3,553Happy New Year! Sorry I'm a bit late, I didn't like how the chapter went so I made a lot of changes, plus I'm a procrastinator. Anyway, here's the next chapter!
Meant To Be
Chapter 41
Over the next few months, Harry and Tom continued to go out for dinner every Saturday baring if Tom had "work" to do. Most of the time, it would just be the two of them, but every other week they would take Wynter with them so she wasn't ignored. On the days it was just the two of them, Harry would pack a bag with her essentials for a few hours and take her over to Ron and Hermione's house so they could watch her, which they were more than happy to do.
The first time he had done so it had been hard. He had never been without her for very long, only when he went shopping, but she would be with Tom and she'd be okay and at home. But this time, he was leaving her somewhere else for a while with other people. Even though they were both familiar, it was just different dropping her off. He had given her a big hug and kiss before leaving. Wynter had been fine when they had come over and had gone straight to the small toy box that they had for her there, but when she saw him leaving, she had wanted to go with him and got upset when she realized she was staying here. There had been many tears shed, some by Harry before he was able to leave and get ready in time for Tom's arrival. Tom could tell that he had been upset and did his best to distract him by taking him to a very nice Italian restaurant and it worked, but his worry about how Wynter was doing was at the back of his mind the entire time, it was enough to drown out his nerves on being on a date with Tom. They still had a nice time though, but when they got back, Harry had left Tom at his house while he went to pick her up and she held on so tight only letting go when she saw her Daddy was there to see her and put her to bed. She ended up waking up shortly after Tom left and she ended up spending the night in his bed, curled up against his chest.
After that, she got used to being left with her Aunt and Uncle every week and when he would drop her off, she would just tell him "Bye, Bye, Mama," and resume playing, like it was nothing. Which it was, he would be back later to get her and she now knew that. It made Harry feel better that she was okay with it and he could focus on being properly nervous on his date.
He had every right to be because Tom did not do things by halves, they went to fancy restaurants from all over Britain, a few times even out of the country for some authentic Mediterranean and Mexican food. Though he did tone it down to more family-friendly places when they had Wynter with them, he had learned from last time. During their dinners, they would talk about everything. What they did during the day, Tom was a little more reserved as Harry didn't want to hear about the war. But all in all, things were going well, yet Harry still held Tom at arm's length, apprehensive about letting him any closer.
While yes, they were getting along, he was still scared and hurt by Tom's actions from before and was afraid he would do it again. Harry didn't think he could go through that again. He could see that Tom was trying though, and that was enough.
The only thing Harry had been worried about was their strange connection acting up with them being apart, but for some reason, it didn't. Maybe because it knew they were trying to work things out and not actively trying to flat-out deny it? He didn't know how it worked and hadn't given it much thought since Tom and he had decided to be together. He didn't think Tom did either, too preoccupied with being here for Wynter, that their connection hadn't been brought up again. He probably should look into it, but when Wynter was calling for him saying she was hungry or wanted to play…well, that was more important.
Wynter will be his priority and he did anything he could for her, but the whole thing with Tom was complicated. She constantly asked where her Daddy was and if he was coming to play, and it would tear him apart a little when he told her no because it would make her so sad. So, when they started date night, it would at least allow Wynter to spend time with him, even if it was only on the weekend. Tom was respecting his wishes and gave him the space he needed just as he told him to. And Wynter seemed to understand that they were working on whatever had made them sad because she wasn't as pushy as at the beginning of their separation. Not that he didn't push her feelings aside because he was still feeling hurt. Tom was still her father and if she wanted to see him, he didn't have the right to deny her.
One such night was shortly after Harry and Tom started going out on the weekends. They had only been out by themselves twice by then and things were still a little rocky. Harry had put Wynter down for bed a few hours ago and he was settled on the couch with a Quidditch book that Rom had let him borrow that had recently come out. He was just starting to think about heading up to bed when he heard Wynter start crying. She was usually a really good sleeper so he jumped when her cries came through the baby monitor spell he had placed around her room. He immediately jumped up and ran up the stairs to her room and turned on the light to find her standing in her crib. When she saw him, she reached for him, tears running down her cheeks.
"Shh, sweetheart, it was just a bad dream. It's okay," Harry said picking her up and holding her close, rubbing her back soothingly. "Mama's here."
"Muma," she sobbed into his shoulder.
"It's okay. Want to tell me about your dream?"
Wynter shook her head and cried softly trying and couldn't seem to sit still, looking for something or someone as well as holding tight to his clothes. "What is it? What do you want?" he asked her.
"Dadee?"
"You want Daddy?"
"Ye…" she sniffled.
Harry thought for a moment then went to his bedroom to the drawer where he had placed the journal Tom had given him. He had not written in it very much since Tom had always been there, but once he moved out, he had just stuffed it into a drawer and forgotten about it. But it was the quickest way to contact him. Shifting Wynter in his arms, he opened the notebook where he found several unread messages from Tom when he was trying to get into contact with him. They were all lines of apologies for his actions asking to talk in various ranges of desperation. It said a lot about how hard Tom had regrated his actions.
