'I'm going to be a mommy.'
Harry stared at the wall unable to think as the realization that he was actually pregnant fell over him. He struggled to find something to hold onto as his thoughts crashed around him in an unrecognizable heap.
"Be calm young one. The magic is giving you and your mate a reason to stand together." Harry relaxed slightly as his mother's voice washed over him, "Your magic and the bond have worked together to bring you a miraculous gift. Granting you a child that was conceived by pure magic.
"This child is the first of many to come from your bond. Together, you and your mate, will raise a new generation. You will lead the world down the center path of neutrality. The two of you will help lead the way, and this child comes as an anchor to bring the two unwilling partners together."
'But what if Tom doesn't want the child?" Harry let his fears run into his connection.
"The magic does not make mistakes, young one. Be strong and tell your mate. The two of you will live in perfect happiness. Believe that the child will not grow up as you did. Their two parents will fill their life with happiness, love, and knowledge. You must have faith."
(0,0)
"Minsy."
"Master Draco be calling?"
"Can you get Harry something to drink and something to snack on? And something that will help with shock?"
"Minsy be helping."
The little elf snapped her fingers and the raven was suddenly spluttering among dripping sheets. The teen jumped from the bed with a cry and turned to glare at both the Slytherin and the small elf, who gave a small bow of her head before popping away. Draco did not do himself any favors as he collapsed against the end of the bed laughing at the sight before him.
Harry sent a silent stinging hex his way with a wave of his hand. Smirking at the resultant jump and curse. The little elf returned with a pop holding a glass of water and a plate of crackers for Harry to chew on. Harry smiled at the little elf.
"You knew I was pregnant didn't you?"
Minsy nodded, "Minsy knew Mr. Potter has little one."
"Can you tell if it's healthy?"
The elf gave a small shake of her head biting her lip as she turned wide eyes up at Harry, "Little one is not doing well. Mr. Potter's magic is strained. Some bad magic hurt the little one."
Harry moved a hand over his stomach. His eyes wide. The Gryffindor turned to Draco.
"Do you know someone who can keep this a secret from Tom?"
"Keep what a secret?"
All three turned their eyes towards the handsome figure in the doorway. Draco turned to Harry surprised to see the usually expressive face as blank as any Slytherin's.
"If I was going to tell you, it wouldn't be secret."
"You are a guest in my home, it would only be polite for you to explain to me what is a problem for you. It's the only way for me to make you comfortable."
"No matter where I am living, it is still my life. Believe me when I say you'll know soon enough."
Both boys watched as Voldemort fought to push down his temper, "Can I help?"
The Gryffindor hesitated for a long moment, "Do you know of a healer who can help me?"
"Help with what?"
"Help with…" The small Gryffindor turned to his blonde friend.
"Harry, I think you need to tell him. It's the only way to find someone. This is a little unusual, you know?"
The raven snorted, "Story of my life."
The small teen turned back to look at man standing just inside the doorway.
"So?"
"Well, Tom. I need a specialist in pregnancy."
"Well I have a few people among my followers who specialize in magical pregnancies."
"I would like to speak with one of them, if I could."
"Well yes, we can-"The older man froze and turned to fully face the young Gryffindor, "Why do you need a specialist in pregnancies?"
"Because I have some questions for them."
"Why?"
Harry let out an undignified rush of air, "Because I'm on a search for endless knowledge. Look, I'm not exactly feeling friendly with you, because I still have no idea what happened. I have no idea why I'm here. Maybe you could answer some of my questions?"
Tom raised a single eyebrow and motioned for the two boys to follow him.
He moved out of the room and down the hall. Harry gave the blonde Slytherin a questioning glance but when the other boy merely shrugged he moved to follow Tom. They found him standing outside a door to a quaint little study.
Tom gestured for the others to move in first. Harry stepped through without question turnig only when he felt Draco pause on the threshold.
"Draco?"
The blonde gave a slight smile, "I think this is a conversation that I do not need to be a part of."
Before the Gryffindor could protest the blonde disappeared down hall. The raven shared a glance with the taller man. Seeing the typical smirk Harry rolled his eyes and stepped further into the room. Selecting one of the leather chairs that sat opposite the large desk.
