Together We Stand

Chapter 8 – Today My life Begins

Harry

This isn't awkward at all, Harry told himself, oh, how the hell am I kidding? This is insanely awkward!

Sitting in the crapped cab, their legs centimeters apart, touching when they hit a bump. Neither of them said a word to each other the whole way to pick up Scorpius. After they made plans about what to do, a slightly uncomfortable silence floated around them since the plane ride.

Although they grew up together and spent quite a bit of their earlier years together, they never actually spent time learning how to talk to each other. If the cab ride over to Pansy's was any indication of what living together would be like, then Harry was certainly not looking forward to it.

"Daddy!" The voice of the excited nine year old came through the thick door. The door was through open by a small child and immediately a white-blonde head buried itself in Draco's stomach. "Big big hug!" Scorpius said against his father's suit he was wrinkling, not that Draco seemed to care.

"Hey Scorpius." Draco looked down at his son with so much compassion it surprised Harry. Something about that gaze told Harry this wasn't the same boy he met all those years ago and spent hours fighting with; this was a mature, thoughtful man who truly cared for his son. Cheesy as it sounded, there was something about that moment that made Harry's heart squeeze a bit.

"And why are you still up?" Scorpius just grinned cheekily up at his dad.

"After he heard you were picking him up tonight he made me promise he could wait up for you," Pansy said, entering the room. "It's your fault, teaching him those puppy dog eyes," she scolded him good naturedly.

"Thanks for picking him up Pans." Before they got on the plane, Draco had made a quick call to her and asked her to pick Scorpius up from Draco's mother. Harry was glad; although he was sure she would have been civil to him, neither of them wanted to explain their predicament to her.

"Well don't just stand there in the door way, come in for goodness sake!" Pansy said, assuring them in. They passed through a magnificent hallway filled with what had to be ancient family heirlooms and tapestries into a large sitting room similarly decorated. "Blaise told me what happened, over the floo of course; we aren't seeing each other again until the wedding tomorrow." She raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow meaningfully. Harry glanced over at Draco, hoping he would explain it to his friend. No luck; the blonde was busy sitting on the couch across the room looking at something Scorpius drew to help. Harry looked back at the witch, feeling insanely awkward; Pansy wasn't even his friend. Although he didn't harbor any ill feelings toward the witch, they had never really spent much time together.

"Um… yeah so… yeah." Harry said lamely. Pansy frowned at his answer, obviously dissatisfied by his answer. "Malfoy? Shouldn't we be going?" Draco looked up and (thank Merlin) nodded his agreement.

"Thank you so much for looking after him for the day," Draco said, picking up his son's suitcase that was parked at the edge of the couch.

"Oh no you don't," Pansy said, moving in front of the doorway and effectively blocking their escape route. "You are going to tell me what happened on your trip."

"Oh, come on Pans, Scorpius is here and it's almost midnight and you're getting married tomorrow," Draco said, widening his eyes hopefully. Harry was caught between snickering at the faux innocence in his eyes and staring opened mouthed at the beauty of his stormy gray irises.

"Fine," Pansy said begrudgingly, obviously not happy she didn't get her way after all, "I expect the full story of everything tomorrow and forget about leaving out any details." She moved out of their way and the three approached the floo before the youngest of the bunch stopped them.

"Daddy, I left Bastille upstairs." Scorpius looked up at his father with wide innocent saucers that rivaled the older Malfoy's in charm.

"Where is it upstairs?" Scorpius just shrugged.

"I know where it is," Pansy said, "come on, I'll show you." Draco and Pansy disappeared up the marble stair case, leaving Harry alone with the boy.

"Hey," Harry said, crouching down to the child's height and offering his hand, "My name's Harry." Scorpius eyed him suspiciously, not sure whether to trust him not. After a few seconds he evidently decided he was trust worthy enough and gently took his hand to shake.

"Hi," he said, looking down shyly, "I'm Scorpius."

"Well Scor, I'm very happy to meet you." Harry smiled softly at the small child.

"My name's Scorpius, not Scor," Scorpius said, looking puzzled.

"Sorry," Harry said, laughing softly, "I have a bit of a habit of giving people nicknames. If you don't like it I won't call you it." The blond looked thoughtful for a moment and then broke out in a radiant smile. Harry couldn't help but wonder if Draco looked like that when he smiled like that.

"I like it!" Scorpius declared. "Scor," he giggled slightly in happiness. "Does my daddy have a nickname too?"

"I'm not really sure how to shorten Draco and besides, I think he might not like it I were to give him one," Harry said, not mentioning when Draco's nickname was Ferret. It just didn't feel right to tell his son that.