He shook his head and turned the page, this was about Wynter right now who was sniffling against his shoulder. He took a quill and wrote: Wynter had a nightmare and wants her Daddy. Can you come? It was late and he wasn't sure if Tom would get it right away. When there was no immediate reply, he walked away back to Wynter's room, continuing to soothe her. "Daddy may be sleeping sweetheart, I'm sorry."
"No Dadee?"
"I don't think so, I'm sure he'll come later."
Suddenly the doorbell rang, startling him. So, he crept downstairs and looked out the window to see Tom standing there. Warmth and little butterflies filled his stomach as he saw him and he quickly opened the door to let him in.
Wynter lifted her head to look at who was there and reached out when she saw her Daddy, letting out a hiccupping whine.
Tom took Wynter into his arms and held her close, rubbing her back. "Did you have a bad dream princess?"
"Ye," she responded, nestling her head against his neck.
"It's okay. Daddy will protect you, okay?"
"Oke," she said sleepily.
"I didn't know you were coming," Harry said as he led him up the stairs to Wynter's room.
"It took me a few minutes to dress, but I responded," Tom said.
"Oh. I must have missed it. But I'm glad you're here."
Tom settled into the rocking chair while Harry went down the hall to his room to check his journal. Sure enough, there was a missed message from Tom: I'll be right there. It made him very happy that Tom would come over at a moment's notice, but of course, he would, for Wynter.
Harry went back to Wynter's room and found her curled up against his shoulder with him rocking in the chair. "She looks content now," he commented taking a seat in the recliner across from him. Tom only hummed in agreement.
"Mama?" Wynter asked sleepily.
"Right here, jelly bean," Harry said. Wynter turned her head to look and then put it back down against Tom's shoulder.
"She scared me a bit when she started crying, I thought something was wrong, but it was only a nightmare.
"Did she tell you what it was about?" Tom asked softly, so as not to disturb Wynter.
"No," Harry said matching the pitch of his voice, "I asked but she either didn't remember or didn't have the words."
"Makes sense, she probably didn't understand."
"Probably. I tried to get her back to sleep, but she wanted you. I guess some things only Daddy can fix," Harry said with a smile.
"I'll come at any time or anywhere if she needs me," Tom replied kissing the top of her head.
Harry smiled and they lapsed into silence.
Tom closed his eyes and rocked with Wynter in his arms, rubbing her back in a soothing rhythm. After a while, he opened his eyes and looked down at her, and realized she was asleep. She was completely comfortable curled against him with her hair wild and unkempt around her small face that was peaceful in her happy dreams. She looked a lot better than when he had first seen her; eyes filled with tears and fear of an unknown monster. The fact that she had wanted him to make her feel better, to make the scary things go away, made him feel so much joy. He swore to make sure that nothing would ever harm her, real or imaginary.
He then looked at Harry to let him know she was asleep and saw that he was asleep too. He was curled on sideways in the recliner, his legs draped over the side, and his face partially burrowed into the cushion. It didn't look entirely comfortable, but Harry must have been tired, so he let him sleep a little longer. It also gave him some time to look at him. It had been a while since he had seen Harry so unguarded. It was constantly up around him like he was waiting for something to happen and Tom hated that it was because of him. He wanted it to go away and for things to back to the way they were, but Tom knew it would take time. They were already in a better place than before, it was progressing. One day at a time.
Tom eventually got up and put Wynter down in her crib and woke Harry. He watched as Harry slowly woke up and took the opportunity to gently caress Harry's cheek and run his fingers through his dark hair. He stepped back when Harry yawned and sat up, blinking blurrily.
"She asleep?"
"Yes. She'll likely sleep well into the morning."
"Yeah…" Harry agreed.
They stood in silence for a moment before Tom said, "I should go."
"Oh…um. It is late…You could stay if you wanted. We have the room," Harry offered tentatively.
"As much as I want to, it would be best if I don't," Tom said after a pause. Having Harry so close yet so far would be torture for him.
"Yeah, you're right," Harry agreed and turned to lead him down the hallway, trying to fight down his slight disappointment. It surprised him that he was even disappointed at all.
"May I come tomorrow to check on her?" Tom asked.
"Sure."
Tom nodded and with that, he left.
xxx
Wynter ended up sleeping in a little longer than normal, but that was fine after the night she had. When she did, she snuggled into his arms and looked around, and asked, "Dadee?"
"Daddy had to go, jelly bean," Harry told her. Wynter looked sad at that, so he added. "He'll be coming later to see you, okay?"
"Dadee om?"
"Yes. Daddy will come."
Wynter was happy with that, "Oke."
"Okay," he repeated and gave her several kisses on top of her head as she cuddled close. After a few moments of silence, he asked, "Do you want to tell me about your bad dream?"
