Draco's Story

"How did this happen?" McGonagall asked.

"I don't know," replied Draco.

"When?" Madam Pomfrey was next.

"I'm not sure exactly. Can you tell how far along?" Draco inquired. "I started feeling sick about three weeks ago and it wasn't until a few days after that I realised that it wasn't just a normal sort of virus. I was sick during random times of the day, waking up in the middle of the night to vomit."

"I conducted various tests when he initially came in with this condition," Madam Pomfrey spoke to McGonagall as though Draco wasn't even in the room. "This was the last thing I expected, during the secondary examination of his vitals; I've determined that Draco is over four weeks pregnant."

"I am right here!" Draco retorted. "How can this happen? I didn't even know men could get pregnant!"

"Pure-blood wizards are a rare exception when it comes to male pregnancy," Madam Pomfrey answered. "Rare but if the right potions are administered precisely …" she paused for a moment, "Wait, Draco… that day when I found you here, you weren't dressed. Oh dear, I never even thought about that."

"What?" both Draco and McGonagall exclaimed together.

"You weren't alone the nights you stayed in the hospital after you accident?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

"Draco…" McGonagall called his name when he'd bowed his head down due to embarrassment.

"I never even thought something like this would have happened, that's why I gave you that potion!" Pomfrey's voice was shaking, she was in utter disbelief.

"What exactly happened, Poppy?"

"I gave Draco a mixture of Urtica dioica, mandrake restorative draught and red raspberry mixed with other herbs…"

"And?" McGonagall asked, not understanding Madam Pomfrey's point.

"It is a fertility potion, but it also works well as a healing potion for life threatening wounds. I mixed the potion to ensure his injuries were healed completely within a few days but if wizards drink the potion and engage in sexual activities with another wizard it can lead to … pregnancy. It doesn't matter if they're wizards or witches."

"Who was it, Draco? Who visited you when you were here?" McGonagall demanded to know. Draco didn't answer. McGonagall sighed, "It's too late anyway, most of the students have already left."

"What are we going to do?" Madam Pomfrey asked. She turned to Draco to address him, "Draco, it isn't too late. If you wish to terminate – I can help you; we still have a short window of opportunity. Termination of a pregnancy in male wizards is highly dangerous as it can harm the host if not acted upon quickly within the first thirty-five days."

"It's probably too late," Draco answered. "Besides, I think if he ever found out that I also murdered his unborn child… I can't, I can't do that. The only way this pregnancy can be terminated is if I am also killed with it." Draco looked up to meet the gaze of the two older witches watching over him.

"How does this work? How long until I start showing? Would I be able to hide this from my parents, and other… wizards?" Draco paused for a moment and spoke again. "The Dark Lord – he's helped his followers, including my father, escape from Azkaban. They're all staying at the Manor."

"You can stay here, Draco, I can help you see this through," Madam Pomfrey said.

"I can't, he'll wonder why I haven't come home. He'll come here, looking for me," Draco answered, his voice full of fear.

"The Dark Lord? Why would he be interested in …" McGonagall paused. The horror on her face was hard to miss. "Draco, it can't be. That is why he was here, insisting to see you!" Draco looked up again to meet her gaze, tears trickling down his eyes; he looked at Madam Pomfrey and saw the realization set into her eyes.

"Harry Potter?" Madam Pomfrey asked.

Draco didn't say anything.

"But, I thought you two hated each other, I had never seen two students in my life before that were so ill willed towards each other than the two of you. With the exception of James Potter and Severus Snape," Madam Pomfrey added.

McGonagall didn't say anything. Draco looked up to meet her gaze and she simply nodded. Draco wasn't sure what the nod meant, did it mean that she had it figured out all along or did she think that all of it was just so bizarre that she was actually lost for words. "How long do you have before you are to return home?" she finally asked.

"My mother wrote to me a few days ago, she stated that once the Dark Lord's task had been completed…" Draco paused.

"Meaning Dumbledore's death?" McGonagall asked.

Draco nodded a yes then continued. "Aunt Bellatrix was going to free my father and other followers from Azkaban and gather at the Manor. I didn't return to the Manor straightaway because I was with Professor Snape and he had received instructions to keep me safe. He returned me here when he realised that I was ill."

"Does he know?" McGonagall asked, to which Draco shrugged. "I will owl your mother and indicate that you are quite ill and you cannot return home immediately. I will inform her that you need to stay under Madam Pomfrey's care for one week and then Snape can come and collect you and deliver you to Wiltshire."

Draco face went white and he was shaking just slightly but he nodded.

