Disclaimer: Still not mine! Curiously enough, that doesn't change within a few days!
Author's Note: Firstly, I do realise that my headings aren't always all that great, but I thought it be better than nothing and it helps me keeping track of where I am right now since I tend to skip ahead...
Secondly, I thanks for the reviews, although I'm a tad bit disappointed this time. Thanks to all those who reviewed, nonetheless. Well, enjoy.
37. SATURNDAY
It was past nine when Tom woke up the next morning, not because his wand had heated up or even because someone had rudely interrupted his sleep, but because it was time to stir the potion he had made for Harry three times counter-clockwise and because of that the door to his closet began to glow a bright yellow, which hurt his eyes. In hindsight he could count himself lucky that Harry hadn't returned to their bedroom last night or he would have noticed the glow, too.
After he had stirred the potion and redid the Concealing Charm around the cauldron he went to have a not-so-nice cold shower because his pants felt uncomfortably tight (really, he scowled, he was beyond the age where one wakes up with wet pants) and after he had got rid of this little problem of his he got dressed and walked down to look after his husband.
What he found made him feel a peculiar mixture of jealousy and fondness. Draco, Blaise and Harry all laid cuddled up under one single blanket, limbs sticking out in the oddest of places, and Harry slept pressed to the Italian boy's chest while Draco had thrown an arm over both dark-haired young men, his blond hair spilling over Harry's back. He was sure that if they hadn't been fully dressed he would have killed them all in a fit of jealousy, but as it was he could focus more closely on the relaxed smile on Harry's face and the grey eyes that looked up at him, assessing his mood.
He nodded curtly at the Malfoy heir, who inclined his head in thanks and dozed off once again, and walked into the small kitchenette, deciding that he would make breakfast since by the time the boys would wake up the breakfast in the Great Hall would most likely be over and he couldn't allow Harry to not eat anything. Well, make breakfast was perhaps a little far-fetched and so he settled on ordering the house-elves to bring a complete breakfast for three people and one especially healthy but still good tasting one for Harry and on conjuring up a table and four chairs and on setting the table.
Just as he was putting the finishing touch to his masterpiece of a breakfast table he heard some groans from the sitting room, followed by a loud yelp, and as he entered the other room Harry was sitting in one corner of the sofa while Blaise and Draco were talking softly to him and he could literally see the tension leave the small body.
"You okay, Harry?", Draco asked kindly and Harry nodded, disentangling himself from the blanket he had pulled with him as he had scrambled away from the two male bodies enclosing him, "Well, then good morning."
"Good morning", Harry smiled back happily, "Did you sleep well?"
"Better than ever", Blaise grinned conspirationally, "I have to say it's a blessing not having to listen to Vince's snoring for a change. How about breakfast?"
"Breakfast ended ten minutes ago", Voldemort supplied and Harry swivelled around surprisedly because he hadn't noticed his husband until then.
This however caused the dizziness and nausea (Harry refused to call it morning sickness also because he would have considered himself lucky if it only surfaced in the mornings) to make another appearance and he had to ran to the bathroom in order to throw up.
When he emerged from the bathroom twenty minutes later after a quick shower and in fresh clothes the three Slytherins were sitting around the breakfast table, though they hadn't started yet, and Voldemort handed him another one of Severus' Anti-Nausea-Potions he had one of the house-elves fetch from the Potion's Master earlier. Thanks to the potion Harry was able to finish more than a quarter of his breakfast (it was a really big breakfast due to the enthusiasm of the house-elves to feed wizards).
"No, Draco, really, I can't eat anything more", Harry protested and pushed the bowl of fruit salad away from his face, "I don't want to be sick again."
Draco sighed, but gave in and started to eat the fruit salad, making noises that clearly indicated how delicious it tasted. Harry only rolled his eyes at him and sipped his coffee, grateful that he was still allowed to have caffeine at least during the first four month of the pregnancy while he tried to ignore Tom's hand on his thigh near his knee because he wasn't sure how he should react. Should he be angry and scream at Voldemort for invading his private space? Should he accept it as a sign of affection and even try to enjoy it because if he was completely honest to himself it kind of felt good? Or should he simply remove the hand? Merlin, this was so confusing!
"Harry, Harry", someone's hand waved in front of his eyes all but touching his nose and he jerked back shockedly, almost falling off his chair: "Don't do this, damnit! Do you want me to fall of the chair?", Harry hissed testily and glared at the owner of the hand, Tom.
