1000 Days of Harry Potter

Day 48

Three weeks later, Draco is more than ready to check himself into the Janus Thickley Ward at St. Mungo's. When Teddy begs to go to Florean Fortescue's for ice cream before dinner, yet another potential tantrum visibly brewing, Draco simply doesn't have a shred of resistance left. He gives in, knowing he'll regret it later but too tired to face another battle.

When they enter the shop, they encounter the last person Draco has ever wanted to see.

"HARRY!" Teddy bolts across the room and leaps into his startled godfather's arms.

Potter is standing next to a pretty young woman, clearly at the end of a date and on their way out. He smiles and introduces her to them as a 'friend.'

Teddy begs him to stay, eyes welling up with huge tears, and Draco can feel his face get hot, whether from embarrassment or anger he isn't sure. Probably both.

Potter can't resist Teddy's pleading either, apparently. Teddy and Draco both watch through the huge windows of the ice cream parlour as he walks the girl outside. He says something, then allows her to press a kiss to his cheek but doesn't encourage any further physical affection before she Apparates away.

The bell on the door jingles when he comes back in. Potter crouches down, and Teddy throws himself into his arms again.

"I've missed you, too, kid," Potter murmurs, stroking Teddy's midnight-black hair, hair that had changed color the instant he'd laid eyes on his godfather.

His hair has been nothing but turquoise-colored since he came under his care, and Draco suddenly wants to strangle Harry Potter with his bare hands, ice cream shop full of witnesses be damned.

"Sorry if we interrupted your plans tonight, Potter," Draco spits, glaring at him.

Potter turns his head to look at him, eyes widening in warning. Of course he doesn't want Teddy to know about his dating life. Draco is tempted to say something further, but a more mature side of him reminds himself that he wouldn't introduce Teddy to anyone he was dating yet either, and that saying something stupid right now would hurt Teddy far more than it would hurt Potter. He bites his tongue and looks away.

Teddy looks at Potter, his lower lip trembling. "Sorry, Harry."

Potter's eyes narrow at Draco over Teddy's head before he turns back to the child in his arms. "Nothing is more important than you, Teddy," he says firmly. "Nothing. Understand?"

Draco hates the warmth that those words ignite in his chest. He doesn't like Potter, but he can admit to himself that he likes that Potter cares about Teddy as much as he does.

Teddy nods, and Potter smiles. "I didn't have plans tonight, anyway. My friend was just leaving when you got here, so the timing is perfect. Why don't I get you some ice cream?" He shoots Draco another sharp look. "You both look like you could use some."

It infuriates Draco even further to let Potter buy both him and Teddy enormous ice cream sundaes drizzled in chocolate sauce, and he's convinced that's exactly why Potter does it when he catches him winking at him as he passes Draco's dish over, an amused smirk on his lips.

Potter sits at a table with them, listening intently to Teddy as he talks about school and all the fun things Draco has tried to do with him as if he'd had a great time and didn't whine and throw tantrum after tantrum at each and every outing. Potter is watching Draco's slightly-pained expression as he eats his ice cream in silence, though, and Draco is convinced that somehow he knows.

Draco sends Teddy to use the bathroom before they leave, and Potter turns those piercing eyes on him.

"How are you holding up?" He asks, in a surprisingly kind voice.

"Oh, um, fine. Good, I mean. Really really good."

Potter gives him a knowing smile. "Last month wasn't easy for me either, you know. That's what I was trying to tell you when I dropped him off. He told me that he hated me and that he wanted his grandmother almost every single day."

"What?" Draco blurts. "But he was so excited to see you tonight! I thought—"

"He hasn't seen me in a few weeks," Potter shrugs. "I haven't been the one taking him to school and making him go to bed and whatever else he doesn't want to do. Listen, I found this Children's Mind Healer last month. She was a huge help the last two weeks he was with me. I can owl you her information when I get home, if you like. That's the other thing I wanted to tell you, but you wouldn't let me."

Draco remembers the piece of parchment Potter had been holding when he dropped Teddy off, and immediately feels a rush of guilt and annoyance, both at Potter and himself. "What did the Mind Healer do?"

"Well, she only met with me and Teddy once, but he seemed to really like her. I owled her with questions a few times and the answers she sent back were really helpful. I thought I'd take him to see her again next time he's with me, but you can take him, too. That would probably be good, so she can get to know both of us."

"Both of us?"

"Yeah, you know, both of Teddy's guardians."

"Right," Draco sighs. "Sorry, I should have listened to you. I'd appreciate the help. And I am sorry for ruining your date tonight, too."

Potter lowers his voice as they both notice Teddy coming back from the bathroom. "I was actually really glad you did. She'd just invited me back to her place to meet her fifteen cats."

"Fifteen?"

Potter widens his eyes comically behind his glasses and nods solemnly. Draco laughs, and Potter grins.

"Yeah, it was just a first date. A setup, you know. I was grateful for the excuse to get out of it."

"Happy to help then, I guess," Draco chuckles softly.

"Help with what?" Teddy asks, just close enough to catch the last thing said.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just glad I ran into you and Mal—I mean, Draco—today. I need to get going, but I'll see you next week, okay?"

Potter gives Teddy one more hug before he leaves, giving Draco a tentative smile before walking away.

It barely feels real. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy managed an actual, somewhat-pleasant conversation.

Merlin, that was strange, Draco thinks.

He knows he and Potter will never be friends, but for the first time he wonders if maybe they could be... Friendly.