Chapter 3

Reunited

Steve took a deep breath as he looked at the house that was next on his list. In truth, it was more of a mansion than a house. Three stories high with a brick and wood finish that gave it an old-world feel. You couldn't easily see it from the street, it was set too far back. On the side, where he assumed you could once get a decent look of the house, now had tall privacy fencing blocking your view.

This has to be the place. Please tell me this is the place. He thought desperately. He had been checking different houses that were bought around between two years and a year and a half ago for the past week. Every time he thought he was getting close, he had struck out. He just prayed that he would get lucky this time.

Taking a moment to center himself, he made his way up to the front door. Even the door seemed to ooze history. Made of old weathered dark oak with a tiny stained-glass window. Reaching over to the side of the doorframe, he rang the bell and waited. But no one answered. He wondered idly if perhaps they weren't home. This then led to another thought that had been haunting him lately. What if Harry had already moved somewhere else? He shook that thought away and reinforced his determination. He was going to find Harry. Even if it took him forever. He was just about to try again when a voice nearly startled him out of his skin.

"Can I help you?" it was a woman.

She was wearing brown overall slacks and an off-white sweatshirt. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. It looked as though she had been gardening if the dirt on her face and the gloves she wore on her hands were any indication. Perhaps there was a greenhouse on the property. It was still too cold out to be doing yard work.

"Um, yes, maybe…do- do you live here?" he asked awkwardly as he tried to calm his racing heart.

What the hell is wrong with me? He thought. He had been a little too jumpy for his liking recently.

"For the moment, yes. Did you need something?"

"Well umm, this might be a dumb question. But does a Harry Potter live here by chance?"

She scrutinized him for a second, looking him up and down. Almost as if she were going through a mental checklist. "What was the name of the Bar where you first met him?" she finally asked.

"Wha- It was Mauds' Place I think…" he said. Truth be told, he had only gone back there once after that night. And that was just to see if Mitch new how to contact Harry. Sufficed to say, he didn't.

The woman smiled as she came over taking off her gloves as she went. "Sorry about that. I'm Serene, Harry's personal healer." She introduced herself, holding out her now bare hand.

"Nice to meet you." He said a little more relaxed, taking the hand that was offered but stiffened when he realized what she had said. "Wait, a Healer? As in a Doctor? Is Harry alright? Is he sick or-"

"Whoa whoa, calm down there Casanova. Harry is just fine. His life isn't in any kind of danger. I'm just here as a precaution, that's all." She reassured

These boys are gonna be the death of me.

Steve sighed in relief. "Sorry about that, is he here?" He asked hopeful that his search was over. Finally, he had found him. He was beginning to wonder if he ever would. Although, he did find it somewhat strange that this woman didn't seem all that surprised to see him. Had they somehow known he was coming. Was that a thing wizards could do? He was pulled from his thoughts as she answered.

"He is, I think he's reading in the Library right now. Come on, I'll show ya'." She said leading him up the front steps and into the house.

Although the outside of the house had what could only be called an aged appearance, the inside was remarkably modern. The furniture all looked new, both in terms of use and style. It also looked like certain parts of the house itself had been renovated recently. As they moved through the house, he couldn't help the feeling that the house seemed a lot bigger than it should have been.

"Just so you know," Serene said as they continued walking. "and don't tell Harry I told you this, but I'm pretty sure Harry didn't actually want to leave. I think he felt like he didn't have a choice at the time."

"That doesn't matter to me. I just want to see him." Steve said with conviction, missing the inquisitive look Serene gained at his words.

Well, this is an interesting development. I wonder… She thought to herself

"Well here we are," she said gesturing to a closed set of double doors. "one last thing, keep an open mind in there, okay?"

"Don't worry, I will." He responded. He already knew Harry was a Wizard, what else could there possibly be that could shock him more than that?

Stepping into the room, he saw Harry sitting at a desk. He had a pen stuck behind his ear and his glasses had slid so far down his nose, that they could fall off at any moment. Steve actually found the sight was rather adorable and wished he had a camera. Though, he was pretty sure Harry would kill him if he took a picture of him at that moment.

"Hey Serene, do you mind getting Chinese tonight? I'm having a craving for Shrimp Lo-Mein." Harry said not bothering to look up from his reading.

Steve smirked. "Sounds tasty," he said.

Harry was so startled that he fell backward out of his chair. "Steve!" he exclaimed, utterly shocked.

"You know, I can't really tell if you're happy to see me or not," Steve said, trying to come across as worried, but the smile stayed on his face. That is until he saw a tear trail its way down Harry's face, that gave him pause.

