Haunted Jaded Eyes

Chapter 50


Ron gulped loudly in the silent room, a grimace twisting his features that was more information than he wanted about his best mate's sex life. Especially considering whom he was married too, and by Merlin, it gave him the shivers. Don't get him wrong, he was happy for Harry, he just never wanted to hear anything about that part of his life. The less he knew the better. He knew Harry had always wanted a family, well when he was younger it was parental figures, but now…it had probably changed to being the parent himself. It sucked growing up and maturing, but it had happened in the nick of time. Otherwise he would have lost his best mate; Harry wouldn't have put up with any further jealousy or battiness on his part. He'd been a prick he knew that, but they had moved on from that.

"Oh, Harry," Hermione said, eyes wide and apprehensive. As always she was the first to understand he gravity of the situation, while Ron was probably trying to work out how to support Harry without putting his foot in his mouth by saying something against Professor Snape. "What are you going to do?"

Ron threw her a confused look, before understanding dawned, Voldemort, danger pretty simple. "Simple isn't it, just have to make sure nobody finds out, keep it secret like, Harry won't be here at the end of the year so if something happens he'll be safe for once." ignoring Hermione's prideful look.

"But Harry…what about your classes? Everyone will find out sooner or later, I mean you can't take Potions…it would harm the baby." Hermione insisted, "With Ginny being pregnant and all, it will be the first thing that pops into everyone's mind…"

"Sev and I have a plan for that, we're going to plan something…explosive, make Severus kick me out of class," Harry said, a vindictive grin appearing on his face. "He's always wanted to do it, so I'm sure nobody will think twice about it." he no longer held a grudge against Sev for his past actions, he couldn't, no more than he could blame Ron for his abandonment during their forth year.

"I would have suggested going to the Burrow when it's time," Ron said his lips twisted bitterly, "I mean it's safe, Grimmauld Place is not good to live in, and Privet Drive isn't an option." the Dursley's were dead after all.

"I have money, I can buy somewhere, or use one of my properties, I haven't planned that far ahead yet, it's something me and Sev will need to discuss, but there's the idea of me going down to the chamber." he confessed, "Dobby?"

Hermione pursed her lips but said nothing; she honestly didn't like how the House-elves were treated. At least Dobby however, was treated with respect being with Harry. The others weren't so lucky, she just wanted to help them, and she would try her best. One day anyway, right now wasn't the time to think on it.

"Can you bring us all up something to drink and eat?" Harry asked Dobby with a smile.

"Bring Harry up some juice, or tea," Hermione ordered, "You shouldn't drink caffeine."

"Dobby knows what Master Harry can and can't have," Dobby said straightening up proudly, he was a good House-elf, he knew what to do when Master was pregnant. "Dobby will be right back Master Harry!" he proclaimed before disappearing on the spot with an excited yet determined look on his face.

"Alright, so when is this explosion going to happen?" Ron asked, slightly worried actually. If anything went wrong…well he didn't even want to think on that. Harry would be devastated, "Wait, Snape knows?" he belatedly realized his jaw dropping in shock.

"Of course, he does," Harry said giving Ron an amused look.

"Er…well how did he react?" Ron asked quietly, quite honestly he wouldn't have had Snape down as the type to want a screaming baby in his life. He never showed any positive reaction to teaching.

"Shocked, but in a good way," Harry reassured him, "Ron, just remember you don't really know him, what you see is a mask he puts on for the students and teachers. I think you'd quite like him if you took the time to know him. Admittedly I did fear for a few moments that he wouldn't want the baby." he confessed wryly, "But he did, he's been very attentive, although both of us are worried…I wish it would have waited until after the war, only for our piece of minds, but I would never regret the baby." he made that absolutely clear.

"Of course not," Hermione said waving it off, all children were a blessing. Many of them unfortunately weren't blessed with a good family, but at least the baby Ginny was carrying had good grandparents, even if its parents were probably going to be god-awful, unless Ginny grew up and realized the enormity of her mistakes, but she seriously doubted it. She made a mental note to go to the library and research, she needed a few backups just in case anything went wrong, but when it came to the professor she knew nothing would he was a perfectionist.

