Harry Potter and The Charming Prince (BP7)

Draco sighed, and reached for Harry, sliding his silver arm around his husband's waist, holding him firmly while he petted Harry's hair with the other, kissing the top of his head. "I now understand some of what my parents complained about," he admitted.

Harry laid his head on Draco's shoulder and stood there in the circle of his husband's arms. The endless images of what could have happened wouldn't stop running through his mind but, even worse, the image of Valen's angry face as he yelled at Harry was the one that kept looping back in over and over.

"I just don't know what to do with him sometimes," Harry said quietly, leaning against Draco. "He so strong-willed. What are we supposed to do with him?"

"The irony is he isn't really doing anything you or I didn't do as well," Draco said, huffing. "He's curious about things."

"Just because we would have done it doesn't mean he can," Harry replied, pulling back enough to look into Draco's face. "If the wrong person would have seen him ...." He shook his head, his stomach clenching tightly at even the thought of what could have happened.

Draco had been angry and frightened, but he was calming down now. He could feel Harry still trembling with it though, the man's magic still making Draco shiver. Draco pulled back, "Let's talk in the study," he said, leading his husband to the room and closing the door.

Harry wrapped both arms around his torso and looked at Draco. There were times, with Valen, as if Harry felt he were flying blind with nothing to guide him and it scared him that he might make a mistake that couldn't be fixed. "We could have lost him today, Draco," Harry said and then gave a strange laugh. "We did lose him! But – but it could have turned out differently and I don't think he gets that."

Draco frowned, reaching out to push his fingers through his Harry's hair. He didn't want to further upset Harry but he had to speak up. "My father faced some of these same problems with me, but I don't think his methods will work for us. I was the only son of Lucius Malfoy. Not only wealthy and powerful, but a man with more than a few enemies. And I was easily recognisable for many of the same reasons."

"No," Harry muttered, green eyes flashing. "I'm not interested in his methods but ... I do want to keep our son safe. It's different with Sev and April but Valen is getting older; what can we do?"

"Do you remember me telling you that the day we met in Madam Malkin’s Robe Shop was the first time I had ever met anyone who wasn't either a friend of or working for my father?" Draco asked.

Harry nodded, forcing back the small smile that wanted to emerge when he recalled the haughty blond boy in the robe shop.

Draco did smile a little, remembering falling all over himself trying to impress Harry. He had wanted to be close to him even then. "And did you think I hung out with Crabbe and Goyle for their exciting conversational skills?" Draco teased.

Harry snorted. "I figured they were for your protection, actually," He smiled and teased back, "You rather needed it with the way you shot your mouth off all the time."

Just the mention of it, brought back memories for Draco. "Fighting with you was the only chance I had then. You have asked in the past why we never spoke alone together before sixth year. Hard to dodge those two before my dad went to Azkaban," he explained. "And that was nothing compared to the control my father had over my life when I was not at school."

Harry frowned, hating what Draco had gone through as a child. "But I don't want to treat Valen like that."

"Wealthy children have bodyguards, Harry," Draco said. "I think that is true in the Muggle world, as well. Do you know a better way to protect him?"

"A bodyguard?" Harry blurted out, his eyebrows nearly disappearing into his hairline. "Are you saying we should hire a bodyguard for a nine year old child?"

Draco sighed, pulling his husband over to the sofa and sitting down. "I don't know about that, yet. The other thing my father used was his reputation. People were afraid to cross him. Afraid of what he would do if they did."

Harry sat back, looking at Draco seriously. "Well," he said, his voice hard now, "Anyone who harmed any of our children would have to deal with a couple very powerful fathers."

Draco nodded. Harry was very powerful and people knew he had defeated Voldemort. Few knew just how powerful he was though. "Yet, most people don't think of the great Harry Potter as capable of revenge."

Harry's eyes narrowed. "I think I can be capable of quite a lot of revenge when it comes to my kids."

"Do you remember what I did to the Daily Prophet?" Draco asked.