"Ot."
"You forgot?"
"Ye."
"If you remember, you can tell me, okay?"
"Oke, Mama."
She then had gone back to normal playing with her toys but stuck close to him. If he left the room to go get something or to go to the bathroom, she was hot on his heels following him or waiting right outside. Whatever it was that she had dreamed of, made her scared of leaving his side.
The only time she did was when Tom came over in the late afternoon. As soon as he came through the door, she rushed to him and hugged him tightly.
"How are you, princess?"
"Oke," she said into his shoulder, snuggling close.
Tom hugged her close and looked at Harry, "Did she stay asleep?"
"Yeah, for the rest of the night and I let her sleep in for a bit. She was a little late for her nap, but she slept. She's just been stuck to me like glue the entire day."
"Did she tell you what she dreamed of?"
Harry shook his head, "She said she forgot, but whatever it was it spooked her."
"She may not even understand what it was she saw either. So, we may never know."
"True. We can just make sure she knows she's protected from anything bad."
But Harry did learn a few days later when he put her to bed and she didn't want to let him go.
"Are you scared?"
"Ye…"
"Why are you scared?"
She was silent for a moment. "Dadee on," she started to sniffle, "Mama on…"
"Mama and Daddy were gone?"
"Ye," she whimpered burrowing into his chest.
"Oh, sweetheart…" Harry said speechless. "We're not going anywhere. Mama is right here."
"No Dadee,"
"Daddy's here too, he may not be here right now, but he's still around, okay?"
"Oke," she sniffled.
"Do you want to sleep with Mama tonight?"
"Ye."
So, he had put her in his bed tucked her in with her Teddy, and laid down next to her until she fell asleep, then got ready for bed himself. Climbing back into bed, he had decided that even if he and Tom were still getting used to their new relationship, he won't stop that from Wynter being with her father. So, they had a new system after that. If Wynter wanted her Daddy, he would make sure Tom would be there. It was very similar to their arrangement when they first started, but this time was different. They spent time together as a family without touching, went out on dates, and Harry started to use the notebook to talk with him during the day.
Just random questions or if Wynter did something cute that warranted Tom knowing immediately. He now carried it on him all the time or at least had it nearby. He would ask him all kinds of questions. What was his favorite color? Green. What his favorite Quidditch team was? Didn't have one because he didn't care for the sport. Blasphemy! Favorite Food? Was Kidney Pie, and now it's the Steak and Potatoes that Harry made. Favorite Dessert? Chocolate Cake, anything sweet really. The questions went on and on with Tom asking his own questions with Harry responding in kind.
This was how he started to invite Tom over for dinner. It hadn't occurred to him before to have him over. Usually, Tom would come over in the morning or afternoon and would leave before then, sometimes he would come over after dinner time to be there to put Wynter to bed. But one day Wynter was playing with a toy train transfigured to look like the Hogwarts Express having her Teddy ride it as she made it drive around the living room, occasionally driving over his toes.
Harry was practicing some new cleaning spells he found in a book in the library that was a lot more useful than the ones he had been using. But that is to be expected with being in an old magic house and having an extensive library, he was learning loads more than from books he picked up in Diagon Alley. Some spells were admittedly a bit outdated, but there were others that were dead useful. Who knew there was a spell specifically for cleaning rust off of old pots and pans? He had been using the Muggle way with Baking Soda, Scourgify was a bit too rough. Anyway, he had been practicing wand movements when Wynter abandoned her train and came running up to him.
"Hi jelly bean, what is it?"
"A'nt Dadee?"
"You want Daddy?"
"Ye," Wynter said, nodding, looking up at him with bright green eyes.
Harry thought for a moment, then looked at her, "Want to invite Daddy over for dinner?"
"Dadee iner?"
"Yes. Daddy over for dinner," Harry repeated.
"Ah!" she agreed, bouncing in place.
"Okay, let's go ask him then." He picked up Wynter, found his journal, and had her sit in his lap at the kitchen table…
xxx
Tom had been working double time in his office trying to catch up on paperwork that he had put aside while he had been trying to get Harry to talk to him. It had not been his priority at the moment and now he was paying for it. It was all reports from his followers and plans he had for different parts of the Ministry that he had now that he wasn't spending all his time trying to kill Harry. It was certainly a nice change of pace if a little tedious.
Things were moving slowly, almost at a snail's pace which is why he went with the war route in the first place, it was quicker to force people into subjection with fear to make change happen. But admittedly it wasn't the safest, for one the pointless death and not to mention the potential uprising – case in point, Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. But of course, now having a daughter, certainly puts things into perspective for him. There being a war put Wynter in danger, so he was now looking at other avenues, mainly through the Ministry and the Wizengamot. Tom had already had a few new laws passed that on their own were harmless, but in the grand scheme of things…well, it was a start to his goal. Some of which he had told Harry and he seemed to be on board with it, if not his methods, or the old ones anyway. It was a start.