"I think that is a good enough idea. It's only a temporary situation," Madam Pomfrey reassured Draco. "I can observe you here for a week and make sure your health and the health of the life inside you is thriving. Additionally, I can provide you with a few potions that will conceal your status from others. You may experience bodily changes but the potion will have an enchantment that will prohibit others from seeing your transformation. You will need to make sure that you return to Hogwarts at the beginning of term in September."

Draco nodded in acknowledgement. He felt a bit better though he wasn't sure what the future held for him. Would he tell his parents that he was carrying Harry Potter's child? Above all, Draco still wondered how Dumbledore knew about Draco. Draco turned to his side and closed his eyes to rest and continued thinking, what if Snape hadn't arrived at that time, what if he had taken Dumbledore's offer.

He would be safe, he would be with Harry.

0–0–0–0–0

One week later, Snape arrived in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. The castle was nearly deserted with the exception of Filch, McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey.

"Draco, do you think you are well enough to fly?" Snape asked a nervous Draco. He wasn't ready to leave the comfort of his protection under McGonagall. But, he knew that he needed to gather his courage, swallow his fear back.

He simply nodded in affirmation.

"What about Apparition?" Snape asked.

"My heart – it isn't entirely in the aspiration of returning home. I am afraid that if we Disapparate from Hogsmeade, I might accidentally split," Draco answered honestly. He didn't wish to return home, and for some odd reason felt at ease expressing his concerns to Snape.

"I understand. If it were up to me, I would rather you stay here in Madam Pomfrey's care, however, your parents seem to be worried and the Dark Lord has noticed your absence," Snape replied. His eyes expressed a kind of concern Draco had seen before, after Slughorn's party when he'd offered to help Draco for the first time. "Now that your father has been relinquished from Azkaban, I am quite certain that your absence will seem suspicious and he could resort to torturing your parents."

"I know, and that's why I must return home. I know the consequences," Draco answered as he grabbed on to his belongings and readied himself to leave the hospital wing, to leave Hogwarts. Most of his personal effects had been delivered to the Manor a week prior.

"Draco, before we leave, I just want to say – despite anything that happens from now on, and what you witness of my actions…" Snape paused for a moment as though he was carefully considering his next set of words. "Please be sure that whatever secrets of yours that I may be aware of, that you may wish to share with me, I will not share them with the Dark Lord." Draco's eyes widened, he wasn't sure exactly what Snape was talking about, but he was shocked regardless. "Stay out of sight as best as you can, and keep this on you at all times." Snape handed a bottle to Draco; the contents looked as though it was made of liquid gold.

"What is it?" Draco asked as he gripped the bottle and stared at it. He had a sneaking suspicion to what it was already though.

"I am sure you know what it is," Snape answered. "Use it wisely, and sparingly."

Draco nodded and clutched on to the bottle a bit more tightly. He placed it in his robes' pocket and picked up his suitcase. Shortly after leaving the hospital wing, Draco and Snape walked to the Clock Tower Entrance where Snape had placed two brooms for them to use. Draco mounted his broom and waited for Snape to take the lead.

The warm summer breeze hit Draco in the face instantaneously causing him to smile. He loved flying, he had almost forgotten that. It was the only thing he had loved for a long time and now it was one of the two things he loved the most in the world. He was suddenly intrigued by the idea that he could abandon Snape, and fly away. He didn't have to return to the Manor, he could go anywhere. Snape turned to look at him and caught his eye, he seemed vexed. Draco wondered if Snape could tell that Draco was thinking of escaping.

By the time they arrived at Hogsmeade Village all hope had vanished. Draco realised that he couldn't escape. His parents would be murdered in retaliation almost immediately. Also, it wasn't just him. He was carrying a child inside of him, Harry's child. Even if he did manage to run away and his parents survived, where would he go? The only care he could receive was under Madam Pomfrey. He couldn't go to St Mungo's, they wouldn't treat him there – he had the Dark Mark.

Draco attempted to shut his mind for the rest of the trip. He no longer wished to think of the possibilities, the chances he could have had, the opportunities he didn't procure. He had managed to shut his compassion for years, he didn't intend on starting onto down a road to self-pity.

Snape placed his hand on Draco's shoulder and transported him to the Malfoy Manor via Side-Along-Apparition. When they arrived in front of Draco's childhood home, he stumbled a bit. He quickly placed a hand on his stomach steadying himself physically. Snape raised an eyebrow and looked at his gesture; Draco removed his hand from his stomach immediately.

"Yes, avoid actions like that," Snape said, "you'll cause unnecessary concern." He turned towards the gate that opened almost immediately and Snape and Draco made their way via the long courtyard towards the Manor.

