Authors Note: Thanks to HMRoberts, ilovebooks12345678910 and Rori Potter for the reviews and to everyone who supports this story by following or facing it. I really appreciate it!
And to HMRoberts, I agree that a story should essentially remain as the Author has written it, which is why I wrote that I probably (as in most likely) won't change it due to comments. However, In the past, while writing another story, a comment had inspired me. It wasn't even a suggestion just an errant thought someone had written. But due to it, I had an idea that in my opinion had hugely improved that story, though not majorly changed it. And it is a difference to change it because someone else disagrees with how a story should go or get inspired by a comment from others which is what has happened before! On another occasion, a comment had given me a great idea for a whole different story which I wrote later. And that is what I meant so no worries about changing the story lightly due to "Armchair editors". However, due to that, I do appreciate such comments with thoughts to the story and ideas greatly, it can give great inspirations. But as I said, I agree that no Author should ever feel pressured to change it due to wishes from others and I certainly won't do that so you don't need to worry about it. But I thank you for your concern and that you wanted to encourage me to keep it the way I want it, thank you!
Baby on board
Chapter three
Draco is walking with Harry towards his new rooms after getting directions from Dobby. He is curious what kind of prison room Dumbledore deems worthy for the student who not only was ordered to attempt to kill him but also seduced Dumbledore's favourite little hero. From what little Draco knows about the location of the Gryffindor common rooms, they are getting ridiculously close to it.
Harry is glad to know that Draco will be this close to him even during nights where Harry might, for whatever reasons, decide to sleep in his old dorm room. He really would prefer to spend every night with Draco but isn't sure if his blond fiancé would agree to that or prefer some private time on occasion. After all, they aren't together for long and it is only a relationship due to convenience. It's not like Draco is in love with him.
They are nearly there when they hear the voice of Pansy Parkinson from behind them, "Draco, what on earth are you doing with that Gryffindor?"
Harry remembers just now that the Slytherins had no one to inform them of what happened and why Draco had been surrounded by Gryffindors all day after disappearing the day before. He wonders what Draco will do now and just to be safe he discreetly takes his wand out.
"I'm going to my new rooms with my fiancé," Draco replies with a slight blush.
"You're doing what with whom?" She asks outraged. "What on earth are you babbling about? You hexed him, Potter, didn't you?"
"He did no such thing," Draco replies. "I've simply switched sides because I've been secretly dating Harry for a while and now I'm pregnant with his child."
"That's impossible." She complains, "You only love me."
"I've never loved you." Draco complains, "Father might have wanted me to marry you and I played along so far but really, even you must have noticed that you annoy the hell out of me and that I wouldn't touch you if my life depended on it."
"You just want to stay a virgin until you marry that's all." Pansy claims, "Which is why you can't be pregnant."
"Virgin?" Harry grins, "Draco and a virgin." He looks at Draco asking, "And she bought that?"
"She's stupid." Draco replies, "If I told her it would rain money tomorrow she'd ask me when and go out to get as much of the golden rain as possible."
"I'm not stupid." Pansy shrieks. "How dare you say such nonsense. And really I only fell for that once. And I was only twelve at the time."
"I rest my case," Draco replies with a grin while Harry chuckles.
"You little." She whines and raises her wand but before she can even utter a word Harry's expeliarmus sends her wand flying.
"No one threatens my fiancé and unborn child." Harry calmly says. "And now skedaddle and tell the other Slytherins that Draco is mine."
"Correction, tell them I belong to myself and stopped following a wannabe lord with a muggle father like a stupid sheep who can't think for himself." Draco points out, "But if my fiancé ever says that I belong to him said wanna be lord might still get to watch Harry's funeral."
"I didn't mean it like that." Harry replies, "Just as in, my fiancé, my boyfriend, just my everything. Not that you belong to me like some object you own or something. I promise. Please don't be mad."
"You make me sick," Pansy claims and runs off crying.
"Let's just go on." Draco sighs.
"Still mad?" Harry asks carefully.
"Not with you." Draco finally sighs. "It's just, a lot you know, and the bloody hormones certainly aren't helpful."
As soon as they reach the portrait they use the Password Dobby told them and enter the room. Draco is very surprised to see a rather big and lavish living room with two doors leading from it. Looking at the first he finds a small guest bathroom and after going through the second he is in a huge bedroom with a big king-sized bed. To his surprise there is already a little crib at the foot of the bed he walks closer and finds a note in it.
