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Chapter Text

The sun shone brightly, casting the Burrow in a warm glow. Laughter and joyful squeals filled the air, creating a symphony of holiday cheer. Harry Potter, nestled amongst loved ones, couldn't help but think this Christmas was the happiest yet.

He had arrived with Draco and Teddy, joining the already bustling family. As soon as they entered, Rose and Hugo launched themselves at his legs, their giggles echoing through the room. Harry dropped to his knees, greeting them with warm kisses and laughter. Teddy, ever the playful one, joined them in their joyful chaos, and soon the three were running around the house, their infectious energy filling every corner.

"Hi, Harry. Draco," Ron greeted them warmly, patting their shoulders. Hermione, a smile gracing her lips, gave them both brief hugs. As they waited for Bill and Fleur, whose portkey was due any minute, Ron offered them drinks. Harry conjured two butterbeers, one for himself and one for Draco.

In a flurry warm embrace, Molly Weasley squeezed Harry tightly, her love radiating through the hug. Turning to Draco, she didn't hesitate to pull him into another strong embrace, her maternal warmth encompassing them both.

Draco, touched by the gesture, murmured, "Mother sends her apologies for missing Christmas this year. She's visiting old friends in France."

Molly, ever the picture of understanding, waved her hand dismissively. "Don't you worry, dear! As long as you're here, all is well."

.

The Burrow's laughter-filled warmth permeated every corner as the Christmas feast drew to a close. Harry and Draco sat nestled on the loveseat, arms wrapped around each other, enjoying the comfortable silence amidst the joyous chaos. Hermione, Ginny, and Neville engaged in a lively conversation, while Ron, Bill, and Charlie discussed the latest Quidditch news with animated gestures.

Rose, Hugo, and Teddy sat at a nearby table, their voices filled with the excitement of Hogwarts. Teddy, who would be starting next year, declared, "I think I'd be in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff! Dad was a Gryffindor, and Mum was a Hufflepuff, so…"

Rose and Hugo chimed in, sharing their own thoughts on the different houses and assuring him he'd be fine wherever he landed. However, the mood took a sudden turn when Teddy, unaware of the weight of his words, said, "As long as it's not Slytherin, I guess. I can’t imagine being in the same house as the Dark Lord."

This comment caused the laughter to subside. Harry blinked, registering the change in atmosphere. Did Teddy just?

The playful chatter around the table faltered as Ron approached the children. Hugo's eyes widened as he saw his father coming towards them, while Harry and Draco watched the interaction silently.

"Hi guys, what are you all chatting about?" Ron inquired warmly.

"My future Hogwarts house, Uncle Ron!" beamed Teddy, taking a sip of his juice. "Do you think I could do well in Gryffindor?"

Ron chuckled, his voice warm and reassuring. "You'd do well in any house, kiddo! Each house has its own strengths and values. What matters most is who you choose to be, not the colour of your robes."

Teddy playfully rolled his eyes. "Of course I could, Uncle Ron. But I really wouldn't want to be in Slytherin."

His words caused Draco to tense imperceptibly. Harry, sensing the shift in atmosphere, sat up straighter. He reached for Draco's hand, feeling the tremor running through it. Draco gave Harry a brief, huffed laugh and shook his head, attempting a light-hearted dismissal. But beneath the surface, a flicker of pain crossed his face.

Then, unexpectedly, Teddy dropped a bombshell. "Slytherins killed my parents," he stated solemnly.

The revelation hung heavy in the air. Harry reacted instinctively, rising abruptly, and striding towards the children, his heart pounding furiously. Draco, caught off guard by the sudden tension, reached for him but was a moment too late.

"Teddy," Harry said, his voice tight. "I don't recall teaching you to be prejudiced against any Hogwarts house. You know it's just a colour, right?"

Teddy blinked, confusion clouding his youthful face. He turned his body towards Harry, unsure of what to say. "Yes? Uh, Harry?" he stammered, a hint of apprehension creeping into his voice.

"Draco is here, Teddy," Harry said, his voice tight with poorly concealed anger. "He's here, with us. We live together. And your words hurt him."

Teddy stared at Harry, his gaze flickering between Harry and Draco before finally settling on the latter. A beat of silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken emotions. Finally, Teddy spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, "But... that's my point. Draco might be good now, but he was a Death Eater. I don't want to turn out like him."

