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He’s been overcompensating. In reality they both have been. Harry – in an effort to make Teddy feel at home. Draco – in his mission to help Harry experience the childhood he never had by living it vicariously through Teddy. It’s been six months since Teddy moved in with the pair and as they raise the young Metamorphmagus, Harry has shared more and more of his childhood horror stories with Draco. It wasn’t that he was avoiding telling his partner before. He had mentioned some of the horrid conditions surrounding the Dursleys in the past but as they resolve to give Teddy the best childhood possible, it becomes evident to Draco all the things that Harry did not get to experience as a child.
Since Andromeda and Narcissa decided to move in together and spend the rest of their days in France six months ago, Teddy has been with Draco and Harry in the renovated Grimmauld Place. It has been, overall, a pretty smooth transition that occurred over the year prior allowing Teddy, now five years old, to get used to the change.
It’s not terribly different for the young child, for whom, Harry and Draco have been involved with raising since the beginning as the Black sisters reconciled in the wake of the war and Harry took an active role in the caring for his godson. In fact, it’s all Teddy knows. Now, the only difference is that Harry and Draco sleep in the bedroom beside him and he goes on sleepovers to visit Nana and Grandma Cissa whereas before it was the opposite.
After six months, they’ve settled into a routine. On the weekdays, Teddy goes to primary school. Draco drops him off and then heads to St. Mungo’s where he works as a Healer. Harry, on the other hand, does after school pick up. His job at the joke shop allows him to be finished at the same time every day – the perks of owning a part of the business and working alongside his family. Though the weekdays can be busy, each with their own jobs and school for Teddy, their weekends are dedicated to time spent together. Lazy mornings waking up long after the sun rises, pancakes filled with extra chocolate chips, meeting up with friends and family, Sunday dinners at the Burrow, and going on outings both muggle and magical.
Teddy is thriving. He loves going to visit his Nana, whom he misses fiercely, but he adores Harry and Draco and under their love and care has continued to blossom despite all the changes in his life in the last year. Harry and Draco know Teddy is happy. They can see it, but they still fear everyday of not doing or being enough; of not being able to provide him with a childhood beyond the shadows of the war. They tell him stories about Remus and Tonks while doing their best to ensure that Teddy never feels alone. Both Harry and Draco know what it is to not be able to trust and rely on the adults in their life and they never want Teddy to experience it.
School says Teddy is doing well. Andromeda says Teddy is doing well. Even their friends and family think Teddy is doing well. But for Harry and Draco it’s not enough, which is why, over the last 6 months, they’ve spent most weekends doing different activities in an effort to make sure they are giving Teddy everything they can.
They have been to the muggle amusement park and the magical zoo. They’ve experienced Quidditch games and even gone to a football game. They’ve eaten at McDonald’s to Draco’s horror and tried the fine delicacy of escargot much to Harry’s dismay. They’ve taken Teddy to see the London Eye and other historical sites such as Stonehenge, determined for their child to know about the world in ways neither of them did – Draco due to his parent’s aversion to all things Muggle and Harry due the Dursley’s disdain of all things Harry. They’re determined to fill Teddy’s childhood with kindness, love, and memories he will always cherish.
Initially the trips were more whimsical in nature, doing whatever any of them thought up. When Harry hinted that it might be time to slow down on the constant activities, Draco was affronted and changed strategies. He had the idea to pair the trips with what Teddy was learning about in school. Make it educational – Draco had said, so that Harry had no rebuke even though they both knew it was a feeble excuse to continue their little adventures. Not that Harry protested much either.
It started off with a train ride when learning about Muggle transportation methods. Then a camping trip to learn about the stars and constellations when studying astronomy. Now Teddy’s class has been studying bodies of water. Harry and Draco have regaled Teddy with stories of the Giant Squid in The Great Lake and Harry’s victories in the Tri-Wizard Tournament against the merpeople. Teddy has been fascinated with the depths below the surface as he learns about what can lay beneath the murky waters.
When Draco learned that neither Harry nor Teddy had ever been to the ocean, he planned for the trip immediately while muttering about pale complexions, sublocking charms and sand in every crevice. Overall, to Harry, it didn’t seem to be an experience Draco himself was fond of. When he suggested an alternate plan, Draco seemed horrified, aghast at the suggestion, mumbling things to himself that Harry knew were directed at him.
So today they are going to the ocean.
In silent agreement, neither reveals the location of their adventure to Teddy. It’s hard enough to put the tyke down the night prior. Just the anticipation of the adventure alone was enough that it took two extra stories to get Teddy to fall asleep.