0–0–0–0–0

For the remainder of his summer holidays, Draco did his best to stay out of the way. He had requested the house-elves deliver him a mug of tea to his room every morning. When he'd wake up, he'd release a small droplet of Felix Felicis in his tea. He did that nearly every time Voldemort had required his presence at their meeting. His biggest fear had been that if he were near the Dark Lord or other powerful Death Eaters, they would perform Legilimency and see his every secret, regardless of the fact that he was an accomplished Occlumens. He didn't inform his parents of his pregnancy and often blamed a house-elf's cooking if he experienced nausea and vomiting in front of other Manor occupants.

The first of September could not have arrived fast enough, but it finally did.

Draco had witnessed the torture and murder of many innocents that supported Muggle-born wizardry, including Charity Burbage, a Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts. Additionally, there were times when Draco was forced to torture individuals that failed to carry out the Dark Lord's charges. Draco did the best he could to seem malevolent and unforgiving, however, most of the time he'd Obliviate his victims and made them believe that they had been brutally tortured for hours and were drained from their punishment. He couldn't perform the torture, he didn't wish to witness the torture so he simply made his victims believe that they had been tortured.

Before leaving for Hogwarts, Draco had finally disclosed to his mother the secret he had been hiding all summer. He knew that his mother would protect him, no matter what, but didn't reveal to her who the child's father was. "I'll let you know when the time is right," he assured her and she couldn't argue back. He could see in her eyes that she'd realised how much he had changed and that he really had no one else but himself to rely on for his security.

On the Hogwarts Express Draco sat with the Slytherins of his year but soon realised that his friends were keeping their distance from him. No matter how much his family had tried to be in the good graces of the Dark Lord, it had become evident that the Malfoys had lost their influence in the Death Eater circles. Draco stormed out of the car where the Slytherins had sat and decided to roam around the train when he came across Luna.

"Draco, should you be storming around the cabins like this, in your condition?" Luna asked.

"My condition?" What – how could she know?

"I see what others don't, didn't Harry tell you?" Luna stated. "Having trouble with your friends?"

"It seems I am not as vile as I once used to be," Draco replied looking out the window into the green mountains as the train sped by. "Thus, I am no longer loved as I once had been."

Soon their conversation was interrupted by Neville and Ginny who had begun to walk about the cabins looking for Luna. Ginny immediately brought out her wand when she saw Luna with Draco. Neville was right behind her, telling her to wait. He was of age now and he wouldn't get in trouble.

"Get your filthy paws away from her, Malfoy," Neville declared.

"It's quite alright, we are – Well, I am not sure, Draco, are we friends?" Luna asked, turning towards Draco so her back was turned to Ginny and Neville. Draco nodded in trepidation, and looked up at Ginny and Neville who stared at each other in disbelief.

"I – I want to help," Draco said to the two Gryffindors standing in front of him. "I want to join Dumbledore's Army."

Ginny and Neville snorted almost in unison. They shook their heads and returned to pointing their wands at Draco's face.

"No, listen. Just give me a chance!" Draco begged. He looked at Luna who nodded and grabbed his hand and began to walk away. She led the group to her empty cabin and shortly Draco casted the Muffliato Charm.

Ginny and Neville exchanged a look of surprise again and Draco figured he knew why. He had learned this incantation from Harry, who would have previously told them about it. It wasn't a famous spell after all so they were probably wondering how Draco was aware of it.

"Potter…taught me," Draco announced. "If that's what you're wondering."

Ginny and Neville nodded in affirmation as though they were willing to hear whatever Draco had to say. Draco told them that he had information on the Death Eaters that were going to be at Hogwarts and he could help them provide information if they were in contact with Harry.

"Do you know where Harry is?" Ginny asked. "Do you know his mission?"

"No," Draco replied. "I have no idea."

"When was the last time you saw him, spoke to him?" Neville asked.

"Around the time Dumbledore died," Draco answered, his eyes were almost inundated, and holding the tears back was proving to be difficult.

"Who killed Dumbledore?" Ginny asked. Her voice wasn't as soft as Luna's; her tone wasn't as empathetic as Neville's.

Draco didn't expect them to believe him, to help him. He had never said a word that wasn't full of scorn towards the three of them in the past six years he'd known them. He expected to be hexed at any given moment.

"I was… instructed by the Dark Lord to kill Dumbledore, and I was near successful. However, in the end, I wasn't able to carry out the task. To ensure that the Dark Lord doesn't murder my parents for my failure, Professor Snape completed the mission."

"So, Snape is a Death Eater," Neville said.

