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Chapter 12: Persuasion

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"Oh… why?"

"I really don't think that's any of your business Lupin."

"Yes, I'm sorry, just surprised I guess… well I suppose I better go and prepare for my first class… erm, bye."

Lupin left the staff room. He didn't agree with Severus cheating on Harry, but he did feel a bit sorry for the man. He was clearly very distraught about Harry and his kids leaving and wasn't thinking rationally. One thing was for sure though; he would regret getting rid of his baby, even if the other father wasn't Harry's. There was only one person who could possibly talk him out of it.

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"Remus! Wh-what are you doing here? Haven't you got a class?"

"I'm afraid this isn't a social visit Harry" Remus replied, walking into the house. Harry closed the door behind him.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Severu-"

"Remus, I really don't want to hear it" Harry said. "He can mope about as much as he likes, I really don't c-"

"Harry, he's having a termination."

"What?"

"Tomorrow. He's going to St Mungos for a termination."

Harry wordlessly sat himself down on the sofa, Remus followed. His brain was in overdrive. He just couldn't understand what would possess Severus to do such a thing. No, he can't have heard right.

"Remus, I think you've made a mistake."

"I haven't Harry. He told me himself."

"Oh… Did he say why?" Harry enquired.

"No. Told me it was none of my business… and quite rightly so."

"But it's his baby, his flesh and blood… how could he want to get rid of it? Does this mean that he wouldn't have cared whether Joseph lived or not?... he… he did actually tell me to have a termination when I found out I was carrying Joseph… maybe he isn't the man I thought I was."

"I suspect he's very confused at the moment. I don't for one moment condone what he did to you Harry, but it's very obvious he hasn't thoughtabout this decision rationally. He's spent the last two weeks locked away; we can only guess what's been going on in his mind."

"And the pregnancy hormones can't be helping either" Harry remarked.

"Harry, if anyone can talk him out of it, you can."

"Remus, I can't. It's not even my baby."

"You don't know that for sure Harry. What if it is your baby? Would you be able to live your life always wondering if Severus had got rid of your baby and would there have been anything you could do to stop it?"

"Hey, hang on a minute, don't make out a termination is my fault. I haven't done anything wrong, he cheated on me remember."

"I know Harry. I'm thinking of you, I just… don't think you'd be able to forgive yourself if you stood back and did nothing… anyway, I better be off, I've got a lesson in approximately five minutes time."

"Remus?" Harry said quietly as he made his way to the door.

"Yes Harry?"

"Thank you."

Remus smiled at him and let himself out of the house. Harry stayed sitting, he could feel a headache coming on. Remus was right, what if the baby was his? In ten years time would he be able to look at Matthew and Joseph and not wonder whether they would have had another brother?

If the baby was his then he would have been conceived on his birthday. It fit the time frame and prior to that Harry hadn't been the one on top for a good few months…

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Harry had celebrated his 24th birthday as best he could, what with a seven month pregnant belly and a four year old to look after. Ron, Hermione (with her nine month pregnant belly), Remus, Tonks and Willow had come round for a meal prepared by Severus. Harry had been ordered to put his feet up all day and to take it easy. The evening had been fun, but once everyone had gone home and Severus was putting Matthew to bed and reading him a story he felt his happiest. All he wanted to do was curl up with his boyfriend and hopefully end the night… well you know.

Harry was in the kitchen having a snack when Severus came in smiling at him. He practically ran over to Harry, putting his arms around him. He was about to lean down to kiss him, but Harry had brought a fish finger dipped in ketchup to his lips.

"Harry, can you stop eating for more than five minutes?"

"Nope, baby's hungry, blame him."

"But fish fingers? And at this time of night?"

"What can I say, our baby's a weirdo."

Severus laughed and watched in amusement as Harry ate the fish finger as though it was the best thing since sliced bread. He cupped both of Harry's bum cheeks in his hands and pulled his body towards him, loving the feel of the baby bump in between them.

"I can't believe there's an actual baby in there" Severus said in awe.

"I know" Harry replied, unable to keep the big grin off his face. "It's amazing isn't it? I can just carry on about my business whilst a tiny little human being… our baby, is being fully formed, with little toes and fingers, and…"

"Harry, are you crying?"

"N-no" Harry sobbed, lifting a hand up to wipe away his tears.

"Ahh come here" Severus comforted, as Harry placed his chin on Severus's shoulder.

"It's just; I'm s-so… h-happy. Everything's perfect. I've got you, Matthew and a new baby on the way."

Severus pulled back and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears on Harry's cheeks.

"You're so beautiful Harry."

