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The Rise of the Drackens	By : StarLightMassacre Category: Harry Potter > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 769456 -:- Recommendations : 71 -:- Currently Reading : 219
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All rights for the creation of the Harry Potter novels go to J. K. Rowling. I make no money from this piece of fictional writing

Chapter List
- 109
- 110
- 111
Last Time
Draco heard Harry wriggling and then Blaise’s sharp chastisement came a bit louder as he whined at Harry to keep still, then Nasta shushing them both and that was the last he remembered hearing as he cuddled further into Max and finally let himself drop off to sleep. Tonight had been one of the best evenings he could remember having in a long time with his mates, all four of them, and he was very happy to have spent it as they had, with a dinner cooked by a loving Max, relaxing in front of the TV with a last cup of tea, and then everything that had come after, from the massage all four of them had given to a very deserving Harry, to the mind blowing sex, even if he did still feel a little overheated because of the still, humid heat. He wondered who was on night duty tonight, getting up to feed the twins, and Leolin too if he woke up for a feed, he didn’t really care as he just knew that it wasn’t him, he could stay in bed until the morning, he might even treat himself to a small lie in, that would be wonderful too.

Chapter One Hundred-Ten – Maddison Madness
Harry was so very glad to reach a break in the courtroom drama. Things had not improved in the slightest over the last few days. Richard had pressed for a long weekend to be granted and it had been, which meant that today, Friday the twentieth of August, was a free day, which was wonderful, as it was Alexander’s ninety-fourth birthday today and Harry would much rather attend the Maddison get-together than go back to court for a fifth day in a row and listen to more lies about him. Though he’d found that that wasn’t even the worst part of court anymore, it was the frustration more than anything that got to him, the silences, the lack of answers to questions that he’d asked himself over the years. He just wanted answers, and the frustration of not getting those answers, as the Dursleys tried to save every inch of skin on their own necks as they could, was actually getting to him more now than all the lies they were trying to get others to believe about him.
Harry had been up at daybreak, which in August was five in the bloody morning, and he’d been busy getting the kids organised, making sure the half dozen nappy bags were packed, one for Braiden and Farren, who were on larger nappies, one for Tegan, Regan and Calix, who were near the same size as one another and took the same nappies. Leolin of course had his own bag to himself, it was full of frozen teethers and chamomilla powder from Kailen, just in case he cut another tooth today, though his one single tooth was still sore on occasion as it hadn’t actually broken through completely yet, like everything with the Faeries it seemed, the tooth was erupting slowly. The fourth bag belonged to Eva and Ave, the fifth bag was filled with changes of clothes, sun hats and sun glasses and the last bag was filled with food. Snacks, little pots of fruit, a box of biscuits, several pre-made bottles with labels as to whose bottle it was and little food jars for the girls, just in case.
He’d taken all of the baby monitors with him when he’d gotten up and he had Eva, Ave and Leolin down with him at the moment. It was a rare opportunity to spend some quality time with his youngest children as the older kids were just so loud and boisterous and they were everywhere at once and they completely took the attention without meaning to. So he was very happy to spend this time playing with and encouraging his seven month old baby girls and his twenty month old Faerie baby, who was near enough on the same level as the twin girls, though the girls were getting a lot more mobile in recent weeks and Leolin still wasn’t.
He was currently cuddling Leolin in his arms, his Faerie baby had a teething toy in his hands, a chunky plastic set of colourful keys that Harry was sure had once belonged to Braiden what seemed like a lifetime ago now, back in his personal rooms at Hogwarts as his first child started teething. Instead of chewing on the keys however, Leolin kept shaking the ring, listening to the clacking sound it made and giggling in that soft, huffy way of his that Harry loved.
Eva was on her belly, exploring underneath the coffee table and Ave was up on her feet, cruising the furniture, her big blue eyes looking everywhere. She truly was their most active, mobile baby to date. She had been crawling the earliest, and now she was their youngest baby to walk. She was a Dracken baby born of Dracken parents, she had the biggest advantage possible, and she was using that huge advantage to force herself to her feet and walk. It was amazing to watch her cruise around.

“Ma.”

Harry looked back down at Leolin in his arms and he smiled widely at him.

“Are you alright, my love?” He asked softly and slowly, giving Leolin’s brain a chance to recognise that Harry was speaking to him.

“Ma.” Leolin replied. “Ma ma.”

Harry’s smile widened and he puckered his lips, waited for Leolin to recognise what he was doing and then that wet, dribbly mouth opened and Leolin mouthed at Harry’s lips happily. Harry kissed him over and over, exaggerating the kissing, smacking sounds to hear Leolin giggle, even as his Faerie baby mouthed at his mouth and chin some more. Harry got covered in drool, but again, he just couldn’t care, this was what wet wipes were for.
After their little session together, Harry placed Leolin in his little baby gym, where Leolin was effectively distracted, and utterly transfixed, by a dangling mirror ball that reflected the light. Harry watched him reach his hands up and grapple with the ball, pulling at it, hitting it, then going back to just staring at it. Draco was right, something about that ball completely fascinated Leolin, and whatever it was, it had Leolin entranced.
He went to drag Eva out from under the coffee table and he started a game with her, rolling her over his leg, as he used to do with Farren what seemed a million years ago. She giggled and shrieked happily and Harry smiled at her, baby laughter was completely infectious after all.
Shuffling and soft grunts over the baby monitor fifteen minutes later had Harry making sure that nothing was immediately dangerous to his children before going up the stairs to collect his other children. Of course it was Calix who was awake first. He slept the least out of all his children, because he was always so worried that he was going to miss out on something.

“Come on, monster.” Harry whispered, picking Calix up out of his cot.

“Mummy, down stair.” Calix told him.

“Yes, Callie, love, we’re going downstairs now.” Harry insisted as he first took the time to check on his other babies, all in their own cots every few feet around the entire wall. None of them were awake yet.

He left the nursery and he padded down the corridor to the stairs. Calix burbled happily as they went down to the family room and as soon as they entered, he struggled to be put down. Harry placed him on his feet, on the floor, with a small laugh and he watched as Calix went to the toy box and started throwing everything out of it. Of course the toy he wanted was right at the bottom.
Harry sat on the floor this time and though he kept an eye on Leolin, he spent most of his time with Eva and Ave, encouraging them to talk and walk, playing with them and then lightly wrestling with Calix on the rug. Then more grunting and talking came over the monitor and Harry had to smile as he heard Tegan and Regan calling out to one another and then they started a conversation with one another from their cots.
He went back up the stairs to collect them and he found them as he’d expected, sat in their cots, facing one another, just chatting. Regan stood when Harry walked in and he called out to him. Farren was also awake and Harry had a struggle on his hands to get the three of them downstairs, especially as Farren was his biggest, heaviest son. In the end he got Farren walking down the stairs, watching him like a hawk with his heart in his throat as Farren held onto the bannister as directed and went down one step at a time, very slowly. He was only twenty months old after all, Harry would have preferred to carry him, but his arms were full of a squirming Regan, and Tegan, who was chatting at a mile a minute in her own little language while prodding her finger insistently into Harry’s ear.
He only breathed easier when they reached the bottom of the stairs and Harry opened the gate and let Farren step down onto the flat, solid ground. He took a deep breath and let it out again. He shut the gate behind him and he walked with Farren into the kitchen and then into the family room, much happier to have his baby safely back on the floor once more.

“Bisky?” Farren asked sleepily.

“Not just yet, baby.” Harry said. “You need to have your breakfast first.”

“Bisky now?”

“No, Farren.” Harry said a bit more firmly.

“Want bisky.”

“No, Farren. You have just woken up and you need to have your breakfast first.” Harry said sternly.

Farren looked at him for a moment, then his eyes closed and he started crying. Harry closed his own eyes, but he ignored Farren as he put down Tegan and Regan. His nice, quiet morning was now well and truly broken, as he swept the room for Calix, only to find him halfway up the bookshelf.
He plucked Calix from the bookshelf and placed him back on the floor, only to get a smack for his efforts. He was not having that.
He crouched down, so that he was on eyelevel with Calix and he made his face as firm and as serious as he could.

“You do not hit other people, Calix.” He said.

Calix went to hit him again and Harry caught his wrist lightly and pulled it back down.

“No.” He said even more firmly. “You do not hit people.” He stressed.

Calix sniffled, then huffed, and then he joined Farren in having a crying fit. Calix took it further by throwing himself to the floor and lashing out with all of his limbs. He wasn’t near anything that could hurt him, so Harry left him to it as he picked up Ave and kept her out of the way.
Leolin didn’t even notice his brothers having tantrums, he was still grappling for the little mirror ball, reaching out for it, managing to bat it about, before he’d go back to staring at it for a while as the light caught and reflected off of the different discs, and then he would reach back out for it. His muscles were strengthening by the day now. Perhaps soon he might even be able to support his own body upright for a small while, instead of needing someone to hold him up. It would be wonderful to see Leolin sat upright by himself for more than a few seconds.

“What in the world is going on down here?” Nasta asked sleepily as he carried Braiden into the room from the smaller living room and saw Calix rolling around the floor and Farren just sat crying.

“I was going to ask the same thing, what happened?” An equally sleepy Max asked, poking his head into the room from the kitchen, a mug in his hand testament to the fact that he had come down first, ahead of Nasta.

“Farren wanted a biscuit and I said he couldn’t have one until after his breakfast and Calix was climbing the bookshelf and when I took him off he hit me, so I told him off for it.”

