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Harry's not the best with kids, but he is still someone you can trust your kid with. When a colleague of his, Riguel Hawthorn, asked him if he could babysit his 9-year-old daughter while he finally went on a date with her mother, he couldn't say no. Literally, he has the complex and face of a lord and saviour. Quoted directly from Hawthorn himself.
"Thank you again for doing this," The man said with a thankful smile. Harry shrugged, "It's no biggie. I love to spend time with your daughter."
"That's what she said" Hawthorn smirked and finger-guns him, for some reason. Harry grimaces. "We'll pick you up by 9, okay sweetie?" The mother crouched down to be on her level and smiled. She nodded, "Okay, mommy"
"Good. Behave yourself while you're with Uncle Harry, okay?" And with one last kiss, they're off. Meaning that it is time for Harry to start working. He had the evening all planned, he was going to cook them dinner first then perhaps a few games on the magic chess or any other board games Harry's sure Ron left back in his cupboard, and lastly, a nice muggle movie on the TV as they wait for her parents' to come home. Without context, it does sound like he's preparing for a night-in date. This makes a lot of sense because truly he never babysat any kid before. He barely has his godson around without at least Ron or Hermione with him.
He looked at Isabelle with a smile. "Alright then! Are you hungry Isabelle? I was thinking of making us some dinner then a quick game of Wizard's chess and then after maybe we can catch a quick muggle movie on the telly as we wait for your parents. How does that sound?" Isabelle, the girl Harry's babysitting, nodded as she followed Harry into the kitchen. "Okay. Uncle Harry... I'm genuinely down for whatever" She spoke as if she's old enough to vote.
"What do you like? I was thinking maybe pasta. Do you like pasta?" Harry asked, opening the cookbook he's been browsing since he got home from work. Isabelle nodded excitedly. "I love pasta!" Harry gave her the option to choose what pasta she wants to make. She looked at the pictures on the cookbook intently. Harry smiled, noticing how serious her face looked as if she was choosing a college major that would change the trajectory of her life moving forward. She brought the cookbook and sat down on the couch, while Harry went ahead and finish the cupcakes he's making for a party tomorrow. Just as Harry continued making the second batch, the floo rang. "Fiddlewood should get his shit together or else I'm suing the whole fucking ministry"
"Hey, hey, hey! Not in front of the kid, you idiot!"
Isabelle looked up from the book.
"And no," Harry continued, "you can't sue the ministry because you're broke and living in a one-bedroom flat with your ex-high school-enemy. Now go get change while I make dinner" Harry chuckled as he finished up the batter. His roommate, Draco Malfoy, had just got home from work. He hadn't begun to take off his scarf and coat when he saw Harry making some sort of batter. "Hm, what're you making?" He smirked as he strutted towards him. Harry swats Draco's hand away from the batter. Draco laughs. "This is for tomorrow," Harry said.
Draco furrows, "Tomorrow? What's tomorrow?"
"Uh.. your 'girlfriend's baby shower? I don't make 12 batches of blue and pink cupcakes unironically." Harry said, before asking Draco to grab the cupcake cases. "Holy Merlin!" Draco groaned. "I'd love to make fun of you for that but you just reminded me that I have yet to get Pansy her baby shower gift and Merlin, do I still wanna live. I'll be right back!" He said before grabbing the cupcake cases, handing them to Harry, and then heading back through the floo. Harry laughed to himself before scooping the batter into the cases.
"Who is that?" Isabelle suddenly asked from the couch.
"Oh my god, I forgot to introduce you to him," Harry finally remembered the kid. He answered, "He's just my roommate. His name is Draco, Draco Malfoy"
"Oh," Her face shows interest in the conversation, "so you live together? Are you guys like... dating or—"
Harry looked at her surprised. "Who? Me and Draco?" He snorts, "As if! No. No, no, no. We're just—we're barely even friends! We're barely even roommates!" Harry replied as if it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard.
She furrows before she smiles widely. "Uh, okay. Good then, because I think I'm in love with Draco Malfoy"
"What? I—W—Huh—Why?"
Isabelle jumped out of the couch in excitement. "Do you not see what I saw? He's—He's so pretty and handsome, and perfect!" Harry just stood there as she paced around the room. "His hair looks sooo cool and—and his eyes are soooo..... hot."
