LOVE THEM ALL 249
over the arm of it. "Draco?" he said, a bit concerned.
Draco leant forward, resting his face against Harry's belly, smiling
softly. "Yes, love?" he answered in a whisper.
Harry sighed quietly, laying a gentle hand on his husband's head.
He smiled softly as well, both amused and delighted that Draco
seemed to like him pregnant so much.
Draco felt that small spark of magic. She was different from
Valen already. He kissed the spot. "I can feel you," he whispered to
her.
Harry sighed happily again, petting Draco's hair, taking in the
beautiful sight of his husband speaking to his belly, even if it was still
flat.
"Shall we go to our bed?" Draco asked from his place on his
knees.
"Yes, I think so," Harry answered. "We should collect the
offspring that is already here." He smiled.
Draco got shakily to his feet and then helped Harry up. He
Summoned his wand and cast Cleaning Charms for both of them,
happy to be able to do that again, too.
Harry kissed Draco softly after, shaky as well, but not really
caring. He never wanted to let him go.
Draco transformed the chair-turned-cot so that it now had
wheels and pushed it into the bedroom as he pulled his husband
along with him.
Once inside the room, Harry climbed into the bed and under the
covers, feeling the very definition of content, only wanting Draco to
lay with him.
Draco looked at their sleeping boy for a minute, overcome with
the joy he felt as he did. He leant in and laid a gentle kiss on Valen's
head. The infant stirred but didn't wake. Then Draco turned, smiling
at his husband as he climbed into bed with him.
Harry pulled Draco against his body, sighing. "I can't imagine
loving any baby as much as I love Valen," he said, "but I'm sure I
will."
"We will love them all," Draco assured his husband, smiling up at
the "H" on the now reformed bed.
Harry snorted happily at Draco's words, looking where he was
250 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
looking. "Yes," he said. "You've now managed to impregnate that
boy from the robe shop twice, and are, apparently, conspiring to do
so again."
"Yes," Draco grinned. "Making lots of heirs after all."
"Ah, of course ... of course," Harry said amusedly.
Draco curled around his lover, holding him tight with one hand
resting on his stomach. It was a familiar pose and it felt so amazingly
good that he nearly wept again.
Harry closed his eyes, laying his hand over Draco's. "I love you,"
he whispered.
"Yes, always," Draco answered sleepily as he drifted off.
Within a few moments, Harry had drifted off as well, the soft
smile still on his face.
– CHAPTER THIRTY –
Say It
Harry and Draco were lying in their bed with Valen, lazy and content.
They'd hardly moved from the place in a week, having spent it
playing with the baby, making love, or talking about the new baby. It
was still such a relief to have all of it back, to be able to touch again.
Harry raised Valen above his head, smiling up at him. "Kit-ty," he
tried to get him to say. "Come on, Valen. Say it for Daddy."
Draco snorted. "The child is smart enough to know you are not a
cat," he teased, but then leant close, rubbing his face against Harry's
shoulder in his own familiar imitation of one.
Harry smiled, kissing Draco's forehead. "I wasn't wanting him to
think I was a cat," he said. "I just wanted him to say it." Harry sat the
baby down atop his stomach, holding Valen's little hands.
Valen could sit up now, even if he was a bit wobbly. Propped up
against his daddy's legs, he did pretty well. He burbled and squeezed
Harry's hands.
Draco considered his son. He knew that the child had been aware
of a problem when the binding was broken and was clearly much
happier now that it had been fixed. He assumed it was because of his
son's inherited sensitivity. "He's happy we are bound again," Draco
prompted, not knowing if his husband had picked up on the child's
behaviour.
"He has seemed better," Harry agreed. "I think he was scared
before."
"He was probably pretty frightened. He can sense magic. That
means he could feel when the binding was removed and the way our
magic was reacting," Draco explained.
"That couldn't have been good for you, huh?" Harry cooed,
pulling Valen down against his chest and chuckling as the baby
attempted to give him a slobbery kiss.
Draco smiled as Valen slobbered on Harry. "And I think he knew
252 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
about the potion, not really what it was but the fact that I was under
one," he added.
Harry frowned. "I know," he replied. "He was scared then, too."
Draco nodded. "He kept looking at me with this confused
expression." He paused a minute, lips pressed into a line as he
worried about his next words. "Scared you pretty badly, too," he
whispered.
Harry looked away, back to Valen. "I guess," he answered quietly.
Valen squirmed. Draco sighed and reached to rub the infant's
back. The baby seemed to settle down, laying his head on Harry's
shoulder and watching Draco with sleepy looking green eyes. "Want
to put him in the cot?" Draco asked.
Harry kissed Valen's hair, sitting up to put him down for his nap.
Draco lay on his side, head propped up on his hand, watching
them and trying to think of a way to talk to his husband about
something he knew made him uncomfortable.
Harry sighed as he lay down again, scooting close to Draco and
facing him. "What are you thinking of?" he asked.
The blond frowned, reaching a hand out to gently stroke Harry's
hair from his face, fingers trailing back along his cheek as he did. It
was glorious, this ability to touch him – touch that had not just been
denied him for the last two months but for six years before they
became involved. "I suppose I want to apologise," he said softly.
Harry furrowed his eyebrows. "Apologise for what?" he asked,
wondering if Draco was still talking about what had happened back
in October.
Draco had been raised to never say that he was sorry. That it was
a sign of weakness. He had to take several breaths to go on. "I am ...
sorry I hurt you, that I didn't talk to you about Theo and that I did
what I did with him."
Harry pulled Draco even closer. "You couldn't help what you
did," he whispered. "I didn't blame you for that then, and I don't
blame you now."
"I didn't tell you he had talked with me in the showers before that
because I didn't want to upset you. You were already pretty worked
up over him," Draco admitted.
Harry bit his lip. "Yeah, I guess I was," he agreed. "Draco, don't
SAY IT 253
ever hold something back because you're afraid it will hurt my
feelings. If you want to tell me, then tell me."
Draco did what he always wanted to do when Harry bit his lip, he
leant in to give him a gentle kiss but then drew back to look into his
eyes again. "I said some awful things then and I did hurt you," he
said.
Harry looked down. "I ... was hurt, yes," he admitted quietly. "It
was just so much all at once."
Draco never liked it when Harry got that look and he was
tempted to stop talking right then. Yet, though he would rather just
let it go himself, he was worried that doubt might linger for Harry.
He reached out again, fingers trembling slightly as he gently cupped
Harry's cheek. "I can find other people attractive and still want you,
want you so much that I choose you over the world," he whispered.
"I know that," Harry whispered back. "I never really thought any
different."
"Then why the jealousy?" Draco asked, realising that he was still
not directly addressing the issue that he was trying to talk about, but
still curious about the answer.
Harry frowned, thinking. "I don’t ... I don't even know," he
answered. "It was partly because of what I told you before. He ...
understands a certain part of you more than I do. It's complicated, I
guess. Logically, I know you would never leave me, never, but ... even
the thought of you ... wanting to, even for just a second, to get what
he can give and I can't. I – I don't know, I just hate it. And the other
part was that I was angry that he would even try to ... do whatever it
was he was trying on you. Not jokingly, not half-heartedly, but really
try to get you. I felt like ripping him apart."
Draco couldn't help but smirk at that last part, imagining his
"lion" doing just that. "Such a territorial thing you are," he teased.
"And, for the record, Theo was my friend but I was never in love
with him. Never. It wouldn't even cross my mind to leave you."
Harry took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, nodding and
hugging Draco around the middle.
Draco nuzzled his lover's face then, kissing his forehead, not
even realising for a moment that he did so on that famous scar. He
took a deep breath, forcing himself not to do what they usually did –
254 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
have sex instead of talking when they got upset. It probably helped
that they were pretty sated at the moment. "I also wanted you to
know that I am sorry I resisted you when I was under the potion," he
said.
Harry stared at Draco confusedly. "But ... you couldn't help it,"
he whispered, looking down again. He hated thinking about what
he'd done to his husband, forcing him without thinking of another
way.
"And I don't blame you for what happened then, either," Draco
insisted.
Harry stared at Draco in confusion again. "But it was my fault,"
he said quietly.
Draco had had months to think about this and compare it with
their other experiences. "I think given our history, with me saying 'no'
when I needed you, it was an understandable reaction."
"I'm still sorry for doing it," Harry told him seriously.
"Are you unhappy with me over what I did then and ... and to fix
the binding?" Draco asked, the issue having bothered him.
"I was scared," Harry answered. "I didn't know what you were
going to do if it didn't work, but I'm not ... unhappy with it. You
weren't exactly thinking straight."
"No, I wasn't," Draco admitted, flushing a bit at that. "I am so
much better with you than without you."
"I would have to say I am, too," Harry whispered, kissing Draco's
nose. "And I guess we both do some pretty crazy things when we
don't have our better halves."
"So, we forgive each other?" Draco asked, not being able to stop
caressing Harry's face as he did.
Harry smiled. "I'd say yes," he answered.
Draco smiled, warmth and relief flooding him. "Oh, my love," he
whispered and leant in for the kiss he had been holding back.
Harry readily met Draco's lips, closing his eyes as he pressed
forward again.
Draco's fingers slid back into Harry's hair, and he moaned softly
at the touch and taste and feel of him.
Harry kissed a path down Draco's chin and neck. "I love you," he
whispered, "more than anything." He rained kisses across Draco's
SAY IT 255
collarbone and back up his throat. "You gave me yourself, and our
son, and now our daughter. So what if we're crazy. Look at
everything it's brought us."
"Yes, everything," Draco agreed, shivering in delight.
"Everything," Harry repeated. "Everything that matters." He
pushed Draco onto his back. "And nothing and no one can take that
away from us," he said, looking down at Draco.
"Nothing and no one," Draco agreed, hands sliding over the skin
of his beloved.
"Mmm," Harry hummed, still kissing over Draco's skin. Then he
paused and looked down at him again. "You know what I've just
thought of?" he asked.
Draco grinned up at him. "No," he admitted, "but the look on
your face tells me I want to."
Harry smirked. "We haven’t called our Patronuses since that day
in Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"I have you for a protector," Draco whispered, but his heart sped
up at the idea.
"Of course you do," Harry agreed. "But I'm not talking about
using them for protecting."
