Fic: The Handsome Stranger (Part 9 of ?)
Summary Harry learns the truth about things.
Warnings None really, except not your normal Veela explanation. Oh, and talk of mpreg.
The Handsome Stranger
Chapter Nine ... Revelations
In the fifteen years since he’d found out that he was a wizard, Harry had seen and done some pretty incredible things. He’d learned how to fly and be invisible. He’d fought a basilisk and ridden on a centaur and, of course, dealt with Voldemort.
But the concept of a man -- of Draco -- being able to have children seemed too far-fetched to even contemplate. The idea seemed to condense into a cold lump in the pit of his stomach and he wasn’t sure whether he was enthralled or appalled by it.
The part of him that was enthralled was already wondering what it would be like to carry a life inside him. To feel that life growing and developing must, he decided be one of the most intimate and incredible experiences a person could have. Could a mother sense the magic of their baby? He remembered Neville saying something about being aware of his and Luna’s baby -- that he could feel Virginia kicking and that he would talk to her, but surely Luna could sense even more. It was her blood flowing through their daughter’s veins and arteries.
Harry’s hand had strayed unconsciously to his stomach, and he quickly moved it away as he tried to work out what actually appalled him about the idea. In the end it came down to the fact that men just weren’t supposed to have children.
But if Joukahainen (and Draco) were Veela, did that make a difference? He tried to remember whether Veela were considered ‘creatures’ like werewolves and if they came under the control of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He didn’t remember Fleur saying anything about controls or regulations, but then she wasn’t full-Veela.
Then his Confunded mind became fixated on the one beautiful, wonderful perfect kiss he’d shared with Draco the previous Sunday and how it had felt to press against him. What, he wondered, would it have been like to feel the round swell of a pregnant belly rather than those smooth hard muscles?
He felt himself suddenly go warm. Could he father a Veela child? What would it be like to know it was his baby inside that stomach? To place his hands on the round belly, lean his ear to the warm skin and maybe hear his own child’s heartbeat? The warmth changed to almost a swoon and he suddenly realised someone had said his name.
“Harry, are you okay? Harry?”
He pulled himself from his confused thoughts, which still kept insisting men don’t have children, and finally realised Aino was touching his hand.
“Didn’t you know?” she asked. “About Veela offspring?”
“No. I ... um ... to be honest I don’t really know that much about Veela at all.” Harry looked from the hand to the woman’s face and saw it soften in understanding. “The only Veela I’ve ever seen were a group with the Bulgarian Quidditch team when they won the World Cup.”
“Ah yes, the Bulgarian clan -- we don’t have much to do with them. Their -- customs -- are just a little different.” There was disdain in the woman’s voice that reminded Harry of how many wizards and witches talked about Muggles.
“And my best friend’s sister-in-law is part-Veela. That’s the scope of my knowledge, unfortunately.” Harry shrugged, feeling just a little embarrassed and slightly stupid. Where was Hermione when he needed her? “Um... can you tell me about them? About your brother?” He vaguely remembered Aino referring to him in the past tense.
She patted his hand and looked into the flames for a moment before answering. “Jouko was my twin. He met Draco during your war with Voldemort and they worked together. When Draco moved to Finland after the war, he met up with Jouko again and they bonded. Arlen was born within the year and about a month before his third birthday, Jouko was killed in a skiing accident.”
Harry swallowed and this time it was he who touched her hand. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I... It must have been hard for you all.”
Aino nodded. “He was my twin, so breaking that link was very difficult. And his bond with Draco.” She squeezed his hand. “You see, Veela bond for life and often the remaining partner finds it almost impossible to continue without their mate. It’s taken Draco a long time to come to terms with the loss.”
“Is he okay?”
“Now he is.” She finally looked at him, meeting his eyes. “Harry, Veela instinctively know who their mates are. Jouko knew it would be Draco almost from the moment they first met.”
“But ... um ... doesn’t that mean Draco didn’t have a choice?” Harry voiced his real concern about being involved with a Veela, of being pulled into a relationship not really wanted. “Don’t Veela have some sort of charm thing?” He saw the woman try not to smile and he felt himself redden with embarrassment.
“Well, there is something. It’s what’s making it so easy for you to talk with me. And if a Veela picked you for his or her mate then you would be aware of them, though the pull wouldn’t be as strong for you because you have no Veela blood.” She paused and stared at him, her green eyes boring into him. Harry almost instinctively leaned back. “Although there might be some. The Council should look into that.”