Tom held up his hands defensively: "It's not my fault you spaced off and didn't react when I called your name."
"And why were you calling my name?", Harry asked irritatedly, "And it is your fault!"
Tom sighed- this sounded suspiciously like he imagined mood swings- not that he imagined such a thing very often: "I wanted to remind you that we have an appointment with Madam Pomfrey at eleven o'clock", Harry continued glaring at him, clearly displeased that his staring-into-space had been interrupted for something he already knew, "And since it is a Hogsmead weekend Lucius arranged for us to meet your godfather and Lupin in the Hog's Head... only if you want to, of course", Harry's mood changed faster than lightning and he found himself with a happily smiling Harry in his arms even before he had finished his sentence: "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you."
"I take that as a yes then", Tom chuckled, glad that Harry wasn't angry anymore, "Should we head to the infirmary now?"
Harry nodded eagerly, not eager of course for the examination but to meet with Sirius and Remus, and jumped up, dragging Tom with him as he skipped to the door.
"Ehm, Harry", Tom asked cautiously, "Shouldn't you at least say good-bye to your friends?"
"Oh, I'm sorry", Harry ran back to the two Slytherin boys, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you, I'm just so happy to see them again", he ducked his head ashamedly, but his friends just chuckled and drew him in for a hug.
"It's fine, Harry", Draco smiled down at him, "We understand. Don't let us keep you... If you want to meet us later we'll be in the Three Broomsticks around three o'clock."
"You should go to that little shop near the Shrieking Shack that has been empty up until two weeks ago", Harry urged them, "Fred and George opened another shop in there and they have a surprise for you, Draco."
"What kind of surprise?", the blond asked warily, but Harry only kissed his cheek and smirked at him: "A good surprise, you'll like it", and then he walked out of their rooms for good with a pleased Dark Lord in tow.
"Sit on the bed, Harry", Madam Pomfrey called through her office door, "I'll be there in a minute", there was a rather loud thud and it sounded like one of her shelves had toppled over, "Maybe two minutes", she called again and Harry chuckled lightly while he hopped on the bed.
"You know that you don't have to stay with me, don't you?", Harry asked, tucking his feet under his body, "I don't need you to hold my hand or anything."
"I know", Tom sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, "But the fact remains that I want to be here and that I want to stay and even, if you allow it, hold your hand. Or do you want me to go so badly?"
"No", Harry protested at once, "That's not what I meant. I'm sorry."
"I know", Tom genuinely smiled at him, "I just like to tease you."
"What have I told you about teasing Mr. Potter, Professor Riddle?", the nurse had appeared from her office and glared at Voldemort with her patented glare reserved for unwilling patients and anyone who dared to go against her orders.
"From the look your giving me I would assume not to", Tom returned, "I'll make sure to remember it in the future."
"This is not something to joke about", Madam Pomfrey stressed, glaring at him; Tom nodded dutifully and the nurse continued satisfied: "Well, what are you waiting for, Mr. Potter? Take off your shirt."
"Do I have to?", Harry asked pitifully, trying not to look at Tom.
"Yes, Mr. Potter", Madam Pomfrey said more gently than usual, "If you would? I need to scan your stomach to make sure the baby lays right."
Harry sighed but complied and laid down on the bed only barely restraining himself from wrapping his arms over his chest to hide his nudity. The nurse tutted disapprovingly as she saw the ribs that were all too visible, but refrained from making a comment and started to carefully glide her hands over Harry's abdomen after she had spread a cool salve onto the skin to make it more easier to feel the baby. Harry wasn't sure what she wanted to feel anyway. He was only five weeks along and he certainly wasn't showing yet.
"You can put your shirt back on, Mr. Potter", she informed him gently and Harry did so immediately, looking up expectantly at her, "Don't worry, the baby is fine. I just wanted to check because in some cases the baby has such an unlucky position that the bearer's body sees it as an intrusion and tries to get rid of it. This however is not the case so you needn't worry about that. Though your eating habits are another matter, Mr. Potter, I've told you time and time again to eat more, but now it is really essential that you do. Your body has not only to support, but build up a whole new human and in your current state that is hardly possible, do you understand? Have you eaten anything, yet?"
"I ate breakfast", Harry murmured defiantly, "And I know that I have to eat more it's just not that easy when I'm throwing up everything afterwards."
