Chapter Text
The Daily Prophet — and all the newspapers, respectable and disrespectable alike — began to talk about the wedding of young Harry James Potter.
The secret wedding of the savior of the wizarding world, which didn't actually happen with a certain redhead who, when questioned at the end of a Quidditch match, looked confused as they tried to claim the wedding was with her. Obviously not! I have a girlfriend, you know? Whom I will definitely be marrying in a few years! She smiled, winked, and left.
And that made everyone's hair stand on end: If it wasn't Ginevra Weasley, then who married him?!
They went after anyone who might have married the man, but either they were already in a relationship or happily married—no one fit the role of the great savior’s wife — so they had to turn to the man’s two best friends, but even they didn’t know!
And that’s what led Ron and Hermione to knock on Harry’s door two weeks later. They admitted to being a little upset and annoyed to learn that he had gotten married and hadn’t said a single word to them — it was practically a betrayal!
“It’s a very comfortable house…” Hermione said, looking around in a calm voice. “Did you choose this house?” Hermione was, evidently, more diplomatic than her husband, who was standing beside her, stamping his feet and looking agonized.
“I admit it was my wife’s choice, the style suits his lifestyle, but the decor is very different and so comfortable…” Harry was speaking as he waited for them to take off their coats at the front door. “It’s a house that will be excellent for raising children… It has twelve bedrooms!” He smiled cheerfully, excited.
“Who cares about the house? Mum went crazy over this news!” Ron said, staring at him — the sweater he was wearing was a little crooked. “I thought you’d only broken up with my sister because of the risks we were facing in sixth year! And then Ginny shows up with that ugly Slytherin, fine, I can accept that, but you?! You, you?! My brother? My mate! How can you get married and not tell me anything?!” He was stunned. “Who on earth did you marry? A hippogriff?!”
“Ron, calm down…” Hermione placed her hand on her husband’s shoulder. “Although I’m also extremely curious to know who you married! How did you hide this from us, Harry?!” She stared at him. “Do we know him?”
“Fortunately for you, yes.” And upon hearing that voice, the two felt chills and turned their gaze toward the person descending the stairs, dressed in an extremely refined manner. “I see you brought wine. If it’s bad, Harry should like it, he’s not a wine snob, and I can’t drink alcohol…” Harry gave a gentle smile and held his wife’s waist with his free hand as he approached majestically.
“M-Malfoy?!” Ron and Hermione’s jaws dropped immediately, and they stared at their best friend the next second.
“You married… Malfoy?”
“Potter.” Draco corrected him gently, “I’m a Potter now.”
“No, no, no!” Ron took a few steps back and grabbed his hair. “What do you and my sister have? Slytherins? Like, Slytherins?! No, no!”
“Come on, Weasley, be grateful that your best friend and your sister have good taste…” He looked at Hermione, “No offense, Granger, but you could have landed someone better.” Before Harry could witness a scene worse than the war itself, he began to speak:
“We’ve been together since sixth year, by the way.” He caressed his beloved’s waist, looking at him as he looked back; one glance was enough. Draco nodded and made a silent promise to behave himself now. “In fact, we’re expecting our firstborn.” Harry was smiling from ear to ear. “That’s why I was so happy you suggested dinner—even though you didn’t know about the wedding, I wanted you to hear about our first child right away!”
And Ron had to put his hand on the wall to steady himself against the drop in blood pressure.
Draco laughed as he watched him sit down in an armchair and need a few seconds to relax.
Even though her husband gave her a look, the — no longer — Malfoy’s response was clear: “You reacted like that with my daddy, so I can react like that with your best friend, Potter.”
And Potter couldn’t even argue.
That summer, Draco’s belly was huge and heavy, and his back was killing him.
“I can’t wait for you to come out, Jamie…” He stroked his heavy belly as he lay in bed, wearing only long satin pajamas—the only thing that fit him at the moment. “I don’t get how you can be so big if your dad’s a shorty…”
“Draco, I’m fifteen centimeters taller than you,” Harry murmured as he massaged his feet.
