Chapter 8 - Family Support

                                        

                                              
Published: Jan 20th, 2025
Trigger warning: Mentions of past abuse and triggers, R word usage

"Come on, mate! Mum wants everyone to come over tonight! It's our first dinner since the war, and everyone is home and safe. She wants to see you! She hasn't stopped nagging..." Ron muttered through the floo, a few days later.
"Ronald Weasley! I do not nag!" a voice came from another room.
Harry smirked and eyed Draco, who was hiding in the kitchen doorway. "Ron, I want to... but...."
"Tell him if he doesn't come over, I will come and see him!" Mrs. Weasley threatened.
Draco gasped and Harry just wanted to shake off the conversation. "I'll get back to you, alright?" he said quickly and Ron said goodbye.
He sighed and went to the kitchen, where Draco was trying to pretend that he didn't hear. At least he wasn't in a panic attack.
"So? What'd Weasley say?" Draco asked, looking at the table, trying to be nonchalant.
"I know you heard. Don't worry, I won't let her come here."
Draco shrugged. "You said that you wanted to go."
Harry froze, realizing that Draco wanted him to... what? Go? "I do, but you're my priority. They understand... well, Hermione and Ron does."
"You left to visit them. I can handle a night without you," Draco said, looking at him.
Harry looked at him. "Oh... are you sure?"
"I won't destroy the house."
"No... I just... I don't want you to be alone and have a panic attack."
Draco took a deep breath. "You've made me learn these breathing exercises and do grounding exercises. I'll be fine for a night. I... want you to see your... family."
Harry grimaced and he came closer. "I'm sorry... that you can't see your... mother." Harry had never mentioned Draco's father, or that he was dead. Draco hadn't asked, either. He could take a hint. 
Draco nodded. "Floo back and tell him you'll come over, okay, please?"
"If you're sure... thanks, Draco," he said, and flooed Ron that he'd come over in a bit. He came back and said, "You can floo if you need anything, okay?"
"I'll live."
"I need to make sure that you get dinner. What are you going to do?"
"Read a potions book or something and sleep. I'll be fine!" Draco insisted.
Harry went and got changed. Draco was content with a sandwich and shoved him toward the floo. "I'll be fine. Have fun with your friends."
Harry reluctantly left and flooed to the Burrow. Ron and Hermione greeted him first, but then he had to move for Bill and Fleur, who came in right behind him. Mrs. Weasley came into the room and hugged him tightly.
"Oh, Harry! I've missed you so!" she said and hugged him, again. They had barely had time after the funerals before Harry ran off chasing Greyback's pack.
Mr. Weasley, Charlie and Percy also came down and hugged him, Bill and Fleur. A small explosion came from upstairs and Harry looked.
"Don't worry, we're alive!" Ginny called down.
"Fred and George are upstairs playing in their old room," Ron muttered.
"Why? Don't they still have their flat?"
Luna came down with Ginny, and said, "Yep! They just wanted to show Blaise their old room!"
"Oh, hey, Luna, I didn't know that you'd be here. Or Blaise?" Harry said, looking at Ron and Hermione.