Lost And Found

Chapter One - Ain't No Sunshine

~ Godric's Hollow ~

"Dad-dad-dad-dad-dad-dad."

Draco's eyes opened blearily. He sat up and pulled on his bathrobe. "Coming, sweet pea," he called out.

Draco pushed himself up and stumbled into his two year old son's room. "Shh, sweetheart. Daddy's here."

Daniel was standing up in his crib, clinging to the railings. When he saw his father, he held out his arms, demanding to be picked up.

"Dad-dad-dad-dad-dad-dad."

Draco picked up his son and cuddled him. "Good morning, my darling boy." Draco stroked his head. "Are you hungry?"

Daniel nodded. "Yum, yum."

"Yes, we'll get some yum yum soon. But first you need a bath, stinky boy," Draco said playfully.

Daniel giggled as Draco carried him into the bathroom. Daniel wriggled around as Draco undressed him. He played with a rubber duck from Hermione (which was enchanted to act like a real duck) while Draco undressed and turned on the shower.

"Duck-duck-duck-duck," Daniel chanted, toddling after the duck which was running around in circles beside the bath.

Draco picked up his son and stepped into the shower. He'd discovered that this was the easiest way to get them both clean. Daniel would have to be in the bathroom while he showered anyway, as the little boy couldn't be left alone.

Besides, Daniel preferred showers to baths. Draco had discovered this the hard way, when Daniel had crawled into the shower with him, fully clothed.

Now they showered together and it was a fun experience for both of them. When they were both clean, Draco stepped out of the shower and dried them both off and the two of them went to get dressed.

Draco pulled on a pair of blank jeans and his favourite t-shirt, a black v-neck which had bright green metallic letters which said 'One of us is thinking about sex. Okay, it's me'. He'd given up wearing white for a few years as he always ended up with some sort of stain on it. Daniel was dressed in a pair of black shorts and a green shirt.

Later that morning, Daniel was sitting in his high chair playing with some plastic containers and a wooden spoon while Draco finished preparing food for the barbeque they were hosting that day.

The doorbell rang and Draco glanced over at his son as he wiped his hands. He pulled Daniel out of the chair, settled him on his hip and went to answer the door.

"Remus, Angela, come in," Draco said, smiling at the couple.

"Hi Draco," Angela said, in a normal voice before she started talking to Daniel in a baby voice. "Hello, Daniel. Come to your Auntie Ange."

Angela plucked Daniel from Draco's arms and carried him into the living room, still cooing over him.

Remus rolled his eyes at Draco. "Women."

"She's getting clucky, Remus. I'd watch out if I were you," Draco teased as he ushered Remus into the living room and closed the front door.

"Well, actually," Remus said mysteriously, glancing curiously at Angela. She nodded and Remus continued. "We're trying to get pregnant at the moment."

"Really? Congratulations," Draco said, beaming at the pair.

They'd been married for a year now and Draco had wondered how long it would take before the pair would procreate. Naturally Remus was worried that any children they might have might be werewolves, but obviously they must have decided that it was worth the risk.

The doorbell rang again and Draco excused himself to go answer it. This time it was Sirius and Narcissa. Draco kissed his mother on the cheek and waved them into the living room.

It had been quite a shock to Draco when his mother and Sirius started dating about six months ago. Of course they'd both been spending a lot of time with Daniel so they'd gotten to know each other quite well, far better than they'd known each other at Hogwarts.

Draco turned to close the door and saw Ron, Hermione and Isabella coming down the path so he waited for them.

"Draco, how are you doing?" Hermione asked as soon as she entered the house.

"I'm fine, Mione. You don't have to keep asking me like that," Draco said, exasperated.

"You'll never stop her fussing over you, mate," Ron said, grinning at Draco.

"Well, if I have to put up with you hovering over me, at least let me hold my goddaughter," Draco said, reaching out to pick up Isabella.

The four of them entered the living room and joined the group. Draco sat down in Harry's favourite chair with Isabella on his lap and surveyed the group. This was his family. Everyone who loved him was in this room. Almost everyone he loved was in this room.

Draco twirled Isabella's brown pigtails with his fingers as he listened to Sirius and Ron playfully argue about who was going to win next week's Quidditch match between __ and __.

Draco smiled as he remembered how horrified Ron had been when Bella's hair had finally grown and it hadn't been red. She was the first Weasley in generations to not be instantly identifiable by her hair colour. Hermione hadn't been impressed when Draco had helpfully pointed out that at least her hair wasn't bushy like Hermione's but had the smooth texture of Ron's.

Isabella wriggled in his arms and he set her down on the floor. She waddled over to Daniel, who was sitting at his grandmother's feet playing with some blocks.

Draco noticed Hermione nudge Ron, who cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.

"Hermione and I have an announcement to make," Ron said, grinning at the group. "In about six months, Isabella is going to have a baby brother!"

"Oh my god!" Draco exclaimed, jumping up to envelope Hermione in a hug. "Congratulations!"

"Congratulations, Ron," Sirius said, shaking the proud father's hand. The others lined up to congratulate Ron as well, since Draco was still hugging Hermione.

When he pulled away from her, he turned towards the window, trying valiantly to hide a sniffle. Hermione noticed. He knew she would. She wasn't his best friend for nothing.

"So, Ron, Sirius, Remus why don't you go light the barbeque," Hermione said, shooing them out of the room. "And Angela, Narcissa, why don't you make sure everything is okay in the kitchen."

They all left the room quickly. Daniel and Isabella were playing happily on the floor, piling up the blocks and then knocking them down again. Hermione smiled at the sound of their innocent laughter before turning to Draco.

"Draco? You're not okay, are you?" she said solemnly, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

Draco wiped his eyes and shook his head. "No. Not really. I'm sorry, Mione. I really am happy for you. I just...well, last time you were pregnant, Harry and I were expecting Daniel. I always thought that we would have another child at the same time too."

"Honey, you know that there is no one else who wishes Harry would come back more than me, but it just isn't going to happen. You have to accept that. He's gone," Hermione said softly. "It's been almost two years now."

Draco took a deep breath. "I know. And I think I'm almost there. I don't think about him as much as I did and I don't dream about him every night anymore."

"Well..." Hermione said, hesitating. "When you're ready, I know someone who would be perfect for you."

"What?" Draco said incredulously.

"When you're ready to start dating again," Hermione explained. "I know a guy who I know you would like and he would be good with Daniel."

"I don't know," Draco said doubtfully.

"How long are you going to wait for him?" Hermione asked gently. "How long are you going to put your life on hold for him?"

"He might come back," Draco said stubbornly.

"He might," Hermione agreed uncertainly. "But he might not."

Suddenly there was a loud crash as a pile of blocks fell over. Isabella started wailing loudly, and not to be outdone, Daniel joined in. Draco and Hermione turned away from the window and picked up their children.

Draco cuddled his son close and whispered soothingly to him. At least he had a part of Harry with him, even if he couldn't have Harry.

TBC