"Yes," Harry replied. "We still own it."

"And one of the reasons no other paper has pulled anything like that is I made sure they knew we were the ones responsible for firing those involved. This is where using my father's tactics helped us. I have been thinking about letting it be known in gossip that the Lestrange brothers disappeared from custody because of us." Draco watched Harry's face carefully as he explained. Draco knew Harry had not liked it when he had explained why Narcissa might have been afraid of them. Now he was talking about using that power.

Harry frowned as he considered what Draco was saying. "And you really think that would help protect the kids?" he asked.

"I think we are still going to have to be very careful whenever they are out in public. But I think it might help if those who would wish to harm us through our kids knew that Rodolphus Lestrange isn't just missing. If they knew that he died in our dungeon." Draco met his husband's eyes as he said it. It was one of the things that they had kept secret even from most of the people on their side.

Staring at the floor, Harry thought about what Draco was telling him and sighed. He hated giving others more reasons to whisper about him and his family, but the stakes were much higher now than just momentary discomfort. Harry would do anything necessary, or unnecessary, to keep his children safe. He nodded and looked up at Draco. "If it would help our kids and scare away others then I think we should do it."

"Yes, the type of people who would hurt children would be less likely to do so if it meant that we would kill them," Draco answered, stroking Harry's arm soothingly. It was difficult for Harry but Draco was proud the man was letting Draco use his Slytherin instincts to help them. "In the meantime, we will just have to make sure Valen understands the danger he put himself in.

"I know," Harry agreed, now running both hands through his hair. "I just don't know how to get through to him sometimes."

"We will have to be quite strict with the children in public. I know you don't like that part, but it is important to teach them discipline that might save their lives." Draco sighed, feeling an eerie shiver at the way this echoed Lucius again.

Harry made a face at that but nodded. "I know but it's just that -" he sighed. "You're right."

Draco leant forward to kiss and hold his husband for a couple minutes before pulling back again. "So what punishment do we set for our wayward boy?"

"I don't know," Harry said, wondering what would make an impression on Valen. "Maybe take something away from him that he likes?"

"You won't like it," Draco said, sighing.

"Won't like what?" Harry asked, his brows furrowed. "Why would I have a problem with Valen's punishment?"

"I know you love to take him flying, but it's also the most effective thing to take from him," Draco said.

Harry's shoulders slumped and his face fell before he looked up at Draco in resignation. "Yes," he said with a sigh, "but he loves it too and whatever we do needs to make an impact."

"So no flying, not with his own safe-broom and not with us," Draco said. "How long?"

Harry frowned, remembering the times when he wasn't able to fly. "A week?" he suggested. "Maybe two weeks?"

Draco huffed and arched an eyebrow. "How much of an impression do you want to make?"

Harry looked up at the ceiling, head against the back of the couch. "A strong one," he said in a quiet voice.

Maybe Lucius had enjoyed punishing Draco, but Draco did not enjoy punishing his children. Yet, he needed to find a way to protect Valen from his own impulses. "Then a month," Draco answered firmly.

Harry held his groan in. He knew Draco was right; this was about protecting their children's lives but a month was going to seem very long. "A month," he repeated in agreement, less firm.

"And you can't give in because he bats those lovely green eyes at you or draws a cute picture of the two of you flying or some such thing," Draco admonished him.

Harry huffed. "Fine," he agreed.

Draco could picture it and he knew that it would be just as hard on Harry as Valen. So he smiled, grey eyes soft with affection. "You and I can go flying together in the meantime."

"Oh, well then," Harry began, grinning now at Draco as he thought about the two of them flying. "I guess a month will be just fine."

***

Harry and Draco talked for a few more minutes before deciding that it would be best to check on April and Sev before dealing with Valen. They found their two youngest children outside with their cousins while Ron joined in on the games and Hermione sat on a blanket, reading a book. There was very little to explain to Hermione since April had already shared all of the details of the afternoon. They reassured April that her brother was fine and gave extra hugs to Sev who seemed quieter than usual. Harry knew they would have to talk further with both of them since it was important that all of their children understand the dangers in wandering away. Not that Harry was in any hurry to go anywhere near Knockturn Alley in the foreseeable future.