The gazes of both his mates hardened as he said that he’d been hit. All of his mates hated anything, and anyone, who hurt him, but after being in court all week, and all four of his mates working so hard to relax him after his time in court, and now knowing about the existence of those photos too, even if they didn’t know the content of them, of which he knew they were all speculating about between one another, anything that hurt him angered them.

“Did he hurt you?” Nasta asked.

“No. He smacked my leg and as I crouched down to tell him off, he went to hit me again, but I caught his hand and told him off again. He started crying and having a fit then.”

Nasta nodded and he placed a squirming Braiden on the floor and he came to kiss Harry, holding him for a moment. Harry heard him inhale deeply and he rolled his eyes, though he said nothing about it, it was fine as long as it was only the once.

“Bo da, Mummy.” Braiden told him.

Harry grinned and he squirmed from Nasta’s arms and he hunched down, taking Braiden’s hands.

“Bore da, Braiden. Good morning.”

“Bo jor, Mummy.”

“Bonjour, Braiden. Good morning.”

“Ciao, Mummy.”

Harry blinked at the added word. “Ciao, Braiden. Good morning.”

Braiden ran off, ignoring his still crying brothers, and he went to the mass of toys that Calix had already put on the floor and he picked up several cars.

“That one’s new.” Harry said. “Who taught him that?”

“Blaise did.” Nasta said with a smile. “It’s Italian. It actually means hello, but as he’s only two, he’s making really good progress. I’m very proud.”

Harry smiled at Braiden and then he turned to Calix and then to Farren. Farren was calming down now.

“Farren, come on, come here.” He encouraged and his big boy stood up and ran to him.

Harry wrapped his arms around Farren tightly and kissed him.

“I love you, Farren.” Harry said clearly, bending and kissing his son again. “I love you so much.”

“Muma.” Farren sniffled, holding onto him.

Calix, not wanting to be left out, came running over to hug him too.

“Love, Mummy.” Calix declared.

“I love you too, Calix. I love you both.” He said.

“Now, are the morning dramas over?” Max asked, sounding more alert and awake.

Harry nodded, holding his sons closer.

“Do you want some tea? Have you had any this morning?” Max asked. “Actually, how long have you been awake?”

Harry chuckled. “I would like some tea. I’ve had quite a bit already as I was up at five. I’ve packed all of the nappy bags, one has spare clothes, as we planned, and one has snacks and food jars.”

“So we’re going to get to go a little earlier than we planned?” Max asked.

Harry nodded with a smile. They were going to spend near enough a whole day at Alexander’s home. It was going to be the first full Maddison get-together that they had attended since their big bust up and he and Blaise had been so severely injured. Draco was naturally very apprehensive about it, but Harry would not accept any cruelty to his mate. Not from Max’s aunts and uncles, nor his cousins. If anything was said or done to Draco, then they would be leaving right away.

“Caesar spent the night there, he needed to because of the time differences, so we’ll be seeing him and Amelle as soon as we arrive.”

Harry smiled happily at that. He was overdue for a good chat with Amelle.

“Okay, who want’s what for breakfast?” Max asked.

“Omelette?” Harry asked unsurely.

“Oh, my love, don’t sound so timid and frightened. If you want an omelette for breakfast you turn around and you say ‘Max, get your gorgeous arse in that kitchen and make me a mouth-watering, fluffy omelette for breakfast’, you got it?”

Harry chuckled. “Okay. I don’t know why, but I just want eggs for breakfast. It’s unusual, this is about the time that smells start affecting me and morning sickness starts.”

“We’ll take it as a good sign and fill you with fluffy omelettes while we can.” Max insisted. “Nasta, what do you fancy?”

“If Harry is fine with eggs then an omelette sounds perfect.”

“I’ll make dippy eggs and toast for the kids.” Max said almost to himself.

“Do the kids breakfast first, as they’re all awake and Farren is hungry. It’ll give Blaise and Draco a chance to wake up by themselves.”

Max nodded and he went right into the kitchen to start breakfast. Harry cuddled with Calix and Farren some more, but ultimately the draw of toys was too much for Calix and he went to join Regan. Harry cuddled Farren tightly, as his big boy was more content to stay sat with him on the floor. Harry didn’t mind.

“Okay, breakfast is up, but I’ll need some help with spooning out eggs once they’ve finished dipping.” Max said.

Harry nodded and he stood, taking Farren to his feet.

“Breakfast is ready, Farren.” He said. “Go into the kitchen.”

Farren grinned, showing off all his little teeth and he was gone, making Harry smile. Braiden toddled past and Tegan followed. It was a struggle to get Calix to leave the toys, but they fought this battle at every meal time, so Harry left Calix to Nasta and he instead went into the kitchen, where a cup of tea was waiting for him, a baby on either side in booster seats, so that Harry could supervise and assist them if they needed it. The smell of the eggs and buttery toast only made his belly grumble, he didn’t feel at all queasy.
He watched happily, proudly, as his babies all dipped slim pieces of toast into their eggs. It made him feel all mushy inside, he couldn’t really help it.
He drank his tea and watched as Max looked after the babies on the other side of the table, helping Regan to dip his toast, then helping Farren to scoop out his egg whites.

“Morning, lovers.” Blaise greeted, then yawned. He was already showered and dressed. His small growth of hair was still damp.

“How are you, Blaise?” Max asked him.

“Fine. Draco was stirring as I got dressed. He shouldn’t be much longer.”

Max nodded. “Are you okay with omelettes for breakfast?”

“Sure, just fill it with cheese and bacon and I’ll be happy.” Blaise said, even as he boiled the kettle to make himself his morning coffee.

“Cheese and bacon for you. Harry, what do you want, gorgeous?”

“Cheese and red onion, please.” Harry said with a happy smile.

“Got it. Hey, Nas? What do you want in your omelette?”

“Peppers and mushrooms, please, Max.” Nasta called out from the family room, where he was keeping an eye on Eva and Ave, and little Leolin in his baby gym. He had all but wrestled Calix into his booster seat and strapped him in and then he’d left him to Max.

It never failed to amaze Harry just how diverse he and his mates were, even when they were eating the same thing they all had vastly different tastes and preferences. It made him smile. He was smiling a lot this morning.
Draco came into the kitchen and though he seemed awake and alert, he was in just a pair of boxer shorts. He hadn’t had a shower yet, he hadn’t even bothered getting dressed. He’d just pulled on his boxers for some coverage.

“Are you okay?” Max asked. “You’re not feeling sick?”

“No.” Draco replied. “I woke up and I was far too hot. It’s stinking up in our bedroom.”

“Ah, so you’ve come to cool off a little in the kitchen first.” Harry nodded his understanding.

“Yes. It seems like the best idea.” Draco said, sitting beside Blaise and taking his cup of coffee and taking a gulp.

Thus ensued a small grappling match for Blaise’s cup of coffee that ended with a snogging session. Harry watched interestedly as his two mates kissed and held one another, Draco holding the mug out of Blaise’s reach and Blaise trying to reach for it.

“It seems the heat has turned you into insatiable beasts.” Max laughed.

“Daddy, no.” Regan frowned at the two of them.

Blaise and Draco separated, the both of them breathing a little harder, but they both grinned at one another and then turned to Regan.

“What is it, love?” Blaise asked him.

“No do that ‘gen.” Regan said from his booster seat opposite them.

Harry laughed in surprise.

“We love one another, Regan. We’re going to kiss and hug.” Draco explained.

“No.”

Max shook his head, bent down and kissed Regan’s cheek.

“Leave him for now, he’ll get used to it. I won’t have my own children dictating my actions towards those I love.” Max said, ruffling Regan’s hair and then helping him to scoop out the last bits of his egg and spoon feeding him.

“What time are we going to your grandfather’s house, Max?” Draco asked.

“You’ll have enough time for a shower.” Max said with a grin.

“So we’re going early?”

Max nodded. “It’s been a while since Caesar and I have had a good catch up.”

“Amelle and I are due a chat too.” Harry said with a smile.

Max hefted Regan down from the table and he ran off towards the family room, Calix followed after as soon as Max hefted him down. Farren and Braiden had half a banana each cut into slices. Tegan wanted an orange and Max peeled that for her, slicing out the centres where there were a few small seeds still. After that was done he started cracking eggs and slicing up vegetables, grating cheese and frying bacon.

“Do you want any help?” Harry asked.

“No.” Max replied easily. “Just make sure you and Draco grab your showers, I want to leave soon after breakfast.”

Harry nodded. “Blaise, can you make up three bottles please and get the tea on? I can rush through a shower now.”

“Of course, Prezioso.” Blaise said, draining the last of his rescued coffee and going to do as asked.

Harry left the kitchen and went to their master suite for a very quick wash down where he mostly just got everything wet, washed his hair and then rubbed himself down with grapefruit scented shower gel. He was in and out within fifteen minutes. A quick drying spell and he padded naked to the bedroom and picked out something light and cool to wear, it was already edging on too hot and it was barely twenty to eight in the morning.
He hurried back to the kitchen, just as Max was placing down a plate of two omelettes at his seat.

“Right on time, lover.” Max grinned at him.

