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Regulus had always been Harry’s favorite person. It was an unspoken truth in their little family—one that James found adorable, if not a bit unfair. No matter how much time James spent playing or cuddling their son, the second Regulus entered the room, Harry would drop everything and toddle straight to him, arms outstretched and demanding attention.
But today… today was different.
The Malfoy family sitting room was grand and elegant, with dark mahogany furniture, towering bookshelves, and a fireplace crackling with green flames. It was the kind of place James always thought was far too serious for a baby to be playing in, but Harry didn’t seem to mind. He was perfectly content on the plush emerald rug, playing with his wolf and stag plushies, his tiny hands making them walk along the rug.
James was kneeling beside him, watching Harry make little howling noises as he moved the wolf plushie. He was about to praise his son’s impressive wolfy howl when a soft murmur caught his attention. Turning his head, he saw Regulus sitting on the velvet couch, cradling a small bundle wrapped in green. Narcissa sat beside him, watching as he gently swayed her son in his arms.
“You’re great with him,” Narcissa observed, a rare warmth in her expression. “I might just leave him with you sometimes.”
Regulus let out a soft chuckle, brushing a knuckle across Draco’s chubby cheek. “No need. I’d steal him entirely.” His voice was soft, affectionate. “Mon petit dragon,” he murmured, and the baby cooed in response, his tiny fingers curling around Regulus’ thumb.
James glanced back at Harry just in time to see his little face crumple. His chubby fingers clenched around the wolf’s neck, his bottom lip jutting out as he stared at Regulus and Draco.
James hummed in concern, nudging his son lightly. “Hey, Prongslet, you alright?”
Harry didn’t answer. His green eyes stayed locked on Regulus, his pout deepening by the second. James had seen Harry upset before—usually over things like naptime—but this was different. This was something deeper, something stormy brewing behind those big green eyes.
Draco let out a tiny yawn, blinking sleepily up at Regulus, who then cooed and adjusted the baby’s blanket with expert care.
Harry’s lip wobbled.
James frowned.
Harry turned back to his toys, but instead of playing with them, he slammed the wolf plushie onto the floor with a little huff.
James simply ruffled the boy’s hair and tried to cheer him up with other toys, to no avail.
˗ˏˋ ˙⋆✮ ☀︎ ˎˊ˗
The change didn’t happen all at once. It started subtly, small things that Regulus didn’t notice at first.
At dinner, when Regulus lifted a spoonful of mashed potatoes to Harry’s lips, Harry just stared at him. Normally, he would eagerly open his mouth, making an excited little sound. But this time, he turned his face away, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Regulus frowned, lowering the spoon slightly. “Here, Harry. Your favorite.” He brought it closer, expecting Harry to lean in.
Harry pursed his lips and turned his whole body away.
Regulus blinked in surprise. “Harry?”
Still no response. Then, after a long pause, Harry slowly turned his head and looked at his Daddy. “Dada feed me.”
Regulus looked utterly betrayed.
James, who had been watching the entire exchange with thinly veiled amusement, raised an eyebrow. “You sure, Prongslet? Papa always feeds you.”
“Dada feed me!” Harry insisted, bouncing slightly in his seat.
Regulus’ frown deepened as James took the spoon and easily fed Harry without issue. James met Regulus’ gaze over Harry’s head, also confused as to what was going on.
Regulus narrowed his eyes. “This is weird.”
James only shrugged, shoving another spoonful into Harry’s mouth.
By the time bedtime rolled around, it was obvious something was wrong.
Regulus had just settled onto the nursery’s rocking chair, book in hand. “The Little Prince,” Harry’s absolute favorite. Every night, without fail, he demanded that Regulus be the one to read it to him.
But tonight, the second Regulus sat down with the book, Harry pushed it away.
Regulus blinked. “No?”
Harry’s pout deepened. “Papa no read.”
Regulus frowned. “What?”
Harry crossed his arms. “Dada read.”
