Teddy looked up with a surprised start when he heard Harry-daddy shout from the kitchen. He scrambled up from his pillow, cartoons momentarily forgotten, and hurried into the kitchen. He paused when he saw a strange blonde man sitting at their table across from Harry-daddy but didn't pay him much mind. Obviously, he wasn't here to hurt them or he wouldn't have been let inside or been made tea. He looked a little scared, anyway; all pale and trembly.
"Harry-daddy?" he asked, stepping closer and looking up at Harry with wide concerned eyes. Usually he kept them a light brown, like his real daddy's, but sometimes they changed. Like now; they were a matching sparkling green. That always made Harry-daddy feel better and smile. "You 'K?"
"Yeah, Teddy," Harry said and pulled Teddy into his lap when the child's arms went up in a silent bid to be picked up. He ruffled the matching head of messy black hair and tried to smile at the little boy. "I didn't mean to yell, I was... uh, surprised," he said and sent a quick glare across the table. A sheepish, but unapologetic, small smile was his only answer. He looked away, unwilling to respond to such a look, especially in front of Teddy. He would either yell or do something embarrassing.
"Did you want your snack now?" he asked, focusing back on Teddy.
Teddy looked between Harry-daddy and the stranger before nodding, feeling his tummy gurgle quietly at the word 'snack'. He was hungry. "You having snacks, too?" he asked, looking between both adults before sliding off of Harry-daddy's lap and climbing onto his own chair that was across from Harry-daddy and next to the stranger. He smiled his thanks when his booster seat was adjusted by Harry-daddy and he folded his hands on the table, waiting politely for his snack. Normally, he would just kneel on his chair and chatter as Harry-daddy got his snack ready but they had company and that meant Good Manners.
"I'd like that" Draco answered before Harry could. It would probably be a 'no' if it were up to the other man and he didn't want to be kicked out, not without having a chance to plead his case. Harry's surprised shout of outrage (well, shocked incredulity) was painful enough without being tossed out on his arse, unable to explain further.
"What are we having?" he asked, looking at Teddy but his question was directed at Harry.
Teddy's eyes morphed into a matching pale silvery grey, his hair still the messy black mop that matched Harry's, and Draco nearly crooned with glee, thinking the child next to him looked like he could be his and Harry's. He smoothed a hand down his shirt, hoping the motion appeared as if he were smoothing wrinkles and not calming himself. It was way too soon (and quite presumptuous) to even think of such things. Harry only seemed to be tolerating his presence out of manners, it seemed rather a far off notion to be imagining having children with the other man.
Draco peeked a quick look at Harry from the corner of his eye and sighed softly with relief when he noticed the other man was making three plates. He didn't care what was on them, he was just relieved he wasn't being kicked out.
Harry tried not to scowl or yell at Malfoy and focused on making the sandwiches. "PB and F sandwiches," he muttered. He sullenly wondered if Malfoy was allergic to peanuts and had to squish the twin urges of hope and horror at the very idea. He gripped the butter knife tightly, annoyed and confused by his own confused thoughts and everything that had happened since he opened that damn door. Damn stupid Malfoy... Damn stupid Veela Malfoy.
"Yay!" Teddy shouted, throwing a fist in the air, before quickly settling down again. He shot an apologetic look at Harry-daddy; he didn't mean to shout with company over. He only got a smile and a head shake, his excitement understood. He giggled and looked to the blonde stranger. "That means peanut butter and fluff," he explained when the blonde man only looked confused and a bit wary.
He tilted his head a little. "Who're you?" he asked, not recognizing the man at all. Harry-daddy didn't have a lot of friends and he thought he had met them all. Aunt Hermione and aunt Luna were his favorites, followed by his twin uncles Fred and George; they always brought him fun magic things (even though it was usually taken away and 'saved' by Harry-daddy before he even got to get a good look at it). Uncle Ron was fun too, but he always ate all the good snacks. So not cool.
Draco cleared his throat, looking at Harry. He nearly pouted when the other man made no indication he had heard the question, leaving him to talk to the small child on his own. "I'm Draco Malfoy," he said, sticking his hand out. He smiled when Teddy took it with a look of surprised awe, his little chest puffing out with pride at doing something 'grown up' before shock registered on the little boy's face.
"You are?" Teddy gasped, his pale grey eyes widening and quickly shifting to a mellow amber. The quick change fascinated Draco. He wondered if the child could control it or if it was simply an emotional response. "I heard about you," Teddy said quietly, a hint of anger and scorn in his soft voice as he let go of the larger hand he'd been shaking.
