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Chapter Text

James Sirius Malfoy-Potter, 11 years old, stood before his trunk. In his hand was a device unknown to him yet. He was contemplating whether he would bring the unknown device or keep it in his room, where his Papa would surely see it. His Papa, who for sure would haunt him down from the castle of Hogwarts just to pull him back to the house and reprimand him for meddling with his Aunt Hermione's things.

Or he could bring it with him but risk the chance of causing destruction in the castle and getting the famous ire of Headmistress McGonagall and his Papa.

James sighed, his Dad's gentle yet stern voice telling him to return the thing before something worse happened, but the device looked cool in his hand. And his Dad once said, anything in his aunt Hermione's room, was a thing of beauty; they all looked cool. They were only for adults. And if James can successfully use this, then he will have something to tell his new friends in Hogwarts. He will be the most famous boy, if he's not yet, because of his surname and his parents, but James wanted to be famous in his own right.

And he reckoned, this is just the thing to push him to be that.

James' head perked up, though, when he heard the door suddenly open. With a reflex worthy of being a Quidditch champion, he carelessly threw the thing in his drawer.

His heart was beating so fast, a lie was ready in his lips, although he knew his Papa would be quick to know that something was amiss. James loves his Papa so much, but he's just so smart that he couldn't do any of his cool plans under his scrutinizing eyes. Unlike his Dad who's oblivious sometimes.

But he calmed down when he saw his brothers entering his room instead. "Oh, it's just you two."

Albus frowned at him. "Dad and Papa are looking for you. They were asking if you were ready so they could bring your trunk down."

James faced them, successfully hiding the drawer behind him, and crossed his arms at them. "Don't tell me you two are going to come." He asked by way of distracting them. "It's not like you two are going to do anything there."

"Of course! Lily too! She's downstairs with Teddy, Dad, and Papa, excitedly waiting for you. So, are you ready?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be ready, give me five more minutes."

Albus rolled his eyes and was about to go down when Scorpius, the one who obviously inherited their Papa's brain, suddenly asked. "What are you hiding there, Jamie?" Albus stopped as well and looked at James in expectation.

James laughed. "What are you talking about?" He knew he had the expression of picture-perfect confusion, but Scorpius frowned more.

"The thing you hid just before we came in."

"What thing?" Albus asked.

James shrugged. "Yes, Scorp, what thing?"

Scorpius crossed his arms. "The one inside your drawer."

Albus' eyes narrowed. "Scorp's right. There's something you're hiding there, Jamie, it's obvious. You're being defensive about it."

"Defensive? I don't—what are you two talking about? I just don't want you touching any of my things. Just go away, will you? Tell Dad and Papa I'll be ready in a few minutes."

Scorpius and Albus looked at each other before sighing. "Fine."

They were really fit to be Slytherins because just as soon as James turned his back, Albus came attacking him to give way to Scorpius, who was quick to open the drawer.

"Hey!"

Scorpius gasped when he opened the drawer. "Did you steal this from Aunt Hermione's room?"

James pushed Albus away from him. "I didn't steal it, I don't steal things! I found it in Dad's study. He probably borrowed it from Aunt Hermione, and I saw it, so," James shrugged. "Finder's keepers."

Scorpius scoffed. "You didn't find it. You nicked it from Dad's study."

"Jamie, Dad and Papa told us we shouldn't be touching any of their things. Dad will be mad at you. You should've left it at that or told Papa or Dad."

James sighed and shook his head. "You two are such rule-followers, live a little, why don't you? I will just try it and return it to Dad's study like nothing happened."

"You can't try it, Jamie. It's a time turner."

James gasped, his eyes widening, before a big smile settled on his face. Oh shit, the thing is cooler than he was thinking. He was only thinking of a two-way mirror with enhanced features. "Is it? But it looks like a mirror."

Albus peaked inside and nodded. "Yeah, it doesn't look like the one I saw in those books."

Scorpius flushed, and then he was suddenly shifty. "I just heard Aunt 'Mione and Papa talking about it, Aunt 'Mione was describing it to Papa."

James smirked. "Oh, so you're eavesdropping on Papa when he specifically told us not to."

Scorpius' eyes widened in fear. "It was an accident!"

"Hm, not really, because you obviously know a great deal about their talk," James' smirk widened when he saw Scorpius' resolve breaking, it's so easy to fool his brothers. Sometimes, he just loves being the oldest. "Don't worry, Scorp, I won't tell Papa if you won't tell on me."

"I'm sure what you did is worse than me eavesdropping."

"So you did eavesdrop."

Scorpius growled. "Give me that!"

"No, it's mine!"

"Hey! You two!"

All of them shot their arms up and touched the time turner. When they did, it suddenly glowed, and James realized that Scorpius was right when the middle portion of the mirror broke from its frame and began spinning like the time turner James knew.

"It's happening! Yes!"

"What the hell is happening?" Albus whispered.

"We're doomed!"

"This is cool! A time turner! Finally!"

They all closed their eyes when they felt a pull, and they all screamed, their emotions different from each other, when they felt a lurching inside them.

-

But just as soon as the warping started, it stopped.

When James opened his eyes, they were at King's Cross Station. He knew this because he went here last year with his parents when they accompanied Teddy. Beside him, his brothers were both groaning as they stretched their bodies to relieve the pain of the fall.

"We broke it," Albus sighed and looked forlornly at the broken time turner in his hand.

"Just take care of it for a while. We need to preserve it."

"Scorp, you're lying, it's not a time turner. It's probably just a portkey of some sort. Let's just wait for Dad and Papa, they'll be here when they realize we're gone."

"No, Jamie, look at that!"

Scorpius pointed at the newspaper, and their eyes widened when they saw the date on the Daily Prophet clasped in the wizard's hand. Tuesday, September 1, 1998. On the front page was their Dad, a younger version of him glaring at whomever captured the picture.

"Do you believe me now that we really went back in time? And do you know what that means?" Scorpius frowned at James.

"Hell yeah! We're so cool, and I have so much to say to the students at Hogwarts! They'll look at me in envy!"

"What, Jamie?! No! We got back in Dad and Papa's 8th year! And if we went back, that means-"

Scorpius was stopped when they heard a commotion and saw people going gaga over their Dad, aunt Mione, and uncle Ron, who all looked younger than they were used to. Their Dad obviously hated the attention, though, and he was shoving some of the people already. Well, at least, something hasn't changed.

"We're dead," Albus whispered.

"Dead? Don't you two see how cool this is?! We can go talk to Dad. Hey, Da-"

Scorpius pulled James away from the quick eyes and brain of Hermione. "Jamie! One rule when you go back to the past is to not let anyone know you're from the future, Aunt Hermione said. And do not meddle. It's going to change everything in our own time. If you told Dad we were his children and he got together with Papa in the end, he might do his very best to stop that from happening. Dad isn't in love with Papa yet in their 8th year, he told us that. Or he might just force it to happen for the sake of it happening, with no real feelings between them."

James, for the first time, felt anxious. Scorpius is right. If he triggered an event, just one simple event, it could have a domino effect, and his' and his brothers' existences would surely be affected. His parents might not end up together after all.

James sighed. "You're right. What should we do?"

"We need to-"

Scorpius stopped talking when they heard another commotion, this time, no praises or screams of worship were given. Instead, murmurs of disgust and glares were thrown at the newcomers. There they saw their Papa, with his head held high, with their Uncle Blaise and Aunt Pansy by his side, their attitudes unchanging.

Not until the murmurs and glares suddenly became not enough. And suddenly, a hex was thrown, and their Papa tripped and fell.

"Draco!" Pansy and Blaise cried, quick to help him.

"Papa." Scorpius and Albus whimpered from behind James, obviously distraught to see their Papa getting harmed, and they couldn't do anything about it.

"Jamie, we need to do something, let's help Papa," Scorpius sobbed when the people around them laughed at their Papa, openly mocking him. No one, aside from Blaise and Pansy, cared enough to stop the public humiliation their Papa was experiencing.

James felt his eyes water as well, seeing what his Papa had faced after the war was heartbreaking. Getting told about it was one thing, but seeing it in front of him made him regret ever going back here. He shouldn't have nicked the time turner from his Dad's study room.

But Blaise and Pansy were there for him. They pulled Draco to stand, and the three of them continued, with Pansy and Blaise sticking to Draco's side, casting a shield as well.

James saw from the side that his Dad and uncle Ron were snickering at his Papa, with his aunt Hermione only shaking her head, and that was more heartbreaking. He was used to seeing his Dad overprotective of his Papa, lashing out at anyone who dared to look at him in the wrong way or say anything bad about him. His Dad loves his Papa very much, and his uncle Ron always teased his Dad being whipped to him, to which he always answered with a proud, "I am."

James hid his Dad from his brothers' sight before they came, attacking their Dad for not doing anything to help their Papa and revealing their secret. James needed to be their oldest, most mature brother. He needed to fix this, it's all because of him that they're all in this predicament.

"Look, we need to go to Hogwarts, we can ask for help there. Until then, Scorpius is right, no one should recognize us, so," James pulled his wand from his sleeve and cast the one spell he knew by heart, a modification charm.

He made their hair brown, turning his nose longer and his chin a bit wider, softening Scorpius' face to remove the Malfoy features, and turning Albus' eyes blue so no one would associate him with the famous emerald green eyes of their Dad.

"There. We're so different. I can't recognize you two anymore, but it has to happen. No one can recognize us until we get help from someone."

"Where did you learn this, Jamie? This is so cool!" Albus sniffed and happily touched his newly straightened brown hair.

"Yeah? From Teddy. He taught it to me, I was thinking of using it when I do my pranks in Hogwarts, just don't tell anyone about it, alright? Now, let's go!"

-

They all settled into a compartment.

"Jamie, I'm so scared. Do you think Papa is okay?" Scorpius still had a frown and was still shivering from the scene they all saw.

"You two, come here, look," James slung his arms around his brothers. "I'm sorry this happened. I regret ever touching that thing, and yes, I should've listened to Scorp, but I thought of what it could bring me, but seeing Papa there," James gritted his teeth, he wanted to hex everyone who laughed at his Papa, including his Dad and uncle Ron. "Maybe we're here for a reason? Maybe we're here to protect Papa, right?"

Scorpius nodded. "Maybe." He sheepishly smiled when his stomach grumbled. "I'm hungry. I should've eaten something. Papa told me to eat something, I miss Papa."

"Don't worry. I'll buy something when we see the trolley witch. Teddy told me all the candies she sells."

When the trolley witch strolled by their compartment, James spent the galleons his parents gave him for this reason. And soon after, they were distracted at the varieties of sweet candies laid before them.

"Look!" Albus excitedly shouted, shoving his chocolate frog card at James' face. "I got Dad! He looked irritated, though."

"He's always irritated when his picture gets taken, unless it's for our family picture, because Papa is the one insisting on it."

"Dad loves Papa so much, he's willing to do everything for him, and for us as well."

They all smiled at each other, but soon fell when they realized that they were years away from those parents who were in love with each other.

"How do you think Papa is faring?" Albus asked, a worried furrow visible on his face.

"We can go check if you want."

Before they found their Papa, they found their Dad first, only three compartments away from where they were sitting, and what welcomed them stunned them. Their aunt Ginny was in there, looking cozy beside their Dad. Their Dad had an arm wrapped around her waist, and she was leaning on his shoulder, kissing his cheek from time to time.

"That's not Dad," Scorpius murmured, more to himself, his voice heavy and laced with disappointment. "It's weird, I know they had a history, but I can't take Dad doing that thing he's supposed to be doing with Papa. And Aunt Ginny should be kissing Aunt Cho instead. It's weird. I don't want to think that Dad is cheating because he's not, but..."

Albus sighed. "I hate this. I hate this place. I don't want to be here anymore. I don't like this Dad. I want to see Papa."

"Sorry, Al," James felt shitty. When they saw their Dad leaning in, about to snog their aunt Ginny, James clasped his brothers' shoulders and pulled them away. "Okay, come here, let's go."

Before leaving, James saw Harry looking at them with his eyes narrowed.

At the end of the hallway, they finally saw their Papa's compartment, he's with his best friends, who were both talking, but their Papa was quiet.

At the reflection of the window where their Papa was fixated, James and his familiar silver eyes met. The door abruptly opened, stopping Blaise and Pansy's talk. And their Papa was looking at them with neither familiarity nor the familiar love in his eyes. They looked dull and hopeless—not the gorgeous eyes their Dad loved describing.

"Who are you, and what are you staring at?"

"We-"

Scorpius entered the compartment despite the lack of invitation and smiled at their Papa. He had his hands fisted to his side, desperately preventing himself from hugging their Papa. "Uhm, we're sorry to intrude like this, but we saw what happened at the station-"

Their Papa scoffed and rolled his eyes at him. Scorpius backed away a little. James clasped a hand on Scorpius' shoulder, silently telling him this isn't their Papa. "What? Came here to gloat as well? Mock me? Came to finish the job? Can't say I will be hurt by hexes from little first year students, but it will certainly embarrass me so much. Go on, finish the job."

"No, no, that's not what we wanted to do. We're sorry it happened to you."

"I don't want your pity! Go away!"

"Draco." Pansy softly chided, looking at Scorpius in apology.

"Shut up, Pansy. We don't even know these kids. The audacity of them to come here and remind me of what happened."

Scorpius nibbled on his lower lip, while James and Lily were closer to their Dad, the blonde always favored their Papa over their Dad, and so did Albus, so James knew how much the twins were having a hard time getting treated like this from their usually gentle-loving Papa.

"You don't deserve what they did to you, uhm... Draco," James cut off, subtly moving Scorpius and Albus behind him. "It was plain cruel, what they did. No one deserved that."

"I deserved it," Draco sighed. "You don't know all the things I did, just ask everyone around."

James didn't fail to see how their younger version of Papa gripped his covered forearm, where he knew his dark mark was. Even until the present, his Papa was always sensitive about it and always calmed down when his Dad caressed the mark.

"We know what you did, and we believed in you, just like Harry. He spoke for you in your trial, didn't he?"

"I should've known you three were fans of the saviour. Who are you, anyway? And why are you so concerned with me?"

"We're no one," Albus chewed on his lower lip, thinking of the right things to say. "But we're all excited to go to Hogwarts, but then earlier, we saw what they did, and, it was," Albus puffed his cheeks, and James knew he was stopping himself from cursing, despite knowing this isn't their real Papa. "Evil. It was trash what they did, and we just wanted you to know that. We're siblings, by the way," Albus said in his desperation to continue talking to their Papa.

Draco raised an eyebrow. "What? You three are siblings, all going to Hogwarts as first years? What? But you don't look like you're triplets."

"Yes, we're not. But we are twins," Albus pointed at Scorpius.

"Who are your parents? The Weasleys? Your mother must be so fertile, just imagine having 3 small kids under the age of 2, I couldn't."

James had to hide his smirk when he remembered when their grand-mére told them the story of the time when his Papa found out he was pregnant again, with James not even a year old yet. She said he was so mad at their Dad. She also said that his Papa was distraught at first at the prospect of having 3 small kids, all under the age of 2, but it only lasted for a day, and soon after, he was back to being an excited parent, and his Dad couldn't be happier.

"Our parents are just very much in love."

When Draco only scoffed and went back to staring at the window, Scorpius perked up again. "We two are gunning to be Slytherins just like, uhm, our mother told us, we're fitted to be Slytherins and we are hoping to see you there... Draco."

"You know, kid, you shouldn't be, you don't know how angry all the students are at us, it doesn't matter if you two are innocent. Just hope you're in Gryffindor, the house of the Saviour."

James puffed up his chest at the mention of his House, he knew he would be in there, his parents told him. "I will be in Gryffindor, but I don't see anything wrong with Slytherins or in any of the houses. Our... mother always told us that the Slytherin house is elegant, and I know it will be an honor for my brothers to be in that house."

"Whatever."

Draco went back to sulking and threw a silencing charm around himself.

Pansy smiled in apology. "You three were obviously brought up better than us, whoever raised you, they must be the best, especially your mother. Thank you for your concern."

James looked at Draco who wasn't looking at any of them anymore. "They are. Well, we'll see you there. Bye."

-

It was Hagrid who welcomed the first year students.

"Hagrid!" The three of them came running forward and hugged the gentle giant, who hugged them as well, although Hagrid looked confused.

"Do I know you three?"

James shook his head. "No, but we heard you from our parents, our Dad said you were the best Professor he had in Care of Magical Creatures," His Papa obviously didn't share the same idea and was adamant to contradict their Dad. "And they also told us all the things you did for Hogwarts, especially during the war."

Hagrid proudly smiled at that, and he puffed up his chest. "Well, that's nice to hear. Who are your parents, by the way? And why aren't you dressed yet?"

"We... well, you see, it's a long story, but our parents, they're... uhm gone, and we don't have any money, so we don't have any uniform, but we really wanted to come here in Hogwarts to study, we promised our parets, you see." James sighed at a frowning Hagrid.

He just knew Hagrid had a big heart for orphaned kids.

"What?! That can't be! Okay, we'll go to Headmistress McGonagall, she'll know what to do."

Chapter Text

"What did you say your names are again?"

James kept himself from squirming, but the headmistress' eyes are scary. She looked like she already knew their secrets without having to force him. Teddy did tell him all he needed to know about the formidable headmistress. He told him she's not someone you play with, she's not someone you want to cross, but that's something James was willing to risk just to enact his cool pranks, especially because his dad had entrusted him with two of his coolest possessions, namely the Map and the Cloak, despite his Papa telling his Dad not to.

"Love, let him experience Hogwarts the same way I did. Let him have his own adventures." James smiled at his Dad when the man winked at him, his dad had already promised him that he would give him two.

Papa's eyes widened. "Oh, no. I'm not going to let my son experience any of the dumb, stupid things you and your friends experienced, they're all near-death, and I'm not crazy like Dumbledore to let it happen. I don't want anything to happen to James."

"But Papa," James got a hold of his Papa's hand, looking up at him with the most innocent look he could muster, and almost begged him. "I promise, nothing will happen to me, I will be very good. Please, papa?" James pouted; he never did, but this one called for something drastic like this.

His Papa sighed and then looked at his Dad for support, and that's when his Dad stepped in. "Love, Teddy is there, he'll tell us if Jamie's causing trouble—"

"Or, if something bad happened to me 'cause I'm not always causing trouble."

His parents looked at him in disbelief. "Also, the twins will be starting Hogwarts next year, James will have to share these things with them, right, James?"

"Of course, Dad!"

Right, the twins are going to be there as well. Eh, James will just have to bully them into giving him both because he's older. But not too much because his Papa will admonish him.

James smiled when he saw his Papa's resolve breaking, and then his Dad gave the one final push.

"Also, love, don't tell me, when you're a kid, and you have the chance to use these, aren't you going to beg Lucius to let you?"

His papa rolled his eyes. "I know you're in this as well, Harry but fine, I'll cave in, but promise me, Jamie, you are not going to cause so much trouble, have fun but do not hurt anyone, alright?" His Papa cupped his cheeks. "And please, don't scare us, promise me, you'll always be safe, go to Teddy if someone's bothering you; go to Professor Neville, Merlin, go to Hagrid. No nonsense near-death experiences, don't be like your Dad."

"Yes, Papa. I will not hurt anyone or hurt myself or cause so much trouble. I promise!"

Draco smiled. "Why don't I believe your smile, Jamie? I know there's a reason why Harry insisted on naming you after his Dad and godfather, two of the most troublemakers of their time. Just don't be caught."

James giddily smirked. "I won't."

His Papa pinched his cheeks. "That's a test that you failed. You should be saying you will not cause trouble."

"Oh, okay. Can you repeat what you said, Papa?"

His Dad laughed when his Papa merely rolled his eyes, and hugged James. "Ah, you're growing up, James, soon, you'll be the captain of Gryffindor Quidditch."

James puffed up his chest to appear strong. Yes, he will be.

"Or for the Slytherin. I think green suits you so well, Jamie."

"Give it up, Papa. I will be a proud, roaring Gryffindor."

"That's my boy."

Papa sighed and playfully rolled his eyes. "You're such a bad influence on my son." His Dad only laughed and dropped a kiss on his Papa's cheek.

James sighed when that particular memory played in his brain. What he wouldn't give to see that situation he took for granted. Anyway, back to Headmistress McGonagall, James fixed his posture, not giving the woman the impression that his hands were getting clammy.

"I'm James, and these are my brothers, Al, short for Albert, and this is Scorpius."

On their way to her office, they talked about their names, and they decided to maintain their names to lessen any slip and confusion, well, except for Albus, whose name is just too unique to be associated with the late Headmaster, and Scorpius wouldn't cave in.

"Very well," the woman said, slightly leaning away, which made James breathe a little. "To be honest with you, Mr. James, I don't remember writing any of your names, but you three are on the list of the first year students despite your brothers being only 10 years old, I guess we can overlook that, given your situation."

James forlornly nodded, perfectly playing the role of an orphaned kid.

He must have done it well because he saw how the woman softened and even smiled at them. James' eyes narrowed, his brain thinking of all the things he could do when he was back in his time to escape from her.

"And you don't have robes or any of the necessary school supplies?"

"No, we don't, Headmistress," Albus answered.

"Stay here, I'll ask for some spare robes. And tomorrow, I'll have Hagrid accompany you to buy school supplies. You three will be excused for the day," she stood up. "Wait for a while."

"Well, that went well. I guess?" James breathed a relieved sigh as soon as she was gone.

Scorpius nodded. "Yeah, I honestly thought we were gone there for a moment and she had it all figured out. I guess your modification charms work, Jamie."

"Well, of course! It was I who did it. I am more than perfect."

"You three are from the future."

"Who-"

They all looked up and saw the familiar smile and sparkling eyes of one Albus Dumbledore. Beside him, the portrait of Severus Snape blinked from his slumber and tilted his head at them.

"How do you know that?"

They looked at each other and walked towards the portraits.

"Charms do not affect us portraits. In our eyes, you and that boy," Albus Dumbledore's portrait pointed at Albus. "He looked exactly like your father, if I'm not mistaken, Harry James Potter, while you," The portrait then pointed at Scorpius. "You look like Mr. Draco Malfoy, and if you two are telling the truth-"

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore. They are our parents."

James has a neutral feeling toward the late Headmaster. While he hears praise from his dad towards the old man, he hears rants from his Papa, so it was balanced. He feels the same way about Severus Snape.

"I'm James Sirius Malfoy-Potter, and my brothers' real names are Scorpius Hyperion and Albus Severus."

Snape's portrait was stumped. "Potter named his son after me?"

"Not really. Our parents just happened to hate Al so they lumped him with the names they didn't like."