Voldemort sat on the other side of the desk and gave Harry a charming and emotionless smile.
"He truly is a typical Slytherin, isn't he?" Harry nodded but said nothing else, "The running act tells me that this is not a conversation that I am particularly going to enjoy."
"I don't suppose it will be."
Tom nodded, "Very well. What is your first question?"
"Where am I?"
Tom smirked, "Riddle Manor, of course."
"And since when did it become Riddle Manor?"
"When I purchased it."
"Of course."
"What else?"
"How could such a spell have been placed on me while I was in Malfoy Manor?"
Tom rested his elbows on the desk pressing the tips of his fingers together, "If it's the type of spell I believe it was, then the spell was cast could have been cast anytime since you were born. It blocks people from knowing where you are unless they've seen you in that spot in the last three to four days. Or if they're shown by someone who has seen you."
"So how did anyone find me, since I've been here?"
"That was because of the guard that I had stationed outside your cell. Between them and the house elves, someone had seen you every day. When I left your cell, I told the elves to feed you, but pulled the guard away. Then when I told the elves that you were not there and that they were to return to their other duties…"
"They couldn't find me either."
"Exactly."
"Who cast it?"
"Judging by how the house elves have been talking? I think it was the man who simply won't die."
Harry blinked and leaned forward resting his forearms on his legs, "Dumbledore?"
Tom nodded.
"Wow."
"Can I ask a question now?"
"One more, if you don't mind." Tom nodded and Harry continued, "How did you find me?"
"At the Weasley house?" Green eyes rolled but the boy nodded, "That would be your twins."
"Fred and George," Harry felt a flash of pain through his scar when he mentioned the latter twin but brushed it off, "They told you how to get to the Burrow?"
"They told me where the 'Burrow' was. I could not track your side of the horcrux, so I waited until I was able to feel your magic."
"You can feel my magic?"
"Of course. How else would I be able to track a horcrux if I could not sense my own magic?"
Harry ignored the pain lancing through his chest at Voldemort's words. Of course, the man just wanted to protect his horcrux. He couldn't want a young teen for any other reason. The teen ignored the sensible voice reminding him that Tom had no idea of the other bond. The man was likely linking everything that happened to him back to the horcrux.
"Now. Will you answer on of my questions?"
Harry nodded without thinking and waited for the older wizard's question.
"Good. Now why do you need to see a healer that specializes in pregnancies?"
Harry cursed his Gryffindor side that would force him into answering a question he desperately wanted to avoid. A promise was a promise no matter what else happened. The boy took a deep breath to steady his nerves and forced himself to stare into Voldemort's eyes.
"Because I'm pregnant."
Harry felt something snap between him and Voldemort. Their connection going from empty warmth to cold as ice in an instant. He blinked up at the red eyes wondering what had caused the change.
"Mr. Potter. Do not take me for a fool. Wizarding men rarely become pregnant, and never at such a young age without the help of potions. I do not appreciate being lied to."
Harry glared at the man, "And I do not appreciate being called a liar. You asked. I told you. Minsy confirmed my pregnancy as did Draco. You can ask either of them if you don't believe me."
"And if your suspicions are true why exactly would you need a healer?"
"Because Minsy says that my magic is trying to protect my baby from something. There is a risk that my baby could be dying at this exact moment."
Harry found himself standing and leaning over Voldemort's desk. As close as he could be without moving around it to stand next to the man.
"And I need to find the monster responsible for trying to kill me and my child. All signs are currently pointing towards one Albus Dumbledore. I need to save my baby and destroy that man's entire life. Now, are you going to get me a healer or am I going to have to push your demise in front of dear Dumbledore's?"
For the first time the older wizard's eyes were lit with understanding. The man finally able to acknowledge exactly what it was that gave this boy the power that would supposedly be Voldemort's doom. The boy was fiercely protective of the people he cared about. Harry Potter would have sacrificed himself for all of them, and he would do it again.
Voldemort gave Harry Potter one final nod. The young wizard returned it with a superior motion and let himself out of the room. Voldemort penned a letter and attached it to his swiftest owl. The healer would be here within the day.
(0,0)
The healer appeared after breakfast the following morning. Harry and Tom both excused themselves to go with the woman to talk about Harry's pregnancy.
