Chapter Text
Bimbo the Owlet
Draco sat in the armchair holding a little ball of puff in his lap. He was stroking its feathers gently while Harry was reading a book on the couch. Well, mostly pretending to read it; judging by little huffs of displeasure accompanied by covert glares in his direction, Draco was certain Harry had been on the same page for at least half an hour.
Ignoring the annoyed fidgeting that was coming from the couch he continued petting Bimbo, their newly acquired baby owl. They rescued him a couple of days ago, when Harry found him in a park where he’d fallen from a tree. His mother had given up on him after being unable to get him back into her nest. Harry had sent Draco an emergency Patronus urging him to come to the park immediately.
Draco will forever blame him for the near heart attack he received upon seeing the familiar stag glowing red. Coming to think of it, having been too preoccupied taking care of the owlet, they haven’t yet had a fight about that. He will definitely have to impress the importance of the word ‘emergency’ on Harry.
Not now, however. Draco wouldn’t be able to muster up even a sliver of anger, what with big black eyes staring at him in wonder falling closed in contentment every time his finger came down to stroke behind the ears. If Bimbo was a cat, Draco was sure he’d be purring loudly, he contemplated as he felt his mouth stretch in a silly warm smile.
Ugh, the older he got the sappier he was.
A derisive grunt disguised as a sigh came from the direction of the couch. Draco lifted his head to see Harry positively seething; his lips squeezed tight, forehead scowling, eyes narrowed at the book before him.
Draco smirked. ‘’You’re jealous, aren’t you?’’
Harry’s eyes fleetingly fell onto the owlet in his lap. ‘’Am not.’’
‘’I suppose the book must be quite offensive then.’’ Draco’s smirk grew wider.
‘’Might be.’’ Harry’s lips pursed as his hand carelessly turned the page.
Oh, Draco was enjoying this. ‘’You’re just jealous because Bimbo loves me more.’’
The book was violently slammed shut as Harry sat up. He pointed at Draco accusingly. ‘’That is not fair! I saved him!’’ he crossed his arms over his chest defiantly. ‘’He should love me more.’’
Bimbo’s innocent eyes turned bigger and he turned his head towards Harry’s voice. He really did look quite dumb with those large eyes placed much too close together blinking slowly as if they understood absolutely nothing.
‘’You’re frightening Bimbo with your screeching .’’
‘’Pff. Bimbo. That he is. Just as stupid as he looks.’’ Harry leaned back against the couch offended. ‘’At least you have something in common with him,’’ he continued bitingly.
Draco outright snorted. This was ridiculous. Harry was getting worked up because Bimbo liked being petted by him more. ‘’You’re such a baby, Potter.’’
He got up from the armchair, Bimbo in his arms, and plopped himself down next to Harry. He placed the owlet in Potter’s lap and gently said ‘’He only likes me more because I’ve been feeding him these past few days. That’s all. He’ll like you just the same once you start petting him and showing him some love.’’
Harry carefully uncrossed his arms and extended his hand towards Bimbo’s little grey head. As soon as he touched him, the baby owl turned his head into Harry’s palm and chirped happily. The sappy grin that flashed across Harry’s face did strange things to Draco’s heart.
Harry turned decisively towards him. ‘’From now on I’m feeding him.’’
‘’Absolutely not. I can’t have him love you more that he loves me.’’
‘’Fine. We’ll switch.’’
‘’Fine.’’
Harry’s head bent towards their new fluffy pet and Draco could hear him whisper softly ‘’From now on, I’ll be your momma too.’’