James, leaning against the doorframe, put his hands up as Regulus slowly turned to look at him, as if searching for answers. “I don’t know what’s happening either,” James said.
Regulus exhaled sharply, placing the book aside before reaching for Harry. “Mon amour, are you upset?”
Harry turned his little body away.
Regulus froze. “Harry Potter-Black, are you ignoring me?”
Silence.
James whistled lowly. “Damn, love. Tough break.”
Regulus ignored him, his attention solely on Harry. “Come now, mon bébé. Tell Papa what’s wrong.” He reached out, brushing a few curls from Harry’s forehead.
For a moment, it looked like Harry might say something. His tiny fingers curled into his blankie, his chest rising and falling a little too quickly. But instead, he sniffled, blinking rapidly like he was trying to keep himself from crying.
Regulus’ heart squeezed. “Harry,” he tried again, his voice softer.
Harry’s face crumpled. And then, in the smallest, most heartbroken voice, he sniffled, “Papa has ‘nother baby…”
Regulus stilled. His entire body tensed.
“No wan’ me no more…” Harry hiccupped, rubbing at his teary eyes with little fists.
Regulus looked like someone had taken all the air from his lungs. “Oh, mon cœur,” he breathed, reaching for him, but Harry flinched slightly, his shoulders trembling.
“You cuddah wif him!” Harry sobbed. “You say he your ‘ittle dwagon!” His voice broke completely, his distress finally bubbling over. “No wan’ me…”
Regulus broke.
He surged forward, gathering Harry into his arms, holding him so tightly it was like he was trying to merge them together. “Oh, mon bébé, no,” he murmured desperately, pressing frantic kisses into Harry’s curls. “That’s not true. Never, never true.”
Harry clung to him immediately, his tiny fingers curling into Regulus’ robes. “Pwomise?” he hiccupped.
Regulus pulled back just enough to cup his tear-streaked face, his own voice thick with emotion. “I promise, Harry. You are my only baby.”
Harry let out a little sniffle, burrowing his face into Regulus’ neck. James exhaled, running a hand through Harry’s messy curls as he finally relaxed against his papa’s chest. “See, Prongslet? You’ll always be Papa’s and Daddy’s number one.”
Regulus pressed another lingering kiss to Harry’s forehead. “Always.”
˗ˏˋ ˙⋆✮ ☀︎ ˎˊ˗
A sharp knock echoed through their home just as James finished setting the table.
“That’ll be Cissa,” he mused, glancing toward Regulus, who, predictably, was still carrying Harry around like a prized possession. “You gonna put him down at all today, or should I start calling you a kangaroo?”
Regulus, seated comfortably in an armchair with Harry perched securely in his lap, barely looked up. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He adjusted Harry’s onesie with great care, tucking the fabric just right. “My son requires coddling.”
James snorted. “Our son requires boundaries.”
“My son,” Regulus reiterated, gently smoothing down Harry’s bedhead, “requires constant affection after last night’s ordeal.”
James snickered. “Oh, is that what we’re calling it now?”
James opened the door, revealing Narcissa with Draco in her arms. She took one look at the scene before her. Harry was wrapped around Regulus like an overprotective baby bear, James trying (and failing) not to laugh.
“You’re ridiculous,” she murmured, stepping inside.
“Ridiculously devoted,” Regulus corrected, lifting his chin as he kissed the top of Harry’s head.
Harry, ever dramatic, turned his head and clung to Regulus tighter. Just to make sure their guest got the message. He cast a wary glance at Draco, then patted Regulus’ chest with his tiny hands. “My Papa.”
James bit back a grin. “Uh oh, Cissa, I think he’s claiming him.”
Narcissa raised a delicate brow. “As if that wasn’t already obvious.” She adjusted Draco’s blanket and sighed. “Oh dear, I think you’re raising a very possessive little lion.”
Regulus smirked, shifting Harry slightly to cradle him even closer. “And I wouldn’t have him any other way.”
Harry, utterly satisfied, snuggled into Regulus’ chest and shot Draco a smug little look.
James simply smiled at his family.