Draco trembled; just the memory of Harry's Patronus was
arousing to him. "Yes, show me," he agreed.
Harry grinned and sat up, straddling Draco. He cast a Shield
Charm over Valen's cot so that they wouldn't wake him and then
held his hand out, bringing up the thought of just a few days ago
when he'd been able to touch Draco again, and the dragon shot right
out of his very skin, stretching and unfurling its wings.
Draco laughed, the warmth of Harry's magic making his body
shudder.
Harry Summoned Draco's wand next, handing it to him slyly. "I
think my dragon's lonely," he said, voice deep as he traced patterns
over Draco's chest.
"Oh, I wouldn't want such a pretty dragon to be without his
lion," Draco purred. The memory he used to cast the Patronus was
when they conceived their new child. A bright glowing lion with a
bushy mane appeared before them.
"He is beautiful," Harry agreed, smiling down at his husband. He
256 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
turned his head to watch the shimmering Patronuses circling each
other, nuzzling and rubbing their faces together.
Draco shivered beneath his husband. Every time Harry's
Patronus rubbed against his own he could feel the caress of the
magic. "Oh, ohhhh," he gasped.
Harry was aroused watching Draco. "You can feel it?" he asked
breathlessly, his hands pressing and stroking.
"Yesss, your magic," Draco whispered. "I always felt your magic
but the link ... the binding ... makes it more intense!"
"The new one?" Harry asked, smirking again as he made his
dragon pin the lion down.
Draco laughed at the reversal, the dragon holding down the lion.
"So hot," he said, then answering the question. "Both times, but
Great Rite ... with it both ways, yes."
Harry chuckled at Draco's near incoherency. At a mere order in
his mind, the dragon lapped at the lion's face with its long tongue.
Draco's head fell back with a moan, neck arching and the lion
mirrored the move.
Harry bent to lick as well, but he went for Draco's neck instead
of his face. "Think it's possible for my dragon to fuck your lion?" he
whispered, feeling Draco's hard cock underneath his arse.
Draco couldn't have made a coherent response to that. His
Patronus seemed to reply for him, crouching so that its chest was
pressed to the bed and hind end in the air.
Harry flushed, wondering what someone might think if they were
to walk into their bedroom right then. He climbed off of Draco and
moved between his legs as the dragon moved up behind the lion,
stretching its long neck to rub its face in the lion's mane.
Draco arched his hips up when Harry moved, not wanting to give
up the contact with him and his lion was responding enthusiastically
to the dragon.
Harry slicked his fingers and quickly pushed two inside, eager to
see just how much pleasure he could give Draco.
Draco responded by eagerly spreading his legs, gasping and
whimpering.
"Oh, I'm gonna fuck you," Harry promised in a whisper. "It'll feel
so good you'll cry."
SAY IT 257
The animals next to them seemed to be waiting for them, simply
arching and rubbing.
"Yes, oh, yes," Draco responded, nearly crying now with how
much he wanted it.
Harry withdrew his fingers and slicked himself before taking
Draco's legs and resting them over his shoulders, lining up.
The dragon lovingly continued to rub its face in the lion's mane,
scooting up closer as its wings stretched in excitement.
Draco watched in fascination, still trembling at the power of the
magic and his husband's touch. "Yes, claim me," he encouraged. He
had never even heard of someone using the Patronus Spell this way.
But then again, there was no one else whose magic worked like
Harry's.
Harry let his head fall back and slid his cock inside, releasing a
slow hiss of pleasure as he buried himself in Draco's body. And on
some base level, he knew that the dragon was sliding inside, too.
Draco couldn't have really explained the feelings. He could feel
his body penetrated by his husband – and he could feel the other
wizard's magic combining with his own via the Patronus as well. He
moaned in delight, hands grasping Harry's shoulders as he arched
into him.
Harry could swear the lion was purring. He slid back smoothly,
making it slow and sensual so that Draco could feel every inch. He
wanted to see if he could draw out noises from his husband as well.
As Harry and his Patronus moved, Draco's gasps gave way to
moans and whimpers as he surrendered himself, no longer even
aware of what sounds he made or the way he writhed beneath Harry.
"Yes, Draco," Harry groaned, entranced with the sounds and the
warmth of Draco's body. He held on to Draco's legs and bent to kiss
him, and the dragon stretched out its tongue and licked the lion's ear.
It was like being licked with Harry's magic and Draco gasped. His
Patronus lion laid its head back arching into the thrusts of the
dragon.
Harry moved his own tongue into Draco's mouth with that gasp,
allowing his legs to fall down to the bed.
Draco held on to his husband, moving and sliding with him,
wrapping his legs around Harry's hips and his tongue twisting with
258 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
him.
Harry began to rotate more instead of thrust, getting close
himself. The dragon emitted a low rumbling sound, its wings
twitching and stretching again.
The sensations were overwhelming and Draco loved that,
moaning louder and gasping. He could swear he felt what his
Patronus lion felt along with his own body – and they both were
close to coming.
Harry broke the kiss, panting now. "Yes," he whispered. "Oh,
fuck, yes." His breath caught and he let out a sort of short keening,
sliding all the way inside before spilling his seed, slick and hot. The
dragon's wings unfurled completely and it threw its head back, silver
flames flying from its nostrils.
Searing and blindingly pleasurable heat accompanied that release
of magic and Draco screamed in delight, his entire body giving a
violent shudder with his orgasm.
Harry gasped as Draco's arse clenched impossibly tight around
his cock, on the verge of being actually painful.
Draco shook and moaned, thrashing through their release and
holding his lover tightly.
Harry slipped down to lay against Draco completely, face pressed
to his neck as their Patronuses began to rub again.
The lion lay down, apparently as sated and worn out as Draco
who lay under his husband panting. That's when he heard the cooing
and babbling from the cot.
The dragon joined the lion on the floor curling in its wings. Harry
raised his head with some effort, looking in the direction of the cot.
They could hear Valen and he was clearly happy, making burbling
noises that almost sounded like singing. Draco chuckled. The child
was certainly a sensitive.
Harry shook his head. "I believe we broke the charm," he said,
smiling.
Draco smiled up at him. "Yes," he answered breathlessly. "Or he
did."
Harry laughed. "It is absolutely insane that he's less than a year
old and that wouldn't surprise me."
"Well, he does have your wild side as well as my sensitivity,"
SAY IT 259
Draco observed. He smiled at the Patronus images before dispelling
his own.
For a split second, the dragon actually glared at Draco accusingly
before Harry sent it away as well, performing Cleaning Charms for
himself and his husband in the same wave of his hand. "Yes he
does," he said in response to Draco's comment, crawling across the
bed to fetch the baby in question.
Valen's eyes were wide and he babbled even louder when he saw
Harry, holding his hands out. "Dada!"
Harry grinned at Valen and lifted him from underneath the arms,
kissing his forehead before plopping him down on his bottom.
The baby wobbled but stayed upright and Draco reached a hand
out to steady him. "You could feel the magic, couldn't you?" he asked
the baby.
"You certainly could," Harry said suggestively, kissing Draco's
cheek.
Draco rarely blushed these days but he did then. "Oh, yes," he
agreed.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE –
Good News
It felt so very good to be happy again. It felt good to have things the
way they were supposed to be, because it hadn't felt like that since
they'd gone back to Hogwarts to take their N.E.W.T.s, but it did
now, and Harry was relieved. He'd woken up in a nice mood to a
husband in a nice mood, and his son in a nice mood as well. Their
happiness had spread to Ron and Hermione too, who both seemed
very glad to have their friends back.
They had spent a few days lying in bed, but eventually they all got
ready to spend some time at the Burrow, where the entire clan of
Weasleys was meeting, as Ron had said. When they arrived by Floo,
they could hardly step out of the fireplace and into the room. The
kitchen was filled with ginger-heads and happy chatter.
When everyone noticed who was trying to get through, the room
quieted.
Draco stepped out and then held his hand out for Harry as the
man Flooed through with their son in his arms.
Harry smiled and took Draco's hand as he stepped over the grate.
He could feel the eyes on them, and knew everyone was staring at
their hands.
"Well, what's everyone standing around for?" said Mrs Weasley's
voice from somewhere in the sea of tall sons. She stepped out from
behind Percy. "It's only Harry and Draco." She smiled at them, taking
Valen from Harry, as she often did when she saw them. Her voice
was cheerful, but Harry could detect the awkwardness in her
movements, and in all the others.
Draco smiled. When Valen was taken from Harry, Draco pulled
his husband closer, kissing him gently in front of everyone.
Harry made a small humming noise as Draco kissed him.
"Finally," said Fred into the silence.
Harry snorted, pulling back.
GOOD NEWS 261
Draco smiled happily into Harry's eyes. Then turned smiling to
face the "red horde."
"You two really aren't fighting then?" George asked.
"Never were," said Harry.
"The rumours of the demise of our relationship were definitely
not correct," Draco said, not letting go of his husband.
"What was going on is complicated," Harry added, "but it never
had to do with wanting to split up. Believe me."
Noise from the fireplace indicated Hermione's and Ron's arrival
then and Harry stepped further into the room, pulling Draco with
him.
Draco looked around and was struck by the memory of how
uncomfortable he had once felt here. These strange people, "the red
horde," had become his family, too.
Ron brushed the soot out of his hair and off his clothes, smiling.
"Where's my nephew, eh?" he asked with a grin.
Hermione smiled, looking around the room as well. They must
not have seen the new baby in the hospital since they'd come home
so early for Harry and Draco.
The Weasleys parted to reveal Fleur sitting at the table with what
looked like a small bundle of blankets in her arms. Harry had never
seen her look so happy.
""Ere," she said, beaming.
Draco grinned, walking forward with their friends. He made a
kind of bow to Fleur, greeting and congratulating her in French.
"Merci beaucoup," she said, smiling at Draco. She tilted the little
body so that they could see, and pulled the small hat from his head.
"Awww," said Hermione. "He's beautiful!"
And he was. His eyes were very blue. A lot of newborn babies'
eyes were blue, but because both Bill and Fleur's eyes were that
colour, it was likely they would stay that way. His features were small,
and he almost looked like he should be a girl. His small bit of fine
hair was a very, very light red and slightly golden, almost blond.
