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A soft alarm can be heard loud enough to wake up the couple trying to sleep, this is the third time tonight that Lily’s room charm has gone off indicating that she is awake. Harry sighs mustering up the energy to get out of bed “Do you think she would let me try and put her back to bed?” Draco asks cautiously all the kids love him but when it comes to comfort and going back to sleep their dad is usually their top pick.
Harry looks at his boyfriend through half-open eyes “Maybe, Honestly might be best if she was in here, I have a feeling this won’t be the last time she will be awake.”
“I’ll go grab her then.”
The poor girl is standing up in her cot tugging on her ears “Hey Lils, you don’t feel well, huh?” Fat tears and a pout on her red face prove Draco’s statement “Come here darling.” He picks her up carefully making sure to grab her favorite stuffed whale she cuddles easily into Draco who quickly checks her nappy but it turns up dry he rubs her back gently as he suggests “How about we go cuddle with dada in his bed?”
She whines at the comment “Dada.” Draco pouts at her little broken voice as he walks back to Harry's room which is more like their room nowadays
She cries out the second she sees her dad “Dada.”
“Hi, my baby girl.” Harry says half asleep as the blond passes her over to his open arms.
“She seems a little warm but she keeps pulling on her ears do you think she could have an ear infection?” Draco asks sitting on the edge of the bed Harry holds his daughter close against his chest kissing her head. She sighs heavily calming down from her crying her eyes droop but she reaches out her chubby hand requesting “Wahwah.” Draco places the whale into her grip
“I noticed that too, I guess we just have to make it through the night and I’ll take her to the healers in the morning.” Lily whines pulling on her ear more “Poor girl, I’ll go grab a couple of warm cloth compresses maybe it will help.” Harry nods petting Lily's head
~
It was a long night but they made it through, Harry brought her to the kid's primary healer right when they opened and Draco stayed home with the boys.
It was confirmed Lily has a double ear infection, so Draco was busy all afternoon making potions for all the days she was prescribed to take them. The good thing about being a potions master is you save money on potions when your child is ill plus he can make it slightly different and better than a regular shop can.
Now however he is debating with Harry because Blaise and Pansy are both in town which is a rare occurrence nowadays. Draco was planning on going out with them, this morning he was going to send them a letter telling them he couldn’t go, but Harry insisted on seeing how the day went. After getting some medicine Lily was in slightly better spirits although not 100%, so Harry insisted Draco get ready to go. However, in the last thirty minutes the poor girl hasn’t stopped crying.
“I’ll stay.” Draco says quietly as Harry bounces the crying child in his arms “Shhh I know sweetheart, Dray it’s fine you really should go, you don’t get to see them often.” He kisses her head trying to comfort her and himself.
“I can see them before they leave tomorrow, grab some coffee.”
“Draco you are basically completely ready, you already spent all morning making her potions and you watched the boys while I took her to the healer. I don’t want them to be upset that I’m stopping you from going.”
“They will understand you aren’t stopping me from anything, they know how it goes with kids. And of course, I did those things that’s how family works.” James comes running through the kitchen screaming with his little brother right on his toes with a stick pretending it’s a wand or maybe a sword Lily cries harder at the screaming her ears are more sensitive right now.
“Boys stop screaming please.” Harry practically begs trying not to show his frustrations because it isn’t their fault they are just being kids.
“Okay, daddy.” They say running off again his eyes closed sighing as Lily screams in his ear.
“Let me help Harry please, she is due for her potion I’ll give it to her and you can take a moment to breathe.” Draco offers kindly he can see how stressed his boyfriend is just with body language alone, tense shoulders, and a wrinkle in between his brows that has been a constant since last night.
“I don’t need your help! I know how to be a parent alone I did for a while without you or Ginny. At least you have the option to leave so go!”
The second it comes out of his mouth he regrets his choice of words, he knows how fearful Draco is that the Potter kids will hate him and how hesitant he can get when trying to help parent them even though he is a parent himself to Scorpius who is with Astoria this week.
He also knows what he said was completely not true; he could never do this alone. Sure he did it before he and Draco were dating when Ginny was away for quidditch she tried to come home as often as she could and she almost didn’t go, but Harry reassured he could handle everything. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and she could show their kids that you can achieve your dreams. It was hard though for everyone and he is sure he couldn’t do it again it’s hard to imagine a life where they didn’t co-parent it was the last piece of the machine that made everything function properly.
