So, so sorry for the delay. I think I'll only write about another 10 or so chapters to finish this off.
Chapter 11: In Which Draco Finally Understands Mr. Darcy
It was ridiculous, really, that Draco should find himself glued to the book. It was a Muggle story with no action, magic, nothing good! Well except Darcy, he was pretty awesome…
"Draco, are you reading a Muggle book?" Blaise asked. Really, he shouldn't be amazed; Draco had been doing weird things a lot lately.
"Yes." Draco didn't even bother looking up from the page.
"Uh…Why?"
"Because," Draco mumbled.
Blaise hovered uncertainly then walked away, muttering about Draco finally going insane. It was only when he was forced to go to breakfast that Draco finally put the book down. He was still thinking about it as he walked to the Great Hall with the other Slytherins and the only thing that snagged his attention was the appearance of Potter and his two loyal puppies.
"So, I'm reading the book," Draco said, sidling up beside Potter who was walking a step behind Granger and Weasel who were going at it furiously. The Slytherins stared after him in confusion but made no move to join him.
Potter looked up and grinned. "And how do you like it?"
"Well Elizabeth is Ok I suppose although her mother annoys me and Darcy is perfect."
"Of course you would like Darcy." Potter paused to face Draco so that they were standing just inside the door, in plain sight of the school, acting normal.
Out of the corner of his eye Draco thought he saw one or two people faint. "Well he is the most perfect fictional character ever written."
Potter grinned. "Of course you'd say that. If anyone was like Darcy it would be you."
"And you'd be Elizabeth," Draco added without thinking.
Potter's grin faltered and they stood staring at each other, an unspoken question lingering between them. Draco swallowed hard and wondered why on earth he had said that! He didn't know what to say. Should he take it back? Laugh it off? Chang the subject completely?
"Draco, what are you doing!?" Pansy screeched loudly from the Slytherin table.
The whole student population had gone deathly silent, and for good reason. Draco had taken a subconscious step towards Potter and they were only inches apart, their bodies almost flush against one another. Draco jumped back, completely shocked. He couldn't remember walking forwards.
"I should go!" Potter said loudly, so loud that the back of the hall could hear.
"Yea," Draco agreed, turning and all but sprinting back to his house table. He caught sight of Dumbledore who looked all too smug. He fought off his housemates and concentrated on his runny eggs that he didn't feel like eating.
Pansy looked absolutely scandalized. "What was that with Potter!?"
"Uh…conversation, you know when two people exchange words and-"
Pansy cut him off, her shrill voice carrying across the hall. "I meant that almost kiss!"
"I wasn't going to kiss him!" Draco protested.
The whole hall was silent and watching them curiously. Draco winced when he realized they were the center of attention and looked over at Potter, who wasn't looking at him but staring at his plate as though it were completely fascinating. Everyone turned towards him, staring at Potter as though waiting for him to react. The attention seemed too much and Potter got up, leaving the hall quickly.
"Well," Dumbledore said cheerily, standing up, "I think perhaps that we should all be getting to class."
Everyone started to leave, flowing out of the hall like a multi-coloured river. Draco hung back, walking with the other seventh year Slytherins. His mind was else where from their flow of conversation. The book and Potter seemed to fill every corner of his mind. He thought of them both so frequently he could hardly concentrate on class. Everything just went straight over his head and he could care less.
By lunch Draco was determined to talk to Potter. He found the small Gryffindor with his friends, leaving Herbology. Potter walked over to him, much to his friend's annoyance. They hung back, waiting for him and watching Draco like they expected him to suddenly hex their friend. It wasn't a completely unfair assumption, given their past.
"What's up?" Potter asked when they were close enough to speak. He was carrying two heavy books and his arms strained under the weight.
"Here, allow me." Draco took the books from a protesting Potter, but would have none of that. "You can't overdo it."
Potter let it go and walked with Draco. "You still haven't answered my question."
Draco shrugged. "Just wanted to talk to you." Potter looked shocked and he added, "We're going to have to be civil to each other for the twins' sake."
"True. You know, my next ultra sound is next month."
"I'll be there," Draco promised.
Potter sent him a thankful smile. "So, have you finished the book yet?"
"Just a few more chapters left."
"Wow, you're remarkably quick," Potter observed.
"Only when I'm really interested in it," Draco smirked.
"So, have you understood it yet?"
"I get that it's a comical romance, that it's all about a man who loves a woman for her sharp wit and because she refuses to fall over herself for him."
Potter's smile widened. "You're getting there. There's hope for you yet."
"Well, I like to think so."
Potter laughed. It was a beautiful and carefree sound that had Draco smiling. Potter could be incredible sometimes.
Potter laughing ceased and his expression turned serious. "Oh, I wanted to tell you something," Potter chewed his bottom lip in an adorable nervous manner. Draco nodded for him to continue, curious as to why the raven-haired teen was so nervous. "I sort of…Got asked out on a date."
Draco's jaw clenched. He tried to make his voice sound normal but it was proving difficult. "Oh, really."
"Yea…I know it's weird with me pregnant and everything, that's why I thought it would be better to warn you first. I don't know if I'll accept but I suppose it wouldn't hurt, just one night," Potter said in a rush.
"Who is it?" Draco asked, trying to sound relaxed and calm while inside he was bubbling with fury. Why he was so mad he couldn't comprehend but he hated to think of Potter with anyone else. Maybe he was just being overprotective of the babies. That made more sense then any other possible theory.