"It'll be fine," Harry said, wondering if he was actually trying to convince himself or his best friends…or if he truly was alright, he needed sleep and food.

"Oh, Harry! Congratulations!" she squealed, suddenly realising she hadn't even said anything positive about the occasion.

A pop interrupted their moment, as Dobby placed a large tray on the table between them and disappearing once more, leaving his Master Harry to spend time with his friends. He knew how much Harry missed them, he'd spend years down in a chamber without their company, he was older than them now, but Master Harry didn't care about that he just wanted to share his life with them.

Harry patted Hermione on the back, relaxing when she withdrew and sat back down.

"We're both happy for you, mate," Ron said, giving him a grin.

"I need to ask you something," Harry said, sitting down himself, licking his lips at the sight of the treacle tart, instead of taking a slice, he picked the entire thing up and grabbed a fork, suddenly feeling ravenous.

"Of course, anything," Hermione said, pouring herself a coffee and a small selection of treats, she wasn't one for eating much of sugary treats but she did occasionally indulge. It was habit, pure and simple, after growing up with her parents who were dentists.

"I would like you both to be godparents," Harry said seriously, his face grim; "You know this war could turn bad, me and Sev have probably the highest probability of dying. Me more so than him, he's just brilliant and I doubt he'll ever be found out. If anything, and I mean anything happens to me, I'll do my best to kill him, but if we don't survive I want you to take the baby and leave Britain, can you do this for me?" he had to know his baby would be alright, that he wasn't going to leave any child of his to an orphanage. To know that they would raise him or her, it would be a great big burden from his shoulders.

Hermione felt tears brimming in her eyes, her food forgotten for now "Harry, don't talk like that, we'll get through this, we will survive,"

"Hermione, I just…for my own peace of mind…I have to know the baby would be well cared for," Harry insisted, his green eyes earnest. He was going to re-write his will, if he died, Sev would get everything until their child was off age, and could if he or she wanted take the Potter Lordship. If Sev died the entirety of the estate would go to his friends until he or she came off age. Custody would also be granted to them if anything happened to him and Sev.

"Of course we'll do it," Ron said strongly, realizing what Harry needed, "If it comes to it, I swear we will do what you ask." and he would not break his promise. Even if it meant settling down in a different country, he would not let Harry down. With Harry's luck though he didn't think it would be needed, they would all survive this, and maybe a few years down the line Mione and he would have a child, he envisioned both growing up like brothers, thinking of each other as cousins.

Hermione nodded, conceding to her best friend's demands, after what had happened to Harry she couldn't blame him for thinking the worst. Not only had he lost his parents during the war, he had lost his godfather, and been sent to Muggles who abused him for his whole entire life. Harry just didn't want to see or think of it happening to his baby, she would feel the same way if she was pregnant too.

Harry breathed out in relief, "Thank you," he said softly, smiling at them, trying to get the seriousness to abate.

"When do we have potions next?" Ron asked a frown on his face as he scoffed down cauldron cakes at an alarming rate. They should know never to bring them near him, he would eat them all, and they were his absolute favourite sweet along with chocolate frogs.

"The day after tomorrow," Hermione said, not even needing to glance at her timetable, she had a tendency to memorise everything.

"Are you going to do it that soon?" Ron asked swiping the crumbs on his clothes onto the floor, not wishing to mess them up they were brand new after all. New clothes, new robes, all thanks to Harry, who had bought them for him, he was still in awe over it. He'd never seen clothes look so shiny and new on his back before, except the one pair of robes Fred and George had got him, but he'd hardly ever wore them for fear of messing them up.

"Probably, the sooner the better," Harry explained, licking his lips, before downing more pumpkin juice, the cake was making him exceedingly thirsty. He still happily munched on, just glad he was able to keep something down, being sick constantly was making him extremely hungry and he didn't like it at all.

"Well let us know will you?" Ron said he didn't want to be surprised, especially not with something like this going on.

"Of course," Harry said, giving him an odd look, as if he'd do anything but.

"Have you done your homework?" Hermione asked after a few moments of comfortable silence, seen as that particular conversation was over for now, it was time for a new subject, one less tense. She still had a lump in her throat, the thought of her best friend being dead was horrifying, and it left her emotional.

