It had been a very stressful month for Declan so far. He had been preparing for the arrival of his son. He had been looking for a home closer to Wizarding London since he was going to be working at the ministry. The home he had now was in Ireland, which he had inherited from his late aunt who had raised him. Declan had managed to sell it with relative ease to a young wizarding couple. He and Iggy were going to move into a home in Wizard London which his child's grandfather had provided- part of the "payment" for Declan taking custody of Ignatious with little argument.

He hadn't wanted to take the house initially- but living in Ireland was going to be inconvenient, and he had been worried if he didn't accept all parts of the deal, that he wouldn't be able to keep his son. Besides, it was easier this way. It was hard to find nice homes in wizarding London. This one had obviously been inherited at some point but not lived in.

Declan had moved his things from Hogwarts to the home in London, and had moved his things out of his small home in Ireland. He had hired a few laborers to help him make sure the house was clean and repaired, and had the basics for keeping Iggy. Now that Hogwarts was officially out for the summer, Declan was going to take Iggy into Diagon to finish buying everything that they would need- and he was going to drop an ad by the prophet to look for a nanny for Iggy.

He had gotten Ignatius up and dressed for the day. They had stopped for breakfast at a cafe, and had been shopping. He'd bought the boy a lollipop from the sweets store and things had been going well most of the morning. Declan had purchased a new bed for Iggy- one that he could "grow" with, a lot of new clothes, a hoard of toys and numerous other things with the money from Mr. Smythe. He wouldn't be starting his new job until July 6th, so he would have time to get to know his son settled before going to work, even so Declan wanted to get as much done as he could.

Unfortunately, though, sometime just before ten in the morning for some reason unbeknownst to Declan O Morain, Ignatius decided that he was going to start crying. Declan was not  particularly experienced with children, and had checked the normal things. The boy did not need to change his diaper- and had, in fact, been doing well with potty training according to his mother. He wasn't hungry or thirsty. There were no scrapes, sores, or physical problems. Nothing and nobody had scared the child. The boy couldn't be sleepy- so he had no idea why he was crying.

Everyone had been giving him looks- the sort that told him he needed to get his child under control. He knew it was rude, but didn't know what to do- and he had to get his new work uniforms ordered before he could take Iggy home. He'd made an appointment.

An hour and a half later, and Iggy was still wailing. Coming out of the robe shop, packages in one hand, holding his son with his other arm, he spotted a very familiar, very tall figure just down the street.

Declan and Tapendra had never been the best of friends. Originally he had no respect for Trishna, had thought him unorthodox and inappropriate, but as the year wore on he had less contempt for the man. He also knew that Tapendra did have experience with children, and thought- perhaps- he might be able to help. His head was pounding and the boy was coughing and could barely catch his breath for screaming. "Trishna!" he called out, hurrying along the street.

"Thank Merlin! I hate to bother you- but as you can see I've got a problem on my hands." Iggy had stopped to look at Trishna, the crying paused for just a few seconds, before he let out another scream. "I don't know how to get him to stop crying! Please- please tell me you can help?" He looked frazzled and stressed, and hoped that Trishna would find it in his heart to help him figure out what was wrong with the boy.

Lawyers. Tapendra's wallet was...it wasn't empty. That was a good thing, right? But it was a lot lighter. He suspected staying more than 5 minutes more would have emptied it. Muggle or wizard...some things never changed!

He opened it and looked at the 3 sole galleons sitting at the bottom, sighing as he made his way out of the lawyer's office and back onto the busy street. That was enough for lunch and that was about it. He'd have to go to Gringotts, and he hated doing that. It always made him unhappy to watch the vault get lower on money, and to have to find the galleons that had rolled into the corners. Still, if this went his way, he'd never have to scrounge for galleons again, right...?

He had turned to make his way towards the bank, his head down and eyeing the cobblestones absently, when he paused - swearing he heard his name. He looked around, but didn't immediately see anyone who he recognized.

And then O Morain came out of the crowd, holding a screaming toddler.

"Err," he said, eloquently, looking between the two. Having O Morain - who he'd been avoiding since February - suddenly so openly want his help was nonplussing, to say the least. Still - the toddler was cute. He wasn't about to say no...and in Declan's frazzled and confused face it was far too easy to see himself, 16 years ago.

"Of course," he said, looking at Iggy. He caught the toddler's eye and smiled, warmly, before he spoke. "Hallo," he said. "Can you tell me your name?"

The toddler looked at Tapendra when he spoke to him. He hiccuped quietly and reached out for the man- but didn't answer the question. Declan just looked blankly at his son, surprised to see him growing quiet, reaching out to be held by a complete stranger. Then again, Declan was basically a complete stranger. He had never met the kid before in his life and two days ago found himself a full time dad. The little boy was always asking about mommy, and Declan didn't know what to say or how to answer the questions.

Declan hesitated before passing the boy over to Tapendra. The boy remained quiet, resting his head against the taller man's shoulder, sucking his thumb and staring down at his father.

