The Potter girl

chapter 22

"Welcome to parenthood, Draco," George said, slapping him on the back as he entered the room, holding back his own chuckles.Draco looked down at his soaked shirt and the now giggling Emily. He couldn't be mad; she was just a baby after all. He handed her to Addie, who had managed to compose herself enough to change her into a fresh outfit. "Your turn," she said, tossing him a clean towel with a smirk. As he wiped himself down, the twins entered the room, grinning from ear to ear. "It's not that funny," Draco said, trying to sound stern, but the corners of his mouth twitched.

"Oh, come on, Draco," Fred said, "you've got to admit, it's a little hilarious.""A little?" George added, barely containing his own laughter. "It's classic!"Draco rolled his eyes but couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. "Fine, you two can have your fun," he said, tossing the dirty cloth into the bin. "But I'll have you know, I'll get the hang of this."Addie stepped closer to him, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I know you will," she said, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "Because you're a part of this now, too."Draco felt the warmth of her touch, and for a moment, all his insecurities melted away. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her and Emily into a tight embrace. The scent of baby powder and milk mixed with Addie's familiar perfume, creating a comforting cocoon of love and belonging. He kissed the top of Emily's head, feeling her warmth and her steady breathing against his chest.Just as they were basking in the peace of the moment, Emily's wails pierced the air, demanding attention. Draco took a step back, feeling a bit lost as to what to do. Addie, now dressed in a fresh shirt, took the baby from him. "Let me try," she said with a knowing smile.But Emily's cries only grew louder, and Addie's eyes searched the room for the source of her discomfort. "It's okay," she murmured, rocking the baby in her arms. "We've got you."Draco watched, his own heart racing in sync with hers. He stepped closer, gently placing a hand on Addie's shoulder. "Here," he offered, "let me try."Addie passed Emily to him, and Draco took her into his arms, feeling her tiny body against his. He began to sway side to side, bouncing her gently. It was a motion that seemed almost instinctual, something he had seen his own mother do with him long ago. He moved in a steady rhythm, whispering calming words and making gentle shushing sounds. The twins looked on, their laughter forgotten, as they saw the transformation in their usually stoic friend.Emily's cries began to subside, and she nuzzled into Draco's chest, her eyes fluttering closed. He felt a sense of pride wash over him as he looked up at Addie. Her smile was warm and full of love, and he knew that in that moment, they were truly a family."Put her in her swing," Addie suggested gently, nodding towards the small, magical contraption in the corner of the room. "It usually helps soothe her."Draco carefully transferred Emily into the swing, her tiny form nestled securely against the plush cushions. He took a step back, watching as the swing began to sway on its own, a soft lullaby emanating from the enchanted mobile above. Emily's eyes remained closed, and her cries grew softer.The twins had retreated to the background, their teasing smiles replaced with looks of genuine happiness for their friend. They had seen Draco in many situations over the years, but this was something new. They had never seen him so tender, so vulnerable. It was a side of him that even Addie had rarely witnessed.Draco approached the swing with a mix of trepidation and excitement. He had watched Addie do this so many times, but now it was his turn. He carefully laid Emily down, making sure she was snug and secure. As he stepped back, the swing began to sway rhythmically, and the mobile's gentle tune filled the room. Emily's eyes remained shut, her breathing evened out, and she gave a tiny, contented sigh.Addie, who had been watching from the side, nodded her approval. "Good job," she said, her voice a soft whisper. "Now, let's let her rest while we talk."Draco took a seat next to Addie, his heart still racing from the rush of new emotions. "I never knew I could feel like this," he confessed, his eyes not leaving Emily's peaceful face."My turn," Addie said, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of challenge. "What do you mean?" Draco asked, puzzled.With a mischievous smile, Addie took the bottle from Draco's hand and sat down in the rocking chair by the window. "I've been watching you," she said, "and I think it's about time you learned how to do more than just hold the baby."Draco raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?""You've been so focused on changing diapers and feeding," Addie said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But there's more to it than that. Like, say, rocking her to sleep."Draco swallowed hard, suddenly aware of his own inexperience. "Rocking her to sleep?" he echoed, his voice tentative.Addie nodded, holding out the bottle to him. "Kinda like