"Not yet, I had planned on doing it earlier, but I guess I'll get it done tonight." Harry explained, his lips curling in amusement that was Hermione for you. He didn't bother asking her if she'd done it, the answer was a resounding yes, no doubt about it. "Sev will be busy with creating…" Harry paused, before continuing, "A new potion." Ron didn't know he felt awful keeping this from him but Sev was right; it could cause unknown compilations if anyone said anything. Ron would just have to understand that sometimes what was the right thing to do wasn't always the easiest thing to do.

"He better not be ignoring you," Ron scowled with a warning, especially since his best mate was pregnant.

Harry grinned, "He's not, I promise." he reassured him, although they definitely didn't get to spend much time with each other. "Are you staying for the holidays?" he asked them both, "Or are you taking Ron home to meet your parents?"

"Actually we're thinking of leaving that until the summer," Hermione said thoughtfully, she'd asked the Tonks to put wards up at her home, to keep her parents safe, also arranged it so they had an emergency Portkey to get away if anything happened. She'd wanted to spell them and make them go away, but Ron had convinced her that it was a very bad idea. Made her see it from her parents point of view, she could only hope she didn't come to regret it.

"You should invite Arthur to a meeting, he'd think it was Christmas and his birthday rolled into one," Harry said with grin of contentment, his love for all things Muggle was quite amusing to say the least. The words he'd asked him 'the function of a rubber duck' ringing around his ears, yes he would love to meet the Grangers properly, and not while doing shopping at Diagon Alley.

"Maybe," Ron murmured, "I suppose it would take his mind of other things," mainly their money problems. He would have left Hogwarts and tried to get a job if he knew it would make any difference. Unfortunately it wasn't that easy getting a job, it would or could take him months, and with the OWLS he got it might not be good enough.

Harry just smiled at him as he drank his juice; no doubt Ron hadn't heard anything yet. He would soon enough, his brothers would write to him. He did ponder briefly on whether he should be the one to say anything. He nixed it almost immediately, if he told Ron he might think he was bragging, but he wasn't all he'd done was help his friends out that was it. Hopefully the others knew how to word it so Ron didn't go off on one without thinking.

"Is it weird being back at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked, drinking her coffee, she really shouldn't not at this time of night; she'd have trouble getting to sleep. "I mean you spent two years down in the chamber, doing what you wanted every single day," she couldn't wrap her mind around that her best friend was actually twenty years old. Quite honestly she'd forgotten all about the time bubble with the beginning of another year at Hogwarts. Between her Head Girl duties and her desire to have the perfect scores as well as making sure Ron took it seriously she hadn't had the time to think on it.

"Well…I wasn't exactly doing what I wanted to do," Harry pointed out, "I was doing what I had to do, but I don't regret it." he never would.

"Would you take us down for a while? Maybe during Christmas holidays?" Hermione asked with wistful excitement. The thought of going though a time bubble was exciting, she blamed the boys they'd been a very bad influence on her. She wouldn't have considered this while she had begun her Hogwarts schooling.

"I'll see what I can do," Harry said, the chamber was his and Severus' safe place, if he wanted to go down during that time then it was a definite no. if he didn't then he couldn't see why not bring his friends down for a few days. They couldn't get in without him after all; they needed to speak Parseltongue to get in.

Hermione beamed at him.

"Ron, you're alright to see to the Quidditch trials aren't you?" Harry asked. "They're on Saturday morning first thing," yawning tiredly, feeling very content, he had a full stomach, the acidity taste was gone from his mouth and it was cosy and warm, who could blame him for feeling rather sleepy?

"ME? On my own?" Ron asked wide eyed. "Wait…you can't play, or won't be able to…" they were going to lose, this sucked. They'd have to find a really good seeker, but compared to Harry everyone else was mediocre.

"I take it Ginny won't be playing then?" Harry questioned, a frown on his face, he couldn't fly while pregnant? Or was it Quidditch because it was too dangerous with Bludgers and all the danger? He made a mental note to ask Sev what he thought.