He looked to Harry-daddy with concern. He had heard about Draco Malfoy and he was confused why the man was allowed to be sitting in their kitchen having snack with them. He was a mean prat. At least that what he had always heard when uncles Fred and George (or anyof Harry-daddy's friends, really) mentioned the name 'Malfoy'.
"Why're you here?" Teddy asked, his tone a bit rude. Harry tsked and gave him a pointed look as his plate was placed in front of him, his sandwich cut up into four triangles like he liked and his bunch of grapes a safe distance away so they didn't make anything soggy. He shifted his cup closer, careful not to bring it too close to the edge of the table even though Harry-daddy always spelled it to be spill proof. "Sorry," he mumbled.
He was only a little sorry. He didn't mean to sound rude but he didn't want to be nice to a mean man, either. Especially not if he was going to be mean to his Harry-daddy. He ignored his snack in favor of glaring at Mr. Malfoy, waiting for him to answer. And it better be a good one.
Harry sighed and slid a plate in front of Malfoy before sitting down. "Mind your manners, Teddy," he reminded gently.
So far, Teddy had been doing wonderfully. He hadn't needed to remind the four-year-old of his manners until now, which didn't happen often. Pride and affection easily erased any feelings of disappointment, though. It wasn't like Teddy was completely out of line to ask, but he had to remember to enforce good manners always, not conveniently forget them when confronted with certified gits. Even if it was tempting.
"Mr. Malfoy is here because he wanted to talk to me," Harry said, his voice somewhere between chiding, stern and warm all at the same time. He nodded at Teddy's plate, indicating he should eat. "What did I say about being mean to people?"
"That it's not nice and we shouldn't do it," Teddy recited dutifully, managing not to add an eye roll, but his nose wrinkled adorably. He had gotten that lecture the first time he had hit Victoire. She deserved it for taking his toy but Harry-daddy had insisted there weren't any good reasons to hit people (especially girls) or be mean to them. "He was mean first," he said, pointing a small finger accusingly at Draco. He blinked when the man actually hung his head a bit and looked contrite.
Harry sighed and lowered Teddy's hand, a stern look on his face. "Do not point, it's rude. And that's not the point. Being mean to someone who's mean to you isn't the proper way to go about it. Right?"
"Yeah," Teddy grumbled. He knew that, too. "Be nice," he mubled before taking a big bite of his sandwich and gave a cheeky, marshmallow fluff smeared grin as his hair and eyes morphed to match Harry-daddy's once more.
Harry chuckled and ruffled Teddy's hair. He adored when Teddy mimicked him. "Exactly, Cub."
Teddy beamed at the affectionate nick-name and went back to his sandwich, kicking his feet lightly and watching Mr. Malfoy as he munched on his sandwich and grapes. He saw him looking at Harry-daddy oddly but not in a mean way like he had expected. "Why're you here?" he asked again, his voice polite this time. "Harry-daddy wouldn't let you in if you're mean, right?" he asked, cocking his head a little and narrowing his eyes.
"I had to talk to Harry," Draco said, nodding solemnly, eyeing said man briefly as he spoke. "About something important." He was being ignored by the wizard, Harry's attention solely on his own sandwich. He nibbled his and was surprised to find it was extremely tasty and took another bite, soon finding it hard to stop eating. He didn't know what fluff was but he adored it. It was sweet and sticky (and no doubt Muggle since he'd never heard of it before). "And, you are correct, young sir; I have no intentions of being mean," he added after swallowing the sticky mess down with several gulps of cooling tea.
Harry harrumphed softly and snorted under his breath. He ignored the questioning looks from Malfoy and Teddy, though. He nearly sulked when he was quickly ignored, Teddy and Malfoy continuing on in their conversation and completely ignoring his presence. Apparently, once Malfoy said he wasn't going to be mean, Teddy had no more reservations towards the blonde and quickly went into chatterbox mode.
Harry didn't try to butt in though, oddly content (after getting over his initial urge to pout) to watch the two interact. It was nice to see Teddy take to a stranger and it was even nicer to see that Malfoy was human (er... Veela?) enough to be nice to a kid. The smile the blonde occasionally sent the little boy was small but genuine and warm.