"Hm…" Scorpius stroked his chin thoughtfully and Harry sighed slightly at the adorableness of the boy. "What about Dray-Dray?" Harry couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter that quickly turned into a chortle.

"What's so funny?" Draco asked, coming down the stairs caring a two foot teddy bear, Bastille Harry realized, under his arm.

"Nothing," Harry said, "Dray-Dray." Draco's eyes widened in shock while Pansy, who came down after Draco, snorted with laughter. The blond wizard's mouth moved up and down uselessly for a moment before he could fully get a grasp on his shock.

"What did you call me?" Before Harry could say anything, Scorpius broke into their conversation.

"I came up with it," Scorpius told his father happily, "Harry gave me one so I made one for you. Do you like it?" He turned his wide hopeful eyes on his father.

"It's…" Draco said at for what must have been the first time in Harry's life, he watched the blond struggle for words. While he was tempted to just watch him flounder, he decided it would be just a bit too mean.

"Come on," Harry said, picking up Scorpius's luggage again. "Let's go."

Draco

Draco wasn't sure whether he should be mad at Harry for calling him by such a… interesting… nickname or grateful that he changed the subject so he wouldn't have to say his opinion on said nickname. It was just as well, he decided, he was ready to leave as it was.

"Yes, let's," Draco agreed. Only then did he realize that they would be going to the Weasel's place, something he never expected to do in his entire life and something he wasn't looking forward to. He didn't want to subject himself or his son to, but they did need to pick up Harry's kids.

"Tomorrow, you guys are all coming to my wedding and giving me the full scoop, understand?" Pansy said, staring with narrowed eyes at them.

"I know!" Draco said, faux exasperated, "See to tomorrow."

"Bye-bye Aunty Pansy!" Scorpius said, waving a pale hand.

"Goodbye," Harry said, looking awkward.

"Bye, I'll see you tomorrow," Pansy responded, still looking dissatisfied.

Draco, Harry, and Scorpius stepped into the floo and Harry threw down the green powder, muttering the address to The Weasley's house.

Author's Note

Sorry for the later than normal update, I've had a ton on my plate lately. Check out a new story I'm writing for BBC Sherlock called Just Press Send. I know I'm crappy at coming up with story names. Also, vote on my new pole please! Also, my sissy gave me the name for the bear. He's named after an old Paris prison, it's kinda pretty. You should look it up. Sorry for inaccuracies on HP canon stuff.

Chapter title belongs to Bruno Mars. Theirs lives together-together begin at least.

Thank you Atarashiaijou, lilyluna78, jenpen37, xnyxchanx, B.E.W, and Brmther for favoriting!

Thank you OspreyEmblem, xnyxchanx, PotterheadSweezey, and IAmVenalAngel for alerting!

MDarKspIrIt- Thanks for the review, I'm glad you like the chapter!

Feromone- Thanks, it was my favorite chapter so far so I'm glad you like it too. I didn't mean the kid to act sarcastic, was that how it came out? Oops. I just (tried to anyway) modeled him after my five year old brother. Yesterday I spent an hour getting gum out of his hair, not fun. I really like picturing Draco all hard on the outside, but squishy on the inside like a cannoli. Yum. I've only really had time to right at night when I'm supposed to be sleeping so I haven't really had time to write a long or short one lately. When I asked you that, I was hoping you would answer the other way. School is really important to me so I can't really just slack off. I'm trying to write longer ones, but we'll see what happens. There's no such thing as a too long review, they make me very happy!

Srienia- I love denial from both of them and I'm definitely going to put in some POV from Harry, just not as much as Draco. I'm glad you love Draco's POV, it's easier for me to develop most of the plot from his and I find writing it more fun. Since you asked, I put some of Harry's POV in this chapter and will try to do it whenever it seems appropriate. Thank you for the review.

Snitch Me- Thanks for the review! I can't help but bully Draco just a bit, it's too fun. Don't worry though, he'll get his reward. Or will he?

Harry. Potter. Is. BOSS- Thank you for yet another review! If I was his friends, I too would totally activate the rings. More on what actually happened that night in the next chapter (maybe)!

easyluckyfree83- Thanks for reviewing; it was my favorite to write! Yay, my boys are natural! (Draco: Of course I am, just like the color of my hair!)

RocklifeDude- Thanks for the review. I love them in denial, so it will go on a bit longer. Chapter 10 or so you'll find out what happened so wait and see!

Reviews, favoriting and alerts are always welcomed and treasured. Sorry for the long AN… again.