“And what good is being fifteen centimeters taller than me now, if you were always a little runt back in school?!” Draco whined. “Jamie, grow up to be just like your dad… I don’t want you to outgrow me so fast… You have to be my baby for a long time!” He continued stroking the belly and felt a little kick, which made him grimace. “Strong like his dad, I know…”
Harry chuckled and stroked his belly, but James didn’t react, staying perfectly still, and that was why Draco loved it when Harry stroked his belly — because his baby always stayed quiet and gave him a break.
“They’re speculating about who my wife is at work…” Draco looked at him, his face glowing and beautiful with pregnancy; he never stopped looking more beautiful with each passing day. “I find that funny… I mean, you came to visit me a few months ago, didn’t anyone notice?”
“Are you expecting intelligence from those people who have more muscle than brains, my love?” Harry chuckled, “Don’t let them know I’m your wife…”
“Why?” Harry frowned. “Because of your father?”
“No, no. I just want to have a little fun with that bunch of idiots; it’ll be funny when they figure it out on their own with those peanut-sized brains!” Potter stared at him, the amused laugh and then the tilt of his neck, his long hair falling over his shoulder.
“I don’t care if they never know who my wife is. I like having you all to myself… It was hard enough having to tell my friends that you’re my wife… And it's really hard having to share you with that brat…” He kissed Draco’s shoulder, brushing the strands of hair aside. “You’re the best secret I have…” And he kept kissing his shoulder, shifting on the bed to kiss his neck. “I take care of everything, huh?” His hand caressed his thigh, and Draco pressed his lips together.
“Ah…” Draco moaned as he felt him sucking on the skin of his neck. “Pervert.”
“Don’t blame a man for finding his wife so delicious during pregnancy!” He defended himself.
Draco just chuckled, letting Harry have his way with him—it was a shame, his poor son would have to share his poor milk-filled breast with his idiotic adult father, who apparently remained as romantic as ever.
“I didn’t have a mother, Draco, so let me nurse from you, huh?”
Draco, honestly, didn’t know whether to laugh out loud or moan.
He chose the second option.
James Sirius Potter was born at the end of summer.
The birth took place at home, with the midwife who had attended to Narcissa Malfoy’s own delivery — a woman of the utmost trustworthiness who would keep the secret out of professional ethics. Draco was panting, in pain; he never thought having a child would be so difficult or take this long—even though he’d read every book on the subject and heard it from his own mother, he thought it might be different for him.
However, it wasn’t.
And of course, Harry was by his wife’s side the entire time, holding his hand, helping with the massages, losing a few strands of hair while the blond was screaming at the top of his lungs for that baby to come out — he nearly broke his hand, and his glasses were crooked on his face.
The cry was heard in the room right after the blond’s last, loudest scream; soon, Draco’s breathing was labored, beginning to steady, and tears were streaming from his eyes as he held the baby to his chest for the first time.
“Hello, Jamie…” Draco said in a soft voice.
Beautiful.
The most beautiful person Harry James Potter had ever known.
And he met the second one when he saw that big, chubby, crying baby.
“He looks like me…” Harry laughed, stroking the baby’s cheek.
“Nine months in my belly just to be born looking like his idiot father.” Draco said, loudly, but smiling as he watched the baby he was nursing display those beautiful emerald-green eyes.
“Nine months of waiting to produce a Potter…” Harry heard from his father-in-law, who, incidentally, was crying too much — not even James cried as much as his own grandfather did when he first saw him.
“Your son is a Potter now, dear.” Narcissa said, and Harry smiled; even though he hated his father-in-law, he really liked his mother-in-law, who had become like a second mother to him.
“Unfortunately,” Lucius sighed and gently ran his fingers through his son’s hair, “despite everything, a blessing, my son. I’ll be organizing his baptism…”
“Thank you, daddy and thank you, Mummy, for being able to stay a few days to help me with this little one…” Draco said smiling, his mother just shook her head, approaching and giving her son a kiss on the forehead — just as she had done with Harry a short time before.
The baby pulled away after nursing, a little pout on his lips.
“He really is your son. Look at him—he looks like he’s in heaven, that silly little face after getting what he wanted…” Draco chuckled and watched his baby grasp his index finger.