Not many people interested in him spoke with Teddy. And even if they did it wasn't with such warmth and enthusiasm, most merely putting up with Teddy as a way to get to him. Some just completely ignored the little boy, especially after they learned he was adopted. And who his father was. It irked Harry to no end and he rarely had further contact with such people. Malfoy (maybe he should be mature and go with Draco, with the whole mate thing and all) was speaking to Teddy, answering his questions and asking his own when Teddy stopped talking long enough to allow him to answer.
Harry stared, trying not to gape stupidly, when Draco's head went back and the blonde laughed with delight, hands holding his stomach, at whatever Teddy had said. He swallowed with a bit of difficulty, trying to tell himself he was not at all affected by the sight. Draco did not look handsome... or ethereal... or sexy with that light flush to his cheeks and mirth dancing in his grey eyes. He shifted in his seat and blinked owlishly when both Teddy and Draco turned to look at him with expectant expressions.
Oh, Merlin. Was he blushing? Why were they looking at him? What did he miss? "What?" he muttered, trying not to fidget and ignoring an infuriatingly knowing smirk on the blonde's face.
"Can Mr. Draco stay for dinner?" Teddy repeated, politely, his hair a matching pale Malfoy-blonde. He saw Harry-daddy thinking it over and when he thought he might hear 'no', he widened his eyes, shifted them to a bright green and blinked them furiously in a move that was almost never denied. He saved the puppy-eyes for important battles. Like this. "Please," he said, drawing out the first 'e' and clasping his hands in front of him, completing the picture of 'begging Teddy' that Harry-daddy rarely said no to. He didn't see Mr. Draco's amused smirk or approving nod.
Harry glared at Draco, feeling this was his fault somehow, before looking back at Teddy. His resolve was already wobbly when Teddy's eyes went grass green, the added groveling and clasped hands did him in and he hung his head a little, feeling weak and smitten at the same time. He hated denying Teddy anything, especially when it was something he couldn't think of a single rational reason to say no to.
"Alright," he said finally, swallowing the resigned sigh that wanted to come out as well. He tried not to wince when Teddy whooped excitedly and he glared at Draco again, wondering what the man did to make Teddy want him to stay. He mentally cursed; he should have paid more attention to their conversation. He shooed Teddy from the room after another few minutes, making sure his plate was empty.
As soon as Teddy streaked out of the kitchen, Draco turned to Harry and nodded expectantly. "Alright." He crooked his fingers in a 'bring it on' gesture and sat rigidly, yet calmly somehow, in his seat.
"Alright what?" Harry asked, frowning. He didn't think he had asked anything.
Draco sighed and leaned back in his chair, waving his hands in a 'let's go' gesture again. "Yell at me. I know you want to."
"I don't want to yell at you. I want to ask what the hell you're doing."
Draco ran a hand over his face, sliding it around the rub the back of his neck for a moment in a show of nerves. "I want... Well, I want to spend time with you. Both of you" he added, his eyes briefly flicking to the door Teddy had walked (well, ran) through. The little boy's exuberance wasn't as tiresome or annoying as he first thought it would be. It actually made him want to smile. "Teddy is important to you, so I want to get to know him as well."
He had been told as much from Hermione but he only had to see the two interact to realize it for himself. He wasn't stupid enough to be rude to the man's son and it was a bonus the little boy was personable and quite charming. It wasn't exactly going to be a hardship to spend time with the child. He was already starting to feel a little protective of him; he didn't know if it was the Veela nature or the distant blood relation they shared, but he didn't think it mattered. Especially not when Harry gave him that pleasantly surprised expression, a small smile flitting across his lips.
"No fucking way," Harry muttered, his voice colored heavily with disbelief and tinged with refusal. He did not want Teddy being used. When Draco gave him a hurt look, a pale hand rubbing at his chest in an undoubtedly unconscious gesture, he sighed.
"Look, you have to see how bizarre this is. From my perspective." Draco, reluctantly, nodded. "I haven't seen you since graduation. And before that? We were never friendly. You went out of your way to make me miserable," he added, feeling like a petty arse for mentioning it again but unable to resist. He knew it was a two-way street, but it seemed Draco and his cronies sought him out and he merely reacted in most instances.
"I can only think of one time when you were sort of nice to me," he said, thinking about the horrible day he had been captured with his friends and brought to Malfoy Manor. He knew the blonde recognized him, even with his face warped and swollen, and he had lied for him. He still didn't know if it was for his benefit or Draco's and most times he didn't care since it worked out for everyone's benefit in the end. He saw Draco flinch and resisted the urge to comfort the blonde, annoyed the urge was even there.
"You're expecting me to just... What? Forget nearly a decade of rivalry?" And bitterness and hatred, he didn't add.