There was so much to do, yet he would drop everything when his daughter needed him and if Harry contacted him. It was why when he was in the middle of going through a very frustrating report full of spelling errors from one of his dimwit Death Eaters, he dropped everything when his journal that was connected to Harry's started to glow indicating a message.
He had been keeping it near him with how Harry was now using it to communicate with him. He was glad he had created it as it had come in handy. Opening it, he saw a bunch of scribble marks in black ink. For a second, Tom didn't know what they were and then realized that Wynter must have gotten a hold of Harry's journal. He was going to respond anyway, but then below the scribbles in red ink was Harry's writing: Daddy, will you come to dinner tonight? Love, Wynter.
Tom smiled and laughed quietly to himself. It brought him great joy in seeing the scribbles shining in black ink across half the page. His daughter was writing to him and she, with Harry's approval, was inviting him to dinner.
Underneath Harry's writing in a clear spot, he wrote, I would love to.
After a minute or two, more scribbles underneath. Yay! I can't wait to see you, Daddy. I miss you!
I miss you too, princess. I will see you later, at 5 pm okay?
More scribbles. Mama, says 5 pm will be fine.
Understood, I'll see you at 5 pm.
Tom traced a finger over Wynter's scribbles with a fond smile, he couldn't wait to see them but it was still quite a while before he could go head over. He couldn't wait to have Harry's cooking again.
After a minute, his journal glowed again and more scribbles appeared. Can you bring Nagini? I miss her.
He looked over at his familiar who was basking in the warmth of the fireplace. -It looks like we are invited to dinner - he hissed while he responded in the notebook. I will bring her. She will be happy to see you.
-Wynter-hatchling will be there? -
-Yes-
-I will go. Are we leaving? – she asked uncoiling herself and slithering over the floor to wind herself over the back of his chair.
-Not quite. We still have some time. – he hissed stroking her head.
-Not now? –
-No, I don't want to intrude too soon. -
-Harry is still mad at you-. It wasn't a question.
-Yes and no. We are still working on it. -
-Work harder. I'm tired of being surrounded by idiot mice men. You won't let me eat them. –
Tom sighed. -You can't eat them because they are useful. And I can't rush things with Harry, I have to go at the pace he has set. If I move too fast, I might scare him off…and I'm afraid I may unintentionally hurt him again. -
-Well…if you are trying to not be an idiot, I'll let it pass. But I will get to see Wynter-hatchling, yes? -
Tom smiled. -Yes, you will get to see her today. -
-Good. – She then went back to her spot in front of the fire. -Now hurry up. –
-I can't make time pass any faster, Nagini. –
-You should, - she grumbled and curled back up on the rug.
Tom just shook his head and went back to his work, but couldn't concentrate. While he had been over to Harry's place quite a bit, this felt different. Not to mention, he got to eat Harry's cooking again, he had missed it. But mostly he just wanted to see Harry and Wynter.
"You seem to be in a good mood, boss man."
Tom looked up to see Fenrir in his doorway. The werewolf was leaning casually against the doorway looking fully comfortable in ripped jeans and shirt, and barefoot as always. He had at least been generous to clean his feet. "I am. Harry invited me to dinner at his house."
"Things are going well, then?" The werewolf asked, taking a seat opposite him.
Tom looked at him suspiciously wondering what he was up to ask such a thing but he soon relaxed. He and Fenrir had gotten closer recently and had been a surprising well of information and advice on relationships which he needed in regards to Harry. He had been at a loss on what to do as this would be the first relationship that he cared about. Harry called Fenrir his friend, and as loathe as he was to admit it, the werewolf was as close as he would get to one.
"Yes, so far," Tom relented, "We've gone out almost every week for the last few months, and we've gotten closer. Certainly, more than we had been before."
"Have you fucked him yet?" Tom gave him a dark look and he raised his hands in defense, "I'll take that as a no."
"We are going slow."
"Slow is one way to say it. Kissed at least?" Fenrir asked, putting his feet up on the desk and then promptly taking them off at the Dark Lord's glare.
Tom sighed and sat back in his chair. "No. It is not…ideal, but I don't want to push before he is ready. I already messed up once, I don't want to do it again."
"Well…not taking off when he says he loves you is a good way to start," Fenrir stated.
Tom winced, "Not my best moment."
"But he's forgiven you?"
"Somewhat. We've at least moved past it. Harry's at least not mad and we're getting along, but he's been keeping me at arm's length."
"Is there…nothing there anymore?" Fenrir asked tentatively.
"No, it's not that. That…spark, that attraction we had is still there, I can feel it, but it's dulled. At least from Harry's end. It's that lingering fear, I know it is and I don't know how to make it go away."
"Time. It's going to take time."
"I know," Tom said, scrubbing his face tiredly. "I just," he paused trying to get his thoughts in order, "I feel like nothing I do will make it go away. He hasn't said it again."
"Do you want him to?"