“He knows that mommy’s milk is the best.” Harry laughed and kissed his wife’s cheek.
“Disgusting.” He heard the disgust in his father-in-law’s voice.
“Your presence always is.” Harry shot back, then, just as quickly, he looked at Draco and kissed his lips briefly so he wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of his noble and unbearable father. “I love you.”
“I love you too, darling.” Draco looked at him. “Buy some birth control; let’s try for a baby again in a year.”
Harry heard his father-in-law chuckle.
Time passed.
One morning, Draco announced he was going to visit Potter regarding legal matters concerning his father’s parole; it was really just to sort that out, but somehow, he ended up bent over the Auror’s desk, moaning so loudly that it was only thanks to the spells and acoustics of his husband’s office that anyone could hear.
“H-Harry…” He moaned, placing his hand on his husband’s neck as he nibbled on his ear.
“I want to breed you, please, Draco… Let me come inside you… Please…” He begged. Draco moaned and lowered his head slightly with a gasp; he nodded. “Really? Can I?”
“Do it already, you idiot!”
And Harry had never been so quick in his life to pull his cock out of him, remove the condom, and thrust it all the way in with a single stroke.
“Let’s give James some little brothers, huh?” He squeezed his wife’s waist.
Draco groaned and nodded.
He was red-faced, panting, and embarrassed by the end of it.
And he stormed out of his husband’s room, stomping his feet and hiding his flushed face in sheer embarrassment.
Harry had the day off after working a shift — he hadn’t really wanted to do it, but it was for a serious department matter, so he at least demanded two days off because of it; since it would leave his wife overwhelmed during his shift, they agreed.
And that was actually good, because spending time with his wife and son recharged his energy — he always loved playing with James and making him get annoyed that he was stealing his mum’s attention; Draco said Harry was too dramatic, but Harry just defended himself by saying the little brat already had way too much of his attention!
It was funny, entertaining, because nothing made Harry happier than having his family with him. However, when he heard the doorbell ring, his excitement waned a little; his mood plummeted when he opened the door and saw his father-in-law.
“Mr. Malfoy…” he said, unhappily.
“Potter.” And the two stared at each other for a moment; Harry even thought about slamming the door in his father-in-law’s face — after all, the day was too beautiful to ruin with such a bad presence in his loving home.
However, it was his father-in-law, and Draco loved his own father.
“Didn’t Narcissa come with you?” He glanced around as the man took off his overcoat at the entrance; he wanted at least a tiny bit of good news from this visit.
“She went to visit her sister, but she should be coming later with her and the boy Lupin.” Lucius said, without any animosity — with a wave of his wand, what he was carrying returned to its normal size: toys for James, little clothes for James, huge teddy bears for James, new items for James; beauty products for Draco, new clothes for Draco, an extremely expensive jewelry gift for Draco—he’d even brought Draco’s favorite cookies. For his son-in-law? Nothing. “Where’s my baby?”
Harry rolled his eyes and snorted.
He didn’t answer, but the answer came quickly: “I’m here, daddy!” Draco appeared, carrying James in his arms, who clapped his hands, and Harry frowned at his son’s reaction. “See, I’m not the only one who gets excited to see you, am I, Jamie?” The little boy smiled and leaned toward his grandfather.
Apparently, his son liked that damn Malfoy too.
“Grapa!” He tried to say it correctly, a cheerful smile on his face.
“Hello, my dear little grandson! How big you’ve gotten! Grandpa brought you presents!” Lucius was smiling.
Smiling.
The damn man was smiling.
A huge smile, so cheerful, he kissed Draco on the forehead and then immediately picked up his grandson and kissed the baby on the forehead — James smiled and mimicked the gesture he often saw, kissing his grandfather’s cheek. His grandfather squeezed him in a happy hug, making the little boy let out a loud squeal of joy as he settled into his grandfather’s arms.
Harry watched the scene unfold before him: his beloved wife smiling at Lucius, his son playing with his grandfather’s hair—not pulling it like James did with his own, but smoothing it and taking hold of the bow the man wore, squeezing it gently in his hand.