The words struck Harry like a physical blow. He felt a wave of nausea roll through him, rendering him speechless. He didn't even realize his hand had begun to tremble until a warm hand clasped his tightly. He looked up to see Draco standing beside him, his own hand shaking slightly. Ron, holding Hugo and Rose on his shoulders, watched the exchange with a concerned gaze. Hermione, sensing the rising tension, started moving towards them.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm fine," Draco whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's alright. Let's go outside, get some fresh air." Harry noticed the tremor in Draco's voice, a mirror of his own internal turmoil.

"Draco—" Harry began but was interrupted by a weak smile from Draco. Turning to Teddy, Draco gently ran a hand through his hair. "Can Harry and I step outside for a moment, Teddy? We won't be long."

Teddy's eyes widened with a flicker of fear, as if the weight of his words had just settled in. Draco understood. He was just a child, after all.

"D-Draco... I am sorry, please don’t leave me here," Teddy mumbled, tears welling up in his eyes. His hair, as if mirroring his emotions, shifted to a platinum blond, and his eyes turned a shade of grey, eerily resembling Draco's. The sight filled Draco with a pang of something akin to self-loathing. Teddy was a metamorphagus, he shouldn’t change and look like him.

“Don’t be silly, no one is leaving anyone," Draco replied softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry too." He leaned down and kissed Teddy gently on the forehead before heading outside with Harry.

.

Silence shrouded them as they walked, Harry's grip on Draco's hand a silent expression of support. The earlier joy had dissipated like morning mist, leaving behind a heavy atmosphere.

"I never taught him that," Harry stated, his voice solemn.

Draco glanced at him, a slow exhale escaping his lips. "Darling," he began, but the word seemed to falter before reaching its full form.

Harry stopped walking, turning to face Draco. His emerald eyes, usually filled with warmth, now held a deep well of concern. "His words hurt you, Draco," he said softly, "and that hurts me too."

"He's a child, Harry," Draco replied, his voice laced with a mixture of sadness and understanding. "He's a war orphan. He'll say things he doesn't understand, do things without fully grasping the consequences. As his godfather, it's your job to guide him and help him grow."

He reached out and gently caressed Harry's unruly hair, a silent attempt at comfort. He briefly closed his eyes before leaning in and planting a soft kiss on Harry's lips.

Harry responded by pulling Draco into a tight embrace, his voice a mere murmur against Draco's shoulder. "I know," he whispered. "I know you hate the mark, Draco. I know you try to hide it, and I've seen you cry over it on some nights. Teddy shouldn't have said what he did, especially not to you. He knows how much you mean to me."

Draco attempted to dismiss it with a weak wave of his hand, but an invisible weight constricted his chest, stealing his breath. He buried his face deeper into Harry's embrace, the dam within him finally breaking. Tears streamed down his face, hot and uncontrollable. He tried to stammer out words of reassurance, to tell Harry he understood, but they died in his throat, choked by the raw emotion surging through him. A choked gasp escaped his lips.

Harry, his touch gentle and calming, stroked Draco's hair, offering silent understanding. "It's okay, Love," he whispered. "Let it out. You can cry."

Draco's voice hitched with a sob. "H-Harry... I'm sorry, I—" his words tangled in his throat, choked by raw emotion. "If I could turn back time, I would. I would, Harry. I love Teddy so much, Harry... I c-care about him. Professor Lupin w-would be proud—" Tears mingled with his frantic words, blurring his vision.

Harry held him tighter, his silence a powerful force of comfort.

.

Hermione, sensing the weight of the situation, gently ushered Ron away with Hugo and Rose, their sleepy protests echoing faintly down the hallway. The room, once filled with joyous chaos, now held a heavy silence, punctuated only by Teddy's choked sobs.

She sank onto the floor beside him, pulling him into a comforting embrace. "Oh, Teddy..." she murmured, her voice thick with understanding.

Teddy's muffled reply was lost in a fresh wave of tears. "I didn't mean it, Aunt Mione," he hiccupped, clinging to her tightly. "I just... I meant Draco is a good person now, but because he was in Slytherin, they must have made him bad. I bet..." he choked back another sob, "I bet he'd be good if he'd been a Gryffindor, or a Hufflepuff..."