That question surprised him and he thought about it. When Harry told him he loved him, it shocked him, he had completely been caught by surprise because he didn't think it would happen. Ever. Tom had long since considered the entire concept of Love as pointless and worthless. He didn't need it nor want it…that was until now. Harry had changed things.
"Yes," Tom admitted quietly.
"And how do you feel?"
"I…I don't know. There's something, whether it's that or not, I don't know."
"How about this," Fenrir said, scooting forward. "Do you love your daughter?"
"I think so? I'm definitely fond of her. She makes me happy, especially when she laughs and calls for me."
"Do you miss her?"
"All the time. I miss not being there when she wakes up, not seeing her throughout the day…" he trailed off. He missed just being able to just be there, seeing her just light up when she saw him and gave him a big smile.
"Okay, do you miss Harry?"
"Yes."
"Same reasons?" Fenrir asked with a grin, "Maybe with a few more added in?"
Tom had to crack a smile, "Yes."
"See, from my point of view, that's love."
"Is it?"
"Yes. You clearly love your daughter. As for Harry, I think you love him too…or at least starting to. It's not exactly the same way you love your daughter, but it's close enough."
Tom sighed and leaned back in his chair looking up at the ceiling. Why was this so complicated? He understood the concept of it, he's read books on it, but it could only tell him so much. He felt a fondness for them both as Fenrir had pointed out…but was it really love? He had no idea. Maybe Dumbledore was right and he couldn't love…maybe he was broken.
As if reading his mind, Fenrir said, "I know it sounds complicated and you're, like, really smart, so you're probably overthinking it by a lot, so don't do that. Just let it happen. I had to learn the same thing with Talia."
"And how did that go?" Tom asked with a smirk. If the stories Fenrir had shared about his mate were true, it certainly would be entertaining.
"Not easy. Like I had said before, she made me chase her tail all over the place. It made me so mad in the beginning because she wasn't submitting, but I found I was enjoying myself and I didn't notice until it was too late. I was a goner," Fenrir shared.
"Glad it was so easy for you," Tom said dryly and turned his chair to look out the window behind him, done with the conversation.
"You'll get it eventually. I believe in you," Fenrir stated wisely.
Tom could hear the smirk in his voice and he rolled his eyes. "That doesn't help."
"Maybe not... you just need to give it time. Harry will come around and things will make sense and happily ever after and all that shit." Fenrir paused, then said, "Besides, once you two get close enough again, you can let your cock do the talking."
"Get out," Tom snapped at him, and Fenrir roared with laughter and got up to head for the door. Tom sent a stinging hex at him for good measure and Fenrir yelped as made his way out.
"Good luck, boss man," the werewolf called, chuckling and the door shut behind him.
Tom just gave a tired sigh and regarded his unfinished paperwork with displeasure. Already the sight of it made him want to set it on fire. He had more important things to think about. While a pain in the ass, Fenrir had given him some things to think about, whether or not they were helpful to him, in the long run, remained to be seen.
For now, he had a dinner to look forward to.
xxx
After dinner had been confirmed with Tom, Harry set about cleaning up the house so it was in order and prepared dinner. The only issue was that he had started early and was done in record time. The problem with that was that he didn't have anything to do, so he ended up playing with Wynter on the floor with her cars, racing them across the floor. She kept him suitably distracted and entertained with her endless chatter and laughter. When it was close to time, he got her and himself changed and went right back to playing and waiting.
Soon it was time and the doorbell rang. Harry popped up from the floor and went into the foyer and stopped in front of the door. He glimpsed himself in a mirror on the wall and ran his fingers through his hair briefly before opening the door. "Hi."
"Hi," Tom greeted.
"Dadee!" Wynter squealed when she saw him and ran to him.
"Hi princess," he said reaching for her.
But then she swerved away from him letting out another high-pitched squeal of joy. "'Gini!" and went to the snake that had dropped from Tom's shoulders, and wrapped the giant snake's head in a hug.
-I've missed you Wynter-hatchling-
-Miss! – Wynter hissed back, hugging tightly.
Harry bit his lip trying not to smile, "You've been ditched."
"It seems I have," Tom said forlornly looking on in envy as Wynter paid special attention to his familiar, stroking her scales.
Harry snorted back his laugh, but at Tom's look, he just let it out, laughing loudly at the ridiculousness of it all. Wynter and Nagini didn't even pay attention, Wynter was bestowing Nagini with all the head pats and Nagini was eating it all up. If she had been a puppy, no doubt she would be on her back exposing her belly for rubs. That just made Harry laugh harder.
"I've been abandoned," Tom stated stepping closer trying to gain sympathy.
"Should I make you feel better?" Harry asked reflexively, then blushed and turned away. "I have wine," he muttered and quickly walked away.