"That is way Severus made you those potions", the nurse handed Tom a little bag, "You are allowed to take up to three of them a day, though that should be the exception. If they don't work sufficiently, tell me and I will try to find something else."
"Yes, Ma'am", Harry muttered and started to fiddle with the hem of his shirt.
"There's nothing we can do at the moment against you fainting from time to time, though once your body has adjusted completely to the baby it should stop", Madam Pomfrey continued, "That should be in about two weeks, however there's no guarantee for it. On a happier note there's a potion against the cramps and against the headaches, however they're under no circumstances to be mixed with any other potion and you shouldn't take them more than once a week. But that doesn't mean that you should not take them just because you think there'll be a time when you'll need them more, understood? The potion will take about five minutes to gradually take effect so don't panic when it doesn't work immediately. If you are in pain and can't drink a potion you can either take a bath, try to sleep or do a bit of light sport, whatever you think would help the most. If it really is too much you will come here and Severus and I will supervise you when you take another potion, okay?", Harry nodded obediently again and the witch continued, "Would you like to know the gender of the baby?"
"You can tell that already?", Harry asked surprisedly.
"Yes, it's a rather simple spell that won't endanger the child at all", she assured him, "But some parents prefer it to be a surprise."
"I don't think I want to know", Harry murmured, chancing a look at Tom, "Unless you want to know?"
"I can wait, Harry", the red-eyed man smiled tenderly at him, "It's your decision."
"Then I don't want to know."
"I'll have to check your magic levels...", the nurse spoke up again and Harry obediently laid back down.
She once more got out her wand and waved it over Harry's body in a complicated pattern while whispering under her breath and critically scanned the paper in her other hand. Tom over her shoulder could see that that a lot of numbers had appeared on it, though he had no idea what the different colours represented.
But judging by the scowl on the witch's face the results weren't as good as expected, whatever she had expected: "When was the last time you did magic?", she scowled at the small boy on the hospital bed.
Harry scrunched up his face in thought (which made him look absolutely adorable, at least in Tom's opinion): "Ehm... yesterday afternoon, I think, I transfigured some pebbles into balls and fixed the aim."
"That just isn't enough, Mr. Potter", Madam Pomfrey scolded him sternly, "Did you not listen to me when I told you to use your magic more often so that there wouldn't be an overload? As it is now, your magic levels are fifty percent higher than is normal for a fully grown wizard and about twice as high as would be acceptable for your baby."
"I don't understand", Harry said quite confused, "How can my magic levels be higher than those of fully grown wizards when I did use my magic?"
"You indeed used a bit of your magic which is the reason your magic is only one and a half as high as would be normal if you were fully grown", the nurse sighed, "But your magic levels are far higher than average and definitely too high for a pregnant wizard so it is essential that you make use of your magic, is that clear?"
Harry nodded his head and sighed.
"But doesn't the child need Harry's magic?", Tom spoke up, furrowing his brow in thought, "Considering that my magic levels are far higher than average and Harry's as well, wouldn't it be likely that the child's magic levels would be higher, too? And wouldn't that mean that the child needs more of Harry's magic?"
"Not really", Madam Pomfrey replied, "There's no guarantee that the child's magical potential will be higher than usual. Magic doesn't work like that. Whether or not the child's magic will be average, below or higher than average depends on other factors as well and not only on the parentage, for instance on the date of birth, the star constellations if you believe in something like that", she scowled darkly, clearly stating that she on her part thought something like that was nonsense, "And of course the education. Your magic levels will influence the baby's, but not to more than fifty percent. The reason why I ordered Harry to bring down his magic is the fact that the higher his magic is when he loses his temper, the more violent the explosion will be. This however could hurt Harry and the baby since the replenishing of his magic is very demanding of his strength and after such a huge outburst he would already be tired."
"So as long as Harry doesn't lose his temper it doesn't matter how much of his magic he already used?", Tom asked.
"Yes", the nurse answered tersely, "But as I see it you do a fairly poor job in preventing that and so I think it would be easier and safer if Harry just used more of his magic."
"I was just asking", Tom returned testily, "No need to snap at me... Are we finished then?"