Harry had tried to protest, but the man had been insistent and the teen had given in. It only seemed fair that the father was there for his baby's first check-up. The fact that he didn't know it was his seemed a minor detail at the moment.
The woman introduced herself as Florence Jaywing and claimed that she was a specialist in magical pregnancies. The Gryffindor opted to take her word for it and was going to deny being thankful that Tom was there when he was asked to lay back on his bed. The woman started up an interrogation as she checked over both the baby and the 'mother.'
"So tell me about your symptoms."
Harry snorted, "I'm sick half the time, the rest of the time I'm starving. I've started bawling my eyes out over the most ridiculous things, getting angry over a strange look, and laughing hysterically at things that could potentially ruin my life. Those kinds of symptoms?"
The nurse grinned, "Wonderful. It sounds like everything is progressing brilliantly."
Harry suppressed a laugh as she checked his pulse by hand displaying numbers that meant nothing to Harry in the air.
"Any unexplained bursts of magic?"
"No. But I have seemed to have access to different amounts of magic. I should have been drained dry when I was kept prisoner, but I managed to scrape up just enough to get me out of the house and past the wards."
"Hmmm. I'll look into that. Meanwhile, tell me about the father."
Harry stiffened but was careful to keep his eyes on the nurse and not the Slytherin sitting quietly next to him, "I'd rather not."
Florence huffed but compromised, "Just the basics. Health. Age. Magical prowess."
"As healthy as I've ever seen someone in his condition. Although he does seem to experiment a lot with charms and potions. Older than me although I'm not quite sure how much technically. And I think it's safe to say he is one of the most talented wizards I know."
Harry couldn't resist looking sideways at Voldemort at that last piece. The man was staring at a fixed point on the wall behind Healer Jaywing. Harry frowned but turned his eyes back to the nurse. Who was glancing between him and Voldemort in shock.
The teen frantically shook his head when she started to ask a question. The woman bit her lip but nodded. She ran her wand over Harry's abdomen one more time. Her face paling at whatever it was she saw.
"What's wrong? Is the baby alright?" Harry spoke quickly moving a hand to rest over his stomach.
Florence shook her head, "I'm sorry. The baby's fine. For now. The two of you have performed a kind of miracle here. Your baby should be dead at the moment. This is one of the reasons why your magic has been going haywire."
"I don't understand."
"Of course not. Just remember that the two of you are fine. The baby is in perfect health. But someone has cast an abortion charm on you."
Harry paled, "Abortion?"
"You and the baby provided a protective womb of some sort. Your magic mixed with the little the baby has and was protecting it from the effects of the spell." She hesitated but pushed on in a softer voice, "and the potions."
Harry was shaking with anger, "That man is going to pay. Can you cancel the spell?"
The healer nodded, "Yes, but it needs the presence of the f-of another powerful wizard before we can do it." The young teen noticed the slip and looked up to see the woman glancing briefly over at Tom.
Harry caught the pointed glance and decided that it was a good thing that the healer was willing to keep this secret for him.
"Riddle?" The man looked at him, "Would you mind helping?"
He blinked, apparently that had surprised him.
"If you want, I can go get someone else? I have something that I would like to take care of as soon as possible." Red eyes brightened with malice as he looked towards the door.
The young Gryffindor shook his head with a smile, "I'm worried that if you leave now, Dumbledore will be dead before I get a shot at him. Please?"
Tom smiled back, before shaking his head, he moved closer and looked up at the healer for instructions. Harry frowned at the suddenly blank expression then turned his own to the woman in the room.
"Great. Now, Mr. Potter-"
"Harry, please."
"Harry then, is going to need you to help support his magic with your own."
"How?"
"You will push your magic forward. Allow it to encase Harry." She watched as the bed sheets started to ruffle with a light breeze as the magic moved around him. "Perfect. Now Harry, you need to use it to balance your own."
The raven frowned but took a chance. He reached out his magic and allowed the two to mix. Judging by the healer's smile, Harry had guessed right.
"Good. Now I'm going to cancel the spell that was cast. Harry I don't know what's going to happen. I'm sure the baby will be fine, but this is probably going to feel uncomfortable."