"Truthfully, I have no idea. He'd promised my mother he'd watch out for me at Hogwarts and that's what he did. But, he also kept my secrets from the Dark Lord, secrets that, if they were revealed, would destroy Harry." Draco had removed his wand from his pocket, which alarmed the two adversaries sitting across from him. He held up the wand in a precautionary way, away from them and ultimately placed it on the table amidst them.

"What secrets?" Ginny snapped. She seemed the least persuaded of the group. Draco thought it might have had something to do with her feelings for Harry. "Why should we believe you? Why are you willing to help us?"

"If you'll allow me, I'd like to use my wand," Draco said as he removed a bottle of potion and placed it on the table as well. It was the potion Madam Pomfrey had given him to hide his natural state from the wizarding public. Though Neville and Luna had nodded, Draco waited for a confirmation from Ginny. She looked sideways to meet Neville's eyes and nodded curtly.

"I am not necessarily – exclusively – helping you," Draco continued. "I am also ensuring my own safety."

Draco pointed the wand towards himself and whispered, "Finite Incantatem." At first nobody reacted, but, slowly, Draco saw both Neville and Ginny's eyes widen with shock.

"What is this trickery?" Ginny asked.

"This isn't any sort of a trick, I am a pure-blood wizard and I am pregnant," Draco announced.

"That still doesn't answer why you're helping us or why you're seeking our assistance," Ginny retorted.

"It's Potter's," Draco asserted as he opened the potion bottle that sat on the table and drank from it. Moments later the illusion had returned and he looked normal again.

"That's impossible!" Ginny screamed. Draco was now glad for the charm he'd put in place otherwise that reaction would have definitely resulted in attention.

"It's not impossible," Luna said. "I've kept Harry's secret and the nights he was supposedly spending time with me, he was meeting – Draco. Although, I didn't know it was him, I knew it was someone Harry didn't wish to acknowledge publicly."

"Makes sense," Neville added, causing Ginny to turn and glare at him. "What? You didn't share a dorm with Harry, you didn't know him." He turned to look at Draco and asked, "How far along?"

"About four months. I had no idea this was possible but apparently it is. Harry doesn't know, he has no idea. I cut all communication with him when it happened and I now have no way of contacting him. I don't know where he is and can't tell that he's got a child on the way." Draco felt himself trembling. Luna placed an arm around him trying to console him. Neville looked sympathetic and Ginny looked as though she was going to hex him anyway.

"You really hurt him," Ginny proclaimed after a few moments of silence. "We had a birthday party for him, right before Bill and Fleur's wedding and he was…miserable. He wouldn't let anyone in, and Ron and Hermione, they wouldn't tell me what he was so upset about. He had nightmares every night and I asked him if they were about You-Know-Who and he said no, but never shared them."

Even though Draco was sure that Ginny was trying to make him feel more wretched than he already did, he was glad to hear of any news of Harry. The fact that Harry was still alive and safe, made Draco feel better.

"Tell me more about him," Draco requested. For the next hour, Ginny told Draco stories of Harry and what he'd been doing at the Burrow before he took off with Ron and Hermione. Luna and Neville listened intently as well. Eventually Draco had to take his leave; he thanked Ginny and the others for their understanding and claimed that he'd contact them soon when they'd arrive at Hogwarts. Needless to say, but Draco reminded them anyway, that to keep up appearances he would have to be his old-self if they were to cross paths in the hallways at the castle.

Draco returned to the cabin where his fellow Slytherin mates were sitting. The only person who said anything about his lengthy absence was Pansy who he replied to vaguely and insolently, causing her to turn and place her arms around another seventh year boy.

When the students arrived at Hogwarts, Draco was almost immediately summoned by Madam Pomfrey for a check-up. He handed her a journal he'd been keeping about his health and bodily changes, along with the potions he'd been taking and their dosage. She was thoroughly impressed and Draco couldn't help but take delight in her commendations.

His delight was short-lived however. Madam Pomfrey informed Draco that the sixth to the seventh month of male pregnancy was the most difficult along with the fact that he'd have to go through a caesarean section procedure after his thirty-sixth week. A normal female pregnancy lasted up to forty weeks but the chances of infantile death was higher in wizard pregnancy so they operated on the patient a month earlier than the norm. He would be sent to a proper hospital where they'd perform the operation. Draco asked how he'd keep it a secret if he were to deliver the child at St Mungo's.

"Minerva and Severus can figure that out. You're still a ways away from that day," Madam Pomfrey answered as she handed his journal back to Draco and gave him a vial of potion for sleeping through the night without pain.