"Shut up, Jamie! That's not what happened. Dad wanted to name me after you because he said he wanted to honor your deeds, but Papa was like, No, Potter!" James laughed when Albus began mimicking their Papa's voice. He's just so on point. Scorpius was giggling as well. "You're not carrying him, I am! And you're crazy if you think I'm going to let you name my son, excuse my language, Professor, after that fool Dumbledore!"

Snape's portrait snickered, but Dumbledore's portrait was still smiling, his eyes sparkling. "I'm certainly honored."

"And then after some time, Uncle Ron said our parents ignored each other for a day before Papa relented with, Potter, if you could name our son after that old man, I can name him after my godfather as well, Dad thought it was only fair that they both loved and hated my namesakes, so here I am."

"Yeah, in short, they hate you."

Albus sighed. "They're just so un-creative. Papa stopped thinking of names after Scorp, he probably thought he was only going to have one child, so he let Dad have his way of naming us."

James silently agreed, but he wouldn't tell that to Albus, it's more fun to tease his brother. Of the four of them, he's sure he got lucky in their parents' naming game. His name is common yet cool and fitting for him. Unlike Albus. What kind of name is Albus even?!

Before he could ask his brother's namesake, the door opened, and in came Headmistress McGonagall with spare robes, as promised.

"Better change your clothes and go down before the sorting starts. Hagrid is waiting downstairs, he'll accompany you to the Great Hall."

"Thank you, Headmistress."

She smiled. "Off you go, then."

-

"That is so beautiful," Albus whispered beside James. He had a wide smile on his face as he looked up, his eyes drinking up the sight of the charmed candles and the bewitched ceiling.

"I know! I read all about it in Hogwarts: A History, revised edition, all the spells they used. And did you know Dad and our aunts and uncles helped? It was cited there as well, although they only emphasized Dad's name, for some reason."

James rolled his eyes playfully. Ever the nerd. Rose would certainly have competition with Scorpius.

Albus only nodded at Scorpius, and his steps stuttered a bit when he looked to the right, and James realized it was because their Dad was looking at them with scrutinizing eyes. James pushed his brother to ignore their Dad.

Soon after, each first-year student was called one by one onto the chair, and they were sorted. Albus and Scoripus, of course, were sorted into Slytherin, much to their glee. James to Gryffindor. Still unnerved by what the Sorting Hat told him about him belonging in the future, James sat beside the other first-year Gryffindors. He looked up and tried to meet the eyes of his brothers, who both gave him a thumbs up. James nodded.

Then, Headmistress McGonagall delivered her speech and thanked everyone for helping restore Hogwarts, although some parts were still prohibited to students, and acknowledged the returning 8th-year students. She also emphasized house unity, inciting that the war is over and there is no space anymore for anything but love and forgiveness. At this, James saw how the Gryffindors and students from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff snarled in Slytherin's direction.

James tried to glare at the other Gryffindors. His Papa was right, being in Slytherin at this time was a punishment, and so he promised himself that he would protect his brothers from anyone.

And then, Professor McGonagall waved her hand, and several kinds of food appeared on the table. James widely smiled, Teddy told him this feast was the most exciting thing to look forward to, and James realized why.

"This is so delicious!" James gushed as he savored the roast beef. He's used to his Dad's and Grandma Molly's cooking, but foods here in Hogwarts are also the best!

"I know!" The boy sitting on his right said with a wide smile on his face, a fellow first year. "My name's Michael, by the way. What's yours?"

"I'm James. James Walker."

-

Before leaving his brothers with the other Slytherins and their Papa, James told them that he'd go to them tomorrow so they would all go to Hagrid's Hut. And under no circumstances should they wander around all by themselves, James would take no chances, he believed his Papa. Stupid people from other houses would not consider his brothers' ages or the fact that they didn't have anything to do with the war, to them, Albus and Scorpius are Slytherins.

"We'll be fine, Jamie."

James shook his head at Albus. "No, I'm serious. Don't go on your own, okay? Promise me. You'll wait for me just outside of your common room."

"Fine. Bye James! See you tomorrow."

James stayed for a while to look at his brothers before following the Gryffindors on their way to the Tower. Unfortunately or fortunately, he stayed for a while, and he caught the end of the line where his dad and the other returning 8th year students were lined up, with his Aunt Ginny.

"Hey," his uncle Ron said. "Your first year buddies are over there."

James shrugged. "I know. But you're all going to the Gryffindor tower, I don't see any reason why I should not be here with you. I mean, what's the difference?"

Uncle Neville laughed. "He got you there, Ron."

"Kids are so different these days."

On their way to the tower, James forced himself to stop looking at the younger version of his Dad, but he could feel his burning stare at him, almost as if his Dad knew. Almost as if he could see beyond James' charms. But James kept going.

As soon as he entered the Gryffindor common room, he roamed his eyes around, hoping to remember every corner of the room. The common room looked as homey and inviting as his Dad described it to be. On his way to his own dorm after asking a prefect, he was stopped when he heard his younger Dad behind him, saying,

"I know you."

"What? Oh, hello, Harry Potter," James had to stop smiling or laughing. The situation is both amusing and sad, to be honest. It's empowering that he could call his Dad by his name and not get admonished, but at the same time, it's weird that this version of his dad was closer to a friend than a father. "Do you? I mean, I'm no one while you're Harry Potter, the Saviour."

James bit his inner cheek when he saw his Dad—Harry, he had to get used to that—almost growling at him. He just knew that would frustrate Harry.

"Stop calling me that. Anyway, I don't know you, but I've seen you. Earlier on the train, you were staring at us, almost as if you wanted something to say."

"I was just shocked to see you so close, Harry Potter, I've only seen you in the Daily Prophet after all."

"So you weren't cross with me then? Because it looked like you were glaring at me earlier."

"Well, I," James blinked and almost denied glaring at his own dad; he didn't even realize that he did, but then he remembered this guy laughing when his Papa was getting mocked. James stood up straighter and gritted his teeth. "Why didn't you do anything?"

Harry blinked. "What?"

"Earlier, when P-Draco Malfoy was getting mocked at the station, you didn't do anything. You just stood there with your friend, you were laughing at him with the people who hated him. You didn't do anything."

James knew his voice sounded betrayed and disappointed, but he wanted his Dad to know how much he was hurt and frustrated to see his own Papa suffering like that. It was unfair to Harry since he didn't know anything, but James didn't care.

"Why should I? It's not my responsibility to protect Malfoy."

"But you did anyway, you spoke for him in his trial."

"You know a lot."

"I read the news." Not. James wouldn't be caught dead reading anything. Besides, his Dad banned the Daily Prophet from their house after Rita Skeeter, he called the nasty journalist, called his Papa many names. It took Hermione, Ron, and his Papa to stop his Dad from destroying the entirety of the Daily Prophet.

Harry sighed. "Look, I only did it as a favor to his mother, you know, the one who saved my life. I didn't do that for Malfoy, I wouldn't do it out of my own accord, he's not a friend. He will never be a friend."

James mentally smirked. He wanted to stay here for the sake of seeing his Dad go crazy after his Papa, just to laugh at him. His Dad had told him many times that he fell in love with their Papa right after Hogwarts, or that's when he realized after a date or two, but it would be entertaining to see it for himself. It was a big leap from not wanting to be Draco's friend to being his husband.

"So, you agree that it was okay to mock Draco Malfoy like that because of the things he was already acquitted of just because he's Draco Malfoy? Does that mean it was also okay to hurt Slytherins because they are Slytherins?"

"Of course not!"

"Then how come it's okay for you if Draco gets to be punished for the things he didn't do just because he was a Death Eater?"

James didn't see anything wrong with his Papa being a Death Eater if it was his only choice to save his parents' lives. To him, both his parents were Saviour in their own right, and he's proud of them.

Harry cringed. "Because it's Malfoy! I couldn't be arsed to save the prat once again, I already did it so many times that he should be punished for all his actions," Harry sighed. "Don't say arse–fuck, ah crap," Harry stopped for a minute. "Don't curse. I don't want your parents to think I was a bad influence."

Is this really what his younger Dad thought? That his Papa deserved everything he got?

"I'm an orphan."

"Oh," James relished at the fact that Harry looked uncomfortable. It's obvious, his dad wanted to pull away from this situation. "So am I. And it's all because of him, Malfoy's master."

James frowned. That's too much. Why was his dad associating his Papa with Voldemort? It's as if he's forcing himself to hate Draco by blaming it all on the latter.

"You know, Draco was just a kid, like you were. He didn't have any choice, it was the only thing he could do to save his parents. He was a kid brought up with prejudice, he thought it was right, and no one was there to save him and tell him otherwise."

It was his Dad who told him that when he was on his spree of defending James' Papa.

"He had a choice."

"It was hard to escape something that was shoved down into you many years ago. Like you as well. The only difference was, you were a child of Light."

Again, his Dad's words.

"Jesus Christ, kid. You shouldn't be this insightful."

"James."

"Wha-"

"Well, you're calling me kid, and my name is James."

Harry was stumped for a while.

James raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing. That's the name of my Dad and my middle name as well. Good name, James. Whoever named you must have thought of it really well."

James wanted to snort. Yeah, right. He's pretty sure his Dad didn't have to think about it that hard. "Yeah, I miss my Dad," James looked at Harry and felt a wave of emotions. He suddenly missed his Dad, the Head Auror who still took his time to cook for them, the Dad who always clasped his shoulders before telling James he was proud of whom he grew up to be, the one who taught James how to play Quidditch, the one in love with his Papa.

He's here, but it's different. He's not James' dad.

Harry laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed him. "Hey, James, I don't think I'm in the position to say this, but it's going to be fine. It'll hurt every time you think of them, but it's going to get better each time."

"Thank you, Harry. I should get going, I still have to get to my brothers tomorrow morning before the breakfast starts since they are Slytherins."

"I see."

James smiled as soon as he turned his back. He knew that was going to make his Dad think twice.

-

Scorpius and Albus quickly ran towards their Papa who was dragging himself to his room, with his friends by his side, clearly not happy to be back here.

"Hi, Draco! Nice to see you again!" Albus greeted.

Draco stopped walking to face them. Pansy and Blaise had questioning looks on their faces as they looked at them.

Draco sighed. "Didn't I tell you not to go here? You don't know the danger that awaits you, you shouldn't be this happy. You should've gone with your brother."

"But Draco," Scorpius bit his lower lip, he's whining, but he's so used to whining at his Papa. And even if the guy in front of him was scrawny and looked hopeless and sad, to Scorpius, that's still his Papa. "We can't ask the sorting Hat to sort us elsewhere and our," Scorpius puffed his cheeks. He wanted to call Draco Papa right in his face. "... mama was right to say we're fitted to be in here, so we're here."

"Just be careful, alright? Don't go anywhere on your own without any adult Slytherin accompanying you, I'm telling you, those vengeful students out there wouldn't care if you two were only small 1st year students and Merlin, you two are small."

"Mama told us we're late bloomers, just like our Dad."

"Sure, like Potter," Draco smiled when Pansy and Blaise laughed. Scorpius and Albus looked at each other, their Papa couldn't be more right. "Anyway, we, Slytherins, take care of each other, and at this time, we only have ourselves against everyone," Draco kneeled to look at them in the eyes. "Tell me if something happened, alright?"

That's their Papa's voice! Overwhelmed, they hugged Draco.

"Oh, gosh," Pansy cooed. "You look like their Papa Bird."

"Stop it, Pansy. The kids are just overwhelmed, I'm sure their parents would be livid if they knew a Death Eater was this close to their sons."

"We're orphans," Scorpius explained. He hated that they had to pretend their parents were dead, but it was the only plan they could think of. "The war..."

"I'm so sorry," Draco said, standing up and taking a big step back. "It's probably a disrespect to you that someone like me would ever try to offer any help when I was the one who caused-"

"No, Draco, it's not your fault. Scorpius and I don't blame you."

"Scorpius? That's-" Blaise looked at Draco and Pansy in confirmation.

Pansy pursed her lips. "Wasn't that supposed to be the name of your future kid, Draco? Scorpius? That's an unusual name, right?" Pansy's eyes narrowed. "Be honest, are you two from the future? Are you two Draco's future children? Is that why you're so oddly concerned for him? Who was it? Who did he end up with?"

"W-what? What are you talking about?" Scorpius blinked. So he didn't want to give up the name his Papa gave him, but maybe he should have.

Draco shook his head. "It's probably just a coincidence, Pans, let it go, you're scaring the kids. Maybe one of their parents fancied astronomy as well. Besides, I don't look like any of them, it's impossible that my future partner gets to give our kids their features."

"Hm, you're right. I did expect your children to be blonde and snobbish. Besides, they have manners, any kid of Draco who is not a spoiled brat running around telling everyone to fix their manner is not your kid."

"Shut up, Pans." Draco looked at them. "I hope you two enjoyed being Slytherin."

"Thank you, Draco."

Draco nodded and left them, with Blaise following him. Pansy tilted her head at them before following Draco and Blaise.

"That went well," Scorpius looked at his brother on their way to their room. "How are we going to make sure Dad and Papa get together, though?"

"I thought we couldn't meddle? Dad told us they didn't fall in love until 2 years from now."

"I know, but I can't see Papa getting mocked like what happened at the station. Dad can help protect him, and it doesn't hurt to give them a headstart."

"I'm sure Papa can handle himself, he's not like some damsel in distress who can't fend off any bullies, right? It's our Papa! He's so good at spells," Albus smiled. "Besides, I'm sure nothing like that will happen again."

"If you're sure," Scorpius sighed and opened their room. "Well, here we are. Wonder what's happening to our real Dad and Papa."

Chapter Text

"What's taking them so long?" Draco cast a tempus and sighed when he realized it had been 10 minutes and his twins hadn't come down yet, probably getting teased by James again. With a louder voice, he said, "Jamie! Al! Scorp! Get down here."

Draco tried not to feel nervous when no twins came out of James' room. Usually, the twins would scramble to heed him upon hearing his voice, with a disgruntled James following his brothers. He looked at Harry, and his husband just shrugged, easing Draco's nerves a little, though he still couldn't fully shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"I'll go get them," he told Harry.

He made sure to loudly stomp on his way to James' room, somehow still hoping that his sons would appear, but when no sons came running, Draco felt frustrated but, above all, nervous.

"James Sirius Potter, I swear to Merlin you-" Draco stopped, his breath leaving him when he saw no sign of any of his sons. "Jamie? Al? Scorp!" He opened James' closet and checked under his bed, but still none. Draco sighed. "James Sirius, Albus Severus, Scorpius Hyperion, I swear to Merlin and Salazar himself, if you don't come out, this isn't the time to hide. Teddy's going to be late. James!"

Still, none. Silence welcomed him. The only thing he could hear was his loud heartbeat. Something isn't right. His sons wouldn't do this to him.

"Harry!" He frantically called. Soon enough, his husband came running.

"What? What's happening?"

"The kids! They're gone! Just gone!"

"What?" Harry raised his wand. "Accio invisibility cloak!" James' trunk opened, and Harry's cloak went flying into his outstreached hand.

"Harry..." Draco whimpered, his mind racing with overwhelming ideas he shouldn't be thinking.

Like, what if someone kidnapped his sons? Harry has enemies; they called themselves the neo-death eaters; they were harmless, and Harry told him they were laughably a handful, but what if they found a way through Harry's impenetrable wards? Draco has enemies as well, inventors who were affected once the world started going crazy over his inventions. They are geniuses; it's not unlikely that they found a way to avenge their 'stolen' fortunes.

Upon seeing him slowly descend into a meltdown over his sons' sudden disappearance, Harry went over to him to cup his cheeks.

"Draco, love, calm down; they probably just went out. I'll look for them in the other rooms, they're probably just taking a mickey on us."

Draco knew Harry was controlling himself, but he could still see the panicked look in his husband's eyes.

"No! No, Harry. If they did, we would've seen them come out of James' room, but we didn't. And the twins wouldn't do this to me. Even Jamie, he's so excited to go to Hogwarts, Harry..." Draco weakly held onto Harry's shaky hands. "Someone had gotten our sons. Call your aurors, call Hermione. I'll call everyone. We can't waste any second without my sons beside me. Harry, please."

"Hermione! Fuck!"

Harry's eyes widened, and then he broke away from Draco and went running towards his study room.

"Harry? What's happening?"

Draco followed his husband and saw him rummaging through his messy stuffy on his desk, growling in frustration, and messing up his mussed-up hair.

"Shit, shit, it should've been here! I just left it here."

Harry's frantic attitude didn't help alleviate the fear rapidly growing in Draco. "What? What is it, Harry?"

"Draco, I'm so sorry," Harry cupped his cheeks. "'Mione let me see the thing they were working on."

Draco's already fast-beating heart doubled. He knew there and then what Harry was trying to say, but Draco still didn't want to believe it for fear of it happening. "The time turner," Draco whispered.

"Yes, you knew? You shouldn't-"

"I found out. Hermione and I talked about it."

"It was commissioned from our department. 'Mione brought it to me last night; she was asking me to test it because they couldn't make it work. I was about to give it back as soon as we got back from the station, but someone must have gotten-"

They looked at each other, eyes wide and panicked, and uttered a single name that brought shivers to their bodies. "James."

"Bollocks. I told our sons not to go inside my study room."

"You do know our son is James, right?" Draco growled.

"I know! Fuck!" Ever since they got James, they had a silent pact not to curse anymore, but it was a testament to how stressed Harry was since he couldn't control himself anymore, still muttering curses. "Bollocks. I don't know how they were able to make it work, the Unspeakables couldn't. 'Mione theorized that it had something to do with raw power instead, so she was asking me if I could do something about it."

"And it did. It responded to your sons' raw powers, if anyone could make it work, it's either you or your children."

"How did James even know that it was a time turner? It didn't look like one."

"It's probably Scorp, he probably heard me and Hermione talking about it, he took that from you after all." Draco glared at Harry, but it fell flat when he realized he didn't have any space to be mad at his husband, all he felt was an uncomfortable nervousness in him.

Draco hated that they were concluding that their sons were on another timeline. He hated that he didn't know what was worse—his sons kidnapped or his sons in the worst timeline, and everything in the past was worse for Draco.

Silence overtook them, only their harsh breathings were prominent inside Harry's study room.

"Harry, I can't remember seeing our sons in the past. I can't."

"Hermione did say it wouldn't create any residual memory, they would simply vanish, and the memories of the people who met the time travelers would be altered."

"What if they're-" Draco's voice suddenly weakened, and he gasped when he felt a sudden tightness in his throat. "What if they're at the Manor right now during his time? Harry, I can't take it if something happens to our sons."

His eyes suddenly sting, and before he was aware of his harsh tears knew it, Harry was wiping his tears for him as the latter controlled himself from sobbing as well.

"It'll be fine," Harry choked. "I'll ask Hermione. And look, Jamie might be a bit of a troublemaker, but you know how responsible he is to his brothers. He wouldn't let anything happen to them."

Draco nodded. He did. James might be a troublemaker, but he's a big brother who wouldn't think twice before sacrificing his life for his brothers. He's as selfless as Harry, a true Gryffindor, but that scared Draco more. He didn't know what was going to happen to him if something happened to James.

"I know. I know, Harry. I know my son, but what if something happened to Jamie in the process?" Draco sobbed, the image it brought in his head had his knees weakening. "I can't Harry, I can't lose any of them."

"We'll get them, nothing will happen to them, I promise you." Harry pulled him into a hug, and Draco let him, he knew that Harry needed him as much as he needed his husband.

"I'll go to 'Mione. You stay here with Lily and Teddy. Fuck, Teddy's going to be late."

"I'm on it. Go to Hermione."

Harry smiled and nodded. He took one look at Draco's sullen face, took a deep breath, and left without kissing him goodbye. Draco couldn't care. Draco's hands formed into fists to control himself from screaming his frustrations out. He wanted to run away and search every corner of his sons' whereabouts, he wanted to find another time turner and do his damnest to bring his sons back. He wanted to be where his sons were. He felt useless staying here and not doing anything, but he still needed to attend to his other children's needs. He couldn't ignore Teddy and Lily. Especially Lily.

"Papa, what's happening? Are you okay?"

Draco smiled at his youngest and quickly wiped his tears away. "Yes, Lily, I'll be fine. Papa's just overwhelmed right now," Draco kneeled to level with her, and he sobbed when Lily hugged him tight, wiping his tears for him.

"It's going to be okay, Papa."

Draco smiled at Teddy when he felt the boy hugging him as well.

"It's going to be fine, Draco. They're going to be okay. I know they are."

Merlin, his kids are so sweet.

"Thank you, Teddy. Let's get you to the station, you can't be late."

"Papa, where are Jamie, Scorp, and Al?"

"They're somewhere safe, hopefully."

-

"So this is what it feels like to be in Diagon Alley without anyone asking for your parents' photo or autographs," James said. He's missed being the center of attention, as a famous kid of famous parents, but he couldn't deny that having no rabid old witches wanting to pinch his cheeks was something that elated him as well.

He smiled as he roamed his eyes around and took in every little change, but frowned when he saw his should-be favorite quidditch shop as a book shop. Hugo would be disheartened. But it seemed as though kids changed throughout the years, and their focus shifted.

And his Papa said kids like him should be reading like all the kids are doing. Ha. He knew his Papa was lying.

"Yeah, it's a fresh breathe of air," Albus replied, looking at his twin brother. "Hey Scorp, are you still going to buy a pet?"

Scorpius shrugged. "If we have a spare, I would like to buy an owl, but Professor McGonagall said to buy only necessary things. She's probably tight on a budget, the war had just finished after all."

"So, maybe, do you think we can go to the Gringotts and see if we can get some galleons?"

"But Jamie, we don't have our bank accounts yet. This isn't our time. Our parents hadn't created it yet."

James scoffed at Albus. "Well, duh! But Dad has a vast wealth I'm sure he doesn't mind sharing with us, his future kids," James smirked as an idea formed in his head. "Plus, I'm sure Dad wouldn't particularly know if a small fortune vanished from his vault, unlike Papa."

Their Papa is just so financially smart and aware, unlike their dad, who probably didn't know the vastness of his wealth by now and probably didn't care if his future sons got some of it.

"But what if he got notified?" Scorpius crossed his arms. "We'll be busted."

"Then? How can he know that it's us? Besides, don't you love to buy the cauldron you've been eyeing, Scorp? It's the same as Papa's the one using when he was a student, you know it, you saw it in his photos."

James smirked when he saw Scorpius' resolve break. Scorpius and his love for following their Papa.

"You know, you should've heard how Harry was saying that Papa deserved everything he got, he even told me he only spoke for Papa because of grandma, not because it was the right thing to do or that he cared for Papa."

