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1
Harry knew he loved Theodore Nott when it was just the two of them against the world, huddling in the darkened hallways of Hogwarts during their disaster of an Eighth Year. He knew Theo was the one when he punched Rita Skeeter in the face during a particularly aggressive pop-up interview about Harry’s love life. He knew Theo liked his tea scalding hot and his blankets cozy with an extra Warming Charm or two. The way he’d snort when he found something unexpectedly funny and the way he picked at his knuckles when he was nervous.
Harry knew a lot about Theo. This was perfectly reasonable, considering the two had been dating for the better part of a decade and came home to each other every night. They were partners in crime, for better or for worse.
So when Theo rushed into Grimmauld Place with a manic look in his eye, a wild grin on his face and a weirdly glowing orb, Harry knew that he would follow this man into whatever craziness he led him into.
Theo grabbed Harry around the waist, spinning him around with a triumphant laugh.
“I did it, Harry,” Theo said once they stilled, his face flushed with excitement, “I cracked the case wide open.”
‘The case’ was only Theo’s biggest life goal yet, one Harry supported with only the mildest bit of apprehension. See, while wizarding society as a whole had been less than thrilled with the whole war business, Theo had been furious. Not for wizarding kind and all that nonsense. No, Theo had been furious for Harry.
Furious against Voldemort, Dumbledore, and any person who had looked at Harry the wrong way. Including himself, but that guilt had long since been soothed with quiet talks and tender kisses. In the early nights of their relationship many nightmares turned into Theo holding Harry tight as he sobbed his way through trauma after trauma until the sun rose. He’d heard it all: the cupboard, the maze, the quill. Theo had memorized each and every scar scattered across Harry’s body, just as Harry had done the same.
All of this culminated into Theo entering into service as an Unspeakable with one mission: turn back time and right what was wrong. Travel back to the night in Godric’s Hollow where it all started, kill Voldemort, and then go from there. Harry wasn’t really versed in all the details. He only knew that, standing there in that kitchen with Theo, he was fully along for the ride.
The only thing left was for him to pack his bags.
—
The pair arrived on the scene just as Hagrid carefully stepped out of piles of cobblestone with a small bundle cradled gently in his arms. Harry stood with a heavy heart and a bag slung over his shoulder that contained all their worldly possessions. Theo walked ahead with his head held high and the air of a man who knew his worth.
The arrangement was simple: Theo would handle everything and Harry would give himself time to grieve. That really was the crux of it - Harry giving himself time. Theo had been very insistent on a core tenant of his plan: letting Harry be selfish for once in his goddamn life. In his boyfriend’s eyes, Harry gave far too much and took far too little.
And now that would change by taking the most literal step towards self-care: rescuing a baby Harry Potter from the ruins of Godric’s Hollow. Harry’s parents couldn’t be saved, something about the prophecy - and Theo had taken months researching any possibility that they could - so they would simply be his parents instead.
What a weird concept, parenting yourself.
But as Harry stood at the threshold where Fate and Death crossed paths, leaving him scarred forever, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. This really was a new beginning for him. A completely blank slate; a chance to write his story anew.
And as Theo walked over with a sleeping mini-him, Harry knew the right decision had been made.
Maybe this selfishness thing wasn’t so bad after all.
2
Little Harry, or Haz as Harry has started to call him, was an absolute delight. Harry knew fuck-all about babies, but this one seemed to be perfectly happy with the way of the world. It made Harry want to hold him tight because the little tyke knew nothing of the tragedy around him. Haz just giggled and babbled all the while Harry kept watch through the night.
Theo thought it was the calming effect of Harry’s magic, which would be identical to Haz’s, that kept him calm. Harry thought it was what kept himself going throughout his own childhood - latching onto safety and fighting when it’s taken away. The only time Haz had screamed was when Harry had left the room to shower.
This kid was a fighter in a world where he would never have to fight if the two of them had anything to say about it. Harry had seen the game plan, he had sat with Theo as he mapped it out in the large kitchen the Nott summer home afforded them. It’s amazing what bribing a younger version of Theo’s dad did to their housing situation, really.
Theo was out preparing for the next day's hunt - they had decided to get the Horcruxes out of the way early - and Harry was staying behind to watch Haz. It was quiet in the house; an orange sunset creeping over the sky. On the table beside him was a copy of his parents’ will they were planning to submit to the Wizengamot in a fight for Sirius’s freedom. The walls were lined with newspaper clippings, interview transcripts and copied reference texts. A million different things could be running through Harry’s mind.
But instead it was quiet. All he cared about was the soft quilt wrapped around him and his future sleeping soundly in his lap. Earlier he had tried to fight Theo about staying home, insisting that if he had found the Horcruxes once he could do it again.
“What sort of partner would I be if I let you ever come in contact with something so vile again?” Theo had responded, “You’re too precious to me. I could never live with myself.”
