After Scorpius dismissed himself dinner continued in silence with side glances at Andromeda, who looked as though she had paled considerably. If someone wanted more food they would accio it to themselves. The children would whisper to their parents and Teddy barely touched his plate at all. When everyone was dismissed he ran upstairs in search of Scorpius with Rose and Hugo right behind him, although it took Hugo a tad longer to make his way up the large steps.

"Scorp," Teddy spoke quietly while walking around the large quarters. This entire floor was Scorpius'. He could be anywhere. They checked his room first. When he wasn't there they checked the play room then his study before finally entering the library.

"Scorp'us!" called Rose. "Scorp'us, where are you?"

"S'orp'us!" screamed Hugo, trying to help.

"Shhh! You have to be quiet in the library," Scorpius whisper screamed from behind one of the shelves. Rose ran to where she heard the voice and hit Scorpius on the back of the head.

"Don't 'shhhh' us. We were looking for you, Scor'pus!" She said pouting and sitting cross legged next to him on the carpeted floors. He looked down and blushed a little. He didn't know everyone was looking for him.

"Yeah, we practically checked the whole floor, Scor," said Teddy sitting on the other side of him.

"S'orp'us sad?" asked Hugo sitting in Teddy's lap and poking Scorpius face. "S'orp'us got'be 'appy!" He leaned in close and gave Scorpius a kiss on the cheek. "It Chwis'mas!"

Scorpius giggled and Teddy smiled while Rose shook her head.

"Christmas, Hugo! It's Christmas!" She chastised her younger brother still shaking her head. He stuck his tongue out at her then burst into a fit of giggles.

-----8-----

"I should leave," said Andromeda after the table had been cleared of both food and children. No one met her eyes, but Harry who shook his head.

"No, everyone is staying for Christmas. Teddy wants you here, and I'm sure Narcissa does too." He looked over at Draco who called for a house elf.

"I apologize for Scorpius earlier. He shouldn't have yelled," Draco said tilting his head. "Though I can't say that he was wrong. Polly will show you to your room." He motioned to the house elf behind him who scurried forward to do her job. Andromeda followed the elf with no problems and Draco looked to the Granger-Weasleys next. "I think Harry can show you to your room. Scorp will show Rose and Hugo later unless they all fall asleep in his & Teddy's room."

Harry narrowed his eyes at him.

"I can talk to your parents, Dray. If you have a room set aside for Ron and 'Mione, then you can show them."

"It's nothing, Harry. I just didn't want to push my parents on you- or anyone for that matter."

"Understandable." Everyone was standing, but they both leaned across the table for a kiss. When they broke apart they smiled at each other and Draco began directing Hermione and Ron on where to go.

"Don't break them, love," called Draco with his back still turned as he walked away.

Harry looked back at the Malfoys to notice the slight shocked expression from the show of affection then he realized that wasn't something higher-ups did in front of others and blushed.

"Sorry..." He sent them his lopsided smile and scratched at his neck awkwardly.

---8---

~*Christmas Day*~ (finally)

Harry and Draco were awoken by a moving bed and giggling children.

"Daddy! Papa! It's Christmas! Get up!" Yelled Scorpius jumping on the bed as Teddy stood by the door with a huge grin on his face.

"We're up," muttered Draco as he sat up in the bed and nudged Harry who popped up soon after, scrambling for his glasses.

Once they were definitely up (Scorpius poked their faces to be sure) they slid from the bed. Draco, in his silk pajama bottoms, and Harry, who wore a t-shirt with his flannel bottoms, both slid on their bedroom shoes and encased the smaller boys into a hug and headed to the living room to bask in the lights on the tree.

Draco wondered allowed if they should wake everyone else up and with a wave of his hand Harry shot sparks beneath their doors. Not a moment later each door burst open revealing each person covered in glitter and Draco looked taken aback before he looked at his parents.

"Confetti Alarm," grinned Harry.

"You covered my father in glitter," sputtered Draco before breaking into a round of hardy laughter and dragging Harry quickly down the rest of the spiraling staircase. Scorpius and Teddy had ran back up to get Rose and Hugo before sliding down the hall then the stairs down as fast as possible.

The tree was huge and covered in a light dusting of magical snow and ornaments. Some of the baubles jingled and moved throughout the tree as you watched. The angel seemed very realistic as she softly sang carols from the top of the tree.