Harry nodded and let the witch cast the counter spell. He knew the instant the spell was finished. Green eyes clouded with pain and the teen arched his back as his body took the brunt of the spell. In his pain he reached out a hand and found Voldemort's where it had been resting on the bed by his hip. Tom's magic flowed through their connection and rushed to surround the Harry.
Harry felt the pain start to ease and noticed his magic flowing away from his abdomen. He gave a sigh of relief when his magic settled into his body once again. He looked up to Tom with a grateful smile and felt a surge of disappointment as the man took his hand away.
Frowning slightly, forgetting that Tom didn't know about the bond, he turned to the Healer. A smile decorated her lovely face and she ran a hand through the hair sticking to his forehead.
"Are you alright?" Harry gave a little nod, still shaking from the pain, "Sir? I'm going to have to ask you to step out of the room."
Voldemort turned stunned eyes on her, "I will not."
"I have to perform an exam that I'm sure will make both of you uncomfortable. If you would please give me five minutes with Mr. Potter I will report to you shortly."
Tom shifted in his seat for a few moments before standing, "Five minutes then."
Florence waited until he had shut the door behind him before turning to Harry.
"Now then. I have a few questions I need to ask. First off, I take it that Tom does not know he's the father?"
Harry shook his head, "I don't think he even knows that is a possibility."
She frowned, "How could he not?"
Harry struggled to sit up, smiling gratefully when she helped prop him up against the pillows, "This isn't a typical male pregnancy, if there's such a thing. It was conceived entirely by magic."
"As our most male pregnancies."
Harry shook his head, "Not quite. Tom and I have never… well you know…" He waved his hand vaguely through the air. "The baby was conceived while I was alone in a cell in the bottom of Malfoy Manor about nine weeks ago."
"You've never been intimate with each other?" The nurse looked like she was torn between being horrified and ecstatic, "Then how did…?"
"Have you ever heard about a soul bond?"
"Of course. But I've never heard of a pregnancy due to one before."
"The bond seems to have a mind of its own. It decides that if a couple isn't getting together fast enough that it has to cause a pregnancy to move the bond along . The only issue is, that a pregnancy isn't going to change anything in our case."
"I'm sure the bond knows what it is doing." Florence tried to reassure him.
"Me too. It would be nice to have something wonderful happen for once."
The healer tried to speak but was interrupted by the opening of the door. As Tom settled back against the wall to watch, she cast a few spells over Harry.
"The baby is fine. He's coming along wonderfully. Perfectly developed as of right now. You are in good health as well, although I ask that you sleep for a few hours to recover your strength. Now a male pregnancy lasts ten months usually, because the body has to alter itself to carry the child to full development. In your case, we may be looking at eleven months."
"Eleven?" Harry looked up at her with wide eyes.
"I won't be able to tell for a little longer yet, but most likely yes. You also need to be around the father during the pregnancy as their magic will help to support the baby's development. And I am afraid that your symptoms are going to last longer and be more…intense than your average woman's."
"Great. Just what I wanted to hear."
She gave him a small smile, "Rest now. Sir? Can I talk to you outside?"
Florence watched as Harry closed his eyes and Tom fought an internal battle about whether to cross to the young boy or follow the healer. Eventually common sense won out and he slipped outside carefully shutting the door behind him.
"Now. I know Mr. Potter is going to be stubborn about this, but he needs to have the father around for his sake and the baby's. You need to get him to admit to who the father is. Not being around the father enough can cause miscarriage or premature birth, which are both exceedingly dangerous for the 'mother.'"
Tom nodded, "I know who the father is."
Florence's eyes lit up as her shoulders slumped in relief, "Perfect. They'll need to sit with Harry as much as possible for the next few days while his body and magic recover."
Tom nodded and led her to a room with a floo connection. Telling her that she could use that fireplace every time she came to visit Harry. Florence let out a breath of relief that she wasn't going to have to keep the father's identity a secret. She stepped into the green flames calling out the name of her home.
Just as the sound of roaring flames began to block her hearing she heard Voldemort's voice a final time.
"Minsy? Please go get George Weasley and tell him he must sit with Mr. Potter until dinner."
'Oh, bloody hell.' Was all Florence could think as she was sucked through the fireplace and back to her own living room.