you just did," she said, her voice filled with affectionate teasing. "It's all about finding the right rhythm."Draco took the bottle, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. He sat down in the chair next to the swing, mimicking Addie's earlier movements. He positioned the bottle in Emily's mouth, and she began to suckle again. He watched her carefully, trying to match the sway of the swing with his own rocking. It was awkward at first, but as he found his rhythm, she settled into it, her eyes drooping slightly.Addie, noticing his concentration, came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her touch was gentle, her warmth seeping into him as she whispered, "There you go." Draco felt a surge of love for both of them, and his earlier fears of inadequacy melted away. He leaned back into her embrace, feeling more at ease than he had in days.The twins watched from the side, their smiles wistful. They had never seen their sister(by choice) look so content, so relaxed in someone else's arms."It's like you're a natural," Addie whispered, her breath tickling the back of Draco's neck.Her words bolstered his confidence, and he focused on maintaining the gentle rocking motion, the bottle held steady as Emily nursed. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting a warm light on the trio that seemed to emphasize the love that had blossomed between them. As the minutes ticked by, Emily's eyes grew heavier, and her suckling grew slower. Draco could feel the tension in her tiny body ease away with each rock of the chair. He felt a strange sense of accomplishment, like he had just performed a complex spell without uttering a single incantation.Addie's arms remained wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his shoulder as they watched their daughter together. The room was quiet, except for the occasional snore from Emily and the soft creaks of the rocking chair. It was a peacefulness they hadn't experienced in a long time, not since the prophecy had been revealed."You know," Addie said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm standing on my tip toes."Draco looked down at her, puzzled. "What do you mean?""Look," she said, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Whenever I try to give you a hug or rest my head on your shoulder, I have to stand on my tip toes. It's like we're playing Quidditch, and I'm the Seeker trying to reach the Snitch."SUMMARY^1: Draco successfully rocked Emily to sleep with Addie's guidance, and the quiet moment of unity reminded them of the peace they had before the prophecy's shadow. Addie lightened the mood by pointing out their height difference, comparing it to a Quidditch match, which brought a smile to their faces and reinforced their bond amidst the challenges they faced.Draco chuckled, feeling a bit self-conscious. He had never really thought about their height difference before, but now it was all he could think about. He glanced down at her, his eyes filled with affection. "Well, then," he said, standing up and placing the now sleeping Emily into her crib, "I suppose I should do something about that."Addie looked up at him, her curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"Without another word, Draco bent down, wrapping his arms around her waist, and effortlessly lifted her up. She gasped, her legs instinctively wrapping around his body as he stood tall once more. He held her close, her head now level with his, and she could feel his heart beating against her chest. For a moment, she was lost in the sensation, feeling lighter than air..Draco's arms tightened around Addie's waist, her legs finding their place naturally on either side of his. She clung to him, surprised by the sudden change in their positions. His warmth and strength enveloped her, and she felt her heart race in a way that had nothing to do with their earlier panic. Their eyes locked, and she saw a softness in his gaze that she had never seen before. It was as if, in this moment, the weight of the prophecy and the world's expectations had lifted, leaving only them and their love."We could," she whispered, her voice filled with hope.Draco searched her eyes, unsure of what she meant but intrigued by the possibility. "We could what?"Addie's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. "Go upstairs," she said, her voice barely audible. "To our room."Draco felt a thrill run through him. He hadn't realized how much he had missed the intimacy they had shared before Emily's birth. The stress of haveing a baby had taken a toll, and they had both been too preoccupied with keeping her safe and healthy to think of much else. But now, with their daughter sleeping soundly in her crib and the warmth of Addie in his arms, he could feel the connection between them rekindling."Addie," he whispered, "are you sure?""Yeah," she nodded, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I was cleared by Madam Pomfrey seven weeks ago."Draco's heart skipped a beat. The words had been whispered so softly that he wasn't sure he had heard them correctly. "What?"Addie's eyes searched his, looking for any hint of hesitation or