James gave another adorable little laugh when his grandfather caressed his cheek.
Harry James Potter wished Lucius Abraxas Malfoy had been locked up in Azkaban forever.
“Tomorrow I’m going out with Pansy; we’re going to the spa…” Draco was doing his skincare routine at his luxurious vanity table, wearing his silk robe. “She told me Ginny might be coming too…” He chuckled. “Isn’t it funny that your ex-girlfriend is dating my best friend, and now we’re going on a spa date together?!” He glanced vaguely at his husband in the mirror, who was reading a story to James. “I invited Theo, but he hasn’t confirmed it yet.”
“Theo? Nott?” He furrowed his brow, as if that were the only part he’d heard of everything he’d been saying.
“Still jealous of him?” Draco laughed, turning to look at him, admiring the scene of his husband with his son, who was relaxing with his teddy bear and looking at the children’s book about animals that had been a gift from Luna Lovegood. “Harry, he’s married.”
“Oh, who cares?” He rolled his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know what Ginny saw in Pansy, and likewise, even though I’m not too fond of Blaise, what on earth did he see in that Nott?” This time it was Draco’s turn to roll his eyes, getting up to go to bed.
“Pansy and Blaise say that when they ask me what I saw in you.” He laughed and lay down on the bed; James, who had been distracted by his little book, shifted and then snuggled up to his mom. “Jamie, are you eager to see where daddy works, my little love?” Draco stroked his son’s messy hair, just as unruly as his father’s.
“Yes!” He nodded excitedly. “I’m going to be an Auror like daddy!”
“Yes, you’re going to be the best Auror on the whole planet!” Draco smiled, tickling his son’s tummy. The boy kicked his little legs as he laughed and received countless kisses on his little face.
“Aren’t I the best Auror on the whole planet?” Harry narrowed his eyes, looking at his wife, who looked back at him, and then at James, who was looking at him too.
“The second best, after me, daddy!” He held up his little finger, and Harry rolled his eyes, but laughed and kissed his son, who smiled happily.
“Mummy’s always right, isn’t he, Jamie?” James agreed.
“I’m going to marry Mummy too!” He said, looking at Draco, and Harry felt a vein on his forehead throb.
“Mummy’s married to Daddy, Jamie…” Harry said, tickling his son’s tummy.
James pouted, “But I want to marry Mummy…” His little eyes were filled with tears, his pout sad.
“Oh, my baby, it’s okay, in the future, huh?” Draco planted a kiss on his forehead, preventing him from crying and making a big fuss that would disturb his sleep.
“Okay!” He smiled and snuggled up to sleep right next to his mommy. “I love you, Mummy!”
“I love you too, my love!” Draco smiled, hugging him tenderly.
Harry James Potter dreamed of the day that little boy would be sent to Hogwarts.
Draco was breastfeeding his youngest son, gazing into his little silver eyes — just like his own. The baby pulled away when he was full, and Draco let out a sigh, glancing at his husband, who had been holding their oldest son for a few minutes to help him burp.
“I still can’t accept that name…” Draco stared at him while patting the baby’s back to burp him. “Didn’t you really have a better name? Something like… Alphard? Alistair? Saphir?”
“It’s been three months, Draco…” The man mumbled with his eyes closed, opening them slightly to adjust Scorpius in his arm. “That’s why I said the name I’d chosen was a secret… Come on, darling, it’s to honor those who were so important to both of us…”
“Potter, I don’t think Albus was important to me, and I don’t think he was the best person in the world for you…” Harry grimaced, “Dad refuses to call his grandson Albus; he said that when he gets the chance, he’s going to change his name!” Draco looked at the little boy, who burped and rested his little face on his shoulder. “We’ll have to pretend his name is Al and that’s it… He’s going to hate you when he grows up.”
“Draco…” The Auror whined, dramatically, really wanting to cry.
“Don’t whine, Scorpius is sensitive and he’ll—” The baby started whimpering and then crying. “Now Al’s going to cry too…” And no sooner said than done, he started crying too after hearing his twin cry—Draco looked at his husband. “Potter, you’re not supposed to cry too!”