Once April and Sev began playing again, Harry and Draco Apparated to the hall outside of the childrens' rooms. Draco didn't want Valen to be alone too long, wondering what his punishment would be since he knew his son was probably growing more agitated by the minute. Valen didn't deal well with the unknown, which was probably what drove him to explore Knockturn Alley. Harry pushed the bedroom door open a crack and saw Valen sitting cross-legged on his bed and his arms folded in front of him. Valen was staring at the floor, his face miserable. As the door was pushed open further, Valen's head snapped up and his eyes widened to see his fathers coming in to his room.

He jumped off the bed and ran toward them, throwing his arms around Harry's waist and pressing his face to his chest. "I'm sorry, Daddy," he pleaded.

Harry winced, laying a hand on Valen's head and turning his face to look at Draco for strength. He had prepared himself to punish Valen but wasn't quite as prepared to see his son so unhappy.

Draco scowled and shook his head at Harry. "Valen, we are glad you see that what you did is wrong. We need to talk to you about it."

Frowning, Harry brought his hands down to grasp Valen's shoulders. "Come on and let's sit down again," he said.

Draco Conjured a couple of chairs and gestured to the bed for Valen to sit down again. Valen shook his head and clung to Harry, a movement that reminded Draco of April.

At nine years old, cuddles and hugs were getting to be a rare thing from Valen and, although the circumstances were not good, Harry couldn't help wanting to hold on to his son just a bit longer. Harry sighed, feeling his heart clench a little as he stood back from his son. “Sit down," he said, nodding.

Valen looked sadly up at Harry, reluctantly released his father, and sat down on the edge of the bed, fingers twisting in the bedding as he sat there.

Draco waited for Harry to sit down. He controlled his face not to show his annoyance with the way his son was behaving. It was difficult to be the parent most likely to hold the line on discipline. He and Harry had both had childhoods full of unreasonable punishments. Yet, Draco feared for his son's future if they didn't teach him now.

Harry sat, glanced at Draco, and then back at Valen. "Now," he said, "we talked about it, and ... we've decided to take flying away."

"What?" Valen gasped, looking gobsmacked. He looked between the two of them, panicked. "You can't!"

"For a month," Harry said, his voice strong. He knew Valen was going to push back on this subject and Harry needed to stay firm. "No flying of any kind for a whole month."

Valen's shock quickly turned to a scowl. "But why?" he pleaded.

"Because you endangered yourself and your family," Draco replied with a coldness he didn't feel.

"My family?" Valen asked, looking genuinely confused

"You led all of us right into Knockturn Alley," Harry said. "There's a good reason we never go there, Valen. It's not safe, and it's definitely not a place for kids."

"Daddy Draco goes in there," Valen retorted and then winced.

"Not with you children with me," Draco answered.

Harry straightened up, looking his son in the eye, not liking this new tone from Valen. "Daddy Draco is an adult, with a wand that he knows how to use to protect himself. You are not."

"I don't need one," Valen said, crossing his arms and his voice as haughty as Draco's ever was.

"Oh, is that so?" said Harry, raising his eyebrows.

Draco's eyes narrowed, wondering what his son was playing at. The hairs on the back of Draco's neck prickled and he had the same eerie sensation as a Sensitive, as he had had when he first met Harry. Still he waited to see what his son's argument would be.

"I can do magic without it," the boy insisted, looking smug and proud with a lift of his chin.

"Most kids can," Harry said, wondering why Valen would state something so obvious. Accidental magic wasn't uncommon with so many children in the Manor. "You've been doing magic since you were a baby. April does magic sometimes, and even Sev does. It doesn't mean you can control it."

Valen frowned, looking less sure of himself. "I can make things happen I want to happen."