"He is," Harry agreed, smiling as well.
Draco had to admit, it was true. Not as beautiful as Valen, of
course, but stunning. "Hello, Christophe," he said.
Fleur smiled at that, and Bill, who was standing to the side, shook
262 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
his head amusedly.
"He is, isn't he?" said Mrs Weasley fondly. "Oh, I still can't
believe I'm a grandmother."
"Well, you are, Nana Molly," said Fred, elbowing his mother
playfully.
Draco nodded and smiled over at Ron. "Who knows, soon there
may be babies everywhere."
Ron's ears reddened, and Mrs Weasley beamed over at him.
"Well, there are going to be three soon anyway," said Harry,
looking up and grinning widely.
Draco blushed then, grinning as well. He waited, letting his
husband tell the news.
"What do you mean, Harry?" asked Mr Weasley, looking
confusedly at Ron and Hermione, obviously thinking something was
up with them.
"Oh, no, not me," said Hermione quickly, shaking her head.
"No, not her," said Harry with a laugh. "Me."
There was silence in the room for a moment.
"You're pregnant again, mate?" asked George, his eyes wide.
"Yep," said Harry happily. "Since yesterday."
Draco smiled wider and nodded. "A girl," he said softly.
"My, goodness, you're serious," said Mrs Weasley after a minute,
a smile spreading across her face. "Oh, after everything that's been
going on and – Well, we've just been so worried and – That's
wonderful news!" She pulled Harry and then Draco into tight hugs,
holding Valen in one arm.
Draco stiffened but allowed himself to be hugged. He was getting
used to being touched by other people, but was still most
comfortable with Harry and Valen. Valen squealed, happily patting
the faces of his parents as they were hugged.
"Dada, dada," he chanted.
"You are getting so big," Mrs Weasley said to Valen as she pulled
back. "I'm sure you're going to be a very good big brother."
Harry smiled. "Yes, I'm sure he will be," he said.
"A very good big cousin as well, I 'ope," said Fleur.
Harry looked over at her, a strange sort of smile on his face. "I
suppose he is a bit of a cousin, isn't he?" he said.
GOOD NEWS 263
"Oh, no bit about it, Harry," said Mrs Weasley, kissing Valen's
forehead.
Draco looked at the baby in Fleur's arms. "Can I hold him?" he
asked.
She nodded, passing the baby to Draco. "Congratulations to you
both," she said to them.
Harry smiled again as the congratulations spilled from everyone.
Draco nodded too, gently holding the little boy in his arms and
cooing to him in French.
"Look at the baby," said Mrs Weasley to Valen, moving a little
closer to Draco with him. "Do you see him?"
"Baba," Valen repeated, reaching little fingers toward the baby.
Mrs Weasley smiled and nodded. "Yes, a baby," she said. She
moved a tiny bit closer. "Like you. But you're bigger than he is. You
have to be easy with him."
Valen reached his hand out and gently patted the smaller infant's
head. "Baba," he said, happily.
Everyone laughed and Harry sighed happily, leaning over to kiss
Draco's cheek.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO –
Christmas Memorial
The month of December seemed to speed by. Soon, Christmas was
very nearly upon them, which also meant the anniversary of the
hundreds of deaths the previous year. It was difficult to think of
Seamus, and Dennis, and it was especially hard on Hermione, who
had never been given the opportunity to tell her father that she was
getting married, and would not get to share with him anything about
her new life and the family she would build.
There was going to be a public memorial service held in the
Atrium of the Ministry of Magic. Harry had been asked to be there,
even though he would have gone anyway. Hermione picked up her
mother to attend the memorial as well, and they all arrived at the
Ministry by Floo. They met the Weasleys there in the very large
crowd, even larger than it might have been under normal
circumstances, as close Muggle family members were allowed to
attend with the aide of wizarding relatives.
Draco held Valen tight against him with his silver hand and his
right held Harry's left. He was worried about the crowds exciting the
infant. So much magic could easily overstimulate a sensitive like
Valen.
Unsurprisingly, reporters covering the event moved close to
Harry and Draco as soon as they arrived, but hadn't been much of a
problem – yet. Harry hoped they had enough sense not to turn the
entire thing into a big circus surrounding their relationship.
Valen squealed and babbled at the flashing cameras, reaching to
try to take one from a reporter who got too close. Draco's hands
were full, but he stepped back.
Harry gave the photographer a warning look, squinting from the
quick, bright flashes of light.
"Come on now," said Sirius, who was also there, despite having
been 'dead' during the actual attacks. "Give them some bloody
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL 265
breathing room." They snapped a few shots of him.
Draco let go of Harry's hand and reached to put his arm around
his waist, gathering him closer. He never liked the crush of reporters
when they went out.
The closer Harry and Draco moved to each other, the more
flashes went off, and Harry pulled up the side of his robe to cover his
face. They had their damn shot and he didn't want his presence to
ruin everything else. Sirius, Remus and the others tried to block the
reporters off, standing in front of the family.
With the help of their friends, they made their way to the staging
area. At least the reporters were kept back by Ministry personnel
then.
"They're like a bunch of sharks," said Ron, looking over his
shoulder.
"Yeah," Harry sighed. "I know."
Hermione stood close next to her mother, who was looking,
quite understandably, overwhelmed.
While the room continued to fill, the cracks of Apparition and
the whooshing sounds of people arriving in fireplaces kept sounding
throughout the Atrium. The Minister climbed the steps of the stage
that had been erected and pressed his wand to his throat. "Fellow
wizards and witches," his voice boomed over the crowd. The noise
level in the room died down considerably until the only sounds were
a last few pops and cracks. "And family," Scrimgeour added. "It is
with great pride that I stand before you all today, in remembrance of
those lost to us ...." He went on about the unity among wizards, the
tragedy of the incident, and some about the war and the triumph over
Lord Voldemort.
"And with that said," the Minister continued, his voice carrying a
note of finality, "it is my pleasure to give you Harry Potter." He
clapped and the crowd followed with their cheers and applause.
Harry took a deep breath, having actually grown pretty used to
speaking in front of large crowds over the previous months. He
didn't really think he was all that important to be giving so many
speeches, but everyone always seemed to want him to do so. He gave
Draco a chaste kiss before turning and heading up the stairs as well.
Scrimgeour nodded to Harry and moved back to give him his
266 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
place at the podium. The noise died out again as Harry stepped up,
opening his mouth.
Draco settled Valen on his knee, trying to get comfortable in the
small wooden chairs set up for the families. Just as Harry opened his
mouth, Valen yelled, "Dada!" into the quiet.
Harry smiled and there was a chuckle and some murmuring
through the crowd. He took another breath, opening his mouth
again. "What happened on this day a year ago was terrible – more
than terrible," he began. "A tragedy in every sense of the word. It's
not an easy thing to forget, because, it's not easy to forget sons and
daughters, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, grandparents,
friends. And it's hard, because we don't want to forget them in the
slightest, and I know that it's hard not to think about what happened.
But I don't think we're here to remember what happened to our
friends and family. Well, we ... are here for that – in a sense, but
what's really important is that we remember how amazing, and
caring, and brave the people were that we lost.
"What were they like? What did they give? What did you love
about them? Those are the things that mean something. Don't let
them, as people, be swallowed by the way they were taken.
"I like to believe that, once we've made the full journey to the
other side, we can look down on those we left behind. Do they want
us consumed with thoughts of that night? Hatred for those that did
it? Or would they want us to live on? To make a new life? I know
what I would want.
"Yes, I remember that day, but more than that, I remember the
people and what they meant to me – and still do. Let's carry them on
with us, inside our hearts and minds, through stories of them, and
fond memories. We can take them with us as we continue to rebuild
our world." He nodded and stepped back.
There was applause and tears and Draco clapped his right hand
on his thigh. His silver hand was busy trying to hold a squirming little
boy. Draco looked fondly toward Hermione and her mother,
acknowledging them with a nod.
There were tears in both Hermione's and her mother's eyes, and
some flowing down their cheeks, but they smiled at Draco and
hugged each other.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL 267
The Minister clapped Harry on the shoulder as he took another
step back, making way for Head Auror, Edgar Barclay to speak.
Harry headed back down the steps, taking his seat next to Draco and
Valen.
Valen launched himself bodily at Harry, nearly managing to fall
when Draco was caught by surprise. "Dada, dada," the baby yelled.
Harry smiled and laughed, taking Valen into his arms. "Shhh," he
said. "I hear you."
"Harry, that was beautiful," said Hermione from his other side.
He smiled at her and she kissed him on the cheek, hugging him.
Valen imitated her, giving Harry a big smack of a kiss on the
other cheek.
She and Harry both laughed, Hermione wiping under her eyes
with a tissue that Ron handed across to her.
Draco smiled, feeling happy despite the occasion that brought
them there. It was hard to keep Valen calm and busy in such a crowd
while they waited through the speeches. Then there was the reading
of the list of the dead, which different people took turns at until they
were all spoken.
Hermione was one of the people to read, and her voice caught as
she read the name, "James Morgan Granger," but she didn't break
down and continued through the list.
Harry listened with the rest of the crowd, helping Draco to keep
Valen from wanting to get down and crawl, and from screeching into
the quiet.
Draco's hair had been pulled out of its tie, and his clothes were
rumpled and slobbered on. He was more than ready to go by the time
the minute of silence was up.
There were a few more parting words from Scrimgeour before
everyone began getting to their feet.
Harry could already see reporters waiting where it was roped off.
He sighed and turned to face their friends. "Everyone's still meeting
up at our place for dinner tomorrow, right?" he asked.
"Of course, Harry," said Mrs Weasley, patting his arm.
"And, Mum, you've got to bring the pudding," said George. "It's
not Christmas without that."
"Yes, yes, I know," said Mrs Weasley, gathering up the few half-
268 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
full boxes of tissue that she had brought to hand out.
Draco eyed the reporters, not in the mood to deal with them and
trying to figure a way quickly through.
Valen was still behaving rather excitedly and Harry was thinking
the exact thing Draco was. "I think we're just going to have to run for
it," he said.
"Wish I could just hex them all," Draco muttered, but nodded.
Harry nodded as well. "See all you lot tomorrow," he said, taking
Draco's right hand.