"No", Madam Pomfrey replied in the same way, "Here are three vials of Nourishment Potions. Harry is to take one each week. It would be best if you took one now", she handed Harry one of the tiny bottles filled with neon green liquid and shoved the other two in Tom's hands, who, rolling his eyes, put them in the bag with the other potions while Harry obediently swallowed his, grimacing in distaste,
"Okay, if you don't have anymore questions I will see you again next Saturday- unless something unforeseen happens- for the next check-up. And if you want to, Mr. Potter, you can help me whenever you have time."
"I'd like that", Harry smiled at her and, grabbing Tom's hand from where it rested on his thigh, jumped from the bed, "Thanks, Madam Pomfrey. Come on, Tom, stop sulking."
/I'm not sulking/, the Dark Lord hissed annoyedly/Why is it that I'm always the bad guy? That stupid nurse started it./
/Madam Pomfrey isn't stupid/, Harry hissed back/And I don't think you're the bad guy, Tom./
/But you think this whole mess is my fault and that Pomfrey's anger towards me is totally justified/, Tom accused Harry.
/Well, technically it is your fault/, Harry said lowly/I'm sorry. You don't have to come with me if Madam Pomfrey annoys you that much./
/We already had this discussion/, Tom retorted/And I know that without me it wouldn't have happened, but that gives her no right to snap at me. I only tolerated it because of you and I think I deserve a bit more appreciation for that./
Harry ducked his head ashamedly and nodded/I'm sorry. I won't tease you again./
/Harry, are you crying?/, Tom asked shockedly after they had walked in silence for a while and caught Harry's shaking head between his large hands, making him look up/Salazar, why are you crying, precious?/
/I'm sorry/, Harry sobbed piteously/I'm sorry./
/Shh, beautiful/, he carefully pulled him close and enveloped him in his arms/Tell me what's wrong so that I can make it better. Did I say something that upset you?/
/Please, don't be angry with me/, the small boy sniffed barely audible/I didn't mean to disrespect you./
/It's okay, I'm not angry/, Tom comforted him, rubbing circles on his back/Look at me, do I look angry?/, since Harry wouldn't look up this question turned out to be rhetorical/Is this about what I said about showing appreciation? I didn't mean it like that, Harry. I was just annoyed by Pomfrey, not by you. It is not your fault, sweetie, please don't cry anymore./
/I shouldn't have said that you were sulking/, Harry choked out, but Tom cautiously eased his unruly head from his chest and began to kiss away the tears/I was sulking, Harry, and you are allowed to tease me. I shouldn't have reacted like I did, please forgive me./
Harry sniffed several more times before he warily looked up at his taller husband/I'm sorry, I got your robes wet./
/It's fine as long as you forgive me/, Tom murmured gently/I'm not really used yet to be considerate of other's feelings./
"No kidding", Harry chuckled and the red-eyed wizard ruffled his hair affectionately, "Madam Pomfrey is just protective of me, you know? She meant no offence."
"So am I, Harry", the older wizard softly brushed his lips over Harry's cheek, "Never forget that. I might not react in the best of ways most of the time, but I'm only trying to help you.", Harry shyly smiled up at him and once again took Tom's hand and began to drag him through the hallways: "Well, then hurry up. I want to see Sirius again."
"As much as I care about you, Harry", Tom refused to speed up if only just a little, "But it will be a cold day in hell before you will see me running through the castle like one of those annoying little first years you have to be careful not to step on."
"Are you calling me a first year?", Harry asked indignantly.
"No, I'm calling you little, which you are so there's no use denying it", Harry pouted cutely, "And you're the most adorable little wizard I ever met", he harshly tugged on Harry's arm so that he lost his balance and safely landed in Tom's arms in the perfect position to be kissed senseless, "You shouldn't pout if you're not prepared to take the consequences", he murmured before he gave Harry his long overdue kiss or rather kisses till Harry was sufficiently flushed and gasping for breath.
It was a while before both of them had regained their breathes, rearranged Harry's clothes since Tom's hands had miraculously wandered under Harry's shirt and found the bag with Harry's potion's, which had landed in a far-off corner (thank Merlin, for Un-breaking-Charms!). But then they continued on their way, Harry's left hand safely wrapped in Tom's right.
It was a sign of how preoccupied the Dark Lord was with his small husband that he didn't notice what said husband was doing until five minutes had passed with concentrating on how good it felt to have Harry's small hand in his own and timing his sideward glances so that they wouldn't be noticed. And considering that Harry was changing the colour of the walls, levitated suits of armours, rearranged the pictures on the walls and conjured windows, doors and walls where ever it pleased him, this was a rather huge blunder.