“What? Why?”
“Veela-Wizard bondings were much more common in the past. Most Wizarding families have some Veela in their bloodline, but the Veela gene can lay dormant for many generations, rather like it does in Wizarding families. I’m sure if you trace the bloodline of most Muggle-born you will find magical people in their past and the same applies to what you call Squibs. The magical gene hasn’t been lost, it is merely sleeping.”
“Oh, right. Ron -- the friend with the Veela sister-in-law -- has a relative who I think he said was a Squib.”
“Well, his relative probably married and had children, but I expect he'll hide the fact he came from a magical family. His children and grandchild will never know of his true background and over the generations it will be forgotten. Some when in the future, the gene will awaken and it will look like the child has no magical background and thus, is a Muggle-born. The same thing happens with some Veela.”
“Like Draco?”
“You will have to ask him about that. It is not my story to tell.”
He thought to argue the point but quickly realised it would be pointless. “What if a Veela picks someone who doesn’t love them?”
“Imagine for a moment, Harry, that I had chosen you as a mate. You have no feelings for me.”
“Well, no, but I like you and you seem a nice person and ... well ... I like boys.”
Aino chucked. “I am talking hypothetically. Suppose for a moment that you liked girls and you liked me but nothing more. That might be the start. We might become friends and see if there was a connection between us, and maybe, eventually, we might bond. But I can’t make you fall in love with me nor can I force a bond on you.”
“Never?”
“There are always some who will abuse their magical gifts. Isn’t that true of wizards and witches as well?” Harry nodded. “I can’t speak of other clans, but in mine there hasn’t been an illegal bond in over one hundred years. Bond mates are fiercely protective of each other and for something that strong and powerful there has to be a spark to nurture, some feelings to begin with. Without that the Veela wouldn’t have picked up on that person to begin with.”
Harry frowned. “I think I understand. If Draco hadn’t cared for Joukahainen to begin with then your brother wouldn’t have sought him out as a mate.”
“Of course.”
“But if a Veela is drawn to a mate and that mate refuses, what happens? Will they ever find someone else?”
Aino looked uncomfortable with the question. “It ... it’s very personal. Some find another, some pine away. It depends on how involved the two were when one pulls away.” She suddenly shifted closer, her voice quiet and composed. “Harry, I am speaking out of turn because it isn’t seemly to discuss such things. Such things are between a Veela, his or her intended mate and the Council of Elders. I know you and Draco have a history -- that you and he were not friends at Hogwarts. I know that this changed somewhat during the war because you had to work with him. Draco has struggled since Jouko died; it’s hard enough to lose a mate but to do so while bringing up a child is even more difficult. He has his Wizarding family, his mother of course, but his bond with Jouko makes him part of my family, not only through marriage. He is as much my brother as Jouko was and I will not see him hurt in any way. Do you understand?”
The threat in the woman’s voice was so abundantly clear that Harry thought he could feel it vibrating through his skin. He remembered how the Veela at the Quidditch World Cup had changed from being incredibly beautiful to scary bird-like creatures with long scaly wings when they became angry. Aino hadn’t changed like that, but there was something about her that made him think of one of those angry birds.
Was she trying to scare him off or just making sure he wasn’t playing games with Draco?
He stared at Aino, determined not to break her gaze. He wanted to tell her that he’d fallen in love with Draco many years ago but had never told him. He wanted to tell her how he’d spent his time watching Draco from afar so sure that his feelings weren’t returned and when he’d finally plucked up the courage to tell him, Draco had left for Finland and it was too late.
He wanted to tell her that he would never do anything to hurt Draco, but that he was scared. Scared of being pulled into something he couldn’t control and of a people and culture he didn’t understand.
Then, just as he prepared himself to say all these things, Harry realised they were no longer alone. Draco and Arlen were standing at the foot of the stairs, the boy dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown, his hand gripped tightly around his father’s.
Pushing aside his blanket, Harry shuffled forward to sit on the edge of the sofa and smiled at the boy. “Hi. All dry now?”
Arlen glanced up at his father who nodded at him and gestured at Harry. Releasing his hand, he crossed the few steps to stand in front of Harry. “Yes, all dry now.” Then suddenly, he launched himself at Harry, arms twisting around his neck. “Thank you. I’m sorry.” He held on just long enough to say those four words and then pulled away, giving Harry a cheeky little smile as he whispered. “Maybe Santa Claus will bring me a fishing rod.”