Madam Pomfrey had been correct. As the days went by it was becoming more and more difficult for Draco to walk up a flight of stairs without being winded. Thanks to advice from Neville, Draco had summoned a second year to carry his books for him as he went to his classes. No one seemed to think anything odd of Draco's actions and if anything, the Carrows, the new Death Eater professors at Hogwarts, found it impressive and praiseworthy.

By the time the Christmas holidays rolled around Draco was almost always bed-ridden. His visits to the hospital wing were becoming suspicious, so Neville had decided to help him. Neville had recently converted the Room of Requirement into a meeting place, then eventually a hiding place for Dumbledore's Army. Whenever Draco needed additional assistance, he'd contact Neville using a Protean Charm and Neville would deliver him to the Room of Requirement for rest.

Draco's health was declining slowly; he knew that he would be unable to go back to the Manor for the holidays so he wrote to his parents about allowing him to stay at Hogwarts. Snape owled the Malfoys as well indicating that he was giving Draco private lessons and that he was becoming most proficient in the Dark Arts and his talents would eventually impress the Dark Lord. Lucius was hesitant in his reply but eventually agreed to allow Draco to stay at Hogwarts. Draco was sure that his mother must have influenced Bellatrix to help convince Lucius that Draco would do better with new skills to impress the Dark Lord.

Draco was well safeguarded under Snape's guidance and Neville's protection. Neville still did not trust Snape, he wasn't sure why he was helping Draco, but Draco had assured him that Snape was unaware of his involvement with Dumbledore's Army.

The D.A. lost one of their leaders when the Death Eaters kidnapped Luna from the Hogwarts Express during her trip home. Ginny wrote to Neville immediately upon arriving home about Luna's capture. Draco was disappointed to hear this because Luna had been the only one who trusted him completely and he became resentful towards himself because he did not uncover the plan on time, he could have saved her. Neville comforted Draco that it wasn't his fault and that they were doing great work together.

Slowly, all the members in the D.A. had found out about Draco and accepted him. He had provided vital information about the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters. Hesitant at first, many eventually began to consider Draco their friend. Draco had done for many during the Christmas holidays what Harry had done in their fifth year. He'd taught them tactics on escaping pain and avoiding Legilimency. Draco had even mastered the trick to become immune to Veritaserum. He informed his colleagues of the D.A. tricks he'd mastered over the summer holidays and happily demonstrated them.

In return, the members of the Dumbledore's Army concentrated on helping Draco cast a Patronus. It took almost all of the holidays for Draco to accomplish the task. Many, including Draco, were afraid that if he tried to cast a Patronus he would only accomplish in conjuring a horde of maggots from his wand. For this reason, he had stayed away from practicing it for days, until Neville had encouraged him. Neville shared with him the story of his first time casting one and how it was Harry's positive encouragement and words that had helped him. Draco knew, and Neville had figured it out, that if he'd mention Harry in anything, Draco would be willing to try it.

"You're on your way of becoming a pure-heart wizard," Neville said.

Draco didn't respond, he didn't believe him.

"You love Harry, that's step one. You're carrying your love child, step two." Neville grinned as Draco glared at him for making fun of his expectant state.

"You know if I could actually get up, I would reach over and choke you," Draco replied as he lazily sat on a Transfigured sofa in the Room of Requirement.

Think of the happiest thing you can, Draco ran the instructions in his head. The happier the better.

First time he kissed Harry? No, that was more shocking than happy. The first time he came in Harry's mouth? Again, kinky, blissful, even, but not exactly happy.

"Are you thinking about sex?" Neville asked. Draco reacted in a manner he was sure confirmed Neville's suspicions. "Don't think about it like that, when was the time you were afraid of something and it went well, how did that make you feel?"

Draco thought again, then he remembered. He hastily stood up from the sofa and closed his eyes. He thought the words, North Tower, Trelawney's Chamber, the time he'd waited for Harry to arrive. He was afraid Harry didn't get the message or that he wouldn't show and slowly the door opened and it was still dark but Draco could see that Harry had arrived. The joy he felt feeling when he'd launched himself on Harry and kissed him, and Harry had kissed him back.

Draco raised his wand, opened his eyes and clearly articulated the words: "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

A silvery-white strand of energy bloomed from his wand and filled the room. It wasn't as big as Draco would have hoped but the fact that it wasn't maggots was an instant relief. I suppose I am not that evil-hearted after all.

The room cheered at Draco's attempt and encouraged him to do it again. Every time the thought of Harry, and the positive effect to the anticipation in the tiny room in the North Tower, it became stronger and stronger and Draco felt as though the life inside of him was adding onto the positive energy emanating from his wand.

"The last one you conjured was the biggest yet, did you add onto the happy memory?" Neville asked.