Hermione and Ron were taking her mother home and would be
going home themselves later.
Everyone said their goodbyes and Harry and Draco began
towards the fireplaces lined up on the wall. Questions were thrown at
them immediately and photos were taken by the dozens. Harry
ignored it all, doing his best to manoeuvre his way through the sea of
people with cameras and quills.
Draco did his best to shield their child from the crowd but Valen
started to cry before they made it to the nearest fireplace. He actually
did threaten to hex one reporter when the man stuck his camera in
Valen's face and took a picture of the child crying.
"Fucking arseholes," Harry muttered when they'd finally made it
home. He'd wanted to throttle the man, and a few others.
Draco nodded, rocking back and forth, trying to soothe the
confused child. "Maybe if you fed him," he said. "He might calm
down."
Harry held out his arms for the baby, nodding.
Valen was whimpering instead of shouting now and immediately
tugged on Harry's shirt.
"Come on, love," Harry said in a quiet voice to Valen, nodding
for Draco to follow as he moved into the sitting room across from
the entrance hall. He spelled his shirt and robe away and settled
himself on the sofa with the baby.
Draco dropped onto the sofa next to him, head falling back with
a groan.
"I know," Harry said, turning his head to his husband.
"I should buy the Prophet and fire that bloke with the camera,"
Draco said, eyes closed.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL 269
Harry let out a small laugh. "Could I watch?" he asked, turning
eyes on their son, whose own eyes were a little red.
"You can even be the one to fire him if you like," Draco said,
smiling slightly at the idea.
Harry snorted again. "Really though," he said. "What makes them
think it's all right to stick a camera in a baby's face and shout in his
ears?"
"Vultures," Draco sighed. "And after all that crap they printed
about us splitting up. Better not have anything like that tomorrow."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I don't plan on leaving the Manor," he
said.
"I suppose we could refuse to read the paper tomorrow," Draco
sighed.
"Oh, you mean in the paper," Harry said in understanding. "I
don't know why our personal lives are so interesting in the first place.
I couldn't care less about anyone else shagging or married or any of
that."
Draco smiled at that. "You have always been news," he said.
"They even listed your name in the Prophet when you started
Hogwarts."
Harry shrugged. "Yeah, I have always been in the paper," he said.
"And I was told by Hermione as soon as I met her how many books
I was in." He smiled in amusement.
Draco realised it was quiet and looked over to see Valen passed
out with his mouth open against Harry's chest. "Do you want me to
carry him?" he asked. "I think it is time for bed."
Harry smiled up at his husband. "If you want," he said. "I'm not
big enough for my back to be killing me yet."
Draco groaned as he got to his feet, more tired than he realised.
He leaned over and gathered the little boy into his arms, using the
silver arm to take most the weight. "Come on, my hero," he said to
his husband.
Harry got to his feet as well, smiling at Draco's words as he made
his way upstairs with him.
In their room, the blond laid the baby in his cot and then fell into
the bed with a moan. "Take my clothes off for me?" he asked,
smiling up at Harry.
270 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
Harry grinned, stripping Draco with his magic before stripping
his own trousers, shoes and socks off and slipping into bed.
Draco shivered at the magic and then climbed sleepily under the
covers. "It seems longer than a year," he said softly.
"I know," Harry agreed, pulling Draco against him. "There's just
been so much."
Draco sighed contentedly in his lover's arms. "I can remember it
all clearly enough but it does feel like it has been forever."
Harry nodded. "I know," he said again. "Even me and you."
"That has been years," Draco whispered, teasing him.
Harry smiled. "Sort of, I guess," he said. "I did wank over you."
Draco chuckled, remembering the untold number of times he'd
wanked over Harry before finally kissing him.
Harry sighed contently, running fingers through Draco's hair. "I
love you," he said quietly.
"Yes, I love you. Always, my lion," Draco said, drifting off in his
lover's arms.
Harry smiled and kissed Draco's forehead. "Always," he
whispered, closing his eyes as well.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE –
Christmas Morning
Harry awoke on Christmas morning to the beautiful sight of snow
falling outside the windows, covering the grounds and everything else
in a thick blanket of white. He smiled, raising his arms above his head
to stretch, and then turned to watch his husband.
Draco was sprawled, still asleep, on the bed, his one arm draped
over his lover.
Harry grinned sleepily and then moved forward to kiss Draco's
lips, very, very gently. He could hear Valen babbling in his cot, but
didn't move to get him just yet.
Draco smiled, not awake yet but responding anyway, his arm
tightening around Harry's waist.
Harry let out an amused sound, reaching to push a strand of hair
from Draco's face.
Draco turned his face into that hand. "Mmm," he hummed.
Harry brushed his lips against Draco's again, moving his hand
from his husband's face to trail it down the skin of his back.
Draco lifted his arse up a bit as the fingers reached it. "Yes," he
whispered, eyes still closed but lips kissing back now.
Harry hummed happily then. "Good morning, love," he
whispered.
Grey eyes blinked and the blond smiled. "Hello," he said softly,
arching his arse even more in invitation and rubbing his half hard
cock against the bed as he moved.
Harry waggled his eyebrows and moved his fingers into the crack
of Draco's arse, swiping them through quickly.
"More," Draco begged, eyes on his lover as he spread his legs.
Harry cast a Silencing Charm on Valen's cot and then lifted
himself so that he was nearly sprawled over Draco's back, sliding his
fingers past his entrance again.
Draco moaned, pushing up against his lover's body and fingers.
272 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
The fingers of his hand gripped the sheet under him.
"Mmm, happy Christmas, Draco," Harry said huskily, licking the
shell of Draco's ear as he slicked his fingers and slid one inside his
husband.
"Fuck, yes!" Draco gasped as his lover pushed the digit inside.
Harry grinned, reaching to rub the finger against Draco's
prostate. His flicked his tongue over Draco's ear again, his cock
twitching.
"Oh, yes," Draco agreed, bending his knees now so that he was
open for his husband.
Harry added two more fingers slowly, moving his head down to
rain kisses over Draco's shoulders. "Gonna fuck you," he whispered
against his skin.
"Yes, fuck me," Draco responded. "I love your cock stretching
and filling me."
"Yeah, fuck," Harry groaned. "Me too." He slid the fingers out as
slowly as he had pushed them in, rubbing Draco's entrance with
them. A smirk spread across his face with the teasing.
Draco whimpered but loved the teasing, too. In fact, there wasn't
much that Harry could do to him that didn't excite him.
Harry worked a tingle of magic into the tips of his fingers, sliding
his tongue over the bumps in Draco's spine near the back of his
neck.
Sparks flew up his spine and down his shaft and Draco was
moaning louder, trembling. "Gods, yes," he encouraged.
Harry moved his tongue to Draco's shoulder blades, pulling the
teasing fingers away to slick his own cock. He raised up on his knees,
spreading Draco apart with one hand as he grasped his erection and
breached his husband, watching the slide inside his body.
Draco moan was long and low, full of both contentment and
need. He held himself up on his knees, bracing on elbows while his
hair fell around his face.
Harry gasped quietly when his body was pressed against Draco's
arse, his cock in him as far as it could go. "You're so fucking
gorgeous," he moaned, sliding his hands over the small of Draco's
back, running thumbs over the two little dimples.
Draco moaned in delight, the words and caresses intoxicating.
CHRISTMAS MORNING 273
His body clenched around the thick cock inside him and his cock
twitched with it.
Harry bit his lip as he slid out slightly, feeling Draco around him.
He let out a shaky breath, shuddering with the pleasure.
"Harry, yes, fuck me," Draco begged, enjoying the words as well
as the sensations.
Harry thrust back in, harder, growling as he did.
"Yes, hard and deep," Draco encouraged, pressing his face
against the bed and holding tight.
"Tell me what it feels like," Harry gasped, thrusting hard again.
"Your cock is thick and hard, stretching me," Draco gasped. "I
can feel your magic pulsing with your heartbeat, inside me and over
my skin."
Harry groaned. "So tight and hot," he panted. "Feels so good."
"Yes, just for you," Draco gasped, rocking back into each thrust
now.
Harry gripped Draco's hips, eyes glued to the body below. "Yeah,
fuck yourself on me," he moaned, the pleasure in his body building.
Draco was rocking hard now, doing just that and moaning as he
did. His whole body shuddered with every thrust and he could feel
his cock heavy below him as it brushed the sheets each time he
rocked forward.
"Fuck," Harry gasped in a strained way, gripping Draco tighter as
he came with a jerk inside him. He threw his head back, chest
heaving.
Harry's magic always brought him too – Draco's sensitivity
combined with the blood-binding. The blond spasmed hard, his body
clutching his lover's cock and every muscle tightening.
Harry shuddered again as Draco's arse seemed to pull at his cock.
"Ooh," he let out, his voice deep and hoarse.
Draco laughed, still shuddering with his orgasm and feeling high
from the magic.
Harry smiled, his mouth open as he continued to pant. He pulled
out of Draco gently and rolled onto his back beside him.
Draco turned his head, still trembling in his kneeling position. He
smiled at Harry. "Happy Christmas, love," he whispered.
"So far, so good," Harry replied with a loopy smile.
274 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
Draco grinned back at him and pushed up with his hand so that
he could sit back on his knees. There was a large sticky spot where he
had released onto the bed. He Summoned his wand to clean it.
Harry sighed happily, waiting for his Cleaning Charm. He waved
his hand to take the charm off the cot, and when he looked over, he
saw that Valen was standing in it with support from the sides, staring
at them. Harry raised his eyebrows, wondering just how long the
baby had been looking.
Draco followed his husband's gaze and his mouth dropped open
at the sight of their child – standing. Then he began to laugh.
Harry's eyebrows were still raised as he began laughing as well.
Draco laughed so hard, he fell back onto the bed – into the wet
spot he had yet to clean.
Harry turned eyes from his son to his husband, his laughing
renewed at the sight of him.
"Eww," Draco complained between bouts of laughter.
Harry laughed harder, his body shaking with it as he clutched at
his sides.
"Git," Draco complained, still chuckling, as he shoved his lover
over, and then rolled out of the wet spot.
Harry reached over and shoved Draco back, sighing happily as he
regained control of his breathing.