"Dad-" Scorpius shook his head. "Harry said that?" He looked disappointed.

"Oh yeah, and more!"

"Maybe we should try, to get back at Harry, he's not our dad yet. And I mean, we don't know if the goblins would let us anyway."

"Right? Now let's go before Hagrid comes back."

They especially had a hard time shaking off Hagrid from their backs, who wouldn't let them get out of their sights, but after too many pleas from the twins and promises from James, the kind half-giant sighed and muttered something while doing an errand before leaving them, telling them to meet him in front of Fortescue's Ice Cream parlour after an hour.

They entered the Gringotts Bank, and James gulped at the aura of the place. It wasn't the first time seeing those goblins, nor the second, all of them had been introduced to this place since they were kids. Their Papa had insisted on their Dad stating, "No child of mine would be financially ignorant or careless, like their Dad, Harry."

James left a considerable distance between him and the Head Goblin. He looked at his brothers who were behind him, who merely gave him a nudge, before clearing his throat. The Head Goblin continued writing. Well, he's no Draco Malfoy-Potter, who certainly had the respect of goblins.

"Hello, I'm James, James Sirius Potter," James realized there was no need to lie, he's pretty sure the Head Goblin would know if he was lying. "And I would like-"

"And do you, Mr. James Sirius Potter, have your key for your vault?"

"Uhm, no, I don't have, but I, along with my brothers, would like to access Harry Potter's vault, please? We're uhm," James cancelled the spell. "We're his future kids, so, I don't know if there's some kind of law requiring parents to support their future kids?" James took a step back when the goblin's pitched black beady eyes settled on him. Those empty eyes would never unsettle him, worse, he didn't have his confident Papa by his side. "You know what, we're just going to go-"

The Head Goblin called for another. "Please escort Mr. James Sirius Potter to Mr. Harry Potter's vault."

"It worked!" James mouthed, smiling big at his brothers.

The goblin, instead of asking for their key as they usually did back in their time, merely waved his hand to open their Dad's vault and turned his back, leaving them for a while.

"I don't know how it worked, but I'm such a genius boy!" James puffed up his chest.

Scorpius rolled his eyes. "Dad said the goblins are mad at him because he and his friends stole something from them, the goblins still hadn't forgotten that, this is their way of getting back at him."

"Like what we're doing to Dad?" Albus frowned at them. "Even when Dad said that about Papa, though that's really disappointing, I still don't think we should be stealing from him."

"It's not stealing, Al!" James huffed. "It's merely his support for us."

"Without him knowing?"

"Well, yeah, you heard Scorp, didn't you? If Dad knew he's our father with Papa as his husband, he's going to lose his crap and we're gone, you can kiss our family goodbye, so it's better this way. Besides, I'm sure it's just pocket change for Dad."

"You don't know that-"

"No, I'm sure it is pocket change for Dad, look at this."

James and Albus stopped bickering to look at where Scorpius was pointing, and their mouths opened when they saw the vast number of galleons just lying around. James smirked. Albus remained mum.

"Told you, wonder if Papa's wealth is the same."

"Papa's richer at our time, I'm sure, but today?" Scorpius shook his head. "Remember when Grandpa told us most of their wealth had been seized and-"

Scorpius stopped when he realized James was totally ignoring him, set on scooping every galleon he could fit in his small pouch. The blonde shared a look with Al who still looked undecided. "Look, I love Dad, but James is right, I'm sure he wouldn't mind spending his galleons on his future sons, and I really need that cauldron."

"Now you're talking! Come on, Al. It's dad, he'd want the best for his sons, future sons." James smiled when that seemed to get Albus moving.

Soon, they were all scooping their Dad's galleons into their pouches, with Albus being a little shy at first before realizing he wanted to try all those treats at the Honeydukes he heard about from Teddy.

Before leaving though, James was called by the Head Goblin in his office.

"What did he tell you?" Scorpius asked as soon as James walked out of the office minutes after, he had a sheepish look on his face.

"They asked if I wanted to have our own vault where they would transfer galleons every month from Dad's vault, " James bit his cheek when he saw his brothers expectant faces. "I said yes, of course!"

"What? That's too much, Jamie!"

James scoffed. "Oh come on, Al! I'm sure you'd be worshipping me as soon as we had the time to sneak in the Hogsmeade village and you bought all those candies Teddy had been telling us about."

"You know, you're acting as if Dad is stupid not to know that someone is stealing from him, he could ask the goblins, you know, and we're done," Albus scoffed at him.

"No, Al, I'm acting as if Dad doesn't care about his wealth and you know he doesn't, he barely buys himself some clothes, all he does is spend money on his family or Papa, he doesn't have any of those, not yet."

"Yeah, but he has Aunt Ginny?"

"So, you'd rather he'd spent it on Aunt Ginny than us? Besides, the more they didn't go on dates, the more Dad would be closer to Papa, hitting two birds with one stone."

Albus grumbled. "We're really doing this? Meddle in our parents' relationship? We're going to set them up?"

"Yep!" James cheerfully said and beckoned his brothers to follow him outside. "You know, I'm kind of regretting that we didn't travel at the time when Dad was only a first-year student," James sighed. "Imagine all those adventures we could've done with him! Then we'll ask Uncle George for the Map-" James stopped walking when he realized something. "The Map!"

-

Draco blinked when he was roused from his slumber after crying himself to sleep, and a pat beside him made him realize his husband wasn't beside him anymore. He sat up before going to the place where he knew his husband was.

Just like he expected, there was Harry, in their garden, smoking, a habit he picked up during their 8th year due to the traumatic stress of moving on, but a habit he also gave up on once they got married.

Draco knew that the only reason he's doing this again was because he was stressed, and from the vibrations on his shoulders, he was crying alone, something he couldn't do earlier. Just like the Harry he'd always known, always appearing strong in front of other people and taking all the pain with him.

It wasn't Harry's fault—maybe it was, a little, but no good would it come to them if Draco kept on reminding his husband—and he wasn't lying when he said when wasn't mad at Harry, he couldn't be, he didn't have the energy. Besides, they're in this together, that's what they both promised at their wedding.

Draco wasn't mad, but he was disappointed in Harry. But all that nonsense he felt earlier vanished when he saw the misery of his husband. No one wanted this to happen, especially his husband, his overprotective husband, whom he's sure would scour the ends of the world just to find their sons, if time wasn't an issue.

He slowly sat beside Harry and wound his arms around his sobbing husband, letting Harry lean into his neck. Draco immediately felt his warm tears, and his sobs got more hysterical.

They stayed like that for a few minutes until Harry spoke through his hiccups, "Draco... I'm so sorry, our sons... It's all my fault, I'm so sorry..."

Draco felt his own tears. "It's fine, Harry. We'll find them, we're going to be fine. Hermione will help us."

Harry sniffed and looked at his eyes, still not letting go of him. "Hermione said she'd try everything she could, but it would take some time since they had limited information about it."

"I understand."

Draco knew there was nothing they could do but pray to Merlin that nothing happened to their sons, and they're somewhere when he wasn't alive, preferably when they were first-year students or 8th-year students.

There was nothing they can do besides getting through this together, with Lily and Teddy. His sons would be fine.

"Do you want to go back upstairs?"

Draco slowly shook his head. "I can't sleep anymore. I don't want to," Draco sobbed. "My sons should be safely sleeping in their rooms, Jamie should be in Hogwarts. Harry..."

Draco and Harry shared another tearful hour or two.

-

Meanwhile, their sons are panicking about how to hide their identities from their teenage parents. 

Chapter Text

"Crap, I'm- no! We're all stupid for forgetting about the Map, we're lucky Dad isn't back to stalking Papa or we're done," James was saying as they ran towards the castle as soon as they got back from Diagon Alley, running full speed, leaving Hagrid.

"How-" Scorpius paused a little. "Can we stop running so fast, honestly?! I'm so tired!"

James snickered at him but thankfully paused and settled down, choosing to walk instead. "Someone's not getting any quidditch positions."

"I couldn't care less about quidditch," Scorpius grumbled, trying to catch his breath through mouthfuls of air. "How are we going to get the Map from Dad's trunk, anyway?"

"Simple, later, tonight-"

James was stopped when they heard a shout somewhere above them. "James!" It was Harry quickly flying towards them.

James gulped his automatic response of, "Yes, Dad?" And one look at his brothers, who had their lips straightened knew they were trying to stop themselves from calling Harry 'Dad' as well.

"Where have you been? I haven't seen you all day." Harry asked as soon as he dismounted from his broom.

"We bought our supplies from Diagon with Hagrid. We didn't have much time or money because, well, yeah." James shrugged.

"Oh yeah, of course," Harry shuffled awkwardly, placing his broom on his other shoulder. "Do you all still have something you want to buy? I can give you money to buy, it's not like I have something to do with them."

James looked at his brothers pointedly, saying that he was right and there wasn't anything wrong with what he did. Their Dad is selfless like this, but Albus only rolled his eyes.

"No, it's fine, Harry, we're all settled." All thanks to his galleons, actually.

Harry nodded and went back to the castle. His sons followed him.

"That's a cool broom, Harry!" Albus said, wanting to erradicate the comfortable silence. James reckoned, the twins missed their Dad. They may have favored a parent, but at the end of the day, they're all their parents' babies.

"Oh, yeah? Thanks?" Harry tilted his head at the twins.

"I'm Al, and my twin brother is Scorpius."

"Scorpius? That's a... kind of posh name; I don't suppose your parents are purebloods. Kind of something Malfoy would call his child."

James snorted, his uncle Ron did say that ever since they were students, his ears had been forced to listen to Malfoy this and Malfoy that. Apparently, his younger Dad had the skill of inserting their Papa in any conversation even if it didn't concern him. His uncle Ron told him his Dad had been denying his feelings since then. Which is now.

He guessed, his parents had a long talk about naming one of their sons 'Scorpius', his Dad probably did laugh at its poshness.

"Our mother's a pureblood, father's halfblood, and our mother is fond of stars and all that. But actually, Pansy did say Draco was planning to name his son Scorpius," Scorpius said.

Harry smirked. "I knew it, that git would name his son something so posh like Scorpius." Harry scoffed but immediately looked at Scorpius sheepishly. "Not you, I think your name is great and whomever named you, I'm pertaining to the future Scorpius Malfoy would name, not you, really, yours is great!"

They all giggled at Harry's rambling.

"It's fine, Harry."

"But it's weird, right? That your mother thought of that as well."

Harry was thinking, although James was sure he was far from learning the truth. He knew how his Dad thinks, it's how he thinks as well, and James is not as bright as his Papa or his brothers. "Do you three play quidditch then?"

James got a hold of Albus' hand, knowing what his brother would answer, and instead told Harry, "We don't know how to, our parents told us they'd teach us, but they were busy and the war happened."

"Yeah..." Harry sadly smiled at them. "I can teach you if you like?"

"Can Draco come play with us?" Albus asked. "Please, Harry?"

Harry's body tensed. "Well, I don't think he plays still, you know, let's just not disturb him with whatever he's up to, I'm sure he's busy with his friends."

"But we haven't asked him yet."

"I'm pretty sure he's going to say no, plus, I don't think he's nice enough to join us."

"But Draco's nice. Last night, he told us that if someone's bothering us, we can just tell him and he'll protect us. Do you not want Draco to join us because you hate him?"

Harry stopped walking, and so they did as well. He looked at the twins.

"Look, Al, Scorpius, yeah, Malfoy and I... we're not friends, and I don't think we're already at the level to play quidditch like nothing happened, we're still healing."

"But quidditch can help you two heal, and Professor McGonagall said there shouldn't be any house war anymore, right?" Scorpius.

"Yes, that's true, but-"

"If Draco's not joining, then I don't think we'll play with you, Harry." Harry's eyes widened at what Scorpius had to say.

He spluttered. "Just how important that git is to you?" Scorpius and Albus remained staring at Harry, not backing down. Harry looked at James for help.

James shrugged. "If my brothers and Draco are not joining, then I will not join as well."

Harry groaned. "Fine! He can join us, but only if he says yes."

Scorpius and Albus cheered and both hugged Harry, thanking him. Harry softly smiled and ruffled the twins' hair. "I don't know what that git did, but he better not disappoint the two of you."

Clasping the twins' hands in his, Harry pulled them again towards the castle, to the Great Hall. James went ahead of them and turned back when he realized something.

"Harry! You'll teach me the Wronski Feint, right?"

"If you can handle it."

"I can handle it! My dad said I, too, will be the youngest quidditch player. I'll make it on the quidditch team this year!"

"Well, that used to be my title, and I don't think I'm ready to pass it on yet." Harry has a teasing smile on his face.

"I'll prove you that, Harry! I'll be better than you!" It was his Dad who always told James he would be the best quidditch player the world had seen.

"Let's see."

-

"Hey Draco!" The twins greeted when they separated from Harry and James.

Their Papa looked up, and a small smile automatically graced his sunken face. Scorpius hated how different this boy was from his glowing Papa, he looked underfed, stressed, and hurt. "Hi Al, Scorp. Where were you two? I haven't seen you all day."

"We were at Diagon Alley, we bought supplies. Our parents kind of forgot to do that, and Professor McGonagall was nice enough to spend the school funds on us." Albus.

"Do you still want to buy anything?"

"No, it's fine, Draco, thank you. Can we please sit with you?"

"Of course, Blaise?"

Blaise scooted to the left to make some room for them.

"Why were you two with Potter?" Draco asked as soon as they both took their seats.

"We saw him outside, he was flying. He was the greatest seeker, he said."

Scorpius didn't mind Albus' lie, he knew his brother was up to something; his cunning brother was baiting their Papa. Instead, he tried reaching for the roasted chicken, but when he couldn't because of his small limbs and Draco saw his struggles, the blonde put some on his plate as well as Albus'. Scorpius and Albus protested, pouting at their Papa, when Draco added peas and boiled potatoes to their plates.

"You two are growing boys, eat healthier food," Draco told them, and to Albus he said, sneering. "He said that? Potter is such an arrogant toerag."

Albus nodded. "Why, Draco? For you, who is the greatest seeker?"

"Anyone but him. I am even better than him. Potter lacks all the finesse and skills, all he has is his dumb luck."

"You are a seeker, Draco?" Scorpius asked. Of course they knew that; they'd been told of their parents' rivalry.

"Oh, yeah! Potter and him, they were rivals and all that," Pansy leaned in, and in a conspiratorial voice, she said, "They were rivals, but we all know they're going to end up together." She cackled when she looked up, and Scorpius saw it was because their Papa was now sporting a flush. Beside Scorpius, he heard Blaise laughing as well.

"Shut up, Pansy! Don't tell any lies to the kids; they might pick up on it. I don't want them thinking any of those lies."

"That you like Harry?"

Draco's eyes widened at him, his face turning redder. He looked around and looked at the Gryffindor's table in fear. "Scorpius! Do not talk while still chewing, finish your food first."

"Sorry."

"I swear, I do not like that prat, he's so ugly! Especially his hair! Why would I want to condemn my kids with his hopeless hair?"

Scorpius giggled. Albus huffed from beside him. He's really glad he didn't inherit their Dad's hair. James and Albus always had a hard time taming theirs in the morning.

"Gosh, Draco, we're only talking about being boyfriends, but you're already talking about your future kids. Tell me, how many kids are you going to have-"

"Pansy!" Draco threatened Pansy with a fork.

Pansy laughed even more. "What? It's true! All those hates, it's bound to translate into something. Like some hate shag-"

"Can we please not? There are kids here, Pansy! I don't want you corrupting their minds."

"I'm just saying, darling, come on, don't tell me you haven't thought of that?"

"Pansy, we'll talk later."

When their giggles subsided, Scorpius was reminded of their talk with Harry earlier. "Draco, James wanted us to play with Harry, can we please? Harry told us he'd teach us how to play quidditch."

"You mean, your parents hadn't taught you?"

Scorpius sighed and adopted a sullen expression; he knew his Papa would not be able to resist. "No, our Dad was always busy in the Ministry and then the war, so Harry told us, but we want you to join us."

"Oh," Scorpius looked up, and he felt bad that a snicker almost graced his face seeing his Papa's teary eyes. "Yeah, then maybe Potter can teach you, even if he's unarguably a troll."

"But we want you there as well, Draco. Teach us the rules and finesse that Harry doesn't have. Please join us?"

Draco smiled a little. "I don't think Potter would want me there. We're just going to fight, it wouldn't be a great day for you two and James."

Albus sighed. "Harry did say you're going to say that. He told us you're scared that we'd watch you lose to him, as always."

"Excuse me?! That git! He's so arrogant! The only reason he always won was because he's a cheat and he's got Albus Dumbledore always favoring him, honestly how can he win when he caught it by his mouth," Draco growled. "Fine, I'll join you, but only because Potter's going to eat everything he said. Who's he calling a loser?"

Scorpius and Albus smiled at each other.

-

"Pans, earlier, what you're telling the kids, about... Potter, don't do it again."

Pansy's eyebrows scrunched. "Draco, it's all in good fun, we used to do that all the time-"

"I know, but not with the kids. You heard them, they talked to Potter. What if they blabbed to Potter that I liked him or something?"

Draco sighed when Pansy only raised an eyebrow. "What if they could be the bridge-"

"No, Pansy, stop. I might have listened to you back then, but not now, not after what happened," Draco shook his head and tried not to let Pansy see how much this is hurting him. "Potter and I will never be okay, it's real impossible for me to hope that he could ever like me back, hell, it's a miracle if we ever talked without hexing each other. It's over, Pansy. It's too late. It's never going to happen. Never."

"But Draco-"

"Stop, Pansy. Don't make me beg, just not with the kids," Draco sighed. "I'll be upstairs. I need some time alone."

"Draco, I'm sorry."

Draco only nodded and left her.

-

"How are we going to do this?" Scorpius asked in exasperation. Tired and cranky, he just wanted to trudge back in his room and burrow himself in his warm bed, as he looked at his older brother in the dark common room of Gryffindor with only the light coming from the tip of James' wand.

"Simple, we'll just sneak in, get the Map from Dad's trunk, and you two can go back to sleep, kiddies."

Albus let out a loud yawn. "Are we really needed for this?" He blinked sleepily. Scorpius wouldn't blame him, their Papa always made sure they were asleep by 10, and it's already midnight. "Can't you do it all on your own, Jamie?"

"No, come on, the faster we do this, the faster we can go back in our rooms."

They slowly followed James upstairs, looking at each of the labels plastered on the door, looking for any sign about 8th-year students.

"What if Dad's still awake?"

Scorpius nodded at Albus, catching another yawn in the back of his hand.

"He's not, relax, just trust me."

Trusting James, Scorpius realized, had never been a good thing, when they entered the 8th years boys' room, which was dark save for the light coming from the big window, and James only smiled at them when Albus asked, "Where is Dad's trunk then?"

"Now, that's why you two are here, we'll look for it, now disperse."

"Disperse?" Scorpius whispered at his older brother, who was all crouched down and now crawling towards the trunk at the corner. "Jamie, you didn't have this plan-"

But James is already on the other side of the room, not giving any care if someone woke up with the way he scrummaged through the trunk he found, carelessly discarding things on the floor, looking for any sign of the Map or anything he knew belonged to their Dad. Scorpius sighed, looked at Albus, and shrugged before crawling toward the trunk nearest to him.

"Alohomora," Scorpius whispered, and quickly but silently tried to look for the Map. Unlike James, Scorpius is scared that someone will wake up and find them, they couldn't justify any of this.

Scorpius rolled his eyes when they heard a thud on the floor followed by James', "Sorry," and he didn't sound apologetic at all. It's like he really wanted to be caught by their teenage Dad and Uncles rummaging through their trunks as if it's normal.

But by some miracle, even before someone woke up, they heard Albus whispering, "I found it!" Scorpius quickly returned everything back in place and closed the trunk, meeting his brothers in the middle of the room.

"There it is, the Map," James was saying, snatching the blank parchment from Albus' hands. "Merlin, it looks beautiful. And," James pulled out a cloak. "The Invisibility Cloak. Forget our plan, we can also-"

They looked at each other when they heard the unmistakable sound of someone getting up from their bed. Albus quickly closed their Dad's trunk, and James pulled the cloak over them, and they watched with bathed breath as their Dad appeared in rumpled clothes.

Harry, who has his wand in hand, points in their direction. "Who's there?" He looked to the side, and Scorpius followed his sight and he almost decked James when he realized his older brother didn't bother closing the trunk he rummaged through. James had the gall to give them a sheepish smile.

With a flick of his other hand, Harry organized the things back in the trunk and closed it. Their Dad rarely used wandless and wordless magic, but when he did, it amazed them so much.

Harry walked nearer, and Scorpius all but gulped. This is the end! Their dad is going to know, and he'll ask them how they knew about the Map and the Cloak, and their Dad will know the truth, and he'll confront Draco or ignore him, they will never be born-

"Harry, what is it?"

Scorpius almost breathed out a loud, relieved sigh. Ron is a saving grace.

"Nothing, mate, just... I thought I heard something. Go back to sleep."

"You too."

Harry nodded at his best mate, stayed for another minute before going back to sleep.

They waited for another 10 minutes before leaving the room with the invisibility cloak back in Harry's trunk.

"Someday, I'm going to learn that wandless magic, then I'll challenge Dad," James said, still astonished at Harry's display of magic, as soon as they got back to the Gryffindor common room.

"You are aware you're going to be facing Harry Potter, right? The Harry Potter? The one who defeated Voldemort?" Albus.

"Yeah, but I'm the son of Draco Malfoy-Potter, so, I have the advantage of a cunning mind as well. Anyway," James said, laying the blank parchment on the table. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

Soon, the ink spilled, and they saw how the map of Hogwarts began materializing.

James smiled and pointed at where they stood, in the Gryffindor's common room. The labels read, 'James Sirius Potter', 'Albus Severus Potter', and 'Scorpius Hyperion Potter'. "The Map never lies, good thing I'm a genius, if it weren't for me, Dad would have already known we were his kids with Papa, and we could kiss our—well, my beautiful self goodbye."

"Yeah, Jamie, because you were so careful earlier with your careless planning and leaving the trunk opened," Scorpius scoffed.

"Hey, I'll have you know-"

"Look at Papa, he's all alone at the Great Lake," Albus pointed at the lone figure labeled Draco Malfoy.

The three brothers looked at each other, and without their knowing it, they were all running outside.

And despite the fact that he and Albus were both ready to drop dead in the middle of Gryffindor's common room earlier due to exhaustion, they all but ran towards the Great Lake.

"Papa is okay, right?"

