups and the Little calmed down sucking on his thumb for comfort. Harry had noticed the considerable difference in Draco's body frame. He’s gotten smaller, now about a little less than 4 ft tall, looking like a 5 year old, but there was no baby fat. Draco looked all skin and bone.
“ Hey, you alright now, little one?” Harry cooed at the boy. Draco mumbled something. "What was that, can you speak loudly?” Harry spoke gently.
" I sowwy” Draco lisped.
"Why are you sorry?” Harry asked, confused.
“ Mess. I-i sowwy. P’ease no mad.” Draco said in a small voice, pointing at his crotch to indicate the mess, lips trembling and eyes brimming with tears.
"Oh Draco, no, we are not mad at you for having an accident. Little boys like you have accidents because you can't control it. And that's okay. We would never get mad at you for something like that. Now, come on, let's wipe those tears and get you out of those icky pants. Yeah?” Draco nodded, eyes still tearful. Harry accioed a wipe- he should really get things for the little- and carefully wiped his face, while Draco scrunched up his nose adorably. By that time, Hermione had transfigured a piece of cloth into a changing mat. Harry laid Draco down on it, and cautiously started undoing his pants, not knowing how he would react to that as it was the first time Draco was being put into a diaper. Draco looked uncomfortable, looking a little scared when Ron swept in and started making faces at him, which sufficiently distracted Draco. Quickly Harry removed the wet clothes and put on a transfigured nappy and the now dried and cleaned pants, courtesy to Hermione. Thankfully Draco did not notice a thing and was now giggling at Ron's antics. Harry refrained from awwing at the sight.
All four of them went to the dining hall, Ron and Hermione immediately busied themselves in setting the plates, and Harry conjured a passable high chair, and went to put the Little down, but Draco whimpered and held Harry thightly. Draco clung like a Koala, not letting his grip on Harry's shirt loosen, no matter how much Harry tried to coax him to let go. Draco's lips trembled before tears started streaming down.
"What's wrong, Draco? Don't you want to sit here and eat yummy food?” Draco shook his head, whimpering "S'ay”
"Do you want to stay with me while we eat?” Harry questioned, to which he received a nod from Draco.
“ Alright then, you can sit on my lap for breakfast today.” Harry went over to his place and sat, with Draco on his lap, and said “ Now, let's wipe those tears shall we?” Harry wiped Draco's face again, while Mione and Ron set up plates for Harry and Draco, making sure Draco's plate had lot's of syrup on it. “ Should I feed you these yummy pancakes to you, Draco?”
Draco sat on Harry’s lap, his small frame stiff with fear. He stared wide-eyed at the plate of food, eyes darting between it and the faces around him. " F-For, Daco?”. Harry spoke, saying softly, “It’s all for you, little one,” Draco’s eyes filled suddenly with tears, and a strangled sob burst from his chest.
The sound was raw, desperate, cutting through the room. Harry’s heart clenched, and before he could react, Mione stepped forward, her eyes wide with worry. The sudden movement made Draco flinch, his tiny fingers tightening on Harry’s shirt as if holding on for dear life and sobs increased.
“It’s okay, Draco. No one’s going to hurt you,” Harry whispered, his voice steady despite the ache inside him. He kept his touch gentle, one hand supporting the boy’s back as Draco shivered. Mione stopped in her tracks, eyes glistening as she saw the fear etched in the little’s trembling form. Slowly, she knelt on the floor, making herself smaller, less threatening.
Ron, who had moved abruptly at the first cry, froze mid-step, realizing too late that his reaction had frightened the boy further. He exchanged a look with Harry, filled with helplessness, before taking a step back and standing still, hands raised as if to show he meant no harm.
Draco’s sobs came in waves, tiny gasps that made his whole body shudder. Harry was quick to react and turned the little to face him and cuddled closer. Draco pressed his face into Harry’s chest, hiding, trying to block out the unfamiliar faces and the too-big room. Harry rocked him gently, murmuring soft reassurances that he was safe, that it was okay to be scared.
Mione’s voice joined in, soft and soothing. “You’re safe, honey . We’re right here,” she said, eyes never leaving the boy. Harry felt the tension in Draco’s small form begin to ease, the sobs quieting into hiccups. The weight of the room seemed to shift, not lighter, but more bearable.
Draco’s fingers loosened slightly on Harry’s shirt, and he dared to peek out, eyes still damp, but searching, questioning. Harry met his gaze with a small smile, full of warmth. “We’re not going anywhere, Draco. We’ve got you.”
A fragile moment of quiet settled between them, broken only by the last of Draco’s hiccups. Mione reached out, her fingers brushing the edge of the blanket wrapped around the boy’s shoulders. This time, Draco didn’t flinch. He stayed pressed to Harry, but the shaking ebbed, replaced by the tired weight of trust trying to find its way in.
Draco’s breathing slowed, each shaky exhale softer than the last. He shifted slightly on Harry’s lap, still wary but no longer caught in the storm of panic. Harry could feel the boy’s small hands relax just a little, fingers still clutching but no longer clawing.
Mione and Ron want back to their seats. They searched Harry’s eyes for a signal, a sign of what to do next, but Harry just nodded at them, letting them know they were moving in the right direction. The room was still, each person holding their breath, careful not to break the fragile calm that had settled.
