The Slytherin Prince

Harry launched himself into Tom's arms as soon as he was through the Floo. “Hi! Missed you!” He pressed a kiss to the side of Tom's neck, which was the highest point he could reach without pulling the man down a bit.

“I didn’t notice you had gotten this much taller. Weren’t you six inches shorter last year?” He asked.

Harry chuckled. “Yes, thank you for noticing. Dad reckons I’m about done growing now. I might have a few more inches coming, but no more than that.”

Tom hummed. “Be careful; there are visitors.” He warned.

Harry frowned. “Oh?”

“Bellatrix came by to give her weekly report, and is staying for lunch.” Tom explained.

Harry’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He said.

“Yes, so you know how to address me.” Tom said.

Harry grinned. “Lord Voldie-poo?” He teased.

Tom looked horrified. “Do not!” He said vehemently.

Harry sighed. “Yes, Marvolo dear.” He amended.

Tom massaged his temples. “Without the dear.” He added in a weary tone.

Harry chuckled. “I love you.”

“I’m not sure why I feel the same, you are an irritating little thing.” Tom muttered.

“Let’s go, I can be good.” Harry said, leading the way out of the room.

“My Lord, I…” Bellatrix eyed Harry. “My Prince.” She said mildly.

Harry grinned. “Hello, Bella. How are you?”

Bellatrix looked a little uncomfortable, but she inclined her head in acknowledgement. “I’m doing well. How have you been? Have you had any more incidents at school?” She asked.

Harry shook his head. “No, everything is going passably well there now.”

She looked disappointed at that. “Pity. Your technique is very entertaining, I’d like to see you work someone over again.” She said.

Harry grinned. “Really?”

“It was beautiful the way you threatened him with drowning even when the spell prevented it. He looked absolutely terrified that first time!” She sighed, a wide smile on her face. “It gave me some ideas for next time we have a raid.” She said dreamily.

Tom cleared his throat. “While it is nice to see you two bonding, it is time for lunch. Come along, both of you.”

Harry smiled. “Yes, Marvolo.” He grabbed the man’s hand and linked their fingers as Bellatrix murmured, “Yes, My Lord.”

Lunch would be interesting, Harry decided. And it seemed he had found a friend in Bellatrix Lestrange.

*****

Cedric stared at his father. “Why didn’t you tell me?!” He asked, waving the paper in his face.

Amos Diggory frowned, batting the paper away from his face. “Honestly, it didn’t seem that important. The other three heirs have gone missing, conveniently, so why shouldn’t the fourth do the same?”

Cedric glared at him. “It is important, Dad. The other three heirs have surfaced recently, or haven’t you been keeping up with the goings-on at Hogwarts?”

“I heard Lord Gryffindor has showed up, but that’s only one other.” Amos said.

“Lord Gryffindor and Lord Slytherin are at the school this year, along with heir Ravenclaw. Now is the perfect time for us to enact changes long overdue.” Cedric said, then smiled. “So much is going to change.”

Amos frowned. “I hope you know what you’re doing.” He muttered disapprovingly.

“I do, Dad. I definitely do.”

*****

George was in the bed the room had supplied, having been unwillingly moved there as soon as his labour had started so that Madame Pomfrey did not learn the location of the nest. He was of the opinion that his mates were being unreasonably overprotective of the nest, but as soon as Pomfrey came into the room, he bristled and reconsidered his thoughts.

His instincts were screaming at him to run, hide, to protect his babies. He battled them back, only able to manage it by reminding himself that this woman had healed him numerous times in the past. He trusted her!

Still, he was wary as she approached him slowly.

“It’s alright, George.” She said soothingly as Draco stepped up beside her. “I’m here to help. You cannot do this alone, and I swear to you I will not hurt you or the babes. If you cooperate with me, we can be done with this quickly and I can leave you alone with your mates and little ones.” She added as Fred emerged and came to stand at the head of the bed.

George gritted his teeth as another contraction tore through him. He could feel that he was female already, and knew the babies were going to come soon, whether he was ready or not. He nodded. “Help.” He whispered.

Fred and Draco both relaxed at the word, coming to stand one on either side of his head, grabbing his hands and reassuring him that he would be fine, and she would make things easier for him.

Poppy nodded and walked to the foot of the bed, bunching the blanket up around his waist. “Right. You look about ready to start pushing.” She looked up and met Draco’s eyes first, then Fred’s, in clear disapproval. “First labours do not progress this fast, boys. What were you doing in the early stages? He should have started having contractions a few hours ago!” She scolded.

Draco and Fred met each other’s eyes and decided to tell half the truth. They couldn’t explain that it had taken an hour to get George out of his nest and onto the bed, but the rest was acceptable.

“He was hiding the symptoms at first, Madame Pomfrey.” Fred answered for them both. “We only just found out he was even having pains, and immediately came to get you.”

Poppy huffed and shook her head. “Foolish, stubborn boys.” She muttered.

George gave them both a smile, and his mates returned it, giving his hands gentle squeezes.

“Well, it’s time to start pushing with your next contraction, George. You’re lucky I got here in time, this part needs a healer, just in case.” She said. “Now, push!”

*****

Draco looked down at the baby in his arms in rapture. Grace Felicity Malfoy-Prewett.

She was perfect.

He glanced over in disapproval at his mate, as the teen tried to get up, since Fred had Faith.

“What are you doing?!” He snapped.

George shouldn’t be moving yet; it was far too soon.

George stood on wobbly legs and glared at him. “I’m going back to the nest! And so are all of you! Come on.” He demanded.

Draco and Fred cursed and went to support him, trying to help him and hold the twins at the same time, and George huffed a laugh. “Just let me get in and get comfortable, I can do that part myself.”

Draco relented, but Fred watched nervously as George got in and rearranged until he was reclining in the pillows, purring.

He held out his arms. “They need to eat.” He told his mates, and both of them reluctantly handed their new girls over.

George helped them latch on and his purrs increased as the girls began to suck, contentment filling him.

Draco chuckled as he and Fred took their spots in the nest, all five of them pressed close together and enjoying it. “They’re gorgeous.” He said softly. He smiled at George. “You did so good.”

Fred leaned in and kissed George. “We’re proud of you, and thank you for letting Poppy help. We wouldn’t have known how to do this on our own.”

“It was a close thing.” George admitted. “I almost couldn’t trust her. My instincts just wanted to run and hide, and do this alone.”

Fred chuckled. “And for the next one, maybe we can.” He said calmly. “But not the first time. Not when it’s twins and the first time, and the future Ladies Prewett. None of this could have been allowed to go wrong.” He said.

Draco nodded. “We couldn’t lose you, and we didn’t want to lose them, the world needs them! They’ll do great things someday; I just know it. Maybe we can do this alone next time. If it’s one baby.” He added firmly.

George smiled sheepishly. “All right.” He said, happy that they were so protective of their small family already.

Heaven knew, he needed a keeper.

*****

Two days later, a small package arrived via a house-elf.

“Who's this from?” Draco asked, taking the box.

“Wes not be knowing, Sir. But it bes for Fred and George Weasley!” The small creature told him.

Draco hummed and opened the box at their curious looks. He drew out a thick blanket, red and gold with a large lion on it, and smiled. “This will be good for all of us. It’s very soft.” He said.

The house-elf smiled and popped away.

Draco laid it over his mates’ laps, and George snuggled under it, both babies wrapped in sections of it.

Whoever had sent it was a few days late for Christmas, but none of them cared, when the gift was so warm and soft.

They fell asleep cuddled together and none of them noticed the subtle spells woven into the fabric.

Spells to sap their strength slowly that were activated by skin contact with the blanket.