Always

Chapter Twenty

AN: New warning is going into effect now: FemSlash.
Let the fireworks ignite!
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The day was warm yet had a bit of damp in the air and a small breeze. The clouds were threatening rain, but kept themselves, for the most part, out of the sunlight. The school was in rare form for the first game of the year and all were happily wearing their house colours.

Harry hadn't been able to get a hold of Maia that morning since she had done an excellent job of staying away from him and the rest of their family. Azeas reported being told to go away when he had approached her to offer his support for the match. Draco and Snape didn't find that odd, but Harry was worried. He didn't want his daughter angry with him. He didn't want her fighting with the family.

Harry sat in the stands between his husband and Snape, his stomach in knots. Draco and Snape were discussing something but all Harry could think of was getting to Maia. He really wanted all his children with him at that moment, but Bran would pitch a fit if he were forced to sit in the faculty seats and away from his friends during his very first school Quidditch game.

"May I sit here with you?"

Harry looked up from his feet at his son's voice and smiled.

"Azeas, you always know," he murmured and nudged at Draco to move a bit.

"You don't want to sit with your house?" Draco asked with a frown but obligingly moved down the bench. Azeas sat down between Harry and Draco and was immediately wrapped in Harry's arms.

"Don't be rude," Harry said to Draco.

"I'm not. I just think that he would want to be with his friends," Draco replied. He looked down at Azeas. "You don't have to be here to fulfil your dad's need to hug a child, you know. He'll have to put up with hugging me and I'll have to endure it. But we knew the day would come for that as our children pushed us into our dotage."

"Draco!"

"It's all right, Father. I don't mind. I forgot my scarf anyway."

Snape raised an eyebrow at the highly unlikely occurrence of Azeas forgetting anything, but did not comment.

Draco smirked and looked back out onto the field.

Azeas turned to Harry. "Do you think Slytherin will win?"

"I don't know. How is Bran rooting?" Harry asked with his arms still attached to his son.

"He's wrapped in gold and red from head to foot."

Harry laughed. "Good to know where his loyalties lie."

"Well, Maia and her team were being rather provoking this morning at breakfast."

"Yeah," Harry said with a sigh. He was still not happy with Snape for allowing the shouting match to continue for as long as it did before stepping in to quell it. Harry had done his best to quiet the insults being thrown back and forth once they had started going past friendly rivalry. Maia had instigated the personal remarks but had disappeared before order was restored and reprimands could be administered.

"If the Gryffindors cannot handle a simple exchange of words, then they shouldn't be playing such a dangerous game," Snape remarked at that moment. Harry turned and glared at him.

"It's what I've been saying for years," Draco added.

"Draco, unless you want me to bring up exactly how many times you and your house," he added with a quick look at Snape, "lost to me and mine, I suggest you disengage from this topic," Harry snapped.

With a raised eyebrow, Draco smirked at Harry. "I'll have to remind you who ultimately won, though, won't I, mon petit mari soumis?"

"Bran wanted to be on this year's team, I think, so he could play against Maia," Azeas said before Harry could respond to Draco's provoking words. It successfully redirected Harry's attention.