Scorpius didn't know for sure, but the thought that their Papa still got together with their Dad and had them somehow eased his nerves. It's impossible if something happens to him, but still it wouldn't hurt to stop Draco if... if he ever did something harmful to himself.

They hid behind a large trunk, a considerable distance away from where Draco stood. Scorpius sighed in relief. He looked okay, save for the fact that he was unmoving and just there.

"We should've gotten Dad's invisibility cloak as well."

"And stalk Papa? I don't think I can stand beside him like a creep just to watch him cry his heart out."

"You're right, Scorpius," James nodded as seriously as he could. "That's more of Dad's hobby."

Albus and Scorpius snorted at that, but a frown soon replaced it when they heard an anguished cry from their Papa.

"Fuck! Fuck this life!" Draco was sobbing and screaming in pain.

For a moment, Scorpius almost backed away, he felt a little scared. This is the first time he saw his usually calm and collected Papa angry, and even if it wasn't directed at him, it was still unnerving.

Then, he let out another angry scream, looked up as if he were imploring someone, and then the blonde dropped to his knees before lying on the wet grass, not moving.

"Do you think we should talk to him?"

"No," Scorpius agreed with James. They can't. Draco is smart, he'd know for sure that there's no way three orphans would still be up in the middle of the night stalking him. "He's– Papa is not okay, obviously, but we can't talk to him, we should be sleeping. It's not us whom he needs, but he needs someone."

"He needs Dad," Scorpius whispered.

Despite the fact that it was hard for them, the three boys went back to the castle, leaving their Papa. 

Chapter Text

Albus sighed as he stared outside. From where he's sat with his brothers, he can just make out the serene beauty of the Great Lake, and Albus has to let out another sigh.

He thought it would be easy for them to bond with Draco. Their teenage Papa had all been nice to them—he was smiling, offering his protection, putting extra food on their plates, and he's there—but since that night, when they saw their Papa having a meltdown at the Great Lake, the blonde sort of became a hermit, always locked in his room. He didn't come to the Great Hall to eat, and the twins would never see him for the whole day.

When they asked Pansy about Draco, she just shook her head. "He wanted to be alone. I'm so sorry, Al, Scorpius, but I'll tell him you two are looking for him."

But it's been almost two weeks, and Draco is still nowhere to be found. Albus missed him, and he wanted to see and talk to Draco again since he knew that was the only way they could help. He didn't want his Papa to be sad.

But what can he do? It's not like he could barge into Draco's room and force him outside.

He tuned in to his brothers' conversation just as James was probably retelling them how Harry reacted to finding out that his Map was gone.

"And then," James snorted to himself. "You should have seen his face! He was like, 'Hermione, I swear to Merlin, I just put it there in my trunk and it was gone!' and then Ron said, 'Maybe it flew away from your creepy ass so you'd stop stalking Mal-' and then Harry said, 'Shut up, Ron!'" James chuckled. Albus rolled his eyes. James had been telling them that scenario five times now. James looked up and rolled his eyes when he saw the blank expressions on their faces. "You weren't there; that's why you couldn't relate, but I swear, it was funny."

Scorpius shook his head, sighing in exasperation. That's the effect of James. "I found it hard to be amused when Harry's all hysterical looking at the thing his father and uncles gave him, the only thing he could have to remind him of what he lost. You wouldn't be like this when you did it to our real Dad."

"Of course, it's Dad. I wouldn't want to mess with Dad."

Their Dad is a patient man and softer than their papa, but when he gets mad, he gets mad, so they're a bit apprehensive to disrespect him. Especially James.

With James quiet, Scorpius and Albus got back to their potion assignment. But it hadn't been 10 minutes yet, and James was telling them another story. Scorpius growled, and Albus laughed at James' story.

James told them how he pranked their namesakes, their grandfather James and Sirius, making them believe that his name was James Sirius Potter because he's their son.

James, obviously, was having too much fun with the Map.

"It was actually fun seeing the meltdown of Mr. Prongs when he realized he didn't end up with Grandma Lily. Mr. Moony found it funny though. Mr. Padfoot was asking me if Grandfather James was the one who carried me and I said yes, Granddad lost it, I didn't think the Map could ever curse." James ended his story with a loud laugh, ignoring Madame Pince shushing him up.

Albus cracked up as well, James' expressions while telling the story were golden. Scorpius frowned.

"I don't know how you're able to think of that Jamie, pranking deceased people," Scorpius said, and Albus knew it wasn't because he's offended for their grandfather, it was because he's mad at James that he's here, distracting them.

"What? I'm just having fun. If Grandfather James and Sirius are still alive, they'll be proud of me. It's not my fault I don't have Draco Malfoy to stalk," James' voice lulled a little. "Papa's just always in his room, by the way."

That made Scorpius put down his quill. It seemed that his love and care for their Papa overpowered his being grade-conscious. "What are we going to do with Papa? We can't let him lock himself up. We need someone—we need Dad to do something."

"How?" Albus asked. "We can't even see Papa's shadow."

"I have a great idea! 100 percent James Sirius certified!"

Albus sighed. "I don't trust that, but let's hear it, we don't have any choice."

-

"Harry!" James ran towards Harry, who was probably on his way to the Gryffindor tower. James knew, though, that he had just gotten back from the kitchen, all thanks to the map.

"Hey, James, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

"I'm on my way to Transfigurations, yes," James innocently smiled at Harry. "But Ron was looking for you, Harry, he asked me to tell you to meet him at the Room of Requirements, wherever that is."

Ron, on the other hand, was with Hermione, probably doing some snogging.

Harry's eyebrows furrowed. "Ron asked you to tell me to meet him at the Room of Requirements?"

"Yep. He said you know where that is."

"That's weird, why would Ron want to meet there when he can just talk to me in our room... why- that's really odd."

James shrugged. "It's probably important, anyway, I'm just the messenger," James turned to walk away but turned back to Harry once again. "You are going there, right?"

"'Course, why are you so worried James?"

He tried to play it cool. "I just don't want Ron to be mad at me and accuse me that I didn't tell you. Also, he's pretty frazzled to me."

James smiled as he pulled out the Map and saw Harry's label going towards the 7th floor where James knew the Room of Requirements was, having heard it from his parents and Teddy. That's easy, he can't say the same for his brothers though. Draco Malfoy just can't be fooled.

-

Draco closed the book, tilted his head, raised an eyebrow, and gave them a small smile, like he knew what's going on in their minds. Albus and Scorpius tried not to squirm under their Papa's stare. "Do you seriously believe that I'm going to believe you two that Pansy wanted to meet me in a place she didn't particularly like? Pansy Parkinson, the woman who didn't know what privacy is who had the gall to barge in my room for 2 weeks now suddenly wanted to have a private conversation in the Room of Requirements and tell you? Not Blaise, you two. Now that's just odd."

"But Draco! We're telling the truth, Pansy did tell us to tell you that!" Albus whined.

Scorpius internally winced. Like James said, they finally spotted Draco reading in the common room. James gave them a headstart by telling them Draco was a tough one to crack, and James couldn't be more wrong because they've been here for almost 10 minutes now and they're still far from convincing Draco to go to the Room of Requirements.

"You and I both know that you're lying, Al. What are you two planning? You want me to go there, I can tell, but why?" Draco crossed his arms. "Not going to tell me? Then, I'll start guessing. You don't have to tell me if I'm right, your face says it all."

"This is your brother's plan," Scorpius and Albus controlled themselves from making any reaction. Draco smiled nevertheless, deeply amused at them. "It's obvious, and if you two are here and not James, that means James is somewhere talking to someone doing the same thing, and I wonder who that is."

It's Harry! Of course, it's Harry. And Draco seemed to know that as well. Scorpius had to pull their last card.

"Someone got my wand."

"What-"

Scorpius looked down, both trying to look ashamed and because he couldn't face his Papa, he didn't want to lie to Draco, especially something like this, but he had no choice! "Al and I had been looking for it in every room, but- we couldn't find it, and then we heard about one room, the Room of Requirement, and we thought it could be there, but we don't know for sure."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Scorp? Why would you tell me that Pansy asked you to?"

"Because," Scorpius finally looked up at Draco. "I don't want you to worry."

"But I already told you, and you too Al, you can come to me whenever someone bothers you, and we'll talk to them."

"Yes, but you were always in your room, we asked Pansy but she said that we should give you some space."

Draco flushed. "I'm sorry, I was just- something happened which you shouldn't concern yourself with," Draco laid a hand on his shoulder. "These people who got your wand, who were they, and why didn't you report it?"

"Because, I was scared that if they got reprimanded, they'd hurt us more. I don't know who they were, but they're Gryffindors and Ravenclaws."

Draco looked at him for a second before nodding. "Let's go find your wand."

Albus smiled and raised his thumbs at him when Draco turned his back. Scorpius smiled back.

-

"Al, Scorpius, I can't see- where is-" Draco looked behind him, looking for Al and Scorpius, whom he thought should be just following behind him, but he cursed when he saw Potter instead. Those little rascals! He should've known they were planning something.

But well, Potter is here, and Draco may have promised his mother that he's going to change, but he couldn't just pass up a chance to tease Potter. "What are you doing here, Potter?"

"What am I- what are you doing here? I should be meeting up with Ron!"

"Weasley is not here, or can't you tell? Why, you should know by now, I bet the smell of their burrow must be ingrained in your nose by now, not to mention, Weaslette-"

"Fucking asshole," Potter sighed, and Draco bit his lower lip when disappointment coursed through him that Potter didn't take the bait. "James told me Ron was looking for me. He said Ron told him to meet me here."

Draco gritted his teeth. Yeah, that's what he thought. James is behind all this! "You believed James? Or, is this normal for you and Weasley? I bet it's not the sister with, the rumours are true then, the Golden Trio is freakishly close, or maybe Granger was just a front act-"

"Whatever we're doing here, it's not as if it could be worse than what you did here in 6th year, remember that? That's the only reason why your fellows only got in here in the first place."

Draco immediately shut up. Just when he wasn't trying to think of that when Scorpius and Al asked him to go here, fucking Potter had to remind him. And fellows? He did not expect anything from Potter but to know that Potter thought of him as just one of them was a hex in the gut.

"I'm sorry."

"Stop, you know, Potter, I didn't expect you to be sensitive at all!" Draco rolled his eyes, controlling himself from tearing up. Fortunately for him, his tears had dried up all those weeks he had locked himself in his room. But talking to Potter made him fragile again.

He purposely bumped Potter. "Where's the door?" Draco looked at Potter with accusation in his eyes. "What did you do with it?"

"I just closed it behind me and-"

Draco growled. "Why would you do that?! You know damn well that this place is fucked up. Now we're stuck and-"

Draco frowned when Potter pushed him to the side to inspect the plain wall where the door should be, muttering, "You're the stupid one."

"Very smart clapback, Potter. If there's an award, you're going to win that for sure, along with the most prat."

"We're stuck, it's not opening."

"Yeah, that's what I said," Draco sighed. He doesn't have the energy to deal with Potter right now. Potter's overwhelming him. "Bombarda it then."

"Why don't you do it? You thought of it."

"I can't, you fucking git! Every week, someone from the Ministry inspects my wand, you think a Bombarda would be a good history?"

Potter had the gall to blush and scratch his nape. "Well, I don't have my wand with me."

"Fucking hell, Potter, you're a fucking wizard, act like it."

"Yeah, I know..."

"That means you should have your wand all the time, you dimwit," Draco rolled his eyes. "Or, are you far too above using a wand now just because you defeated the Da-Voldemort. Is that it? You're now a saviour so you can't be bothered to use a pathetic twig."

"Hey, don't call me stupid," Potter ignored Draco's derisive snort of, 'Oh the troll knew what dimwit is', and said instead, "I'll do it, give me your wand."

Merlin, if Draco's not just scared to rot in Azkaban with his father, he already kicked Potter's head to put some sense in his brain, if he ever had that. "Potter, I know you're stupid, but this is too much! Do you think if the Auror found the bombarda spell, I could reason my way out of it? Do you think they're going to believe me if I told them their saviour cast the spell?"

"Oh yeah, you're right."

Draco sneered. "I pity your future children, they're going to inherit your stupid brain, your ugly hair, and your ugly glasses!"

"And I pity your future partner! All this shitty behavior, no one would want to be with you! You'll be stuck in a loveless arranged marriage, Malfoy. Go back to me if you find someone who loves you enough to willingly marry you, and feel free to laugh at my face."

Draco knew it was a miracle to be with someone he loves, someone like Pott- no! That's laughable. He knew he'd be stuck in a loveless marriage with Astoria if the Greengrasses would still want to take him in after all that happened, but to be reminded of that, by Potter of all people, that he'd never be happy in his life because of something he did because he didn't have a choice, brought a churn in his stomach. Draco wanted to lie down, curl to himself, and cry.

Just then, a bed appeared behind them. Draco grumbled and sat on the bed. Anything to be away from Potter.

-

"Huh," Albus tilted his head and pursed his lips. Casting a tempus, he realized they had been outside the Room of Requirements for about 10 minutes now and it still hadn't opened. "They're still inside, what did you ask for, James?"

James was smirking. "Why, I just asked the room if it could give me a snogging room for my parents. I'm a genius, yes, save your praises, I know."

"Wait, so they're stuck there until they snogged?"

"Yep!" James was smiling wide.

Scorpius' eyes widened. "What?! James! We just wanted them to talk. You do realize Harry has a girlfriend, and Papa wouldn't want to snog someone who has a girlfriend because Papa's not some homewrecker."

James rolled his eyes at Scorpius. "Scorp, I just wanted them to snog, not shag each other," James scoffed. "That's hardly cheating. And there's no home to wreck, yet. Plus, Papa's going to be Dad's husband anyway, I don't see the issue."

"That's true, yes, but it's going to be more awkward for them," Albus butted in.

James slowly shook his head as if Scorpius and Albus were the ones wrong here, like James was the only one who could see the point. "You do realize talking is not applicable to them, right? They need this push! Sure, it's going to be awkward at first, but it's going to force them to talk. Now we're going to be late, let's go! I don't like Slughorn taking another points, I swear that old man hates me."

Scorpius reluctantly followed them. "Well, you're not the son of anyone prominent, and you're not a potion genius, unlike me."

James frowned. "If he learned that I'm the son of Harry James Potter and Draco Malfoy, the greatest potioneer alive, he's going to take points from himself. If we ever revealed ourselves, I want him to be the first one to know. Do you think we can reveal ourselves in the Great Hall? We're going to be like, bam! Yes, we are the sons of Harry and Draco, worship us."

Albus snorted. "And cause Papa and Dad to have a heart attack? Not a good idea."

Chapter Text

"Ron, have you seen Harry? I've been looking for him for about an hour now, Professor McGonagall really wanted to talk to him," Hermione said when she entered the Tower.

"No, 'Mione, I've been looking for him as well. I wanted to ask him if he'd still watch the Chudley with me, we haven't bought tickets yet."

James burrowed himself further into the seat to hide himself from Hermione's vision, but his action just made everything worse. Hermione quickly looked at him when she sensed his presence, and she narrowed her eyes at him, the gears in her brain quickly working. "James, have you seen Harry?"

James pretended to be shocked at being called. "No, why? I've been looking for Harry as well; I wanted to ask about the quidditch game he promised me."

"Maybe he's in the kitchens?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, I went there, Harry's not there, and they said he was there earlier but quickly left."

"James and I hadn't seen Harry enter as well. If only we had the map," Ron sighed. "It's so weird that they're missing one by one. First, the map, now Harry, who is causing all these?!"

James wanted to giggle.

-

"You're so stupid believing James," Draco started again. It's already been an hour or two since he's been stuck here with Potter, and he's bored, so he started to bait the git again. Draco was now lounging on the bed, his back on the bedrest. Potter, on the other hand, had long since given up the idea that he was good sitting on the floor just to stay away from Draco. So now, Potter was sitting on the bed as well, inches away, as he faced Draco.

"Really, Potter? James? It's so obvious that kid is always up to something."

"And you didn't? I heard you calling Al and Scorpius, if I'm stupid, you're even dumber believing those two."

"Yes! But those rascals told me someone got Scorpius' wand, what was I supposed to do then? And they looked innocent, where as James, the kid just bled disaster."

Gosh. His parents must have had a very hard time with James. But Draco would admit, although the boy looked like he was always up to no good, he's too amusing and funny sometimes to be annoyed with, and even Draco, who didn't particularly like Gryffindors, couldn't hate James. There's something about James that makes him soft, just like with the twins.

"Wonder why they're doing this?"

Draco ignored Potter's question; he had a guess why, those kids were playing matchmakers, but the real question is, why? What caused them to act like cupids and match him to Potter of all people? Was it because of what Pansy said? Or was it because they loved interfering in someone else's lives and thought Draco was the perfect victim to play with?

"I mean, why us? Why this?"

Potter posed a very good question. Why them? Why him? What made them attach themselves to him? He couldn't think of anything he did to those kids, and they were obviously attached even before he offered protection to them.

Potter, he could understand, he's obviously famous, even to kids, if the googly-eyed first years were to be believed. But him? He couldn't think of what sane parents would tell their kids about him that could make them sympathetic to him, enough to go through all these troubles to make sure he'd start dating Potter or something.

Draco's cheeks warmed at the thought of being close to Potter, but he blinked any thoughts away. Merlin, the guy has a girlfriend.

"I don't know what they're trying to do here, locking us like this, but they do know I have a girlfriend, right?"

Draco ignored the lurch in his stomach at the mention of Potter's girlfriend. Instead, he raised an eyebrow at the expectant look Potter had before rolling his eyes. "Everyone knows, Potter. Everyone expects you to wed and have babies with the Weaslette while being the Head Auror. Obviously, you are living the most predictable life."

"Predictable?" Draco found it amusing that Potter looked confused at being called his life that. "Ginny and I- it wasn't—no one knew it for some time and her family was surprised, how could that be predictable? It's not."

"Keep telling yourself that," Draco scoffed when he saw Potter trying to defend himself. "Please! The whole Wizarding World knew you're going to end up with your best mate's sister, it's a textbook love story, really. Either her, Granger, or Weasley."

Potter frowned. "Tell me then, who should I end up with so my life will not be predictable like you said?"

"If you ended up with someone they didn't expect you to be with, someone they could only think of as either far from reality or just a plain joke." Someone like Draco. Because Potter with Draco is just impossible, cruel, and a fucking joke.

"Someone like you?" Exactly.

Draco glared. "As if I'd want to be with you." And because he'd suddenly had enough of Potter's presence, he kicked Potter and gestured for the still-closed door. "Now go check again if you could get us out of here without using a piece of twig you abhorred."

"I'm not your lackey."

Draco merely gave him a smile. Potter rolled his eyes and stood up, grumbling as he did so. Draco bit his lip when Potter did stand before the door before waving his hand, and though the door still wouldn't budge, Draco felt Potter's intensified raw power even from a distance.

Draco would keep his thoughts with him until the day he died, but the display of Potter's power made him so hot, and the fool probably didn't know it wasn't normal, and he may as well be the most powerful wizard alive.

"Nothing's happening."

Draco rolled his eyes. "If you just brought your wand, we could have been out of here an hour ago..."

One moment Draco was ranting, the next he saw how Potter, the clumsy fool, tripped, and then he was bodily throwing himself at Draco.

Then, Draco felt a heavy feeling on his body, contrary to the softness he felt on his lips... wait lips?!

Draco immediately opened his eyes and saw Harry's own startling eyes, which are so green. The latter was trying to look at their attached lips.

Crap. Fuck! Draco tried to breathe, but he's scared that if he did, Potter would soon realize who he's kissing, and he'd try to pull away from Draco. But his worries vanished when Potter's lips began moving against his, and Potter's hands were placed on either side of his head.

Draco slowly closed his eyes, and his lips began moving against Potter's warm, soft lips as well, giving his all to the kiss.

This shouldn't have been happening. Potter has a girlfriend. But this is an opportunity Draco would not dare to miss, plus, he wasn't the first one who moved. He could always just say he was caught up in the moment.

He was just a horny boy locked in an old castle with everyone hating him who couldn't look away from the fact that he's a Death Eater even when he's a looker. And he's gay. And Potter is alright.

Draco hummed when he felt Potter nipping his lips, and he almost squeaked when he felt Potter's soft tongue against his. Draco's hands fisted on the sheet, and though he was itching to wrap his arms around Potter's shoulders, he stopped himself and, in turn, poured in every frustration he felt onto the kiss.

From the distance, he heard the unmistakable sound of the door opening. He was sure Potter didn't hear it, or else the prat would have scrambled away from him by now. Draco, on the other hand, kept on going.

Draco had to pull away eventually, and just when he was starting to bury his nerves and push himself onto Potter once again, he heard the Gryffindor whisper,

"Ginny..."

Of course! Why would Draco even think Potter would kiss him without thinking of his beloved, and why would Draco even kiss a boy in a relationship in the first place?

Draco quickly shoved Potter away from him. Draco saw Potter about to open his mouth, probably to say more stupid craps so Draco said the first thing in his mind. "Fuck off, Potter!"

Draco brushed the stray tear from his face as soon as he was out of the door.

-

James looked up when he heard the door opening, and he let out a small smile when he saw Harry striding over to him, his face flushed, and James knew it wasn't because Harry had to run all the way here to confront James.

Someone just got the snogging of his life! From his future husband.

James had half a mind to tease his Dad. This is so entertaining to him. To see his parents young and their love blossoming.

"James, you told me Ron was there and he wasn't-"

James gasped. "He wasn't? But Ron told me-" James' eyes widened, and he shook his head. "Oh, he pranked me, Harry, he pranked me good. Sorry, Harry, I didn't know what Ron was thinking, why would he tell me that? Why? What happened?"

"It's just-" James bit his cheek when he saw Harry's cheeks pinken more before staring at him again. "You're not lying to me, are you?"

"Harry, why will I lie to you?"

"You told me Ron was supposed to be there and he wasn't, and it's just impossible for Ron to meet me there. And instead, it was," Harry coughed. "It was-"

"It was who?"

Harry sat beside James. "James, I want you to tell me the truth. Why are you doing this? Why- why Malfoy? What are you trying to do? Because I have a girlfriend, James, so you can't just do that... that thing you did."

James blinked as innocently as he could. "Did what? Tell you that Ron is looking for you? And what about Draco? You saw Draco there? What did you guys do anyway?"

Harry started panicking. James couldn't help but smile, his Dad was a hardened man who barely panicked, always chill, so seeing his younger counterpart lose his mind just because he snogged the boy he's in love with was a treat.

"Nothing! Why will you say something happened? Nothing happened! Nothing! Why- it's Malfoy- I don't-" Harry shook his head as fast as he could. James worried he'd snapped his neck. "It's nothing." Harry sounded breathless.