'Dear Draco Malfoy,
I know that you probably worry about losing your inheritance, especially in your situation. Please be assured that since neither I nor my siblings ever had a child, and from what I've heard Harry is well taken care of, I've decided to use you as my heir, should anything happen to me, to compensate you for losing your inheritance just because someone wanted me dead. But if you or your child ever need anything while I'm still alive, don't hesitate to let me know and I will arrange for it.
Kind regards
Albus Dumbledore.'
"You think he means this?" Draco asks and holds the note towards Harry.
After reading it over Harry smiles at him "Of course he does. I'm glad, but you won't have to worry anyway, you can always take money from my vault. You can also ask your mother to get some for you and if she ever needs something I don't mind if you help her out."
Draco frowns and looks sceptically, "What exactly did he mean, with you being well off?"
"Oh about that." Harry grins, "Remember that mountain of gold you thought might run out faster than I can look? Turns out that is only my trust vault from my parents and since I'm about to be a father and engaged, I got the whole lot now and then the whole lot I got from Sirius and from a bunch of others who left everything to the boy who lives since they didn't have anyone else and since I have two magical parents and am about to marry a pureblood, I'm also getting everything from Snape's muggle hating grandfather from the Prince line. So yeah, I'm well off. Though I did return the Prince stuff to Snape."
Draco looks slightly sceptically. "And how do you suddenly know?"
"I wrote to Gringotts and asked them for advice due to the changing circumstances and the need to support you." Harry replies, "And because I go to school I asked them to come here and one did today…"
"Stop right there." Draco grumbles, "I don't appreciate being lied to."
"I'm not lying." Harry frowns.
"Goblins don't come out." Draco points out "father tried to make them come somewhere else to meet him for his convenience a million times but they always insist that they only do that for a select few who are exceptionally rich and that he doesn't make the cut and you want to tell me that someone who is usually wearing rags makes the cut?"
"According to Gartnot, I'm the riches wizard alive." Harry replies, "At least that's what he said but if you doubt me, just write your mother to get some gold for you from my vault and see for herself and report back to you."
"My mother can't just get into your vault." Draco points out.
"Of course not." Harry grins, "But you have full rights to my vault including that you can ask someone else to get anything you want for you. All you have to do is give them a written permission to show at Gringotts and they can get whatever you want. I don't mind if you let your mother take some money for clothing or such. Anything she needs really. It seems like I can easily support her too. Oh, and she could also get some money to buy rings that you might like, multiple ones even and you pick one. Unless you like my surprise. Gartnot, the goblin, brought the rings that were in my vault." Harry takes the rings out of his school bag where he had left them and shows them to Draco. "I hope you like some of them. One was my mother's engagement ring but I don't even know which on so just pick what you like."
"This was your mother's," Draco replies pointing to a rather elegant but small one with just one small ruby. "I saw it in a picture in a book about you and I very much doubt your father would like me to have it."
"Why would Snape care?" Harry asks grinning.
"That is not what I meant." Draco grumbles, "And you know it."
"I don't know James." Harry explains, "Not really, but I know that I care about you. I want you happy. I understand if you don't want it, seeing that you are a Malfoy and it probably isn't up to your standard. You always were so proud of being a Malfoy, but you can pick whatever ring you like. I personally think this silver snake with green stones for eyes suits you better but either is fine."
Draco looks surprised at Harry before he smiles and takes the small snake ring saying, "You do realize that you giving me a ring means that I'll be carrying your name?"
"If you want me to take yours that's fine too." Harry just says and nearly laughs seeing Draco's shocked face.
After the first shock Draco takes a deep breath and just deadpans, "This child better not inherit your brain dysfunction." Before Draco puts the ring on himself. "I'm disinherited. I'm nameless you fool! And apart from that, I might have been proud of my old name before, but I hate my father now. I don't want his name anymore. I'd take any name I can get my hands on and you are Harry Potter, the wizarding worlds darling, remember? Your name is the best anyone can possibly get!"
"So, you want to be a Potter now?" Harry asks surprised.
"Let me make it simple for you." Draco sighs, "Yes, I want this ring and yes I want your name and no, even if that option would still stand, I do not want you to become a Malfoy. Understood so far?"
"Got it." Harry grins "You are kind of cute when you are getting exasperated."
"At least you understand things faster than Crabb and Goyle." Draco points out sitting down on his new bed and looks at the ring on his finger.