"I'm so sorry for leaving like I did. I did-" Harry tried but choked on a sob.

"Hey, calm down," Steve said coming forward to try and comfort him. He could be wrong, but Harry didn't seem the type to cry easily.

"God, I'm sorry. My hormones are all over the place right now." Harry said wiping his face on the sleeve of his jumper. It was one of the many that Molly Weasley used to make for him every Christmas.

"What, are you pregnant or something?" Steve asked trying to cheer him up with a joke, but when he felt the other man stiffen beneath his hands his brows knit together in worry. "Harry?"

"Umm, Surprise?" Harry said turning slightly to face him more fully, allowing Steve to see the tiny baby bump that was there. He hadn't been able to see it before because of the desk, and then because of Harry's position.

Steve summarily fainted.

-oOlllOo-

"Honestly, you couldn't have come up with a better way of telling him than just saying 'surprise'?" Serene scolded for the fifth time since Harry had called her into the Library to check on Steve.

"It just slipped out, he made a bad joke about me being pregnant and, well," Harry said gesturing helplessly as he continued to cradle Steve's head in his lap.

"Men! The lot of you make me think I'd be better off a Lesbian!" Serene said tucking her wand away. "He'll be fine, but no more jumping the gun like that. Got it?"

"Yes mam',"

"And don't call me mam'!" she said frustrated. "I'm ordering takeout, when he wakes up, bring him downstairs."

"Yes Sir!" Harry said with a mock salute.

Serene narrowed her eyes at him. "No one likes a wise ass Harry."

"But everyone likes a fine ass." He countered with a cheeky smile

She rolled her eyes and left the two of them alone.

Harry looked down at Steve's sleeping face and idly combed his fingers through his blonde hair. He couldn't help but to wonder how things might have turned out, had he stayed that morning. If he had simply said to hell with it and done what he wanted, but no. No, Harry could never be the one to be selfish, others had to be selfish for him. That's just how he was.

His hand stilled when Steve moaned a little and moved his head into his touch.

"That feels nice…" he mumbled

Harry smiled and continued doing it. "I am sorry for leaving," Harry said, more calmly now. "at the time, I honestly didn't know what else to do. If the papers had found out I was in a relationship with you, or even that I had just slept with you…" he shivered at the very thought of that nightmare. "I was going to go back and find you, explain everything to you, but then I found out I was pregnant and… I panicked. How was I supposed to explain that to you when I'm not even sure how it happened?"

"So that wasn't a dream…" Steve said opening his eyes and looking up at Harry. "You're pregnant." It wasn't a question.

Harry swallowed and nodded.

"Is that something all Wizards can do?" Steve asked.

"No, it- Hang on, how did you know I was a Wizard?" Harry asked with his eyes blown wide in surprise.

"I tracked you to the UK. I met with this woman named Hermione, I don't mind telling you, she was God Damned terrifying." Steve explained.

Harry closed his eyes to center himself. He hadn't spoken to anyone back home in ages, a fact that always bothered him whenever it came up.

"She told you about magic?"

"Nothing too specific, but she covered the essentials. Well, after she had me sign a contract that would kill me if I abused the information."

"She what? And you signed it!? Are you a fucking idiot!?" Harry shouted smacking him upside the head which forced him to sit up. "Do you have any ungodly Idea how fucking dangerous magical contracts are? People literally die Steve! And not because they wanted to break the contract either. One little mistake, that all it takes, and it could kill you Steve!"

"I-I'm sorry, I just wanted to find you."

"Well, congratu-fucking-lations Steve! Ya' found me. And now I have to figure out what that contract said so I can get you out of it!" He yelled, he may have looked furious, but in truth, he was panicking. He had just gotten Steve back. His baby had a chance to grow up with both of its parents. And now he could lose him again because of his own stupidity.

"Well, I still have your Cousins number. He's the one who set up the meeting with her. Maybe he can help?" Steve offered.

"Wait, Dudley? Oh, please don't tell me you spoke to Vernon and Petunia." Harry groaned.

"They were the only real lead I had at the time," Steve explained sheepishly.

"I apologize for anything they may have said or done," Harry said, positively mortified. "Can I see his number please?"

Steve dug around in his pocket until he pulled out his wallet and found the right slip of paper therein.

Harry looked at the clock on the wall and shook his head. "Never mind, it's too late to call him now. I'll call first thing in the morning." Harry said with a sigh. It was so easy to forget the time difference when you didn't talk to people. "Come on. Serene is getting takeout and I'm starving." He said standing up and holding out a hand to Steve.