When Teddy is fast asleep, they pack the bags and get everything ready for the next day. Towels, chairs, an umbrella, sunscreen, food and drinks in the charmed to stay ice cold cooler. They pack some sand toys for the beach as Draco tells Harry sandcastle-making is an essential part of the experience and some other things that Draco says they absolutely need. Harry humors Draco and follows his instructions as they gather all their supplies for their outing. When the two finish, they stumble into bed, falling asleep almost instantaneously in anticipation of their eager ward who they know will wake them up as early as he possibly can.
Harry wakes up startled, as a large, heavy object lands on him, “oomph,” he lets out a grunt. He opens his eyes, and all his blurry vision can make out is a pair of bright eyes less than a few inches from his own.
“Harry! You’re awake,” Teddy exclaims as he shifts around trying to get comfortable on top of Harry’s body.
“I am now buddy,” Harry replies with a fond grin, reaching over to grab his glasses off his bedside table. He places them on his face and Teddy’s form comes into view. Harry’s heart lurches at the sight. Teddy’s hair is his own turquoise and vibrant but sticking up in all directions in an imitation of Harry’s own. He’s dressed in a pair of blue pajamas with golden snitches flying about, that are starting to get just a little short for the child. Teddy is growing up and Harry’s heart is tender at the thought.
“Where are we going today, Harry??”
“It’s a surprise! You’ll find out soon enough.”
“But I wanna know now!” Teddy says bouncing where he is settled on Harry’s stomach. Harry lifts his arms up and steadies the boy before the urge to vomit gets worse.
“You’re going to know in…” Harry glances over at the clock on the bedside table, “Merlin! Teddy it’s only five am! What are you doing up this early?”
Teddy looks at him shyly wringing his hands, “I was too excited to sleep!”
“Shh,” Harry whispers at him, “You know what happens if we wake Draco up too early!” They both glance over at the lump underneath the covers on the other side of the bed then back at each other in relief when the form remains undisturbed.
“He’s a monster,” Teddy giggles.
“You’re a monster!” Harry says back then tickles Teddy until he’s breathless. Teddy slumps over and rests his head on Harry’s chest. Harry cards his hand through Teddy’s vivid locks as they both sigh in contentment.
“Harry?”
“Yes baby?”
“I really like being here with you and Draco.” Harry’s heart melts at his words.
“We really like having you with us here too.”
They both are silent for a bit. Teddy drawn back into dreamland at Harry’s gentle touch, when he speaks up again, half asleep already.
“Harry?”
“Yes love?”
“I’m going to get to stay here forever, right? I don’t have go anywhere else, do I?” Harry’s heart stops but he manages to respond to the boy who is waiting on his answer.
“Someday you’ll go off to Hogwarts, and after that you may want to go off on your own, but Teddy, this will always be your home.”
“I’ll go to Hogwarts, since I have to, but I want to stay here with you and Draco forever,” Teddy mumbles sleepily, then promptly closely his eyes and falls asleep.
Harry closes his eyes and basks in the warmth of the two people he loves most in this world, one at his side and other, smaller form, laying on his chest and follows them both into slumber.
He’s woken next by a gentle touch carding fingers through his hair. He opens his eyes slowly to gaze into silver ones, open and affectionate. He looks down, Teddy is still fast asleep on his chest as Draco gazes on at them both with warmth in his eyes.
“Good morning love,” Draco says pressing a kiss to Harry’s lips.
“Good morning.”
“When did our little gremlin get in here?”
“Around five o’clock. He was too excited to sleep. What time is it now?”
“Around nine.”
“I thought we wanted to be up earlier to get a head start on the day,” Harry says looking at Draco questioningly.
“I know, but the two of you looked so peaceful. I didn’t have it in me to wake you both up.”
“Sap,” Harry tells him smiling at Draco fondly.
“Only for the two of you,” Draco smiles back, soft and indulgent as he takes in the sight of Teddy fast asleep on Harry’s chest. “I’ll get up and get breakfast going?”
“Sounds good, I’ll work on waking this guy up,” Harry says placing a gentle hand on Teddy’s back.
“Meet you downstairs,” and with a kiss Draco gets out of bed and heads into the hallway.
Harry slowly runs his hand up and down Teddy’s back, murmuring gently to him to wake him up.
Teddy resists, swatting Harry’s hand away and grumbling in his displeasure.
“Come on cub, time to wake up.”
“Nooo,” Teddy cries out softly, “don’t wanna.”
“Well, I guess then we can’t go on our adventure today.”
Teddy jolts up at that, landing on Harry’s stomach.
“Oomph. Watch it buddy.”
“I’m awake! I’m awake! Let’s go on our adventure!”