Hermione held him close, stroking his hair soothingly. "Teddy, I know you didn't mean any harm," she began softly, "but you need to understand that the war affected everyone differently, and it was incredibly difficult for both Harry and Draco to reach the place they are now.”

Teddy’s sobs subsided into sniffles; his face hidden in Hermione’s shoulder. “Draco must hate me now,” he whispered, his voice trembling.

.

The Burrow had surrendered to the quiet of late night. Harry found almost everyone tucked away, the warmth from the earlier celebration replaced by the cool stillness of slumber. In the corner of the living room, Teddy curled up beside Hermione, his platinum hair a stark contrast to his tear-streaked cheeks.

As Harry approached them, Hermione offered a tired yet reassuring smile. "He finally drifted off," she whispered, her voice laced with concern.

Harry nodded his thanks, his own heart heavy. He knelt beside Teddy, gently stroking his godson's hair. The familiar platinum strands sent a pang through him, a painful reminder of the words spoken earlier. He leaned down and kissed Teddy's forehead, the warmth stirring him slightly.

"Hm, 'arry?" Teddy mumbled, his eyelids fluttering open.

"Hey, champ," Harry said softly. "You want to sleep here tonight, or should we head home?"

Teddy blinked at him, his eyes searching the room. When he didn't find Draco, his face crumpled and a fresh wave of tears welled up.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong, Ted?" Harry asked, pulling him into a comforting hug. Teddy buried his face in Harry's chest, his small body trembling with silent sobs.

"Where is Dr-Draco?" he choked out, his voice muffled against Harry's shirt.

"Draco's outside," Harry explained gently. "He, uh, he had a bit of a cry too. He feels a bit shy to come back in right now."

Teddy sniffled; his face still buried in Harry's shirt. "Draco... is crying?"

"He was, yeah," Harry admitted softly. "You two actually look a bit alike right now, with the platinum hair and all." He felt a small flicker of humour bubble up, despite the situation. "Blotchy faces too, I'm afraid."

Teddy lifted his head, his tear-streaked cheeks glistening in the moonlight. "I want to say sorry to Draco," he whispered, his voice filled with remorse.

Harry smiled a little, his heart swelling with pride. "Yes, I agree with you."

"Do you think Draco would forgive me?" Teddy asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"There's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Harry replied, wiping a stray tear from Teddy's cheek. "Why don't we go outside, and you can tell him yourself?"

Chapter Text

Draco waited patiently on a nearby bench, watching the Burrow door with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Merlin, how could he lost himself like that.

Harry and Teddy emerged, the kid nestled comfortably in Harry's arms, Draco felt a tug at his heart. A soft chuckle escaped Harry's lips as he spoke softly to Teddy, the warmth in his voice soothing Draco's nerve.

Catching sight of Draco, Teddy's playful demeanor faltered. He bit his lip, a flicker of worry clouding his youthful face. Draco offered him a reassuring smile. "Ready to head home?"

Teddy nodded shyly. "Yes, but..." He squirmed in Harry's arms, maneuvering himself to be put down. With surprising determination, he marched towards Draco and wrapped his small arms around his leg.

"Can Draco carry me home?" Teddy asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

A wave of relief washed over Draco. He knelt down, his heart swelling with affection. "Of course, Teddy." he replied, gently scooping Teddy into his arms.

Teddy's face lit up with a brilliant grin as he planted a kiss on each of Draco's cheeks. He then tightened his arms around Draco's neck, his head resting comfortably on Draco's shoulder.

Harry watched the exchange with soft smile. "Okay, then?" he mouthed to Draco.

Draco simply rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, a secret smile playing on his lips. He held Teddy close, savoring the warmth and trust radiating from the young boy. 

"Did Harry scold you earlier?" Draco asked softly as they strolled along the path. Teddy shook his head, his hair catching a golden light from the street lamp. "Nope," he chirped, "he gave me a kiss on my head."

Draco's lips curved into a genuine smile. "Good," he murmured, relief flooding his chest. "I told him I'd have to scold him if he did." He shot a playful glance at Harry, who responded with a rolled eyes.

Noticing Draco's averted gaze, Teddy loosened his grip slightly, a hint of worry creeping into his eyes. "Are you still mad at me, Draco?" he asked hesitantly, his voice trembling slightly.

