Chapter Text
"Teddy, c'mon! We're gonna be late if we don't leave now." Harry took a deep breath and tried to remember that Teddy was ready for this. He was excited, and Harry was excited too... but he couldn't help but long for the days when he and Teddy would spend all day together.
"I'm ready Papa!" Harry tried to fight it, Teddy calling him anything paternal.. it felt like a betrayal to Remus' memory. But Teddy was so young, he didn't understand why this man who cared for him wasn't his dad like his friends had. So Harry decided on Papa.
He looked like such a big kid with his book bag fastened to his back and the outfit that they'd picked out last night, after trying on about 50 different choices. Harry willed himself not to cry and grabbed his keys.
"Then let's do this, Teddy Bear."
"Papa, do you think I'll make friends?" Teddy asked when they'd arrived. Harry was helping him grab his lunch and book bag and paused.
"Of course you will, Bear. Everyone would be crazy not to love you." It was the truth, Teddy was such a bright light. He hoped nothing would put it out. They walked into the school and looked for Mr. Malfoy's room.
"Here Papa, those are two M's, right? Are they M's for Mr. Malfoy?" Harry smiled and nodded.
"Good job, Bear." They walked into the room, Harry's hand tightening on Teddy's subconsciously. He's ready. He'll be fine. I'll be fine...
"There's your cubby, bubs. Wanna go put your things in there? I'm going to let your teacher know we're here." Teddy nodded and grabbed his lunch box from Harry, going over to where his cubby was. He walked over to where the teacher was sitting on the ground with a group of kids. He didn't know anything about Mr. Malfoy except that he was only a second year teacher. He's 22, a year younger than Harry.
"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy?" The blonde turned around and smiled, and Harry got the wind knocked out of him. Truly he had never seen a more beautiful man. He didn't even think he'd ever referred to another man as beautiful before... but that was the only word to describe him. His bright blonde hair, light and easy smile. He was... beautiful. He stood up and reached his hand out to Harry, still smiling.
"Hi!" He said, grey eyes staring at him. Harry fought through the urge to pin him against the wall and kiss him and cleared his throat, shaking his hand.
"Hi, yes. Hi! I'm uh- I have my boy Teddy Lupin here." Harry pointed over to where Teddy was, he had already seemed to have made a friend and he was coloring with her. "Bear, come here and meet your teacher, love." Teddy practically ran over and then clinged to Harry's leg, which made Harry feel a weird sense of happiness. Draco crouched down to Teddy's level and smiled.
"Well hello, Teddy. Are you ready to have a super fun day?" Teddy nodded shyly. "Yeah? Guess what? We're going to have a picnic for lunch time! And we're going to make special gifts for your family!" Teddy smiled a little bigger and then looked up at Harry.
"Did you hear that Papa? I get to make you a present!" Teddy let go of Harry and ran back over to where he was coloring before. Harry knew that was a good thing, that he was excited about school. But he couldn't help but wish it was a little harder for Teddy to go.
"I know that face." Mr. Malfoy said, standing back up. "Don't worry. He won't forget about you, Mr. Lupin." Harry smiled awkwardly.
"Oh, actually, my name isn't Lupin. I- it's a long story. But, my name is Harry Potter." Mr. Malfoy got a strange look on his face and Harry couldn't place it. He couldn't possibly be disturbed by that or anything. "Even though he's not my blood, he's still my kid. And I love him."
"Oh, no of course! Of course you do, Mr. Potter. Forgive me, your name just sounds really familiar... like I've heard it somewhere." Harry laughed lightly, he probably had heard it.
"You've probably heard of my father. James Potter. He's-."
"Oh my god! James Potter? THE James Potter? I loved him when he played for the Lions! He made that team great. It's... it's a shame what happened." His dad was a football player, was one of the youngest to ever be drafted in the NFL. About 7 years into his career he took a career ending hit, shattered both of his ankles and one knee. It was a miracle he was ever able to walk again. "But genuinely, I am such a huge fan of his!"
