As soon as their broom touched down at Hogwarts in the early hours of the morning, Harry, Draco, and Casper were greeted by a familiar large figure with a bushy beard.

"Hagrid!" Harry cried delightedly, leaping into the giant's arms for a hug.

Hagrid blushed, the tops of his cheeks tinging pink above his beard, and he squeezed Harry back as gently as he could manage.

"'Ello, you two!" he beamed. "Or should I say, you three?"

"Three," Draco smiled back tiredly, turning round to reveal the sleeping baby on his back.

"What a gorgeous li'l thing!" Hagrid smiled. "Let's get him inside, it i'nt safe out here. You never know who's about."

The boys nodded, knowing all too well how right he was. Harry grabbed the broom while Draco picked up the little bag of belongings they'd brought, and together they trooped up the gradually lightening steps to the castle.

"I'll show you to the nursery first, settle the littl'un down," Hagrid offered cheerfully, leading the boys on a winding tour through the castle.

"I've 'ad beds made up in your respective dorms for the two of yer, but don't feel yer've got to stick to 'em, mind. And there can be hot cocoa and some toast in case yer 'ungry, and I can 'ave a fire lit for the two of yer if yer cold..." he babbled as they walked. "We didn' know when you were coming, see, but now yer here!"

"We are," said Harry sleepily. His half-open eyes shone with happiness to be back at school, and he reached for Draco's free hand to squeeze it.

"It's good to be back," Draco murmured.

***

The nursery was conveniently situated just a corridor away from the Great Hall, and it was enough to make both boys gasp when they stepped inside.

The sight that greeted them was one of dreamy serenity; a self-rocking crib which was shaped like a little white cloud stood in the centre of the room, soft pastel blankets and plush toys peeking out of it, and down the left side of the room there was a tidy little station of bottles which was being wiped down by a House Elf as they entered.

There was even a tiny stand-alone porcelain bath with clawed gold feet and a rack of little baby towels above it.

A canopy of stars was draped over the ceiling in soft jewel colours, and a wall mural of the outside of the castle span around the entirety of the room. There were books, toys, gently glowing lights, and a few chests of drawers which the boys assumed were for clothes and such things.

"This is incredible, Hagrid," Draco breathed. "I couldn't have imagined it better myself."

Hagrid, knowing the gravity of this compliment, looked touched. "Dumbledore will be very pleased," he replied gruffly. "He designed it for the two of you."

"Do you see this, Cassy?" Draco asked gently, turning his little boy round to see the room. "Uncle Dumbledore did this all for you!"

"Uncle Dumbledore?" Harry snorted, but Draco had no time to respond before there was a low chuckle behind them, and both boys whipped round to see the Uncle himself in the doorway.

"I've never been an Uncle before," the old man mused as he took in the scene. "I think I'd rather like to be one. Hello, gentlemen."

"Professor Dumbledore," Draco's cheeks flamed red, but his headmaster only laughed.

"How wonderful to have you back at school, Draco," he said. "And Harry!"

Then he turned to the baby, and inclined his head slightly. "May I meet my token nephew?"

"Of course, sir!"

Dumbledore took one of Cas's little hands, and looked at him seriously. "Hello, young fellow. I am Uncle Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

"Meet Casper James Altair Potter," Harry smiled, making the baby shake Dumbledore's hand. "But by the time he comes to Hogwarts there may be a 'Malfoy' in there, too."

Draco half expected their son to cry as he was passed, barely awake, to this unusual new figure, but the baby only blinked up at Dumbledore twice with those large, heavy-lashed eyes, before closing them again and nestling into his chest to go back to sleep.

Dumbledore was delighted. "Oh, how marvellous!" he exclaimed. "Babies are such treasures. We should have had one at Hogwarts decades ago. Of course, I suppose we shall have to get him Sorted..."

Harry and Draco shared an amused look, neither entirely sure whether the man was joking, but both enjoying the idea of their four-month-old baby completely enveloped by the Sorting Hat.

"No need, sir, I think he's a Gryffindor," Harry grinned, earning a light push from Draco.

"No way, he's definitely a Slytherin!" Draco argued. "He's been faking a cough all week to get attention and extra milk off us, how much more Slytherin can you get as a baby?"

"He's brave like a Gryffindor, though," Harry countered. "He was happy as you like in the Black's house, didn't get scared once!"

"Yeah, because of all the Slytherin energy!" Draco laughed. "He recognised it."

Dumbledore smiled fondly. "I suppose we shall have to see in a decade when he's of age," he said. "How very intriguing you are, young Casper James!"

The boys eventually managed to pry their son away from Dumbledore, with the promise to revisit with him as soon as they'd all rested and eaten something, and wandered happily off to inspect their Sixth Year dorms.

They couldn't wait for the year to begin in that moment. Little did they know what it would entail, and how soon they'd be wishing it was over.
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a/n: so just a short update for now, hope you enjoyed though! please remember to vote and comment, it really encourages me to keep writing ❤️❤️

what house do you think cas would be in?

bearing in mind his biological parents and his upbringing, i feel like the answer isn't straightforward, he might be a headache for the sorting hat when first year comes around! but let me know what you think please!