Draco's heart ached at the vulnerable question. "No," he said gently, cupping Teddy's face in his hands. "I'm not mad at you. I understand you didn't mean anything bad by what you said. Sometimes words can hurt, even if we don't mean them to. But what matters most is that you learn from it and try to be kind."

Teddy nodded, "I love you, Draco. I am sorry to make you cried." Teddy buried his face in Draco's shoulder.

.

Weeks after the Christmas gathering, Draco blinked, the light momentarily blinding after the darkness. Harry lay beside him, face peaceful in sleep. He shouldn't wake him up, Draco thought, the weight of unspoken anxieties settling in his chest.

The war, survived but not unscathed, had left its mark on them all. Nightmares were a shared burden, sometimes met with Harry's comforting embrace and whispered reassurances, other times faced in the lonely silence of their separate dreams.

He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing down the surge of emotions. Harry loved him, wanted him by his side. He'd invited him to share Grimmauld Place, with his godson. They are practically a family. Everything should be fine.

But it wasn't fine. A single glance at his arm confirmed that. The Dark Mark, a constant reminder of his past, marred his skin, a taint that seemed to seep into his very soul. He'd tried everything to erase it, failing each time.

A whimper escaped his lips as the Mark flared in an unwelcome itch. He tried to stifle it, fearing he'd woken Harry, but the sensation intensified. His breaths hitched, frustration and self-loathing bubbling up.

"Hey, Darling," Harry mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. Draco froze, realizing he must have been louder than he thought.

"Draco, breathe," Harry murmured, his voice closer now. Warm hands cupped his face, followed by a gentle kiss on his forehead. The dam broke, and Draco let out a choked sob.

"Can I touch you?" Harry asked, his voice laced with concern but devoid of judgment. Draco felt a pang of guilt. He shouldn't burden Harry with his pain, shouldn't ask for comfort he felt he didn't deserve.

"I just want to hold my fiancé," Harry whispered, his touch light and hesitant. Draco shook his head, unable to speak through the lump in his throat, but his breathing calmed slightly.

"Okay," Harry said softly, "can I at least turn on the light so I can see you?" Draco, again, shook his head.

The raw emotion in his voice tore at Harry's heart. "I hate this mark, Harry," Draco choked out, a ragged sob escaping his lips. 

"I just want it gone. I want to be free." Understanding washed over Harry's features. "I know, love," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm.

Draco shook his head, burying his face in the pillow, a single, choked sob wracking his frame. "I hate it," he mumbled, his voice muffled.

Harry, his touch gentle and filled with unwavering love, kissed Draco's hair. "I know," he whispered, his voice a quiet promise that echoed in the stillness of the night.

As darkness gave way to the faintest hint of dawn, Draco loosened his grip on the pillow and turned into Harry's embrace. Harry, half-asleep, smiled and tightened his arms around him. A soft melody, a familiar lullaby, drifted from his lips, weaving a soothing spell against the remnants of Draco's anxieties.

"I'm sorry," Draco mumbled, voice thick with remorse.

Harry, still drowsy, traced comforting circles on Draco's hair. "What for, love?"

"For this," Draco whispered, indicating the faint tremors still running through him. "For crying, panicking, waking you up."

Harry chuckled softly, a rumble against Draco's chest. "There's nothing to be sorry for. You wouldn't hesitate to do the same for me, would you?"

Draco shook his head, burying his face closer in the crook of Harry's neck. "Never," he murmured, and the final vestiges of tension seemed to melt away in the warmth of Harry's embrace and the quiet promise in his voice.

"It's not about Teddy," Draco mumbled, his voice barely a whisper.

Harry hummed, a low, noncommittal sound. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken emotions.

"I know you," Draco continued, his voice tight. "You'll talk to him tomorrow. This has nothing to do with him. Let it go, Harry."

Harry finally turned, his gaze searching Draco's eyes. "Love," he began gently, "I won't 'scold' Teddy. You handled it before and I respect it. You are so protective towards him."

Draco squeezed Harry tighter, "He's just a child, Harry. He should feel all the loves."

"He should," Harry agreed, his voice soft but unwavering. "And so should you, Draco." Harry kissed Draco's forehead. Draco sighed and closed his eyes; snuggled to Harry. 

It would take a long time for Draco to be free, but Harry would be beside him, and that's what mattered most.