"Wha—Don't say that—"
"And his smile! Ugh!" She falls to the ground dramatically, Harry almost instinctively rushes to save her. "I wanna smush my face into his face AAGHHH!!"
The kid he's babysitting having a crush on Draco was not on his bingo card for tonight. But, seeing Isabelle lying on the floor after having a romantic awakening does seem to be the type of person who would fall for someone like Draco. Good thing he's not dramatic. "Holy Merlin's balls. Okay, Isabelle, how old are you again?"
"9." She declared simply. Harry nodded, "Okay, understandable. You people have yet to develop any brain cells or any logic for that matter. Listen," He walked towards Isabelle, "You can't like Draco"
She sat up from where she lay. "Why not?"
He almost felt bad for her after seeing how disappointed she looked. But as an honest and responsible adult, he MUST give the kid the earth-shattering truth about Draco Malfoy. "It's because you're just a kid, kid! And he's like 10, almost 20 years older than you! You were just sucking your toes when Draco graduated!"
Isabelle pouted, crossing her small arms in front of her chest. "Well, my mother said love is love, so it also means I don't care because I love him"
"That's not—um, no!" Harry gets up and walks back to the kitchen. Isabelle follows him with a huff. "But come on, don't you think he's handsome too?"
Harry looked at her and sighed. "I... I mean... He's okay, I guess"
"He has a really great smile and a cute laugh..." She continued with a smile. Harry tried to conceal his. "Yeah, I suppose"
"And he has fluffy white hair like my nana, but even better!" Harry laughed at that. "He's also very funny," Isabelle 'reminded' him. Harry couldn't argue with that. There is not a boring day when Draco's around. They've been roommates since almost two years ago. They met during a reunion party Luna Lovegood held at her place. It's pretty impressive to know she still tries to keep in contact with everyone from school. Draco is one of them. They became friends after that and eventually roommates after Draco told him, accidentally, that his landlord's kicking him out in two days' time. Even with Harry just having one bedroom in his flat, he still lets Draco room with him. For whatever reason, the two agreed and they have been roommates ever since.
"I understand you being against this relationship, Harry." She snapped him out of his thoughts of Draco and his beautiful smile. "But you must help me impress Draco. I really really love him and I wanna keep him and take care of him—"
"Like a doll"
"Yeah!" Her face lights up as if Harry's finally getting what she's talking about. Harry laughed, "Okay, then. Fine. What do you want me to do?"
Isabelle gasps and claps in excitement when Harry finally agrees. "So, I know for sure that when two people love each other, they go on a date and eat food. So, we need to prepare a date for Draco." She said in determination. Harry just nodded, "Okay.."
Isabelle stops her pacing and thinks. "I wonder what Draco likes. What's Draco's favourite food, Harry?"
"He is very picky with his food but also has a sweet tooth. I guess a good homemade Sticky Toffee Pudding is always a good choice." He answered as if he has had that one locked in his brain for a while. "He becomes less irritating" He added that at the end. Isabelle smiled widely, "Pudding it is! Can you help me make them, Harry?"
Harry smiled, "Sure, love" He looked into the fridge and was happy to know he had stocked them all yesterday once he knew Isabelle was coming over. Kids being kids, you must be prepared. Harry began baking, asking for Isabelle's help once in a while. But it's truly an easy recipe for him. Harry's had this recipe engraved in his mind ever since Draco complimented his sticky toffee pudding. Isabelle watched as Harry whisked, before she suddenly gasped, "We need to buy flowers too! It's a must on a date!" That's true according to her book. Harry chuckled, "Okay, then"
"Quick! What flowers does he like?" She asked as if quizzing him. Harry answered as if he was. "Uh... He likes narcissus flowers, but it's because his mum was named after them. Personally, he said he loves Scarlet Pimpernel"
"...I don't know what that is. What colour is it?"
"Uh, blue"
"Then blue flowers it is!" She exclaimed. Harry laughed, "I'll floo call Neville then, to bring us some. While I'm at it, maybe you should go and change" Harry suggested. Isabelle looks down. "Oh yeah! I don't look cute." She pouts when she sees herself wearing her mid-looking t-shirt and sweats. "I have to look cute, Harry. I should wear a dress" She said before running to her backpack inside Harry's room. Harry just smiled and went back to making her pudding. Then all of a sudden, the room cried for help. His Auror reflexes kicked in and he rushed inside the room. "What happened?! Are you hurt?!"