Once everyone had cleared the glitter from their skin and most of their hair, they joined them downstairs around the tree. The room held a large fireplace that lit with a snap of Harry's fingers. There were three or four couches that were situated around the room to give it a cozy feel, even with the tree in the center.

The kids headed for the tree first and started handing out presents, but Harry noticed someone wasn't there.

"Teddy? Where's Andromeda?"

"I don't know, Pap- Uncle Harry. I went to wake her up, but her room was already empty." He looked away then back at Harry. "She's okay, isn't she?" Harry was about to assure the small blonde, that of course she was okay, when he noticed a note hanging on the tree with his name on it. He summoned it to him and recognized Andromeda's handwriting quickly.

Harry Potter,

It isn't easy for me to do this, but I know it is the right thing to do. Draco really loves you. Teddy really loves you too, both of you. He deserves a full family, not a bitter old lady like me. I'm taking a break from civilization. I think I need to travel and experience what the world is like since the war. I am still his grandmother, but I won't keep Teddy from a family he so clearly wants to be a part of. I know you aren't his father, but you are as close to one as he is ever going to get. He can write anytime and so can you. Don't be a stranger. Keep our pup safe, 'Papa'.

Andy Tonks

Before he could stop himself he was reading the letter aloud, even if it was only to prove to himself it was real. When he had finished the floo rang. Draco went over to check and unlocked it easily. Harry's breath caught in his throat when the Minister of Magic stepped through.

"Uh- Minister," said Draco stepping forward surprised. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I'm here to 'deliver a present' so to speak." He swished his hand once and a small stack of papers appeared in it and he began to read. "I, Andromeda Tonks Nee-Black, give full guardianship rights of Edward Theodore Remus Lupin over to Harry Potter and his partner, Draco Malfoy, until a time is shown that they are unfit parents. All you've got to do is sign," said Shacklebot smiling.

Harry looked to Teddy first. "Would you be alright with that, pup? With me being your legal guardian?" Teddy nodded surprised with glossy eyes. Harry stood and walked over to the Kingsley and signed everywhere he was told before the Minister smiled and nodded again.

"Well, I have to get this back to the office. A minister's work is never done, you know. Merry Christmas," he added almost as an afterthought as he stepped back into the floo and vanished in a flash of green flames.

"Well, pup," said Harry. "That's that." He smiled down at his son who ran over, jumped and immediately captured Harry in a hug.

"I love you, Papa!"

"I love you too, Pup."

"What about me," said Scorpius stomping over with his hands on his hips and his usual small Malfoy grace. "I love you too, Papa."

"And of course I love you too, Scorp," said Harry laughing as Scorpius smiled up at him and wrapped his arms around the man's leg. "Now," he said prying both boys off of him. "Are you guys ready to open your presents?"

Hermione & Ron smiled at the group and decided it was best to take their things back to their home.

"You guys don't have to leave," said Harry when Hermione pulled him in for a hug.

"We don't mind Harry, really. You deserve this. Happy Christmas!"

"Yeah, mate, enjoy your family," Ron said happily. Both Harry and Draco searched for the sarcasm, but there was none.

Hermione gave Draco a hug and Ron shook his hand right after.

"Bye, Uncle Harry. Bye, Uncle Draco. See ya, Teddy!" Rose said hugging everyone in turn, blushing after she hugged Teddy's taller frame. Then she stood with her hands on her hips. "Where'd Scorp'us go?"

"I'm right here Rose-y!" said Scorpius teetering back into the room holding a book wrapped in ribbon with a bow and a bar of chocolate. "This is for you," he said handing her the book. Then he turned to Hugo and handed the younger boy the chocolate. "And this is for you, Hue." He giggled. "That rhymed!"

"Thank you, Scorp'us." Rose curtsied and turned to hide behind her dad quickly. Hugo, on the other hand, stood and tottered a bit closer to Scorpius. He stood on his tiptoes and kissed Scorpius on the cheek again.

"Tank you, S'orp'us." He smiled widely showing his tiny white teeth before grabbing his mother's hand as they finally stepped into the floo. With a final "Merwy Chwis'mas!" they were gone in a flash of flame.

Narcissa and Lucius had made it clear to Draco that they were not going to stay any longer. They stepped out of the room after wishing Harry a happy holidays and kissing each child on their foreheads. Well, Narcissa kissed them. Lucius fondly patted each of their heads. 