With that Arlen rushed back to his father, whispered something to Draco who nodded. Arlen disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the three adults alone.
The silence dragged on and it was finally Draco who broke it. “Thank you.”
Harry came to his feet. “Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine. Apparently he was after a fish and the branch gave way.” Draco rubbed his hands together thoughtfully. “He might have died if you hadn’t got there so fast. I’ve never seen Apparition like that.”
“It’s something Hermione came up with. She’ll probably try to teach you if you ask nicely.” Harry winced at the banality of the conversation. “Draco....”
“Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I am now. That water was bloody cold, but Aino helped with some warming and drying spells. I’m just glad Arlen is fine.”
A wry smile crossed Draco’s face. “One can always count on a Gryffindor to save the day.”
Harry returned the look. “What would you do without us?” Then he made a decision. He needed to get away before he made any more stupid mistakes and also to absorb all that Aino had said to him. Plus there was her little warning to think about and to decide whether she was trying to scare him away or just warning him to be careful with Draco. Then a new thought surfaced. Was she jealous of him? Did she want Draco herself even though she was his sister-in-law?
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I just want to say I’m sorry about Justin prying into your life. As soon as I talked to him I realised it was a bad idea and I didn’t think he’d do anything else after I told him not to.” He held out the sheet of paper. “This was the copy of the certificate he gave me but the water’s ruined it.” When Draco didn’t move, Harry put it down on the arm of a chair. “I better go. You know how drying spells can leave clothes a bit uncomfortable.”
“You haven’t had tea yet.”
“Another time perhaps?” Harry reached for his coat. “You need to concentrate on Arlen, not on visitors at the moment.”
Draco nodded as he finally picked up the paper and stared at it before screwing it into a ball and shoving it in his pocket. For a moment Harry was sure Draco was going to ask him not to go, but it never came. Instead Draco took hold of his coat and helped Harry put it on, smoothing it across Harry’s shoulders. “Are you spending the weekend here?”
Harry looked back over his shoulder. This was the closest he’d been to Draco since he’d arrived at Squirrel’s Leap and the other man’s hands were still on his shoulders. All he had to do was turn a little more and he would be able to place a kiss on Draco’s slightly parted lips. He licked his own lips and the sight of Draco subconsciously mirroring him was enough. “I’m not sure yet. It depends.”
“On what?”
“On things.” He turned, feeling Draco’s hands follow the movement before dropping away. “It’s Christmas next week and I haven’t started shopping yet so I’ll probably brave Diagon Alley tomorrow.”
“Diagon Alley the Saturday before Christmas? Not a good idea.”
“Well,” Harry shrugged. “Needs must. Goodnight, Draco. I never meant to betray any confidences.” With that, he leaned in the last few inches and swept his lips over Draco’s mouth in a kiss that he hoped was enough for friendship but didn’t push too far. He deliberately pulled away before Draco had chance to respond and gave what he hoped was a soft flirtatious smile before turning to Aino. He took her hand and squeezed it. “And thanks ... for everything.”
****
They watched Harry leave, turning the collar of his coat up against the few flakes of snow that were now falling. He weaved as he closed the garden gate and disappeared into the darkness.
“What were you talking about?” Draco closed the door.
“About the Veela.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “No wonder he wanted to leave.”
Aino picked up Harry’s discarded blanket and folded it. “He asked, would you rather I refused. And you could have made him stay if you wanted him to. You’re a Veela after all.”
“I want him to want me because he cares, not because I’ve charmed him in some way.” Draco pushed his hand through his hair.
“Then go after him.”
“No, not now.” He looked thoughtfully in the direction Harry had disappeared. “Besides, he’s Apparated away.” His frown deepened as he tried to pick up the underlying link already forming with Harry. “I’m not sure where, probably back to London.”
“Daddy.”
Draco turned, crouching down as he picked Arlen up. “Are you all warm now?”
Arlen nodded. “Where did Harry go?”
“Oh, he had to leave, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
“Good. I like him. He’s like Isi, but with black hair.”
Draco though about Jouko with his vivid green eyes and white-blond hair falling halfway down his back. “Yes, Arlen, he is a bit like Isi.”
---
Chapter Ten ... Hot Chocolate and Cold Snowflakes
A/N Isi also means ‘daddy’ or ‘dad’ in Finnish. Arlen called Jouko Isi and Draco Iskä as a way of distinguishing between his two fathers.