“You’re a Potter too!”
“Why are you being sensitive?! I’m the one who should be!”
“Everyone hates the name I gave my son!” Draco opened his mouth, then closed it.
“Don’t be dramatic, Harry James! You have to live with your terrible choices!” He sighed, getting up from the chair. “Jamie, come help your mum!” He asked to soothe his third son in his arms. James appeared, holding his teddy bear, since he loved playing with teddy bears—especially the ones his grandfather gave him as gifts. “Sit on the rug, sweetheart.” He asked gently.
“Why is Daddy crying?”
“He’s dramatic.” He glanced quickly at his husband, who sniffed.
“Dramatic?” James asked as he sat down and his mom placed Albus in his arms, who stopped crying once he was in his brother’s arms. “Hi, Al!” He smiled sweetly at his little brother, who smiled back and wiggled his little legs. Once he stopped crying, Scorpius stopped too and wanted to stay close to James.
They quickly made some space on the rug with several cushions and fluffy things, leaving James with his little brothers—Albus and Scorpius—who always stopped crying when their brother was near; besides, they were always smiling when he was around.
James adored his little brothers, but they liked James even more.
Watching the three little boys on the plush rug, with James talking about countless things with his little brothers who didn’t understand a word, but smiled and waved their little hands happily, Draco approached his husband, who was standing next to the armchair.
“He’s a saint, you know?” Draco approached, touching his arm.
“He’s my son…” He sniffed and felt the warmth of his wife’s hand.
“With a Malfoy mind, I’d say.” Draco chuckled and wiped his husband’s tears. “He took only the good parts from both of us…” He kissed his husband’s cheek. “Thank goodness—imagine if he’d taken your dramatic streak?! How would I handle that?”
“Imagine if he’d gotten your terrible sense of humor… I wouldn’t be able to handle it!”
Draco narrowed his eyes, “Don’t celebrate just yet, Potter.” And he gave his husband a little kick in the leg, making him groan in pain.
And it made the children laugh.
“I was really looking forward to going to this party…” Draco remarked as he adjusted his husband’s tie. “I could finally show you off…” He pouted slightly.
“I know how you feel; I really wish I could show everyone who my beautiful wife is…” Harry leaned in, kissing his wife’s cheek. “I’ll be back soon, okay? However, if anything changes with Al’s condition, call me immediately.”
“Thank you, darling, just enjoy the party, my Head Auror.” Draco smiled gently and left a kiss on his soft lips. “And don’t worry, “Mom's coming over to help me with the kids, and Molly sent those portions too, and... Be patient with Dad at the party, okay?”
Harry nodded, though he was extremely reluctant to leave and leave his wife with their youngest, who was sick, and two other children so young. He took a deep breath and kissed Draco once more: “I’ll be back soon… And... If I get the chance to kick your dad, I will.”
“Honestly, why can’t your father accept a peaceful life as an old man and stop trying to meddle in the Ministry?” Harry asked as he walked his wife to the door of his office.
“Well, he’s a Malfoy, Potter,” Draco said as he left the room. “It’s all right, I think dad should understand the situation… However, I’d like you to try speaking with the Minister again. Dad is willing to return and do the right thing in his former position as advisor…” he said delicately, “Oh! He’d like you to accompany him to the Quidditch tournament, if it’s not a problem for you… Something friendly like that will be good for his image and help him return to that position… Since you weren't nice to him at the party...”
“Your father is still a huge opportunist.” Draco raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t you think that’s fair, considering what you did to me?”
“Tell him I’ll go…” And Malfoy gave a soft smile, glancing to the side as he saw the stares on them; he always ended up having a little fun with that.
“See you later, Potter.” He hugged his husband, who took a deep breath. Harry placed his hand on his back and, discreetly, planted a kiss on his neck.
“I’ll see you at home, my love. Can I look forward to your silk pajamas tonight?”