"Oh please never meet him, his ego is already too big." Mr. Malfoy laughed at that and Harry thought that was one of the best sounds he'd ever heard.
"Well, it was very nice to meet you Mr. Potter." Mr. Malfoy said, holding his hand out once more. Harry took it.
"You as well. And please, it's Harry."
"Draco, then." They stood there shaking hands for a few more moments before Draco (what an amazing name) pulled away and walked over to the colored rug where most of kids had accumulated.
"Bye Papa!" Teddy called out.
"Bye, bye Bear. I love you." But Teddy was playing with the construction set on the other side of the room.
-
"But Mom, you don't understand! He didn't even care! He didn't even look back at me." He heard his mom laugh through the line. "Oh perfect, thank you for laughing at me, mother."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, love. It's just... Dad was the same with you on your first day of preschool." Harry pouted.
"I just... what if he's not ready?"
"He's ready baby. That's your problem isn't it? He's ready. You're the one who's not." Harry sighed. Why was his mom always right?
"It just... hurt a little more than I thought it would."
"Yeah. But you should be proud he's so ready. That means you did a good job. You raised a good kid so far." Harry smiled, his mom always knew what to say.
"Are you, dad, Ephie and Sirius still coming over tonight for the big first day of preschool dinner?"
"Of course! That's my baby, we all come bearing gifts."
"Oh perfect, just what he needs. Getting spoiled some more." Lily laughed and he was really happy that he had his mom. She always made him feel better.
"It's my grandbaby! I'll spoil him till I'm dead!"
"I know you will. I'll see you tonight. Love you, mom."
"Love you too, H."
-
When he was getting ready to leave to pick up Teddy he got a text from Sirius.
Pads🐾
hey prongslet. quick question
Yeah, what’s up?
would you care for two more dinner guests? if not, no biggie!
i recently reconnected with my cousin. she doesn’t really have anyone, except her son. and well, i just wanted to see.
Sure, Pads! I don’t mind at all. I’ve got plenty of room!
you’re the best, H
I know, I know
more like your father every day 😜
He locked his phone, smiling. He loved having people over. He loved being a host, his friends always gave him a hard time for it but he liked being around people.
He took another look in the mirror. His hair was always a rats nest... but he knew he wasn't ugly. He's built, has a strong jawline and he's tall. So, he knows he's good looking— and not in a pretentious way. But compared to Mr. Malfoy—Draco...
When he got to the school he was nervous to see Draco again, but also he couldn't wait to see Teddy again and hear all about his day. He walked into the classroom and couldn't help but smile. He looked so happy, he was surrounded by kids. He knew that Teddy didn't have to worry about making friends.
"Papa!" Teddy was running up with a paper in his hand. "Look, I made this for you today!" It was a picture of two stick figures, a bunch of smiley faces and hearts surrounding them in a box of some kind.
"I love it, Bear!" Harry said, grabbing it from him. He leaned down and hugged Teddy, who hugged him back just as hard. He honestly didn't know what the picture was, but Teddy made it for him— so he loved it.
"It's me and you in our house! And I put the hearts and smiles because that's how it feels in our house!" Harry could've cried right there, but not in front of the hot teacher— the ... handsome teacher... He stood up and walked over to where Mr. Malfoy was sitting.
"Is Teddy good to go?" Harry asked. Mr. Malfoy smiled and nodded.
"He sure is. He did great today. I can't wait to have him in class this year." Harry smiled brightly at that.
"Really? That's so great to hear." Mr. Malfoy smiled at him. "I was worried... that he wasn't ready or something. But I think it was me who wasn't ready." They both laughed and Harry felt warm.
"It was good to see you again, Mr. Pot-sorry, Harry. I'll see you tomorrow Teddy!"