(0,0)
Draco Malfoy was confused. The blonde was listening to the Dark Lord talking about his plans. Although he was not an official member of the Inner Circle his father's position gave him slightly more access than the others of his position.
Currently the Dark Lord was speaking about Harry Potter's affliction. Every time he spoke of Harry the man's eyes would change. Not something a person would notice truly. The shape never changed. The edges would crinkle, not a wrinkle would mar the face. But the color would shift closer to brown.
Then someone would mention the child. It had become a serious topic of conversation, especially when everyone learned that Dumbledore had attempted a forceful abortion.
"The good news is that Potter is safe for now." All eyes turned towards the Dark Lord, "As is his… child. The only thing that the healer requested is that he be near the child's other father, and seeing as that was easily arranged we now only have to deal with Dumbledore."
Draco blinked. The Dark Lord knew who the father was? When did Harry tell him? And why didn't Harry tell Draco that the Dark Lord knew?!
Draco missed the rest of the meeting, too focused on his own thoughts to hear much else. When the Dark Lord finally dismissed them Draco moved in dignified haste towards Harry's room. Where Harry spent most of his free time still not sure of his welcome among the other guests in the Manor.
"Harry James Potter!" Draco let the door slam behind him as he approached the raven where he slept on the bed, "Why didn't you tell me that you told the Dark Lord he was the father of your child?! And how in the hell did you manage to tell him without letting him know about the bond?"
Green eyes blinked up at Draco, "Because I didn't tell him?"
Draco raised a single eyebrow, "Oh really? Then how exactly did he find out who the father was?"
Harry began chewing on his lip, "I didn't tell him. He can't know, else he would have said something, right?"
"I was sitting in on the meeting not five minutes ago and he said that you were supposed to be around the father. It's for the baby's health or something."
"The only person I've been around is George. He's almost constantly by my side. Him and Fred have been taking turns sitting with me and such while I'm up here in my room."
The two boys sat in silence as they both thought over everything. The silence was broken as Draco started laughing.
"Oh Merlin!" Harry gave Draco a questioning glance, questioning the humor and the boy's sanity.
"Harry! He thinks that George is the father?!"
"Why the hell would he think that?" Harry frowned.
"I don't know, but it's the only thing that makes sense. What would have given him the idea do you think?"
"I have no idea. I can't even think about anything. I have a headache that is just pounding."
"Do you get them often?" Draco frowned and pressed a hand against Harry's forehead, "You're burning up."
"Only when Voldemort's emotional."
"You get headaches because of Voldemort?"
"Yeah, it's because of the horcrux. I think anyway. They've been getting worse."
Draco sat for a long moment moving Harry over to the bed so that he could lay down. His Slytherin mind was working trying to piece it all together. He was sure that it was all connected somehow. He was silent as Harry asked for Minsy to bring him some crackers and apple juice.
Harry was almost finished with his snack when Draco spoke again.
"That's it!"
"What is? What are you talking about?"
"That's it! Don't you see? It's the only thing that really makes sense!"
"Draco I have no idea what you are blabbering on about."
"Think about it. Your headaches have gotten worse since you started hanging out with George. The Dark Lord thinks George is your baby's father. He's talking about taking revenge on Dumbledore- for you. He hates talking about the baby. He is always sitting with you next to him at dinner and never lets George sit with you…"
Draco looked at Harry pointedly. Harry returned the look with a blank gaze.
"And?"
Draco rolled his eyes and reached out to grip Harry's arm, "Harry. The. Man. Is. Jealous."
Harry blinked at him, "Jealous." His voice was flat and he gave a disbelieving look.
"Yes! It all makes sense!"
Harry shook his head, "Not a chance. The pains wouldn't have started as soon as they did."
"Well when did they start?"
"At the Burrow right after I left here. I was in the room fighting off Ginny, she didn't believe I wasn't desperately in love with her, and…"
Harry's eyes lit with understanding and Draco couldn't resist pushing the boy. Curious as to what the boy had remembered.
"What?"
"I kissed George. Tom's emotions skyrocketed after that, George was helping me clean up the blood."
"Blood?"
Harry waved a hand, "Yeah, it happens on occasion. Do you really think that he's jealous?"