Draco sighed again and leaned forward, his fingers dragging through his hair as he cupped his head in his hands. No, he didn't really expect that. He had hoped... but he hadn't expected it. "No," he said quietly, misery tinting the single word. "I had hoped..." He looked up, the words trailing off. He had hoped Harry could forgive and move on. It was a lot to ask, he knew that, but he didn't think it was impossible. Not for Harry, anyway. The man was too good-natured to be that unforgiving or cruel; at least, he hoped so.
It seemed rather foolish to expect Harry to be some super-human, but he had.
"Draco—" Harry paused, starting a bit when Draco's head whipped up to pin him with an intense stare. He tried to ignore the heated look he was being given, figuring Draco would be mortified if he realized he was doing it, and he cleared his throat. "I don't know what you want me to say... To do..."
Draco dropped his head back into his palms. He still felt pleasure and warmth tingling through him from hearing his name come out of Harry's mouth. It was ridiculous that something so simple should affect him so, but it didn't at all reduce the reaction. He wanted to close his eyes and savor the feeling.
"I want a chance," he said quietly, mumbling into his palms. He winced, practically hearing his mother andfather's voice in his head chiding him for such appalling actions. "I know it's a lot to ask, even of you, but please," he said looking up and giving Harry the most honest, pleading look he could. He wished he had the ability little Teddy did; he was not above using any advantage if it would help sway the other man. "Just... give me a chance?"
"I don't know..." Harry said softly, looking Draco over as he spoke. He saw the blonde's shoulders tense again, obviously expecting rejection. The hand was back rubbing at Draco's chest in slow circles. "What happens if I say no?" he asked, realizing such a thing would probably be bad for the Veela. He needed to know, though. He didn't think it was wise to admit, just now, that the urge to say 'no' was nearly negligible. He really didn't want to. But saying 'yes' was an equally terrifying thought.
Draco slid down in his chair, any care for proper posture and his stupid pride gone. "I'd die," he said simply, shrugging one shoulder. He looked over at Harry, trying to keep the plea from his voice and eyes. "I don't want that to factor into how you'd react, though. Honestly, I don't," he said firmly, knowing how stupidly brave and selfless Harry could be. He didn't have a death wish but he also didn't want Harry to agree out of some pea-brained idea of nobility or a skewed sense of 'rightness' or 'duty'.
It was nearly painful to admit it (and he shouldn't care; he should just take any excuse and happily claim Harry like any normal Veela) but they both deserved this to be mutual—well, as mutual as possible on his end. He had long gotten used to the idea of Harry being his mate; the more he learned about the man, the more he had wanted. It only seemed fair for Harry to have the same chance to get to know him and get used to the idea as well. To want him as well. Surprisingly, he'd rather die than force Harry to be his mate.
He briefly felt like a stupid Gryffindor (or worse; a fluffy, gooey-hearted Hufflepuff), but it was true nonetheless. He just knew he wouldn't be able take a life-time of being 'put up with' or resented. Relying on the possibility that Harry might, maybe, hopefully, someday years down the road possibly grow to love him just made him shudder in revulsion and denial. It was undoubtedly the first and only time his Malfoy upbringing was able to trump his Veela instinct. Simply put, he wanted to be wanted.
"I want to be worthy of you... Of such a mate."
Harry blinked a few times, rapidly. He was trying to take in both the words and the sincere expression on Draco's face. It was a lot to process all at once. "I see," he murmured, feeling vaguely unsettled.
He looked away from the intense gaze; feeling a little uncomfortable to be looked at like some great thing or with such open, but unwarranted, adoration. He knew Veela mated for life, so the decision was not something to be taken lightly. As much as Draco Malfoy irritated him, he didn't want the man to die. The very idea made his palms sweat and a deep ache to settle in his chest. He nearly groaned; having any reaction at all wasn't a good sign.
"I'm not saying no, but..." Harry trailed off, unsure. "I can't really say yes right now, either." Draco straightened in his chair, hope brightening his features. He had to look away again, the ache in his chest immediately morphing into something else he didn't want to recognize or name right now.
Draco nodded, hope radiating out of him in a nearly visible aura. He had no options with 'no'. A 'maybe' was more than he could ask for and he wouldn't waste the chance. He almost expected Harry to have felt 'trapped' and immediately deny him from a stubborn, hot headed knee jerk reaction.