Harry smiled back and slipped ono his seat, picked up his fork and he tucked in. Draco was almost done eating and he would be in the shower next. Blaise, already showered and dressed, took his time with his breakfast and his second mug of coffee. He had handed off the three bottles to Nasta, who was presumably feeding all three babies their bottles.
Nasta was watching all of the babies at the moment, so Harry stuffed his food as quickly as he could without the risk of choking, drained his juice, picked up an apple from the bowl and took that and his cup of tea into the living room so that Nasta could eat his own breakfast and then jump in the shower afterwards.

“My glorious love!” Harry cried out, nudging Nasta and slipping into his lap while simultaneously taking a huge bite of the crunchy red apple.

Nasta smiled at him and held him close, taking his tea from him and then bending them both forward to put it on the coffee table. Harry was cuddled on Nasta’s lap and he offered his apple to Nasta and this time he let Nasta take a bite before he brought it back to his own mouth to take another bite.

“You really are eating healthily with this pregnancy.”

“Perhaps you’re finally rubbing off on me.” Harry said, then he realised the innuendo and he grinned. “In more ways than one. Then you’re a better influence when you reward me for eating this…” He said holding out the apple again. “…with earth shattering pleasure.”

Nasta laughed. “I love you, Cariad.”

“Nasta, breakfast is on the table, love.” Max called out from the kitchen.

“Go on.” Harry smiled. “I’ll eat this, drink my tea and then wrangle these babies into their clothes.”

“I’ll send Blaise in to help you.” Nasta said, shifting him to the side and then kissing him.

“Blaise is more a hindrance than a help, he’ll coo and squeal over tiny toes for half an hour before he gets the first sock on.” Harry grinned. “That head injury wasn’t all bad, I can’t believe he forgot how tiny baby toes are.”

“Blaise? You’re just as bad.” Nasta chuckled.

Harry didn’t deny it, he just grinned wider. He was left alone with his babies, though he could hear his mates in the kitchen, talking to one another, over baby shrieks and giggles from his babies in the room with him. Braiden came running in from the kitchen first, then a few minutes later Tegan came in.
With a groan Harry took the clothes he’d already laid out ready and he started dressing his children for the day…or at least half the day, as they would assuredly get dirty at Alexander’s party.
He started with Eva and Ave, as his youngest babies, they were the easiest to dress, after Leolin that was, but Leolin was contented in his gym at the moment. He still had milk on his chin from his breakfast, it made Harry smile.
He grappled with Regan to get him dressed, endured shouts of ‘no’ as he got Braiden dressed, which it seemed was becoming Braiden’s favourite word of late. He got Tegan into a summer dress, but she refused to wear the matching headband and kept yanking it off whenever Harry managed to get it on her, so he gave up.
He took a break and groaned for several minutes about his plight and then he had an easier time dressing Farren and then Leolin. Then came the worst perpetrator. Calix.
Harry got him undressed perfectly fine, Calix even helped him by pulling his own arms out of his pyjamas, but it was trying to get his clothes back on that was the problem and their little evil child went streaking into the kitchen to avoid Harry redressing him. Harry heard his mates’ surprised laughter a moment later.
Blaise walked into the family room with a naked Calix over his shoulder.

“Do you need an extra set of hands, Bello?”

“Yes.” Harry replied. “Pin him down so I can actually get him dressed. We already have to put him in button dungarees so he doesn’t strip off.”

“I still can’t believe he figured out those clip dungarees.” Blaise giggled.

Harry gave Blaise a smile for the giggling, but he said nothing about it. Instead he turned his attention to getting a nappy on Calix and then getting him into the tee-shirt and short, cotton dungarees.
Calix squirmed and cried out unhappily, but between them, they got him into his clothes and even managed to get him into socks and slip on dappers.
Calix looked at the new shoes on his feet and instead of crying like usual, he giggled and wriggled his feet.

“Oh, do you actually like those?” Harry cooed, looking at the pale blue shoes with the little whales on the front of them. “Max! You were right, Calix likes his new shoes!”

“Told you!” Max called back after a small pause, in which he presumably swallowed what was in his mouth. “Put cute little animals on things and kids will want it.”

“Maybe we should start buying those animal print nappies then!” Harry replied. “He might keep them on if there was a lion on the front.” He laughed.

Draco came into the family room and Harry had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Draco had a brush in one hand and a comb poking out of his pocket.

“I think I need some more tea.” Harry said quickly and he abandoned ship, all but feeling the glare boring into his back given to him by Blaise.

He made it to the kitchen and he boiled the kettle, collecting up mugs and lining them up in preparation. Max and Nasta were just finishing up their breakfasts when Harry settled down two cups of tea for them, white for Max, green for Nasta. He took a cup of white tea in for Draco and a cup of coffee for Blaise.
Draco had his legs wrapped around an angry Braiden, who was fighting to get away from the brush that Draco was pulling carefully through his hair.
Harry noticed that Calix’s hair was a little smoother and Tegan’s tangles were gone, so it seemed that Draco was on his third child. He’d roped Blaise into combing hair too…Blaise had chosen Eva, Ave and Leolin, the three babies that couldn’t fight back or get away from him.
Harry snorted and he went to get the big pram from under the stairs to set it up ready and that was when he encountered a problem. After spending the week in court, he couldn’t get himself to bend underneath into the storage space to get the pram. He didn’t want to go into the cupboard.

“Nasta?” He called out uncertainly, a little upset, mostly with himself, but at the situation too.

Nasta came hurrying from the kitchen at his call and he immediately wrapped his arms around him tightly.

“What is it? Are you alright, Harry?” He asked, then he noticed the open door that Harry was still holding and he put two and two together. “Why don’t you go and get the nappy bags. I don’t want you manhandling the pram anyway, it is much too heavy for you while pregnant.”

Harry bit his lip, but he didn’t argue, there was no way he could walk through that door and grab the folded up pram. He shivered, turned his head away and he went silently into the smaller living room, where he’d left the half dozen packed nappy bags.
Nasta came in a minute later pushing the assembled pram. He left it in the middle of the room and came to hold him again.

“I know that you’re not alright, but do you need anything?” Nasta asked him.

“Just…just hold me.” Harry said, throwing his arms around Nasta’s chest and squeezing him tight.

Nasta did as asked, holding him and pressing a kiss to his face.

“If you’re not up to this party, you know that Alexander won’t hold it against you.”

Harry shook his head. “No. It’s okay, I’ll be fine. I just…I think it was too soon, we were only talking about the cupboard yesterday and then trying to walk into it, I just couldn’t. It’s not even the same cupboard! It’s stupid, I’ve done it hundreds of times before and it’s a much bigger room than the one I was forced into on Privet Drive, I just…it was too soon after yesterday.”

“That’s alright, my love. Let me go…no, actually, let me call Max to bring you your tea and we can take a moment to ourselves.”

Harry nodded mutely.

“Max?!” Nasta called out. “Can you get Harry’s tea and bring it here, please.”

“Sure thing.” Max called back.

A minute or so later Max found them cuddling on the settee. He had Harry’s cup of tea in his one hand. He sunk next to them on the settee and he laid his large hand over Harry’s back.

“What happened?” He asked gently.

Harry shook his head. “I just…I couldn’t go into the cupboard to get the pram.” He said. “It was too soon after yesterday.”

Max’s hand cradled his head and a gentle kiss was placed to the crown.

“It’s alright, love. If it was too soon, then it was too soon. We’ll look after you, always.” Max told him.

Harry smiled and just allowed himself to rest between Max and Nasta.

“What happened?” Draco asked, coming to find them.

“Nothing, Harry just needed a moment to himself after trying to go under the stairs.”

Draco’s face hardened, then he brought himself back under control and his facial muscles relaxed again. He hunched in front of Harry and offered himself up for comfort. Harry turned in Max and Nasta’s arms and he hugged Draco tight.

“I am okay.” He said softly. “It was just a little wobble. It was really just because I was in court yesterday and the cupboard was brought up, that’s the only reason it affected me at all.”

“Are you going to be okay?”

Harry smiled and he nodded. He proved it by standing up and going to slip the straps of the nappy bags over the bar handle of the pram, to keep them safe. He had to put two of them actually in the pram to keep it from toppling over without a baby inside it.

“Right then, a moment of comfort and now back to business. Let’s get those kids wrangled up and let’s get gone.” Max said.

“Don’t forget your Granddad’s card and present.” Draco warned.

“I won’t forget them.” Max said with an eye roll.

Harry chuckled and he went about gathering up his children into the smaller living room, so he could keep a closer eye on them, taking a break between children to grab a few quick gulps of tea.
Regan had his comfort teddy in his arms, Leolin was toting around the little mirror ball, as he’d screamed when Nasta had taken him away from his baby gym and out of sight of the ball, and Tegan had her closest companion, her penguin, clutched tightly in one hand.

“Are we all ready?” Nasta asked them.

They all looked about and did some last checks and then they nodded one by one.

“Right then, Max, go through with two kids and wait for Harry, hand them off and then come back for the pram, please. Blaise, are you alright with Leolin and Calix?”

“Yes.” Blaise said, holding the two boys tightly, Calix was squirming and wriggling like a snake, but Blaise had his arm through the back of the dungaree straps and had him clamped to his front tightly, holding a chubby thigh.

“Draco, you have Tegan and Regan?”

“Got them.” Draco smiled.

“Harry, I know you want to carry the girls, but please, let us handle this. In your condition floo travel is dangerous enough, you need your hands free in case you face plant the floor.”