"It seemed like something happened, if this is your reaction."

"You know, I can read your mind."

James' eyes narrowed. His Dad was pants at Legilimency even when he's unarguably powerful, plus, James was taught by no other than Draco Malfoy-Potter to do Occlumency, so he's not nervous. And he knew his Dad wouldn't just read his mind without his permission.

"Okay?"

Harry sighed. "James, tell me the truth, I won't get mad, but you have to explain to me why, because I can't understand this, what are you playing at? Why Malfoy? How important is the git to you? What are I and Malfoy to you?"

Harry looked earnest, and James almost caved in, but his saviour came in the form of Ron Weasley.

"Hey, did James tell you to-"

"So, it is you!" Harry glared at Ron. "What the hell, Ron?!"

"Hey, don't shoot me, I'm just a messenger, I just told James what Hermione told me."

"So, Hermione's in it as well?" Harry gritted his teeth. "I should have known she wouldn't let it go. Well, tell her, Ron, that she's wrong! I don't care if she's the smartest witch, but she's wrong!"

Ron slowly sat beside James, looking very confused, while Harry stood up and began pacing.

"'Course, I miss the Map, but that wasn't because I'm itching to... to see what Malfoy's been up to! And... why will I even watch Malfoy again?! Why would Hermione think— that's not what I only do with a Map! I do some things about it you know, things that don't concern Malfoy. I do things that don't revolve around Malfoy, he's not— he's not my life or some shit like that. Besides, I don't think of him, so why did Hermione?"

Ron looked more confused at his friend's meltdown. Ron looked so lost it's so funny. James forced himself to stop laughing, and it was so hard! "Why? Because-"

"And don't you dare say because I'm obsessed because I swear to fucking Merlin, one more time I hear that word thrown at me, I'm going to fucking lose it!"

Ron blinked as if to say, 'Haven't you already?'. "Okay, fine, Harry, you are not obsessed with him. I get it, we get it."

Ron's nonchalance set Harry off. "You don't believe me, do you? Ron!"

"I'm just saying, mate, it's Malfoy, and you have to admit, you two have a complicated history and-"

"And what? I saved him? I saved him, yes, but that's because I can't see him die, not because I like him, it's just the right thing to do, and I only talked for him because his mom saved me, nothing more. I wouldn't do shit for Malfoy."

"Right, of course, because it's Malfoy and Malfoy is bad." Ron sounded bored as if they had had this talk about a million times already.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Whatever I'm- I'm not obsessed with the git! He's a git! He's..." Harry shook his head. "I don't think of him, I have a girlfriend, Ron, your sister!"

"Okay."

"Okay?! Ron! You're not taking this seriously, I can't hurt Ginny, and I don't like Malfoy!" Then Harry was running away from them.

"What's he smoking?" Ron looked at James. "Did you tell him Professor McGonagall was looking for him?"

James earnestly nodded. "I did tell him that."

"What the hell is wrong with that guy? He's losing his mind over Malfoy and out of the blue?!"

"Do you think Harry likes Draco?" James would love to know his young Uncle's thoughts since it was always Ron who told them how Harry loved worshipping their Papa and all the crazy things Harry did during the brief time of him seeking Draco's attention.

"I want to deny it, but ever since Hermione hinted, I mean, it's pretty obvious that he does, but whatever," Ron accio-ed his chess set. "Hey, mate, do you play chess?"

"I do."

"Great, I hope you're better than Harry."

James smirked. Oh, he is better than his Dad, he was taught by Draco Malfoy-Potter after all.

-

Draco Malfoy-future Potter whom Scorpius saw, was on his way, obviously to confront and berate them for lying to him. He looked a bit mad, but the sadness was clear in his eyes.

"I should have known James was in it, I should have known better than to believe you rascals. Now," Draco crouched and leveled his narrowed eyes at the twins. Scorpius and Albus unintentionally held hands to support each other because seeing their Papa like this was scary.

"Why? Why do you want me with Potter? Do you like seeing him get punished? But Potter's your Saviour so clearly, that's not it, it has something to do with me then. Why? Do you believe Pansy then? That I harbor some feelings for that prat? Well, I don't, so this is the last time that you're going to play matchmaker for us. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, P-" Scorpius squeezed Albus to stop the latter from calling their Draco 'Papa' to his face, although he felt the urge as well. "I mean, Draco. We didn't know Harry would be there, though."

Draco smiled. "You and I both know that you're lying Al. You may fool Potter, but not me. But still, I want to hear your explanation. I don't like kids who lie to me. Now tell me why. Scorpius? Al?"

Scorpius and Albus looked at each other, pushing each other to tell Draco the truth because they both knew Draco wasn't going to stop badgering them. Fortunately, Pansy came in.

"Hey, where were you?"

"I was in the Room of Requirements because these kids told me they lost something."

"Oh." But Pansy had a weird smile on her face, as if she was the one who planned everything, as if she knew what they were doing.

"Pansy! It was you who told the kids to lie? Why will you—no I know why! You know Potter's there! You trapped us in that room. Pansy, the kids, I told you not to involve whatever you're planning."

Pansy smirked. "Maybe I was the one who planned everything, I will not confirm nor deny it, but the way you're blushing, I'm sure whatever something good happened."

"Pansy!"

"Why Draco? What happened in that room with Potter? Did some snogging or sha-"

Draco growled, the blush on his face very prominent, before leaving them alone.

Pansy looked at them. "I just saved you, whatever you two are doing, keep it up," Pansy winked. "But someday, you're going to tell me the truth." Then, she left.

"That's so close." Scorpius whispered to Albus.

His brother nodded. "Do you think they snogged like Jamie said?"

"Papa's blushing, so yes."

"Do you think that is enough to make them start talking?"

Scorpius shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe James is right."

-

At night, Harry lay awake on his bed, trying to clear his thoughts of anything related to Malfoy, but every time he closed his eyes to go to sleep, his mind strayed and he remembered the kiss earlier. Malfoy's lips were soft-

Harry growled. Soft?! Why would he think of or relate such a word to someone like Malfoy?!

"I have Ginny," Harry whispered to himself, casting a silencing charm in case Ron was listening. Harry didn't want him and Hermione trying to tell Harry again that he had some feelings for Malfoy. "Remember her, Harry? Your girlfriend, you can't be thinking of someone else especially Mal-" Harry cursed. Forget Malfoy!

"I love- I like my girlfriend. I like Ginny, she's beautiful, she's fierce, she's strong, she's," Harry bit his lip. What else to describe Ginny? There should be something else! "She's good at quidditch," Harry rolled his eyes at himself when his mind came up with nothing to defend his feelings for his own girlfriend. Merlin, what a boyfriend he is.

"She has that great red hair, she's funny, she smells good, her freckles are okay, her- what else? What else Harry?!"

"Well, she's unlike Malfoy-" Back to Malfoy again. Harry sighed. "This is so fucked up."

"Let's start again. I have Ginny-" Harry stopped when his brain came up with another thought about the kiss earlier. This time, he welcomed it. 'Why did you kiss him?'

"He kissed me back," Harry bit his cheek. "He did, right? I wasn't just imagining that. Malfoy kissed me back, why did he do that?"

His mind had an answer to that. 'You kissed him first'. Harry's just a boy, and Malfoy's there with his soft lips and—

"Should I tell Ginny? Did I cheat? Is kissing another guy cheating? But I'm not gay, so it's probably not cheating but I should tell Ginny, right?"

Harry imagined telling his girlfriend that he kissed Malfoy. Would Ginny be chill about it and laugh with him, then they're going to move on from it? Or would Ginny accuse him of cheating on her? Ginny would be heartbroken, and Ron would be cross that Harry hurt his sister—and oh fuck! Molly! Molly would not welcome him in the Burrow anymore, and Harry would be pathetically alone again, all because he fucking kissed fucking Malfoy.

Harry growled. It's all Malfoy's fault anyway! Why did he have to have such attractive lips, anyway? It's so unnatural for boys to have those glossy red lips!

The Gryffindor sighed. Maybe it's his fault too, because he remembered wanting to dive back in and claim Malfoy's lips again the time they separated, if not for the fact that his conscience reminded him of his girlfriend making him whisper Ginny's name like an afterthought, and then Malfoy pushed him away.

But what if Malfoy didn't push him- No! No more Malfoy! It's Hermione's fault, putting all these thoughts in his head.

Harry gave himself another few minutes to rid himself of thoughts of Malfoy's lips, and before his thoughts got to the part of Malfoy's long legs, Harry stood up, wanting to stretch his limbs, but then he saw a flashy blonde standing on the Great Lake. Harry hurriedly pressed himself against the window, but it was no help, although the weird lurching in his stomach told him that it was indeed the very person he didn't want to think of right now.

Damn. He wished his map was still here so he could see if that was—

Harry shook his head. No! Enough is enough! He's going to prove to Hermione that he was no stalker and that he did not care for Malfoy. Not in the past, and definitely not now!

Without looking back, Harry went back to bed and closed his eyes, but a minute after, he sat up and grabbed his Invisibility cloak and wand.

"Bloody hell, Harry," he sighed.

Harry didn't stop himself when he began walking outside. He only stopped a few feet away from the blonde and saw Malfoy just sitting and shivering—whether it was because he's crying or from the cold, Harry didn't know, but it's clear Malfoy didn't want anything to do about it like he's punishing himself, so against his better judgment, he cast a charm to warm Malfoy up.

"Who's there?"

Harry quickly hid behind a tree before remembering his cloak. Harry held his breath when he saw Malfoy near him.

"Whoever you are, thank you."

Harry felt a smile on his face and watched Malfoy walk back to the castle. Only when he was sure Malfoy would not return to freeze himself did Harry return to his room as well.

-

In his own dorm, James sadly smiled at his parents' labels together near the Great Lake. He missed his Papa and Dad. He missed Lily. He missed Teddy. He missed everyone.

He brushed his tears away. 

Chapter Text

For a week, nothing happened. Although, James saw that Harry continued to accompany—stalk is the right word but James pitied his Dad so—Draco at nights when the blonde was at the Great Lake, much to their dismay.

"You'd think he'd do something about Papa since he's the Harry Potter."

James and Albus shared a look. James scoffed at Scorpius. "Wait, you're shocked? You are aware that we're talking about our Dad, right? Harry Potter, who spent a year stalking our Papa."

Scorpius rolled his eyes. "I know! But he's supposed to be the Saviour. Papa said Dad has a saviour complex. He loves saving people, so I just don't get why he can't do the same thing for Papa when Papa's obviously screaming for help."

"Draco Malfoy is different."

Scorpius raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good or bad thing?"

James shrugged.

They hadn't planned anything to meddle with their parents' love lives again. Not when Draco's eyes were on them, not fully convinced that it was all Pansy who planned what James now called Snogging in the Room of Requirements.

Alas, someone helped them in the form of Ginny Weasley when she announced the tryouts for new chasers, seeker, and a beater for the Gryffindor quidditch team.

Honestly, the tryouts had been the last thing on James' mind, what with all his longing for his family. But now that he remembered, he's going to give everything to join the team.

"Ginny! Please! Can I try out, please?"

Ginny kindly smiled at him. "James, you're only a first year student. I appreciate your willingness to attend the tryout, but-"

"But you haven't seen me play yet. I swear, you're going to miss out if you don't let me try. And I don't want to sound smug, but I'll be there shaking my head when the Slytherins win the Cup and you don't, telling you, 'I told you so.'"

Ginny chuckled, looking amused.

James continued. "Besides, Harry was a first year student when he played seeker, and I'm telling you, Ginny, I'll be better than Harry. I can be better than anyone. I'm simply the best!" James smiled at his aunt. It was his Papa who always told him that he's the best. Besides, he's part Malfoy, and what a Malfoy wants, a Malfoy gets. Again, he learned that from his Papa.

Speaking of, Harry arrived at the scene and quickly slung an arm around Ginny, pulling his girlfriend closer, and pecked her cheek. James blinked, it was normal to see his Dad friendly with his Aunt Ginny. They're still friends after all, and everything that happened between them was all forgotten.

Seeing them now, they looked comfortable together, but the two of them didn't deserve just comfort. With Aunt Cho and his Papa, these two look the happiest, and they are the best versions of themselves. Too bad they hadn't figured it out yet.

He's starting to believe that Gryffindors aren't the brightest bunch. Except Hermione.

Ginny intertwined her hand with Harry's and smiled at him. "What do you think, Harry? Should I let James try out? He told me he'll be better than you and that I'll regret it if I don't let him join the team."

Harry laughed. They shared an amused smile. "Yeah, give James a chance. I believe he'll be the one to carry the team."

James gratefully smiled at Harry, puffing up his chest. Harry winked at him.

"If you say so. Anyway, I have to go, I need to talk to Luna. Talk to you later?"

"Later."

James turned to look to the side when he saw the couple leaning in. It didn't hurt to see them as a couple. Rather, it felt weird.

"Hey, you told me you didn't know how to play Quidditch. How come you're telling Ginny you'll be better than me and that you'll carry the Gryffindor team to victory?" Harry asked as soon as Ginny left them. He looked far too amused and proud of James.

"Yeah, I don't, but I said that, so Ginny will allow me to try out. My mother told me that if I wanted to get something, I had to oversell myself. Besides, I am confident that I'll be the best Quidditch player as soon as I learn the game."

Harry laughed and ruffled his hair. "Your mother's very smart, and your parents must have been so supportive of you if you're this confident."

"They are," James sadly smiled. "Were. Well, tomorrow then, Harry, you'll teach me and my brothers how to play quidditch, yes? Like you promised."

"Yeah, I will, but listen, about Malfoy-"

"But you promised, Harry. My brothers and I want Draco there tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Because he's nice," James shrugged. "And Scorp and Al love him," James does too, so much, he loves his Papa more than everything, but Harry would be confused, so he skipped that fact over. "Besides, he told Scorp and Al that he's better than you, so I must learn from the master," James smirked at Harry. "The real master."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. He's better than me? Then why hadn't he caught the snitch before I did? Malfoy always talks craps."

"That's why Draco needed to be there so you could prove to him who's better between you two. Come on, Harry, you promised! From one orphan to another."

"James! Must you really." Harry shook his head when James annoyingly smiled at him. "Fine. But only if Malfoy agreed."

"Don't worry, I won't tell Draco the things Ron told you, that you're obsessed with him," James sing songed with an annoying smirk, chuckling when Harry's cheeks slowly reddened the more he listed the things his friends accused him of. "... that you always stalked him using your Map and that you always talk about him."

"Obsessed? James, I'm not!"

"I'm sorry, you're not obsessed. You like him."

"James!" Harry grumbled. "This is all Ron's fault. He's just teasing me, alright? Don't go saying that to Malfoy I swear to Merlin he's going to make my life harder. Promise me, James."

"Fine." James turned towards the door, but before leaving, he smirked. "No promises, though."

"James!"

-

Early morning, the next day, Harry found himself with James at the Quidditch field while they waited for Malfoy, Scorpius, and Al.

"Is Malfoy going to join us?"

"I don't know. My brothers didn't tell me anything. Why, Harry?" James wiggled his eyebrows at him while wearing a smirk. Harry sighed. This kid acted a little too adult sometimes, and his smirk was like a second nature to him, like he's always up to some mischief, like his Dad, James Potter, this kid's namesake— No. Harry would not overthink! "You look nervous. Is it because of Draco? Perhaps, Ron was right, you're nervous because you're thinking of this as a date with Draco-"

"Jesus, James, stop! Do not echo Ron's words, okay? He's being dumb," He's really going to have a conversation with Ron after this. James is beginning to imagine things for him with Malfoy, of all people! "And, do not tell anything to Malfoy."

"I will not, but I do not promise anything as well." James had a playful voice.

"James-"

"They're here."

Harry's going to deny it until the day he dies, but the moment he looked up to follow where James was pointing at, his breath left him. Malfoy looked wonderful with the kids. He'd always seen Malfoy with Scorpius and Al, but today, he looked extra beautiful, with him smiling as he listened intently to what Al was saying, and his hands clasped together with theirs.

In the safety of his mind, Harry let himself call the blonde beautiful. He just couldn't downplay the sight before him and lied to himself that it wasn't affecting him. He couldn't settle for average descriptions to stop himself from thinking of anything nice about Malfoy.

Because the blonde looked... soft. Far from the boy who had too many wrong choices under his belt. He wasn't the Malfoy he saw crying in the bathroom. Neither was he the Malfoy who stood before Dumbledore with a heavy task on his shoulders. He wasn't the scared Malfoy trying to climb his way from the Fiendfyre nor the one that stood before the Wizengamots to face his judgment.

Today, he was Draco. Draco, who looked good with the kids. Draco who'd be joining him to teach the kids quidditch.

Then, his traitorous mind had to supply their kids. THEIR KIDS?!

Christ, Harry. Get a grip on yourself! Enough of these fantasies!

Leave it to Harry to imagine some kids as his'. He wondered what Malfoy looked like with his own kids in the future. He was certainly very good now with kids who weren't his'. How much more if it's his? Or theirs?

Harry rolled his eyes at himself for imagining the impossible. How can he have kids with Malfoy? He's Malfoy! Harry can't imagine having children with Malfoy, not now, not in the future, and certainly not in this lifetime. Besides, he couldn't even kiss Malfoy without panicking.

Speaking of their kiss, Harry tried to stray his eyes away from Malfoy's lips, but he couldn't! They were luring him! Bloody hell, this is all Ron and James' fault. And Hermione! He couldn't forget that it was Hermione who started putting these ideas in their heads.

"Draco looks good, doesn't he?"

Harry glared at the kid. "James."

"What?" James' smile widened. "Don't blame me. I'm not the one staring at Draco like a crup."

"Who's staring at who?" Scorpius asked.

Harry frantically covered James' mouth, narrowing his eyes at the Gryffindor boy, whom he knew had a smirk under his hand. Malfoy didn't look like he heard anything, so that's good. "No one, Scorpius. No one is staring at anyone. Right, James?"

James responded with a muffled voice and a nod.

"James, why don't you show your brothers what I bought?"

James perked up. "Oh yeah!" Thank god kids get easily distracted. "Look at these! Harry bought us a Thunderbolt!" Al quickly pulled his hand from Malfoy and ran towards James.

"It's beautiful!" Al smiled. "It must be expensive, Harry."

Harry proudly smiled back at Al. "It is. It just recently came out. They're the fastest brooms out there." as Seeker Weekly proudly advertised.

The brothers giggled at that.

Harry noticed that only James and Al excitedly inspected the brooms. Scorpius was still beside Malfoy, taking everything in with a bored expression, as if he'd rather study than fly on a sunny day. Someone's not a fan of flying, it seemed.

Noticing his brothers, who had already mounted the brooms, Malfoy softly pulled his hand from Scorpiush. "Go on, Scorp, join your brothers," Malfoy regarded the brothers. "Be careful, alright? Don't fly too fast."

"Yes, Papa," James replied offhandedly. Al and Scorpius both stared at James, indescribable looks on their faces. Harry and Malfoy looked confused. James laughed. "I mean, Draco, you're starting to sound like our dad."

Harry chuckled. Malfoy did sound like a concerned parent to the brothers. And what did that make of Harry? The other parent? Malfoy's husband? Nope.

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "I'm serious, James. Don't try any of the dumb tricks. And look out for your brothers."

"Can we fly around the pitch?"

"Sure but don't go anywhere far just yet, do not go where I can't see you. Just try them out. Potter and I have something to talk about for a moment."

Malfoy's sweet smile fell as soon as they were alone. Then, he was glaring at Harry. Harry was shocked at how quickly Malfoy could change his emotions when it came to him.

"Potter, don't tell me you bought the kids a Thunderbolt, brooms that are made for professional players?!"

"Yes-"

"No! Don't answer it!" Malfoy's eyes thundered. Harry took a step back. "Potter, what were you thinking?!"

Harry almost cowered at the rage in Malfoy's eyes before he remembered who he was and who Malfoy was to shout at him. Harry crossed his arms. "Clearly I wasn't if you're this mad at me."

"No, you weren't because you gave them those brooms! Those are too much!"

"Because of its price? Malfoy, I don't care-"

"No! I don't care how you spend your galleons, you can burn them for all I care. No! This isn't about how expensive those brooms are. This is about you mindlessly buying them a death contraption. I don't want anything to happen to the kids, they are just learning how to play, you couldn't expect them to handle brooms that fast. What? You couldn't buy them cleansweeps or comets?" Malfoy sneered, and Harry expected the worst. The blonde's sneer was always followed by vile words. "Oh but of course, saviour Potter always has to impress, I forgot you have to take care of your reputation."

Harry gritted his teeth. Malfoy knew how to push his buttons. "What? That is not what I intended to do when I bought them those brooms. I just want the best for them! Besides, the kids loved them!"

"Potter, don't you ever think!"

Harry groaned. "Fuck off, asshole! Don't you attack me just because I want the best for the kids! I want them to enjoy and have the best things, even if it costs me everything."

"I swear to Salazar, if something happens to them, I'm going to fucking kill you. See if I don't!"

"Bloody hell, Malfoy! Why are you turning into a nervous wreck and acting like you're their dad?!" Harry continued when he saw Malfoy opening his gob to retort. "Besides, you're not the only one who cares and worries for them."

"Yeah, maybe you care for James since he's a Gryffindor-"

"Hey!" Harry gripped his arm. Malfoy tried to pull away, but Harry's serious. He could take shit from Malfoy, but not what he's thinking. He stared at the widened grey eyes of Malfoy. "I may not be close to Scorpius and Al like you are, but don't you dare imply that I wanted to hurt Scorpius and Al because they are Slytherins. Between the two of us, we both know who's bigoted towards other houses, who's capable of hurting others because they're of lower status, and don't you fucking forget that Malfoy-"

Harry felt a bit guilty when he saw a flash of hurt and guilt in Malfoy's eyes, but Harry continued. "Let go-"

"I care, and I trust them well enough to buy them the best brooms I know. Besides, back in second year, you're using the same fast brooms they have. Don't tell me you don't believe in their skills?" Harry innocently smiled at Malfoy. "Oh but that's right, only a Malfoy can have the best things. We are mere half bloods and muggleborns-"

"Do not-"

"Hey! What's taking you two so long? What are you two talking about?" Harry looked behind him and saw James hovering a few feet away from them with a worried look on his face.

Harry finally let go of Malfoy and gave James a small smile. "Nothing, James."

"Okay, but look what I can do!" James then made a big flashy flip that put a proud smile on Harry's face.

Harry began clapping. "That's good, James! Very good! We'll be there in a minute, though."

"Salazar, James, don't do that again!" Malfoy had his hand on his chest.