Harry laughs, scooping him up and out of bed, “Breakfast first, adventure second.”
“Can we have chocolate chip pancakes?” Teddy asks, his eyes widen in anticipation at the thought of the treat they reserve only for the weekends.
“Let’s go ask Draco,” Harry tells him, placing him down onto the ground.
Teddy runs out of the room, no doubt, heading for the kitchen. Harry reaches up and stretches out, then follows the sounds of laughter, leading him to his two favorite people.
He finds them at the stovetop, Draco carefully helping Teddy flip the pancakes and both of them giggling at the different shapes they make as they pour the batter out into the pan. It’s a stark contrast to their own childhoods in which Draco was never allowed in the kitchen and Harry was solely responsible for the meals of everyone. They’ve made it their mission to change the tide for Teddy. Instead, they work together, encourage him to take an interest in cooking, allow for mess-making and teaching him to have independence while being there to support him. Harry knows that they all enjoy this time together and the kitchen is one of the most used, loved and lived in spaces in their home.
They eat at the island in the middle of the kitchen as Teddy attempts to guess where they’re heading today. His excitement is infectious, and the two adults are as eager as the young child.
They finish breakfast and clean up, sending Teddy to get dressed without giving away any details of their outing.
Draco gathers all the stuff they need while Harry goes to check on their young ward.
He finds Teddy in his room with his shirt stuck on his head and arms partially sticking out through his sleeves, blue tufts of hair visibly peeking out from the head hole in the shirt.
He’s wistful as he takes in the scene. He remembers Teddy as an infant, stuck in a similar position while Harry attempted to get all of his limbs into his clothing, a task that seemed so impossible at the time. Now Teddy is dressing himself.
Chuckling, he approaches and kneels down, helping to pull the shirt over Teddy’s head and get his arms through the correct spaces.
Teddy throws his arms around Harry’s neck, “Thanks Harry!” Harry gathers him close, breathing in the scent of the young boy, “Anytime cub.”
Draco peeks his head around the door, “Are we ready to go?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Teddy chants, bouncing up and down but not removing his arms from around Harry’s neck. Harry gathers him up and rises, Teddy on his hip.
They make their way downstairs, Teddy talking to them non-stop in excitement, wondering about all the possibilities of today’s outing.
Draco summons all of their belongings that shrunk down into a bag with an extendable charm. He grabs the bag with one hand, wraps his other arm around Harry, who is holding Teddy and they are off with a ‘pop’.
The uncomfortable squeeze apparition ebbs away and Harry takes in his surroundings.
“We’re at the ocean!!” Teddy exclaims in excitement, screaming into Harry’s ear. He squirms until Harry lets him down, with a whoop he heads down into the soft sand, stopping briefly to kick off his shoes, running ahead of his guardians in his bare feet.
“Be careful Teddy!” Draco calls out him, Teddy waves a hand in acknowledgement but keeps striding forwards.
Draco comes up to Harry and entangles their fingers together.
“What do you think?” Draco asks Harry, nodding out towards the water.
Harry is in awe. He can hear the waves crashing against the land. Taste the salt in the air. Feel the sun on his face. And he sees blue as far as his eyes can see. It’s vast and wild, but steady in the thrum of the waves. Rough against the shore but calm further out. He’s on the edge of the world here, nothing but blues as far as he can see – cerulean, azure, sapphire. The blue where the ocean meets the sky, never-ending. The whites of the wave crests and the fluffy clouds that line the sky. The yellow-orange sun that shines bright and fierce.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable.” Harry states, awe lining his words. Draco gives his hand a squeeze as they stand side-by-side taking in the view in front of them.
“Harry! Draco! Come on!” Teddy calls to them. He’s already reached the edge of the sand and is dipping his feet into the cool waters.
Harry and Draco make their way down the beach and Draco calls Teddy back to them. As Harry pulls out their umbrella, chairs, and other supplies, Draco puts sunblock charms on Teddy who has been very reluctantly pulled away from the water.
“Now can we go please!” Teddy asks them, puppy dog eyes out on full display, standing there in his swim trunks with dragons on them.
“Alright alright, you little gremlin. Hold on.” Draco says laughing at the pout on the young child’s face.
Once they are set up and everyone has the appropriate sunblocking charms in place, Draco deems it safe for water-related activities.
Teddy is overjoyed and with an impish smile at his guardians he runs towards the water screaming, “Last one is in a loser.”