"She shouldn't and the teachers will probably forbid it," Hermione said immediately.

Ron groaned dramatically, "This is just great!" he huffed, but there was no real heat behind it.

"It would be great to win our last year here, but in the grand scheme of things it isn't the most important thing," Harry conceded, "His baby certainly came before something as frivolous as playing a Quidditch game…especially when it came to the Slytherin match, they were unhanded and cheated constantly…no, it wasn't worth the risk."

"We have won six years in a row," Ron did say smugly, even during their third year with the bloody Dementors, he couldn't believe Amos Diggory was proud of his son for beating Harry during that either, it was quite embarrassing, he quickly sobered up remembering the sight of the father sobbing over Cedric. It wasn't a nice image at all, man the tournament was supposed to end with victory, happiness, not death and despair for all involved.

"Make it seven and I'll give you twenty galleons," Harry said with a grin, betting Ron to do it.

Ron who had taken that moment to drink some juice coughed and spluttered hearing the words, "W-what…wait…are you serious?"

"Very, want to take the bet?" he asked, that would guarantee Ron would actually get up early to train and find a new team.

"You're on!" Ron said seriously, chortling gleefully, twenty galleons, he was gong to make sure Gryffindor had the best team there could in the circumstances; if only Harry would be able to play then they'd be guaranteed to win no matter what. Ah, it wasn't meant to be, but he'd find someone, there had to be at least one good seeker in Gryffindor.

"Boys," Hermione said rolling her eyes fondly, happening to see the clock and her eyes widened, "Damn it, I have to go, it's my turn to patrol the halls tonight." she'd always thought it was just prefects that did the rounds, but she'd been wrong, not that she'd admit that thank you very much - she'd never hear the end of it.

Harry muffed another yawn, "I'm going to head down to the dungeons, night Ron, night Mione," he said, somebody had to keep Severus from overworking himself, he grabbed his bag which had his cloak inside it.

"Night, Harry," Ron said, stretching out, also standing, these were Harry's rooms after all, he'd either go wait in Hermione's room or go to the common room. The three of them left Harry's room, and Ron wandered to Hermione's down the corridor with a wave to his girlfriend and best friend. Hermione and Harry went in the opposite direction.

"Twenty galleons, Harry?" Hermione said, shaking her head.

Harry just grinned ruefully and unrepentantly.

"I'll see you in the morning," he informed her quietly, sliding into the classroom and putting his cloak on. He couldn't be seen wandering the dungeons after all, even if he was Head Boy. The last thing he wanted was anyone suspicious of him or Sev.


Severus glanced up from where he sat on the couch, book and whiskey in each hand, as Harry made his way inside. Or rather what he knew to be Harry, since it looked as if nobody had come in at all. He must admit that cloak of his was rather handy to have.

"Did you have a pleasant evening?" Severus asked, as Harry materialized, wondering if his friends could truly understand how Harry felt, Ronald Weasley had surprised him, perhaps he was growing up after all.

"Yes," Harry said with a grin, as he sat down next to Severus, as close as possible and snuggled in. "Taking an interest in Alchemy?"

"I must admit it has been educational," Severus said wryly, "I may consider delving in further even once this distasteful counter potion is done with." at his own pace. It was the challenge, the rush, he hadn't felt that in a long time, before going down to the chamber, and even that hadn't been the same way. He hadn't been creating anything down there, just brewing; the potion Salazar had given him on the potion for Lycanthrope, or rather one to take it away now that he had never felt in many years. Working with Nicolas, hearing him speaking about Alchemy had reminded him of his own passions (potions) and awoken some of his own in the process for Alchemy, not potions.

"You're amazing at whatever you do," Harry said sincerely, and that was the truth. He poured one hundred percent of himself into any project he did. He was amazing and he envied how his mind worked sometimes, for he knew he wouldn't be able to accomplish the same thought process. They both had things they were good at that the other wouldn't or couldn't do, so they weren't too similar. Which Harry personally thought was a good thing.

Severus felt himself flush it wasn't in embarrassment but happiness, he didn't rely on others for fulfillment but it was nice to hear someone compliment him. Especially coming from Harry, it was….just so much more. Placing his drink aside, he carded his fingers through Harry's hair, as his bonded pressed himself more firmly against him.

