There's No I In Team (A Drarry FanFiction)

Chapter Eight

   The two of them had a regular walk they did around the reasonably sized forest by the park, and on occasion Draco had had company in the form of his mother or Pansy. But having Harry there by his side as Scorpius darted back and forth was strangely intimate. Draco made sure to keep his hands in his pockets.

Scorpius was on a troll hunt, zipping back and forth between trees and bushes and puddles, brandishing a stick and challenging imaginary beasts to daring duels. It was hard not to find him endearing, and Harry chuckled often and freely.

"You're good with kids," Draco commented without letting himself pause to think of the consequences of such an observation. He was finding out more about Harry in the past few hours than he had in the last two years, and he was becoming quickly addicted to the concept. He wanted to know everything about Harry Potter.

His co-worker shrugged casually. "I've always liked them, I like how they don't have an agenda, there's no BS with children."

"Very true," Draco agree, but he didn't miss Harry's sigh.

"I don't know if I'll ever be able to have any though," he said. "Not all guys want them, and adoption is notoriously hard, even in this day and age."

Draco wasn't really sure what to say. "I'm sorry," he said simply, but Harry visibly shook off his melancholy.

"There's still plenty of time to worry about that later," he said. "I'm still young and fabulous," he added jovially, tilting his head and flicking his hand back as if swishing a ponytail, making Draco laugh. Not many people were good at making Draco laugh, but Harry managed it with aplomb. "Or, maybe I'll reach thirty, realise the right guy is never going to come along, and just march off to Africa and Asia to make up a brood like the Jolie-Pitts," he carried on dramatically, but Draco shrugged.

"I think adoption is wonderful," he admitted. "I'm sure you'd make a great dad."

They shared a look for a moment, until Scorpius' wail brought Draco snapping back to his senses. Scorp had tripped over, and was clutching his hand, fat tears rolling down his checks. "Oh bother," said Draco calmly, dropping down to take a look. "Ahh, you're okay. Daddy can kiss it better, okay?"

Scorp sniffled but nodded in any case, and with a noisy kiss to his palm, Draco sent his little boy on his way again, telling him to check behind a big oak for the troll nest he was sure was there.

"Well," Harry said once the drama was over. "I'll be sure and come to you for parenting advice if I ever find myself with a little one," he said. "You're a pro."

"Oh, I get lots of help," Draco said, then bobbed his head, thinking of his panic that morning. "Normally, when every single person in my life doesn't abandon me in one fell swoop."

Harry laughed. "So does he spend a lot of time with his mum then?"

Draco's skin flurried with goose bumps as a cold sensation chased through his body, but after a second he took a breath, and reminded himself that this topic was bound to come up sooner rather than later.

"His mum's no longer with us," he said evenly. He didn't want to be sensational, but he preferred that turn of phrase. People seemed to react better to it than "Unfortunately my wife is dead."

Harry still notably straightened though, and Draco could see him turn to look at him from the corner of his eye. "Oh mate," he breathed. "I am so sorry, I had no idea."

"Why would you?" Draco asked kindly. "I don't make a point of telling people."

"But, all those insults-" Harry started, clearly thinking of the many times he'd mocked Draco's sex life, or lack thereof.

"Don't be silly," Draco interrupted though. "If it really bothered me, I would have said something."

"Oh," said Harry softly. "I'm still sorry."

"Thank you," Draco conceded. It was nice to hear it after all, even after so much time.