Harry sighed, but he nodded. He was getting better with age, and practice, but he would get worse the heavier pregnant he got and his balance was affected by the growing baby, or babies. He understood the need for his hands to be free to catch himself if he did stumble or fall.
Max went through first with Braiden and Farren and Harry followed him. He took Braiden and Farren’s hands and then Max went back through the floo to collect the pram while Harry walked Farren and Braiden through Alexander’s home and out into the garden.

“Harry, sweetheart.” Kimberly greeted him happily, having seen him first. “Oh, Braiden, Farren, look how you’re both growing!” She cooed, getting down on her knees to kiss them both.

“You saw them six days ago.” Harry laughed.

“I know, but they’re so adorable, and they grow by the day, they truly do.”

Blaise came out with Calix and Leolin and with a relieved grunt Blaise happily set Calix free on the garden. He immediately started running towards Myron screaming ‘Gan da’ at him. Harry watched as Myron turned to the noise, smiled the widest grin that Harry had ever seen from him, before he went to his one knee to accept Calix’s tiny body to his own in a big bear hug.
Out of all of Myron’s grandchildren, despite Calix being tiny, he resembled Myron the most. They had the same chestnut coloured hair and the same jet black eyes. Harry had to smile as Calix puckered his mouth at Myron, who happily kissed Calix and then dragged Richard into his side so that Calix could see them both.
Alexander made his way over to greet them, though Draco arrived with Tegan and Regan before he could even say anything.

“You didn’t have any problems I hope?” He asked smiling, touching Braiden’s hair gently.

Harry let go of his hand and hugged Alexander, Braiden was gone a moment later…he ran up to everyone and started greeting them in Welsh, French and Italian, to much cooing, praise and lavish attention.

“I am sorry, these kids are looking to be taking your limelight.” Harry laughed.

Alexander scoffed. “I’ve had ninety-four birthdays, Harry, sweetness. Letting these little treasures of mine have fun is much more important to me now.”

“Gwanda, eh no enta baba.” Tegan said from Draco’s arms, holding her own arms out to Alexander, her penguin clasped in one hand still.

“Come here, Princess.” Alexander cooed, taking her from Draco and giving her a big, squeezy hug.

Harry went to save Myron when Calix clambered up his body to his shoulder and started yanking on his hair.

“Calix!” Harry said in his best authoritative voice. “You do not do that to other people.”

“He’s okay…” Myron started, but Harry gave him a small headshake.

“He’s not, he’s taken to hitting other people. He hit me and when I told him off for it, he went to hit me again. We’re putting a stop to it now. There will be no hitting, no pinching, no kicking, no biting and no hair pulling. He’s older now, he understands and he will be punished if he carries on.” Harry insisted as he pulled Calix from Myron and put him back on the floor. “I’m pregnant now, we can’t accept any of that sort of behaviour, he’s almost two, its time.”

“How is the new clutch?” Richard asked.

Harry smiled and laid his hand over his flat belly. “If I hadn’t had it confirmed, I’d never have known I was pregnant. There’s no aches, no sickness, I had two omelettes for breakfast and nothing. Not even a feeling of nausea. I’m completely fine.”

“Good, that’s good.” Myron said, bending and giving his forehead a kiss. Calix had moved on to terrorising Alayla.

Harry sighed. “He is definitely getting naughty as he gets older.”

“I’ve got him.” Max said as he darted in to kiss his cheek, then dived off to rescue his youngest sister from having her hair ripped out by a very boisterous Calix.

“Is he really getting that bad?”

Harry considered the question seriously. “I don’t think he’s being bad, he’s just naughty. He’s climbing everything and if you dare take him down for his own safety, he’ll hit you. He knows that hitting is wrong now, he understands the word no and what it means, he knows that he shouldn’t be climbing or hitting, yet he pushes his boundaries, like all toddlers do. So I think instead of just being bad, he’s just a normal handful, but he’s old enough now for his boundaries to mean punishment if they’re broken.”

“We will do whatever you feel is right as their parents.” Richard said. “After all, we’re just grandparents.”

“There’s no ‘just’ about it.” Harry denied hotly. “You’re as much invested in their lives as we are as their parents. We do want you on board with our parenting style, but there’s no ‘just’ about being a grandparent.”

“Do we still have the same rules?” Myron asked with a smile.

Harry snorted, but he nodded. “No climbing, no hitting at all, which includes hair pulling, throwing things and biting, no more than four biscuits a day, no sweets or refined sugar. The worst to keep track of is their bedtime routine as there are so many of them.”

“Dinner at four, bath time is between half past four till five, then an hour of quiet play and in bed at six.” Ricard recited happily.

Harry nodded with a smile. “Though bath time differs, usually by as much as twenty minutes over, but we always try to do the most active kids first, to calm them down a little and then to give them more quiet time to settle them down. Leolin should always be near the end, because he doesn’t usually need quiet time, just a five minute cuddle.”

Farren came toddling over to them and he gripped at Harry’s shorts.

“Muma.” He called out.

Harry hunched down to the floor this time to hug him, he could not bend and lift Farren while he was pregnant. He hated it, but he had to make do.

“Are you okay?” He asked clearly. Farren nodded into his chest.

“Want Muma.” Farren explained.

Harry smiled and pulled back to kiss Farren. “I love you very much.” He declared.

Farren puckered his mouth and Harry kissed him on the mouth this time before he stood back up.

“Do you remember Granddad Myron and Granddad Richard?” He asked encouragingly.

“Gwanddad.” Farren said clearly and Harry gasped.

“He’s never said it like that before!”

“Who’s a good boy?!” Richard encouraged happily, bending and picking up Farren how Harry wanted to. Soon, he consoled himself, soon enough he would be healed from what Draco had done to him and he would give birth in February. Earlier if he didn’t carry to term.

“Me, Gwanddad.” Farren replied.

“Yes, you!” Richard said back.

Harry chuckled and he waved and wandered off. He found Blaise and he peeked in on Leolin.

“He’s been stirring, do you want him?” Blaise asked. “I’m going to go see how many coffees I can drink before Nasta notices.” He grinned.

Harry chuckled. “He’ll count exactly how many you have and he’ll punish you for it when we get home.”

“Harry, Bello, I’m counting on it.” Blaise gave him a wink and Harry laughed, watching him walk away.

“Ma.” A small, sleepy voice called out and Harry gave his attention to the just awakened Leolin, whose sleepy gold eyes slitted open to peer up at him. He had cried himself to sleep when Nasta had taken him from his baby gym.

“Hello, sweetheart.” Harry said with a soft voice. “Did you sleep well?”

“Ma.” Leolin said, lifting a heavy hand to rub at his little eyes.

“Let’s find you some shade.” Harry said worriedly, peering up at the burning sun, there wasn’t even any clouds to block the sun for a moment’s reprieve.

Harry went to a group of chairs set under a large umbrella. The cooling effect of the shade was almost instantaneous and Harry sighed happily, tucking his feet up and crossing his legs and sitting Leolin in the gap facing outwards, so that he could rest against his chest, tip his head back and look at him if he needed to, but he was also looking out at others, being more involved and social. A lot of people came over to say hello to him, and to Harry too, because he was looking around at them all and seemed more involved than usual.

“It’s amazing to see him like this.” Xerxes said, coming to sit beside him, easing himself into a chair with a small groan of pleasure.

Harry smiled and nodded, looking down on Leolin proudly. “I know. He’s come so far from the tiny, shrivelled newborn he used to be.”

“It was strange seeing him like that for months after his birth.” Xerxes admitted. Harry wasn’t offended, he’d thought the same and he’d constantly worried that Leolin wasn’t developing enough, that he wasn’t eating enough. Though being a Faerie, he was always going to seem strange compared to his Dracken siblings, and even to his Dracken born human siblings, for though Leolin had also been born to Dracken parents, he was a different species altogether, and the Dracken genes did not like competition with other creature blood.

“I’m just glad that we can see the improvements he’s making now.” Harry said. “Before, we sort of knew that he was developing, but we couldn’t really see it in any tangible way, now though, we can see him taking strides to progress. He’s sitting up, he can still only say two words, but he’s getting quicker at spotting who is who and saying them quicker, he has a tooth now too! Oh, and he’s holding himself up with his hands more if he’s put on his belly, he can hold up his own head and he is getting stronger at lifting and holding up his arms too.”

“He really is coming on strongly.” Xerxes smiled, touching Leolin’s jet black hair with gentle fingers.

Harry smiled at the praise given to Leolin. He bent and kissed his head and watched him watching the other guests. He was staring, glaring almost, at the people milling around.

“How have you been?” Xerxes asked quietly.

Harry smiled, a little sadly, a little wistfully. “I still wish that it hadn’t happened, of course, but I think we’re getting better each day and I’m thankful for that. We need the calm normalcy back after what happened and we’re getting it. With the therapy and all the help we’re getting, we’re more settled. Of course we’re all still worried about Blaise’s head injury, but he hasn’t had any slips in a while and Healer Odell is very pleased with his progress. I’m being fussed over too, but that’s mostly because of the pregnancy now.”

“How is that progressing? They all know now?”

Harry nodded. “As stated I told them all on the evening of Braiden’s birthday. I had to spell it out for them too, they had no clue.” He laughed. “But they all know and the pregnancy is very calm at the moment. If I didn’t know that I was pregnant, I never would have guessed.”

“After what you’ve been through I, for one, am glad that you’re having a calm, easy pregnancy, at least thus far.”

Harry smiled. “It is a much needed break, but the guys still won’t take any chances.”