Harry laughs as he pulls his shirt off, basking in the feel of Draco’s eyes roving over his body. He stretches his arms up above his head, flexing his back muscles in a way that he knows has all of Draco’s attention on him and the inky lines that dot his skin. He then leans over to touch his toes, giving Draco a view of his toned thighs and backside, grateful that he’s kept in shape all these years. He turns towards Draco, still bent over, and gives his partner a knowing smirk and wink and then chases after Teddy, reaching him quickly, scooping him up in his arms and running them both into the water.
Teddy is all giggles in Harry’s arms as they rush into the waves and Harry’s ducks them both under the surface of the cool water. They emerge giggling, hair plastered to their face, just as Draco approaches the water much more sedately, gazing on at them fondly. Harry is thankful for the swim lessons they enrolled Teddy in at an early age as the young boy swims out of Harry’s arms, towards his other guardian.
Teddy runs towards Draco pulling him into the water. As Harry’s gaze tracks over the man he loves, he feels the desire pool low in his belly as he takes in Draco’s form. The ink that lines most of his chest, both of his arms, and his back glisten in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the pale skin underneath. He briefly glances over the scars that line Draco’s chest, the sting at them far less than the first time he saw them. They’ve made their peace with their past. They’re here together now and these are the moments that matter most, Harry reminds himself as he does each time. Harry takes in the beads of water as they run down Draco’s body and the way in which he pushes his wet hair out of his face. Draco and Teddy approach him with identical grins on their faces, and Harry’s heart swells in response.
As Teddy becomes engrossed in leaping over the waves, Draco moves himself into Harry’s embrace, their arms coming to rest around each other lightly as they float gently in the water.
Their faces are close together, and Harry’s eyes rove over Draco’s face, a soft smile in his face as he takes in the familiar features.
Draco gazes back at him fondly and then laughs and splashing Harry in the face gently.
“Stop staring at me you fool,” Draco says to Harry.
“Never,” Harry says with an indulgent looks at his partner, “I’m going to spend my entire life staring at you.”
“Sap,” Draco says, voice laced with affection.
“Only for you two,” Harry grins at him, echoing Draco’s words from earlier back at him.
They share a sweet kiss.
Green eyes connect with gray. Open affection and love move between the two.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Alright, we get it. We all love each other,” Teddy interrupts them rolling his eyes, as any child does at seeing their adults be affectionate, but the fondness as he looks on at his guardians is unmistakable for anything else.
Harry growls at Teddy playfully and reaches out and grabs him, pulling him into the embrace he shares with Draco. Harry and Draco share a look then proceed to splash Teddy until he’s breathless and giggling. They spend time in the cool waters together, splashing each other, swimming, and chasing the waves.
When they’ve had their fill of the water, Draco brings out the kite. Teddy’s face lights up.
Draco hands the kite to Harry. “Go on then,” Draco tells Harry nodding his head towards Teddy.
Harry glances down at the kite and then up at Draco. “I’ve never done this before.”
“Even a dunderhead such as yourself should be able to figure this out Potter,” he says with an aristocratic drawl laced in fondness. Draco then proceeds to put on his sunglasses and sits underneath the umbrella.
Harry tries, he really does, but they keep getting tangled up in the strings and the kite won’t lift off the ground. Despite that, Harry and Teddy are having a blast. They are all giggles and bright laughter as they try to get the colorful cloth into the air.
Eventually Draco takes pity on them. He gets out of his chair and heads their way.
“Move aside Harry. Let the professionals show you how it’s done,” he says with a tone of superiority and tries to take the kite from Harry’s arms.
Harry resists and replies in a teasing manner, “Well, let me know when the professionals get here. I’ll be happy to step aside.” Draco glares at him and Harry grins back unashamedly.
Draco snatches the kite out of Harry’s arms. This time Harry doesn’t resist. “Watch and learn Potter.”
Harry looks on fondly as the blonde and blue heads are pressed together. Draco patiently teaches Teddy about the kite and its aerodynamics. For Harry, watching Draco and Teddy interact is pure joy. This is how he fell for Draco in the first place, watching the blonde fall in love with his godson when he was just an infant.
Now watching the two together has become one of Harry’s favorite pastimes. Though, Teddy has always been important to them both, Harry worried about taking him on fulltime, unsure if Draco was ready for that level of responsibility between the two of them. It would be a big change. When Andromeda initially proposed the idea to them, Draco was affronted and Harry’s lack of faith in him. The dream of bringing Teddy into their home and life was one they both shared.
In the following months, Harry has been constantly astonished by his luck. He didn’t think he could be so happy. Watching Draco teach, care for, and love Teddy in that gentle, patient way of his has deepened Harry’s love for Draco in ways he never knew was even possible.
He’s shaken out of his thoughts by the sounds of Teddy trying to gain his attention.