---
Warnings None really, except not your normal Veela explanation. Oh, and talk of mpreg.
The Handsome Stranger
Chapter Nine ... Revelations
In the fifteen years since he’d found out that he was a wizard, Harry had seen and done some pretty incredible things. He’d learned how to fly and be invisible. He’d fought a basilisk and ridden on a centaur and, of course, dealt with Voldemort.
But the concept of a man -- of Draco -- being able to have children seemed too far-fetched to even contemplate. The idea seemed to condense into a cold lump in the pit of his stomach and he wasn’t sure whether he was enthralled or appalled by it.
The part of him that was enthralled was already wondering what it would be like to carry a life inside him. To feel that life growing and developing must, he decided be one of the most intimate and incredible experiences a person could have. Could a mother sense the magic of their baby? He remembered Neville saying something about being aware of his and Luna’s baby -- that he could feel Virginia kicking and that he would talk to her, but surely Luna could sense even more. It was her blood flowing through their daughter’s veins and arteries.
Harry’s hand had strayed unconsciously to his stomach, and he quickly moved it away as he tried to work out what actually appalled him about the idea. In the end it came down to the fact that men just weren’t supposed to have children.
But if Joukahainen (and Draco) were Veela, did that make a difference? He tried to remember whether Veela were considered ‘creatures’ like werewolves and if they came under the control of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He didn’t remember Fleur saying anything about controls or regulations, but then she wasn’t full-Veela.
Then his Confunded mind became fixated on the one beautiful, wonderful perfect kiss he’d shared with Draco the previous Sunday and how it had felt to press against him. What, he wondered, would it have been like to feel the round swell of a pregnant belly rather than those smooth hard muscles?
He felt himself suddenly go warm. Could he father a Veela child? What would it be like to know it was his baby inside that stomach? To place his hands on the round belly, lean his ear to the warm skin and maybe hear his own child’s heartbeat? The warmth changed to almost a swoon and he suddenly realised someone had said his name.
“Harry, are you okay? Harry?”
He pulled himself from his confused thoughts, which still kept insisting men don’t have children, and finally realised Aino was touching his hand.
“Didn’t you know?” she asked. “About Veela offspring?”
“No. I ... um ... to be honest I don’t really know that much about Veela at all.” Harry looked from the hand to the woman’s face and saw it soften in understanding. “The only Veela I’ve ever seen were a group with the Bulgarian Quidditch team when they won the World Cup.”
“Ah yes, the Bulgarian clan -- we don’t have much to do with them. Their -- customs -- are just a little different.” There was disdain in the woman’s voice that reminded Harry of how many wizards and witches talked about Muggles.
“And my best friend’s sister-in-law is part-Veela. That’s the scope of my knowledge, unfortunately.” Harry shrugged, feeling just a little embarrassed and slightly stupid. Where was Hermione when he needed her? “Um... can you tell me about them? About your brother?” He vaguely remembered Aino referring to him in the past tense.
She patted his hand and looked into the flames for a moment before answering. “Jouko was my twin. He met Draco during your war with Voldemort and they worked together. When Draco moved to Finland after the war, he met up with Jouko again and they bonded. Arlen was born within the year and about a month before his third birthday, Jouko was killed in a skiing accident.”
Harry swallowed and this time it was he who touched her hand. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I... It must have been hard for you all.”
Aino nodded. “He was my twin, so breaking that link was very difficult. And his bond with Draco.” She squeezed his hand. “You see, Veela bond for life and often the remaining partner finds it almost impossible to continue without their mate. It’s taken Draco a long time to come to terms with the loss.”
“Is he okay?”
“Now he is.” She finally looked at him, meeting his eyes. “Harry, Veela instinctively know who their mates are. Jouko knew it would be Draco almost from the moment they first met.”
“But ... um ... doesn’t that mean Draco didn’t have a choice?” Harry voiced his real concern about being involved with a Veela, of being pulled into a relationship not really wanted. “Don’t Veela have some sort of charm thing?” He saw the woman try not to smile and he felt himself redden with embarrassment.
“Well, there is something. It’s what’s making it so easy for you to talk with me. And if a Veela picked you for his or her mate then you would be aware of them, though the pull wouldn’t be as strong for you because you have no Veela blood.” She paused and stared at him, her green eyes boring into him. Harry almost instinctively leaned back. “Although there might be some. The Council should look into that.”
“What? Why?”