-oOlllOo-

Hermione smiled as she took a sip from her teacup. She was sat on her sofa, watching as her fiancé had a mini nervous breakdown trying to figure out how to change his niece. They, and by that she really meant she, had offered to take Victoire for the day so that her parents could have some much-needed alone time.

"Ronald, calm down. It's just a dirty nappy." She said amused at his panic-stricken face. "You'll have to get used to changing them sooner or later." She said with a pointed look.

They had known for about a month now that she was pregnant, and she was barely showing.

"Well then you come down here and do it if you're so clever." Ron snapped halfheartedly.

"I can't right now, that is unless you want me to be sick all over the baby?" She said placing a hand over her stomach. She laughed as Ron went back to changing the soiled nappy grumbling about pregnant wives who were too smart.

She was just contemplating having another cup of tea when the phone rang. She had discovered these magical phones in a thrift shop one day. They weren't horribly popular at the moment, but they allowed her to more easily stay in touch with her parents. Standing up, she went into the kitchen and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Granger?" came a familiar masculine voice.

"Oh, hello Dudley, is something the matter?" she asked noting the slight nervousness in his voice.

"I don't know what you did to make him angry, but I'm washing my hands of it as of now." He said earnestly.

"What are you talking about?" She asked now very serious.

"Harry! He just called me absolutely furious that you had that Steve guy sign some kind of contract or something!" He practically shouted in his panic.

Hermione blinked and then chuckled a bit. "Oh, is that all?"

"All? Granger, I'll be honest with you. I've always been a little afraid of him, but this is the first time in my life that I wanted to run away and hide from him. and I wasn't even the one he was mad at!"

"Alright alright, calm down Dudley. Can I assume he gave you a number that I can call him at? And actually, why didn't you just give him my number?" she asked confused.

She could hear him grinding his teeth through the phone. "Because unlike Some people I could mention, I like to give fair warning when a storm is coming their way." He said, but then told her the number to call, and warned her that he may very well start yelling off the bat.

Hermione ended the call with her reassurance that she could handle Harry and that his anger was directed at her, not him. it was strange to think that she woukd be reassuring Dudley of all people. she shrugged, then wearing a happy smile, she made her way back into the Living room where Ron had just finished putting the new nappy on his baby niece.

"I have good news, my plan worked!" she practically chirped.

"This being the Plan you keep talking about, but won't actually tell me anything about? That plan?" he asked with a raised eyebrow that was oddly reminiscent of their old potions professor.

"That's the one."

"Honey, you're being a little crazy right now. What exactly did you do that's going to cause Harry to get back in contact with us?"

"Ah, now that would be telling."

" 'Mione!"

"Sorry, Ronald. But could you take Victoire upstairs for a bit? I have a feeling this conversation may get a bit loud, and I don't want to startle her."

Ron Paled. "Seriously! What did you do Woman?" Ron asked even as he packed up his Niece's Diaper bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"What I had to, Now move it buster." She said going back into the kitchen.

As soon as she heard him reach the top of the stairs, she picked up the phone and dialed the number. It rang only three times before a voice picked up with a curious "Hello,"

"Harry?" Hermione asked. The voice had sounded feminine

"Ah, no. I'm his Healer. Give me a second." She said and there was a slight click followed by the sound of footsteps walking away.

As she waited, she decided to put a fresh kettle on. No sooner had she set the water to heat up, then did she hear the sound of rushing feet followed by the sound of a very familiar Voice.

"Hermione?"

"Hello, Harry. How are you?"

"Hermione, you have exactly 30 seconds to explain to me why you bound Steve with a Contract before I come over there and haul your ass to court!" Harry growled out.

"Oh, I'm well Harry thanks for asking." She responded as though they were just having a normal conversation.

"Hermione! I'm serious!"

"And so am I Harry Potter!" She snapped back. "You just disappeared one day with nary a word to anyone. You don't call or write for almost two years. TWO YEARS Harry! Ronald and I spent more than a few nights without sleep wondering when we were going to be called in to identify your body! So, You want to yell at me for baiting you into contacting me? Get over it!"

"Wait, you used a magical contract just to get me to call you?"

"Harry, I know you can be slow, but you're approaching Crabbe & Goyle levels of stupid," Hermione said shaking her head in exasperation. "There is no magical contract. It was a piece of parchment with a couple low-grade illusion charms on it, followed by a mild stinging hex to the back of his hand and weak compulsion to not say anything. It was just a setup to get you to call me. I know your saving people thing would kick in if you thought he was under a magical contract. Did you actually think that I would use one of those things on a muggle?"

"…"

"Harry?"

"I'm a fucking idiot, aren't I?"

"You said it, not me."