“Look Dad! Look!” Teddy exclaims in excitement, arms waving in the air, pointing at the kite up in the sky.
Harry stills. The world around him narrows down into a single point. He doesn’t think he’s breathing. He’s completely thunderstruck. He stares at Draco who looks back at him equally as wide-eyed. Harry’s heart is in his throat. He’s not sure what to do or how to react.
Teddy, unaware of the moment happening between the two adults, continues to try and get Harry’s attention.
“Harry! Harry! Look at the kite!”
He’s back to being Harry. Okay, he thinks to himself. This he can do. This he knows. His heart going a million miles per hour. He’s not sure if he dreamt up the moment and as he gazes into Draco’s face, also struck with incredulity, but as Harry receives a nod from Draco in acknowledgement of the situation, he knows it happened.
Teddy, clearly impatient, runs up to Harry and grabs him by the arm pulling him towards Draco all while pointing up at the sky, “Harry! Look at our kite! We did it, isn’t it so high?!” He declares, looking up at Harry visibly awaiting a response.
As he looks into those hazel eyes so similar to Remus’s, Harry realizes he never wants to disappoint Teddy. His heart is lodged in his throat, but he manages to swallow it down. “I see it cub! It looks amazing. Good work!” He holds out a hand for a high-five, but Teddy instead flings his arms around Harry’s legs and grins up at him, smile as bright as the sun.
Draco approaches them, kite in one hand and settles the other arm around Harry. Teddy adjusts and wraps one arm around each of their legs, holding them together and beaming up at them both.
The sun is shining down on them, the wind is in their hair, and the taste of the salt from the ocean is overwhelming all of his senses but he knows this is a moment he will never forget. He’s got everything he ever wanted right here in this moment.
The rest of the day is just as magical.
They build sandcastles, then knock them down. They draw their names into the sand and watch the water wash them away. They walk along the shore. Draco and Harry hand-in-hand with Teddy in front of them, collecting shells, finding the perfect ones to take home. They share the food that they’ve brought along, bellies full and hearts even fuller. They spend more time in the ocean, appreciating the coolness of the waves in a stark contrast to the heat of the sun that beams down on them.
When the sun begins to go down, the huddle together on the blanket they brought, another blanket around their shoulders. Harry and Draco side by side as Teddy sits between Harry’s legs with his head resting on Harry’s chest. They sit there, together, and watch the vibrant hues of the sunset together, enveloped in the moment. As Harry rests there and takes in the moment, he realizes this is a day he will never forget.
By the time they apparate home, the sky is turning dark, and Teddy is drooping.
Draco sets him down gently on his feet and guides him up the stairs into the bathroom. Draco helps Teddy with a shower, while Harry takes one himself. Then they switch places and Draco grabs a shower, while Harry helps Teddy finish getting ready for bed. The two brush their teeth side-by-side making funny faces into the mirror while white foam coats their mouths. They giggle to each other, while Draco locks up downstairs.
Draco meets them in the hallway and the three walk to Teddy’s room together.
Teddy settles into bed and Harry places Moony, Teddy’s wolf stuffie, into his arms.
“Did you have fun today?” Draco asks Teddy, gentling brushing back the boy’s fringe.
“Yes!” Teddy says, grinning up widely at his guardians.
“It was pretty great, huh?” Draco replies.
“It was the best day ever!” Teddy exclaims.
Draco smiles at him indulgently, “I’m glad you had a good time. Now it’s time for bed,” he tells Teddy, taking in his drooping eyelids and the yawn that takes over the young boy’s face.
“No! Not yet. Story first!” Teddy pouts, even as sleep coats his words.
“Yeah Draco,” Harry says with a teasing grin, “how could you forget about story time.” It’s another one of their favorite routines of the day. The stillness at the end of their busy days, taking moments for the three of them to connect before they close their eyes to sleep. The comfort of family. The promises of sweet dreams, warm embraces, and tender kisses goodnight.
Harry and Draco curl up on either side of Teddy, all three of them squeezing into the small bed as they do each night.
Harry picks up the Tales of Beedle and Bard from the bedside table. As he opens it up to the dog-eared page, tiny hands push the book close.
“I don’t want to read that tonight.” Teddy tells them.
“Alright then, what would you like?” Harry asks him.
“Can you tell me about how you and Draco fell in love?”
Harry hears Draco laugh from the other side of the bed. It’s a tale that they’ve told many times, one that features Teddy, himself, as one of the main characters. Harry’s not sure why he’s asking for it tonight when lately he’s been obsessed with finishing the Tales but he’s not going to deny Teddy he wants.
Nonetheless, he won’t miss the opportunity to tease the young boy, “Again? Haven’t you heard that one enough?”