Draco stepped back and looked at his face, gave a little chuckle, and shrugged — a clear sign of: maybe. Then he walked calmly down the hallway. Harry watched his wife leave, taking in his slender figure, his beautiful ass, and his long legs — he took a deep breath and licked his lips, then realized he wasn’t the only one looking that way:
“Get back to work!” he shouted, and everyone rushed back to their posts.
When he got home that night, Draco was indeed wearing his delicate silk pajamas, but before the work-weary man could enjoy his wife, the children had taken over their bed—and he had to sleep with the children away from his wife. Was he practically kicked out of bed in the middle of the night? A major detail that made him question the decision to have children.
After all, what had he been expecting? Normal children who would act normally around Draco Malfoy?
Apparently, yes.
However, his anger never lasted too long; after all, nothing could melt his heart more than his children calling him “Daddy” and kissing him on the cheek, smiling so happily and hugging him. Especially since the next day was Father’s Day.
James showed up with an adorable drawing for him, calling him the best dad in the world — since at the little school he was attending, he could always proudly show off who his dad was. Meanwhile, Scorpius and Al, with their mum’s help of course, had made little playdough figures of their dad—they were awful, if Harry James were to be honest, and if they hadn’t been gifts from his children; nevertheless, he teared up and placed them on his desk at work to show off his children’s talent, all of them.
Besides, he also received a shirt that read “best dad in the world,” and he would brag about it for the rest of eternity; he loved, from the bottom of his heart, all his children. After all, nothing mattered more to him than his children’s joy and well-being!
And if their joy was brought about by a spoiled little blonde? Well, they were his children.
Time passed.
Harry was terribly worried about Albus that day, he could barely focus on his work, wondering what he could do about his youngest son, whose health was so fragile. So when he received the call that Malfoy had just arrived, he didn’t even have to think twice about letting him into the office.
“Harry!” Draco called out as soon as he entered the office; the man was already standing, looking at him and little Scorpius sleeping in his arms. “Al is at St. Mungo’s…” And that made his heart sink. “Mum is with James, Dad is at the hospital, Scorpius was there too, but he got so stressed and was crying so much because of Al… He couldn’t calm down with Mum… So… I know it must be hard, but—”
“It’s okay, my love, of course he can stay with me.” Draco smiled gently upon hearing that and handed Scorpius to his father, who shifted a little and snuggled closer into his father’s arms. “I think I can get in touch with an excellent healer… She’s an Auror’s wife, she doesn’t work in that field anymore, but… I’m sure she could help if I ask.”
“Yes, please, I’m so worried about Al that…” Harry used his free hand to stroke his face. “I’ll be at St. Mungo’s; if anything comes up, I’ll send you a message…”
“I’ll go there as soon as I can.” Draco nodded, gave him a kiss, and ran out of the room.
Harry took a deep breath and held his son close in his arms, getting back to work.
The next day, everyone was looking at him as if he were, rightfully, an angel sent from heaven, and he didn't understand why.
Dinner with Auror Jenkins and his wife went smoothly; despite the Auror’s obvious shock at seeing who his boss’s wife was, he maintained his discretion and kept it a secret—after all, it would have been unfair to act like a gossipy child in the face of all that. The Auror, quite frankly, understood completely why Harry James Potter had chosen that person to be his wife and kept it a complete secret.
Despite being Draco Lucius Malfoy, he proved to be extremely polite, sweet, kind, and an excellent mother to the children — this was as clear as the morning sun; the family life before his eyes was almost enviable.
That was why, every time Draco showed up at the department, he knew he could ask his boss for time off right away, and the boss would readily agree.
“Someone asked me today if my wife gets jealous of my closeness with Draco Malfoy,” Harry said as he sat down on the bed. “What do you think?”
“Well, I’d definitely be jealous if my husband kept hanging out with someone as beautiful as me…” Draco laughed, looking at him. “But tell me what you told them, Auror Potter.”
“I just told them to get back to work.” He said, lifting his chin and lying down on the bed, opening his arms for his wife to come closer.
Draco chuckled, “Then you should get back to work too, darling,” the blond sat on his lap, making Harry open his eyes wider and look at that beautiful face, “a baby can’t be made just because I want one.”