"Uh…Blaise Zabini."
There were times in Draco's life when he was truly angry enough to murder something or someone. This was one of those times. Blaise was supposed to be his best friend! How could he ask Potter out behind his back!? True Blaise had no idea what was going on between Draco and Potter but that was completely beside the point! Draco was ready to punch the smug Italian bastard when he walked into the dorm room but only just restrained himself.
"Draco, can I talk to you?"
Draco nodded stiffly, setting aside Pride & Prejudice and holding down his anger. "What's going on?"
Blaise sat down on his bed across from Draco. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. "I sort of…asked Potter out on a date today and he said yes!"
Draco took a calming breath. Don't kill him yet he chanted in his head. "Why?"
Blaise shrugged. "I thought I'd open my horizons and all that. Besides, he isn't that bad looking."
Draco clenched his fists and felt his nails dug into his palms. "Oh."
"You're not angry are you? I know its Golden Boy Potter, but it's not like I'm in love with him or anything. It's just one date, that I'm hoping will last all night," Blaise grinned and winked.
Draco almost punched Blaise. He even raised his hand a little. "So you just want him for a quick shag? That's it?"
"Well yea. Not like I'm the commitment type." Blaise got up and went to his trunk. "I should probably head out soon, he'll be waiting. Hey, think I should wear red? You know, make him happy, and prove I have nothing against his house and all that?"
You can go to hell! "Doesn't matter."
"Ok, red it is." Blaise took his clothes and went into the bathroom to change.
Draco got up and kicked his trunk so hard it fell sideways, opening up and spilling his items all over the floor. Ignoring the stabbing feeling in his foot and the mess he'd made he stormed out of the dorm, slamming doors as he went. He snapped at Nearly Headless Nick who floated by, and actually flew backwards through a wall, yelling about disrespectable teenagers as he went. Draco took out his wand and contemplated if he could get away with cursing Blaise into pieces. Probably wouldn't, although he could have fun trying.
"Malfoy?"
Draco looked around at the familiar voice and his heart jumped into his throat. Potter was walking down the stairs, dressed in an informal black suit, his stomach safely concealed. Draco's breath caught in his throat.
"Potter, you look decent for once."
Potter rolled his eyes but smiled. "Probably the nicest compliment I've gotten from you, so I'll take it. What are you doing?"
"Nothing. So you're going out with Blaise?" He tried to keep the annoyance out of his tone and settled for gripping his wand tightly.
"Yea, I hope it isn't too weird."
Draco shook his head. "No, it's just Blaise has a reputation."
Potter's brow creased. "Are you trying to stop me from going out with him? If you have a problem with it, just tell me."
Draco was fully prepared to blurt it all out, that Blaise just wanted to shag him and that he was furious at the very thought of them together and that he wasn't so sure if it was just about the babies anymore. But he stopped himself, realizing that maybe Potter was happy dating Blaise that he wouldn't care about Draco's opinions. The thought hurt more then any physical wound.
With the greatest of reluctance Draco swallowed back all his arguments, forcing, instead, the thought that Harry was happy. "No, forget it, just have fun."
Potter smiled brightly. "Ok, I'll see you later then." He walked past Draco, to wherever his meeting place with Blaise was.
Draco could feel his heart clench and his stomach turn over. So this was how Darcy felt, standing back from Elizabeth, the woman he loved, allowing her to make her own decisions that led away from him.
This sucks.
-TBC-
Draco has finally realized his feelings! Yay! Lol. Oh, by the way, someone mentioned that they would have loved to see Ron & Hermione's reaction after Harry tells them so I've decided to write an extra chapter that will posted once the story is completed, that will be Harry telling everyone that he's pregnant.
Thanks to my reviewers: sweetteetwo, Zoomi, YamiYama, Unknown289, BatteredChild, QueenNilya, TanyaPotter, loves harry, Divinyl, Glomping Kawaii, Isabel Evelyn, Norwegian MoonShadow, Rokkis, White-Pink-Fluffy-Strawberriez, ClumsyElf, RocklifeDude, polka. Girl, Discombobulatedperson, spacemonkey1129, Jisra Lumina, DaRk-HoPeLeSs-rOmAnTiC, JWOHPfan, McLovable, Kelly82, sexyevilempress276, RRW, gbheart, SaKuRa-MIna, MissBehavior, Bath5572, PaddyWaddy, semper paratis, mumimeanjudy, Aisling-Siobhan, Akkalia, MarcoLover16, -S3v3rusIsMine3- & thrnbrooke.
Q&A:
It's Lydia who ran away with Mr. Wickham, not Kitty: Yes, I'm so sorry; I realized that after I posted, but I did repost it with the correct name.
What's the poll for? The poll (which I please beg you to do) is to decide how Draco should confess to Harry that he likes him.
Will Blaise discover the secret? Will he stand by Draco? Unfortunately I can't tell you that. You'll just have to read it.
Is the Mpreg possible because it's a magic then or because you have creative license to do so? Um…A little bit of both (grins)
How long is it going to take the school to realize that Harry is pregnant and who the father is? You'll just have to wait and read.
Are there going to be complications? Like other guys? Yes, because I'm incredibly evil.
When the babies are born will they be making an appearance in the story? Yes.
Don't hesitate to ask a question, I'll be happy to answer. Please take the poll and REVIEW!
With love,
Harpy Wings