He felt through the bond, making sure that Harry truly was alright, he seemed content enough, so obviously, everything truly had gone well. He was tired though, and there was a slight feeling of sadness. "What's bothering you, Harry?" Severus asked quietly, and Harry would know he was using the bond to do this.

"I'll miss playing Quidditch, it's the only time I could ever be free," Harry admitted, "I may also have to give Ron the Captaincy…I'm not going to be much of one if I cant play, right now he's playing the part as Co-Captain but he hasn't had to do that alone yet."

"You cannot play Quidditch, I agree, but there is nothing wrong with going with a fly, as long as you refrain from your ridiculous antics in the air," Severus stated, inwardly shuddering just imagining the stunts he'd pulled over the past six years with the knowledge that Harry was pregnant with his child. Their child.

Harry suddenly grinned, of course, why hadn't he thought of that? "How right you are," he said, almost purring it out in happiness.

Severus merely snorted, without the tiredness he would have come to that conclusion on his own.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, just enjoying it while they could - and being together.

"I helped the Weasley's tonight," Harry said after a while.

"Oh?" Severus prompted, wondering just how he had helped them.

"Mmm, I paid off their fathers loans, it was partly my fault anyway, and I did get him into trouble by flying Arthur's car, ended up crashing it too," Harry admitted, it was probably somewhere in the forbidden forest at this very moment with a life of its own - welcome to practising magic on a Muggle object.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose, "After what they've done they do not deserve your help."

"If it only affected Molly and her I'd have let it happen," Harry said seriously, not moving from his spot he was so very comfortable. "But all the boys were putting every Knut they had together to try and help their dad but they didn't have enough…it would have risked the twins job and flat, the others would have been flat out broke for ages, and it wouldn't have changed anything, the process would have begun again next fortnight or month whichever way he paid it. The Burrow and the surrounding land is mine, at least until he pays it all back it's without interest and I've made sure he isn't paying back too much. He's probably going to have to pay for all of Ginny's baby stuff, unless they use hers." which he had no doubt they had, Ron had come to school with Percy's old clothes (or was it Bill's?), trunk and familiar for Merlin's sake, they got rid of nothing.

Severus merely made a noncommittal sound turning back to the fire; he supposed Harry did have a point. It wasn't as if the contribution would make him have to scrimp and save since he had more than enough money in his vaults to help a million times over.

"Bill and I went to Gringotts but I left it up to him to tell his dad," Harry admitted in amusement, not able to stifle another yawn. "He'll not be happy, but at least he'll be unhappy with a roof under his head." he added after a pause.

Severus' lips twitched in amusement, Arthur Weasley was a proud man, and he wouldn't accept charity of any kind. He worked hard for what he earned, and it went on what they needed most, for the most part going without basic necessities like new clothes more often than not. He was too proud, hopefully not pigheaded stubborn, he had a feeling Arthur would try to pay Harry back as soon as possible. Hopefully not by getting another loan from Gringotts. "Very true, you're exhausted, you have classes tomorrow, and you should try and get some sleep." hopefully he would actually get some sleep and not be feeling sick.

"Good id…" Harry yawned yet again, "Idea,"

"Do not shut down the bond," Severus warned him sternly, "I do not care how early it is, if you need me, I wish to be there." he wasn't the Dursley's, he wasn't going to leave Harry sick and fending for himself, he'd do all he could to help. He had brewed potions to aid the morning sickness since Poppy had asked him to brew them for the Weasley girl…no Dumbledore girl anyway; he had put on a few extra cauldrons and got to work.

He hoped they worked.


Will Harry alert the Ministry of Skeeter being an animagus? Will she have already registered before targeting Harry again? If so how would you like to see her dealt with? Will Harry sue her defamation of character, liable and hmm...what else could Harry due Skeeter for? Will it be the last thing she does? Will Harry buy the entirety of the stocks on the paper and literally be the one to sack her before she ends up arrested and charged? Or will Harry have to put up with her slander and the danger it brings especially to the Weasley's? Do you want to see some Ginny reaction? R&R please