"Bye Mr. Draco!" Teddy grabbed his book bag and lunch box and practically skipped out of the room. He seemed so happy.
"Mr. Draco?" Harry asked Teddy when they got in the car.
"Oh, yeah! He told us that Mr. Malfoy makes him feel old like his dad. So he likes Mr. Draco better." That just made the flutter in his heart faster. The flutter that's been in his heart since this morning when he first met Draco.
"So, are you excited for your special big boy dinner?" Teddy practically squealed.
"Yes! All of my favorite peoples are going to be there!" Harry laughed.
"Just people, baby. No S at the end."
"Can we invite Mr. Draco to dinner, Papa?" Harry smiled. Truthfully, he would have loved that. But it was too late notice and they had only just met.
"Maybe next time, Bear. Ok?" Teddy looked sad for a moment but then started talking about how excited he was to see Hermione's baby in her belly.
-
"Mom, please sit down! I know how to make drinks. You're my guest!" Lily laughed and stood up anyway.
"And you and Ephie are my babies, and I am going to help you." Harry smiled and rolled his eyes.
"You're impossible."
"Yes, you get that from me."
"Papa! Grandpa and Auntie Ephie helped me get dressed! Do you like my outfit?" He was too cute in a flannel shirt with a bowtie and jeans. Too cute.
"I love it baby! Grandpa is such a big helper, huh?" Harry said, smiling at James— who winked at him. "And Ephie too, I guess."
"Yeah, thanks for that one." Ephie said, rolling her eyes with a smile.
"Yes! Me and Auntie Ephie are the bestest!" James picked Teddy up and flew him around the room, Teddy giggling like a madman with Ephie close behind, giggling just as much.
"It's like I have 3 kids." Harry said to Lily, they both laughed and finished making their drinks. When there was a knock on the door, Harry got up to answer it and it was Hermione and Ron.
"Come in!" Harry said, hugging them both. "It's so good to see you guys, I feel like it's been so long."
"Too long." Hermione said.
"Look at you, you're beautiful 'Mione."
"Please, I look like a cow." Hermione said, rubbing her stomach.
"Hey now, that's my wife you're talking about." Hermione laughed and Ron took her jacket off, hanging up on Harry's coat rack.
"Ron, 'Mione!" Teddy was running up to both of them. Ron caught him and lifted him up in a twirl.
"Hey big man!" Ron said, setting Teddy back down. "How was your first day at preschool?"
"It was the best! Mr. Draco is awesome! I had so much fun."
"Mr. Draco?" Lily said, furrowed brow. "Teddy's teacher is named Draco?"
"Yeah, Draco Malfoy. Why?"
Knock, Knock, Knock.
"Hold that thought, mom." Harry said, opening the door.
"That's Sirius' nephew's name." Lily said, but Harry had already opened the door to the beautiful sight of Draco Malfoy. Sirius and a woman were standing there too, but it's hard to focus on anyone else when there's Draco.
"Well lad, can we come in?" Sirius said with a laugh.
"Oh! Yes! Yes, please come in. Yes, hi! Draco, it's great to see you again." Harry said, confusing everyone. They made their way in and hung their coats up.
"You two have met?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Yeah. Draco is Teddy's teacher." Everyone made sounds of interest.
"Oh, I didn't even put that together when you told me you were a preschool teacher!" Sirius said, smiling.
"How long have you been a teacher, Draco?" Hermione asked. "You look about our age."
"I'm 22! It's my second year teaching. I graduated early."
"Wow, good for you." Ron said, handing Hermione a Coke.
"Mr. Draco is the best teacher ever!" Teddy said excitedly. "He was really nice when I got sad today."
"You got sad today, love? Why?" Harry said, crouching down to him.
"Because I missed you, Papa." Teddy said, and Harry's heart burst.
"I missed you too, Bear." Harry said, hugging him. "But Mr. Draco said you were super awesome today!"