"You know that the offer still stands to train you", he said after he had assessed that Harry was trying to bring down his magic levels, "I would be careful not to hurt you and you could get rid of some of your magic. The spells you're doing right now aren't very demanding."
"I didn't know it was an offer", Harry replied while making one of the statues dance a slow waltz on its own.
"Of course it was an offer", Tom returned defensively, "It's your decision if you want to or not, but I think it could be helpful."
"So, if say, I don't want to learn Leglimency", Harry asked cautiously, "Would I have to?"
"No, Harry", the older wizard squeezed Harry's hand reassuringly, "You wouldn't have to."
"I don't want to learn Leglimency", Harry muttered under his breath.
"Do you want to tell me why not?", Tom's voice was gentle and just a tad bit curious.
The boy-who-lived shrugged helplessly: "I wouldn't feel right to invade an other's privacy. I'm not Dumbledore."
"And I thank Salazar for it everyday", Tom chuckled, "I'll talk with Severus, okay? Maybe you would like to continue to learn about Healing Potions with him?"
"That would be great", Harry's face split into a huge smile, "Thank you, Tom. And I would like you to teach me."
"Not a problem, kitten", he smiled back tenderly, "Should I help you with your redecorating?"
Harry laughed happily and together they continued to throw spells left and right.
This way it took them slightly longer to reach the entrance hall (but not nearly as long as the people who had tried following them: one of the newly self-appointed spies, Michael Corner and his newest girl-friend Ingrid Perkins from Hufflepuff, one with jealously and anger boiling Ginny Weasley, who got stuck between two walls with the waltzing statue, and the two other parts of the once Golden Trio, who actually made it out of the castle, but with enough delay that their prey had disappeared from sight), where they met with Rudolphus and Rabastan, who had been a little worried because Harry and their Lord had missed breakfast.
Their worry was rewarded when Harry almost jumped into their arms and hugged them happily, kissing their cheeks.
"What made you so happy?", Rabastan asked good-naturedly, "And would you like to train with us?"
"I'm going to see Sirius", Harry smiled happily, "So I don't have time for a training, sorry."
"That's okay", Rudolphus replied, "But would you mind if I came with you to make that contract with your godfather?"
"Not at all", Harry once again hugged him for emphasis, "You ready?"
The older brother nodded and they made their way down to Hogsmead, avoiding the other students as good as possible and inconspicuously walked into the poorly-lit bar-parlour of the Hog's Head.
Voldemort didn't waste any time to ask the bartender for instructions where they would find Harry's godfather and Lupin, but gently yet determinedly pushed the small Gryffindor to the tumble-down and dust-covered staircase that led to the five guestrooms, though Remus' and Sirius' was the only one occupied at the moment. The number four hung lopsidedly on the seemingly rotting wooden door, which showed a few holes in all the wrong places, which where makeshiftly crammed with old newspapers and spell-o-tape. Harry tentatively knocked on the door, which was immediately jerked open by an over-enthusiastic Sirius who enveloped Harry in a bear hug so that he had no chance to get a glimpse at the room, which laid beyond that pretty unwelcoming door.
"Never do this again, do you hear me, Harry?", Sirius pressed the petite boy closer to his chest, "I was worried sick about you. Do you know what it does to a man when Lucius Malfoy of all people is suddenly standing in your office, telling you that your only godson has to speak to you about something. And when you ask what's the matter he only says that he can't tell you and that it's not too bad, at least he doesn't think so. Can you imagine? Are you alright? Are you hurt? What did you want to tell me?"
"I'm sure Harry would be willing to answer your questions if he was only able to breath", Voldemort pointed out, "And maybe it would be better to discuss this inside your room, Black."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Harry", Sirius immediately released Harry from his tight hold, "Come on in. Remus got some chocolate from Honeydukes and I fetched some butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks."
"I had to fetch it because you were to occupied flirting with Rosmerta", Remus growled from where he sat on the moth-eaten bed, but as soon as he saw Harry he smiled brightly up at his adopted godson and hugged him tightly, though much more carefully than Sirius had done earlier, "You look great, Harry, why don't you take a seat and then tell us what you have to tell us?"