“Good. You are their submissive mate, the one they all love most, they shouldn’t take any chances with your precious life.”

Harry scoffed. “We might be magical creatures, Xerxes, but we have human rationality too. None of us love one person above any other, we love one another equally. True if we were attacked I would run to my children and they would fight to get me to safety, but in human form, with human emotions and thoughts, we are all equal. Even if they do let me get away with murder.”

Xerxes snorted. “That’s putting it mildly, those boys do let you have the run of things more often than not.”

Harry frowned as he thought of that. “Am I that bad?” He asked a little insecurely. “Am I actually a horror?”

“No. No!” Xerxes said placatingly. “I’m just saying they put you on a pedestal, as all dominant mates do, and sometimes, well, sometimes it means that they let you get away with considerably more than you should.”

Harry’s frown deepened. “I don’t see it.” He said after a pause. “They do insist that I don’t do certain things…”

“You’re not going to see it.” Xerxes cut in gently. “We’re not talking about them stopping you from doing things that they think will harm you, that’s just their instincts stepping in, and yes, Nasta stopping you all from eating sweets and drinking coffee counts under this as he sees it as a danger to your health.”

Harry looked down, but all he could think about now was when he had manipulated his mates into taking him on holiday when he was pregnant with the quintuplets. They really hadn’t wanted to go, they hadn’t wanted him to go anywhere, but he had used his ‘submissive wiles’ to manipulate them into taking a family holiday. He had shamelessly used the Dursleys abuse of him to all but force them into taking him on a holiday they hadn’t wanted to go on. He swallowed painfully.

“Excuse me.” He said in a strangled, choked voice.

“Harry, no. I never meant to upset you!” Xerxes said, shocked by his reaction as Harry stood and hurried away.

He held Leolin tightly and he hurried to a small little alcove in Alexander’s garden created by several rose bushes. He crawled into the centre of them all and he just sat with his knees to his chin, Leolin cradled to his chest.
Had it been wrong of him to manipulate his mates in such a way? Should he have ignored Marianna’s advice to manipulate his way around his mates to get them to take him on holiday? He bit his lip and tried to excuse his own behaviour, but there was no excuse for what he’d done. He’d never thought of it in such a way before and now he felt terrible.

“Harry?!” Nasta’s voice called out. “Love, where are you?”

“Got him?” Draco’s voice asked.

“No, I can scent him, but I can’t find him.” Nasta sighed. “Harry?!”

“I’ll look over here.” Draco said.

Harry rubbed his eyes. “Nasta?”

“Harry?! Where on earth are you?” Nasta asked. “Xerxes told us that he’d upset you on accident, come out and we can have a cwtch to make you feel better.”

Harry crawled out from under the rose bushes, almost at Nasta’s feet, and his saw the surprise, and a little amusement, on Nasta’s face. It made him chuckle a bit and rub his eyes with his free hand.
Nasta stooped and picked him up and gave him a big hug.

“Is it pregnancy hormones?” Nasta asked him.

Harry shook his head. “No. I just…I never realised before that you treat me like I’m beyond reproach.”

Nasta frowned. “We don’t.” He said immediately.

“I…” Harry frowned and he looked at the floor. “I manipulated you.”

“What?” Nasta said. “When?”

Harry swallowed. “When I wanted to go on holiday. Though back then I did really think we were just going to Marianna’s house, I didn’t know she’d booked the trip to Guadeloupe. But I guilted and manipulated you into taking me when you didn’t want to.”

Nasta snorted and sat down against a tree with him and Leolin in his lap.

“Harry, I am your top dominant. I was a thirty-seven year old man at the time. Did you really think that I didn’t know what you were doing? Especially when you were so terrible at it. I knew what you were doing, Caru, almost from the first moment that you started.”

Harry looked at him. “But, why didn’t you call me on it? Why did you let us go on that holiday if you knew I was manipulating you?”

“Because what you said was true, Harry. You weren’t lying to me to get your own way, everything you said was true. You’d never had a holiday before, you’d never experienced that. Despite knowing what you were doing, I still sat and thought about it seriously for long hours, weighing up pros and cons, but in the end I realised that you needed the escape and I decided that we would have a holiday together, pregnancy or not. You needed it and despite how obvious you were about trying to get your own way, I didn’t care. Looking back on the long days we spent in Guadeloupe, seeing how happy you were, how relaxed, how excited, I can honestly say that they are some of my best memories. It was the right choice to go on that holiday. You deserved it.”

“But…but…”

Nasta cut him off with a kiss, expertly dodging Leolin’s furious slap as he dared to kiss his ‘Ma’.

“There are no buts, Harry. You deserved your first proper holiday, we all needed it, and it was the right choice. We had so much fun, we were happy, and truly, I don’t think we’ve ever had that much sex in one week outside of a heat period.” Nasta laughed.

Harry managed a wet little chuckle.

“So you don’t need to get upset over that or feel bad about it. True, it wasn’t the greatest feeling in the world to know that one of those you love is manipulating you, and it wasn’t right, but I understand why you did it, Harry and I don’t hold it against you. That’s why I never brought it up or called you out on it. I understood. I do hope that now we’re older, more settled with one another, that you know now that you can discuss things with us and bring up a suggestion without trying to manipulate us.”

Harry thought about that. He thought of all the strides his mates had made, particularly Max and Nasta, in listening to him without automatically shooting him down.

“I think I do now. Since that awful day.” He said. “It shouldn’t have taken that attack to get you and Max to listen to me, to Blaise too, we’re not children and we shouldn’t be treated like children. But I think we have grown more together over the last two years, with you and Max listening more and not just overriding the rest of us because you think that you know better, I think we can have more level-headed discussions now. I feel that I can trust you to listen to me, so I guess…I guess I don’t feel like I need to resort to manipulating you to get you to listen to me or do what I want.”

“That’s good, really good.” Nasta said with a smile.

“I am sorry that I did it, Nas. I love you.”

“I love you too, Cariad. You shouldn’t have done it and I won’t condone it, but as I said, I understand. Though more to the point you shouldn’t have had to resort to such drastic measures just to get us to listen to you. We were a little hard headed back then.”

Harry smiled and he snuggled into Nasta, his top dominant holding him tight with one arm, the other was stroking Leolin’s hair.

“Are you okay now? No more being upset? You’ve sent all the Maddisons mad.” Nasta chuckled.

Harry nodded. “I feel better now. Just…can you hold me for a little longer?”

Nasta kissed his head, getting an angry screech from Leolin, but he did as asked and held Harry tight.

“You are getting very bossy.” Nasta told Leolin. “I will kiss your Mother whenever I please.”

Harry laughed softly and used his free arm to mop up his face.

“Nasta, we still can’t find…oh.” Blaise came storming over to where Nasta had been last and he caught sight of them on the grass cuddling. “Are you alright, Bello?”

Harry nodded. “I am now that Nasta has given me a cwtch.”

Blaise sunk down beside him and cuddled up to his back, his chin propping out over Harry’s shoulder. Harry had to grab Leolin’s hand to stop him from hitting his Father in the face.
Blaise nuzzled him and Harry nuzzled back.

“I’m glad that you’re alright. I could have killed Xerxes when he said that he’d upset you.” Blaise said.

“It’s okay. He didn’t really upset me, I upset myself after I thought too hard about something he’d said.”

“What did he say?” Blaise asked.

“That as your submissive I’m beyond reproach. That I can do no wrong.”

“Well that’s bullshit.” Blaise said. “We’ve had to punish you in the past, we’ve had fights and stupid arguments. You’re far from beyond reproach, Harry. You’re not flawless, no one is, but still, to me, you’re perfect.”

Harry smiled and tipped his head to kiss Blaise more firmly.

“I agree with Blaise, Harry.” Nasta said. “None of us are beyond reproach. We all do things wrong, we all argue and maybe sometimes we get on each other’s nerves, but that’s just normal, that’s us, and I wouldn’t change any of that. We do not put you beyond reproach, I mean, we all nag at you and I suppose we do chastise you on occasion, none of us are perfect, but we’re good, both together and apart.”

Feeling much better, Harry nodded. Xerxes was wrong, or at least not completely right. His mates might let him get away with certain things, but he was far from getting away with murder. The worst he’d done, as he’d admitted to, was manipulating his mates, particularly Nasta, into taking him on holiday, but now he’d found out that Nasta had known all along and didn’t hold it against him.

“Come on, Prezioso.” Blaise said with a smile. “Alexander will want to see you now, all the Maddisons went crazy when Xerxes admitted to upsetting you.”

Harry nodded and he went to stand up, but Nasta held him tighter and stood up with Harry in his arms. He was then placed on his feet with Nasta’s arm around his shoulders and Blaise’s around his waist. He smiled from between them.

“Harry! Are you alright?” Draco called out as soon as he spotted him between Nasta and Blaise.

Harry nodded with a smile. “I’m alright. I’m fine.” He insisted.

Draco came to cup his face, looking into his face, into his eyes, to see if he was telling the truth.

“You are definitely alright?”

Harry nodded. “Yes.”

Draco kissed him and Harry smiled at him. Leolin broke the moment by slapping an open palm into Draco’s face.

“Leolin!” Harry chastised sternly. “You do not hit your Fathers.”

“Ma.” Leolin sniffled.

“I know, but you can’t hit people for kissing me, love.” Harry said.

Leolin started crying and Harry sighed, but he dutifully cradled Leolin close and soothed him.