"Dragon, we know when we're intruding. Thank you for dinner, last night. You are a fabulous cook." She smiled at her son. "We'll be back for Scorpius later," she whispered in his ear. "Would you like us to take Teddy as well?" Draco looked over at Harry and shook his head.

"No, I can bring them over later. Don't worry about it, mother. Be careful." He kissed her cheek then shook his father's hand and within moments they disapparated with a resounding crack.

Teddy loved his book set from Scorpius, Draco absolutely adored the tie, and Harry couldn't stop laughing at the muggle t-shirt Scorpius forced him into that proudly proclaimed "I defeated the Dark Lord" with a miniature Harry figure dancing across it.

Teddy opened Harry's gift next. It was his own quill and ink set. The young boy seemed excited to finally be able to write his thoughts down. Not to mention it went great with the blue paneled journal his Gam had gotten for him.

Harry had gotten Scorpius his own in house potions kit and a practice broom so he could learn to fly. The young boy jumped on the broom and nodded towards Harry when he exclaimed be careful and flew out of the room.

It was only a practice broom so the speed was a bit quicker than running or jogging and it didn't get more than 2 or 3 feet off of the ground. Draco looked at Harry with narrowed eyes and the ebony haired man smiled widely back causing the blonde to laugh before looking at Teddy who sat on the floor with tears running down his face but a huge grin cracking it open. The boy stood and before Harry could register what was going on, threw himself at Draco in a huge hug.

"Thanks, Dad," said Teddy pulling away and finally looking Draco in the eyes. "I love it."

Harry who was a bit taken aback smiled then looked down towards where Teddy was before he hugged Draco and saw a large photo album. He summoned it to himself and was surprised to say the least when he saw Tonks and Remus smiling up at him and waving. As he flipped through the book he noticed there were pictures of him as well. Recent pictures and those much older ones that looked clipped from papers or sent from people who went to school with them. The same for Teddy's parents. Some pictures were clippings while others were obviously from friends. Harry looked over at Draco again and smiled. He didn't see himself getting rid of this blonde anytime soon.

"Here, Harry," said Draco handing him the last present under the tree. It was wrapped in red paper with a huge golden bow. Harry snapped his finger and handed Draco the small felt silver box  wrapped in green ribbon that appeared. He opened his gift first and chuckled to himself. "I know you rarely use your wand, but I would really appreciate it if you put it somewhere other than your back pocket."

"I can't say I don't like it, it is my style"

"And what style would that be, love?"

"Well, my lack of style."

"That sounds better. Now Teddy I think you have one more gift," Draco said looking back at the small boy who was now sporting Harry's ebony locks again, but slicked back Malfoy style with his natural blue eye color.

"Really?"

"Yeah, you need a bedroom for when you stay over, don't you?" Teddy looked surprised but nodded. "Go pick one. Pick a whole floor if you want." Draco shrugged and smiled down at Teddy before Scorpius came in with shrieking laughter still on his broom.

"C'mon, Teddy. I can show you all the cool rooms!"

"Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Papa." Teddy spoke while hugging each of them in turn. "This is the best Christmas ever."

"Race you?" Asked Scorpius still floating on the little practice broom.

"Scor-" started Draco standing up and turning to look at his son.

"C'mon, Teddy, before Daddy catches us!" They both giggled and sped off through the manor.

When he turned back around Harry was on one knee with the small box in his hand. He pulled and released the green ribbon then slowly opened the box to reveal a startling onyx colored ring with a row of emeralds and rubys wrapped tightly around the middle.

"I know it's a little early, but I can't see myself not wanting to be with you..." Harry looked up into Draco's eyes to make sure the blonde was listening. "I've wanted you for so long, so now finally having you isn't something I'm just going to give up. I love you. Merlin, you don't know how much. I love Scorpius. I want you guys in my family just as much and just as often as Teddy. When he called you dad it all fell into place for me. I want to have a family with you, Dray, this family. W-Will you marry me?"

Draco stepped forward as if it were any other the day and placed the ring on his own finger then pulled Harry up.

"What's with all the fuss? You have me and I'm not going anywhere. What, got scared, Potter?"

Harry smiled at his fiancé.

"You wish."

~~~<~>~~~

frick this was a long chapter

i like it tho

hey futher muckers
next chapter may be fluffy or smutty

i dont really know yet

lemme know what you guys would prefer

hope you enjoyed

love you all

-- angel janeé xoxo 💋