And Harry agreed wholeheartedly with those words.
“I’m so happy for you, dear!” Narcissa said, cupping Harry’s face. “Having a house full of children is always so wonderful; I hope this time it’s a little girl!” She smiled happily. “If it is, she’ll have to be a little lady!”
“I’m almost certain it will be, and I’m excited about the idea!” Harry said, smiling from ear to ear, even though he always reconsidered the idea when his personal moments were invaded by the brats. “I hope she looks more like Draco… After all, he has delicate features…”
“Something we actually agree on for once in our lives,” Lucius said, taking a quick sip of wine, his posture refined amidst that family gathering. “I’m glad you’re expecting another one, my son…” He ruffled his son’s hair; his son was sitting next to him with Albus on his lap. “How’s my little grandson, Al?”
The little boy with silver eyes smiled at his grandfather, who pinched his little cheek.
“He’s fine; the healer said it’s asthma, but if we start treatment early, he might grow up without the condition…” He stroked the little boy’s hair as the child leaned closer to him, tightening the embrace and snuggling in tighter.
“He looks so much like a Black; I’d be delighted if he inherited the Black estate.” Narcissa remarked, looking at her dark-haired grandson, who was a complete mess with his silver eyes—he glanced at his brothers, then looked at his mother.
Albus was still coming to terms with his own illness; sometimes, he was afraid to be near his brothers for fear of making them sick—even though he was still so young, they had noticed this behavior in him lately, so he tended to stay closer to his parents often because of it.
“You can play with them, my love, it won’t hurt.”
Albus nodded, climbed down from his mom’s lap, and ran over to join his brothers, where James was reading a book to Scorpius. He was warmly welcomed by his brothers, sitting right next to James, who pulled him into a hug and snuggled him close.
Draco smiled at that; it was good to see how close his children were.
“Well…” Lucius cleared his throat, and knowing his father-in-law as well as Harry did, he could already imagine what was coming and so rolled his eyes before Lucius even began to speak. “James should inherit the Malfoy estate, as the eldest son. Albus and Scorpius can have the Black family share, and then the one who is yet to come can have the Potter estate… Should there be more in the future, the division of the fortune should be equal, of course.”
“Why should James Sirius Potter be the heir to the Malfoy estate?” Harry asked, reluctantly.
“Because he’s my first grandson.” A calm voice.
“He’s my first son.”
Narcissa and Draco sighed at that conversation.
“It was just a suggestion, but I think it's too early to decide that, after all.” Narcissa said.
“James will inherit the Potter estate, whether it’s early or not.” Harry continued.
“James, as my first grandson, should inherit the Malfoy estate; after all, it’s more traditional.” Lucius also continued.
“Mum, why don’t we take the kids out to the garden? The fresh air is good for Al, and the weather is sunny today, after all…” Narcissa agreed, looking at the children who had been called over affectionately—as they left, Draco paused for a moment at the door, holding James’s hand. “I bet James would prefer to be the heir to the Malfoy estate…” Harry stared at him, eyes widening and eyebrows furrowed, “after all, it’s the richest house and he’s so spoiled…” The blond chuckled. “Right, Jamie?”
“Yes, Mum!” He agreed, even though he didn’t quite understand what they were talking about.
Then they went out into the garden.
Lucius smiled happily, and Harry James Potter thought about how to destroy the Malfoy family once and for all. Since, apparently, being married to the sole heir and turning him into a Potter wasn’t enough!
“James, calm down a bit, the Quidditch field isn’t going anywhere, you little brat…” Harry said, exasperated by his son’s insistence that they leave right away. Honestly, where had his son gotten that stubborn streak from?
He didn’t have much time to think, since his words prompted James to kick his father’s leg, pull a sour face, and cross his arms right after.
Draco roared with laughter, “I told you not to celebrate, Potter—he’s obviously a Malfoy dressed up as a Potter…” He ruffled his son’s hair, and the boy melted, clutching his mother’s hand with sparkling eyes. “And, of course, this here is Lucius Malfoy’s favorite grandson.”
“Of course he is,” Harry muttered, snorting, as he walked into his room and closed the door.