"Yeah... I tried really hard. And when I got sad he said that it was alright to be sad, but that you were gonna come back. And then he said maybe I should draw a picture for you." He pointed to his picture that was now hanging on the fridge.
"Well, that was very good advice." Harry said. "Mr. Draco seems very smart." He looked up at Draco and smiled, he saw a slight blush on Draco's cheeks and that was pretty much the best thing that Harry had ever seen. "And you must be Narcissa?" He said, standing up and holding his hand out to the woman behind Draco. Narcissa smiled and nodded, shaking his hand.
"Yes, that's me. Thank you so much, Harry... for allowing us to come over." She said, her voice was soft and soothing.
"Of course, the more the merrier! Plus it's even more special, Teddy couldn't stop talking about how much he loved Draco, so it's just as well that he's here for Bear's big boy dinner." Draco smiled, and got that slight blush again. Harry wanted to make him blush every day for the rest of his life.
Everyone was getting settled, drinking a bit and making easy conversation while Lily and Harry were making dinner together.
"Do you need any help?" He heard Draco ask. He turned around and smiled.
"No, please go enjoy yourself! You're a guest." Draco smiled and shook his head.
"Please let me help." He said, cheeks red. "I like to cook, honest. And it'll be nice to talk to you." Harry's heart started beating just a bit faster and he knew his mom was smirking right next to him, he refused to look.
"I would love that." Lily said, setting down the knife. "I hardly get to see Teddy anymore. Do you mind taking over my place?" Harry knew his mom's antics but he also didn't mind in this moment because he wanted nothing more than to talk to Draco alone.
"Of course, Lily." Draco said sweetly. He picked up the knife and picked up where Lily left off, standing much closer to Harry than was necessary. (But Harry was most definitely not complaining.)
"I wondered why you call him Bear?" Draco asked. He sounded so sincere, like he really wanted to know more... it was so refreshing.
"Oh! Well, we gave him the nickname Teddy Bear when he was a baby... and so Bear is just kind of a nickname from a nickname... I guess." Harry laughed lightly, so did Draco.
"That's sweet. He adores you. He talked about you so much today." Harry smiled and felt very warm at that.
"He couldn't stop talking about you when we got home. He actually... he asked if we could have you over tonight for his dinner." Draco laughed at that. "Yeah, it was cute. I said I would love to, but that you'd probably already had plans."
"Little did you know, huh?" Draco let out a small giggle and it was the sweetest noise.
"I just didn't want to... well, we'd only just met you. You know, I mean... you're lovely. You're... well, you're very gorgeous, I-." Harry cut himself off and turned a bright red. What the hell are you saying?
"Oh? I'm gorgeous, am I?" Draco got a light smirk on his face, which only made Harry turn even redder— if that was possible.
"I- No. Well, I mean... yes you are. Ridiculously so... but I didn't mean to say that, is all..." Harry wanted to die, right now.
"Well, that's sweet of you." Draco said and Harry was pretty sure that he leaned in closer to him. Maybe Draco is attracted to him too. "You know, you're pretty gorgeous yourself." It was Harry's turn to put a smirk on, but it didn't help that his cheeks still had a red glow to them.
"I am?" Draco chuckled.
"Well, actually, I would say handsome or -or suave... or dapper or something." Harry laughed.
"Hm, well I don't think I've ever been called suave before... if you knew me better maybe you'd take that back."
"How're we doing boys?" Harry practically jumped out of his skin when he heard his dad's voice.
"Christ! You... scared me. Sorry... I... it's almost ready!" Harry said trying to hide his embarrassment. He really hoped his dad hadn't noticed the obvious flirting between him and Draco.
"Ok, well. Hurry up! The big boy is getting antsy." James said, Harry didn't like the small smirk present on his face. He didn't like it one bit.
"Mr. Potter, I wanted to tell you what a huge fan I am of yours. You led the Lions to victory!" Draco said, Harry could tell he was gushing. It was a certain way that people spoke to his dad sometimes. With Draco he thought it was cute though.