“Veela-Wizard bondings were much more common in the past. Most Wizarding families have some Veela in their bloodline, but the Veela gene can lay dormant for many generations, rather like it does in Wizarding families. I’m sure if you trace the bloodline of most Muggle-born you will find magical people in their past and the same applies to what you call Squibs. The magical gene hasn’t been lost, it is merely sleeping.”
“Oh, right. Ron -- the friend with the Veela sister-in-law -- has a relative who I think he said was a Squib.”
“Well, his relative probably married and had children, but I expect he'll hide the fact he came from a magical family. His children and grandchild will never know of his true background and over the generations it will be forgotten. Some when in the future, the gene will awaken and it will look like the child has no magical background and thus, is a Muggle-born. The same thing happens with some Veela.”
“Like Draco?”
“You will have to ask him about that. It is not my story to tell.”
He thought to argue the point but quickly realised it would be pointless. “What if a Veela picks someone who doesn’t love them?”
“Imagine for a moment, Harry, that I had chosen you as a mate. You have no feelings for me.”
“Well, no, but I like you and you seem a nice person and ... well ... I like boys.”
Aino chucked. “I am talking hypothetically. Suppose for a moment that you liked girls and you liked me but nothing more. That might be the start. We might become friends and see if there was a connection between us, and maybe, eventually, we might bond. But I can’t make you fall in love with me nor can I force a bond on you.”
“Never?”
“There are always some who will abuse their magical gifts. Isn’t that true of wizards and witches as well?” Harry nodded. “I can’t speak of other clans, but in mine there hasn’t been an illegal bond in over one hundred years. Bond mates are fiercely protective of each other and for something that strong and powerful there has to be a spark to nurture, some feelings to begin with. Without that the Veela wouldn’t have picked up on that person to begin with.”
Harry frowned. “I think I understand. If Draco hadn’t cared for Joukahainen to begin with then your brother wouldn’t have sought him out as a mate.”
“Of course.”
“But if a Veela is drawn to a mate and that mate refuses, what happens? Will they ever find someone else?”
Aino looked uncomfortable with the question. “It ... it’s very personal. Some find another, some pine away. It depends on how involved the two were when one pulls away.” She suddenly shifted closer, her voice quiet and composed. “Harry, I am speaking out of turn because it isn’t seemly to discuss such things. Such things are between a Veela, his or her intended mate and the Council of Elders. I know you and Draco have a history -- that you and he were not friends at Hogwarts. I know that this changed somewhat during the war because you had to work with him. Draco has struggled since Jouko died; it’s hard enough to lose a mate but to do so while bringing up a child is even more difficult. He has his Wizarding family, his mother of course, but his bond with Jouko makes him part of my family, not only through marriage. He is as much my brother as Jouko was and I will not see him hurt in any way. Do you understand?”
The threat in the woman’s voice was so abundantly clear that Harry thought he could feel it vibrating through his skin. He remembered how the Veela at the Quidditch World Cup had changed from being incredibly beautiful to scary bird-like creatures with long scaly wings when they became angry. Aino hadn’t changed like that, but there was something about her that made him think of one of those angry birds.
Was she trying to scare him off or just making sure he wasn’t playing games with Draco?
He stared at Aino, determined not to break her gaze. He wanted to tell her that he’d fallen in love with Draco many years ago but had never told him. He wanted to tell her how he’d spent his time watching Draco from afar so sure that his feelings weren’t returned and when he’d finally plucked up the courage to tell him, Draco had left for Finland and it was too late.
He wanted to tell her that he would never do anything to hurt Draco, but that he was scared. Scared of being pulled into something he couldn’t control and of a people and culture he didn’t understand.
Then, just as he prepared himself to say all these things, Harry realised they were no longer alone. Draco and Arlen were standing at the foot of the stairs, the boy dressed in pyjamas and dressing gown, his hand gripped tightly around his father’s.
Pushing aside his blanket, Harry shuffled forward to sit on the edge of the sofa and smiled at the boy. “Hi. All dry now?”
Arlen glanced up at his father who nodded at him and gestured at Harry. Releasing his hand, he crossed the few steps to stand in front of Harry. “Yes, all dry now.” Then suddenly, he launched himself at Harry, arms twisting around his neck. “Thank you. I’m sorry.” He held on just long enough to say those four words and then pulled away, giving Harry a cheeky little smile as he whispered. “Maybe Santa Claus will bring me a fishing rod.”