Tom followed Harry's retreating form with his eyes until he disappeared into the kitchen. While he had pushed a bit, he had been a bit surprised at Harry's quick response. But he supposed they weren't quite there with the obvious foreplay banter like they did before. "Come on you two," he said to Wynter and Nagini and led the way into the living room. Wynter followed carrying Nagini's head, but Nagini didn't complain and the rest of her followed.
"Mama, 'Gini!" Wynter exclaimed when Harry walked back into the living room with two glasses and a bottle of wine which he gave to Tom.
"Yes, I know, jelly bean." Harry switched languages -Hello Nagini -
-Hello Harry. Master has been an idiot -
Tom signed shaking his head -So she keeps telling me -
-You are. Big idiot - Nagini responded.
Tom scowled at the snake, but Harry just smiled. -He has been…but he's getting better -
-Good. Maybe he will stop moping -
-I have not been moping! - Tom hissed scandalized.
-You have. It's pathetic -
-What would you know -
-Enough to know you're moping-
Harry watched with thinly veiled amusement as Tom and his familiar bickered back and forth. It reminded him of Ron and Hermione, oddly enough. -Oh, how I've missed you Nagini - he hissed interrupting them. He leaned down to where she was draped over the back of the couch wrapped around Wynter and kissed her on the head. "I'm going to start on dinner. Wynter, don't forget to say Hi to Daddy."
"Oh! Dadee!" Wynter exclaimed as if remembering it was her Daddy she had wanted to see in the first place and got off the couch to go to him.
Harry walked into the kitchen, but heard Nagini say -I got a kiss before you did -
-Shut up! - was Tom's reply before he greeted Wynter with a big hug and kisses.
Harry pulled out the Shepard's Pie he had prepared earlier and let out a deep breath. Despite the little slip-up earlier, he felt like things were falling back to the way things were. It had been a few months now since they had started dating (3 months to be exact) and while it was true he hadn't kissed him yet, Tom hadn't pushed and let him set the pace which had been glacial. But Harry wanted to be sure that things would work out and didn't want their relationship to just be a physical one like before. That had been their problem before. They were properly talking now, somewhat teasing each other like before, and spending time together as a family.
So, this dinner was the next logical step. Having the whole family here, Nagini included, felt right and he was glad he decided to bring Tom here instead of just going out. It made Wynter very happy too even if she was more interested in seeing Nagini.
The door to the kitchen opened and Tom came through, "I've been ditched again," he said passing Harry a glass of wine.
"I guess she really missed Nagini," Harry said, taking a sip.
"I supposed. It has been a few months."
"Keeping busy at work?"
"Just paperwork. It's a little backed up," Tom said leaning against the counter.
"Nothing you can't handle, right?" Harry commented.
"Right.
Harry nodded with a hum and set his glass aside so he could use his wand to cook the pie with his magic. With an old-fashioned household, there were no Muggle appliances, so everything had to be done with magic. He had been getting quite good at it.
"That smells good," Tom said, "It's been a while since I've had your cooking."
"It has, hasn't it? Maybe you should come for dinner more often."
"I'd love that," Tom said and they shared a soft smile.
"Dadee!" Wynter called pushing open the door, "Where go?"
"Right here, princess," Tom said, coming forward and picking her up when she raised her arms.
"Pay?"
"You want to play with me now?"
"Ye."
"Okay, we can play."
"Dinner will be ready soon," Harry called after them as they left.
"Otay!" Wynter called.
Harry continued to focus on dinner when he felt like he was being watched. He turned slightly and realized Nagini was there coiled up by the door. -Nagini? Did you need something? -
-No.-
-Okay…- Harry said looking at the coiled snake in confusion and turning away to get dishes out.
-Master is very sorry, - Nagini hissed after a moment.
That made Harry pause. -I know, - he responded continuing what he was doing.
-He's an idiot-
Harry chuckled, -So you've said. –
-You should know he never meant to hurt you- she hissed.
-I know, - Harry said softly, -But he did. And I…I understand why he reacted that way. But it doesn't make it hurt any less. –
-Idiot- she hissed again and Harry smiled.
Harry turned around to face the python once he was done cooking and setting everything in dishware. -I know you want things to go back to the way they were as much as Wynter does, as I do. But that's not going to happen. Not completely. We're working on it, and it is getting easier. -
-Do you still love him? – Nagini asked.
Harry was silent for a moment before he responded. -I do... but it hurts. It's kind of tainted with what happened. -
-Yes, I suppose it wasn't the ideal outcome. –
Harry huffed out a laugh, -I never expected it to go well. Hell, I wasn't ever going to say it in the first place. -
-Master is very pushy, - Nagini agreed.
-He is. – He gave her a small smile, -Keep an eye on him, won't you? –
-I will keep him from doing anything stupid –
That did make Harry laugh and he flicked his wand at the dishes and directed them through the side door to the dining room. "Dinner's ready!"
"Ime, eat?" Wynter asked running in with Tom right behind her.
"Yes, time to eat," Harry confirmed and settled her into her high chair. He scooped some Shepard's Pie, peas, and a few crackers onto her plate and set it before her with a spoon and let her dig in.