"It's been a long morning," he said quietly to Trishna. "I just got him two days ago," he explained. It sounded as though Declan was talking about a pet- but he wasn't sure there was a better way to explain. His old colleagues had no idea he had a son, he didn't talk about it because he never had a chance to be a dad. And now it was all dumped into his lap and he had no idea what to do or how to process it.

"I don't know anything about children," he confessed. "I have no idea what I'm doing. Apparently... you do," Declan commented. Iggy was still sitting quietly, sucking his thumb, occasionally letting out a hiccup. "I tried everything and he just kept screaming." He rubbed his forehead, and sighed. "I guess this is the part where I ask for advice on how to make Iggy do that for me."

Tapendra took the toddler silently, but as he held Iggy he made a sound in his throat; one could call it a coo, but it was probably better described as a soothing rumble. The kid seemed content, but he gently bounced him out of habit nevertheless.

He looked back to Declan as the man started to explain, an eyebrow quirked. The only thing he really knew about the man's personal life was that he'd messed up badly as a child; other than that, the intricacies of O Morain's personal life had remained a mystery.

He certainly hadn't even considered toddlers would have been involved. "Hm," he said, looking at Iggy again. "I'd say it's luck, more than anything else," he admitted, rubbing the top of Iggy's head gently.

"I've got some time," he said, nodding towards the crowds around them. "We should go somewhere less busy and, ideally,  quiet?" He asked. "Yelling over the crowd and all..." Even as he looked around for a possible place, he added, "Why did you 'get him'?"

Declan was even more relieved to find that Tapendra had time. He suggested they go somewhere less busy, somewhere quiet, and Declan nodded. That was a good idea- yelling over the crowd was probably not going over so well. He also looked around, wondering the best place for the two of them to go. The only place that would really be quiet was probably a book shop- and going to one of those to talk seemed a little inconsiderate. But a moment later, Trishna seemed to have spotted an appropriate venue and Declan followed, bags in hand.

They entered a small cafe, taking a seat in the back corner. Iggy was still quiet, and as ridiculous as it might seem, Declan was jealous that his own son would calm down and behave for Trishna and not for himself. But now was not the appropriate time for petty jealousy.

"His mother decided she didn't want him anymore," Declan finally explained. "She's engaged and her fiance wants no part in raising a boy that isn't his own- he was afraid Iggy might become the heir to his fortunes or some such nonsense. She never let me be a part of his life and just before school let out sent me an owl and informed me that if I didn't take Ignatius, she'd send him to my sister or to an orphanage."

He eyed the toddler again, then sighed. "I have no idea what I'm doing- but he's my son, and I wasn't going to let someone else raise him. I've been rushing to get the things he needs, and I'm not even sure what all he needs." Declan pinched the bridge of his nose then rubbed his forehead. "The books aren't helping much, either," he added. "I've already read more than five parental manuals by this point."

Tapendra sat down carefully, his own messenger bag/briefcase shoved under the chair before he carefully slouched, flattening out his stomach and chest. Iggy seemed content to lay on that surface, and the position freed Tapendra's hands, for the most part. Even if his back was going to pay for it.

"I see," he said, glad then for the child's age - he likely didn't understand what Declan was saying. Iggy's head started to nod against Tapendra's chest.

He rubbed Iggy's head again, as the child seemed ready to drift off to sleep. "He lived with his mother til a few days ago, then?" He asked. "Poor kid," he added, quietly. He couldn't really understand people abandoning their children...but then, he wasn't exactly a pureblood socialite. And thank Merlin for it! Still - he hoped Declan actually wanted the child. He could understand wanting to raise your own child, but you needed more than that to truly raise a child properly. In Tapendra's view, anyway.

Looking up at Declan again, he considered what to say. But questions probably were the best place to start. "Has he been well behaved up until now?" He asked. "If he's been quiet, my guess would just be he's tired." He gestured, gently, to the dozing toddler. "Or has he been getting rowdier?"

"I was furious when she decided she just didn't want him anymore," he said to Tapendra. It was odd, talking about it. Declan didn't really have anyone to talk to about the situation- and hadn't been able to voice his concerns or agitation. "I've done all I could to get her to let me be a part of his life before now," he said, "and she always refused. She sent back everything I ever sent him and never would let me see him. It's like someone just dumped him in a stranger's lap." Declan frowned, and pushed a hand through his hair.

"I'm glad, though, that I can take care of him now. It's just going to take some getting used to." And a lot of patience and learning on his end. He'd never cared for anyone other than himself- apart from animals, but they were mostly low maintenance.

Declan considered Trishna's question for a moment, then shrugged. "He's been mostly well behaved. Quiet, obedient- but naturally he asks for his mother a lot. I don't know what to say at that point, and I know he's too young to understand what happened."

"He just started screaming without warning- and I read a lot of books, you know, before I got him. And I tried everything they said in the books and it hasn't worked. I've been quickly discovering almost everything in the books is a load of crap and none of it seems to work. I guess this is just one of those things that you can't learn from a book unfortunately..." Declan frowned again, watching as his son continued to remain peaceful and quiet.

"I know it's going to take him a long time to get used to living with me," he said. "I just want to make it as easy for him as I can, so any advice you can think of would be much appreciated."