“Where’s Max?”

“He went hunting through the house for you.” Draco said. “He knows all the best hiding spots from when he was a kid.”

Harry snorted and he hugged Draco and then moved to Alexander. He was wrapped up in strong arms and held tightly.

“I’m sorry I ruined your birthday.” He said softly.

Alexander scoffed. “It’s not ruined, and if there aren’t several more incidents and altercations then it’ll have been a very drab party indeed.”

Harry smiled and he snuggled in, taking in the fatherly comfort of Alexander.

“Someone go and get a pot of tea.” Alexander ordered, before he led Harry over to the table and chairs he’d been sat in before and he and Leolin were settled down in the shade.

“Thank you.” He said softly as he cradled Leolin closer. Leolin who was much happier now to have no competition around so that he could monopolise Harry’s attention. He’d already stopped crying.

“Are you feeling better?”

Harry nodded. “Yes, now I do. I am sorry I had an episode here. Today is about you.”

“Was it your hormones?” Alexander asked, laying a gentle hand on Harry’s belly.

Harry shook his head. “No. I just got upset.” He said. “Nasta calmed me down though, as it turns out, Nasta already knew what I’d done and why I got upset over it, he knew years ago and I didn’t know that he knew.”

Alexander nodded. “You’ve all said it before, and I can see it too, but nothing gets past your boy, Nasta. He’s always on the ball. Look at him now.”

Harry looked over to where Nasta was. He was talking to Max and Draco, obviously explaining what had been going on, but Nasta’s eyes were flicking everywhere as he spoke. He would look at Max and Draco, but his eyes would then flick to, and track, their children, who were running all over the place. Even as he was speaking, holding a conversation, he was watching their babies running around the garden, and he had no doubts that those hazel-gold eyes would flick to him also.

He smiled and looked back at Alexander. “He’s a good top dominant and…I know he’s your grandson, but I don’t think we could say the same for Max. He’s just…he’s not level-headed enough. He’s quite hot-headed, like I am, and I already know that if I had been a dominant, then I wouldn’t make a good top dominant. I’d be awful at it, I’d probably put my family in danger. I have such a hot temper, I’m a hard-headed fool at times.” Harry sighed heavily. “Maybe I just make a bad Dracken full stop, because I wasn’t raised as one.”

Leolin dribbled down Harry’s neck and Harry shifted him and patted his bum, almost absently taking a soft cloth from his pocket and wiping Leolin’s face.

“You don’t make a bad Dracken, Harry. You’re actually one of the best submissives I’ve ever met, my beautiful mate of course comes top of that list.” Alexander winked at him and Harry laughed. “But you shouldn’t put so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, Harry. You should just be yourself, no one is perfect and truly, I think ultimate perfection is unobtainable. It doesn’t exist purely because one person’s perception of perfect is not the same as another’s. Everyone is different, sweet one, everyone has their own thoughts and their own perceptions, thus true perfection isn’t real, so just be yourself and be your own version of perfect, and those who love you will come to you.”

Harry smiled at that. “Thank you.”

Alexander clapped his knee and then turned his gaze. “It’s about time that tea got here, what were you doing, hand picking the leaves?” He joked as Alexus set the tray down.

Alexander’s third oldest son scoffed. “No, Dad, I was being tactful and letting you and Harry talk for a bit before I brought this over.” Alexus took two of the cups on the tray and he went to give the one to his Mother.

“How is Alexus now?” Harry asked softly.

Alexander pulled a face. “He’s getting better, stronger. He’s had contact with that weasel, Sean, and I think that helped to turn the heartbreak he was feeling into anger. Lexi’s fears were founded in truth it seems, Sean left him for a younger man and he tried to spout out all this nonsense about them growing apart, becoming sedentary and too comfortable with one another, that there was no excitement or passion in their relationship anymore and that this new, young boy brought all those tingly feelings back. The stupid weasel doesn’t realise that being that comfortable with someone is worth so much more than all the butterflies and uncertainty of a new relationship. Sean will come to regret his decision, when his new relationship gets as stagnant and as boring as the one that he complained that he had with Alexus. What will he do then? Leave his new boy for someone else? Keep jumping from person to person, from new relationship to new relationship to seek the fluttery butterflies he says he’s missed? What a terrible, lonely way to spend a life.”

“I feel so bad for Alexus.” Harry said.

“Don’t feel bad for him, Harry. If this is how Sean really feels then Lexi has had a lucky escape in my opinion. He, of course, won’t feel the same way, not yet. He’s still too cut up about it, though now that he’s starting to feel anger about the situation, it’ll start getting easier to move on. I’m sure Lexi will find someone else one day, someone better than Sean. It’s such a shame, I’m usually a good judge of character and I did like Sean before all of this. I never would have thought him capable of such an ill-judged, callous action such as this.” Alexander sighed heavily. “I suppose that no one can truly know what others will do, or what they’re thinking. I’m no legilimens, after all, nor would I intentionally deprive another of their privacy in such a way, even if I were a legilimens.”

Harry nodded. “I was appalling at the mind arts, I couldn’t even learn Occlumency to protect my own mind from Voldemort.”

“I am sorry that that happened to you.” Alexander said gently.

“It seems a lifetime ago now.” Harry admitted, looking out at his mates and his children, at the new family members that he’d gained in all of the Maddisons.

“I suppose it does now.” Alexander agreed. “You have been through a lot since that time in your life. It was actually before your Dracken inheritance, wasn’t it?”

Harry nodded and he patted Leolin’s bum more firmly as his Faerie baby fussed. “It was, I was only fifteen. It was a few months before I had my Dracken inheritance and then all of this came about and it was almost like I had no rest, no time to think in between the two instances. I never really had a chance to come to terms with what I did, nor with the loss of my Godfather, Sirius.”

“I am sorry for the poor timing, sweetness.” Alexander sighed. “I’ve always insisted that sixteen was just too young for such life altering decisions, unfortunately it is very difficult to hold a meeting back for any significant amount of time. We just have to support the submissives as they do go through their meetings, and of course monitor them throughout their lives for signs of depression or even just general unhappiness. We need to act quickly, before the Dracken side of them takes matters into its own hands.”

“Max and Nasta have told me scare stories about submissives turning on their mates and even their own children.” Harry nodded. He couldn’t even imagine such a terrible thing. He held Leolin a bit closer. His Faerie baby was still awake, but he was getting tired, he was silent, but he was mouthing at Harry’s neck, dribbling on him.

“It takes a lot for a submissive to turn against their own children, as you could well imagine. That said it does happen if the submissive in question is unsettled or feels deeply unhappy with their life or mateship.”

Harry looked out over the garden at all the Maddisons. He could see the hulking form of Myron over everyone else, he spotted Shae in between moving people, her dozen children were running around, some of them were around his own children’s age, thus they were all playing together, everyone in the garden keeping an eye on all of the children running around. It made Harry smile. Not so much the submissives who were excluding themselves or were being difficult or hostile. He didn’t even want to think of those women though, he could never behave in such a way and he was never going to.

“Harry, how are you?” Max came over to ask him, having obviously finished his own conversation with Nasta. He took the sun lounger next to him.

“You don’t need to sound so cautious, I’m fine.” He smiled.

“I’m glad.” Max said, leaning in to kiss him.

It took several seconds before Leolin’s sleepy brain caught up and he started crying.

“Hey, what’s this?” Max asked. “Do you not like being out of your home environment? Why does he always turn on us when he’s in a new place?”

Harry sighed. “Kailen said that it was because I was his safe place, he sees me as utterly safe in his developing mind, thus when he’s in a place that he doesn’t know, he clings to me and lashes out at everyone who approaches. Dain said that when he’s older, I’ll be able to encourage him and reassure him that those around him are safe too.”

Max nodded, remembering that conversation with the Faeries. He gently touched Leolin’s back, as he would have at home and Leolin squirmed. It took long, silent minutes before Leolin calmed and recognised what was happening.

“Da.” He said quietly.

Max bent forward, his hand still flat on Leolin’s back, careful of his little wings, and Max kissed their baby son’s soft cheek.

“I love you, baby.” Max said.

“Da.” Leolin repeated.

“Hold on, I think he’ll let you have him for a moment. I need the bathroom.”

Harry gently took Leolin from his shoulder and Max looked so pleased as he held his hands out to receive Leolin. Harry stayed afterwards, just to make sure that Leolin settled in Max’s arms. He was grinning widely, of course, this was a step forward for Leolin, a small hint of progress, and it made Harry insanely happy as he gave Max’s knee a touch and he stood to go to the bathroom.

“Mummy!” Braiden called out as Harry walked past, his oldest son came careening towards him from behind a group of people.

“Hello, sweetheart. Are you okay?” Harry asked.

Braiden nodded.

“Do you need a drink or something to eat?”

“No, Mummy. I go with you.”

“I’m going to potty, Braiden.” Harry said gently.

“I come too.” Braiden insisted.