"Alright, I can respect that. I'm—I can't thank you enough for a chance, Harry," he said sincerely, barely restraining the urge to touch the wizard. He sat up straighter and his voice dropped into a serious tone, "I'll court you. I'll do this properly. I don't expect anything right away."
"Court me?" Harry choked out. What he knew of courting procedures could fill a pamphlet. A very small, one sided, pamphlet. All he really knew was it was lengthy and archaic, incredibly proper and full of traditions he probably wouldn't understand. He hadn't a clue if the process was different when dealing with a Veela, either. He shot a wary look at the suddenly bright-eyed blonde.
Draco nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Harry. I'll court you. Woo you. Prove to you I'll be a worthy mate." He paused and cocked his head, heat sizzling through him when he saw a pink tint on Harry's cheeks. It wasn't entirely from embarrassment, not with the way Harry's pupils dilated slightly. "Would you like that, Harry?" he asked, his voice between a soft croon and a purr. He suppressed a shiver of desire when the pink darkened and grew to color Harry's neck as green eyes darkened a little more.
Well that was a very encouraging reaction. He felt extremely lucky he had a very appealing mate. It didn't at all hurt he had been attracted to Harry before knowing they were destined mates. All the better, in his opinion. He felt even more grateful at the real possibility that Harry was attracted to him in return. He could cultivate that, he was sure of it.
"Sounds fair," Harry said, trying to fight the blush he felt warming his cheeks. He felt like an awkward teenager, getting all... fluttery from the idea of being courted and wooed. By a Veela Draco Malfoy. Oh Merlin... "How— Uhm... What does it entail?"
Draco shifted his seat, moving it across the floor to be closer to Harry. He wasn't being rejected, Harry agreed to be courted and he couldn't suppress the urge to be closer even if he had wanted merely looked at him with open curiosity and he felt a little better.
"Well, the first step is you agree. Then we go on chaperoned outings; 'dates' if you like. I give you gifts at significant times. Like now," he said and pulled a small box from his pocket. He saw a tiny smile flit across Harry's face briefly before a frown creased his brows but even that was quickly hidden as well. Brief or not, that smile lit his world. He had done that—he had made Harry smile.
"I can't—No, you don't have to give me gifts," Harry said, eyeing the shrunken box even as he spoke. Part of him was curious, naturally, but he still wasn't used to getting gifts (and usually he got them for set occasions and from people he cared about, people that cared about him). It was incredibly odd to wrap his mind around the fact that Draco Malfoy cared about him enough to give him a gift. Well... cared about him because of his Veela instincts. He looked up at the blonde, ready to refuse again since he hadn't taken the gift away, but the words stuck in his throat at the hopeful, expectant expression on the blonde's face.
Draco nodded once and pushed the box closer to the dark haired man, unshrinking it wandlessly as he did. It wasn't much bigger, growing to only twice its shrunken size. "I do have to give you gifts," he said firmly. "I wantto," he quickly amended, seeing Harry's lips press together. "It's part of the courting, one of the ways I can prove I'm worthy. That I can take care of you and any children we'd have," he explained.
As well as part of the courting rite, it was instinct as a Veela. The urge to show off and display for his mate was deeply ingrained in him; he couldn't deny them even if he wanted to. And he didn't; it appealed to both his nature as a Veela and as a Malfoy. He nearly purred at the thought of showering Harry with affection and gifts.
"I want to, Harry. I like doing such things."
"Children?" Harry whispered, his mind still stuttering over that part. His eyes darted back down to the box and he swallowed, missing Draco's heated look and nod. He put a hand over the box, intending to push it back. "I don't—" He stopped when Draco's pale hand settled over his and gently curled around it. It was warm, surprisingly so; he had expected it to be cool. "Alright," he relented and pulled the box closer with his free hand, unwilling to remove the hand pressed warmly over his.
Draco nodded with pleasure, a happy smile on his face. "I— I know you aren't used to getting things, but you're going to have to get over that. I'm going to be doing this a lot, Harry."
"How did you—" Harry started, distracted from opening the box, staring incredulously at the blonde. Few people knew about his less-than desirable upbringing and he sometimes wished even they didn't know. Merlin, just an hour ago he would be mortified that Draco Malfoy knew such things; convinced the blonde would use the knowledge to mock him. As he looked into pale grey eyes, he saw... too much. Anger. Hurt. Indignation. Affection. It was a bit much to take in at the moment. Especially coming from Draco Malfoy.