"I'm glad to hear that." Harry smiles at him before he looks through the second door in Draco's bedroom saying, "Hey, you don't mind me using your bath on occasion, do you? It beats the prefect's bath!"
Draco stands up quickly and walks over to look into it before he says, "Okay, I'm so taking a bath now."
"Mind if I join?" Harry asks grinning at his fiancé.
"Only if you scrub my back." Draco grins back and starts undressing seductively.
They are nearly late for dinner due to their rather long bath but just about manage to get there and eat a bit before it ends. Draco is happily wearing his engagement ring. He even makes sure that the light flashes it and attempts to discreetly hit Ginny in the eye with it. Just to make sure she knows that Harry is his now. Hermine notices his movements first and just says, "Nice ring. Is that the engagement ring Harry got for you?"
"It is." Draco replies proudly, "He organized a few for me to pick. He even had his mother's in the mix but suggested that this one would suit me better than one with a ruby."
"You mean, you could have had his mother's ring?" Hermione frowns and looks worriedly towards Harry but just sighs seeing his dopy but happy grin towards Draco.
"Malfoy," Ron sighs, seeing the same look on Harry's face. "I have no idea how you of all the people in the world manage to make Harry this happy, but if you stop, I'll hit you!"
"I thought that's her speciality?" Draco asks. "But I don't intend to give you a reason. Either of you."
"You better not." Ginny just grumbles and leaves the great hall.
Harry looks after her confused before he looks at Hermione questioningly. "Don't worry, she'll calm down." Is all the explanation he gets though.
"Why?" Harry asks confused, "Did I do something?"
"Guys!" Hermione just sighs.
"I resent that." Draco grins, "Not every male has the IQ of a troll." He looks towards Harry and then to Ron who is still stuffing his face and adds, "However, with your company I see how you got the impression."
"Did he just insult me?" Ron asks frowning.
"Just keep eating Ron." Hermione just grins seeing Harry grin too. After they are all ready to return Hermione asks Harry, "Are you coming up with us or staying with Draco.
"I'll stay with Draco for now. I might come up later if he wants to have a break from my brain disfunction as he called it." Harry grins still looking very happy.
Hermione chuckles before she looks at Draco saying, "Trust me, of those two that I hang with, you got the smart one."
Draco eyes Ron but it actually takes a moment before he finally complains with a "Hey, I'm not stupid."
"Of course not." Hermione grins before she and Ron walk off still slightly bickering.
They just left Harry behind enough to be sure that he won't be able to hear them when Ron adds, "He looks much better, doesn't he?"
"Yeah." Hermione sighs, "I can't believe that Malfoy off all people can make him this happy either, but I haven't seen Harry smile that much since Sirius died. He's nearly the happy boy he used to be in our first year again. I just hope this ends well."
"Honestly, with Malfoy in the picture, I don't see how it could possibly end well." Ron sighs, "But I really do hope that it will and that this child is truly his. Even if just for Harry's sake. It really will hurt him if it isn't."
In Draco's new room Harry watches the blond start the potion that will ensure that the unborn child will be Harry's by the time it's born. Harry watches him silently until Draco cleans up the working space and leaves the potion to simmer for about a day. He lies down on his bed with a sigh. "Want some peace?" Harry asks him.
"Yes and no." Draco replies with a blush. "I'm so tired, but I don't really want to be alone."
Harry smiles and sits down at the end of the bed and takes off Draco's shoes before he starts to massage his feet. "That tickles." Draco sighs but doesn't complain further. Eventually, Harry notices that Draco has fallen asleep and just magically changes his clothing and lies down next to him.
The next few days go similarly. They stand up together and get ready for the day. Before they go down to the great hall Draco checks on the potion and usually writes his mother a letter which they bring to the owlery before breakfast. After breakfast they have classes and if Harry isn't there, at least two other Gryffindors play guard for Draco. Usually trying to talk to him as well but Draco becomes more and more grumpy about the constant supervision even though he is grateful for the protection since at least once a day some of his housemates try to trip him or hex him. Once the day ends, Harry goes with Draco to his room and most nights just makes sure that Draco is comfortable until they both end up asleep. Sometimes that means that Harry helps him cut up the ingredients for the potion he has to brew. Some nights Draco gets a massage. Some nights, however, they kiss and touch until Draco feels like he can't think of anything than Harry and that this wonderful man is his now.