Draco’s face is shocked then falls showing deep hurt, his gaze drops to the ground, it feels like a stab to Harry’s heart.
“I’m going to write them a letter then start dinner.” He is gone before Harry can try and speak again tears well up in his eyes. He is overwhelmed, very overwhelmed with a sick baby and two crazy toddlers and it’s all catching up to him. The look on Draco's face was the last domino causing the tears to fall.
“Let’s get you some more medicine baby.” He walks to the cabinet unlocking and grabbing the second potion Draco had made he already put it in a bottle so it was completely ready, the small gesture makes Harry cry more.
After a bottle and rocking while cuddling for half an hour, Lily is fully asleep in her cot the potion helped they are meant to make her a little drowsy. Harry finally has a moment to breathe he practically falls into their bed.
~
Draco is cutting broccoli when James and Albus come running into the kitchen he tries to quickly wipe his tears and look like he definitely wasn’t just crying.
“Dwaco you cwyin?” Albus asks “I’m cutting up some stuff.” Draco answers hoping the explanation is enough, James however is smarter than that he gets on his tiptoes to inspect what he is cutting.
“That’s the yucky trees not crying onions? Those aren’t ‘upost to make your eyes sad.” Draco sets down the knife wiping his hands on the towel “You’re right Jamsie.”
He looks down at him trying to smile Albus walks over and grabs Draco’s two fingers with his much smaller hand.
“You sadness? Need hug?” He asks sweetly looking up which almost makes Draco cry more he squats down to their level “I think a hug would help.” They quickly wrap their little arms around him Draco sits down pulling them into his lap, they sit each on one leg.
“Biiiiiiiig squeeze.” The oldest boy says which the younger boy echos
When they pull away James puts a hand on Draco’s cheek “What wrong wove?” It’s exactly what he says to them when they are upset although, with better pronunciation, his hand falls as the blond begins to talk
“Someone’s words just made me a little sad but it’s alright I know they were just upset and sometimes when we are upset we say things we don’t mean.”
“Day was upsetti skpetti?” Draco smiles at James' serious question
“Yes, they were upsetti spaghetti.” Determent he asks “Who?”
Draco shakes his head pushing back James’ hair from his eyes “It doesn’t matter darling.”
“Yeah huh they hab to apologuys. Not awoud secret ‘member?” The youngest boy says knowing the rules in this house Draco knows that they will not stop until they know who, they are very stubborn boys just like their parents but he really shouldn’t tell them it’s between him and Harry.
“Was it Daddy when he yelled?” Of course they heard, he debates telling them but Draco, Harry, and Ginny agreed that they would do their absolute best to never lie to the kids.
“Daddy was just upset because Lily’s ears hurt which was making him stressed because we want her to feel all better, he didn’t mean it, he loves me very much.”
“He apologuys to you?”
“Not yet but we will talk. It's going to be just fine, it's nothing to worry your beautiful little minds about. Thank you for my hug it made me feel so much better. You guys go play, I'm going to finish dinner.”
“Okay but I don’t want yucky trees.” James says and Albus agrees “No ‘ucky ‘ees.”
They run off again but they don’t go to play instead James pulls his brother over explaining why they need to find their father instead.
“We have to go on a mission! Daddy has to apologuys we have to find him.” The youngest looks at him seriously ready to accept this mission “Otay wet’s do it.”
They run around the house looking in all of their daddy’s usual hiding spots when they hide and seek until finally, they make it to the Harry and Dracos bedroom.
“Oh d’here he is.” Harry picks up his head opening his heavy eyes “Hi boys.” He smiles hiding his anxiety.
“Daddy you not being berry nice.” Harry looks at them slightly shocked “Why is that?”
Expecting them to say because he wouldn’t let them eat more candy earlier they really are stubborn. “You have to apologuys to Dwaco, you made him sad with words.”
Harry’s face falls and the knife in his heart feels like it’s been twisted and yanked out. “Come here boys on the bed.” They climb up with Harry’s help then sit next to their father looking up at him expectantly “How do you know that?”
“Dwaco was crying and said it was cause the yucky trees but they don’t make eyes sad just crying onions. Then then we um we give him biiiiiig hug and ask why? But he he said som-someones words hurt him but but day was just upsetti skpetti.” James's eyebrows go up and down and scrunch together as he focuses on saying each word, Harry holds it together although he feels terrible.
“How did you find out it was me then?”