“Pleaseeee Harry. I want that one tonight.”
Harry chuckles at him, “Alright, alright Here we go...”
They take turns telling the story just as they usually do. Teddy loves hearing them argue about how things happened from each of their perspectives. Harry knows that Teddy knows it so well, he could likely tell the story himself if he wanted to. Regardless, tonight he listens as though it’s the first time. They both know how much Teddy likes to hear about how they fell in love given that the story is intertwined in how much they both love him.
They finish the story and expect Teddy to whoop with joy at the ending as he usually does. Instead, the boy is quiet, almost contemplative.
“Teddy, sweetheart, is everything alright?” Draco asks him, glancing up at Harry over the child’s head, after a few moments go by and the child remans silent.
Teddy shrugs from where he’s leaned up against Harry.
“Cub, you can tell us anything. You know that right?” Harry asks this time.
A small nod in acknowledgement.
“Do you want to tell us what’s on your mind?” Draco tries again. He gets a shrug in return.
Harry and Draco are staring at each other, mild alarm written on their faces.
“Teddy, baby. You know everyone in this house is allowed to have their own private thoughts, right?” Teddy nods in response to Harry’s question. Harry continues, “But also everyone in this house is allowed to share what they are thinking without being scared. You can tell us anything,” he emphasizes.
Teddy takes a deep breath as if preparing himself for battle. Draco runs a hand over the young child’s head soothingly.
“You guys read to me. You tuck me in at night and kiss me goodnight. You take me on adventures and play with me. You cook me breakfast and pack my lunch filled with my favorite snacks and little notes.”
“Of course, we do cub. Because we love you,” Harry says, bewildered at Teddy’s thought process.
“I love you guys too. But the kids in my class… they say… um… well they say that those are the things their mums and dads do,” Harry feels the air in the room still in anticipation of Teddy’s next statement, “but my mum and dad, well… they’re gone.”
Harry can’t help himself; he pulls Teddy into him tight and wraps an arm around him. He knows what it’s like to long for your parents. To desire so deeply to feel your loved one’s touch and warmth at your side. They’ve tried to do everything to make sure Teddy doesn’t feel the large emptiness of that space but maybe they haven’t been doing a good enough job.
“Cub,” Harry says gently, pressing one hand onto Teddy’s heart, “you know they’re always with you here. The same way my parents are with me.”
Teddy smiles up at him softly, “Yeah, I know. But they’ll never be here to do those things, you know? The things that you and Draco do. Maybe that’s why they wanted you to have me?” Teddy looks at Harry earnestly, “So that way since both of us don’t have them we can have each other instead?”
Harry’s breathless; his heart is thumping so loudly as he gazes into Teddy’s warm, hazel eyes so reminiscent of his father’s. He swallows down the emotions rising in his chest; Teddy needs him. He can think about himself later.
“Yeah Teddy, I think you might be right,” Harry chokes out. He feels Draco grip his hand from where it rests across Teddy’s back, quiet and unassuming but always there. He feels Teddy’s taut body relax in relief.
“So I was thinking…” Teddy says quietly then pauses before taking another deep breath as to steel himself, “since they wanted us to have each other and since you guys do the things mums and dads do, maybe I could call you daddy and papa?” His voice is tinged with hope but it’s resolute.
Harry is speechless. He can’t think. His heart is hammering so hard he thinks it’s going to beat out of his chest. He’s looking into Teddy’s hopeful eyes, but he can’t get the words out. He thought earlier was just a fluke, the young boy caught up in the excitement of the moment, but it’s clear now that he’s thought about this. The sincerity in his words is obvious. Maybe what happened earlier was just the catalyst. A desire repressed that just bubbled over in that instance.
He has thought of Teddy as his since the moment he realized they were alone together in this world after the war. Over time, Teddy has gone from his to theirs as Draco has become a steady presence in their lives. Even more so in the last six months, since having Teddy in their lives fulltime, the three of them together, a family. He doesn’t need the titles that come with the responsibility they’ve assumed of their young charge, but it seems as though Teddy might. Harry never wants to disrespect the memory of Teddy’s parents and if he could wish it true, he would rather they be here in his place. They’re not, however, and Teddy is his in this lifetime as much as he is Teddy’s.
He wants to respond, but he doesn’t think he can without crying.
And as each second passes, Teddy’s face is starting to fall a little bit. Draco must sense Harry’s internal struggle and speaks up instead, “Teddy, we love you no matter what you call us. Harry, Draco, hey you—“at that they all let out a small giggle, breaking some of the tension in the room “— daddy, papa,” Draco chokes on the last two, “the three of us know what we mean to each other. Titles will never change that,” he pauses, making sure Teddy is comprehending what he’s saying, “that being said, if you want to call us daddy and papa, it would be our absolute honor. Right, Harry?”