Valen squealed loudly, seeming eager to join the laughter of his
parents and regain their attention.
Draco rolled his eyes and cast Cleaning Charms on himself and
the bed, all the while smirking at Harry.
Harry huffed. "None for me?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Do you deserve it?" Draco asked, arching an eyebrow too.
Harry raised both eyebrows. "After that terrific shag? I deserve a
lot of things," he teased.
Draco nodding, smiling, and cast the charm. Valen let out a high
pitched squeal that was clearly a demand for attention.
Harry sat up and pressed a kiss to Draco's lips and then crawled
across the bed to their son. He lifted him out of the cot and sat him
on the mattress between himself and Draco. "You stood up," he said
happily. "High five." He grinned and held his hand out to the baby.
The baby held up both hands.
CHRISTMAS MORNING 275
Harry laughed, pressing his hand to one of Valen's.
Draco lay back, beaming happily at his little family.
"The question, however," Harry said, reaching to tickle Valen, "is
how long were you standing there?"
"I think it may be time to add a new room to our suite," Draco
said dryly.
"I think so," Harry agreed, smiling at Valen's laughter as he was
tickled.
"I suppose it would be safer to move the potions lab further away
from the bedroom anyway," Draco mused, smiling as he watched
them.
"Mmhmm," Harry agreed, still grinning as he picked Valen up
into his arms and kissed his head. "We can decorate the room, too,"
he said.
Draco's eyebrows rose. "You want to set up a full nursery then,"
he said with a smirk.
Harry smiled at Draco. "Well, he can't sleep with us forever," he
said. "And he needs his own room. Plus, he's not the only one who's
going to need it."
"You want to see the old one first?" Draco asked.
"Sure," Harry answered. "Mad how many things I still haven't
seen in this place."
"Most of it, I think," Draco said. "For example, these rooms were
set up for me to use while I was home from school. This isn't the
Master Suite. That is considerably larger."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't that have been where your
mum and dad stayed?" he asked. "Be odd to sleep there." He didn't
mention that it would be odd to sleep anywhere that Lucius had.
"Yes, it was," Draco said, face serious as he considered. "And
mine was the nursery in the same wing. But if you want to leave that
wing closed, we can."
"What? You don't?" Harry asked. "I mean, I guess I don't really
care. I guess I just ... sort of thought it would be weird."
"Generations of my ancestors have lived in this house going back
to 1098. I guess I am not particularly worried about using rooms that
belonged to others before me," Draco shrugged.
"Well, do you want to move in there or something?" Harry asked.
276 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
"We can at least look at the rooms," Draco said. "It would be
easier to redecorate them than it would be to redesign this suite."
Harry nodded. "Like I said, it doesn't really matter to me. Just as
long as we get to keep our bed." He smiled.
Draco grinned. "Definitely," he said, waggling his eyebrows.
"Dada," Valen said, patting Harry's chest and making smacking
noises.
Harry smiled again and looked down at Valen. "I suppose I'll feed
you, and then we can go downstairs and see what Father Christmas
brought us," he said happily. "I bet you got lots of presents."
Draco smiled, having helped shop for most of them. He climbed
out of bed and pulled on some casual clothes.
Harry snorted at Draco from where he sat feeding Valen on the
bed. "I'm putting pyjamas on," he said. "I have to get some sort of
use out of them."
Draco laughed and got the garish red set out that Hermione had
bought Harry, setting them on the bed.
Harry snorted again, finishing up with Valen within a few more
minutes, and then he stood to pull the pyjamas on. "He needs
changing," he said, passing the baby to Draco as he reached for the
clothing on the bed.
Draco snorted and rolled his eyes, but took his son and changed
his diaper. "Ewww," he complained. "It smells worse since he started
eating solid food too."
Harry laughed, messing his hair up further as he slipped the top
over his head. "Why do you think I gave him to you to change?"
"Git," Draco complained, sending the mess to the laundry and
fastening a new nappy. "Your Daddy Harry is a git," he told their son.
"Git," Valen repeated.
Harry laughed again. "I am not a git," he said to Valen. "And
Daddy Draco is a prat."
"Pat," Valen repeated, bouncing in Draco's arms as he picked
him up.
Harry grinned and kissed both Valen and Draco. "Yes, that's
right," he said.
"Careful or I may take back my present to you," Draco warned
his husband.
CHRISTMAS MORNING 277
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" he said. "And what is this
present you speak of?" He opened the bedroom door for Draco.
Draco raised both eyebrows and gave his husband a teasing
smirk, walking through the door.
Harry grinned, following.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR –
Childhood Memories
Harry, Draco and Valen moved down the stairs and into the main
sitting room, where the huge tree stood in all its glory, a mountain of
presents underneath. Ron and Hermione were already there, looking
like they'd just woken up as well. Hermione beamed when she saw
the pyjamas Harry was in, and Harry was amused to see Ron in the
same pair.
"Happy Christmas," Harry said to them, smiling.
"Happy Christmas," they responded in unison.
Draco greeted them in kind, putting Valen down when the baby
began to try to wriggle out of his arms. The small boy began to crawl
with determination toward the tree and the pile of presents.
Harry smiled, crossing to the tree and dropping to the floor next
to it. They'd had to put charms on the decorations since they'd put
the tree up, as Valen kept trying to pull them down.
Draco smiled and shrugged at their friends, moving to sit beside
Harry on the floor.
"Look, Valen," Harry said happily, pulling out one of the brightly
wrapped gifts. He set it on the floor in front of the baby.
Valen sat back on his bottom with a huff and reached for the
package with both hands, immediately trying to bring it to his mouth
to eat.
Harry laughed. "No, son," he said, ripping the paper and showing
Valen where to pull. "Here. Rip it off."
The boy began ripping and chewing on it.
Harry made a face, reaching to pull out the soggy paper Valen
had got in his mouth.
Draco chuckled. "I think you may need to unwrap them for him,"
he drawled.
"Obviously," said Harry, ripping off the rest of the paper to
reveal a stuffed dragon that they'd bought from Fred and George.
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 279
The eyes of the thing were magic and glowed different colours.
Valen squealed in delight and reached for the eyes.
Harry smiled widely, watching him.
"Ooh, open our presents to you both before you do anymore,"
said Hermione.
Ron grinned. "It's sort of a joint gift."
Draco looked among the gifts, trying to spot which one was not a
baby toy in gaudy paper.
Hermione simply pulled her wand and Summoned the packages.
There were two of them and she handed one each to Harry and
Draco. "They're both for the two of you," she said. "From Ron and
me."
Ron nodded in agreement.
Harry glanced at Draco before beginning to rip the paper off the
package he'd been given.
Draco figured he better rip the paper too or be beat out by Harry,
so he did his best to open his quickly as well.
Inside one of the packages was a big photo album with the
inscription, Our Family, on the front of it.
Draco unwrapped a very nice-looking camera, still in the box.
"Wow, guys," Harry said happily.
Ron and Hermione both grinned. "Figured you could get some
use out of it today," said Hermione.
Draco laughed, blushing when he realised how well this would go
with the present he had for Harry. "Thank you," he said.
Harry nodded, examining the picture of the camera on the box
before he looked up. "Yeah, thanks. It'll be brilliant for today." He
began trying to get the box open with his fingernails. "Open ours
now," he said, Summoning the gifts like Hermione had done.
Ron looked extremely excited when a long package flew into his
arms.
Draco laughed at the look on Ron's face and the curious
expression on the young woman's.
"Open them," Harry encouraged, still trying to peel the tape off
his own box.
"You go first," said Ron to Hermione, looking like a giddy little
boy.
280 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes, but was smiling.
She began to open her present and gasped happily when she saw
what it was. "Oh, I've been wanting one of these!" she said. "And you
got the latest version!"
Harry grinned. "Yes, we thought so," he said. "And yes, we did."
It was a quill, done in Hermione's favourite colour, which was blue.
The quill corrected spelling and grammar mistakes, could write down
what you told it to, refilled itself with ink, and changed the colour of
the ink if you wanted it to do so. It did other things as well, but Harry
hadn't read the whole list that had come with it. He only knew that
she would like it.
Draco nodded, enjoying the look of delight on his friend's face.
He marvelled at the long path they had taken to this point.
"Thank you," Hermione said happily, and turned her head to
Ron, who looked as if he might begin bouncing in a moment. "Aren't
you going to open it?" she said.
Ron took a deep breath. "Yeah," he said, beginning to slowly
remove the paper at one end, but then he couldn't contain himself
and ripped it off. His eyes widened when he saw the box he had
unwrapped. Inside the cardboard was a broomstick, the same model
as Harry's. "Merlin, you didn't!" he said, looking disbelieving.
Harry grinned very, very widely. "Happy Christmas, Ron," he
said.
"I suppose we will have to get up our own Quidditch matches
come spring," Draco drawled, smirking.
"Yeah, and it'll be just in time for me," said Harry, glancing down
at his own stomach.
Ron was still looking shocked. "This is – this is just – I can't even
-" he spluttered.
"That reminds me," Draco said, reaching to pat his lover's
stomach. Valen was chewing on the toy dragon's eyes. "When is the
wedding going to be? Because it should be after April."
Harry snorted. "Yeah, unless you want a beach ball in your
wedding," he said.
Hermione laughed. Ron was still staring at his gift, and was
opening the box, so Hermione took the question. "We were thinking
about having it in May. Possibly even June now."
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 281
"June would be good," Draco nodded. "I'm not letting Harry out
of the house the month of April or until she comes out. Maybe not
for a while after." He looked up at Harry with a smirk. "Just to be
safe, this time."
Harry nodded. "No basements."
"Very understandable," said Hermione. "So you're going to do
the birth here then?"
"Yes," Draco nodded emphatically. "Harry's magic, the Manor's
magic, and all the comforts of home."
"Only you?" she asked. "Or are you going to have a midwife?"
Harry shrugged, looking at Draco.
"Madam Pomfrey has volunteered to help," Draco said.
"Ah," Hermione said, nodding. "The baby's going to be so
pretty."
Harry smiled.
Draco had begun to help Valen unwrap presents, figuring at this
rate they would be here until guests arrived for dinner if he didn't.
Harry turned back to Draco and Valen then, finally getting the
camera out of the box.