"Um!" Wynter exclaimed, taking a bite.
"Do you like it?" he asked her.
"Ye! Good Mama!"
"It is very good," Tom said, having served himself. He took another bite and savored it as he chewed. "I missed this."
"I'm glad it meets your approval," Harry said.
"Anything you make does," Tom responded.
Harry flushed, "Thanks." He took a bite himself and had to agree that he outdid himself, even if it was a simple dish. The meat just melted in his mouth with all the seasonings dancing across his tastebuds, the mashed potatoes were firm but not too much, crunchy on top and light and fluffy on the inside. Perfection. "I never thought I would find anything my Aunt taught me as useful or enjoy it, but I do like cooking."
"Is that why you do it the Muggle way?" Tom asked.
"Yeah. There's just something about preparing the ingredients myself that's just relaxing. I feel the same way about preparing potion ingredients, but the rest of it," he shook his head, "While similar, Potions is not like cooking."
"Well, there is less of a chance of something blowing up while cooking," Tom commented.
"Yes, so has Snape told me, many times. At most, while cooking it will just taste bad," He chuckled, "there is a risk of setting something on fire for both through."
"On fire?"
"Yeah, there was a guy in school who always seemed to set things on fire. Didn't have to even try. Really?"
Harry nodded as he slipped his wine, "First year we were learning the levitation charm and he set his feather on fire. We were just starting to learn magic too."
"Sounds like a regular pyromaniac."
"Definitely was. Throughout all our years at Hogwarts, he set something on fire in class at least once. It was funny, as long as it was none of your stuff."
"Your friend may have an affinity for fire magic."
"Oh definitely…I wonder what Seamus is doing now…"
"Something to do with fire?"
Harry laughed, "Probably."
Dinner continued along that line with each of them sharing stories about classmates they had. Harry found some of the ones Tom shared insightful because it was an inside look into the inner workings of Slytherin House, at least from 60 years ago. Like how Abraxas Malfoy had freaked out when he couldn't find a certain brush for his hair and tore their dorm apart looking for it. Harry also revealed that he had been in the Slytherin common room before in his second year. That had been quite a story to hear. Tom had been impressed that three Second years could brew the Polyjuice potion. Yet knowing Hermione, of course, they accomplished it.
Wynter enjoyed listening to them, looking at them each in turn as she ate (mostly with her hands) and tried to be sneaky in dropping some small morsels on the floor for Nagini – which she ate. Nothing new.
Harry and Tom were still talking when Wynter started to get fussy about being trapped in her high chair and kept saying "Out!" So, Harry cleaned her face and hands and let her out and Nagini followed to keep an eye on her while Tom helped him clean up. Once done, they took their wine glasses and went to the living room to continue their conversation and watch Wynter play around with Nagini, driving her trucks over her length. She occasionally came over to interrupt them with questions or hand them something.
"She's getting more articulate," Tom said at one point when she had given him a toy and said "ball" clearly.
"Yes, she's getting a lot better with her words. I talk to her every day and she repeats things a lot, so I have to be very careful. If you hear her say the f-word, that is Ron's fault."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I've told him, 'Watch your mouth,' but nooo. Now our daughter has a dirty word as part of her vocabulary."
Tom chuckled, "Sorry," he apologized.
"It's okay, it is funny, but I don't want her to have a potty mouth, she's not even two yet. Only 18 months."
"Yes, that would be very uncivilized of her," Tom agreed. "At least she didn't pick it up from one of us."
"That would be bad as a parent," Harry said, then grinned, "At least I can blame it on someone else."
"Convenient."
Harry nodded. "I am worried that she isn't socialized enough though. It was something that Hermione had mentioned about meeting kids her age. But I don't know anyone who has kids yet. All she knows are adults, the twins don't count as children as much as they act like one." He signed. "I was thinking of taking her to a park or something."
"A Muggle one?" Tom asked, at Harry's nod, he thought for a moment. "It would certainly help in her development. And get her used to other children. Her first experience shouldn't be when she first goes to school."
"True," Harry agreed, "I also want to expose her to more magical places, like Diagon Alley. Can't keep her from that either."
"That would require exposing the truth," Tom commented lightly.
"I know," Harry said softly, "But I can't keep her hidden forever, I have to come out at some point." They watched Wynter play for a moment before he continued. "We'll have to talk about how to do that. I can't just come out and have a child and expect nothing to happen when you are technically…you know."
"Ah, yes. I would be expected to do something, wouldn't I?" Tom asked and Harry nodded. "That does put us in a difficult situation."
"Yeah…but we can deal with that later. For now, I'll just take her to a park and see how that goes."
They continued on to mundane topics, Tom even agreeing on going on an outing with them to a park once she was used to it, maybe even having a picnic. Eventually, it did become late and Wynter started getting sleepy. Tom offered to give her a bath and took her upstairs to her room.