Sighing, Harry took Braiden’s hand and he took him into the house with him. Perhaps this would help Braiden’s own potty training, if he saw Harry using the toilet too. Though of course this wouldn’t be the first time that Braiden, or any of his other children, had followed him into the bathroom. He’d even had to bathe with them on occasion, when he’d given into their cries instead of fighting with them and turning their desires into a battle.
They made it to the bathroom and Harry chose to sit on the toilet to wee, like Braiden would do on his potty. He made it a bright, fun experience by being overenthusiastic, even though Braiden seemed to be more interested in digging in Alexander and Kimberly’s bathroom cupboards.
He flushed and then he washed his hands, pulling over Braiden to wash his hands too, making that as fun as he could, all to encourage Braiden to see the bathroom as a fun place. He still wasn’t overly fussed on having a bath, though that had gotten better since he’d started using the ‘big’ bath instead of the baby bath.
He escorted a happy Braiden back outside and watched his two year old happily run off towards Richard, calling out for ‘Ganda Itch.’ Caesar, who was stood nearby, laughed at Braiden’s name for his Father. It made Harry smile even as he went to check on his twin girls napping in their pram.

“Hey, Harry.”

Harry was smiling before he turned around. “Hi, Amelle. How are you?”

“Tired. Beatrice was unsettled last night and Nora had us up before dawn.”

“Ah, I was wondering why Caesar was so quiet today.” He snorted. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“It’s not. I think it was because she wasn’t in her own room back at home. We just couldn’t get her to settle, of course she’s fast asleep now.”

“Of course.” Harry grinned.

“How are your tiny girls?”

“Fast asleep too.” He said, looking back at his entwined daughters. “We have to watch them though, they’re standing up now. The last thing I want is for one of them to fall from the height of the pram.” He shuddered visibly at the very thought.

“Bring them over here.” Amelle said, pointing to a group of picnic benches. Her own pram was parked beside one table and Harry could see baby Beatrice sleeping inside.

Harry flipped off the brake and moved the pram as gently as he could over to the bench and he sat with a groan.

“Are you alright?” Amelle asked.

Harry nodded. “I am. You know I can barely tell that I’m pregnant? I’m not showing any signs and really, if a Healer I explicitly trust hadn’t confirmed it, I never would have guessed myself. No wonder my mates didn’t see shit until I’d spelt it out for them.”

Amelle laughed and Harry turned on automatic as little hands grabbed at his tee shirt. He swept up Regan and he sat his son on his lap. Harry rocked him on automatic, his arms around Regan’s little waist comfortingly and securely as Regan’s comfort teddy came with him. He’d been completely attached to it since he had fallen down the stairs when he was just seven months old.

“Are you alright, baby?” He asked, before pressing a kiss to Regan’s head.

“Yeah.” Regan answered, snuggling in.

“He’s very cuddly.”

“Boys usually are, or at least that’s what I’ve found. My boys are absolutely more likely to have a cuddle with me than my girls. Tegan actively pushes you away if you pick her up and try to cuddle her, its worse if you disrupt something that she was doing. Eva and Ave are going the same way. They fight and squirm if they’re picked up and if you still don’t put them back down, they start screeching and wailing.”

“Nora and Bea are the same.” Amelle said. “I can only get in a cuddle when they’re tired, either when they’ve just woken up, or when they’re going to sleep.”

Harry nodded as he looked out at Tegan and Nora, the latter a little taller than her younger cousin, but that no longer put Tegan off or made her feel insecure.

“I suppose that girls are just a little more independent.” Harry mused.

Amelle nodded her agreement, but she was looking consideringly at him and Regan. Perhaps she was finally putting the pain of her lost son to rest, perhaps she was thinking of a son of her own once more, perhaps she and Caesar could enjoy her next heat and pregnancy, instead of suffering through those early months of not knowing if she was having a girl or an unwanted boy.

“Do you want to hold him? He doesn’t mind who cuddles him.” Harry said, even as he stood up and passed Regan over to Amelle without waiting for an answer. Harry kissed Regan’s forehead and watched him sleepily snuggle into Amelle, his comfort bear to his chin.

“Is he okay?” Amelle asked.

Harry nodded. “He’s fine, just tired. He’s usually the first to go down for a nap, especially if he’s been running around outside like today.”

Harry stood and he went to get two drinks from the covered table over by the house. There was food as well and Harry was not surprised to find Farren and Calix over here, each with a sausage roll in their little hands. He smiled at them and handed them both a small finger sandwich each.

“Ta, Mummy.” Farren said happily.

“Ta!” Calix echoed.

He waited until they’d finished eating and he handed them a beaker of weak juice each and then he went back to Amelle, putting a drink in front of her. Regan’s eyes were half closed now. He would be asleep within several minutes.
It was noisy in the garden, as only a gathering of half a hundred people could cause, but still Harry heard Max and Caesar’s laughter above the din. He shared a look with Amelle and they both snorted in laughter.

“They revert back to children when they’re together.” Amelle insisted. Harry nodded his agreement.

“They’re terrible together.” He added. “I couldn’t imagine the frustration they caused together as kids. Poor Myron.”

Both he and Amelle snorted in laughter, giggling together.

“You look happy.” Draco said, placing an arm around Harry’s shoulders and bending to kiss him.

“We are.” Harry said with a bright smile.

“How is the baby?”

Harry sighed, getting fed up with the question, and the constant inquiries about how he was.

“You know I can’t feel anything, Draco.” He said pointedly. “I’m not sick, I’m not showing, the baby won’t be moving for months yet.”

Draco sighed himself. “I know, I’m just excited.”

Harry huffed and blew out a breath. “Be excited in several months’ time when this baby, or babies, are actually born. It’s premature to ask after them right now. I’m seven weeks pregnant, there’s not much that I can see or feel yet. The biggest indicator would be morning sickness, and I haven’t got any of that yet, thank Merlin!”

Draco nuzzled his face and gave him another kiss. It made Harry squirm and laugh.

“Do you want me to get either of you anything while I’m here? I can see you have juice, but do either of you want tea?”

Harry nodded. “I do. Amelle?”

“If you don’t mind.” She said softly.

“I’ll be back soon.” Draco told them, giving Harry another kiss and then leaving again. Harry wondered if Draco’s desire to go in the house, away from most of the people milling in the garden, was actually something to do with his fear of reprisal. He watched his blond mate closely, he noticed that some guests were giving Draco dirty looks.

“Is everything alright between you both now?” Amelle asked, as if reading his mind.

Harry nodded. “Yes. All of us are getting better now with the therapy, it has definitely helped us all get back on track.”

She nodded. “The additional therapy is helping me too. I’m not so afraid to have my own son anymore.”

Harry smiled at her. “You’ve come on so well, Amelle. Truly we both have.”

She nodded her agreement. “It has been hard won, but I think I am right in saying that we have won our battles, mine against my past, and yours with your mateship.”

Harry nodded. Then he grinned as Alexander came over to them.

“Hello, sweet ones.” He greeted, kissing Amelle’s head and then Harry’s. “How are you both feeling? Have you both eaten something?”

“I jammed several sandwiches into my mouth.” Harry grinned. Alexander laughed.

“I’ve eaten as well.” Amelle nodded with a soft smile.

“Draco has gone to get us both some tea too.” Harry added. “We’re being very well taken care of.”

“Good, you two deserve some pampering, and as Caesar is insistently behaving like a young boy again with his brother, I was worried for you being left out, Amelle.”

“No, Harry and his mates have kept me entertained and looked after.”

“Eleonora has fallen asleep in Kimberly’s arms, is this alright?” Alexander asked her.

Amelle nodded immediately. “Of course. She was up very early this morning, the different time zones still affect her and her routine, so I was expecting her to go down sooner. It was all the excitement and all of the people though, she can’t resist pushing herself when something is happening.”

“Calix is the same.” Harry nodded. “He’s usually the last to fall asleep and the first to wake up, all because he fears he’ll miss something, though Farren still consistently goes without any sort of nap during the day.”

“He is one of the more boisterous children.” Alexander said, looking over his shoulder, presumably at Calix…Harry couldn’t see past several bodies that blocked the way.

“Is he behaving? We’ve started implementing discipline for bad behaviour. At the moment it’s a firm no and why such behaviour is not acceptable, when they’re two, like Braiden, they’ll have two minute time outs.”

“No, he’s not being bad, sweet one, just loud and highly active. He’s everywhere at once.”

Harry snorted. “That’s our Calix. Though if they’re in a new place with new people, then they’re most definitely inquisitive, all of them.”

Draco came over with three cups and Harry patted the bench beside him. Draco sat down happily, seemingly much more secure next to Harry in the garden.

“Where’s Nasta?” Harry asked. Nasta had promised to watch over Draco today to stop anyone saying or doing anything to their blond mate.

“Over by the sun loungers, babbling gibberish to Leolin in Welsh. Max handed him over when Caesar begged him to go and play like they’re both five.” Draco answered before taking a sip of white tea.

Alexander laughed. “That’s definitely our Maxie.” He said with a wink to Harry.

Harry shook his head and sighed. “I’d blame Caesar, but he’s like it at home too, though he’s never as bad as he is when he’s with Caesar.”

“Caesar is the same.” Amelle nodded. “Bad at home, especially with the girls, but when he’s with Max…” She trailed off, shaking her head.

“Well, I for one am glad that you both saw past their childishness and chose them as mates to become members of the family.” Alexander said, touching both of their hands.

“Even if the family is utterly mad.” Harry giggled.

“I prefer to think that we’re just fun, and not boring.” Alexander winked, and then he left again, making the rounds of all his family members, to people Harry had never met who he knew from Max were Alexander’s older brothers and sisters who sometimes came to visit him. He’d met some of them over the last few years, but he definitely saw some new faces too.