"Thanks, Draco. That's too kind. Please no 'Mr. Potter' shit! Just call me James. And I am quickly becoming a fan of yours from how much Teddy's been talking about you!" He winked and walked away, back over to where Ephie, Teddy and Hermione were sitting on the couch.
He and Draco kept the casual flirting going while they completed dinner and set the table.
"Draco, I've never seen a guest make dinner at someone else's house before... but you've done a great job." Lily said, while everyone was sitting down in their places.
"Oh, I was just on chopping duty. It was all Harry." Draco said. He hated the looks he was getting from his entire family. All of them had those knowing smiles, like they knew that Harry was crazy attracted to him and that they flirted all through making the dinner.
"Our Harry is very good with his hands." Ron said, grabbing a plate full of food. Everyone at the table laughed at that, even Teddy who was just laughing because everyone else was.
"The best." Hermione said, smirking. Harry could kill them all, he might. Everyone began other conversations with each other and Draco spoke softly into Harry's ear,
"It'd be nice to find out myself." Harry shivered and smirked at him.
"Really?" Harry said, shaking his head with a smile. "Well, maybe you will." Before Draco could answer Harry leaned over to the other side and ruffled Teddy's hair.
"How's your big boy dinner party?" Harry said to Teddy. He got a big smile on his face and leaned onto Harry.
"It's been the best, Papa." Harry's heart smiled at that.
"Good, Bear. You deserve it."
When everyone had finished eating, Ron and Hermione only stayed for about 20 minutes because Hermione was getting tired and a headache. His parents and Ephie stayed to clean up, along with Narcissa, Sirius and Draco. Sirius and James were getting Teddy ready for bed.
"Thanks for having us over, Harry." Narcissa said, grabbing her coat. Harry's heart panged, he didn't want Draco to go. But it was a Wednesday night and he had to be up early in the morning.
"Oh, any time Narcissa. And I mean it. It was so nice to meet you." Narcissa smiled, she had a kind smile.
"You've both been so lovely to meet." Lily said. Draco came up behind Narcissa and grabbed his coat too.
"I'll see you tomorrow at drop off, right?" Draco asked. Harry smiled and nodded.
"Yes you will." Sirius and James came into the kitchen grinning.
"That boy is too cute." Sirius said, grabbing his keys. "He reminds me so much of Remus." Harry smiled sadly.
"I know. I see Rem in him every day. He's so smart, it's crazy." Sirius hugged him, tight.
"Remus would be so proud of you." Sirius said. "I know we all had a lot to say when... I... you're just doing such a good job with him and I'm really proud of you, Prongslet." Harry blinked away tears, he definitely didn't want to cry in front of everyone, especially Draco.
"Thanks for helping to put him to bed, Pads."
"'Course. I've gotta come over more often. Or just see you guys more. Maybe we should make this a weekly thing. Or at least a monthly thing."
"Sounds like a good idea to me." Harry responded.
"That'd be so fun." Ephie said. "Then it wouldn't feel like we hardly see you anymore, H." Harry felt a bit guilty at that, but he knew that Ephie didn't mean it in a bad way. They'd always been close when Harry was younger. Then he got Teddy and it changed everything. She's 5 years younger than him and then suddenly he had a kid... there was a definite divide.
"Yeah, we should make that happen, huh?" He put his arm around Ephie and smiled. Narcissa and Sirius walked out first and Harry followed Draco out right behind him.
"Draco?" He turned around to see Harry. "Uh... could I... do you... could I get your number?" Harry's heart was beating. Maybe this was stupid, maybe it was just playful flirting and Draco didn't actually like him. But he smiled and grabbed Harry's phone from him, typing his name and number.
"Text me so I have yours." Draco said, and he turned and left. Harry closed the door and texted him immediately.
Hey you. It’s Harry.