Tapendra gawked a little bit; "I'm sorry," were the only words he could summon. He looked down at the now-slumbering child on his stomach, shaking his head slightly; he didn't get why some people tried to be parents at all if they were just going to...well, give up. A child wasn't a dog! But it was likely pureblood society at work again; children were either an investment, or an obstacle.

"If that's the case, his situation and mindset is a bit...unorthodox, so I'm not sure the books would cover it," He said with a smile, having thrown several against the wall as a teenager. He stroked his beard and fell silent so he could think. What would that have been like for the tot? It wasn't entirely unlike his life at that age - though he'd kept a familiar face, which had been a bonus to him. But damned if he could remember any of it in detail.

"Did you get his things? His toys, crib - are they the ones she used, or are they new?" he asked. "If you can give him as many familiar things as you can, that should help somewhat. But, hmm..." He looked up at Declan sharply. "Do you want him, Ó Móráin? Really and truly? He's a big responsibility, as I'm sure you've gathered..."

Declan shot Tapendra a warning glare when he asked whether or not he really wanted him. "Iggy is not an animal, Trishna," he stated simply. "But yes, I do want him. I have always wanted to be a part of his life and was never allowed to. If it was a matter of being selfish enough to focus more on my wants than on his- like his mother has- then he would not have come with me. I have left Hogwarts, I have moved into a different home, I have taken a new job, and I have changed my entire life so that I can better take care of my son. If I didn't want him, I don't think I would have done all of that."

"But to answer your question- all new things. I was given a gringotts vault, a home, a job, and a baby. I know it's going to take time, that it's not going to be easy, but I remember growing up pureblood," he said to Tapendra. "I remember never enjoying life as a child, and being nothing more than a doll for my parents to pose and to teach. And I bought into it for a very long time- and then they threw me away on a whim. I've been the throw-away son, and I'm not going to put Ignatius through that."

He frowned, watching his son. "You learn through experience, I guess. Once I start working I'll have to find a nanny for him. But it will be easier to work at the ministry with a toddler than work at Hogwarts. As a professor and deputy headmaster I wouldn't have the time I need to take care of Iggy. And sure- it is a big responsibility, with a lot of changes in my life- but it's worth it."

"I know that you and I have not seen eye to eye in the past, I would even venture to say that we did not seem to like one another very much. Even so- I do have a sense of right and wrong. And the right thing to do is to take care of Iggy. So I am doing it because it is right, but I am also doing it because I want to."

Tapendra gave Declan a long and somewhat blank look; oddly emotionless, but the slight slant to his eyes and the press of his lips made it clear there was a scoreboard in Tapendra's mind and he was checking Declan against it.

Then he smiled suddenly, happily; it was a quick one but said volumes. Whatever test he'd been conducting, Declan had clearly passed it.

"Good. No one should raise a child just because they feel obligated to. The child can tell," he said, fingers gently patting the top of Iggy's head. "Get any of his old things that you can; if what you've said is any indication, she likely won't hang onto them, anyway. Even if it's just a teddy bear or a blanket - he'll notice. It'll help with the transition," he said.

"As for his nanny - same thing. Anything or anyone familiar you can give him, give him. And..." He paused, lips pressing together again. "I don't know if the Department of Mysteries does this, but...if they have some sort of daycare, or some manner of arranging playdates with other children, I'd do that."

He sighed, trying to think. "Purebloods tend to sequester their children when they're young, but being social helps a lot when it comes to child development. And in his case...I think it'd help. He'll have to cope with change, so if you can make that change in routine as stimulating and fun as possible, it'll be easier for him to take to it."

Declan wasn't sure how to respond to the smile that Tapendra suddenly gave him. He didn't like feeling as though he was being judged. "I can't get any of his old things," Declan said simply. "You don't understand the situation. All he gets is me and the things that I can buy him. He has his blanket- they did give me that- but I did't consider bringing it with us out today. He usually only wants it when it's time for bed."

"And I don't know who was taking care of him when he was with his mother. And I don't know if they have any type of daycare, either, though I don't imagine they do. I don't the ministry does in general, unless I've missed it somewhere. But I'm sure there has to be someone there who has a child Iggy's age, and I'll look into that."

Declan nodded- it was true, Purebloods did tend to keep their children separate, and train them to be little adults. "I'll do what I can. As I said, I don't intend to raise him the way that I was raised. I want him to be happy and well adjusted."

"There are some pureblood children who are given that. Raised more as a traditionalist instead of as a purist. That tends to work well. But I don't think I'll know what to do until I'm in the moment. I guess, as horrible as it sounds, that he's lucky he won't remember his mother much. I suppose it would be a lot harder if he was six or seven instead of only three. But when the questions come about his mother, I'm not sure that I'll field them correctly. I don't want to lie to him, but I don't think any child should hear 'Your mother didn't want you'. So we'll see."

"After I start working at the ministry things will settle down, I'm sure. But until then I want to spend as much time with Iggy as I can. But what does one do with a toddler?" Declan asked Tapendra.