With that Arlen rushed back to his father, whispered something to Draco who nodded. Arlen disappeared into the kitchen, leaving the three adults alone.
The silence dragged on and it was finally Draco who broke it. “Thank you.”
Harry came to his feet. “Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine. Apparently he was after a fish and the branch gave way.” Draco rubbed his hands together thoughtfully. “He might have died if you hadn’t got there so fast. I’ve never seen Apparition like that.”
“It’s something Hermione came up with. She’ll probably try to teach you if you ask nicely.” Harry winced at the banality of the conversation. “Draco....”
“Are you okay?”
He nodded. “I am now. That water was bloody cold, but Aino helped with some warming and drying spells. I’m just glad Arlen is fine.”
A wry smile crossed Draco’s face. “One can always count on a Gryffindor to save the day.”
Harry returned the look. “What would you do without us?” Then he made a decision. He needed to get away before he made any more stupid mistakes and also to absorb all that Aino had said to him. Plus there was her little warning to think about and to decide whether she was trying to scare him away or just warning him to be careful with Draco. Then a new thought surfaced. Was she jealous of him? Did she want Draco herself even though she was his sister-in-law?
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I just want to say I’m sorry about Justin prying into your life. As soon as I talked to him I realised it was a bad idea and I didn’t think he’d do anything else after I told him not to.” He held out the sheet of paper. “This was the copy of the certificate he gave me but the water’s ruined it.” When Draco didn’t move, Harry put it down on the arm of a chair. “I better go. You know how drying spells can leave clothes a bit uncomfortable.”
“You haven’t had tea yet.”
“Another time perhaps?” Harry reached for his coat. “You need to concentrate on Arlen, not on visitors at the moment.”
Draco nodded as he finally picked up the paper and stared at it before screwing it into a ball and shoving it in his pocket. For a moment Harry was sure Draco was going to ask him not to go, but it never came. Instead Draco took hold of his coat and helped Harry put it on, smoothing it across Harry’s shoulders. “Are you spending the weekend here?”
Harry looked back over his shoulder. This was the closest he’d been to Draco since he’d arrived at Squirrel’s Leap and the other man’s hands were still on his shoulders. All he had to do was turn a little more and he would be able to place a kiss on Draco’s slightly parted lips. He licked his own lips and the sight of Draco subconsciously mirroring him was enough. “I’m not sure yet. It depends.”
“On what?”
“On things.” He turned, feeling Draco’s hands follow the movement before dropping away. “It’s Christmas next week and I haven’t started shopping yet so I’ll probably brave Diagon Alley tomorrow.”
“Diagon Alley the Saturday before Christmas? Not a good idea.”
“Well,” Harry shrugged. “Needs must. Goodnight, Draco. I never meant to betray any confidences.” With that, he leaned in the last few inches and swept his lips over Draco’s mouth in a kiss that he hoped was enough for friendship but didn’t push too far. He deliberately pulled away before Draco had chance to respond and gave what he hoped was a soft flirtatious smile before turning to Aino. He took her hand and squeezed it. “And thanks ... for everything.”
****
They watched Harry leave, turning the collar of his coat up against the few flakes of snow that were now falling. He weaved as he closed the garden gate and disappeared into the darkness.
“What were you talking about?” Draco closed the door.
“About the Veela.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “No wonder he wanted to leave.”
Aino picked up Harry’s discarded blanket and folded it. “He asked, would you rather I refused. And you could have made him stay if you wanted him to. You’re a Veela after all.”
“I want him to want me because he cares, not because I’ve charmed him in some way.” Draco pushed his hand through his hair.
“Then go after him.”
“No, not now.” He looked thoughtfully in the direction Harry had disappeared. “Besides, he’s Apparated away.” His frown deepened as he tried to pick up the underlying link already forming with Harry. “I’m not sure where, probably back to London.”
“Daddy.”
Draco turned, crouching down as he picked Arlen up. “Are you all warm now?”
Arlen nodded. “Where did Harry go?”
“Oh, he had to leave, but I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
“Good. I like him. He’s like Isi, but with black hair.”
Draco though about Jouko with his vivid green eyes and white-blond hair falling halfway down his back. “Yes, Arlen, he is a bit like Isi.”
---
Chapter Ten ... Hot Chocolate and Cold Snowflakes
A/N Isi also means ‘daddy’ or ‘dad’ in Finnish. Arlen called Jouko Isi and Draco Iskä as a way of distinguishing between his two fathers.
---