"What kinds of things?" Harry asked, noticing the way Draco was studying Valen as he spoke.

Valen cocked his head, held up his hand and narrowed his eyes in concentration. A quill flew from his desk to his hand.

Harry's eyes widened and he barely suppressed a gasp. "You can actually make things happen consciously?" He turned his head to look quickly at Draco.

Draco saw the magic, felt it on his skin, his mouth going dry when he realised just what his son – his nine-year-old – had done.

Valen beamed, looking smug. "Yes, I can send it back," he said firmly. And did.

Harry sat back a bit heavily, stunned. A large majority of his childhood had been spent with Muggles and he had no real concept of what wizard-raised children might be capable of or if this was normal. He looked at Draco again. "Could you ...?" he asked.

Draco shook his head. "I still can't do much wandless," he admitted, voice a near whisper. Not just wandless, he was thinking, but non-verbal.

Harry shook his head, wondering what this meant for their son. "How long have you been able to do that?" he asked Valen.

Valen shrugged but smiled. "You do it all the time, Daddy Harry. So I have been practicing."

Harry let out a strange half-laugh. "Well," he said honestly, "it's very impressive."

"It is impressive, but it wouldn't be enough if you were attacked by a more experienced wizard who wanted to hurt or kill you," Draco countered, trying to get control of the situation again.

Harry immediately sobered, the smile quickly fading. He had forgotten for a moment why he and Draco were there. "Yes," he said. "That type of magic wouldn't be any help at all."

Draco actually thought it might be if it could be used for Expelliarmus, but he wouldn't say that in front of Valen. "The people your Daddy Harry and I fought in the war would be much more powerful than you are yet. And some of them were never captured."

Valen frowned again, looking between the two of them as if not sure whether or not to believe them. "But I thought all the Death Eaters are dead or in prison."

Harry winced a little at hearing that title coming out of his child's mouth. He and Draco had always wanted to protect their children and now they had to tear away some of that innocence in order to keep them safe. "Not all of them," Harry admitted. "There were a lot."

Draco took a deep breath. "Malfoys have always been targets to those with grudges or who want to profit from our fear," he said firmly to his son. "You are my heir and that means you will always have to consider that. It is the price we pay for our heritage."

Harry couldn't exactly add to that, but he nodded, hoping that Draco was getting through to Valen.

Valen looked serious and held his head up, sitting up straighter. "I understand," he said proudly.

Harry wanted to laugh a little. He didn't think Valen could get any more like Draco. "Good," he said. "There's still no flying for a month."

Valen rolled his eyes at that and then nodded. "Yes, Daddy," he said with a heavy sigh.

Harry leant closer, catching Valen's gaze. "Your sister and your brother watch everything you do, Valen, and we're trusting you to think about that before you make your choices. So no more walking off when we take you out?"

Valen took a quick breath, that having apparently hit a nerve. He was quiet for a moment before nodding. "I won't go anywhere alone, without permission," he said.

Draco nodded, recognising the additional caveat. Valen was still curious about things and Draco thought that it wouldn’t be long before he needed to start supervising some of his son's explorations. His suspicions were confirmed at the way his son's gaze met his own. "Good," Draco answered softly.

Harry held out a hand toward Valen who took it with a lopsided grin, allowing himself to be pulled forward until he was half on Harry's lap and half on Draco's lap. This wouldn't be the last time Valen broke a rule and Harry knew that. But there wouldn't be too many times left in the future where handing out a punishment could still end with hugs and maybe a few tickles. Valen was growing up and trying to become his own person. If the wandless, non-verbal magic was any indication, he would soon be a force to be reckoned with and Harry knew that it would be more important than ever that he and Draco provide their son with guidance and infinite amounts of love. Today, though – today Valen was still nine and even though he had crossed the line and been defiant he needed to know his fathers forgave him. As Valen leant his head on Draco's shoulder, Harry smiled at his husband and did the same.