"There's already film in it," said Hermione.
Harry nodded. "And I can just take a picture?" he asked.
She nodded again and then he held it up to his eye. "Valen," he
called to get his attention. "Look over here."
The boy looked up, mouth open as the held the slobbered-on
dragon in both hands. He blinked in surprise when a flash went off.
Then dropped the dragon and began crawling toward Harry.
Harry smiled and snapped another one as the baby crawled, then
lowered the camera when Valen reached him.
Valen reached right for the camera with sticky wet fingers.
Harry pulled it out of his reach and then held it out for Draco to
take.
Draco snorted and took the camera. Valen squealed in protest
and started crawling for Draco. "Quick, open another magical toy,"
the blond said.
Harry reached for a random package, as mostly all of the toys
they had got for Valen were magical. He ripped it open quickly,
seeing that it was, well, a thing with buttons on it that made music
282 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
with a charm and pulsed with enchanted light. He placed it on the
ground, pressing the buttons. "Valen, look!" he said, acting as if the
toy were the most amazing thing he had ever seen.
The noise and flare of magic caught the boy's attention and he
looked confused for a moment before changing course to head for
the toy. Draco took a picture. Luckily, the baby's attention stayed on
the toy as he began pushing buttons.
Harry smiled, pressing buttons with him for a few moments
before sitting up and leaving him to it. He began helping to open
Valen's presents. "I don't think he cares," he said amusedly.
"I think you bought him enough presents for ten kids," Draco
said, smirking.
Harry snorted and shrugged. "It was just all neat-looking," he
said. "I couldn't decide. And it's not like you weren't there."
"What are you going to do with it all?" Hermione asked.
"The pile of toys in our room is getting pretty big," said Harry.
"We might be moving Valen into his own bedroom in a bit."
"Yes," Draco agreed, blushing in memory of why.
Harry smiled at the blush.
"Probably a good idea," said Hermione. "Especially with another
one coming."
Harry nodded, piling the opened toys near where Valen was
playing.
"Let's open the rest later," Draco said. "He is over-stimulated
already."
Harry shrugged and began gathering up the paper. "Where's my
present?" he asked Draco with a smirk over his shoulder.
"Where's mine?" Draco retorted with an arched eyebrow.
Harry's smirk turned into a smile. "Under the tree," he answered
in a teasing voice. "Do you want it?"
"Always," Draco grinned.
Harry Banished the wrapping paper and Summoned Draco's gift.
He crawled over to him and kissed his lips softly, pressing the
package into his hands.
Inside was a small slip of parchment that read: October 5th, 1998.
The day Draco Malfoy beat Harry Potter's arse (In more ways than one). It was
scrawled in Harry's handwriting. Underneath the parchment were
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 283
two golden Snitch cuff-links.
Draco laughed in delight. "Perfect," he said.
Harry grinned and laughed as well. "Good," he said, kissing
Draco again.
Draco passed the gift box to the other two, so they could see, and
then got up to retrieve his gift for Harry. "Sit on the couch," he told
him as he lifted the large box from behind all the other gifts.
Harry raised his eyebrows, moving to do as Draco said. He had
no idea what his husband could've got him.
Ron even took a second to look up from his broomstick.
"You will both probably want to see this, too," Draco said,
blushing as he set the box in his husband's lap and sat beside him.
Green paper wrapped in red ribbon covered a large flat gift box at
least a foot across, and as long, and nearly two hand spans thick.
"What is it?" Harry asked, feeling the box through the paper. He
smiled curiously, reaching to untie the ribbon.
Ron and Hermione watched with interest.
"My parents gave this to me when I was accepted to Hogwarts,"
Draco said. "I don't think this is what they had in mind for it,
though." Inside the box was a large worn-looking book with a dark
brown leather cover and gold-gilt lettering which read, “Memoria
Schola.” Draco smiled and lifted the book out of the box. He took
his wand and cast a silent unlocking spell before opening the cover.
His full name was lettered in elaborate script on the first page with a
photo of his eleven-year-old self in his school uniform, smirking at
them.
Harry's smile widened as he stared at the book. "Is this a book of
you?" he asked, absolutely delighted with the picture before him.
"Supposed to be a scrapbook for school memories," Draco
answered, remembering that Harry didn't read Latin. He turned the
page and there was the letter from Albus Dumbledore, inviting him
to attend Hogwarts. Next was a Daily Prophet article about the
Hogwarts new school year which mentioned 'The Boy Who Lived'
would also be attending that year. Pasted next to the article was an
empty wrapper for a Pumpkin Pasty.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "What do you have a Pumpkin Pasty
wrapper in here for?" he asked. And then his eyes widened in
284 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
understanding and his grin grew even wider. This was his wrapper
from on the train.
Draco blushed and continued to turn pages. Harry saw they were
filled with scraps of mementos from school. A scroll Draco had
written for Potions class with an “O” for a grade and a note from
Snape to see him after class. Photos of some of his Slytherin
classmates. Then another Daily Prophet article about 'The Boy Who
Lived.' Next, a piece of parchment that had been crumpled up but
then flattened out, with badly scrawled writing that stopped at a
mistake. The handwriting was rough and it was Harry’s – a class
assignment for Charms from first year which he had started and then
thrown out.
Harry looked like Ron opening the broom. "This is brilliant," he
said in wonder, fingering the page lightly.
"And pretty adorable," said Hermione, looking over Harry's
shoulder at the book. She gave Draco a smile.
Draco blushed even brighter. As he continued to turn the pages,
it became clear that every article ever printed about Harry while they
were at Hogwarts was clipped and pasted into the book, interspersed
were other things about Draco, including the letter and badge from
when Draco had been named prefect, his Inquisitorial Squad badge,
and his O.W.L. exam results. Yet, the scrap book was predominated
by articles about and mementos of Harry. There were also numerous
'candid' photos, the work of Colin Creevey. Even the infamous
Quibbler article was there.
"This is absolutely the most perfect thing ever," Harry said, his
eyes soft as he observed a simple picture of himself scratching his
nose and then taking a bite of food at the Gryffindor table. "You
even have the horrible articles that Rita Skeeter did." He chuckled.
"Everything," Draco said. "I had to threaten horrible things to
Colin if he told I bought those photos off him."
"You bought them off him?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Merlin," said Ron amusedly. "That's why the little bugger wanted
all the pictures."
"Well, Colin was obsessed with Harry," said Hermione, equally
amused, "but it explains his rather ... persistent nature."
Draco was red-faced but smiling. "Yes," he laughed. Then he
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 285
turned the pages again. Later sections included articles about their
relationship. The handwritten copy of their original binding promise
was there, of course, followed by their wedding invitations, and
interviews with the Prophet. There was the Ministry of Magic
recruiting poster, as well as copies of every photo taken for that
shoot. The last section of the book was near as big as the rest,
containing every article published about the defeat of Voldemort, the
famous couple and their child. Well, every article up until the ones
about their supposed breakup.
"You kept everything?" Harry said, awed. "I had no idea."
Draco nodded, ears red from having revealed this to his husband
and their best friends.
"I think it's brilliant," Harry said again, smiling and kissing
Draco's cheek. "Perfect."
Draco grinned, closing the book and reaching to cup his lover's
face, kissing him back.
Harry smiled against Draco's lips, sliding a hand to his shoulder.
Valen squealed and threw a toy at the tree.
Harry looked over. "Yes," he said, "throw your toys at trees." He
shook his head, closing the book in his lap and getting to his feet to
get the baby. "Where did that camera go?" he asked.
Draco picked up the camera and handed it to Harry.
Harry didn't reach out for the camera and picked Valen up
instead. "Take one of us," he said to his husband.
Draco nodded and took the picture, then turned and took one of
Hermione and Ron, who, not expecting it, were kissing.
They pulled apart and rolled their eyes at Draco, but laughed, and
then Ron moved forward and recaptured Hermione's lips, who
laughed again, pushing at his chest.
"Nice," said Harry amusedly.
Draco snapped another picture and then turned to get one of
their child in mid-throw with another toy.
Harry snorted, watching the toy hit the tree again. It was a good
thing it was charmed. "Let's get one of us," he said, moving over to
sit next to Draco on the couch with Valen. He reached for the
camera, smiling. "You kiss one cheek and I'll kiss the other," he said,
holding the camera out so that he could take the photo. He kissed the
286 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
right side of Valen's face, waiting for Draco.
Draco did as his husband asked, the baby accidentally hitting him
on the chin a moment after the picture snapped.
"You know," said Hermione, watching them, "there's a button
you can press to make it float and take the photo for you."
"Really?" said Harry, examining the buttons. "Let's take one of us
all then."
Draco reached to hold his son's hand for the next shot and
dutifully posed for the portrait.
Hermione scooted closer to Draco and then reached across him
to help Harry. "This one," she said, pressing the button for him.
He watched as the camera zoomed out of his hands and began
situating itself in the air. He moved closer to Draco as well, and Ron
closer to Hermione and they all smiled for the picture, which was
taken a moment later. The camera zoomed back into Harry's hands
then. "That's really clever," he said.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, I thought so too," she agreed. "They
just came out with it not too long ago."
Draco thought of Colin and the mischief he could have got into
with one of those cameras. Not to mention all the illicit pictures of
Harry he might have got from the deal.
They continued to take pictures, and Valen got back down on the
floor to torment Sredni for the short while the cat was in the room,
until finally he had fallen asleep among his new toys and the
wrapping paper that Harry hadn't managed to get. Harry took a
picture of him as he slept with one little arm thrown over the dragon.
It was the exact sort of Christmas morning that he would've loved as
a child, and the exact sort of Christmas morning he wanted for his
own.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE –
That Tears It
Later in the day, Hermione and Ron left to fetch her mother again
and the Weasleys began showing up. Mr and Mrs Weasley arrived
with Ginny, and Fred and George showed up not long after that. Bill
and Fleur came with their baby, of course, and Percy brought along
his new girlfriend, Julie Framer, who worked in the Department of
Magical Accidents and Catastrophes at the Ministry. Sirius and Lupin
were there as well, and Tonks arrived with none other than
Donaghan Tremlett, bass player for the Weird Sisters.
