For a week rumours ran wild through the school. The rumours were that Harry was not only gay but that he was pregnant. The gay part few people seemed to be having trouble believing but the baby part seemed preposterous. The rumours of the identity of his lover were even more diverse and ridiculous in cases.

Ron sat in the common room in Gryffindor. "I tell you he told me he was gay and pregnant with his lover's baby."

Seamus laughed at him. "Come on Ron, maybe gay but Harry is such a pure little virgin. There's no way he is pregnant. I doubt he has ever even been touched."

Hermione shook her head. "Come on you guys, Harry is our friend. We shouldn't be gossiping about him like this. He'll tell us in his own time."

Ron looked over at her. "Do you know something that the rest of us don't Hermione?"

Hermione of course knew who his lover was but didn't speak up. "I think that what ever the truth is, it is his to tell and we should honour that."

Ron smirked. "If he is shagging his godfather and got pregnant by the man, I think it is all of our rights to know. After all the man is our teacher."

Seamus nodded. "Who cares if Harry is of age now? I mean it's not like he wasn't shagging the man at home if it was Remus, this summer."

Neville stood up for his friend. "I don't think Harry would ever have a relationship with Remus. And Hermione's right, he's our friend, we should respect him."

Ron threw a pillow at him. "Come on Neville, Harry's not around, you don't need to suck up to him. He all but told me he was dating an old man."

Hermione shook her head. "You told me he said his lover was older, he didn't say he was old enough to be his dad. He could be a few years older then Harry."

Ron groaned. He couldn't believe how naive his girlfriend was being. "Hermione, if it was someone closer in age you know he wouldn't be so secret of this."

Seamus nodded. "If it isn't Remus it's got to be some other older man. There has to be some good reason he is keeping this from us. He already said it's a guy."

Neville shrugged. "You know it might not be age at all. Maybe he is our age but he just doesn't want to admit it, like Draco Malfoy or something."

Ron laughed. "You know Malfoy has been bonking Blaise for at least a year now. And Harry was quite clear he isn't shagging Draco."

Seamus agreed. "If Draco was cheating on Blaise he wouldn't be so buddy buddy with Harry out in public. He would be hiding it from Blaise more then this."

Hermione was growing angrier with the conversation. "This is enough you guys. Harry will be back tomorrow and we can't have him coming back to this."

Seamus smiled. "You're right, he's back tomorrow. We'll find out who he has been shagging and if he is really pregnant or not."

Ron didn't want to stop guessing. "Come on we need to figure this out guys. I mean he has shielded the doors to the hospital wing. What is he hiding?"

Neville finally noticed Hermione's exasperation which matched his own. "Hey Hermione, how about we go and take a walk and get away from all of this?"

She shot him a grateful smile. "I think that's a great idea Neville. I'm starting to go crazy in all of this. "

Ron looked up at his girlfriend. "Come on Hermione, this is nothing. You know we'll be better when Harry comes back."

Hermione just turned to leave with Neville but called over her shoulder. "You better be. He's our friend and he deserves a hell of a lot better of you then this."

When they left Seamus laughed. "If he expected us to treat him better and not gossip, he shouldn't be shagging someone in secret and blabbing he's pregnant."

"He should have known the word was going to spread through the school as soon as he let it out to one person." Ron added.

Harry had of course never thought that when he had been cornered into telling his best friend that he was gay and pregnant that Ron would blab the news through the school. If his friend had kept his tongue half the rumours would have stopped. After putting Harry in the hospital, one would have thought Ron would have thought twice before blabbing all this around to everyone. It seemed Hermione was the only one of his two best friends that could keep a tongue in their mouth.

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The morning Harry was to be released from the hospital wing Harry was sitting in bed anxious to get up and leave but Madam Pomfrey insisted Harry finish his breakfast before she would release him. Draco and his dad, Remus and Severus were keeping him company.

Lucius held on to Harry. "I wish you'd take your godfather up on his offer and move in the extra bedroom with him and Severus until the baby comes."

Harry shook his head. "If I was going to move out of the dorms it would be to live with my fiancé. But we both have agreed that isn't safe for us now."

