Fatherhood | drarry teen adoptive parents au

forty | all molly's babies

All the stress of the train journey was forgotten, however, once Ron, Hermione, Harry, Draco, and Casper arrived at the Burrow.

All were greeted in turn by a huge warm hug from Molly Weasley, who was up despite it being long past the middle of the night, even Draco and Casper.

"Lovely to finally meet you, Draco," she beamed, so genuine in her warmth that he really believed she meant it. "I've heard all sorts about you, you rapscallion! Just as bad as my Fred and George, though with much better grades, so I hear!"

Draco smiled, embarrassed. "I hope you don't hold my past against me, Mrs. Weasley," he said as she released him from the hug. "I really am a decent person."

"I know you are, dear, you're lovely," she assured him kindly. "We can't help our parents, can we? No wonder you were such an imp. But don't worry, absolutely no harm done.
We've been so looking forward to having you!"

With that, she pulled him in for another hug, and even reached up to kiss his cheek, turning it pink with pleasure and slight embarrassment. He'd never been good at accepting affection.

"Now, Harry, dear," Molly said, turning to his boyfriend. "You must let me meet this new member of our family. Casper, isn't it? Welcome home, little boy."

She lifted the baby caringly from Harry's outstretched arms, and cuddled him tightly to her chest. He gurgled happily, and Molly grinned at up his fathers, thrilled.

"He's just perfect, boys, really." She ran a finger lightly over his hair. "And I won't ask about his biological parents, don't worry. He's not a redhead, and that's enough for me."

Everyone laughed, though Hermione went a little pink. On seeing this, Harry wondered if she'd have wanted to keep Cas if he'd been Ron's. Maybe they'll have one together one day, and Casper can have half siblings, he thought. The idea made him surprisingly happy.

"Fred and George are probably still up, but you're best to ignore them, dears," Molly said as she ushered each of them to their rooms. "Harry and Draco, you're in here with Casper.. Hermione, I expect you'll want to be with Ron? You know where his room is, then, dear. I hope you all sleep well!"

"Night, Mrs. Weasley!"

"Night, darlings. Sweet dreams!"

I won't, Harry thought, but, "Thanks!" he called. He supposed it was better to be optimistic.

***

The next morning was the day before Christmas Eve, which spelled chaos in the Weasley house. Bill and a very pregnant Fleur had arrived that day, as had the other two oldest brothers, which made fifteen people in the little house, including the baby, and Molly was beginning to tear her hair out.

When Ginny and Fleur could be torn away from mothering him, Casper could be found in any one of the Weasley boys' arms - usually Fred's or George's, and usually wearing something ridiculous in the name of festivity.

Once he was even wrapped in tinsel and foisted onto Percy, who had really relaxed into it after a horrified few seconds, which surprised Harry until he remembered Percy had four younger siblings.

Arthur had held him too, equally briefly, and had then been forced to count his children to put his mind at rest once more ("So we didn't just acquire another of our own in the night!"), much to Fred and George's delight.

Eventually Harry and Draco gave up trying to locate Casper at all times, instead taking advantage of the free childcare and using the free time to relax, or wrap presents, or try to help Molly in the kitchen.