"It's fine, Draco! Both our parents were good flyers, it's in our blood. But thank you for worrying about us. Now, come on!"

Harry looked back and smiled at Malfoy as if he'd just proven a point. Malfoy rolled his eyes and mounted his own broom. Harry did the same thing, picking up the box that contained all the things they needed.

Spelling the box to hover beside him, Harry started to reveal the quidditch equipment, starting with the quaffle, and explained to the kids, who listened attentively, all the things he knew about quidditch, mostly what he could remember from what Oliver Wood told him back in his first year since he hadn't learned anything new about the game since then.

Harry ignored all of Malfoy's scoffs and whispered derisions, which he clearly heard, thank you Malfoy, and kept on explaining the ins and outs of the game. It was going fine until Al asked a very technical question he only heard the first time.

"Err..." Harry blinked and stared at Al's expectant face. James laughed before coughing when Harry glared at him. Godric, this kid!

Unfortunately, Malfoy took pity in him, so he unsubtly shoved Harry to take the spotlight that almost made Harry fall, again, thank you Malfoy! Then, he answered Al's question. "What Potter was trying to eloquently explain..."

As minutes passed by, Harry realized just how much Malfoy knew about quidditch. And he meant everything! Malfoy was able to answer every question thrown by the boys without being too technical. And he didn't have the time to be jealous of the looks of admiration and fondness in the boys' faces towards Malfoy when he too was engrossed in every word Malfoy had to say.

Good Godric! He didn't know those rules exist. All Harry knew was that he needed to catch the snitch before anyone else did, that's what Oliver told him as well, so that's where his focus relies. But here was Malfoy, acing every explanation, even providing them events in the 1800's why the rules were derived like that and somehow, Harry wasn't bored while he listened to him.

Malfoy had a nice way of telling boring events, even better than Hermione and much better than Professor Binns.

"You should be a professor, Draco, you're so good at explaining!" James gushed at Malfoy. Harry silently agreed. "You should replace Professor Sluggy."

"Thank you, James. I'll think about it."

Harry didn't miss the way Malfoy's eyes quickly looked at his covered arm. Harry knew the blonde would not think about it, being an ex-Death Eater, Malfoy didn't have many opportunities. Even with the war over, no one would still want to be connected to anything having to do with Voldemort.

Malfoy continued explaining everything he knew.

The twins' eyes were sparkling as they looked at the blonde, but that wasn't anything new, the twins always looked at Malfoy like he hung up the moon.

But James! Harry felt betrayed. He's supposed to be James' favorite! But Merlin forbid! Now, even James looked half in love with Malfoy, especially when the prat started listing some techniques and observations for each position. Harry had to give it to the blonde. Harry only knew how to win when he was already in the game, but he couldn't strategize or look at the bigger picture. Harry wondered why Malfoy settled to be a seeker when he's so great at any other position.

"Now I'm sure I'll be the best Chaser!" James widely smiled at Malfoy. "And it's all thanks to you, Draco!"

Chaser. Just like Harry's own dad.

"No, James. I'm sure you'll be the best Chaser though but that's all thanks to you. I have no doubt that as soon as you join the Gryffindor team, it will be over for the other houses." Malfoy chuckled when Al and Scorpius began cheering for the Gryffindors and James, joining in the fun.

Harry stared at Malfoy. Malfoy cheering for the Gryffindor team. It's... refreshing to see.

"I almost feel sorry for my House and almost regret that you're not in Slytherin because of your talent."

"Sorry, Draco."

Malfoy suddenly looked towards Harry, and his smile immediately fell when he saw Harry looking at him. "Anyway," Malfoy continued, telling them some rules. "So, based on the rules I mentioned, Potter shouldn't have won that 150 points when he caught the snitch with his mouth."

"If Madame Hooch said I won, then I won."

"Doesn't mean she's correct."

"You're just bitter; you hadn't won a single game against me."

"All because the rules were bent and twisted for you! Besides, I was only letting you win."

"That's nice of you, Malfoy, you must be so selfless because you didn't leave any single game for you. Besides, you only succeeded in embarassing yourself."

Malfoy growled.

James came in between them. "So, are we going to play or not?"

They played Chaser's game to help James practice, Malfoy said. Harry and James against Al and Malfoy with Scorpius playing the keeper.

Harry was having a hard time playing the Chasers position since all the position he played for was a seeker even at the Burrow playing with the Weasleys, and when he had no choice but to play Chaser, he had Ginny as his teammate, and Ginny was one hell of a Chaser.

It showed in their game when Scorpius could easily block every throw he made.

Scorpius giggled at him. "Nice throw, Harry! I'm not part of your team!"

From the side, James grumbled something like, "Merlin, Harry! That was such a nice throw on my part! How could you waste that?!" and then Malfoy would add, "Gosh, Potter! Beaten by a first year."

"Scorpius is just a good keeper."

By the time Malfoy's team had a 100-point on their team's 20-point, all 20 points scored by James, Harry was beyond frustrated when Malfoy scored another goal. Malfoy let out a cheer and a wide smile, giving Al a high-five.

"You were saying, Potter?"

"I swear, he lets your goals in because Scorpius idolizes you."

"Not really, Draco's really good, and he's fast. Where as you, you're giving me the ball, Harry."

Malfoy laughed, his eyes crinkling and his lips curling in delight. Harry paused for a moment as he took in the sight. his heart beating faster. Must be of exhaustion. Yes, that must be it.

He hadn't heard the blonde laugh without it being demeaning or mocking and now that he did, Harry could confirm that it sounded nice. Really, really nice.

"Ouch!" Harry squeaked when he felt a quaffle thrown at him. He looked to the side and saw James with a guilty smile. "James!"

"Sorry, Harry. You're staring at Draco too much, we can't lose our focus."

"James!" Harry growled and looked beside him, only to see Malfoy with his flushed cheeks. Must be because of the heat.

Both Harry and Malfoy were distracted from that point, but that didn't stop him from giving pointers and advice to James, like how to give a good pass, how to score a nice goal, and how to keep the quaffle from the opposing team.

Harry admitted, Malfoy was really good at Quidditch itself. He wasn't just limited to any position.

By the time their game ended with Malfoy's team winning with a 150-point lead, Harry realized that he had so much fun, even if it's a game with Malfoy.

"So, see what I meant when I said I was only letting you win?"

Harry pulled out a snitch from his pocket, its wings immediately fluttered. "How about a game of seekers? Just like the old times?"

"Why, Potter? Want to rub some salt on your wound? Is it still not enough that you already lost?"

"Scared, Malfoy?"

"You wish, Potter."

They gave each other a small smile. Then, Harry released the snitch.

Harry quickly dove, with Malfoy following him. Harry smiled when he felt the cool wind hitting his face, but his smile fell when he felt a hex thrown at him.

"You cheat!"

Malfoy laughed. "What? There are no rules set, so no rules to break, ergo, I'm not cheating."

"You just mentioned the rules earlier."

"Yes, I did! But those are for official games. This isn't an official game."

"You can't just make up your own rules, Malfoy!"

"I just did."

"Okay, so that's how it is then," Harry slowed down a little and threw an Aguamenti straight into Malfoy's hair.

"Hey! Potter! My hair! I just spent an hour perfecting my hair!"

Harry laughed seeing Malfoy's usually impeccable hair now looking like a sad lump from the water. "What? You just said no rules!"

"Just because your hair looks like an ugly nest doesn't mean you have the right to burden us with the same curse! Look at me!"

"Your hair is an uglier nest."

But their little game was stopped when they heard a cry somewhere in the field. Harry's eyes widened, and he felt his vision sway a little when he saw Scorpius falling.

"Scorpius!"

Harry cast a charm to slow down Scorpius' fall and sped up, hoping to catch the kid. Malfoy was ahead of him, flying faster than Harry had ever seen him. 

Chapter Text

James stared at his teenage parents, who were wrapped up in their own bubble as they bickered and tried to twist their made-up rules while playing Seekers game.

Though at first they both looked tensed and were obviously fighting about something, a game of Quidditch eased the tension between them, and now, they're acting as if they'd always been the best of friends.

No war and pain between them.

James and Al exchanged happy smiles when they heard Harry laughing as he blasted water towards Draco's once immaculate hair, followed by a shriek from Draco. It wasn't a rare sight to see, heck, their parents had been a lightyear sweeter compared to their younger counterparts, but it was definitely a rare sighting to see their teenage parents enjoying themselves, and it left James with an overwhelming feeling; he felt a sting of unshed tears in his eyes.

He missed his parents so much. The longer he stayed here, the more he regretted stealing the time turner from his Dad's office. Don't get him wrong, he loved spending time with Harry, and he's sure the twins loved spending time with Draco as well, but they're just not the same.

As he watched his young parents, James realized that they still hadn't changed, even at this stage, they had a deeper understanding of each other, even if they hadn't realized it yet.

At a young age, James knew and saw that his parents had a level of understanding greater than he and his siblings could ever understand or share with them.

Like during Halloween, when his Dad looked particularly melancholy, remembering his parents that not even the best pranks of Teddy and James could make him laugh, Papa was always there to cuddle Dad on their sofa, a Mexican telenovela playing on the telly, and whisper things to him, until Dad was back to giggling at James and Teddy's silly antics.

And when Papa suddenly felt overwhelmed in life that not even Lily and the twins clinging to him could pull him back from his state, Dad would make him his favorite tea and curry, tell him things James had always heard Dad tell his Papa, cuddle him some more, until Papa was convinced he deserved everything he had in life.

But it's only now that James realized what his Uncle Ron meant when he said their Dad and Papa had a way of excluding others when they're together, that they tended to create their bubble for themselves alone, momentarily forgetting that other people exist, because James never felt that. Their parents always included them, even when it came to deciding for the family. Since they are a family, their parents always wanted to hear what they had to say. His Papa always said they shouldn't get scared of having opinions and voicing them out, especially to them. Their parents love them like that.

But now, he very much felt it, and he's sure his brothers did too. Harry and Draco continued to tease each other, totally forgetting James and his brothers. And James wished they stayed like this until their real parents came to pick them up, not quite sweet like their parents, but at the very least, civil.

But he should've known something like that was impossible, especially when it came to his bullheaded teenage parents. Then they all heard a strangled cry from the distance.

James quickly turned back and saw his brother free-falling.

"Scorpius!" James cried and quickly flew towards him, Al beside him, and their teenage parents suddenly speeding ahead of them. James didn't know who cast the charm to make Scorpius' fall slower or where the cushion came from, but Scorpius was able to land slowly and safely.

"Scorp, are you okay? Anything hurting you?" James and Al crowded their brother, effectively pushing Draco and Harry away from him.

Scorpius nodded and smiled at them. "I'm fine, just some broken arm, I think, but other than that, I'm okay, nothing Madame Pomfrey cannot heal."

James and Al nodded. This was a pretty normal occurrence for them, they were more rowdy, especially when their parents had to attend events, and those two attended lots of events, being the Head Auror and world-famous Potioneer and only bringing Lily with them since she's the only one who wanted to join their parents—because let's be for real, who would want to attend those boring events with old people when they could have fun at their house?

And with James and Teddy assigned to look after their brothers and the house, with Teddy as the master mind of all the fun games, James bringing in more rules and twists to make those games extra dangerous and thrilling, and the twins always ready to try out the fun games, they always have fun, a bit dangerous, nights.

One time, they tried playing snowball fights inside their house, but instead of snowballs, they threw those hard balls they found in the attic, and well, aside from the broken lamp and windows, James also managed to get hit and make his head bleed. They also tried playing Quidditch inside the house, aside from broken vases, Albus also managed to break his arm.

Thank Merlin they could always rely on their Uncle Ron or Aunt Cho to heal any of the bleeding and broken arms and spell the house back to its original state without their parents knowing about it because James and Teddy wouldn't dream of getting the ire of one Draco Malfoy-Potter. No, sir.

But this version of their parents didn't know who looked panicked, still.

Harry breathed a relieved sigh. "Thank goodness you're okay-"

"This is all your fault, Potter!" Draco growled and pushed Harry, his gray eyes glinting dangerously at his future you. "I already told you those brooms would bring harm to them, and look at what happened!" They all flinched when their Papa started screaming. He rarely did that, both his parents didn't actually, and when they did, it wasn't directed at each other.

Harry's expression changed, matching that of Draco's. "It's not my fault! It's an accident! And you heard Scorpius, he's fine!"

"Fine?! None of this is going to happen if it weren't for you and your need to be the best out of everyone! Ever since we were young, Saint Potter always had to be special, you couldn't just settle for something simple, you always had to seek attention."

"Fucking hell, Malfoy! I'm seeking attention?! If I'm seeking attention, you're drowning in it, look at what you're doing now. This is a simple accident, but you had to make this all about you!"

"What?! All about me?! You prat!" Draco pushed Harry once again.

This time, Harry fought back, and it must have been a shock to Draco because he stumbled back and was about to fall, but Harry grabbed him tight by his collar.

"Let go of me, Potter!"

James' heart thundered in his chest. He didn't like this. His parents looked like they were about to punch each other, and that was a trauma he and his brothers may never recover from. James would not be able to look at his parents the same way again.

Harry looked really mad, though, and he had his wand in his other hand, which was the worst combination from what James had seen whenever his Dad fought whoever dared to inappropriately act or say something about their Papa.

The only thing stopping him from hexing Harry was the reminder that their real Dad couldn't do something like this to their Papa. Never. Dad loved their Papa so much—more than life itself, he would always say.

"Stop it! You two!" James screamed, he didn't like his teenage parents.

He hated them right this moment. They are both immature and bullheaded, both temperate and couldn't talk things without shouting and hurting each other.

James shook off the feeling of incoming tears. "Nothing happened to Scorpius but you two are scaring him."

Scaring even James and Albus who already backed away from the teenage boys, both teary eyes as well.

Their parents weren't like this. Sure, it wasn't all rainbows and love, James knew his parents fought sometimes, but they weren't dangerous and destructive like this. The only sign they weren't okay was when his Dad wasn't clingy to their Papa and their Papa muttering a gentle 'prat' under his breath every 5 seconds. James knew his parents wouldn't want them to grow up in a stringent environment, but thanks to them, all their parents' efforts had been for naught.

They must have looked very scared because Harry finally pulled himself away from Draco, and Draco finally shut his mouth up.

Draco crouched down to level with Scorpius. "We're sorry, Scorp, but are you sure you're alright?"

Scorpius looked at them for a moment, making sure they wouldn't start another row. "Yes, Draco, I'm okay, it's nothing I haven't experienced before. This is actually just a small thing compared to what I experienced before."

All three of them looked at each other and smiled, it was funny confessing their secrets to their parents without them realizing what they were trying to say.

Draco opened his mouth, probably to ask about those experiences, but Harry was already talking. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Scorpius, it's not what I meant to happen when I bought you those brooms, I'm sorry."

Scorpius smiled at him. "No, Harry, it's not your fault. It was only an accident," Scorpius blushed. "I was actually trying to do that flip James did, but I'm fine, but I'll appreciate it if you bring me to the Hospital Wing."

Harry gratefully nodded. "Do you want me to carry you, Scorp?"

"No, thank you. I can walk fine, Harry."

Harry instead helped Scorpius up, apologizing again when the latter winced.

"Careful, Potter," Draco whispered.

"I know."

The trip to the Hospital was thankfully a silent ordeal, no more snide remarks from any of them.

No one was in the Hospital Wing aside from them, and Madame Pomfrey looked unshocked when her eyes fell on Harry. Harry looked visibly embarrassed to be disturbing the poor lady on a Sunday. "Madame Pomfrey, I'm sorry, but Scorpius, he broke his arm-"

"Nothing a simple potion can't solve, put him here, careful. Besides, Mr. Potter, as long as you're here, I expect to be busy at an ungodly hour of any day."

Draco chuckled when Harry's blush returned and he could only mutter, "Sorry," while glaring at Draco.

Madame Pomfrey quickly took care of Scorpius and gently smiled at him. "Well, Mr. Scorpius, you're certainly calm about this, unlike some students I know." At this, the matron looked pointedly at Draco, who could only sputter in defense.

This time, Harry guffawed. James and his brothers couldn't help but join Harry, remembering all the stories of their Papa being a drama queen back at school.

After a while, Harry suddenly stood up. Draco stood up as well.

"Potter, where are you going? You can't leave us-" Draco bit his lip. "You can't leave Scorpius just yet."

"I'll talk to Professor McGonagall, I'll be back as soon as I get her permission."

"Permission for what?"

Harry didn't answer Draco and instead briskly walked out.

"What's he going to talk about with Professor McGonagall?" James asked.

"Merlin knows, that prat is always up to something," Draco smiled at Scorpius then. "Are you okay now?" Scorpius nodded. "Don't scare me like that again."

-

"Professor McGonagall?" Said woman looked up from her parchment and regarded Harry with a small, polite smile. "I mean, Headmistress. May I talk to you for a second?"

"Professor's fine, Mr. Potter and yes, you may. Sit."

Out of habit, Harry grabbed a biscuit from Professor McGonagall's tray. "Can we," Harry coughed because of his suddenly dry throat. He regretted grabbing a biscuit, he sheepishly smiled at the woman as soon as he was done coughing and embarrassedly wiped the crumbs from her table. "By we, I mean, the kids—and by the kids, I mean Scorpius, James, and Al, I don't know if you know them, Professor, but-"

"I know them, Mr. Potter. So, what can I do for you?"

Shit. This is McGonagall, he better get straight to the point. "Is it fine if we visit Hogsmeade today? You see, we— and by we, I mean, the kids with Malfoy—were trying to teach James Quidditch, and well, I kind of did something, accidentally, and I wanted to apologize by bringing them to Hogsmeade."

"And you're bringing Mr. Malfoy with you?"

"If he wants to, yes."

The woman sighed and removed her glasses. Harry prepared for her upcoming rejection. Professor McGonagall was a strict follower of rules and she's no Albus Dumbledore and Harry understood that.

"Mr. Potter, I think you know by now what will be my answer to that request."

Harry nodded in understanding. "Yes, Professor. Thank you, still, and for the biscuit."

"But."

Harry perked up and quickly returned to his seat, his eyes shining in hope. "Yes, Professor?"

The woman smiled. "But, I know that it's been hard for those kids losing their parents and Mr. Malfoy could use some break," she pulled a parchment, wrote something on it, and gave it to Harry. "You have my permission. Enjoy."

Harry beamed at the written permission. "Thank you, Professor!"

"Enjoy your day with the kids, Harry!" Professor Dumbledore's portrait said with that twinkle Harry never understood or tried to understand.

"Thanks, Professor," Harry nodded at Professor Snape as well.

But he's perplexed to notice that even Professor Snape's portrait had the same twinkle in his eyes as Professor Dumbledore, as if they knew something he didn't.

-

Harry returned to the Hospital Wing and saw it in the same state he left it. With Draco hovering over Scorpius like a concerned parent, with James and Al on the other side, whispering to each other.

"Hey kids!" Harry excitedly waved the parchment. "Look what I got!" When he was met with blank stares, Harry anounced. "We're going to Hogsmeade!"

Then, the atmosphere changed. James was jumping for joys. Al and Scorpius were hugging each other, twin beams bright on their faces.

"Finally! Hogsmeade!" James cheered. "I can finally buy things from Zonko's!"

"I can finally visit Honeydukes!"

"And I'll buy those stationery items Victoire was telling us."

Harry looked confused for a moment. Victoire? He heard that from Bill and Fleur once. Sounded like a french name but he realized she must be someone from Slytherin, or maybe a classmate.

Scorpius obviously looked okay now because Al was shaking him in excitement and he in turn was shaking his twin brother, as they both screamed at each other. Harry chuckled. These kids were intense.

Malfoy, seeing Scorpius' state, slowly stood up. "Well, I'll return to my room. I'll see you later, Scorp, Al. Bye James. Enjoy your day in Hogsmeade."

The brothers' smiles immediately fell. They all looked at Harry, both threatening and pleading with him to invite Malfoy as well. Of course.

"Uhm, no, Malfoy, I want you to join us, if that's okay with you? Professor McGonagall knows you're coming with us."

"Please Draco?" Scorpius pouted.

"Fine. Let's go."

"Wait! James! Our money!"

"It's fine, Scorp, I'll pay." Malfoy glared at Harry when he also said, "I'll pay," but thankfully didn't say anything anymore.

James shook his head. "No, no, Harry, Draco, we have budget for this."

Harry and Malfoy were both shocked though when James returned with a bag full of galleons. Where are these kids getting their money from?

-

Their first stop was Zonko's and Harry realized it wasn't only James who was excited to pick up toys—hopefully they would not try to use them to prank anyone like the Weasley twins did, or else Professor McGonagall would have Harry's head—because the twins' eyes were shining in mirth as soon as they stepped inside the place.

While Harry was looking at the shelf, thinking of buying something for his dormmates in Gryffindor, he overheard a very amusing conversation between James and Al.

"Buy this instead, I'm telling you, Al, listen to me." James and Al were both holding two different-looking frog spawn soaps.

"Teddy told me this," Al raised his green frog spawn soap and gestured towards James' soap. "Is better than that so no way!"

Harry perked up at the name Al mentioned. Teddy? His godson? It's impossible. Teddy's only a baby. How can James and Al know him?

James scoffed. "You believe Teddy? Teddy's pranking you, Al. He's always like that! Trust me."

"Trust you? No way! And then what? As soon as I drop this, you're going to buy it? No, this is the last piece."

James snorted. "Of course not. Unlike you, I don't believe in Teddy. I am smart. I have my own thoughts."

"Then go buy that."

"Oh! Come on, Al! Let's switch. Don't listen to Teddy."

"Who's Teddy?"

James and Al turned and faced Harry with sheepish smiles. Harry felt more confused when the two brothers looked at each other as if daring one another to explain to him. Like they knew something he didn't.

After a few seconds, James stepped forward. "He's my classmate. He's a friend, I was telling Al not to listen to whatever he said."

"Oh," Harry nodded. "You know, I know a Teddy too, he's my godson," Harry knew he sounded proud, and Merlin, he's very proud to be Teddy's godfather, it's an honor. "But he's only a baby, so I don't think you can talk to him about things like that, but you're going to like him, I'm sure of it."

James snorted. Harry raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, I suddenly remembered that thing Teddy told me. My friend, not your godson, of course."

"Hey, maybe you guys can meet my godson someday."

"Yeah, someday."

They left the place, buying almost everything the kids saw.

-

But even when they almost bought the whole place, Al still looked like he was about to buy the whole Honeydukes.

"Honestly, where are you getting your money, James?" Harry had to ask when James dropped a handful of galleons in Al's waiting hands. Al happily skipped towards the shelves. Even Malfoy looked shocked, probably because even he, a spoiled boy, wasn't as generous as James.