There was about a 3 minute wait before Harry’s phone buzzed. He was wiping off the table, but reached for his phone quickly, he didn’t realize what Draco typed in for his name, and it made Harry’s heart flutter.
draco malfoy🥰
hey… are u the hot guy i just gave my number to?
Dunno.. did you meet anyone else from my apartment to the car?
i don’t think so🤔
Lol. I’m really glad that you’re Sirius’ nephew.
That sounded weird… I just meant because I got to see you tonight.
i’m glad i’m sirius’ nephew too… bc i got to see you tonight & i’ll get to see you tomorrow
I’m a lucky guy
i am too
Goodnight, Draco. Sweet dreams
night harry, have sweeter dreams💘
"What's got you grinning like that, H?" James said with a smirk. Harry blushed and locked his phone.
"Nothing." He said, walking over to the couch. "Been lovely to see you all, bye-bye now." Lily laughed and sat down next to him on the couch.
"Kicking us out?" She said, nudging him.
"Yeah." Ephie said, sitting on the other side of him. "He doesn't want us to make fun of him about Draco."
"What about Draco?" Harry said, feigning confusion. Damn his family for knowing him so well.
"Just the clear and painful flirting that was going on." James said, sitting in front of him on the coffee table. "I didn't know you were suave and dapper." James was grinning and that caused Ephie and Lily to laugh. Harry groaned and put his face in his hands.
"Oh, cmon H! Give us something." Lily said, grabbing his hands and pulling them away from his face.
"There's nothing to give! He's fun to talk to... it's not like anything would actually happen."
"And why not?" Ephie asked, seriously.
"Because! He's Teddy's teacher, for one. And for another— I'm not great at relationships am I?" Harry stood up and walked to the kitchen. He grabbed one of the few dishes that were still dirty and began washing it.
"Harry James." His dad said, walking over to him. "Just because you had a relationship that didn't work out, it doesn't mean you're bad at them." Harry rolled his eyes, but turned around to see his family.
"I... I know. Listen, I don't want to talk about it because there's nothing to talk about! Obviously we flirted and... well, it was fun. It was fun to flirt with someone. Ever since Cho broke up with me... It's been a while since I've just flirted, for the fun of it." Lily got a soft look on her face.
"Ok, love. Well, I think Draco is a sweet guy. So maybe just think about it."
"Do you want me to spend the night, Harry?" Ephie asked. "I can help you get Teddy ready in the morning and you can drop me off at school on the way. I still have some clothes in your extra room." Harry smiled and gave her a hug.
"You Ok with that, mom and dad?" Harry asked, one arm around Ephie.
"Are we Ok with having the house to ourselves.... hm..." James said, Lily laughed and Harry and Ephie both groaned.
"Gross." Harry said, but he was laughing.
"I'll set up the guest bedroom for you Ephs." Harry said. They said goodbye to Lily and James and then watched T.V. for a bit.
"You know you can let yourself be happy again, right?" Ephie said suddenly.
"Ephs, I-."
"Just listen for a second." Harry closed his mouth and looked at her. "Cho broke your heart, I know that. She... she obviously wasn't the one for you. But, that doesn't mean you have to be unhappy forever! It's been 2 years since she broke up with you. You got Teddy when your were 19, and whether you were ready for that or not, it happened. And you're an amazing dad. Mom and dad and Sirius all had their doubts, because you were so young. But I never did. You always do everything for Teddy. But you're allowed to do something for yourself too, Ok?" Harry had tears in his eyes. It was hard, when Cho broke up with him. She broke up with him because she wasn't ready for a kid... and there wasn't anything Harry could do about that because he had a kid.
"Thanks, Ephs." He said, hugging her. "You're the best sister." She laughed and pulled away.
"Yeah, and don't forget it." They finished the episode of New Girl they were watching and then went to sleep. Harry laid awake for a while, just thinking of bright blonde hair and grey eyes.