Aside from the fact that Ginny, and Fred and George for that
matter, were really very interested in talking to the band member,
everyone there seemed to be acting just the slightest bit nervous. Not
anything to be very suspicious about, but it was like they all had a
secret of some sort. Harry didn't know what it could be, and honestly
didn't know if he wanted to find out.
Draco had been cornered by Julie Framer, who was very
interested in the "magical accident" that had led to Valen.
"So you believe the Manor's magic was an instigator?" she was
asking. "Wouldn't that imply a sentience in the building?" she asked,
looking around at the walls of the room.
Percy stood in on the conversation as well, nodding with Julie's
questions.
Harry could see Draco from across the room as he stood talking
with Remus and Sirius. But he turned his head when there was a
small tap on his shoulder. Hermione was standing there.
"What's up?" he asked.
"Just come here for a second," she said, and took his hand to lead
him out into the hallway.
Draco watched his husband leave with Hermione, curious but
busy explaining his theory of magical architecture to an interested
audience. Valen was busy crawling back and forth between Fred and
288 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
George. Or was it George and Fred?
"What?" Harry asked when Hermione turned to face him.
She huffed and pursed her lips for a moment.
"What?" he said again.
"Well," she began slowly, "I'm only going to show you this
because I know you won't react like Draco will, and well, I figured
you wouldn't want him to see it."
Harry let out a groan. "Oh, Merlin, what?" he said.
She sighed and reached inside her robe, pulling out a folded-up
page of the Daily Prophet and handing it to Harry.
"Potter and Malfoy Put on Brave Face! But Valen Suffers!" the
headline read. Beneath was a picture of the three of them on the
stage, alternating with one of Valen crying.
Harry's eyes widened before they narrowed considerably. "What
the hell do they think they're doing bringing our child into this?" he
said angrily, breathing heavily through his nose.
Hermione winced. "I know," she said. "That's why everyone's
acting a little ... strangely."
Harry looked up from the page sharply. "They don't actually
think -"
"No," said Hermione quickly. "Well, I don't know about Percy's
girlfriend and that Weird Sisters man that Tonks is with, but none of
our people. They're just ... well, there's been so much, and there was
that entire month that you two didn't touch, and it's just been in
every single magazine you can think of. And according to one article
I read, the whole mess has even started being published in the states.
Some New York magazine or something. They're just a little
worried."
Harry sighed heavily, folding up the page roughly and stuffing it
into his pocket. "I'm glad you told me," he said. "I don't want him to
see it."
Hermione nodded, giving his arm a squeeze before they both
headed back into the room.
Draco glanced up, raising his eyebrows inquiringly at Harry when
he returned to the room. Across the room, Fred and George had
started timing how fast Valen could crawl to chase a cat shaped toy
they had made.
THAT TEARS IT 289
Harry couldn't ignore Draco, as that would seem suspicious, so
he made his way over to him, kissing him on the cheek.
Draco smiled up at him, eyes questioning.
Harry tried to think fast. "She just wanted to ask me something,"
he said lamely.
Draco looked suspicious but rolled his eyes, knowing Harry
would tell him privately if he asked. Then he smirked. "Our guest
here was asking the theory behind your magical pregnancy," he said.
"She wanted to know if we thought that kind of magical accident was
a one time fluke."
Harry smiled and chuckled, glad to get out of the questioning for
the time being. "Something tells me that it wasn't a one-time fluke,"
he said, and even Percy looked amused.
"Shall we call our guests together for this?" Draco asked, arching
an eyebrow.
"Well, most of them already know," Harry answered. "But sure."
He smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
Draco called for Leakey and had him bring Malfoy vineyard
champagne he had picked out for the occasion. They passed glasses
around to their guests and filled them.
Harry didn't take any, of course, and had a glass of water instead.
"Everyone," he called out to the room, smiling as heads turned
toward him. "Now most of you already know the news," he said, "but
some of you don't. And those of you that do know, aren't wondering
why I have a glass of water while all of you get to drink champagne."
The many ginger-heads in the room smiled and grinned.
"Draco and I are having another baby," Harry continued, smile
growing. "I'm pregnant."
Draco beamed, enjoying the looks of surprise on the faces of
those who hadn't known.
Sirius looked shocked, looking Harry over, especially at his small-
for-now midsection. "You mean I'll get to see it this time?"
Harry snorted. "A pregnant man, yes," he said.
Hermione's mother's eyebrows were raised very high. Harry
figured Hermione had told her how Valen had got there, but it was a
large bite to swallow for a wizard. Probably even larger for a Muggle.
Julie Framer's mouth had dropped open and her eyes had gone
290 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
wide. Tonks got so excited she spilled champagne on her date and
had to have her glass refilled. Remus hugged Sirius, beaming as
proudly as if Harry were his own son.
Harry laughed happily at the reactions and raised his glass. "To
friends, and family, and having a bloody good Christmas," he said.
Draco grinned, tipping back his drink. Valen squealed and
reached for Fred's glass as the man tried to drink, too.
Fred laughed, carefully taking the glass out of Valen's reach.
"Starting early, I see," he quipped.
Harry laughed as well, sipping his water.
"He wants to do anything we do," Draco said. "Have to be
careful with that." He pulled Harry into his lap then, kissing him.
Harry kissed Draco back, and everyone seemed very happy with
the sight. Harry knew why, but tried to put that bloody article out of
his mind.
Draco's hand came to rest automatically on his husband's belly as
he kissed him, not caring who watched.
Harry sighed happily through his nose, resting his hand upon
Draco's.
Soon, everyone was moving from the sitting room and into the
dining room. Mrs Weasley took over feeding Valen for the meal, and
she and Ginny laughed at the faces he made as he was fed different
things. The room was filled with happy chatter and the table laden
with very good food.
Harry was listening to a conversation between Ron and the twins
about Ron starting work with them until he could find a real job.
Julie had been talking more about magical theory with Draco. She
smiled and patted his hand. "I'm glad to see you are taking things so
well. Especially after what they said in the Prophet today."
The people sitting around stilled suddenly, as did Harry.
"Erm, well, but that really wasn't – it wasn't anything important
or -" Percy spluttered on his girlfriend's behalf, glancing around.
Draco's eyes narrowed suspiciously and he looked quickly at
Harry, catching that guilty look. He tried to smile. "Oh, I haven't seen
the paper today," he said quietly. "Mine seems to have been
misplaced. What did it say?"
Julie frowned then, seeming to catch on too late to what the
THAT TEARS IT 291
problem was.
Harry swallowed, turning his head to look at Draco as no one
volunteered the information.
"Who has the paper?" Draco asked with a loud sigh.
Harry sighed as well, wishing that they could have at least got
through dinner. "I do," he said, frowning.
Draco looked around at his tense guests. "I gather it is something
in the nature of what we have been seeing since October?" he asked.
"Well, it's ..." said Mrs Weasley, obviously trying to think of a way
to make it sound better. "I suppose it's that," she said finally. "It's
really nothing to get upset about, though. We know it's all rubbish."
"Well, let me say it aloud anyway," Draco said, standing up. "I am
in love with my husband. I have been in love with Harry since I was
eleven. I intend to spend the rest of my life with him and am quite
happy about that. At no time since we became lovers have I ever
considered living my life without him."
Harry smiled at that, but sighed as well.
"Oh, we never thought anything like that," Mrs Weasley assured
him, though Harry did know that everyone had been worried.
"It's a little different this time," he said quietly to his husband.
"You went to such lengths to hide it, do you want to tell me now
or wait until later?" Draco asked with a sigh.
Harry knew that if he didn't show Draco right then, he would
probably be thinking about it throughout the night. He reached into
his pocket and pulled out the folded page, handing it over slowly.
Draco actually trembled. Whatever it was had upset everyone
else. He slowly opened the paper, watching the headline and then his
face fell into a grim mask as the photo shifted and showed his child
crying. "Forget firing the bastard," he hissed. "I will close the fucking
rag."
People looked nervous at the outburst and Harry slid his hand
onto Draco's back concernedly.
Valen's eyes were wide and staring.
Draco rolled the paper up and tossed it aside. He took deep
breaths. "Tomorrow. Today is Christmas," he said.
Harry moved a little closer to Draco and gave him a small kiss on
the corner of his mouth.
292 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
"You – you're really going to close the Prophet?" Ron asked. "How
are you going to do that?"
"Buy it," Draco said, kissing his husband's cheek and sitting back
down again.
"About damn time," said Sirius into the silence, and conversation
slowly picked up again.
"Are you serious?" Harry asked, looking at Draco.
"Yes," Draco answered. "It was bad enough the way they
harassed you. But no one messes with our child, our children, and
gets away with it."
Harry smiled. "I agree one hundred percent," he said. And in a
lower tone, "You are very hot right now."
Draco chuckled, smiling and turning his gaze to look into his
husband's eyes. He let him see how much just those words in that
tone aroused him.
Harry waggled his eyebrows a few times, kissing Draco quickly
before turning back to his food.
Draco was left trying to get his breathing under control and
shifting in his seat with his trousers uncomfortably tight. He tried to
focus on being a good host to his friends.
Harry, too, was getting very aroused as well. He sort of wished
that he had waited for a more appropriate time so that he and Draco
could slip away unnoticed, but the fact that they were both turned on
in a room full of people while they sat right next to each other made
it all even more arousing. "Excuse me," he said, putting his fork
down and getting to his feet, letting his robe hang around his waist.
"Loo."
Draco's heart sped up as he watched his husband walk stiffly
from the room. In his mind, he saw Harry touching himself and it
just made him harder. He glanced around before finally deciding he
didn't care if it bothered his guests. They should be used to it by now.
He got up stiffly from the table. "Excuse me," he said as well, and
walked quickly from the room in search of his husband.
Harry had known that Draco would follow him and simply leant
against the wall outside the door, hand pressed to the front of his
trousers as he rubbed himself while waiting. But as soon as he saw
that blond hair, he grabbed Draco and pulled him against his body,
THAT TEARS IT 293
bringing their mouths together hungrily.
Harry's ambush did catch Draco by surprise and he almost yelped
into his mouth. His hands came up automatically, grabbing his lover's
hips as he began thrusting against him.
Harry moaned, grinding hard into Draco. "I'm so fucking turned
on," he whispered.
"Yes," Draco agreed, trembling. "I'm yours!"
