Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Warnings: It's rated 'M' people, heed the rating. Besides that, warnings same as last chapter.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! They made me so happy!
The Little Things
Chapter two: The Appointment
When Harry awoke the next morning, he was shocked to find himself in a clean room and lying in a soft bed. It took him a minute to remember he wasn't in his old apartment; instead in Draco's guest bedroom. All this still seemed unreal for him, but he knew he'd just have to accept it and find a way to get his life back on track.
He remembered little of what happened the day before. Of course, throwing up on Draco twice and having a mental break down in the hallway in the hospital burned in his mind clearly. He was quite embarrassed by the incidents, but they didn't compare to his horror when the healer had told him he was actually having a baby. Even now he could hardly believe it.
Draco had been so kind and understanding about everything. He had left Harry alone most of the evening and brought supper up to the guest bedroom when Harry didn't come down for it. Draco was being so nice; it made him wonder what had made him change so dramatically. But, being wrapped up in self pity all night, he didn't think much about it.
He lay in the bed for a few more minutes before he heard voices downstairs. Did someone else live there? Would another person have to learn of how pathetic his life had gotten? Was Draco dating someone? He quickly took off his borrowed pajamas and searched the floor for his own clothes. After successfully putting them on, he rushed downstairs, not knowing what he was going to find.
"Good morning," Draco greeted him as he ran into the kitchen. No one was in there but the blonde lawyer, who was looking comfortable sipping a cup of tea and reading the Daily Prophet.
"I heard someone…who's here?" He asked, looking around the room.
"Relax," Draco said, seeing Harry's expression, "It was just a friend. She was dropping off some papers I needed. Don't worry, I didn't tell her about you and she's gone."
Harry didn't know what to say after that, so he decided to busy himself with the tea on the stove. They sat in silence; the only sounds were cups being set down on the table and Draco turning the pages of the newspaper.
"We have to leave in an hour; you might want to wash up." Draco's voice broke through the silence, "I'll lend you some clothes, if you'd like."
Harry accepted the kind offer and went upstairs to get ready. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, he felt a little better about himself. Draco had given him a plain white button up t-shirt with a pair of jeans that could be tightened with a belt. The two men were different sizes and the clothes did look baggy on Harry, but he looked a lot better than he did before.
Draco himself was in a suit and tie when Harry came back into the kitchen. He explained as they were walking out the door that he would have to rush to work after the appointment.
When they got to the hospital, Draco checked him in and they waited in the room again. It seemed like the same people were there as the day before (with the exception of a wizard whose nose was now a banana). Harry was biting his nails, nervous about the appointment and what might be said during it.
"Harry Potter?" A nurse with long dark hair called. She smiled at them when they stood up and held the door for them as they left the waiting room. Humming softly as she led them to their room, it seemed she bounced more than walked.
"Here we are!" She sang cheerily as they arrived at the room. With a little wave and another smile, she walked away humming another little tune.
When she left, Harry knocked on the door and waited impatiently. A few moments later a man with a large sweatshirt walked out of the room. He took a guess that that man had the same 'condition' he had. The man gave them a polite nod and left as quick as he could. Maybe he too was embarrassed to be in such a dilemma.
"You may come in!" A female voice called out from the room. As they entered, they noticed that this room was different from the one the day before. It had pictures of small infants along with models of the male anatomy scattered everywhere. There were only three shelves neatly stacked with potions, books and other various tools. A light yellow filing cabinet stood near a desk near the front of the room. Where the other room was cluttered, this room was orderly and calm.
"Hello, my name is Healer Valane." She was a middle-aged woman with fading auburn hair and a crisp white lab coat. In her pocket were her wand and a few small vials of potions. Harry felt himself instantly trusting her; perhaps it was just the heavy smell of lavender in the air messing with his head.
"Don't worry, most my patients find the scent comforting. It's just a perfume." She explained, "You may sit." She gestured to two chairs pressed against the back wall. Seating herself in the desk, she studied them for a moment before speaking.
"I take it you are Mr. Potter," She nodding her head at Harry before turning to Draco, "But may I ask who you would be?"
"Oh, I'm Draco Malfoy." He answered before adding quickly, "I'm just a friend." He remembered yesterday's mix up with the other healer.
"It is nice to meet you both. First off, I would like to hear the questions you have for me." The Healer said, "That is, if you have any."
Harry looked at his feet, "Um, how did this happen?" he asked quietly, hoping to disappear where he sat.
The healer smiled, "I can truthfully tell you I get that question every time. As you know, being of magical blood makes you capable of many things. When during sexual activity between two magical beings, magical power builds throughout the act."
"I still don't understand. Why did it happen?" Harry interrupted.