“Heard you yell but Dwaco said it’s cause sissy’s ears hurt and you want her to feel better. You don’t mean it wight daddy? Wike Dwaco said.” Harry pushes James’ hair back “I did not mean it at all, Draco is right I was upset because Lily was having a hard time and when we are upset we sometimes say things we don’t mean.”
Albus gets close to Harry’s face his little finger pointing at his father “Hab to apologuys.” He says sternly Harry kisses his little forehead “I will don’t you worry baby.” “Not a baby I honey bear.” “Right sorry honey bear.”
“An big hug.” He nods “And a big hug, but first thank you both very much for being so nice and asking Draco what was wrong and comforting him, I bet you made him really happy. And daddy is sorry I should have calmed down and not yelled it was unkind. But I’m gonna apologize and make Draco feel very loved, promise.” They both smile at their success
“I love Dwaco lots!” “Me too.” The youngest parrots back Harry smiles “And he loves you very much, just like I love you so much.” On the last part, he starts tickling both of them they try to squirm away giggling he finally stops letting them sit up again.
“Okay can you be my helpers and play in here for a couple of minutes while I apologize to Draco?” They nod “Okay but I have a big mission for you, I need you to listen for Lily and if she starts to cry I need you to come and get me okay?” “Okay Daddy we can do it!” James confirms enthusiastically giving Harry a thumbs-up
~
“Hey.” Draco looks at him quickly before looking back at the pan, once they are close enough to each other Harry grabs Draco’s hand.
“I’m sorry for what I said and how I acted. You were right, I was stressed because of Lily and I took it out on you. I didn’t mean for it to sound like I wanted to or even probably could have handled them alone. Not tonight or for the rest of our lives. We are all a team raising the kids and no matter the relations we are a family, we all help raise them together and in this home it’s me and you being the parents. Even though I did it once I know I could never do this alone again, I need you the kids all need you hell even the cat and owl need you. I’m sorry if I hurt you, thank you for everything you do for us. I love you more than you will ever know.” The blond moves his wand so it will continue cooking the meat for him. He squeezes Harry’s hand turning towards him
“I love you too, it did hurt yes but I know you didn’t mean it. I know it's a lot taking care of a sick kid and being there for the boys.” Harry nods “Just am overwhelmed and tired.” He admits tears prickling his eyes yet again
Draco squeezes his hand again stepping closer “I understand and I’m here to help however you need it, we’re a team like you said. But that means you have to let me help you even when you think you don’t need it.”
“I always need you.”
“Of course, you need me, who else would buy your skincare for you.” Harry laughs pulling Draco towards him
“And my skin is forever thankful, I mean can you imagine Harry Potter savior of the wizarding world buys lotion that costs 13 galleons.” They laugh wrapping their arms around the other Draco kisses Harry’s neck and shoulders. Finally, they can pause a moment as they rest in each other's comfort connecting chest to chest they recharge.
After what feels like only a few minutes a small voice yells out happily
“Yaaaaaayyy.” The couple jumps a little, turning to look at the youngest boy who walks closer to them.
Big green eyes look up at them “All beber?” Harry looks at the blond in slight confirmation “All better.” Draco confirms, the little one claps before hugging their legs with a big smile on his face, they each put a hand on his back.
“Did the mission!” Draco looks down at the boy then Harry curiously at what the mission was before he can ask through the dark-haired boy looks up at them “Oh Lil is cwyin.” Harry puts a hand on his son's head pushing his hair back “Okay buddy thank you.” “Not buddy I honey bear.” Harry smiles scooping up Albus putting him on his shoulder upside down making the boy giggle “Okay honey bear.”
When they walk into Lily’s room they see quite an adorable sight James is holding his sister on her bed which he has clearly climbed into rocking her she has stopped crying and is simply looking up at her brother. Albus walks over and also climbs into her cot making the couple question just how many times they have done this before. He sits on the bed petting his sister’s head. Harry and Draco look at each other completely gushing over the perfect moment before them. Harry summons a wizarding camera quickly capturing this rare moment of sweetness and silence.
“You guys are very good big brothers.” Draco compliments “O’course she’s our pwincess!”
James informs making Harry smile “You have to be good princes and take care of her right?” Remembering Ginny's stories, Albus nods “Mhm wike mummy says, she is the queen.”
James looks up at them “Mummy said you are a king still just at a diffewent castle with Dwaco.” Harry looks at Draco with a smirk “That’s right Jamie.”