"Sort of, I added on the fact that the happy memory led me here, and to a friendship with you," Draco answered. It was true, if he hadn't had that moment with Harry in the hidden room, perhaps he wouldn't have become pregnant. That moment had truly changed Draco's life. He now saw a new possibility, a new ending to his life that he hadn't seen before and a lot of it had to do with the encouragement Neville had provided.

0–0–0–0–0

Draco had a sneaking suspicion that if the Death Eaters had captured Luna under the Dark Lord's orders then she must be at the Malfoy Manor. He wrote to his mother that night asking her about herself and any developments in the Manor. He particularly was curious about any new unwanted guests. The next day he had received a reply from his mother.

Dearest Draco,

I am glad to hear from you and happy that you've still decided to write to me given your busy schedule and the extra classes you are taking at Hogwarts. As to your question, the Manor and its inhabitants are doing quite well. We have managed to turn the cellar underneath the first floor into a secured space for the uninvited and unrewarding guests of the Dark Lord. Further, I was happy to hear from your friend who has nothing but the kindest words for you. I will make sure that she doesn't suffer an unreasonable discomfort. Moreover, she's quite the master in Occlumency which your aunt doesn't seem to appreciate.

I hope you are taking care of your health.

Love Always,

Mother.

"Well that's our Luna," Neville commented when Draco showed him the letter his mother had sent.

"My mother will be true to her word, I am sure she'll make sure Luna is safe," Draco assured.

"Does she know?" Neville asked, pointing at Draco's invisible pregnant belly. Everyone that accompanied Draco in the Room of Requirement was aware of Draco's pregnancy but Draco insisted upon keeping his physical appearance hidden in case someone from the outside barged in at any moment's notice. However, whilst he could hide his pregnancy, he was unable to hide the distress on his face.

"She does, she's been – quite understanding," Draco answered. He sat on the sofa in the room and decided to nap. The holidays were almost over and he only had a few months left before he was to be transported to St Mungo's for his operation.

0–0–0–0–0

The Christmas holidays went by fast for everyone, including Draco, who was in pain most of the time. As January rolled around and students returned to Hogwarts, it was becoming near impossible for Draco to walk. Thankfully, Harry had given Ginny her Marauder's Map who in turn had given it to Neville for safe keeping. With the help of the map, Neville and Draco managed to avoid the Death Eater professors in the hallway when they were roaming the hallways trying to get to the hospital wing.

Draco spent the last days of January and the end of his pregnancy under Madam Pomfrey's devoted care. The Carrows, who had taken over most of the teaching and discipline of the school, were notified that Draco was quite sick and perhaps contagious and that they'd best stay away. They obliged. The only professors that visited Draco were Snape and McGonagall, although at separate times.

Draco realised that McGonagall avoided Snape most of the time, after what had happened, and only trusted him with the fact that he genuinely cared for Draco. Snape confided in Draco that he must keep appearances up for the sake of the Dark Lord and the safety of the students.

Draco was in worse position than anyone could have imagined - he was in no shape to be transported to St Mungo's. Snape, McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey had to work together to get two of the best Healers from St Mungo's to Floo over to Hogwarts whilst also keeping them concealed from the Carrows.

Draco remembered the pain he woke up with in the morning, but he didn't remember much of what happened after that. He had been unconscious for over six hours while the procedure took place. He woke up at nine o'clock at night on the 13th of February, 1998 having given birth to a sickly looking blond-haired boy with emerald green eyes. Except only Draco thought he looked sickly, he was soon informed that all babies look like that when they are born.

Draco held his child in his arms and successfully kept his tears at bay until everyone had cleared the room. In the middle of the night, Neville, and Ginny visited him to see the baby. Draco asked Ginny for a favour.

"Will you take the baby with you to your home when you return for the Easter holidays?" He asked. "I can't take him to the Manor and I can't leave him here. Do you think that'll be possible? Do you think your parents will care for him?"

Ginny was surprised by Draco's question but ultimately smiled warmly. "I will owl mum and ask her. I can't really ask her directly as the Carrows tend to read our incoming and outgoing mail. But she'll understand and I am sure she will be fine with it."

"I can give you access to my private account at Gringotts –"

"Don't be stupid, Draco," Ginny snapped. "He's a baby; I am not going to take your money to take care of Harry's baby." Ginny had stopped looking at Draco and concentrated on the baby again. "He's lovely. I don't want your money, I might just steal him." She laughed.

Draco snapped at Ginny's comment and took the baby away from her arms. He was about to say something curt, when she spoke again. "Relax, Draco. I am only teasing you. I am sorry, he's adorable and he'll be well loved. But, I know who he belongs to. Okay?"