"It's from our parents. From our Dad, specifically. It's his support for us."

"Shouldn't you save that up for something much more important?" Malfoy asked. Harry had half a mind to remind Malfoy of those 'much more important' things he bought himself.

"It's fine, our parents love us, they're very rich especially Dad," James smiled at Harry. "I'm sure wherever they are, wherever Dad is, he's happy we're spending it on something we want."

Harry nodded. James is right, if he's that Dad, he'd want his kids to buy anything they want.

Harry bought sweets for his friends and a little for himself. He smiled when he saw Al struggling to carry a large package, no doubt full of sweets. "Want me to help you with that?"

"Yes, please."

Harry quickly got the package from Al's hands. "Didn't know you had such a sweet tooth."

Al smiled. "I got it from Mama!"

If Harry didn't know anything better, he'd say that that 'Mama' was Malfoy, who also had an equally large parcel in hand and was currently trying to hide it from Harry, but the big ass parcel just could not be hidden.

In the end, Malfoy rolled his eyes and tried to play it off. Typical Malfoy. "It's for Pansy and Blaise... and the others."

"What? The sugar quills?"

"Oh, sod off, Potter! You're holding a parcel even bigger than mine."

"It's Al's."

"Yep, it's mine!"

Malfoy blushed. Harry smiled.

-

In the end, they settled at the Three Broomsticks after Scorpius visited the book shop, which Draco very much approved of. James would say that roaming around Hogsmeade with his teenage parents was okay, never mind the fact that those two almost killed each other earlier, but now, they're back to civility, that's okay. For now.

"Don't worry, Harry, it's my treat. Our treat," James was quick to offer when Harry tried to pay for their meal.

Harry shook his head. "James, don't, Malfoy and I can pay, just save your money for whatever you and your brothers need in the future."

In that future, by then, their parents would have already come and picked them up, hopefully. But for now, he's going to treat Harry using Harry's money.

James patted his hand and pushed it away. "Harry, it's fine. I found out that our parents left us this huge sum of money. I already told you, it's from Dad, he's generous like that, and he loved us, so, it's fine, Harry. Take this as our thank you that you taught us Quidditch so eat whatever you want."

Albus and Scorpius snorted at James. James guiltily smiled at his Dad. Poor Harry. He didn't even know that the money they were spending was coming from him. That every month, galleons came pouring from his own vault. The least James could do is treat him, well, using his own money.

"If you say so."

"I'll order for you two."

James went back to their table as soon as he ordered and smiled at the blonde. "You know, Draco, if you met Dad, you're going to like him, love him even."

James knew it was out of the blue. Draco did raise an eyebrow, but he didn't care, it would never be amusing to see his parents answering things without knowing that they pertained to them.

"Yeah, I doubt. I'm not that... amicable to other people."

Scorpius shook his head. "Our mama's just like you, she's a pureblood as well and high maintenance. But our Dad managed to make our mama fall in love with him, our Dad's persistent like that."

Harry snickered, probably thinking that Draco is high maintenance.

"Are you saying I'm high maintenance, Scorp?"

Scorpius blinked and then shrugged. "It's not a bad thing, though, being high maintenance. I'm simply stating that you deserved the best, Draco, and you need someone like our Dad."

James didn't miss the way Draco's eyes fleet towards Harry. Someone's in love. James knew that. Their Aunt Pansy had told them about their Papa's obvious crush on their Dad since Hogwarts. "Well, Scorpius, thank you, but I'm not looking for anything like that as of current. But when I find a partner who's like your Dad, you'll be the first one to know."

Harry suddenly squirmed beside James, and before Scorpius could respond, he said. "Hey, can you tell us more about your parents?"

James' eyes narrowed. Their Dad told them he fell in love with their Papa 2 years from now, but was he lying to them? Because that expression on Harry's face, James knew that, that's his Dad's jealous face. Was Harry jealous of Draco's future partner?

Well, James thought, someone's developing feelings as early as now.

-

They went back to Hogwarts with arms full of parcels and it was just in time for dinner.

Headmistress McGonagall announced the new staff joining Madame Pomfrey which happened to be the lady they're waiting to meet, Cho Chang. From across the Hall, James wiggled his eyebrows at his brothers, who both smiled at him, already planning how to make Ginny and Cho date so they could match make their parents once again without the guilt of cheating.

Well, he thought, this day was turning out to be the best day since they got here, forgetting that little hiccup earlier, of course.

And then, Rita Skeeter had to ruin it.

Chapter Text

James heard the murmurs from the students and saw the glares thrown at Draco before he realized what was going on. Obviously, it was because of what that evil Rita Skeeter had concocted this time since the students only began gossiping once the owls delivered the night editions of The Daily Prophet.

"Honestly, when is she going to stop?" James heard Hermione grumbling several seats away from him. She sounded exasperated, and James knew even before he saw the rag Skeeter wrote that it was against Harry and possibly Draco as well.

"Let me see," Harry said, snatching the paper from Hermione.

James left his food and quickly went to sit beside Harry to read what the evil witch had written.

His heart threatened to fall when he read the title.

THE WAR IS OVER, OR, IS IT?

By: Rita Skeeter

Harry Potter Spotted With an Infamous Death Eater; Neo-Death Eaters Reportedly Getting Stronger in Powers and Numbers

Spotted today was Harry Potter gallivanting in Hogsmeade, despite today being only a Saturday and no student should be seen in the Town. Now, the Daily Prophet believed that there was nothing wrong if our saviour was given special treatment from Hogwarts' newly-assigned Headmistress McGonagall, since the late Headmaster Dumbledore would have bent every rule for our precious saviour as well.

But, what was concerning for everyone was with whom Harry Potter was spotted. Witnesses told The Daily Prophet that our saviour was enjoying his day with no other than Draco Lucius Malfoy, only heir and son of known Death Eaters Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy née Black, the sycophant dark couple known for taking care of You-Know-Who in their Manor and providing their old family wealth to fund the war.

Draco Malfoy, who is also a marked Death Eater, was also best known to be Harry Potter's rival. Now, one would question, why is a Death Eater suddenly friendly and cozy with our saviour? First, our dear saviour spoke for the younger Death Eater and his mother, reason why they were free to roam around while everyone was still picking up pieces from the war the Malfoys created, and now an unsolicited date in Hogsmeade?

Witnesses claimed that Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy looked serious as they talked, no doubt talking about something very important. But dear readers, unfortunately, we could only imagine what those two, who had nothing in common, had to talk about. It is best to be reminded that only a week ago, it was reported that Neo-Death Eaters were slowly getting stronger.

Could it be what they were talking about? One would guess, was the infamous Death Eater, no doubt, influencing our saviour to turn him towards the darkness and make him lead the Neo-Death Eaters? With Potter's display of rage and magic, unfortunately, it is not impossible.

Witnesses also claimed that along with them were younger Gryffindor and Slytherins. Start them young, perhaps? It seemed that Draco Malfoy would do what his Master failed to do: Recruit Harry Potter, our Saviour.

No one knows for sure what really happened, and we can only guess. But are we going to expect a revelation of plans in a few days? Are we going to be subjected to another war, or should we, as early as now, do our best to stop another war from happening?

Best believe that we, at The Daily Prophet, would not stop seeking the truth and I, Rita Skeeter, would not let any war start happening again.

James didn't know how Skeeter attacked McGonagall, the late Dumbledore, Draco, Harry, his grandparents with only an article, but he's seething. James wanted to march and hex that evil—James promised his Papa that he's not going to say any bad word, but his Papa is not here, so—that evil bitch for saying bad things to his Papa. How dare she?!

"That fucking witch," Harry mumbled. "I'll fucking," He looked around and dropped his voice to a whisper, "... kill her if I set my hands on her. How dare she involve the kids in this fucking rag? Fucking bitch." James proudly smiled at his Dad.

"I mean, you can, you should." Ron nodded at Harry. "Get rid of that nasty witch once and for all. No one likes her."

"Yeah, but that'll just prove everyone she's right about me," Harry slumped in his seat. "Even Hermione can't threaten to report her anymore for being an unregistered animagus, the only thing we can do is not read her rags."

Now, James is disappointed in Harry. If it were their Dad, he'd already be at the Daily Prophet, with Skeeter's head in his hand and the whole building under his feet. His Papa said that that almost happened, luckily for Skeeter, she begged their Dad and promised him she'd never lie about their family again, especially about Papa.

"That'll do nothing, Harry, most people will still keep on reading her rags, and you know what's frustrating? They believe all her bull even when it's out of this world."

Harry frowned at Ron. "I know, and now, the kids have gotten involved—"

"Don't forget Malfoy," Hermione pointed out, and all of them looked up to see Draco calmly putting the Daily Prophet down, and going back to his food, ignoring the whole school's glaring daggers at him and mumurs of, 'Death Eater scum', 'Piece of crap', and a whole other list of names Draco did not deserve.

James' hand tightened around his wand, his teeth gritting in anger. If he's not just afraid to be expelled, he would've done the thing his Dad would've done, hex everyone. The twins, for their part, were glaring at anyone who dared to throw a nasty look at Draco. When Draco saw this, he pointed at their food, probably telling them to go back to their food, the twins disheartedly followed him.

But James? He's useless. He couldn't protect his Papa.

With a heavy heart and teary eyes, James looked back at Hermione. "... it's already hard for Malfoy to come back here with everyone hating on him, but now, Skeeter basically told everyone to attack him, she just put a target on his back, and his mates would not be able to do anything about it. But you know who can help him?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Hermione—"

"Harry! I'm not saying this because of my 'crazy theory' but that's for another day, but you know I'm right and you're just being stubborn about it," Hermione narrowed her eyes at her friend, who only rolled his eyes once again. "You have to help him, Harry!"

"What?" Harry groaned. James did not like this Harry, he's a stranger to James. He did not care for Draco, not a single bit. How did he manage to fall in love with him? "How is he my responsibility once again? And how will I even help him? What? Am I going to protect him from everyone? Hex everyone?"

James nodded. Yes! That's the right way.

"No! Violence is not the answer, Harry. Speak up! Just that," Hermione sounded exasperated. James was really glad his Dad was friends with Hermione, or else, he hadn't been born—either because Harry's dead by now or he would not do something about his feelings for Draco. "You know the truth, so tell everyone that."

"Yeah, because speaking up helped me from the past. I told everyone Voldemort's back, they called me demented, and who did everyone believe?"

"But some people will listen to you. You probably don't want to believe this, but some people hang on to every word you say, for Merlin's sake, you have worshippers, as creepy as that sounds. You're their saviour, with the right words, you can beat Skeeter in her game, but the more you stay silent on this matter, the more you're letting them believe Malfoy is poisoning your mind, and we all know that's not what happened earlier."

"I don't like Malfoy, but mate, Hermione's right, we all know you had a date with Malfoy with your adopted kids!"

"Ron!" Hermione glared at her boyfriend, telling him he's not helping.

"Christ, Ron. I have a girlfriend!"

"Ginny? She's probably going to tell you the same thing."

Harry began sputtering. Hermione looked like she's about to hex her boyfriend.

"Don't listen to Ron, but Harry, you need to do something about this. Don't be stubborn. Malfoy needs you, your help. You can't just leave him all alone to fend off these rabid students."

Hermione sighed. "Look, I haven't forgotten all the shitty things Malfoy did to us when we were kids, but we were kids then, and no one deserves to be treated like this. Besides, he's changed."

No wonder his Papa and Aunt Hermione were much closer in the future. Harry still looked unconvinced, though.

Just then, James heard the loud hoots of the owls, and he looked up to see them clutching howlers, all obviously for Draco. Headmistress McGonagall vanished them all before they reached Draco.

Harry slowly went back to eating, probably wanting to separate himself from Draco's problem, which would not happen if not for Harry. James huffed and went back to his seat.

He might be useless when it comes to protecting Draco but he could do something to help him, he was told he's stubborn when he wanted something to happen, a thing he got from his Dad.

-

Since he got it from his Dad, Harry, of course, was expectedly more stubborn than him.

"James, for the last time, I'm not going to do any of Hermione's plan."

James would not back down, though. If they have to be here until tomorrow, so be it, he would not back down from Harry. "But Harry, you heard Hermione, you're the only one who can help Draco. Besides, this would not happen if it weren't for you."

James was a bit guilty when Harry's face contorted with guilt. But he's able to swallow the guilt for his Papa. He couldn't understand Harry, though. He should be the Master of Meddling, he's always stuck his nose in business where he's not needed. But now that he's needed, Harry doesn't want to help? Come on!

"I only wanted you and your brothers to be happy," Harry looked at him in earnest, hoping James would understand his side, but James remained steadfast. Harry sighed. "James, you don't know Malfoy the way I do. If I meddled, the prat's going to blame me, he's going to prattle about me underestimating him, that I'm trying to play the hero because I'm Saint Potter or some crap. He'll blame me for everything, so no, James, I'd rather live a peaceful life than involve myself with Malfoy's business."

James knew that. His Papa is indeed proud, but he also knew that Draco's tough exterior would melt, and he would soon realize that he needed someone's help if Harry just dug deeper or put in more effort. That would not happen if Harry stopped being Harry.

"But Harry-"

"Malfoy can do it on his own, I'm sure."

-

It didn't take a week before James realized that Draco couldn't do it on his own. The worse thing was that James didn't know the exact things that were happening with Draco, the only reason he knew was because of his brothers.

James had not seen Draco eat at the Great Hall since Skeeter wrote the article. Skeeter, who had not stopped writing her lies, was partly thanks to Harry, who was still silent on the matter.

According to the twins, who only got the information from Pansy and Blaise, Draco was back to hiding in his room, and would need some time to think on his own before he decided to talk to anyone again. The twins told him that they too had not had a long talk with Draco again, and the only time they saw him was when they were fortunate to spot him in the common room to greet him before he went to his classes with Blaise and Pansy, thankfully insistent on dropping him off at every class he had, at his side, and then he'd locked himself in his room again.

The twins also told him that Draco had significantly changed since last week. He looked worse than the first time they saw him at the station. He looked so exhausted, withdrawn, and hopeless, that the twins feared that the more Skeeter was given the liberty to continue her lies, the higher the chance of something happening to Draco.

James only saw Draco once when he's on his way to Herbology. He was with Blaise and Pansy. And James did see what the twins were telling him.

Draco had heavy bags under his glossy, exhausted eyes, his eyes which looked unseeing. He looked like he was floating, unaware of anyone or anything happening around him, like he's just going on about his day with the intention of ending it soon. He was expressionless, even with Pansy's jolly stories beside him. And he obviously could use a month's sleep.

But what James did see and his brothers did not, were the marks that came from a severe hex peeking out of his long sleeves.

He wasn't sure if his brothers picked up on it and decided not to tell him. Or if Draco's best friends ever did. But they were so well hidden that James only saw them because he knew what he was supposed to be looking at.

James hated that it didn't shock him and just confirmed what he already knew. He skipped his Herbology that day and decided to lock himself in his dorm. When his brothers and friends pestered him to tell them what happened to him, he told them that he just didn't feel like it. He would not tell them that he lay on his bed, wide awake, and his curtains drawn to hide his sobs and screams of frustration.

It was obvious his Papa was getting bullied, the map showed him that—Draco, alone with several people unknown to him in the hallways. But whenever James tried to protect his Papa, his Papa's gone, as were his tormentors.

James didn't tell anyone. He couldn't. He couldn't tell his brothers, they would just worry. He couldn't tell Harry because the older would ask questions, and he could not reveal their identities yet, not now, not when his teenage parents' relationship

James couldn't do a damn thing about it. And he hated that no matter what he told Harry, his younger Dad would just not do anything about his Papa, and would rather be nonchalant and play house with his girlfriend instead.

At one point, James questioned his Papa. Why was he with Harry? But he vanished that thought almost immediately. His Dad is different. His Dad loves his Papa and will do anything for him. Harry isn't his Dad, yet.

Hermione had given up as well, telling Harry that he's on his own and that, in no way, she'd help him when it's all too late. Harry only scoffed at Hermione, even James knew she didn't mean it.

-

Finally, after almost a week, Harry did something and it was only because his brothers were getting harassed as well.

"Harry! My friend told me he just stopped a 3rd year Ravenclaw from assaulting my brothers! Are you going to wait until they get sent to the infirmary before you do something?!"

His brothers' safety, thankfully, finally put some sense in his younger Dad's head. He quickly stood up, leaving his chess game with Ron. "Crap, I will, but I have to speak to your brothers first, where are they?"

Harry and James, along with Ron, spotted his brothers on their way to the dungeon. "Al! Scorp! Wait, can I talk to you guys for a second?"

"Sure Ha-"

Suddenly, Draco was running towards them. He quickly pulled Albus and Scorpius to his side. "Potter, what are you doing talking to the kids?"

"What am I doing? Nothing! I just wanted to speak to them about—"

"I don't care whatever bullshit you spout, Potter, but if you think you can go near Al and Scorp after what you did to them, you're damned more stupid than I believe. Al, Scorp, let's go."

Harry gripped Draco's wrist and pulled him back. "What did I do then? Tell me! I didn't do anything! In fact, I wanted to help them, James told me Al and Scorp were getting harassed."

Draco looked at his brothers, silently telling them they're going to talk about it later. "Help them?!" Draco scoffed. "Of course! Saint Potter always has to save the day! Merlin forbid Saint Potter doesn't show us we're all inferior to him."

Harry raised an eyebrow at James, telling him that not meddling was the right thing to do. Harry rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I called this. You know what, Hermione was practically begging me to help you, but thank Godric I did not. She told me you changed," Harry laughed humourlessly. "You're an asshole then, you're still an asshole now."

"No and thank Merlin you did not try to help me because I do not need another reminder how great Harry James Potter is," Draco said with the most sarcasm James had ever heard coming from his Papa. "Besides, you already brought this on us, don't you think you've already done enough damage to us, scarhead?! I wouldn't be shocked if I knew that this is your plan all along! You wanted to hurt me, the kids—"

Suddenly, they all felt the uncontrolled magical surge of the Saviour wrapping them. James and his brothers felt very uncomfortable. Harry's very mad. Draco stood his ground, but James could see that he's struggling to keep himself from shivering.

"Fuck off!" Harry whispered. "I didn't want this to happen, all I wanted was to make the kids happy, so don't you ever insinuate that I could ever do something like that to them."

"Leave us alone, Potter. I can deal with my problems and I can protect them myself. We don't need you!"

"Oh, you can, can't you? Because you did a wonderful job protecting the kids, you're probably just holed up in your pitiful room while the kids had to deal with the bullies themselves."

"Mate..." James looked up and saw Ron looking confused. James could understand his sentiment. Harry and Draco were talking as if they were spouses talking about their kids, spouses in the middle of a divorce, and wasn't that just great?! James gritted his teeth.

"You don't know what I've been going through right now Potter, all because of the stupid stunt you pulled! And they would not be bullied if it weren't for you!"

"I'm pretty sure I know what you've been up to, Malfoy. You've always been a coward, and it's obvious that this is you trying to hide away from your problems."

Harry was obviously baiting Draco.

"You—"

Everything had happened so fast that James wasn't able to raise his own wand. All he saw was Draco raising his wand, but his hex was deflected by Harry's shield. And then Harry aggressively pushed Draco against the wall, raising his own wand but before Harry could hex Draco, Harry was thrown away to the other side, courtesy of Scorpius and Albus.

"Get away from him!" The twins screamed. James stood before his Dad. He didn't like Harry the past few days but he didn't deserve any hex, and he knew how the twins got angry, especially when it concerned their Papa. They were very protective of their Papa, James too, but these two could give their Dad a run for his money.

Harry groaned from where he'd been thrown.

Draco blinked and beckoned the twins towards him. "Al, Scorp, come here."

The twins didn't need to be told twice. With glares directed at Harry, they came running towards Draco who still looked shocked. Draco quickly pulled James' brothers towards the Slytherin's dungeon.

"Shit. I fucked up. Al! Scorpius, wait! I'm sorry."

James held Harry by his wrist to stop him. "Da-Harry. They're mad at you, just give them some time."

Ron clapped Harry on the shoulder. "Mate, I think Malfoy just divorced you and got two of your kids."

"Fuck off, Ron. Not now."

James frowned at how appropriate that was for him. His chest felt heavy and constricted, he couldn't breathe well. It was the first time he saw his parents aggressive with each other, well, the second time, but this was worse. They're both about to physically hurt each other, and his brothers even had to intervene.

He felt teary but he puffed his cheeks, he's grown up now, and grown-up boys don't cry anymore, and if Teddy saw him, he'd laugh.

"Hey, James, are you okay? I'm sorry we scared you. Come here."

James let his younger Dad pull him in his arms. As soon as he felt his Dad's familiar scent, though this version of his dad was scrawny, he started sobbing.

"Sh, James. It's okay. I'm sorry."

No, it's not going to be okay, James wanted to lash out. It was all his fault! He missed his real Dad and Papa. The ones he always groaned at because they looked sickeningly in love, the ones who didn't scream at each other. He hated this place. He hated here, there were so much fights, his Dad and Papa were aggressive to each other, and they were strangers to each other. He wanted to be where his Papa and Dad were.

James was still sobbing in the middle of the hallway when they saw students exiting the rooms, so Harry guided him back to Gryffindor's common room.

"It's fine, James. It's fine."

"What happened to James, Harry?" It was Ginny.

"I had a row with Malfoy, I must have scared him."

"Oh, James-"

"Don't touch me! You are not my mother!" James immediately felt guilty lashing at Ginny. She didn't do anything. "I'm sorry, Ginny."

Ginny smiled. "It's fine, you look distraught. I'll leave you for a while to talk to Harry, okay?"

"Come here, tough guy," Harry pulled him to the couch. James sniffed. "Did we scare you? We're sorry. I'm sorry. I should've done something as soon as this started."

"It's just... my parents weren't like that, you know? And our house, it's all fun and joy, there were no people fighting or screaming. My parents were in love, and now—" Now, James was doubting if his parents ever really loved each other if they used to be like this. He loved his parents relationship and vowed to himself to find what they have.

"I'm sorry. I know I already promised, but this time, I will hold my temper with Malfoy, and I will not fight with him again."

Harry let him sob for a few minutes, just rubbing James' shoulder and promising him things. "You okay now? Want to go to the kitchens?"

"I guess."

-

"Al, Scorp, I'm so sorry."

"Da-Harry was about to hurt you," Scorpius sobbed. His Dad was about to hurt his Papa, why would he not cry? It shocked him to his core. "Why are you the one saying sorry? He should be! He's bad! He's not a hero!" Scorpius sniffed and wiped his tears away.