But after the adrenaline had left - and Theo had kissed his grumpiness away - Harry had found himself only left with a quiet gratefulness. He’d dreaded the hunt, knowing every step would feel like fire was running through his very bones. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was willingly go back into the horrors of the last months of the war.
For Theo he would. But… because of Theo he didn’t have to. Because of Theo, Harry could sit and just bask in the quiet. It really was such a lovely thing.
3
Thunder stormed outside as Harry sat on his bed, curled up under a blanket.
Theo was in the room across the hall, comforting Haz in an attempt to try to get him to sleep. He was almost seven now, so bedtimes were more of a haggle than anything else. But the kid could never sleep through storms. First the noise would spook him and then the flash of lightning would make him start to cry.
Ironic, considering the shared scar marking both of their foreheads.
Usually Harry would be right there with them, doing everything he could to make his son (his son!!) feel better again. But Halloween had recently come and passed and nothing felt worth it right now.
Every day was haunted by what could’ve been and what Harry should’ve done. He could feel regret in every step he took and looking at Haz crying like that… it just left him feeling out of whack.
Harry looked up as Theo entered the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. The other man was worn, evident by the bags under his eyes. He gave Harry a fond smile, walking over the sit down next to him.
“What’s running through that head of yours, doll?” Theo asked quietly, wrapping his arms around Harry.
“He’s so young, Teddy,” Harry whispered back, “That’s how young I was at the Dursleys. That’s how young I was when…”
There were so many things he could’ve said. The cupboard, the nasty words, the wounds. It was all lodged in his throat, coming out as quiet sobs as tears ran down his face. Theo pressed soft kisses into his hair, humming to ground Harry when all he could do was cry. Cry for the little boy scared in the other room and for the little boy scared in a world where no one would help him.
Once the tears ceased Harry leaned into Theo, kissing him back softly. Theo gently pulled away, cupping his hand against Harry’s cheek.
“You are not alone in the world and neither is he. The fact that you are sitting here while he sleeps safely in the other room is huge. Where would he be if not for us?” he asked gently. “Cry for yourself, but don't cry for the future. You are there to make it better every day.”
Harry could only nod weakly, leaning further into his lover.
“He’s okay?” he asked into Theo’s neck.
Theo laughed softly, ruffling Harry’s hair.
“He’s perfectly fine,” he responded. “Do you want to go see?”
With another nod, the two of them made their way back into Haz’s room where the boy slept soundly, a muffling charm preventing the thunder from scaring him for the rest of the night.
Harry could feel a weight lift from his chest as he watched his son’s chest softly rise and fall. He would be okay.
They would all be okay.
+1
Harry fidgets with the box in his pocket as he waits for Theo to make his way through the floo.
Haz was being dropped off for a sleepover and Harry had decided to stay behind and ‘clean up’. In reality, he was simply acting on something he had wanted for a long, long time.
As Theo stepped back through the fireplace, Harry couldn’t help but admire him. He had grown into his sharp features, the smile lines making him more handsome every day. Brown hair artfully styled and a sharp black robe made Theo look like he had stepped out of a high-end magazine.
Instead he has stepped into their home.
Harry moved forward excitedly, reaching his hand out for Theo to take the scroll he had slipped into his pocket next to the box.
“Harry, what’s this?” Theo asked with an amused smile.
“Just read it!” Harry urged.
“I am, I am, “ he answered placatingly.
Harry just chuckled as Theo unrolled the paper to read it. Both of them were quiet until Theo let out a small gasp of surprise.
“You got it?” he asked, like he couldn’t believe what he was saying. “You got the DADA position at Hogwarts?”
Harry nodded enthusiastically, practically vibrating with the need to sweep Theo into a hug to celebrate. Not yet. He had a plan.
Theo’s handsome face broke out into a huge smile, “I’m so happy for you love.”
He strode over to Harry, taking ahold of his face and planting a kiss on his forehead. The fond smile on Theo’s face was enough to make Harry never want this moment to end. His auburn eyes danced with mirth as he stared down at him.
“What’s got you smiling like that Potter?” Theo murmured, “You’ve got your scheming face on.”
Harry said nothing in response, only taking Theo’s hand off his face and grasping it in his own. His other hand flicked open the box in his pocket and grasped the ring.
“Theodore Nott, you are the greatest thing to ever happen to me,” he started, relishing in the flush Theo’s face already bore, “You’ve helped me grow, heal and teach myself how to love again. Twice over, actually. Every day I’m with you feels like the greatest gift. In light of everything you’ve taught me over the years, would you let me be selfish one final time?”
Theo was frozen up until Harry slid the silver ring onto his finger, when he crashed his lips into Harry’s, only to pull back a moment later.
“Yes. Yes, absolutely yes,” Theo answers, his eyes gleaming with happiness and pride. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.