Harry went to his tea, blowing gently on the top of it and then taking a sip. He had never been happier than when all four of his mates had finally learnt to make his honey tea just how he liked it. He smiled behind the cup.
He heard Leolin’s cries before Nasta found him and handed their Faerie baby to him.

“Leolin.” He cooed gently, not competing with the cries, but still letting Leolin know that he was there.

“We were fine, but he must have started missing you.” Nasta smiled.

“He’s getting better at staying away from me for longer.” Harry said, even as Nasta sat right beside him and pulled him up against his chest, resting his bristly chin on Harry’s shoulder and up against his neck.

Leolin had trailed off his crying and he was looking up at them both, his wet eyelashes clumping together in damp spikes.

“Ma.” He sniffled.

“I’m here, love. You know that your Daddies would never hurt you. You’re safe here, with us.”

“Perhaps not with all these other kids.” Draco added protectively, laying a hand on Leolin’s head from Harry’s other side.

“They’re not allowed near him.” Harry insisted. “If any of them approach, we move him or pass him off, you know that.”

“Those of us who have met you before, and him, know just how delicate he is and we know not to take it to heart if Leolin is moved away.” Amelle said gently. “Besides, who cares about offending anyone when the alternative is any sort of risk to our children?”

“Exactly.” Harry said with a chuckle, cradling Leolin in his arms and trying to ignore Nasta trying to use his own body to cast their Faerie baby in shade.

Ave was the distraction there, when she squirmed and cried out from the pram next to the table. Nasta was forced to turn and pick her up, his hand reaching into one of the half dozen nappy bags attached to, and slipped under, the pram. He found one of the bottles for the girls and he tested it against his arm. It must have still been warm from the thermal pouch, as Nasta deemed it fine and he began to feed Ave without the need for a warming charm.
Harry turned back to Leolin, who was looking up at him. He smiled and Leolin smiled back, a big, gummy grin with half a lone tooth to be seen. Harry’s smile widened at the adorable sight.
Nasta kissed him out of the blue and the scratchy stubble made him chuckle. Nasta had only shaved just before they’d left for Alexander’s.
Harry freed up one hand by pressing Leolin close to his heart, and he rubbed his palm over that spiky stubble.

“I know. I’ll shave again when we get home.”

“Leave it.” Harry purred into his ear. Nasta looked at him with shocked eyes.

“You never want me to leave it. You prefer us all clean-shaven…I prefer to be clean-shaven.”

Harry snorted. “If that were true then you’d wax and have done with it.”

“I tried that before. It was the single most agonising moment of my entire life.” Nasta admitted with a reflexive wince at the memory. “Never again.”

Harry laughed and nuzzled back into Nasta’s cheek. “Just leave it for today. I know that it sometimes makes you sore to shave three times a day.”

“Usually only if I nick myself.” Nasta insisted. “I found a balm that works really well for me.”

Harry nodded. “Take a day off. It’ll be cute to see you with a mini beard.” He laughed.

Nasta snorted, but he nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave it until tomorrow morning, but no one can complain about it.”

“I would imagine that it gets harder to shave it when it’s longer.” Amelle said.

Nasta nodded. “It tugs more when it’s longer. As long as I use shave foam though, it doesn’t make much of a difference, it just takes a little longer. If I left it for a week, however, that’s another matter entirely.”

“He goes from sexy, sophisticated Dragonologist to wild, feral crazy man when he stops grooming himself.” Harry giggled. “It only takes a week for the change to be implemented too.”

“You’re not funny.” Nasta told him, but there was a big grin on his face as he said it.

“Yes I am. Of course I am. The only one funnier is Max.” Harry insisted.

“What about me?” Draco asked.

“You? You have no sense of humour to speak of.” Harry teased.

Draco scoffed, but nudged him gently. Harry kissed him to show that he was only teasing.

“Gather around!” Oliver called out. “The birthday boy wants to blow out the candles! The rest of us just want cake. Everyone grab a kid to keep them still for a minute.”

Harry watched as his babies, and Shae’s, were picked up by those nearest and they all gathered around the huge cake. It honestly looked like a wedding cake it was that big. It must have costed a fortune too.

“I just wanted to say that I couldn’t ask for a better family, for better children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and not forgetting our newest generation, my lone great-great grandchild, Jasmine.” Alexander said, indicating to Xerxes’ oldest granddaughter, Yasmina, who was holding a pink, lacy bundle.

“You’re getting old!” Someone called out from the thick, dense crowd.

“Shut up, Nicodemus.” Alexander threw back with a smile.

“It was Cepheus!” The apparently aggrieved Nicodemus shouted out.

“Was not!”

“I know it was one of you!” Alexander cut in.

Harry laughed with several others. He truly did love being in this family, though not just the Maddisons, but also the Delericeys, the Zabinis and the Malfoys, though the latter could be more accepting and understanding and both former families still had members that he hadn’t met yet. Maybe he should prod his mates a little over that, after all, they had prodded him back when they were newly mated to see the Dursleys, though if he ever found out that any of his mates had been abused as he was then he would have to be locked up before he went on a murderous rampage.
An arm slipped around his waist and he smiled, leaning his body weight onto Draco as they both watched Alexander blow out the mass of candles…the Maddison patriarch had counted every single one of them and plucked out six candles and threw them in the direction of the twins.

“I’m not one hundred just yet!” He had insisted, before taking a breath and blowing out all ninety-four candles in one go. “Now who’s for cake?” He asked, waving his wand and perfectly slicing up the huge cake.

Harry nudged Nasta, stood beside him, and his mate sighed, but smiled, nodding his head and he went to get three paper plates of cake for them. Harry grinned when Nasta was eating his own piece of cake…it was almost as much of a turn on seeing him eating cake as Harry assumed it was for Nasta to watch him eating fruit. They really were an odd bunch, but sometimes odd was good.
He spied his children, sat on the floor with their own little plates, the smallest sliver of cake in front of them that it made Harry laugh and point them out.

“That won’t keep Farren happy.” Draco mused.

“He can have a drink and then some more sandwiches if he’s still hungry.” Harry insisted. “One piece of cake is enough.”

Harry turned back, and he was surprised by a kiss from Nasta. It made him pause to take an extra breath, then he laughed.

“Well, I love you too.” He teased.

“I do love you. Very much.” Nasta told him.

Harry sighed happily and rested against Nasta, Leolin still tucked into his one arm. Ave was still tucked into Nasta’s other arm, though not for long it seemed, as she squirmed from his hold and toddled off over the grass, wobbling and needing to put her hands to the floor to steady herself often, but she was off over the grass, being watched indulgently by those in the garden, as she went exploring and making no qualms about gripping onto people’s legs when she lost a little stability. She was always helped back to her feet and set back on her own little way.

“I still can’t believe how well she walks.” Harry said softly.

“She’s getting so strong and she’s growing so quickly. Eva too.” Nasta said happily.

“Very soon we’ll have another little one to look after.” Draco added.

“Just think of all the sleepless nights, two hourly feedings and nappy changes, and eight toddlers on top of that. Who knows, maybe I have twins or triplets.” He said patting his belly gently.

Both his mates groaned. “Why did you have to put it that way?” Draco said.

“Anything could happen.” He said with a shit eating grin. He bent to kiss Leolin’s head. “Though I am fervently praying for nothing over triplets. Three babies on top of eight toddlers is going to be a handful.”

“Both hands full you mean.” Draco sighed.

“All ten hands full.” Harry chuckled. “They already outnumber us. If we have twins, they’ll outnumber us two to one, any more than that, then we’re doomed.”

“We’ll handle it.” Nasta said softly. “We might only have ten hands, but we have unlimited hands with the amount of family members we have, and true, the Maddisons are all mad, but they’re definitely always there when you need them.”

Harry grinned widely as he watched Julius hop onto Max’s back and order him to run down Caesar…Max actually did as asked and he started running around the garden with his Uncle on his back, chasing his brother, who was far too busy laughing to run too far, or too fast.

“They are all mad, but I like it.” Harry said as he looked back at Nasta with a smile. “I never did well with boring and mundane. I think that’s why I chose all four of you. I like…this.” He insisted, waving his hand at the garden and the crazy Maddison family that he loved. “I love them.”

“And we love you.” Draco told him, kissing him.

Harry smiled widely and he looked out at everyone in the garden. He cuddled Leolin and enjoyed the family time together.

“I have never, ever, felt so loved before.” He said softly. “I love this…I love all of you. It’s a good time in my life.”

Harry was hugged and held tightly and he found himself cradled between Nasta’s legs as Draco insisted on going to get them all more tea. He blew out a soft breath and he relaxed, allowing all the love, and madness, to seep into him, as he laughed when several Maddisons set up a sort of ‘war’ together, with one person on the back of another and charging at one another. Max had dumped his Uncle Julius and had teamed up with the smaller, lighter Caesar. Harry cheered for them both and urged them on as they started winning all the ‘battles’ going on. They only lost when Richard wheedled Myron into playing and with Myron in the game, everyone else was flattened. Harry couldn’t remember laughing so much, or so hard, in a very long time. It felt amazing.

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A/N: This took me a little longer to get out than I had planned, I’ve been rather unsettled in real life these last several days and I haven’t been able to do anything. I do have a good start on chapter 111, but as a result of this unsettled period the next chapter might take a little longer to get out. Just bear with me through this, please lovelies.
I believe that this was everything, lovelies, I hope that you’ve enjoyed this chapter,
StarLight Massacre. X
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The Rise of the Drackens