"That's not true, look, I was about to hurt him as well. I almost did it first. He-Potter just thought to defend himself. I also provoked him, and that's on me, but he wasn't bad. Listen to me, you two," Draco smiled at them. "He's a good guy, okay? He's a saviour, he's everyone's saviour, as yours too. Without him, we will not be here today living our lives peacefully."

Albus shook his head, sniffling as well. "If he's a good guy, then why does he badly treat someone like you, Draco? You didn't do anything wrong to him."

Draco sighed. "It's a long story, Al. Potter and I had a long history. Look, whatever happened, it's between us, you two are out of it, I don't want you to change how you see him. Don't be mad at him, okay?"

Albus and Scorpius only continued to sob.

Draco continued to say, "And I promise you, it's not going to happen again. I'm sorry, and I'm sure he is too. I'm sure right at this very second that guy is going bonkers about how he's going to make amends with you two, you know he is, that's how good he is. Come here."

Draco hugged them.

"What happened, Draco?"

Draco looked up and saw Pansy. "Potter and I fought and we must have scared them."

"Well, yeah, I too get scared when my parents fight in front of me, I wish they would've done it in their room because now, I've got a whole bunch of traumatic memories."

"Pansy, not now, please."

"I'm just saying Draco, the kids obviously looked up to you two, the least you can do is behave yourself. Do not fight. Do you want the kids to have trauma?"

No, Draco did not want that. He didn't want the kids near Potter anytime soon while Skeeter was on her lying spree unless Potter did something about it, and as selfish as it might sound, Draco didn't want the twins' attention transferred to Potter. Aside from Blaise and Pansy, the twins were all he had.

But, he also didn't want them hating on Potter, that guy did not deserve to be hated by anyone.

Draco sighed. Maybe he should talk to Potter.

-

"Draco! Draco, honey!"

Draco put down the photo album of his boys he'd been looking at for the past hour when he heard his husband's voice.

"Harry, I'm here!"

Harry had a big smile on his face. Draco quickly stood up. It's good news. It should be.

"My team saw another time turner, the same thing our boys used. The unspeakables have started working on it, Hermione told me it would take a while but—"

Draco shook his head. Anything is fine. Anything. Even if it took them a while, anything as long as Draco was sure they were finally doing something to get his boys back.

"We're going to see our boys again."

Draco thought this would break them, but no, this just made their relationship stronger.

He realized, there's no other person he'd be with while experiencing this other than Harry. Harry who poured all his powers, knowledge, and energy into everything to find ways to bring their boys back. Harry who only slept a few hours, was always on the lookout for options and ways to bring their boys back. Harry who never failed to remind Draco how strong he was for enduring all this.

"I love you, Harry!" Draco peppered Harry's face with kisses and wiped his husband's tears away. "Thank you."

Harry smiled despite his tears. "I love you too, Draco. So much. Thank you that you're still with me despite the fact that it was me-"

"Harry, I've already told you, I don't blame you. Do not blame yourself, please, my love. No one wanted this to happen."

Draco preened when his husband looked at him as if he had just fallen in love with him all over again. He loves that look in Harry, it always makes Draco feel special, as if he's the most beautiful person to exist, as if all his life he'd been the kindest guy to live to have something as precious as Harry's love. "I'm lucky to have you and our family. Our boys and Lily."

"We'll see them again."

"Yes, we will, and we will not stop, baby. I will not, even if I have to give up everything I have."

"I'm lucky you're my husband," Draco said, a single tear rolling down his cheek, as he caressed Harry's unshaven jaw. "I'm lucky you're the one I'm with while going through something like this. I love you."

Harry picked up his hands and kissed Draco's knuckles. "No,  I'm the one lucky because I'm with someone who's strong enough for the both of us, and I love you more than life itself."

Draco smiled and gathered Harry in his arms, burying his face in Harry's shoulder.

Soon, he'd embrace his sons again. Soon.

Chapter Text

James continued to grumble as he trudged the flights of steps on his way to the Gryffindor Tower. He just finished trying out for Gryffindor's quidditch team. Ginny was so amazed at him that not only was James chosen for the team, but he's also one of the first three chasers picked to play in every game. Harry was more than proud of him.

He should be happy, yes, but how could he be when his brothers didn't show up? His brothers didn't even make an effort to tell him good luck before the tryouts.

Sure, his brothers were still a bit mad at Harry, James understood that, but James should be more important than their petty anger at their teenage Dad. Besides, Harry had apologized many times, but the twins would not take his apology.

"You're not seriously mad at Dad, are you?" James confronted the twins right after he saw the guilt-ridden face of Harry when the twins continued to ignore him. Harry may be a bit stubborn, not wanting to do anything with Draco's dilemma, but he's their Dad!

"He's not Dad!" Albus said with a frown, though James could see the guilt in his eyes. He's close to breaking. "Dad loves Papa, he can't hurt him, you saw what Harry almost did to Papa, he's about ready to hex him."

"Yeah, almost."

"Almost because we stopped it," Albus fought back. "But what if we're not there? Merlin knows what Harry already did to Papa."

James noticed that the twins were trying to separate the image of Harry from their Dad, probably because they still couldn't believe how their loving Dad could ever attempt to hurt their Papa, James couldn't as well, but he's always been good at quickly moving on.

"And? Draco's going to fight back. This is Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter in their Hogwarts years, fighting is their love language."

Scorpius' eyes narrowed. "You know, we should be the ones asking you whether you love Papa or not because you're taking this lightly, Jamie. Papa almost got hurt!"

"Now don't you turn this against me. I love Papa!" James crossed his arms. "I just trust Draco's capabilities, I know he's not someone anyone can just stomp on without him biting back. And I pity Harry, okay? He's trying to make amends with you two, but you two don't want to lower your prides."

"Jamie, we're not mad, okay? We can't. Harry is still Dad, yes, but he wasn't doing anything about this, he didn't want to address what really happened or do anything to help Papa. Maybe we will talk to him again if he does something."

James rolled his eyes. "Yeah, okay, so what I'm hearing from this is that you do hate Dad."

Scorpius rolled his eyes at him as well, obviously exasperated. "We're not mad at Dad, we're kind of—a bit disappointed at Harry. It's different. Dad is different. We can never hate Dad, we love Dad."

James blew raspberry at Scorpius. Yeah, right.

Scorpius' cheeks reddened in anger. James smirked at him. "We do! We love Dad!"

"Whatever! Just make sure you'll come watch the tryouts!"

"Fine, but we love Dad!"

James knew that. They all loved their parents, but he just loved teasing his brothers. Perks of being the eldest.

So his brothers promised but didn't appear. Great! It's fine. James had slightly moved on by now, but first, he needed to get the map and some supplies from Zonko's.

But he didn't need to, not when he reached the third floor and saw his brothers running towards him. James frowned at them. They better have some good explanations for their absence.

Nevertheless, James made a show of slow clapping. "Oh great! The traitors appear before I can seek them, you better have a good explanation-"

"Jamie, we don't have time for your dramatics-"

James cut Albus off. "Yeah, I get it, you don't have the time! That's probably why you weren't at the tryouts when I asked you to-"

"It's Papa!"

James blinked, his breath stuttering into silence, unbriddled images of his Papa—lying somewhere hurt, bloodied, and crap! James didn't even want to think that word—flashed before his eyes like a horror film. James' heart pounded against his chest, and white noise filled his ears, but he still managed to ask with a choked voice, "What about Papa? What happened to Papa?" His own voice sounded faraway from him.

But he was quickly thrown into reality and forced to do something, anything, when the twins started sobbing. "Okay, it's okay," James softly cooed at his brothers. He forgot why he's mad at his brothers in the first place, James should've known something's wrong when his brothers didn't appear. James shouldn't have attended the tryouts. He enveloped the two sobbing boys in his arms. "He's going to be okay, we just need to—I don't know—ask Harry for help, come on, where is he?"

The twins pulled him to where Draco was supposed to be. In the secluded area of the fourth floor, behind a large tapestry, lied an unconscious Draco.

James stood frozen on his spot, he felt cold inside, he wanted to cry—of course he wanted to cry—that's his Papa lying there, unconcious, hurt, blood trickling from a gush on the cheek, arm badly twisted, and with his faint breath the only thing stopping James from running up to him and breaking down. He also couldn't because the twins were already hysterically sobbing their hearts out, and James couldn't join them and induce them with more fear. Not now. Someone needed to do something.

"Jamie, it's our fault," Scorpius continued to sob. Both he and Albus were kneeling before Draco now, large beads of tears pouring from their eyes. They were shaking and obviously wanted to wake him, but both were afraid to touch him. "Papa, please be okay. Please be okay."

James forced himself to say something and forced his body to move. "It's not your fault, okay? Scorp, Al, do not blame yourselves. He's okay, he'll be okay."

If anything, it was James who should be blamed for this because he saw it all on the map, but he didn't do anything, he couldn't do anything. He's useless. He's not his Dad.

"Stay here, I'll call for Dad's help, he can help us, he should. Stay here with Papa no matter what."

James almost broke there when he saw Harry happily laughing with Ginny. They looked so happy. James wasn't mad but he felt bitter. Draco is hurt. He and his brothers were out of their minds seeing their Papa in a bad state. And there was their Dad, laughing with his girlfriend.

Then, Harry looked up and saw him. The guy ran up to him. "Hey, James! I just–"

"Harry, can you please help us? Please? Something came up and I don't know how to explain it, so just follow me, please."

James didn't give him the chance to respond, but he sighed in relief when Harry did follow him, James ignored all his curious questions.

"Harry!" Both Albus and Scorpius called out, but Harry didn't have the time to be shocked that the twins were back to acknowledging his presence when his eyes fell on Draco's state.

"Shit, what happened-"

"We just found him like this, please help him, Harry," Albus begged, hiccupping.

"Okay, okay, I got it." Harry went to Draco and swished his wand, probably giving the blonde some much-needed first aid healing spells, then carefully carried him in bridal style.

He looked at the two boys, still weeping. "He'll be okay, don't worry, Al, Scorpius. This is Malfoy, he can survive anything, and Madame Pomfrey can heal anything." Harry was saying as he brought Draco to the infirmary, James and his brothers beside him.

"Oh, dear, what happened to him?" Madame Pomfrey asked as soon as they barged in through the infirmary. The head nurse gestured for Harry to carefully put Draco on the bed.

"The kids found him badly hexed, they didn't see who did this to him."

The head nurse nodded and began to nurse Draco.

Harry pulled James and his brothers a good distance away from where Draco was. "I'll talk to Professor McGonagall about this, no one should just—" Harry shook his head, whatever he wanted to say got lost in his head. "Don't you three have classes?"

"We do," Scorpius quickly answered, and James looked at him in shock. They have? Oh yeah, they have. Potions. Shit. Did James finish his assignment? Did someone magically do it for him? "But we can't leave Draco-"

"Leave him here with me, I'll take care of him," Harry kneeled before them and softly smiled. He swished his wand at them, and James saw his brothers' tear-stained and snotty faces cleared. He felt the same done to him. "I promise. I'll protect him, now off you go to your classes. James."

Harry nodded at James, silently telling him to take care of his brothers, and in turn, he'd look after Draco. James nodded back and put his arms around his brothers, forcing them to go to class.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. Papa's a tough cookie. Also, can I copy your homework?"

Scorpius must have been so lost because he nodded without any nagging. James felt sorry, but he really needed that homework. He couldn't have another detention.

-

Malfoy woke up after some time. Madame Pomfrey did wonders for him; he looked good as new—with his haughty aristocratic beauty. He sat up, careful not to move his bandaged arm. Malfoy heavily sighed and gave him a fleeting look, as if seeing Harry was more painful than his twisted arm.

Harry awkwardly moved where he's sat, not sure how to go from here. Malfoy's sharp eyes turned to him when he didn't stop awkwardly shuffling from his seat. "Potter."

"Did you know it was Scorpius and Al who saw you earlier? Not me. James was the one who called for me."

Malfoy's body shifted, he looked tensed. He looked down, and Harry didn't need to see his face to know that he's ashamed and worried and that he scared the boys.

"Who are they?"

"I don't know. I didn't see."

"Bullshit," Harry whispered. Of course he saw! Harry guessed Malfoy wasn't just hexed, they probably taunted him first, called him names, and from his wounds, it wasn't only one. "Tell me so I can report them to Professor McGonagall."

"And make the situation worse? No, thank you, Potter. I can handle my own problems."

"No, I know you can, but what if they hurt Scorpius and Al as well?"

"I'll make sure they won't."

"How, if you don't want me to tell Professor McGonagall-"

"Potter! The best the headmistress can do is give them detentions. You're just going to make it worse for the kids," Malfoy shook his head. "It's not like they can't be thrown in Azkaban for this, no, the Ministry is just going to applaud them for hurting the Death Eater, who's trying to turn their Saviour dark, because they did the right thing."

"No, hurting others will never be-"

"Let's not kid ourselves, Potter, the kids are not here anymore, I know you think I don't deserve any of this," Malfoy glared at him. Harry blinked, why did it feel like it was his fault? "This freedom. I don't deserve that I'm here talking to you. I should be rotting in Azkaban, like my father."

Harry didn't respond. He didn't have any defense on that, he supposed that's what he told James at the start, but what James said made him think later that night. James was right. Malfoy was just a kid, and he didn't have a choice.

"You're just a kid."

"So were you, Potter, but you did the right thing. Besides, don't think I didn't see how you snickered with Weasley back at the station when everyone was trying to humiliate me."

"Y-you saw? I-i'm sorry, it's not like-"

"Not like you weren't having the time of your life seeing me get hexed and laughed at by those people? Potter, don't act like you're some Saint-"

"Fuck you, Malfoy! If it weren't for me-"

"I won't be here, I know. You think I don't think of that?! What do you want me to do, Potter? What?!" Malfoy took a deep breath, turned his head away, and then he's crying, his shoulders shaking.

"Fuck." Malfoy scrubbed his face. "It's just great that it's always you who has to see me cry."

This wasn't the Malfoy who always mocked him because he's an orphan, not the Malfoy who liked reminding Ron and Hermione of their status, and this wasn't the Malfoy who bullied people just because he could. And fuck, Harry wasn't ready when Malfoy began sharing his woes with him. He didn't sign up for this!

"Do you think it's fun for me to live with him and be near him? I was forced to share dinners with him, I had to wake up every single day and face him like it's normal," Malfoy sobbed. "Night after night, I always had to see those people dying, getting tortured around me, and I was forced to cheer and celebrate someone's death when all I wanted was to run away from my own home," Malfoy glared at him. Harry forced himself to stay. "Do you think it was fun living with him? Potter, I had to live with him. You might have faced him and fought him, but I had to live with him, Potter," Malfoy sniffed. "There's nothing worse than that."

Harry bit his lower lip. He knew that, he had seen the gaunt expression, but he'd been a bit prejudiced. In his mind, all death eaters were like Bellatrix, the crazy bitch who killed his godfather. But Malfoy wasn't Bellatrix.

"Shagging him is worse." Harry shrugged. He's trying to lighten up the mood.

Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "I don't know, Aunt Bella seemed to enjoy it."

"Wait, he has a prick? With Bellatrix?!" Harry shuddered in disgust. "I thought he wasn't a man anymore."

"Potter, why are you so adamant about talking about the Dark Lord's sex life? And why the fuck will I know it in the first place?"

"Sorry, just wanted to lighten up the mood, but I saw you, when I was in Voldemort's mind and he was torturing the Muggle Studies professor, you didn't look good."

"And that still wasn't enough for you since you still laughed at me."

Okay, so Harry was an asshole, but Malfoy didn't have to remind him all the time. "Malfoy-"

"You shouldn't have spoken for me, Potter. You should have just left me rotting in Azkaban, there's no reason for me to freely live amongst the world, whom the cult I was a member of, tried to eviscerate."

"Scorpius and Al."

"What?" Malfoy sharply looked at him.

"They're the reason you're here and not in Azkaban. They need you."

"They shouldn't. I was one of the reasons their parents were gone."

"They deeply care for you."

To prove it, the kids appeared in the Hospital Wing and when they saw Malfoy already awake, they brightly smiled.

"Draco!"

The kids went running to Malfoy, and Malfoy softly smiled at them. Harry blinked when the word 'Beautiful' appeared in his mind after seeing the kids with Malfoy.

They all hugged Malfoy, even James, hugged Malfoy as tight as he could. For a moment, Harry wondered, why? What did Malfoy do to them? Why were they so concerned and protective of him? What did Malfoy do to deserve the purest love from these kids?

"Are you okay, Draco? Are you still hurting?"

"I'm okay now. Thank you, James."

Something tugged at his heart when he saw the sight in front of him, three brown heads huddled together, hugging Malfoy. And Malfoy, with a small smile on his face and a tearful expression, fiercely hugged the kids back.

Harry wanted to stay. Something told him this is where he should be, with them, but then Malfoy looked up at him and glared, and okay, that's Harry's signal to exit.

-

The kids hadn't realized that Potter had already left, too focused on him, and Draco didn't know what to make out of that. People had always been so in tune with everything that concerned Potter, often forgetting him, that this—being the center of some kids' attentions—was throwing him off.

"Draco, are you really sure you're okay?" James asked once again, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Draco felt overwhelmed. Merlin, this kid. Draco didn't know what he did for James or why the Gryffindor was so worried for him, but he's thankful.

"Yes, James. Potter told me what you did and thank you, you were so brave," Draco chuckled when James puffed up his chest, showing him his bravado. James was probably the only Gryffindor he genuinely liked. "And I have to apologize that I wasn't able to attend your tryouts, Scorp and Al too."

James shook his head. "Draco, it's fine, had I known something like this would happen, I wouldn't have attended-"

"No, do not regret your tryout, James, I'm sorry you had to see something like that."

"It's not your fault, Draco," Scorpius muttered from the side.

Draco looked at him and wiped the lone tear sliding down his cheek. "No, but I made you worry, and I shouldn't have." Draco didn't want them involved in his messy life in fear that the people who hate him would focus on these kids. Draco didn't know what would happen to him if the kids got hurt because of him, he might get berserk and get finally thrown into Azkaban, like he deserved. "I should have been more careful."

"But why didn't you protect yourself? You're the best dueller." Al said with a pout.

Best dueller? Draco had to laugh, these kids really look at him as if he's Potter. "That's Potter, but just promise me, you three will let this thing go. Do not seek revenge for me, alright? I don't want something to happen to you as well." Draco looked into their eyes and only nodded when they nodded back at him. "So what happened at the tryout, James?"

James perked up and brightened. "Oh, yeah! I was so good!"

Draco leaned back on the bed, Scorpius and Al beside him, both their little arms wrapped around Draco's, not wanting to let go, and all of them listening to James' spirited story-telling. Maybe, Potter is right, maybe he's not in Azkaban because these kids needed him. Maybe he could be the one to take care of them. Draco bit his lower lip when he suddenly imagined himself taking care of these kids. With the small fortune left for him, he could put up a small potions shop to give these kids every financial and parental love they needed.

But that's a crazy idea. The ministry would never allow Draco to adopt these kids.

-

"Where were you, Harry?"

"I was with Malfoy and the kids."

"Kids?" Ginny raised her eyebrow.

"Yep!" Ron answered. "Harry adopted kids with Malfoy, didn't you know? But they divorced, and Harry got James, and Malfoy had the other two."

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron. Since their fight, Ron hasn't stopped calling Malfoy his ex-husband.

At Ginny's confused expression, Harry explained, "James and his brothers. It's a long story."

"I have the time, tell me?" Ginny patted the space beside her. Harry quickly sat beside her with a smile on his face.

But as he hugged Ginny, Harry winced when he felt an uncomfortable feeling settle in his stomach. He shouldn't be here, he should be at the infirmary with Malfoy and the kids.

Harry awkwardly smiled at Ginny when his girlfriend snuggled closer to him. Fuck. He wanted to run away from her, but he shouldn't. He didn't feel well beside her, especially this close to her.

Ron raised an eyebrow at him, he must have looked odd, trying not to contort his face beside his girlfriend. Harry shook his head and swallowed any uncomfortable feeling.

Since when has Malfoy's presence been synonymous with comfort?

-

Harry ran straight to the infirmary as soon as Ginny left him. He stopped when he saw the scene before him—Malfoy and the kids were sleeping soundly, the kids wrapped tight in Malfoy's protective arms. Unintentionally, his face etched into a bright smile, this scene for sure would be one of the memories he'd remember when casting a patronus, or if there came a time that he's once again possessed by a Dark Lord, this would be it.

"They look good, right?"

Harry looked behind him and saw Parkinson with a smug smile on her face. "Parkinson. I was just-"

"Staring at them. At Draco."

"No, I wasn't," Harry squeaked. He coughed and tried to whisper. "I was just thinking if I should wake them up or not."

"But don't deny they look like a perfect family. Papa Bird and his kids."

Harry looked back at Malfoy and the kids. Yeah, they are. "Yeah..."

"And what do you want to be?"

"Uhm what?"

"Like do you want to be their Dad Bird?"

"A dad what?" Harry blinked. He did want to be a dad in the future, and it would be an honor for him to be these kids' dad, but if he's the kids' dad and Malfoy's the papa, then that meant they're husbands, and that's a whole lot of issues he didn't want to open.

Before Parkinson could further explain, fortunately, Cho came out of her quarters.

"Hey, Harry!"

"Hey!"

"Thank goodness you're here, can you give this to Ginny? I would, but I was asked to help at the hospital, I don't know when I'll be back." Cho gave him a book.

"Yeah, sure, but I didn't know you and Ginny were close."

Ginny had not mentioned anything about Cho.

Cho smiled. Harry blinked. "What do you mean, Harry? Ginny's always here and we always talk, I'm sure we're great friends at this point."

That's weird. Ginny didn't mention any injuries, and she's healthy, she's healthier than Ron! So why would she visit the infirmary? That's weird.

"Oh yeah, she just probably forgot to tell me. I'll give her this."

"Thank you, Harry. Tell her I liked the banana nut muffins she gave me last time."

Muffins? Ginny didn't give him anything.

"Wow," Parkinson said from the side as soon as Cho left. "Your relationship with Weasley is one of a kind. I'm jealous."

"Thanks."

Parkinson frowned at him. "Why does Draco—" she shook her head. "I will never understand him. Anyway, do you still have anything to say to Draco? If you don't, leave, I'm already here, Potter, you are not needed."

Harry wanted to stay. He wanted to... keep on looking. He felt protective. But Parkinson's right, he's not needed. "Yeah, okay, I'll just—go."

"I'll tell Draco you visited. Bye, Potter."

Harry went back to the Gryffindor tower with a frown—with Cho's book in his hand.