Drarry - Baby Steps

Stumbling

He knows where he wants to go upon waking up. He also knows he wants to go alone, and he insists upon it when Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Bill, Arthur and even Charlie suggest accompanying him.

"I'll be back in the evening," he promises, "Don't worry about me."

They all say goodbye to him. It's impossible to ignore how much they care, how much they've cared all along. Feeling warm and fuzzy and a little awkward, he disapparates from the front yard of the Burrow.

The house taking shape in front of his eyes is flat and big; too big, like most buildings are nowadays. Its roof is bubblegum pink, and he doesn't ring the bell that quacks like a rubber duck while letting himself in through the back door. Standing on the doormat that reads "Muggles and Wizards all welcome here" he can see into the kitchen, where Andromeda Tonks is stirring a cauldron exactly the way you see witches do in Muggle Childrens' books, humming a tune to herself that sounds melancholic and hopeful at once.

Harry thinks about calling out to her but decides against it, in order not to interrupt her peaceful sway. He rubs the soles of his sneakers clean and turns to the right corner of the living room, where he knows Teddy's crib to be.

And he freezes.

Above the crib stands a lean person, their back composedly straight. They're holding Teddy. Teddy. Harry's first instinct is to run there, his second is to draw his wand, but they both fall away when he recognises the sleek blonde hair, the statue, the - "Draco?" His voice quivers audibly, his fingers turn white squeezing each other.

The other boy turns around, Teddy's soft pink head against his shoulder. Sleeping. "Harry. I didn't hear you come in." It's not fair. He looks so smooth and relaxed, so at peace. Most of all, he looks like he belongs, here of all places, with Harry's godson curled up in his arms.

Involuntarily, Harry's muscles get less tense almost this instant. "I took the back door." He replies, edging a little closer.

"Get over here" Draco invites him, smiling at his shy steps, "He just fell asleep after we fed him."

Harry joins Draco next to the crib, stroking bits of the wispy pink hair. "Hey, Mister." Teddy's eyes flutter and he opens his small mouth, smiling empty-teethed up at his godfather. "I didn't mean to wake you up there." Harry can't help but smile back.

Draco gently places the child in Harry's arms, their hands touching, his hands touching his bicep, his wrist, his shoulder in the process. In order not to be so painfully aware of that, Harry focuses on Teddy instead of on how close they are, how much contact -

"He was probably just pretending to sleep. That's one of his favourite hobbies." They both turn to see Andromeda standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and a mischievous smile on her wrinkled lips. Her greyed hair is pinned up in two buns, making her look incredibly old and incredibly young at the same time. She's wearing a pantsuit made out of dark red corduroy and a colourful knitted jacket, making Harry wonder how she comes up with such things.

"Andromeda. I wanted to come by and help a little. See Teddy." He explains, remembering he didn't say hi yet.

"That's sweet, Harry. It seems another young man had the same idea." She gives both of them a tired grin and Harry takes a polite step away from Draco, who looks up and smiles at him, "It seems."

"Well, you're both very welcome here. I was just finishing off the strengthening solution I mix with his proteins once a week. It didn't hurt my Dora, so I figured - " She breaks off, looking pensive for a second and then abruptly wiping the smile off her face. Closing her eyes as if she's feeling a sudden surge of pain, she grabs hold of the doorframe and shakes her head ever so slightly. "I'll tend to it. I'm in the kitchen if you need me." With a swish of fabric she disappears into the kitchen and closes the door behind her.