Harry nodded nervously while Remus ushered the other two wizards into the dingy-looking room and pointed to the only two chairs, which stood at the only sooted table near the only dirty window while Sirius and he himself took a seat left and right of their best-friend's son.
"Will you tell us what is wrong, Harry?", Sirius asked gently and Harry nodded, taking a deep breath: "I... I don't know how to tell you."
"Just right out will be fine", Remus urged him suavely, "Would you want me to leave you two alone for a minute?"
Harry shook his head: "I want you to know, too, but...", he suddenly pulled Sirius down so that he could whisper in his ear and clutched to Sirius dark red turtleneck, "I'm pregnant. Don't be angry, please."
Admittedly, Sirius' face at the moment Harry's message got through to him didn't look like he would get a Nobel prize or the Wizarding equivalent anytime soon, but really, no-one could expect that of him and he automatically began to pat Harry's back and pulled him completely in his lap, murmuring something unintelligible in Harry's ear.
"Don't hate me, please", Harry pleaded and Sirius' hold tightened around his godson: "I'm not angry, Harry, and I certainly don't hate you. Shh, it'll be fine, everything will turn out fine, trust me", his stormy grey-eyes caught Voldemort's ruby ones and he made a distinct motion with his right hand (you know this one where you only use one finger and which is mostly not very friendly), "My plan was anyway to become the best-looking grandpa ever. I didn't imagine it would turn out quite like this, but hey, I do look fabulous!"
Harry snorted and gave him a watery smile: "So you're not disappointed or anything?"
"No, kiddo", the older man softly kissed Harry's forehead, "I'm one hundred and ten percent on your side and if you want me to castrate a certain someone that would make my day."
"Sorry, Siri", Harry chuckled wryly, "That job is already taken."
"Oh, well, you can't have everything I guess", Sirius sighed melodramatically and ruffled Harry's hair, "What do you say should I tell Remi? Must be a first that I know something he doesn't... Maybe we should keep it that way for a while..."
"Sorry to disappoint you, darling dearest", Remus stated dryly, "But your over-enthusiastic declaration that you will be the best-looking grandfather there ever was gave you away."
"Bugger!", Sirius exclaimed unhappily, "Would it have killed you to pretend you didn't know?"
"Yes, most likely", Remus answered tersely and Sirius huffed offendedly: "My, aren't we in a bad mood today?"
"Are you angry?", Harry asked shakily, "I'm sorry..."
"Harry, no, I'm not angry", Remus wrapped his arms around both smaller wizards, "It's not your fault, don't believe that. It's not a fault at all. Like Sirius said everything will be fine and I'm sure you'll be the best parent ever. How far are you along, cub?"
"Nearly five weeks", Harry replied, smiling lovingly down at his stomach, "That's amazing, isn't it? I can't believe there's a little human growing inside of me."
"Yes, it's really amazing", Sirius smiled the same smile and stroked Harry's flat stomach, "Are you okay with this, Harry?"
"Yes, I will be", Harry gave back, sighing softly, "As long as you don't hate me..."
"Then everything will be fine, pup", the grey-eyed wizard assured him, "How about some cake now? Voldemort and I will get you some."
"Subtle, really, Siri", Harry chuckled and shifted his weight so that he was snuggled against Remus instead, "Well, then I'm waiting for my cake. Off you go."
"You can already set the table", Sirius suggested and got up, throwing his cloak over his shoulders, "We won't be long."
Voldemort stood up as well, the chair giving an ominous creak, and followed Sirius out of the door not before kissing Harry's forehead.
"Look, Black, what is it you want?", Voldemort asked exasperatedly, "I already apologised for getting him pregnant and he was angry with me during the last week so I really don't see what you want."
"So you think everything is okay now that the high and mighty Lord Voldemort sank low enough to apologise, do you?", Sirius sneered and jabbed his finger into Tom's chest.
"I didn't know he would get pregnant", Voldemort defended, though he really didn't know why he allowed Harry's godfather to berate him, "I didn't understand Harry when he told me."
"That is exactly the point, Voldemort", scoffed the slender ex-Gryffindor, "It was not Harry's responsibility to inform you that he could get pregnant, you are responsible, Voldemort. You are a fully grown wizard you should have put into consideration that Harry might be a bearer and that there was a slight possibility he could become pregnant. And what did you do to him that he was so afraid of our reaction?"