"I don't know what to wear! I cannot decide, Harry!"
"Merlin's chest hair," Harry sighed in relief, "never do that again, okay? You scared the shit out of me!" Isabelle pouted, "Don't say that! Bad word!"
Harry nodded, "Oop, yes. Sorry."
'Anyway, you have to help me choose a dress, Harry!" Isabelle said, pointing at the three dresses she had laid on Harry's bed. "Which one?"
"You brought a dress? Why did bring a dress? And why are there options?" Harry couldn't help but ask, wondering how many other things she'd packed inside that backpack of hers—and how many of them her parents knew about. Isabelle looked at him as if he's the ridiculous one with the questions. "We were going to have a tea party, Harry. I thought you knew!" She sighed when Harry furrowed. Harry supposed his plans were never going to happen anyway. "Whatever! That tea party's cancelled and now I have a date. He has to think I'm cute, Harry. He has to be impressed! Maybe I should wear his favourite colour—"
"It's green"
Isabelle looked at him unimpressed. "I wasn't asking. But okay, thanks, I guess. Green dress it is!" She smiled happily as she picked up the dress to show to the mirror. She looked back at Harry who was standing there watching her. "Can you please... leave? I'm changing"
"Oh, yes! Right, sorry! I'll go get the flowers you need" Isabelle thanked him before closing the door behind him.
——
"Here are your flowers, mate." Neville's voice came after the floo rang. "I know my client's business is none of my business, but can I ask, are you finally going on a date?" Neville asked, almost in excitement, as he handed Harry the bouquet of Scarlet Pimpernel. Harry smiled at the beauty of the flowers before replying, "Oh, hardly, no. This is for Draco." Neville's face lit up. "For Hawthorn's daughter." Neville furrows. "Riguel Hawthorn's daughter has an embarrassing crush on Draco and she insisted on making a deal out of it by planning a date between them."
Neville chuckled and nodded. "Oh, I see. Well, that's sweet! So, you're babysitting her?"
"Oh, yes! I am! Sorry for not starting it off with that. Before it just sounded like I was making it up" Harry chuckled nervously. Neville laughed, "I wouldn't be surprised if you were. Dating Draco Malfoy must at least be something you're thinking about"
"Fuck no!" Harry quickly denied it, as if it would kill him if he didn't. "He's... He's not my type" Harry answered helplessly. Neville just laughed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, mate. Well, I best be off. I still have other bouquets for fake dates that I have to send"
Harry thanked him before Neville disappeared through the floo and Harry was back behind the kitchen counter. He thought that pudding might not suffice the hungry eaters, so he took his time making some creamy spinach pasta for the three of them. Just as he was going to set the table, Isabelle came out with a green sparkly dress, a silver headpiece, and very excessive makeup. "You packed all of these?" Not the reaction Isabelle wanted, but doesn't really matter to her in this economy.
"Draco's about to arrive any minute now, so maybe you should go and set the table. I already put the plates and silverware on the dining table, you just need to set them up" Harry told her. She nodded, "Okay. Mhmm, do puddings always smell this good?" She walked closer to the kitchen. "I'm also making pasta"
"Ooh! I love pasta!" She said giggly. Harry smiled, "I know. What drink do you wish to have? We have milk, orange juice—"
"Orange juice, please," Isabelle asked politely, before heading to the small dining table and setting the plates up for them. Almost 10 minutes later, all are well-prepared. Harry lit up candles around the room, rearranged the table to perfection, and helped Isabelle up to her seat. He poured her orange juice into her glass and a different one into Draco's. "What is that?" Isabelle asked as he poured the well-favoured cabernet. Something he knows Draco will very much appreciate. "It's grape juice, dearest"
Suddenly, the floo rang. Isabelle jumped on her seat in excitement. Soon, a voice was heard from outside the dining room. "I could not choose between peppermint or raspberry, nor do I think Pansy would too. So I bought both, despite my rapidly decreasing monthly expenses. If you have anyone to complain about paying the rent, it should be Pansy. It's the lifestyle SHE chooses for herself—What is this?"
Draco stood in surprise. A kid he believed to be Hawthorn's, stood giddily on her chair with cute rosy cheeks and a heart-melting smile. "Hi, Draco" she cutely blushed. "My name is Isabelle Hathorn. Do you want to have dinner with me? We made you your favourite!"