Harry was already panting as he nodded feverishly. "Mine," he
growled, licking from Draco's chin to his ear. "I'm gonna fuck you,"
he whispered into it.
"Yes, fuck me," Draco agreed, loving it when his husband was
aggressive. "My lion," he gasped.
Harry Apparated with Draco to their room and then pushed him
down on the bed, stripping his lover and himself before he was upon
him again. "My hot, sexy husband is going to buy the Daily Prophet
and kick their fucking arses," Harry said huskily, reaching to stroke
Draco's cock, "but not before I fuck his." He licked and nibbled
sharply at Draco's neck.
"Oh, Gods, yes," Draco gasped, arching up. If he'd known Harry
would get this excited by that ... well, he might just have to kick more
arse.
Harry moved back to Draco's mouth and thrust his tongue
inside, just as he slicked his fingers and slid two into Draco's
entrance. "So fucking hot," he groaned, beside himself with lust for
the man beneath him.
Draco opened himself completely to Harry, gasping in pleasure.
He gripped the bed with his silver hand and his lover's hair with the
other.
Harry reached to stroke his own cock roughly, coating it in the
lube. "Pull it," he demanded breathlessly, and he grasped Draco's legs
and threw them over his own shoulders. "My hair. Pull it."
Draco twisted his hand in Harry's hair, pulling hard. He nipped at
his lover's chin and shivered, waiting for him to thrust inside.
Harry groaned again, positioning his cock before he slid inside in
one smooth movement, gasping and moaning.
Draco's head fell back, feet actually hooking around Harry's neck
as he pulled himself up onto his cock.
294 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
"Oh, fuck," Harry gasped, meeting Draco's hips with quick, hard
thrusts of his own. "Fuck, yes!"
"Yes, yes," Draco chanted, feeling his lover sliding deep inside
him. He pulled on Harry's hair again, bringing his face down to kiss
him.
Harry met Draco's lips in a wet, sloppy kiss of utter perfection,
tongues sliding together, mouths moving frantically, their teeth even
clinking, but Harry was sure it couldn't get any better.
Draco's body shuddered around the cock inside him, Harry's
magic making him moan and wriggle with abandon as he kissed him.
Harry thrust and thrust into Draco until he could feel himself
getting closer. He twined his tongue with Draco's again as he slid
inside him as far as he could and came very hard, moaning deeply
into Draco's mouth, managing a few more thrusts.
White heat and pleasure curled through Draco's body, making
him shudder and cry with it – mouth and body open to his lover as
Harry filled him with come and magic.
Harry let Draco's legs down from his shoulders with a quiet
moan, barely holding himself up as he continued to pant heavily.
Draco gasped and shuddered, legs wrapping around the backs of
Harry's thighs, holding the man in place. "Oh, yes," he whispered.
Harry kissed Draco slowly, smiling. "Very much yes," he said.
Draco ran his fingers through Harry's hair, smiling up into those
green eyes. "I take it you approve of my plan," he drawled, then
smirked.
"Quite," Harry confirmed. "Do you like my approval?" He
smirked right back.
Draco grinned, tightening his body around his lover's. "Very
much," he whispered.
Harry kissed Draco again, shivering. "No one messes with our
kids," he said when he pulled back from the kiss.
"No one," Draco echoed, reaching between them and pressing a
hand to his lover's belly.
Harry smiled, sighing quietly.
– CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX –
Snakes, Unicorns and Fairies
The next day, Draco's solicitor made an offer to buy the Daily Prophet
on behalf of his client. When the current owners refused to sell,
Ebenezer Wyndham III, Solicitor, suggested that there may be a
lawsuit on behalf of his client. Three days later, Draco Malfoy owned
the paper. The next day, half of the personnel were fired, including
everyone who had had a hand in that Christmas article. They decided
to reorganise the paper instead of closing it. Draco then made sure
that every other reporter in town knew what he had done. He had
officially given notice to the press that his family was not open for
their sport.
Harry was very happy with the way Draco had handled things
with the paper, and still couldn't quite believe that they owned it. It
was very strange, but he wasn't complaining. He liked that they
wouldn't have to worry about crap articles anymore – well, from the
Prophet at least, but he doubted if anyone else would have the guts to
publish anything else negative about them.
Harry turned his head to look at the very large pile of toys in their
room as he lay in bed with Draco and Valen on a particularly lazy
day. They'd tried shrinking them, but Valen went through the toys he
played with daily so fast that it was only a pain to shrink them, plus
they kept getting lost that way – sometimes being found at
inopportune moments in decidedly uncomfortable positions.
Also, Harry and Draco had been unknowingly watched again
during, well, sex, and Harry felt rather odd about it. He didn't want to
be watched by their baby while thrusting into his husband. They also
had a tendency to say some rather ... obscene things during sex, and
Valen was getting to the point where he repeated a lot of words.
Harry looked from the pile of toys to Draco again. "Maybe you
should show me that nursery today," he suggested, running his
fingers through Valen's hair.
296 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
Draco had been reading the "New and Improved" Daily Prophet
and looked up. He smiled. "We could do that," he said. He made a
face at his son. "Before he starts asking strangers to fuck him?" he
teased his husband.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "No, let's wait until he actually does
that," he said sarcastically.
"Whenever you want to go exploring, I'm ready," Draco
answered.
Harry stretched, groaning with the movement. "Let's go now," he
said, pushing himself up.
Draco grinned at that familiar groan. Their little girl was growing
fast and there was already a small round firm area on his husband's
belly. He got up and pulled on some casual clothing.
Harry dressed in loose-fitting junky clothes that he had managed
to keep safe from Draco's purging of his school things. He liked their
worn feeling. "Let's see it," he said, picking Valen up.
Draco shook his head at his husband's clothing and smiled,
taking his hand and leading them to the other side of the Manor.
By the time they had reached their destination, Harry had had to
free his glasses from Valen's fingers three times, and was pulling
black strands from those same fingers, which had just been gripped
in his hair.
Draco shivered as they walked down the hall to his family's main
wing of the Manor. He hadn't set foot in this place in over two years.
Candles flared as they walked, the Manor itself seeming to lead them.
Finally, they stood in front of an ornately carved door. There were
snakes and flowers carved into mahogany, the snakes moving among
the flowers.
Harry raised his eyebrows at the door. He had to admit that it
was beautiful, but it was certainly not something that he had ever
pictured any door of his looking like.
Draco smiled, stroking one of the little garden snake images. "I
wonder if they respond to Parseltongue," he whispered.
Harry looked at Draco. "Maybe," he replied. "What should I
say?"
Draco laughed. "What do you usually say to snakes?" he asked,
having never tried to talk to one before.
SNAKES, UNICORNS AND FAIRIES 297
"Hello?" Harry said jokingly, but he stepped up to one of the
snakes and hissed just that. "Hello," he said, holding out his finger like
Draco was doing.
The snakes got excited then, curling and writhing on the door.
Valen squealed, reaching as if to catch one.
Harry smiled. "I wonder if you've ever been spoken to?" he continued to
hiss.
The snakes excitedly told him that it had been a very, very long
time.
Harry raised his eyebrows, surprised when they spoke. He looked
at Draco. "They talk?" he asked. "Well – hiss in your case, I
suppose."
Draco nodded, eyes wide. "What did they say?" he asked in awe.
"That they haven't been spoken to in a long time," Harry
answered. "A very, very long time," he corrected.
"Probably generations since there was a Parselmouth in here,"
Draco whispered. Valen was bouncing excitedly and patting the door.
"If you like the door," Draco said to his husband and child, "you will
love the room."
"I'm sure we'll talk more," Harry told the snakes with a small
smile, stepping back to let Draco open the door.
Draco smiled, turned the handle, and pushed the door open. The
room was dark for a minute and then lights flared in glass-covered
sconces. Suddenly, the walls themselves seemed to move. It took
Harry a moment to figure out that figures had been painted directly
on the walls and were now stirring to life like portraits. Unicorns
pranced on one wall, and a dragon unfurled its wings on another,
while fairies flew across the ceiling.
Harry looked around the room with almost as much wonder as
Valen. "Wow," he said quietly, walking over to examine the unicorns,
complete with both parents and their golden foals.
Draco smiled at the room, while their son began babbling to the
figures on the walls.
Harry put the baby on the floor, still looking around himself. "It's
beautiful," he said. "And certainly big enough."
"This is just the play room," Draco said, indicating toys on the
shelves and the large toys like the rocking horse. The paint had faded
298 HARRY POTTER AND THE DRAGON’S TREASURE
a bit but the room was spotless, which meant the house-elves had
kept it clean despite the fact that it had been unoccupied for over
seven years. "The place was meant for a large family, so there are also
children's bedrooms and a nanny's room attached."
"Merlin, you even had your own miniature suite as a little kid?"
Harry asked.
Draco chuckled, not realising that this would surprise his
husband. "Well, I was an only child in a nursery meant for many," he
said, shrugging.
Harry nodded, looking away from the walls and to his husband.
"No need for a nanny's room," he said.
"No," Draco smiled, "and there is a connection between the
magic of these walls and the Master bedroom that lets the fairies
cross over if there is an emergency and the parents are needed."
"Really?" Harry asked, raising his eyebrows. "They could both
sleep here then if we wanted them to."
"Yes," Draco said, smiling. "And we wouldn't have to worry
about being watched by curious children."
Harry snorted. "That is one of my main concerns," he said
amusedly. "Do you think he would cry if we left him to sleep in his
own room?" he asked, eyeing Valen.
Draco frowned and sighed. "Probably," he said. "But maybe the
fairies will talk to him?"
"They can talk?" Harry asked, looking up at the ceiling. "But I
thought they couldn't."
Draco blushed. "My nannies told me that, too. And they said that
dragons and unicorns didn't talk either. But I swear, the ones in the
nursery talked to me."
"What like – like really talked to you?" Harry asked, raising an
eyebrow.
Draco rolled his eyes and the blush deepened. "Well, I thought
they did," he said.
Harry smiled. "Well, maybe they do," he said. "This place is really
old. Maybe they're charmed to talk to the children in the room."
Valen had crawled right up to the wall and was trying to reach the
unicorns.
"Maybe," Draco said, smiling at the little boy.