Teddy looks up at Harry to confirm. He can do this; his child needs him to.
“Yes, of course baby. Whatever you want.” He gathers Teddy in close and presses a kiss to Teddy’s head.
Teddy melts into Harry’s ministrations and reaches out to hold one of Draco’s hands.
“Love you daddy,” Teddy says looking up at Harry.
Harry’s heart jolts. He doesn’t think he’s ever heard anything sweeter in his life. Harry’s heart is overflowing with love. He’s still a little bit in disbelief over the turn the night has taken but he can’t hold in his overwhelming affection for the child next to him.
“Love you too cub,” Teddy beams up at Harry in response then turns to Draco.
“Love you papa.”
Harry can see the sheen of tears in Draco’s eyes.
“Love you too baby.”
They all sit there, connected, taking in the moment. Basking in the love of the others.
Teddy’s breathing evens out and slowly his eyes close as he drifts off to sleep, safely ensconced between his parents. Harry and Draco take in Teddy for a few extra moments then communicating with their eyes, slowly extricate themselves from Teddy’s bed. They both lean down and press kisses to Teddy’s forehead then slowly and quietly exit Teddy’s room.
Harry barely makes it out of the room before he’s breaking down. The sobs tear from his body in great heaving motions. Draco gathers him close, his own face lined with tears. They stand there holding onto each other for dear life. The moment is so bittersweet.
“I promise you Harry. We’re going to give him everything.” Harry can’t talk overcome with emotion. Draco continues, “We’re going to give him everything Remus and Tonks couldn’t; everything your parents couldn’t give you and my parents didn’t give me. He’s never going to be alone. He will always be loved.”
“Do you think this is what they would’ve wanted?”
Draco pauses to consider. “Harry, I didn’t know them that well. But I do know that if something were to happen to us, I would want Teddy to always be loved and cared for. We’ll keep their memory alive. We’ll never let him forget them. But we’ll also never let him be alone. We’ll never let his injuries go unhealed. We’ll make sure he knows every day how loved he is. We’ll give him a home and a family and let him grow up to be whoever he wants to be.”
“I think that’s what my parents would have wanted for me. I was supposed to go to Sirius and Remus you know? Before… well you know everything. If they could have, I know they would have given me a home. I think that’s why Remus asked me to be Teddy’s godfather in the first place.”
“I wish they could have done that for you Harry.” Harry isn’t sure if the ‘they’ in question refers to his parents or Sirius and Remus, but the sentiment remains the same.
“Me too. But they couldn’t and it wasn’t in any of our hands to change that. And I know Remus and Tonks would want to be here, but they aren’t,” Harry says tears of grief leaking out of his eyes, “It’s not fair.”
Draco pulls him close.
“It isn’t fair. But Harry, they knew the risks they were taking. They knew what could happen, but they did it anyways. Your parents. Sirius. Remus and Tonks. They loved you and Teddy. They were ready to sacrifice it all so that you both could have a chance. They didn’t hesitate. They lived and died for the two of you. There is nothing more powerful than that and we will not let those sacrifices go in vain. We’re going to live our lives. Grow old together. Raise Teddy. Get a dog in memory of Sirius and name him Padfoot. Go on lots of adventures. We’ll remember them with every breath, on every holiday and birthday but we won’t live in the past. We’re going to move forwards and live our lives carrying them with us always.”
Harry is outright crying into Draco’s chest at this point, unable to stop the tears from flowing. Draco lifts Harry’s face out of his chest and slowly wipes the tears away.
“It’s okay to be sad and miss them, Harry. I know I wish I had been able to meet them. But they live on in you and Teddy. The best way to honor them is for us to live.”
Harry gazes into Draco’s eyes, so open and earnest. He knows Draco understands to some degree. Even though he still has his mother, who is lovely and kind; their relationship has not always been that way, overshadowed by Lucius’s actions. It’s only since the war that mother and son have been able to reconcile their own relationship. Draco, himself, endured the cruelty of his father, the constant pressure of being a Malfoy and the punishment of Lucius’s failures at the hand of the Dark Lord.
Neither has grown up under the best of circumstances but they’ve endured.
Harry can feel Draco’s heart beating under his palm. He can feel the warmth of life in his touch.
They are alive. They made it. Harry closes his eyes and sends out a message of love into the air for all those they’ve lost. He thinks they would be okay with this. They would be happy he and Teddy have each other. That they have Draco. That they aren’t alone in this wide world anymore. He feels at peace. He can feel them with him, just like they promised they would be and always have been, especially when he’s needed them most.
