"It started about a week after the Battle of Hogwarts," Harry started slowly. He pushed himself up on to the pillows so he could see the world and the three people around his bed properly. "He said that I owed him for dragging him along to go on the hunt to bring down Voldermort and for him saving me during the final battle. He said it was a life debt of sorts since he pulled me out of the way when Rosier threw the Death curse at me towards the end. I didn't question him since he did manage to grab me just in time, you know. The agreement was I had to go to him every other night until he was satisfied that I had paid it off in full. I obliged because I felt that I owed so much to everyone for what they sacrificed, so I didn't resist one bit. In the beginning, it wasn't too bad though I wasn't too happy with the arrangement that he had come up with, especially since I knew he didn't quite swing that way. I suppose because Hermione didn't want to have sex with him and he wanted it, I was the next best thing for him to get his release. A few weeks into it though, he decided he wanted to get rough with the sex and forced gags and other painful objects on me to get his fix. Over the summer, before we came back for this year, is when he imposed the punishments on me if I didn't comply. I missed a night because I was helping Fred and George out in their shop well into the night and that's when he started to use various hexes and curses to get it through my thick skull he said. Today was the worst of it by far, he was to careful not to let anyone know what was going out lest his fun be ruined by someone meddling in his affairs." Neville, Minerva, and Poppy had their hands clasped on their mouths as they listened to the retelling of the horrid months that Harry had to endure at the hands of his former best friend.
"Harry, I know there are a few things that you may not know that are possible in the wizarding world. One of them being the ability for men to become pregnant, especially one as powerful as you are," Minerva began, hoping that Harry would start to catch on to her words. Harry's brow furrowed together in confusion which caused Minerva to sigh before picking up once again. "What I'm saying is that you are with child- Ron's child to be specific." The color in Harry's face drained in an instant at the revelation that had just been dropped onto his head. Neville helped him slide back down into the bed so that he wouldn't fall out and do more damage to his already bruised and battered body.
"How do you- know that it's Ron's?" Harry asked awkwardly. He ran through his hair nervously and his eyes didn't land on any one thing to avoid any disapproving looks that he feared that may be thrown at him. This time Neville's brow creased in confusion at Harry's question though Minerva came with a quick response.
"There are definite ways to know that as is the beauty and nature of magic. You are just luck that this hasn't happened before nor have you gotten any particularly nasty bugs. There are still some muggle things that still can be passed along to us that can't be cured or helped via magical methods. So I suggest that you lay off those types of activities until you are ready to extend your family, Mr. Potter. I know this time isn't by any fault of your own, but the next time it will be. I suggest you get some sleep and we can discuss more about this later if you wish," McGonagall replied. She turned on her heel and quickly made her exit to finish off her work at the ministry to make sure that Ron would be properly dealt with.
"What was all that about, Harry? Why wouldn't it have been Ron's?" Neville quizzed.
"You should know, Neville, I don't want to mislead you by any means. When I said that having someone next to me in bed may help me with my nightmares wasn't a simple guess. I had more one night stands, mostly with the Slytherins, that I've completely lost track of at this point. I liked the act of having sex with someone, so when I wasn't being taken by Ron I would go to the Room of Requirement with someone for the night that I had picked. I thought that if I had control over my other conquests that it would make the nights that I had to share with Ron easier," Harry admitted. Neville slipped into deep thought, causing Harry to become slightly nervous at the sight.
"If we were to be together, would you be able to be faithful to me?" Neville asked. "If you wanted to seek out someone else other than me, would you let me know so that my heart wouldn't be broken in the process?"
"Yes, Neville, I don't doubt my loyalty to someone at all. I would be willing to prove that in any way possible to calm any fears that you may have," Harry said vehemently. "You know how I defend Hermione and Ginny like my own family, right? I will do the same thing with you, only as a lover and confidante." Neville allowed himself a small smile at the passion that spurred the words from Harry though it fell when he realized the day he had hoped to spend with him was ruined at this point.
"Well so much for going to Hogsmead, eh? What could we do now instead to do all that date type stuff in a sterile, white washed infirmary?" Neville quipped. Harry grinned from ear to ear at the smooth transition from the hell from earlier to a more positive aspect of the day. They made conversation about anything and everything, ranging from pleasant topics to discussing the past and the things they had experienced both good and bad. They both learned new things about each other that never needed to come up otherwise and Harry slowly started to see how strong Neville really was. He's never really paid that much attention of Neville who seemed otherwise better fit as a Hufflepuff until he proved his strength and courage in the war as well as not having two parents to raise him. If nothing else, Harry felt happy beyond belief to be associated with someone like Neville even if nothing else happened between them save for a strong friendship.
"Neville?" Harry began with slight hesitation. "Would it be too much to ask for another kiss?" Neville chuckled at the request but willingly obliged by leaning in and moved his lips against the ones bellow his. Neville felt like he was floating as he kissed the man he slowly found himself falling for with each passing minute. Neville pulled back first which earned a low groan from Harry but otherwise no other protest.
"I'll let you get some sleep like Professor McGonagall wanted you to get. If you are still here at dinner, I'll come back with food for the both of us and we can do this again. How about that?" Neville offered.
"Sounds like a grand plan. I've never eaten in bed before, but I think it would be enjoyable especially when the one delivering it is as good looking as you." Neville blushed at the compliment but brushed it off with learned ease from being around Harry for long enough. The blush died down long enough for Neville to get out to the front gates where the stragglers slowly made their way to town for the day. Ginny and Hermione gave him a strange look when Seamus pointed him out and he had a feeling that he would have to do a bit of explaining to the pair during the trip there. He took a calming breath and approached them cautiously.
"I guess you've heard a bit of the story already then?" Neville asked of them. They nodded but they both shared a look that urged him to fill them in on the rest. "Why don't we go somewhere that isn't full of people, get lunch, and I'll tell you what I can."