Draco looked at Harry, who just smiled playfully at both Draco and the girl. Not wanting to watch both their smiles fade, Draco walked up to her with his own award-winning smile and nodded. "I would be happy to have dinner with you, Isabelle."
"Then let me help you to your seat, Monsieur," Harry suddenly turned posh. Draco almost laughed at that, yet he only let out a light giggle and sat down across from her. "Isabelle" Harry whispered from behind Draco, holding the bouquet of Scarlet Pimpernels. "Oh yeah! Wait, right here" She told Draco, before rushing to Harry and handing the bouquet to Draco. "This is for you!"
Draco laughed. "This is for me? Oh, you shouldn't have!" He admired the bouquet in his hand, "Scarlet Pimpernels are my favourite! How did you know to get these?"
"Harry told me they were your favourite" Isabelle smiled. Draco looked up at Harry, "Did he really?" Harry shrugged with a proud smile. Isabelle smiled widely before looking at Harry, "I think we're ready for the food, sir!"
He smiled, "Yes, ma'am." He nodded and grabbed their main entree, a plate of creamy spinach pasta still perfectly warm. Draco thanked him as the plates were served. "It smells wonderful. Thank you"
"You have Harry to thank. He is the chef, after all," Isabelle pointed at Harry before digging in. Draco smiled, "I'll be sure to tip him well" He chuckled and looked up at Harry. And just as usual, Harry's homemade cooking truly can't ever be bested. Even the food at the manor wasn't as excellent as this. "I'm glad I didn't stop by the Leaky Cauldron"
"I'm glad my parents left me" Isabelle innocently said with food in her mouth. The two laughed. Once the food was finished, Harry returned with delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding. "Augh! My favourite!" He groaned in excitement and quickly dug in. Isabelle smiled widely as she ate. "So, are you in love with me now?"
"Oh, I'm in love, alright," Draco said as he finished the pudding in his mouth. Isabelle doesn't seem to be content with that answer. "But is it with me though?"
Draco smiled and put down his spoon. "How old are you, Isabelle?"
"Nine. But I'm almost ten. In 6 months."
"So, next year?" Draco chuckled. Isabelle nodded, "Yes."
"Well, Isabelle. First of all, this is the best date I have ever been on and a better date to go with than any other of my previous. You're a wonderful girl, Isabelle. You're smart and beautiful, and any guy would be lucky to be with you. I just don't think that person is me. You deserve so much better. Thank you for giving me an incredible night to remember"
Isabelle's quietness made Harry hold his breath, but then she smiled. "Okay. I know you're actually in love with Harry. And I cannot do that to him"
"What?"
"What?! No, that's not what he meant" Harry quickly denied. And before things could go further, the floo rang again and the Hathrons walked in. Upon seeing their daughter, they rushed in to hug her. "Oh, how are you, sweetie? Did you have fun at Uncle Harry's?"
"I think she did" Riguel looked at her in the dim-lit room. "Oh my," the mother surprised, "We had no idea you two had plans tonight"
"Oh, no, no, no." Harry laughed, "Isabelle told me she had a crush on Draco and insisted we prepare these two with a date. I'm surprised she has a dress packed already"
"So do I. But she does do this often" She laughed.
"I had the best time, mommy!" Isabelle smiled widely, "You guys can leave anytime. I love being with Harry and Draco"
Soon, they bid each other goodbye and the house came back quiet. The two cleaned the table before washing the dishes together. "Was it her idea to plan the date?"
Harry chuckled, "It was. Thanks for being understanding about it. I'm surprised you were able to reject her as politely as you did"
"It's not like she's heard that excuse before. It was an opportunity I just can't look away" The two laughed. "What I'm surprised by is how you know my favourite flower. I don't think Mother even does"
"I.. guess I have a thing with remembering other people's flower choices," Harry shrugged, not daring to look Draco in the eyes. Draco stopped what he was doing and turned to Harry fully. "Harry"
He looked up from his clean plate. "Yes?"
"I want to thank you... for the date. As surprising as it was, I had fun." Draco smiled softly. Harry looked him in the eyes. That look was somehow everything he was waiting for. His own eyes softened before he nodded and smiled. "You're welcome."
"However," Harry said after a beat before he stepped closer, "I am planning on topping that"
Impressed, Draco smirked, "Oh, yeah? I doubt anything could top that"
Harry did in fact show that he could definitely top that. ;)