When everyone found out that Draco Lucius Malfoy was married to Harry James Potter, there was a huge uproar in the newspapers and throughout the department — signs that no one had noticed, since the idea seemed too absurd to even consider. However, once things had calmed down, everyone acted normally toward the boss’s wife — polite greetings, since anything more than that was a clear sign of being sent on a mission and returning only if one was lucky enough.
The presence of the blond man, and his children, left its mark on the department and the Ministry itself.
It was the perfect picture of a family, and, of course, there could be no one else Harry James Potter would marry other than the only one who had the courage to challenge and confront him — Draco Lucius… Potter. It was even somewhat clear that… The only person who could marry a Malfoy would be… The one who defied death itself.
Besides, the department may have been happy for a moment upon discovering who Harry Potter’s wife was, but that meant the children became more of a presence in the department and… It was clear whose children they were.
And considering the fact that when Draco Malfoy showed up in the office, it was a double-edged sword—no one could even think of entering the head of the department’s office, and at the same time, it put the noble Potter in an excellent mood… But it was a fact among everyone in the department:
Honestly, it would have been better if they hadn’t known who the man’s wife was.
“You’re getting more and more gray hair…” Draco said, lying on his husband’s chest. “Uh, I like that… It’s sexy…”
“I’m glad that my stress from work and those four little devils are making me sexy to you, my love…” He stroked Draco’s hair and placed his hand on Draco’s cheek, who rubbed his face against the palm of his hand.
“Four little devils… They’re your sons, Harry James…”
“They’re your sons, Draco Malfoy!” He opened his eyes a little wider. “Or are you going to tell me they’re four little devils because of me?” Draco stared at him with an innocent expression and nodded, “Of course not!”
“What do you mean, of course not?! James broke your record at Gryffindor and threw a horrible punch at a boy during the game just because he said something nasty about me. Albus and Scorpius got into trouble by sneaking out after Hogwarts curfew. Lily is arrogant and treacherous, she used the invisibility cloak to try to cheat on a test! She doesn’t like to study much… Just like you.” He laughed, “They’re entirely your children, Potter.”
He buried his head in the pillow.
“That’s Grandpa’s fault; he spoils them too much.” Draco frowned and laughed.
“My father spoils them too much, Harry James?” He raised an eyebrow. “Lily asked for a life-size dollhouse to play with, and you got her one. Albus and Scorpius asked for that hideous Crup, and you gave one to each of them, when they only needed one—thank goodness they took those things with them to school. James asked to do an exchange program, and you not only agreed but bought him an apartment, and you even sent him a huge allowance every month! “The boy was thirteen, Harry!” Harry turned his face away, pretending not to listen. “I wonder if you’ll be like this with the ones to come…”
Harry blinked and stared at him.
“I thought the factory had closed!” He sat up immediately.
Draco had had a very difficult delivery with Lily — it was no wonder she was named Lily — it was the only pregnancy that left him so weakened and with health issues that it took about a year to stabilize, so they decided it would be best to close the factory.
So, of course, he wasn’t ready for that news!
“Surprise, darling!” And Harry hugged him tenderly. “You might be surprised—it’s twins again.” He was kissing his wife’s face with pure joy; he admitted he really missed having the kids at home, since they were all already at Hogwarts, and James, in particular, had only one more year left before finishing his studies and going off to live his life away from the nest.
“I’m more than happy and surprised, my love!” He kept kissing his wife.
“Remember when Scorpius and Albus went to your work and trashed the whole department library?” He laughed, remembering that; it had been a mess, and even today the staff still had to organize that place.
“They’re the biggest devils of them all, and just look, their main rival is James and Lily…” He gave a weak smile. “This time, I’m going to spoil them less!” Harry laughed and kissed his wife right on the lips, pretending to believe him, kissing him over and over again. “I’m serious!”
“Yes, my love, I believe you.” It was clearly sarcasm.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Harry pouted, “Can I pick a name for one?” With sparkling eyes and the best puppy-dog look ever, Draco smiled, stroking his husband’s hair, now streaked with gray.
“Absolutely not.”