The healer seemed unfazed by his interruption, "Well, it's quite simple. The magic that amassed got to the right amount and enabled your body to receive your lover's seed. A child was created in the process." She answered.
"Okay, I get that part, but why?" Harry asked again, unsure now exactly what he was asking. Fortunately, the healer seemed to understand, obviously having handled this before.
"You are asking why at this point of time, why not in other couplings, why now? I cannot tell why it now happened, but how it did. You see, Mr. Potter, some things are just by chance. Does that answer your question?"
"Yeah," Harry answered, still not sure whether it was answered, "Um, how am I gonna be able to do this? I thought only women could."
The healer smiled again, "Oh, it is generally women who bear children. At one time children from such births were illegal, but that was hundreds of years ago! But back to your question, your body has created a womb for the child to protect it and for it to grow in. You will bear it as a woman would." She explained knowledgeably.
Draco cleared his throat, "Excuse me, but I would like to know how the child will be born. I don't think Harry has the proper parts for it, right?" He was embarrassed for asking it, but he was curious and Harry didn't seem to be asking anymore questions.
"When Mr. Potter goes into labor to birth the child, a pathway will form for the child to be born out of. After all is done, it will seal itself back up in the days that follow the birth." She made it sound so simple. It was like Harry had worried for nothing, but he knew he was still in a mess regardless of the new knowledge he was learning.
There was a long silence between them. Harry was staring at his shoes, Draco stared at one of the posters on the wall and the Healer sat patiently in case another question was asked. Seeing that they were done, she spoke again.
"I have some simple rules you must follow to ensure the health of both you and the baby, Mr. Potter. No apparation no drinking Polyjuice potion, I hear you have a history of it, while were on the subject, no drinking any potions without my constant. I would advise against powerful spells as they will wear you out quicker than normal, eat healthy foods and no smoking or drinking alcohol. Especially firewhiskey!" She took a deep breath, "Do you understand all of that?"
"Um, could you maybe give us a list?" Draco asked.
She smiled, "Of course. Now, if that's all, I'll need you to fill out some papers." She said, opening one of the drawers to the cabinet and pulling out a stack of papers. The questions were mostly about his birth date, medical past and suchlike. The healer began writing something on a clipboard as he filled out the papers.
As Harry finished up, he spotted Draco looking at the paper he was filling out. He felt violated by this and turned his body to the opposite direction. How could Draco be so rude? He got to sit there listening to what was gonna be happening to Harry's body in the next months, wasn't that good enough? None of this was his business to begin with!
"Sorry." He heard Draco mutter, sounding exactly the opposite of sorry.
Harry ignored him, "I'm done," He told the healer and handed over the stack. She smiled and thanked him, thumbing through them to see if he filled them all out.
"Mr. Potter, you missed one. The name of the father is needed." She said, handing back the paper.
Harry shook his head and forced a smile, "I don't know who he is." He tried to act like it was no big deal, shrugging his shoulders even to stress his point. The healer stopped smiling and put the paper back in the stack.
"I've scheduled another appointment for next Monday at four, if that's not a problem." She put the papers in a folder marked H.P. and placed it in the cabinet. She then pulled out another piece of paper from her clipboard and handed it to Harry. When he look at it he saw that it was the list of things not to do that she had named off earlier.
"Well then, it was nice meeting you both. I'll see you next week, if you find anything else to ask, feel free to contact me by owl." She shook both their hands before she opened the door to let them out. Harry left the room, ashamed of what had been confessed in the office.
"You alright?" Draco asked, looking concerned. Harry turned away, he didn't need his sympathy. If Draco felt that he could suddenly be Mr. Perfect-Good-Guy and could be Harry's 'savior' he was thinking wrong. As he could recall, he never said he needed help to begin with.
"You look upset." Draco put a hand on his shoulder, "You wanna talk about it?"
Harry shook his head, "Listen, I'm fine. It doesn't matter." He lied.
Draco looked at his watch, "I have just enough time to take you back to my house, then I have to go to work." He told him before continuing to walk down the hall. As he turned to make sure Harry was following he saw the look on the Harry's face. Why did Harry look so mad? Did he say or do something wrong?
Both trying to find out what the other was thinking, they walked back to Draco's house in silence. Was Draco just helping Harry to cover up everything he did in the past? Was Harry truly alright or was he hiding something that could end up hurting him?
Draco knew they had to talk, but he didn't know what he would say or if Harry would even speak to him. How could Harry not know who the father of his child was? Why didn't he want to go to the Weasleys? Weren't they like his family? What had happened to the boy-who-lived?
A/N: I know, a lot of questions still unanswered. But giving everything away now makes the rest of the story boring, doesn't it? Anyway, tell me your thoughts about it.