"I might have told him to get an abortion", Voldemort more or less mumbled, "But I was in shock and I wanted to make him happy again!"
Surprisingly enough, Sirius didn't flip, but patted Voldemort on the shoulder: "You can't tell Harry something like that, whatever your intentions are, Voldemort. It might sound reasonable to you and everyone else, but it certainly doesn't sound reasonable to kill someone so that he can feel better again. What did Madam Pomfrey say? She's Harry's medi-witch, isn't she?"
Voldemort looked at him weirdly as if to ask if he was pregnant, too, and was suffering from mood swings: "She said that Harry should take care of himself to make it short."
"That's not all, is it?", Sirius stared at him, "I'm from an old pureblood family, Voldemort, I probably know more about this than you so don't lie to me. I have every right to know what is happening to Harry and I swear if you even consider lying to me I will behead you and put your head next to the heads of my family's old house-elves, letting the portrait of my mother scream at you for being a Halfblood. And that is nothing compared to the things I will do to you if you hurt Harry or his child."
"She said that the chances are high that Harry will die", Tom answered after a long silence, "There's nothing anyone can do about it."
Sirius' shoulders slumped a little, but he nodded in understanding: "We should go and get that cake."
"I'm surprised you didn't blow up", Tom mused while they stepped out of the shabby pub, "You took the news rather well."
"Harry won't die", the Animagus shrugged his shoulders, "He's far too stubborn."
"I doubt that his stubbornness will help him very much", Voldemort gave back depressedly, "And why would he want to live anyway", he added under his breath, but Sirius heard him nonetheless: "Because people care about him, Voldemort, and while I won't deny that Remus clearly is the clever one out of the two of us I'm not stupid, either, and if I'm not sorely mistaken you care about him, too, am I not right?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Suit yourself", Sirius replied, "But you shouldn't hesitate too long before telling Harry what you really feel about him or you might just lose him. Harry deserves to know that someone loves him, don't you agree?", they had entered Honeydukes and Sirius was ordering five pieces of cake while Voldemort was pondering silently.
"Am I really that obvious?", he finally asked as they had already reached the Hog's Head.
"I was only guessing", Sirius laughed and thumped on his back heartily, "Harry has that talent to win everyone over, but it's definitely good to know that you're not as heartless as you'd like everyone to think", Voldemort growled dangerously, but Sirius only laughed louder, "And I really think you should tell him, Voldemort, because while Harry is definitely very loveable I'm not sure the same goes for you and you'll never find someone as good as Harry again."
"I know", the Dark Lord agreed before he pushed the guestroom door open, "We're back and I haven't killed your godfather, though he was no help at all."
"I appreciate it, thank you", Harry chuckled and accepted the chaste kiss Tom bestowed upon him, "Take a seat, please."
While the two wizards had been gone the three others had rearranged the table and the two chairs so that now Rudolphus and the Dark Lord could sit down opposite of Remus, Sirius and Harry, who sat on the bed, the table between them. Remus and Harry had already filled a cup of coffee for everyone, while Rudolphus had procured plates for everyone.
It came to no-one's surprise that Harry ate barely half of his piece of cake before he declared that Sirius could have the rest and curled up in the older Animagus' lap, falling asleep almost immediately. Sirius chuckled softly and began to gently comb Harry's hair with his fingers, too focussed on his godson that he forgot about his own cake.
He couldn't believe how beautiful Harry was. How absolutely sweet and delicate. Of course he was worried about him, about what this pregnancy would do to him, but it was not his decision, it was not he who would decide whether or not Harry would pull through. As loath as he was to admit it he didn't really matter at least not as long as Voldemort hadn't made his decision and then he would either have to pick up the pieces or see Harry truly happy. Sirius, despite all the foolishness in his youth, knew like all good fathers that their children needed someone else to be completely happy.
This certain someone who can light up your day by just smiling at you once, this certain someone who instinctually knows when you're sad and knows what to do to make it alright again, this certain someone who can fix you just as easily as he can break you. If he had been able to chose he certainly wouldn't have elected Voldemort as Harry's certain someone, but that was beside the point.
He had noticed how the supposedly evil Dark Lord got all worried about his supposed enemy, how he would kiss Harry with an air of shyness, how he was afraid Harry wouldn't approve of what he did or said and unless Voldemort was a very, very, very good actor he could be sure that he had fallen in love with Harry. And since Harry would never hurt someone willingly or cheat on his appointed husband Voldemort was the only chance Harry had for being truly happy.