“Daddy! Papa!!!” Comes the sweetest sound from behind the closed door. The subsequent pitter patter of small footsteps follows.
“Aren’t you supposed to be asleep in there?” Draco calls back laughing gently.
“I was, but then I woke up! Where are you guys?”
The door opens and Teddy’s small head peaks around the door, standing up in all directions. Harry’s heart swells at the sight. Teddy looks at them with confusion on his face.
“Why are you guys standing in the hallway?” Then he takes in the tear tracks lining Harry’s face, and he runs towards them arms outstretched, “Daddy why are you crying?” He asks with slight panic in his voice.
Another sniffle rips out of him involuntarily at the sound of his new name on Teddy’s lips.
Harry reaches down and lifts Teddy up, placing him onto his hip. Teddy reaches out with his small hands and begins to wipe the tears off Harry’s face. Harry looks on as Teddy’s hair turns dark, familiar, just like his own head of hair. Harry chokes back another sob at the sight. He can’t find the words. When he gets no response from Harry, Teddy turns to Draco instead, his eyes turning the same shade of grey as Draco’s. Harry marvels at the sight. Their son.
“Daddy’s heart is so full right now that it’s just overflowing and the tears are coming out of his eyes,” Draco tells him.
“But are you overfilling with sad or happy Daddy?” Teddy presses, looking at Harry worriedly.
Harry finally finds his voice, “A little bit of both, cub.”
“Why are you sad?”
“I miss my mum and dad and yours too,” Harry tells him gently tapping his finger against Teddy’s nose.
“I miss them too. But we have each other, right Daddy?”
Harry looks into the grey eyes he knows so well; this time they are on a body that’s smaller but fits equally as perfectly in his arms.
“Yes, we do, Teddy. And that’s why I’m happy too.”
“Yeah, me too. I’m happy I have you.” Teddy lays his head onto Harry’s shoulder, a big yawn escaping him.
Draco runs a soothing hand over Teddy’s head, “Looks like someone is ready for bed.”
“Can I sleep with you guys tonight, Papa?”
“Of course, you can, baby,” Draco tells him as he gently extricates Teddy from Harry’s hold. He bounces Teddy gently on his hip and Harry’s heart is filled to the brim by the sound of Teddy’s giggles as he takes in the sight of the two people he loves most in this world.
“Can you tell another story too?”
“Another story??? Haven’t you already had enough tonight!” Draco tells Teddy with a big smile on his face.
Teddy looks at them with a sly look, “Not for me! We have to do it for daddy. It’ll make him feel better. Don’t you always tell me stories when I’m sad? Maybe we can do one about the Maruarderers.”
Harry’s heart swells. Their sweet, kind, empathetic, but mischievous child, “Marauders,” Harry corrects him gently.
“Yeah, that!” Teddy says bouncing on Draco’s hip, “For daddy of course.”
“Welllll… if it’s for daddy, then I guess we have to,” Draco says with a big sigh as though he’s exasperated even as the laughter in his voice gives him away.
“Then what are we waiting for! Let’s go!” Teddy squirms until Draco sets him down and then he looks up at his guardians with a mischievous grin on his face, “Last one on the bed is a sore loser!” and with a shout he runs towards Harry and Draco’s bedroom.
Draco holds out a hand towards Harry.
“You know we’re never going to get a moment of peace again, right?” Draco asks Harry.
Harry looks at him in confusion, “Why’s that?”
“He’s the perfect combination of Lupin and Tonks with the blood of a Black and all the personality of a Marauder. Now we’re throwing Malfoy and Potter into the mix.”
Harry laughs loudly.
“Daddy! Papa! What’s taking you so long!! Hurry up!”
“Our child is waiting,” Draco says, looking at Harry with all the wonder in the world as he reaches his hand out towards Harry.
“Our child.” Harry repeats, marveling at the thought as takes Draco’s hand.
“Our child.” Draco emphasizes, squeezing Harry’s hand.
“Well then, we better not keep him waiting.”
They reach their bedroom hand-in-hand and take in the sight of the small, now turquoise-haired boy sitting in the middle of the big bed, dwarfed by the many pillows surrounding him. Harry gives Draco’s hand one last squeeze then takes off running: diving onto the bed and jostling Teddy in the process, eliciting large squeals of delight. Draco joins them grinning and slips into the bed on the other side.
With Teddy, pressed between them, Draco starts his story as Teddy listens on enraptured and Harry smiles at them both.
The past brought to life in the present, keeping their loved ones with them, as they move together towards their future.