Draco felt better with the warm reception Ginny had given to his son. He finally returned the baby back to Ginny so she could cuddle him.

"Did you name him yet?" Neville asked.

"I don't know what to name him," Draco answered. "I know a name my mum said she wanted if she had another child. She said she would want my child to be named that, but, I don't know if I can just name him without Harry's consent."

"Well we need to call him something," Neville replied.

"Albus," Draco answered.

"What?" Both Ginny and Neville asked in unison.

"Scorpius was the name my mother had selected. So Albus Scorpius Malfoy-Potter I suppose would be the official name. But calling him baby Malfoy or baby Potter would be precarious. So Albus shall do for now." Draco looked at his two friends and they still had an inclination of shock in their eyes but, they smiled in agreement.

"Al –" said Ginny. "Sounds wonderful."

0–0–0–0–0

A month later Ginny, Neville and Draco boarded the Hogwarts Express to return home for the Easter Holidays. Draco still had a bit of the Felix Felicis left and placed two drops each in all three of their drinks. He pocketed the rest of the potion for a later time, less than a quarter of the vial was left. Draco felt the need to hold on to it.

Ginny carried the bassinet with Neville as though they were carrying a picnic basket. Nobody stopped them thanks to Seamus and Michael Corner creating a distraction. The two of them had picked a fight with one of the Slytherin seventh-years. All the Professors and the chaperons concentrated on the fight and Ginny managed to board the train with the baby without exposure.

While they were on the train Draco promised Neville that he'd make sure Luna was alright and, if possible, help her escape. Draco noticed a hint of jealousy in Ginny's eyes when Neville showed compassion towards Luna's wellbeing. Draco pointed towards Ginny with his eyes to Neville who caught the hint and added on.

"Good, she's a great person and I really like her dad." Draco glared at Neville. "I mean, she's like a sister to me, you know. My parents were – you know – pronounced insane when I was a baby, so I didn't have any siblings growing up. It's been lonely." Draco grinned at Neville. He knew that Neville was only stating the fact to win Ginny over, but a sense of guilt carried over to Draco. It was his aunt who had caused all the pain in Neville's life and now he sat here holding no ill-will towards Draco.

Neville accomplished the task of getting puppy dog eyes from Ginny. She hugged him immediately and Draco relaxed back into the seat in his compartment.

Everyone went their own way when they arrived at King's Cross Station. Narcissa came to the station to meet Draco and before she had a chance to get fenced off by her family, Ginny managed to give Narcissa a peek of her grandson. Narcissa began sobbing immediately. Most people, Draco imagined, probably thought that his mother was weeping at seeing him. He held his mother still for a few moments, letting her cry out the pain. He knew he had done enough crying for a lifetime and now his job was to ensure that everyone around him was safe.

"What's his name?" Narcissa whispered as she took her son away from the station.

"Albus Scorpius," Draco answered. She frowned at realising that her grandson was named after Dumbledore but Draco glared at her grimace and she smiled. "He sounds wonderful."

"He is," Draco replied. He gave her a picture of him holding baby Al in his arms. It was from a few days before in the Room of Requirement when Draco, Neville and Ginny had been planning how to transfer the baby out of Hogwarts.

She gasped when she saw the picture and Draco shushed her in order to avoid attention.

"How is his father taking it? Why is he going to stay with Ginny Weasley? Draco! Don't tell me Ron Weas –" Narcissa paused.

"Don't be ridiculous, Mother, the father is not Ron Weasley or any kind of Weasley," Draco retorted. She sighed with relief. "He does not have a hint of red hair on him." Narcissa nodded in acknowledgement. "It's Potter."

"DRACO! This is not the time for jokes," Narcissa snapped.

Draco laughed but didn't correct his mother. He had already taken away the joy of holding her grandson; he wasn't going to cause her any more grief for the day. He was glad to have his old body back and he simply prayed that his son and the Weasleys would be safe from the Dark Lord.

Draco continued the tradition he had carried when he stayed at the Manor over the summer. He stayed out of the way from Death Eaters - especially his aunt. At night, Draco took a few more drops of Felix Felicis and went down to the cellar to seek out Luna. He was surprised to see Ollivander and Griphook there as well. Luna came to the gate of the cellar and held Draco's hand. He was trembling whilst she was perfectly calm.

"I promise I'll find you a way to get you out of here, Luna," Draco promised.

She simply smiled and nodded. She said she was happy as long as her dad was safe. Draco was glad to know that after all this time, Luna still had placed her trust in him and was assured that he would, in fact, save her.