After about a week Draco is alone for the first time since he found out that he is pregnant because Dumbledore wanted to see Harry alone. Draco isn't sure what it is about. Harry just explained that Dumbledore wanted to teach him things he might need to know to battle Voldemort but so far it only was about Voldemort's past. Draco hopes that the old fool will teach Harry something useful before he lets Snape kill him as they both know they are planning.
Snape also is sort of a touchy subject for Harry. He knows that the man is his biological father but is dead set on ignoring it while Snape must act the same as always towards his son but is occasionally looking longingly towards his only child. Snape also has no idea that Harry even knows that he's his father.
Harry returns shortly before the potion is done. Draco just cuts the last ingredient and once that is added, the potion is ready to be keyed to Harry's genetics. After giving Draco a small kiss on his cheek he says "Dumbledore thinks that it's best if Snape reports to Voldemort that the child could be his too, to buy us some time until the baby is born. He thinks it would be safer for you."
"And if he doesn't believe that it's yours later?" Draco wonders.
"I don't know," Harry replies. "Dumbledore wanted us to decide if we should do this or not and let Snape know once we did."
"I'll think about it and let you know. But I really rather not let anyone think that it could be his." Draco sighs, "Have you thought about talking to him?"
"To whom?" Harry asks confused.
"Snape of course," Draco replies.
"What about?" Harry asks.
"What kind of stupid question is that?" Draco wants to know before he sighs again, adding the last ingredient and turning the flames off. "About him being your father."
"What is there to talk?" Harry wants to know.
Draco just grumbles, "I give it up." After that he cleans up his workspace saying "The potion is done."
"Already?" Harry asks. "I thought it'll take a week."
"It was a week." Draco groans barely able to stop himself from adding a 'you moron' at the end.
Harry looks thoughtful for a moment before he confirms, "You're right. Time really flies by I guess." After that, he walks closer to Draco. He stops behind him and holds him in his arms. "Are you sure you want to do this? That you want me as the father of your cute little baby?"
"You know I don't have much of a choice," Draco grumbles with a blush. "But considering last week, I guess it could be worse. Or did you change your mind?"
Harry just turns him in his arms and starts to kiss him silly before he mumbles "Never."
"Than what are you waiting for?" Draco taunts. "A written invitation to fuck me?"
The next morning Harry wakes up deliriously happy and kisses Draco awake moments before the alarm Draco had set can go off. "Good morning handsome." He says when Draco seems to be awake.
"Very good morning indeed." Draco grins for a moment before he sighs. "Do I really have to get up?"
"We could ask Dobby to bring us breakfast in bed," Harry suggests.
Draco makes a face "Don't talk about food."
"Even better." Harry grins "We just skip that altogether and have a few more minutes in bed."
"Aren't you hungry?" Draco wonders.
"Not particularly. I much rather kiss you some more." Harry shrugs and starts the kissing.
Draco goes along with the kissing for a moment but stops before it gets out of hand and they might start something that definitely won't end before the first lesson for the day. "We still have to plan something to get married before our child is born."
"We can marry here during the holidays. We don't have to of course." Harry replies "I asked Dumbledore last night just in case it's fine with you. I just got the thought that it be the safest place and the great hall certainly is big enough, while I was there last night. It also be convenient for our friends since they could stay. Didn't I mention that last night?"
"No you didn't," Draco grumbles before he sighs. "But I do like the idea. Could my mother come too?"
"Of course." Harry replies "I even thought we'd ask her for help with planning the whole thing. I'll be hopeless with that and I want you to have the perfect wedding."
Draco looks thoughtful before he sighs. "You don't have to bother so much. And anyway, it's your wedding too. Don't you have any wishes for it?"
"Not for the wedding itself." Harry sighs. "I only ever wished for what comes after."
"And what were your wishes?" Draco asks curious.
"A family filled with love," Harry replies with a sigh. "Now, about the wedding, should I tell Dumbledore that we'll do it here then? And do you already know the exact day? Or what will we have to consider? Do I have to help with anything? Or can you and your mother get it sorted because as I said, I'd doubt I'll be all that helpful. Not because I don't want to, just you know me, my style is, what did you call it, rags? I just wouldn't know what to do."