Draco’s head turned slightly, and he peeked up at Mione, eyes wide and uncertain. She offered a tentative smile, her voice gentle as she said, “Would you like to try a bite, Draco? Just one, and we can sit together.”
Draco hesitated, his grip loosening bit by bit. Harry took a fork, cutting a small piece of pancake, and brought it close to Draco. “The pancakes look sad that Draco isn’t eating them. Should we try a bite, baby?” he asked.
Ron grinned. “Say ahh, buddy!”
Encouraged, Draco opened his mouth, mimicking Ron, and Harry fed him the first bite.
“ It's yummy, right?”. Draco gave a shy smile to Ron for the question. Harry fed him four more bites before Draco was squirming. Harry understood that Draco must be feeling full. It wasn't even the right diet to feed a Little who has been starved for so long. But beggars can't be choosers. Harry had to make do with them until he got the proper supplies. Harry sighed, rubbing Draco's arm and decided he should put the Little to sleepy, who looked ready to crash or burst into another set of sobs. He let Draco rest his head on his chest and rubbed his back soothingly, while he had his own breakfast. By the time all three were done, Draco was fast asleep, his breath coming in little puffs, his thumb has found its way inside his mouth and Dearo was suckling it lazily.
As Harry glanced down, he couldn’t help but smile softly at the sight of Draco dozing in his arms, tiny hand gripping his shirt as if afraid he might disappear. Ron and Hermione had both fallen silent, careful not to disturb the peacefulness that had finally settled over them.
Ron leaned forward, keeping his voice barely a whisper. “He really trusts you, doesn’t he? Must be the first time in a long time he’s felt safe.”
Harry’s gaze didn’t leave Draco. “Yeah… It feels like he’s been through more than any little should have to handle.” He ran a thumb gently over Draco’s shoulder, careful not to wake him. “But he’s safe now. We’ll make sure of that.”
He watched the little one for a moment, feeling the peaceful weight of him as he lay curled up, thumb in his mouth. The vulnerability in Draco's quiet form tugged at Harry's heart, and he couldn’t help but brush a light hand over the boy’s silver-blond hair.
As much as Harry wanted to stay like this, he knew Draco needed a proper rest. So, slowly, he rose, careful to keep Draco cradled against him as he moved down the hallway to the guest room they’d set up for him. The soft creak of the floor was the only sound in the quiet house, and Harry took extra care, walking slowly to keep Draco from stirring.
When he reached the room, he nudged the door open with his foot and stepped inside. The room was simple, but cozy—Hermione had been quick to transform the space with warm-toned bedding and a few soft toys she'd conjured just that morning. Harry eased Draco down onto the bed, laying him on his side, then covered him gently with a blanket.
Draco shifted a little, his hand reaching out unconsciously as he settled into the soft mattress. He murmured something, a sleepy babble, and Harry patted his back softly until he fell back into a deep sleep.
Standing back, Harry let out a small sigh of relief, feeling a little more secure about Draco’s place here with them. He looked around the room, taking in the sight of Draco's peaceful form nestled against the pillows, and made a mental checklist of what they still needed to get for him.
“Right… essentials,” he whispered to himself.
Harry grabbed a bit of parchment from the bedside table and quickly began to jot down the items in his untidy handwriting, thinking through each one carefully.
Essentials for Draco:
- Diapers — Merlin knows we’ll need enough for a few weeks, at least.
- Baby wipes — could probably charm them to stay soft and gentle.
- Clothing — small, comfortable ones; Draco’s sizes are different from typical Little’s.
- Bottles and formula powder — he might still need extra nourishment to help him get his strength back.
- Blankets and soft bedding — Hermione’s made do with charms, but he needs something permanent.
- Stuffed toys or anything comforting — he’s going to need something he can hold onto.
- Pacifiers
- Bib
Harry paused, tapping the quill against his chin. Maybe some toddler-safe books? he thought. Draco might enjoy something familiar but gentle enough for his age.
With the essentials listed, he thought back on the pancakes from breakfast. Proper food, he scribbled, soft snacks, fruits—anything he’ll eat and keep down.
Maybe he should get all the furniture needed some other time. Maybe he should take Draco with him and make a outing. Harry decided nodding to himself.
At that moment, Hermione peeked in, holding a small satchel. "How’s he doing?” she whispered, glancing at Draco's sleeping form with a tender smile. Ron right behind her.
“Out cold,” Harry replied softly, tucking the list into his pocket. “I made a list. We’ll need all this to make sure he’s comfortable.”
Ron nodded, determination lighting his eyes. “We can handle it, mate. I’ll make sure we get everything—even if it means stopping by three different places.”
Harry chuckled softly, a hint of gratitude in his smile. “Alright. I’ll keep an eye on him while you’re out.”
After a few more hushed exchanges, Hermione and Ron headed off to gather supplies, leaving Harry to settle back, Draco’s small soft snores comforting him. As he sat there, listening to the gentle sound of Draco’s breathing, he felt an unexpected sense of peace.
With a gentle sigh, Harry leaned back, letting himself drift into the quiet, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, he wasn’t facing them alone. He had his friends, and that was enough for now.