"Of course, but blood?"
"Seriously so long as Tom keeps from trying to kill anyone it usually just aches."
"Does he know about your headaches?"
"No. I don't think so. I've never brought it up anyway."
"You need to tell him."
"Why?"
"Because it's hurting you. Tell him about the scar hurting and that George isn't the father! It's hurting you. He's hurting you. He needs to know."
"Fine. But I'll let him know in my own way."
"That's okay, but you also need to tell him who the father actually is."
"I know. I just don't know how."
Harry was sitting up next to Draco and buried his face in his hands. Draco gave him a slight smile as he rubbed the younger boy's back. Before the raven could think about it he found himself resting against the blonde. His face tucked against the boy's chest. The usually closed of Slytherin stiffened before relaxing into the embrace.
Neither boy noticed the door clicking closed on a pair of red eyes.
(0,0)
Harry walked into the room with his usual smile. Stopping to talk to the twins as he always did. Before moving to sit at his usual seat between Draco and Voldemort. He sat down and avoided looking at the usually empty seat across from him.
That is until he noticed that the seat was occupied.
He looked up and felt his jaw drop. The man sitting across from him was dead. Or he was supposed to be dead anyway. How many people could fake their own deaths? Seriously. This was becoming absolutely ridiculous. But back to the point-
"Snape?"
The ex-professor turned to look up at the man on his right, "Potter, my Lord?"
"Potter. He is my guest here as are the rest of the people in this room."
"Is he the one you wished me to make the potions for?"
"Yes. Will that be a problem?"
"None at all, my Lord."
"How do people keep being not dead?!" Harry's voice called the attention of the entire room.
"Mr. Potter, I suggest that you lower your voice."
Harry shrank under the professor's disapproving tone. He glanced up under his bangs to see Tom smirking as he drank from his you feel the need for respect?
"I apologize, sir." The boy made his voice soft and apologetic, dropping all pretense of sarcasm.
Snape looked like he had been slapped. His mouth dropping open as he looked across the table at the Gryffindor. Harry nearly choked on his bite of potatoes as he laughed. Fortunately, the raven wasn't the only one to find the ex-professor's reaction amusing.
Draco was coughing over a mouthful of water at his godfather's expression. Lucius was suppressing a chuckle as he looked away from the man. Narcissa and Bella were openly giggling at their fellow follower. The twins were saving the moment to their memories for future blackmail.
"What's wrong Severus?" Tom was not even trying to hide his smirk.
Snape got control of himself and glared at Harry, "I survived because the Dark Lord forewarned me. I used the antidote to Nagini's venom with the Draught of Living Death. About a week later, after the antidote had taken it's affect the Dark Lord introduced the counter to the Draught."
"Does no one know how to die anymore?"
The room filled with laughter and Harry blushed. His head ducking down once again staring at his plate of food. Quiet chuckles filled the room and they all enjoyed a tension free dinner. Dessert was some of Harry's favorites and the blonde Slytherin couldn't help rolling his eyes at the raven's choice of 'nutrition.'
Everyone was getting ready to move to another room when the doors opened again.
"Sorry about my tardiness, my Lord."
"It is no problem, young Lestrange. Please take a seat."
Harry frowned at the voice echoing around the room. Why did Lestrange's son sound so familiar? He turned to face the open door. His eyes went wide as he took in the tall form standing behind the usually empty seat. He blinked. Once. Twice. Three times but the shape never changed.
"My plans became more difficult than I anticipated, but I think I finally made contact."
"Very good. We were about to move to the parlor. Would you like to join us, or would you rather eat something?"
Harry blinked at the polite tone of the Dark Lord before turning back to the other figure.
"I'll join you, if that's alright, my Lord."
With that they stood and moved towards the door once again. Harry walked around Voldemort to get a closer look at the new comer. He finally found his voice as he stepped past Snape.
"Neville?"
Sure enough surprised eyes turned to him and a familiar smile crossed the young man's face, "Harry! What are you doing here?"
Thanks for your patience everyone! I really am trying to keep with the whole fifteen reviews thing, but you guys are all so wonderful about reviewing! I do have a question for you guys, Draco needs a pairing. Any ideas? Love you all!