"Black, there's something we need to talk about", Rudolphus' voice interrupted his musings and he looked up expectantly, "I'm not sure if Harry told you, but I plan to divorce Bellatrix."
"He mentioned something like that, yes", Sirius nodded, "Though I don't really see how it concerns me. Do you want my permission or something?"
"No, but you might remember that there's a contract between our two families promising me a spouse", Rudolphus said with deliberation, "This would mean that after my divorce you and I had to marry..."
"No", Remus growled dangerously and pulled Sirius and with him Harry towards him rather rudely, "Sirius is mine, keep away from him!"
"That might be as it is, but since Sirius is the only Black still available...", Rudolphus returned, letting the sentence trail off.
"He is not available", the werewolf snarled furiously and shoved a little jewel-box in Sirius hands, "Sirius will marry me!"
"Not so fast, Moony", Sirius pressed the box back into his hands, "Firstly, I fully expect you to ask me and secondly, you can't ask me while Harry is sleeping. Wait a minute."
He carefully leant down and kissed Harry's forehead, murmuring for him to wake up.
"What's the matter?", Harry yawned and stretched a little before curling up once more.
"Remus is going to ask a very important question", Sirius smiled down at him before he gently forced him to sit up, with his back against Sirius chest and his head resting against the older man's shoulder, "You wouldn't want to miss that, would you? Okay, Remus, what was it you wanted to ask?"
Remus growled mildly annoyed before he got down on one knee and presented the now open jewel-box to the Animagus, revealing a rather simple gold ring with fine Celtic symbols on it: "Sirius Black, would you do me the honour of marrying me?"
"Of course, Remi", Sirius said solemnly, "It would be my honour. Is this okay for you, Harry? To have Remus as a second godfather?"
Harry smiled brilliantly at the werewolf, who slowly took the ring out of its small confinement and slipped it on Sirius' ring finger before he once again sat down behind his mate and his cub and embraced them from behind.
"Sirius is already spoken for", he informed Rudolphus evenly, "So you will have to look for another spouse."
"That's why I was going to suggest that Black and I make a second contract, stating that his family has wronged me and that therefor my marriage contract is no longer effective and that no-one can expect me to marry into that family again", Rudolphus handed Sirius several papers, "You can go through them and send them to me once you're ready, though I would appreciate it if you could hurry a little before Bellatrix turns up again and plunders my vaults."
"No rubs attached?", Sirius asked suspiciously while he studied the first page, "No loop holes, no small print?"
"Nothing of that sort", the brown-haired man denied, "But as I said you can send it to me once you've read it."
"I'll do that", Sirius nodded and leant back against his fiancé, pulling Harry with him, who happily snuggled into the warmth the two bodies provided.
Rudolphus nodded and after he had said his good-byes left the room and the Hog's Head altogether while Voldemort still sat on his spindly-legged chair, watching the three Gryffindors with contemplative eyes: "Harry", he softly called after a while, "Are you so tired? Would you like to stay with your godfathers for a while?"
"Really, didn't you have some sort of program for today?", Harry asked hopefully.
"I had but if you'd rather stay with those two I'll go and check on the castle", Voldemort elaborated, already predicting Harry's response, which he didn't need to wait for long: "If you don't mind, I would like to stay here..."
"Alright", Voldemort stood up and, refraining from giving Harry one last kiss (it would have been complicated let alone awkward to kiss the fragile boy while he was still sitting in Black's lap), walked over to the door, "How about we have dinner together in the Three Broomsticks at, let's say, six?"
"We'll be there", Remus answered for Harry, who was already half asleep, "Thank you, Voldemort."
The tall red-eyed man nodded curtly and pulled the door closed after him, rebuilding the Silencing and Privacy Ward from earlier so that no-one would be able to eavesdrop. He had the distinct feeling that someone had been following him and Black earlier, but had been too preoccupied to give it more than a fleeting thought and now as he draw up the hood of his robe and slunk into the shadows, watching the busy street for any signs that someone was following him he couldn't find anything.
Maybe he was beginning to become paranoid, he mused, it would certainly be more dark lordish than anything else he had done in the last few weeks...
I know I'm spoilt rotten, but I want reviews! A lot of reviews! Tons of reviews! And really, whose fault is that? Now you have to bear the consequences...