Lucius sighed. "You know the rumours that have gone around. I'd feel safer for you and the baby if you were not living in the dorms."

Harry stopped him. "You know many rumours have Remus as the dad. It wouldn't help if I moved in with him. For now I think the dorms are the best for me."

Draco added. "He lives in the prefect rooms any ways, not in a dorm. He will have some privacy there."

Remus turned to Harry. "Severus and I plan on revealing our relationship soon. If things get bad, I want you to move in with us and be safe."

Lucius sent a grateful look at them. "The up side to that would be that you'd be right through the door from me."

Harry knew Lucius was just trying to tempt him and it was working. "I promise. If things get too bad or dangerous, I will move in with Remus and Severus."

Lucius knew he wouldn't win this now but he hoped Harry could be convinced. "Please just be careful. I don't want another so called accident happening."

Harry knew everyone in the room had their doubts that the fall had been a complete accident. "I really don't think Ron would do it again, but I'll be safe."



Madam Pomfrey came in to give him one final check up to make sure that he and the baby were ready to leave. He had not had any more spotting or slight contractions since that first day and the tests again that morning showed the baby to be doing well.

Harry looked at her monitoring spell. "How long until you'll be able to tell me if it is a boy or a girl?"

She smiled. "I could look right now but if we want a real accurate test, I'd suggest waiting another month and a half, until around your three month mark."

Lucius placed his hand on Harry's belly. "Anxious to know what the little one is? I had thought you might want it to be a secret."

Harry had been contemplating that for some time. "I'm still not sure. I was just finding out when there would be the option. How about you?"

Lucius looked at his son. "With Draco it was a surprise but just because Narcissa didn't want to know. I'd be happy either way; I'll leave it up to you."

Harry looked at his belly. "I thought though a surprise is nice, picking names and planning for the baby would be easier if we knew what the sex was."

Lucius laughed. "Like I said, I'll be happy either way. We can pick names for both sexes and buy everything in green and yellow, if not."

Harry shook his head. "You're no help at all. How can I make a decision when you won't give me any advice at all?"

Lucius reached down and kissed him. "I promise I'll help with any decisions. I just want to get you out of here and back to your own rooms."

Harry allowed himself to be helped up to his feet. "I'd like to be in my own bed, well I'd rather yours but I will settle for mine."

Lucius helped grab his things. "We'll be married and living together soon enough. For now this is best and safer for both of us and for the baby as well."

Harry reluctantly left his lover's arms as it wouldn't help keep their secret if he showed up at Gryffindor tower on his arm. Draco and Remus had both agreed to escort him to the tower. It was Saturday morning so there were no more classes for two days. Harry had no idea how this was going to go down. He was just grateful that Draco was coming with him.

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Harry got outside of the tower and was looking at the painting not sure of the password and not certain he was ready to face the others when he heard two familiar voices coming from behind him. He turned to see Hermione and Neville coming towards him from breakfast.

Hermione hugged him. "How are you Harry?"

Harry returned the hug. "I'm fine. I guess you two know about the baby?"

Neville nodded. "Ron told everyone after the fall. Not everyone believes him and those who do are wondering who the father is."

Harry looked at Hermione who shook her head. "No. No one knows who your partner is."

Harry was grateful she had kept her word. "Neville, I'm sorry I never told you that I was gay or what was happening."

Neville shrugged his shoulders. "No worries Harry. You know I have no problem with this. You're still my best friend."

Harry hugged him as well. "So what am I facing when I walk through this portrait hole?"

Hermione, Draco and Neville shared a look. Hermione spoke up. "Most of the house is arguing who the father and even if you're pregnant."

Harry took a deep breath. "Are anyone other then you two behind me?"

Neither wanted to answer him but he got his answer from their silence. Draco tried to calm him. "You're true friends will stand behind you."

Neville nodded. "Luna and I are behind you and Hermione of course. Some of the younger students as well."

Harry wasn't sure why he was surprised that Ron had opened his big mouth and been spreading the news all over the school since his fall. Ron may have been his friend but he had proven so many times that he could turn on Harry at the drop of a hat. The tri-wizard tournament for one.

He looked at his three friends. "You guys with me?" and when they nodded. "Okay, I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be."