11. The Understanding of a Werewolf

Harry and Ginny said goodbye to Hermione and Luna and Neville at the train station whilst Ron and Lavender snogged goodbye. Hermione didn't seem to be concentrating on the others and left to join her mother with tears in his eyes. Not that Ron noticed.

A few days later Harry and Ron were in the kitchen helping with the carrots. Harry hadn't told Ron or Hermione of the truth concerning Draco Malfoy even if he wanted to say "I told you so". But he didn't want the other sixteen year old boy to be killed so he left it. Fred and George entered the kitchen looking at them with the knives. Fred teased Ron about not being able to do magic yet. There was a bit of brotherly rivalry finished by Ron chucking the knife at Fred which Fred turned into a paper aeroplane. Mrs Weasley saw this and gave her son a lecture on throwing knives. The sleeping arrangements were discussed; Ginny and Fleur were sharing rooms, then Fred, George and Bill were being squeezed in together, Remus was in the other, and Harry and Ron were going to be up in the attack. Fred and George left to see the pretty Muggle girl in the village

'Gits would've only taken them ten seconds and then we could've gone, too,' Ron moaned.

'I wouldn't have gone anyway I have no wish to be kidnapped again,' Harry shuddered.

'Oh Merlin, Harry, sorry, I didn't mean,' Ron looked horrified by himself.

'No it's fine I'm doing better anyway,' Harry gave a sad smile as he felt his stomach.

At least something good came out of all of that. He thought of his daughter.

On Christmas Eve Harry was sitting beside Mr Weasley and Remus. The decorations that Ginny had provided were excellent. Harry especially loved the angel on top of the tree. Or the garden gnome in a gold dress as Harry knew it to be. Mrs Weasley had put some old and ghastly music on the wireless that Fleur seemed to detest. Mr Weasley had fallen asleep.

'Hello Harry,' Remus said gently.

Harry avoided his eyes, 'you heard then,' he muttered.

'Yeah how are you doing?' asked Remus.

'Fine,' Harry said. 'Professor Snape has been very helpful.'

'Never thought I'd see the day when a Potter and a Snape get on,' smiled Remus.

'Imagine what Sirius would say?' Harry sighed.

'You really miss him,' said Remus.

'Yeah,' Harry nodded.

Then he put a hand to his stomach and ran out of the room.

'Harry!' Remus ran out after him.

He found his friend's son throwing up down the toilet.

'Harry, are you okay?' asked Remus.

Mrs Weasley came in after them.

'I'm fine,' muttered Harry before throwing up again.

'Your obviously not,' said Mrs Weasley. 'Come on bed now. I'll bet it's the Yule Log Fleur made.'

'Not her fault,' muttered Harry.

Remus sniffed, 'Harry why didn't you tell is?'

Harry didn't reply.

'I'll kill whoever drugged and knocked my cub up,' growled Remus.

'You're pregnant?' asked Mrs Weasley.

'Yeah,' said Harry.

'We need to talk about this,' said Remus gently.

'First can I have eggnog and garlic bread?' asked Harry.

'Of course,' smiled Mrs Weasley.

Down in the kitchen they all stared as Mrs Weasley began making garlic bread which she then served Harry with eggnog.

'Thanks,' said Harry.

Harry poured the eggnog all over the garlic bread and began to eat.

'What is it about you and strange foods?' Ron looked slightly nauseous.

'Cravings,' said Mrs Weasley knowledgably.

'Cravings?' asked Ginny nonplussed.

'Do you know how irresponsible that was?' Mrs Weasley stormed. 'Sixteen and pregnant? What on earth possessed you to drink the potion?'

'Wait Harry's pregnant?' asked Ron.

Harry nodded looking upset.

'But your straight,' said Ginny.

'Yeah I am,' said Harry.

'So how come your pregnant? I have no problems with your sexual orientation but getting pregnant at sixteen?' Mrs Weasley got ready to shout.

'I never had a choice!' Harry yelled back. 'Not that I'd change her for the world! I can feel her warmth flowing through my body,' Harry became instantly happy. 'But because of the fact that Voldemort raped me and force fed me potion you'd force me to kill my baby because the baby is mine not Voldemort's!'

Harry ran off in tears.

'Oh Harry,' sighed Mrs Weasley. 'I'd never force you to kill your child,' Mrs Weasley sighed.

'Mum why did he go from angry to happy to distraught so quickly?' asked Ron.

Mr Weasley chuckled, 'mood swings.'

'I'll go and talk with him,' Mrs Weasley said.

Mrs Weasley left and Remus followed. Harry was lying on his side with the back to the door sobbing.

'Harry,' Remus said softly.

'Go away,' murmured Harry.

Remus sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Harry into a hug. Harry stiffened at the contact.

'Are you okay?' asked Remus.

'Sorry I've been doing that since – well you know,' Harry shrugged.

Remus nodded, 'I'm sorry I was shocked but I should have talked about it to you first rather than announced it.'

'And I shouldn't have dragged you down to face everyone else,' added Mrs Weasley. 'But I won't force you to abort the child. I've had seven children and I know the feeling of being bonded to the child. I knew the twins and Ginny were trouble makers but Bill was so peaceful it was scary.'

'Do you think I'm making the wrong decision?' asked Harry.

'No,' said Remus. 'My parents were encouraged to have me put down when I was bitten and I was only six and a half. But they refused despite what everyone said and I turned out alright. I agree however the child was made it was not the child's fault.'

'No it was mine,' Harry looked humiliated.

'No it was not,' Remus said.

'But maybe beauty can come from tragedy I mean look at phoenixes they're born from the ashes of their death,' Harry said. 'Anyway I'm exhausted its been a very emotional day.'

'Of course, Harry,' smiled Mrs Weasley. 'Sleep.'

'What do the others think?' he asked nervously.

'I'll talk to them,' Mrs Weasley assured Harry.