"Shut up" Harry said playfully, his cheeks going pink.

"Let's go to bed" Severus whispered in Harry's ear.

Severus took hold of Harry's hand and led him to the bedroom. They both began to undress. Harry sat his naked self on the bed and watched as Severus picked up all his clothes he had just thrown on the floor and place them in the laundry bin.

"You really know how to kill the mood" Harry said laughing.

"I can't have sex surrounded by mess."

"Think you're getting sex do you?"

"I know I am" Severus replied seductively.

"By the way, this present the baby got me" Harry said, holding up a new edition of a Potions book which was on the bedside table. "Now, is it a present for me or for you?"

"The baby chose it Harry" Severus replied looking nonchalant.

"Really?" Harry asked quizzically.

"Yes really."

"So… you won't mind if I grab a pen and write my name in i-"

"No don't!" Severus shouted, diving on the bed and making a play for the book in Harry's hands.

Harry dropped the book and pulled Severus towards him for a kiss. Very quickly they were entangled in a passionate clinch, neither wanting to break away. Harry moaned in pleasure as Severus ran his hands over his naked body, taking care not to squash the baby. He could feel Severus's hard cock against his leg and couldn't help thrusting his hips forward.

Severus pulled away from the kiss and they stared into each others eyes, panting hard.

"I… I have to… to have you now" Harry managed to say through his deep breathing. "Fuck me."

Severus didn't move, he continued to stare at Harry with a strange expression.

"Severus? Don't you want to?"

"Oh I want to alright. But… I want to go on the bottom."

"You want me to make love to you?" Harry asked, a smile playing at his lips.

"Yeah" Severus replied, pushing Harry's hair back with his fingers. "I just… feel like I need you inside me."

"Ok."

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It was too painful to delve any further. He'd thought they had made love, at the time it was so perfect, so… Harry began to cry. Had Severus wanted Harry to fuck him to cover up his affair? Had he known he could be pregnant and came up with the plan so Harry wouldn't expect anything and would just assume the baby was his because they had sex?

Whatever had happened, Harry didn't want Severus to get rid of the baby, whether it was his or not. Severus would regret it and would never forgive himself and was bound to do something he would deeply regret.

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Severus was shown to a private room when he arrived at St Mungos. He was told by the Healer that a nurse would be along shortly to check him over and then they would sit down and have a discussion about the termination.

He could hear people all the time rushing up and down the corridors. He felt a complete fraud. Here he was taking up a bed and the time of health professionals and he wasn't even sick. He'd feel much better about it all if he had to pay for it himself. A voice outside sounded like the nurse had arrived. Severus sat up straighter.

"He's in this room Sir" a voice came from the corridor. The door opened and in came-.

"Harry! Why… what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to stop you making the biggest mistake of your life Severus."

"I really can't deal with this right now. Can you please go?"

"I'm not going anywhere until I've had my say."

Harry moved towards Severus's bed and sat himself down. He made a play for Severus's hand but had it jerked away.

"Severus, you're not feeling yourself at the moment. You're depressed and in no condition to be making a big decision like this. You've always wanted a family and you're already a brilliant father, to Matthew and Joseph. And you will be again with that little one in your tummy. You need to be strong Severus, for your child."

Severus laughed and shook his head, receiving a frown from a thoroughly confused Harry.

"That's rich coming from you."

"What are you talking about?" Harry replied.

"You come in here mouthing off about what's right for my child when you're the one that couldn't handle me being pregnant and walked out with the kids!"

"What? I walked out because you cheated on me and because you' got yourself knocked up with another man's child."

Harry began to cry. Severus stared at him completely speechless.

"I… I still love you Severus. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to come here today, how much encouragement I needed from everyone? Everyday I ache to have you near me, every night I cry myself to sleep. I was devastated when I found out you'd slept with another guy whilst I was seven months pregnant. I truly thought you loved me. Obviously I was wrong. I don't think anyone would blame me for leaving, so don't you dare sit there and tell me that I've done something wrong. All I've done is care about you… and I haven't even had an apology for the pain you've caused me."

Harry got up and headed for the door. As he reached for the handle, Severus found his voice.

"Harry, wait. What's all this about me cheating on you? Who told you that?"

Harry turned around and looked at Severus with pity.

"You did. I heard you talking to Dumbledore about it, the day we found out you were pregnant."

"Oh…"

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Coming up in the next chapter: Severus comes clean about the other father. What will Harry's reaction be?

Reviews: If you're reading this, please take a few moments to leave me a review. I really do appreciate them and they do help immensely with my motivation. My profile has details of all my story updates.

(This chapter was posted on March 6th)

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