Deleted scene - HDM Chapter 72

                                        

                                              
So I had to delete this scene as I accidently forgot that it was christmas break and not summer break... so unless Blaise lives in the Amazon... probably not warm enough for swimming.
Anyway, Blaise and Neville invite Ron, Hermione and their kids over for dinner for the first time. Harry and Draco are anxious that their friends get together.


A few days later, Ron, Hermione and the kids came over at two. Blaise and Neville were gracious hosts, offering drinks, tours of the home and then the grounds. Harry was tasked with corralling the kids like always. Draco reluctantly took his cane on the outing and walked with Blaise. Neville was explaining to Hermione and, to a lesser extent, Ron, about the plants he was cultivating.
The kids had a great time listening to Neville and letting the plants tickle them. Harry got them to play tag, and they teamed up to get him.
When they made it to the pond, Harry let the kids push him off the dock into the water. Without waiting for permission, they jumped in after him.
"Hugo! Rose!" Hermione called out from the shore.
"Don't worry... the grindylows are well-trained," Blaise muttered, off-hand.
"What?!" Hermione gasped, and Ron looked ready to spell his kids out.
"He's joking!" Neville quickly said. "There are no grindylows in the pond!"
"Still! Kids, you shouldn't have jumped in without asking!" Hermione said, to some half-hearted apologies.
"We had to rescue Unca Arry!" Hugo said and then started a splash war with said uncle and his sister.
Draco laughed and slowly came out onto the dock. He stared down at Harry, dripping wet from the water. "You're incorrigible, Potter. It's a dinner party."
"And spontaneous swims aren't socially acceptable?" Harry taunted back.
"No, not generally."
"Well, they are now. You know... you coming in here, whether you want to or not," Harry said, looking up at him deviously.
Draco looked warily at the water. "I... don't know...."
"Come on, Uncle Draco!" Rose said.
"The water is great. It's warm and there aren't any grindylows," Harry said.
"I don't think I can swim," Draco blushed.
"I'll help you if you get tired."
"I don't know how... to swim."
Harry grimaced. "Well... it's never too late to learn new things. Come on, Draco."
Draco took a deep breath and looked to Blaise, who smiled. "I'll take your robes, Blondie, and I'll dry you off. You should have fun."
Ron was watching this exchange, and Draco took off his nice robes. He had a t-shirt on underneath. Hermione and Neville were smiling, encouraging him.
"Please don't throw me in," he requested.
"I won't. Just sit on the side and dangle your feet in. Slide in. I'll catch you. I can touch here, see?" Harry urged.
Shakily, Draco got down, thankfully ignoring his audience. He pushed into the water, and Harry supported his arms.
Draco hissed from the water. "It's not warm!"
"It's not a bathtub, Draco. You'll warm up in a second, okay? You need to tread water. Make circles with your hands and feet. It's actually a good physical therapy exercise. Come on," Harry coaxed, pulling him deeper and showing him how to stay afloat.
The tension broke, and soon the little bits were jumping off the jetty into the water, screaming, "Canonball!"
Harry taught them that and Marco Polo. He had Draco grab onto his back as Harry chased them underwater like a shark, chasing and gobbling up his nephew and niece as he got closer.
Harry didn't leave Draco. Not for a second. They spent the whole time in each other's arms, ignoring the other adults for the most part. Harry would play with the kids, of course, but he wanted to make sure Draco always felt safe. He leaned in for a kiss, and that got some cheers from Ron and Blaise, who were scolded promptly by Hermione and Neville. Then their friends looked at each other weirdly.
"Kiss more, Unca Arry! You are in wuv!" Hugo helpfully suggested.
"You can't argue that logic, Potter," Draco drawled and kissed him again.