Draco shifted nervously in his seat. "I might have asked Hermione a few things..." he said quietly. He hadn't wanted to tell Harry that, not yet, but he was unwilling to lie. He couldn't (wouldn't) lie to Harry, not now and probably not ever; at least about anything remotely important. He knew Harry hated liars (who didn't?) and would never trust him if he kept things from him, either. It would be hard but he intended to keep his vow.
"You spoke to Hermione?" Harry asked, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe Hermione would do such a thing, especially without saying anything to him! He scowled and nearly tossed the box back in the blonde's lap. The fact that Draco had called the witch Hermione and not 'Granger' wasn't something he noticed in his moment of irritation.
Draco nodded, speaking quickly hoping to ease the anger he saw tightening Harry's shoulders and his free hand to fist. "Yes. I sought her out weeks ago. I was desperate, Harry," he added softly, the honestly shining in his grey eyes. "It took awhile to gain her trust but she spoke of many things."
He had nearly been hexed when he first knocked on her door, ducking and holding his empty hands up in surrender. It took about an hour of begging, as he stood out in the cold on her front porch, before she even invited him in. It took another hour to explain why he sought her out. Naturally, Hermione had been wary and downright skeptical when he told her about Harry being his mate. At some point, though, he had gotten through to her and she became an invaluable source of information. He respected her wishes (and the witch's loyalty to Harry) when she had said there were things she wouldn't be telling him, things Harry wouldn't want him to know unless he told Draco himself.
She asked as many questions as she answered and he found himself liking the witch, trying not to regret not getting to know her sooner. He was grateful she hadn't mentioned how big of an arse he'd been, but she didn't need to. Her initial hesitance to speak with him and her stiff posture said it for her and he again found himself rather in awe of the witch. He knew few people that would go to such lengths to help a friend. Gratitude for Hermione Granger felt odd but welcome and he found himself stumbling through an apology.
It was horribly embarrassing (and humbling) to stutter and stammer but the witch didn't interrupt or mock him, either sensing his sincerity or because she was just too damn nice to mock someone struggling (even if she didn't like them). She didn't immediately forgive him, of course, but things were less awkward from then on. He wasn't expecting anything miraculous but he made sure he was honest and respectful of Hermione and it didn't really take long for her to warm up to him.
He figured she just thought it easier in the long run. If he did get Harry to agree to be with him, as he fervently hoped, she'd be 'stuck' with him and he appreciated her efforts to make things smoother. Almost friendly and warm. He didn't have to try to get along with Hermione; it was actually remarkably easy. She was funny, clever and had a very interesting way to balance her Muggle and Wizarding heritages that Draco found inspiring.
Smartest witch of her age indeed.
If it wasn't for Hermione, he never would have found out where Harry lived and he wouldn't be here at this moment, finally able to speak to, look at, smell his intended. He certainly wouldn't be practically vibrating with anticipation as he gave Harry his first gift of many. "Please don't be mad at her," he begged softly. "She realized how serious I am—how serious this is—and trusted me."
"Alright," Harry said quietly after a long moment, his emotions settling a bit. He was still a little pissed at Hermione but rational thought trickled back in. Hermione wouldn't have told the blonde a damn thing if she had felt he was disingenuous or a threat to him or Teddy. Still... He was going to have a talk with one Hermione Granger. She could have at least given him a warning.
He shook the box gently and looked up at Draco with a questioning expression. "How often are you going to be doing this?" he said and lifted the box, indicating he meant giving him things.
Draco cleared his throat and shifted closer, hoping it was subtle enough Harry wouldn't notice and jump away. "Once a month and probably before every chaperoned outing."
The typical courtship lasted six to twelve months, giving him time to ponder the perfect gifts for each occasion. Each should increase in cost and personal meaning, something he knew might be complicated by Harry's strange aversion to gifts. Each outing gift could be small but meaningful. He had already planned (and purchased) the first three in a fit of optimism, eagerly taking Hermione's hints and the occasional outright recommendation.
It took him a little practice to buy something mundane and almost classified as boring but with Hermione's assurances that Harry would like one thing over another, he got used to it. By the third gift, he hadn't brought the witch along and she had approved when he showed it off to her (subtly asking for approval but mostly just to include the witch in the whole situation).
"How often are we going out?" Harry choked out, his fingers laying limply over the box. He had dated wizards before... so he hadn't a problem with Draco being male but he just didn't date much. Period. He had Teddy. He couldn't ask Hermione or the twins to watch him too often, he felt like he took advantage of them as it was.
He fought the urge to squirm when Draco gave him an affectionate look and tapped the box in invitation.