"Dadee, baf?" she asked as he ran the water in the bathroom.
"Yes, bath time," Tom replied and once he undressed her, he put her in the water, and she immediately started to slash about despite her tiredness. Tom washed her down as she sang out her ABCs up to the letter J, then it was just a mesh of gibberish. She tried her best though.
After she was clean, he let her play a little longer but started to rub her eyes as her sleepiness became more apparent. So Tom drained the water and wrapped her in a warm towel that he heated with a light heating charm.
"Dadee tay?" she asked burrowing into him.
"Stay? I'm sorry sweetheart, I can't."
"No? No tay?"
"No, no stay, he repeated.
"Oh…wrk on it?" she asked.
Tom chuckled, "Yes, I'm working on it."
"Otay," she said snuggling into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I keep disappointing you, Wynter. One day I hope I can stay."
"Otay," she said again and yawned.
He continued drying her off and went back into her bedroom where Harry was waiting with her PJs set out, Nagini coiled up under the crib.
"'Gini," Wynter said pointing when she saw her.
"Yes, Nagini is here to say good night," Harry told her.
-Nie nie- she hissed waving her fingers at her.
-Good night, Wynter-hatchling- Nagini hissed back.
Together they prepared Wynter for bed, working in tandem like many times before; drying her off and changing her into her pajamas. By the time, they were done, Wynter was fast asleep. Harry cleaned up the restroom of the toys and put her clothes in the hamper while Tom tucked her in and placed her Teddy by her side.
Tom stood over her and smiled, lightly stroking her cheek and smoothing her wild hair back. He wished he could stay and be here until she woke up, but the circumstances weren't right yet. One day, hopefully soon.
Harry stepped up beside him and looked down at Wynter's sleeping face. "She out?"
"Yes."
"I don't blame her; she had a lot of fun today."
"Good, can't have her be bored."
Harry smiled and nodded and they stared at each other warmly. Tom resisted the urge to touch him, but Harry must have seen something in his eyes because he glanced away, the tips of his ears turning pink.
Tom cleared his throat. "I suppose it is time I took my leave," he said. -Nagini-
-I will stay here, Master- Nagini hissed having retreated beneath the crib.
Tom looked up questionably at Harry and he shrugged.
-It's okay- Harry said -As long as she hides when Ron and Hermione come over-
-I will do so-
-Then that will be fine- Tom hissed back.
Harry made sure Wynter was tucked in and asleep before following Tom out the door and down the stairs. "Thanks for coming today. Wynter enjoyed having you."
"I think she enjoyed Nagini more than me", he commented making Harry laugh. "And you?" Tom asked turning around when he reached the foyer.
"I did too," Harry said with a soft smile. "I'd like you to come more often if that's okay."
"I'd love to." Harry was giving him another one of those soft smiles, and he felt something in his chest tighten. All he wanted to do was sweep Harry into his arms and… "I should go," Tom said, turning around, opening the door, and stepping through.
Remembering Nagini's comment from earlier, Harry stepped forward and called out to Tom. As he turned, he placed a kiss on Tom's cheek and stepped back inside with a slight smile. "Goodnight, Tom."
Tom had frozen in place trying to comprehend what happened, but said "Goodnight," and watched as Harry, a blush across his cheeks, close the door. He stood there a moment before he was able to shake himself out of his stupor and apparate to his manor and make his way to his bedroom. He didn't meet anyone on the way, thankfully, as he didn't think he could process anything at the moment.
Tom was rarely struck speechless and yet Harry had done it again. He had been completely caught off guard and unprepared for the kiss Harry had given him. It had just been on the cheek, but it had been more than he had gotten in months.
He lifted a hand and touched the spot on his cheek, it still felt warm from Harry's lips. He felt that something tighten in his chest again and was frightened of it, yet there was something else. Hope.
Hope that this was finally a step forward, that he was forgiven. Such a small gesture meant so much, but he couldn't let it get ahead of him, he still had a long way to go, but it was progress.
Yet Tom couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, tracing the tingling spot on his cheek with his fingertips. Hoping. Hoping that it was the first of many.
This one was a long one, but I've had a few of these scenes saved in a document for a while and they just had to get out there. Connecting them all was an issue though. I hope the flow was okay. I edited it so much because I wasn't happy with it and I didn't get it done in time for Christmas or New Years, sorry. I hope the length makes up for it.
There's a lot to unpack here. Tom is struggling with figuring out his feelings, Harry's starting to show his affection again, tons of Wynter who is getting older, and finally some action! Well, not quite, but it's getting there. Sparks are starting to fly. Maybe I should add a slow-burn tag...
Thanks for all the kind words last year, it means a lot that you are still reading this story, even re-reading it for the 50th time. I do read all your comments and try to respond. They keep me going knowing that there are still people out there reading and waiting every year for the next chapter. So thank you, I hope to continue to read your kind words this year as well.
Best of luck to every one of you beautiful people this year. Happy 2023!