doubt. "Madam Pomfrey said I could start... you know, after seven weeks," she clarified, her voice low and tentative.Draco's mind raced. Seven weeks had passed since Emily's birth, and in the chaos of new parenthood and the ever-looming prophecy, he hadn't considered the possibility. He had been so focused on their daughter's well-being that he had unknowingly neglected his own relationship with Addie. The realization hit him like a Bludger to the gut."I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice thick with regret. "I should have noticed."Addie's eyes searched his, looking for reassurance. "It's okay," she said, her voice soft. "We've had a lot on our plate."Draco nodded, his mind racing with the implications of her words. He had been so focused on the prophecy and their new roles as parents that he had overlooked the natural progression of their relationship. He felt a pang of guilt, realizing that his fears had pushed them apart in ways he hadn't even noticed. But as he held her in his arms, he knew that it was time to put those fears aside and focus on the woman who had become his world."And with the baby asleep," Addie repeated, her voice a gentle reminder of the present moment. She leaned in closer, her breath warm against his neck. "We have some time to ourselves."Draco's mind raced with the implications of her words. It had been weeks since they had been truly alone, weeks since they had been able to just be Addie and Draco, without the prophecy or the new responsibilities of parenthood looming over them. He took a deep breath, feeling the tension in his body begin to ease. He had been so focused on protecting Emily and preparing for the unknown that he had forgotten to live in the here and now."You're right," he murmured, his voice low and filled with longing. "Let's go."They made their way upstairs, their footsteps silent on the aged castle stones. The corridor was empty, the flickering candles casting dancing shadows on the walls. As they reached their room, Draco gently set Addie down and opened the door. The space was a sanctuary, the soft light from the fireplace illuminating the comfortable bed and the faint scent of Addie's favorite lavender potion lingering in the air."Yay," Addie whispered, her eyes sparkling with excitement and relief as she stepped inside.Her voice was barely audible, but it was enough to make Draco's heart swell with joy. He had never heard her sound so carefree in months, not since the prophecy had cast its shadow over their lives. He watched as she moved towards the bed, her movements graceful and familiar despite the exhaustion that still lingered in her limbs."Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern."Yes," Addie replied with a soft smile, taking his hand in hers. "I'm more than okay. I'm here with you, and that's all that matters."Draco felt a weight lift from his shoulders at her words. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear her say that. He stepped closer to her, their bodies almost touching. "You're amazing, you know that?"Addie's smile grew, and she leaned into him, her hand reaching up to cup his cheek. "So are you," she murmured. "For everything you've done. For being here."Draco's hand tightened around hers, and he felt a warmth spread through his chest. "You're not just a bit amazing," he corrected her gently. "You're incredible."Addie's cheeks colored at his praise, but she didn't argue. Instead, she leaned into him, her forehead resting against his chest. "I just want to forget about everything else for a little while," she admitted, her voice muffled by his robes. "Just you, me, and this room."Draco's arms tightened around her, his heart swelling with love and admiration. He knew exactly what she meant. The prophecy had consumed them, turning their lives into a whirlwind of fear and anticipation. But here, in the quiet of their room, it was just the two of them, and for a brief moment, they could pretend that the world outside didn't exist. "We'll keep the door locked," he said, his voice firm. "No interruptions tonight."Addie looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, and I forgot that I might be kinda maybe a little bit.....horny" she teased, her voice light and playful.Draco's eyes widened in surprise, and then he laughed, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. It was the first time they had talked about such things since Emily's birth, and it felt like a door to their old life was opening, if only a crack. "Is that so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.Addie nodded, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "It's been a while, Draco," she whispered, her voice filled with a hint of desire. "I've missed this part of us."Draco felt his own smile growing in response, the tension in the room shifting to something warmer, more intimate. He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a gentle kiss that spoke of his own longing. The spark between them was still there, despite the fear and the stress that had tried to extinguish it. It flared to life now, a warmth that spread through him like firewhiskey on a cold night.