Draco returned the next two nights to speak with Luna and to make sure she was comfortable. "Why don't you get her out of here if she's your girlfriend?" Griphook spoke with disdain.

"Do you really think the Dark Lord cares about that?" Draco retorted without correcting him.

The next night, Draco developed a plan to help Luna and the others escape. He was going to try to convince his aunt to let him torture Luna so that she'd allow him to open the door to the cellar then he'd have to figure out a way to take his mother and Luna with him, away from the Manor.

His plan never saw the light of day because the next morning, Harry and his friends had been captured.

Bellatrix summoned Draco to recognise Harry. "If that is Harry Potter, Draco will know."

Draco looked at a bloke, about his age, staring back at him. He refused to make eye-contact. Draco's heart jumped with terror.

"Draco – come here, look properly."

Draco looked at the bloke's face, he had long black hair, and a dark shadow formed around his jaw. He looked as though he'd been living in a jungle for months. Draco ached for him to say something, hear his voice. He kept his outward demeanour calm but he was dying on the inside.

Draco leaned in closer, he could almost feel the breath from the other man on his face. But, the other man kept looking away, he avoided eye contact with Draco at all cost.

"Is it, Draco? Is it him?" Bellatrix demanded.

"I don't know," Draco replied. He could feel his father's excitement behind him, he seemed overjoyed at the idea of catching Harry Potter.

Draco knew it was him, he felt the other body's reluctance, he felt the other man's breath on his face. It was all too familiar, the way the body arched away from him, avoiding Draco, Draco's heart couldn't have been lying. They had created a life together, every fibre of his being was screaming that this was the father of his child. That this was Harry Potter.

"Potter and his friends caught at last!" Lucius crowed.

More confusion ensued, everyone argued over power and money all around them, and Draco simply stood quietly staring at the man that could be Harry Potter, that was Harry Potter.

"Where did you get this sword?" Draco heard Aunt Bellatrix's voice and his concentration was broken. Someone had found a sword somewhere, why did it matter? His aunt seemed absolutely furious.

"I'll take the prisoners downstairs," Draco suddenly announced. He didn't wait for anyone to respond to him, he grabbed the stranger's arm and pulled him towards the cellar. He grabbed Ron and Hermione on his way but Bellatrix wanted Hermione to stay. He couldn't save her, not at the moment anyway.

"Just come with me," Draco whispered to the man who reluctantly followed. Ron kept screaming Hermione's name but he was forced down to the cellar as well.

When they arrived Harry let go of Draco's grip. He was about to punch Draco when Luna called out for him. Ron was lost screaming Hermione's name as they heard Bellatrix torturing her.

"I haven't got a lot of time, take this." Draco handed the last of his Felix Felicis to Harry. "It should be enough for you when the opportunity arises to escape."

"What is it?" Harry asked glaring down at the liquid gold. "Wait, is this –"

"That's what you've been taking to come and meet me every night. That's why you haven't gotten caught," Luna said.

"You've been meeting Luna every night?"

"Yeah, I had a plan. I was going to help them escape today with my mother but you –" Draco paused.

"Why are you helping us?" Harry asked.

Hermione's screams only got louder and Ron's sobs along with them.

"I haven't got time to explain –"

"Get the Goblin, Draco bring the Goblin!" Draco heard his father's voice screaming from the top of the stairs.

"Take this," Draco handed something to Harry and grabbed Griphook to take him upstairs. "It won't explain everything but Luna can fill you in."

0–0–0–0–0

Harry woke up in the morning on a small bed in Shell Cottage, reliving the past twenty-four hours of his life. He'd been caught by Death Eaters, almost been surrendered to Voldemort. He'd been reunited with Draco for a brief moment, he'd lost Dobby. He must have cried tears of blood. His head spun in a million directions. Nothing made sense, and for some reason it all made sense. He stared at a small photo of Draco with Ginny and Neville holding a baby boy.

Luna told him he had a son.

I have a son?

Harry didn't even know wizards could get pregnant. All of a sudden Dumbledore's words were ringing in Harry's ears.

Future legacy.

Dumbledore knew about Draco's pregnancy.

You, your love for Harry, and the new life.

The boy was with Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley family. They were safe. He needed to end this, and soon. He needed to speak to Ollivander and Griphook. He needed to return to Hogwarts and reunite his family. More than anything, Harry had a bigger cause, it was bigger than the fact that his mother had died to save his life, and it was time for him now to protect his own.

~THE END~

Thanks for reading - I hope you guys liked it! I would love a review!

Other Notes: This was written for Harry Draco MPREGfest on LiveJournal. Prompt was: hopeful ending.