Draco watches him ramble on and frowns upset. He lets Harry not only take responsibility for this baby, something he hardly can change anymore considering that he took that potion last night. It's too late to change that now. But still, Harry does so much to protect him, going so far that he's getting overprotective just to help Draco. He even got him the best wedding ring possible, and is attempting to give him the wedding of his dreams or at least as close as possible. And what does Draco do? Sit around and whine about the overprotectiveness while Harry gives up his dream.
Harry wanted a family filled with love. Not one out of convenience. Especially someone else's convenience.
"What's wrong Draco?" Harry eventually asks moving his arms around the suddenly sad-looking blond boy. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, but we'll be late for class if we don't hurry," Draco replies and just stands up getting dressed. All through that day, Draco watches Harry every chance he gets and thinks about what Harry had said, and what he is giving up for him. He even watches Harry write a letter to Narcissa Malfoy, or rather attempt to write it until Draco just takes the letter from his hands and throws it into the fire. By now, most of the day is over and they just returned to their room after dinner. And it really does feel like their room to Draco even though officially it's only his.
"Okay." Harry sighs after Draco burned the letter that Draco's mother would only eye with disdain, not only because of the barely readable script. "What did I do now?"
"You attempted to torture my mother with the worst written letter ever. I'll write to her tomorrow." Draco just replies.
"And what did I do this morning?" Harry asks. "Because you were strange all day. Please Draco, just tell me what I did wrong, so I can try to fix it."
Draco laughs humourlessly. "Wrong? You have no idea, do you?"
"Not really?" Harry asks worriedly. "Please don't be mad."
"Mad." Draco laughs again with as little humour as before. "Harry, you do everything for me. So much more than I thought you would at first. And then you tell me that your only wish in regards to your marriage was a family filled with love? You're telling me, the guy you just marry to help me out of a tough spot, that you wanted love!"
"I didn't mean it like that," Harry replies.
"No Harry." Draco stops him. "I can't do this. I can't make you marry me just to protect my own good name. You already did enough. We don't have to go through with this you know. I don't have a family name. The laws that would force us don't apply anymore anyway and as you saw for yourself, you can let your child inherit everything if you want to. Since I don't have a name, you can even let the child have yours."
"Stop." Harry orders before Draco can say more. "Draco, what the hell? I thought you wanted this?"
"I do." Draco says, "But I want more for you. I want you to have the love-filled family you dreamed about."
"And why can't I have that with you?" Harry asks.
"Because you don't love me." Draco points out. "Because you won't ever have a partner you love if you marry me!"
"And who says that a marriage with someone I might eventually fall with won't end up in flames?" Harry asks trying to calm Draco. "And anyway, who said I can't fall for you? I'm starting to hate the classes we don't share already and love waking up with you next to me. Don't take that from me now Draco. And anyway, I didn't mean love between me and one partner. I meant the whole family getting along. Kids that I love and that love me and my partner. I want what I never had for this child. I want to give our child a loving family. Parents that love it and will do everything for him or her. Including, making this relationship work. I told you, I'm in it for real and for the long run. Don't take it from me now Draco. And anyway, you clearly do care for me, just like I'm caring for you by now. If you wouldn't, you wouldn't try to give up on this wedding even though you claim to still want it."
"I do want it." Draco breathes and leans into the embrace. "But I want you happy too."
"I'm sure I will be." Harry replies, "As long as you just care for me at least a little. We can make this work. It might not always be easy. On the contrary, I'm sure we'll have our fair share of fights. But I want those fights just as much as I want this baby and my family. Please Draco, don't take this chance from me."
"I won't," Draco replies with a sigh. "I just thought. I want to do something for you too. You do so much for me."
"But you already did so much for me," Harry replies and moves his hands onto Draco's still mostly flat stomach. "You're giving me the family I always wanted. And I know we can make it work. I know it won't be easy. But I know that if we really keep working on it and really do want it, we can make it work. No matter how often we'll fight. As long as we'll at least care a little about each other."
"I do you know," Draco whispers. "Care about you, I mean." Right after saying this and getting as close to confessing the depths of his feelings as he dares he attempts to thoroughly distract Harry with kisses which soon turn into a similarly heated night like the last one.
Authors Note: By the way, just out of curiosity, what do you think the child will be? A boy or a girl and what will it be named? And most of all, will Harry and Draco be able to agree on the name? And we still don't know if it will be a muggle style wedding and if there is more tot heir bond and Harry suddenly acting like a lovesick puppy! And how will Harry defeat Voldemort or will he be able to get to Draco and or their child first? Can Harry keep both of them safe?