Give me one more chance
Chapter 9: Year 1 continues
Pairings: James/Lucius
Disclaimer: I don't own so don't ask
WARNING: This is about male pregnancy and male/male relationships. Not your cup of tea? Please, hit the back key.
Beta-read by: Jadwiga. Thanks hon! You're the best. Any mistakes after she has done her work are mine.
Special thank you to: gloomy-angel, The Stunning Lies of Lullabies, Icarus Malfoy, QueenNarca, yaeko, Sarahamanda, helewise, and for those who read and didn't review thank you for even taking the time read up to this chapter.
/ Thoughts /
Enjoy!
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The first years were huddled together like little sheep being led to be slaughtered. Professor McGonagall began calling names to see which house they would be sorted into. The old leather torn hat went into its song and then was placed on the heads of the eleven year olds.
"Susan Bones." Went to Hufflepuff.
"Ronald Weasley." Joined his twins brothers in Gryffindor.
"Hermione Granger." Also went to Gryffindor.
"Orion Black." To his Mother's horror landed in Gryffindor.
"Sheridan Black." Got lucky and was sorted into Slytherin.
Severus' heart lurched – the twins were separated. Damn Sirius and his Gryffindor genes. The Potions master sat on pins and needles waiting to hear the outcome of his godchildren. He had taken over the role of godfather since Sirius' imprisonment.
"Draco Malfoy." Sauntered off to Slytherin. Severus almost sighed, but he didn't breathe just yet.
"Harry Potter."
The hall went deathly silent. Harry cautiously ascended the steps to sit on the stool, wishing that Draco was with him or at least his father.
Professor McGonagall placed the raggedy old hot on top of his head. Instantly the hat came to life and whispered in his head.
"Well, well another Potter or should I say Malfoy," the hat said with some amusement.
"I want to be with my brother, please," Harry begged.
"Slytherin, eh? Hmm, let's see…ah, yes, you have a thirst to prove yourself, not a bad mind either and Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness, Mr. Malfoy, but what's this? You have plenty of courage. There's no doubt about where to put you…"
Then the hat shouted out for all to hear…"GRYFFINDOR!"
The table erupted. Once Harry sat down he looked across the hall – two pair of eyes watched him with sadness.
Severus closed his eyes. Lucius was going to have kittens over this.
"Don't worry Harry, I'm here with you," Orion declared, squeezing his friend's hand under the table where nobody could see.
"I know. I'm just worried about what Dad will say."
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Lucius Malfoy didn't know what say when he was conversing with Severus later that night after the sorting feast. Harry was in Gryffindor.
Damn, James and his Gryffindor traits, he grimaced then thought. Not that Severus is doing any better.
How was he going to survive with his son in the loin's den? Harry was too shy and quiet to make friends on his own, no thanks to the Dursley's. He would have to worry about this unfortunately situation at another time. He needed some rest he had another meeting with the school Governor's. Even since their little backstabbing escapade back in '81 he made sure that the Governor's knew not to incite his wrath again. A few well placed curses can to wonders for morale.
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Later that night, Harry was looking out of the window stroking Hedwig lovingly, when the other first years entered the dorm preparing to go to bed. One of the boys decided to find out why the famous Harry Potter was hanging so closely with the Malfoy heir.
"So, Potter, what's the deal with you and Malfoy?" the red head asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You guys were standing awfully close during the sorting feast. I was just wandering if there were more to you two."
"That really isn't any of you business, Weasley," a third voice cut in.
Harry looked over at his childhood friend, silently thanking him.
All eyes turned to the dark haired boy with black eyes.
"If it isn't Orion Black. Have you talked to your Father recently? I'm sure your Mother-"
"Leave my Mother out of this," the young Black hissed. He didn't take kindly to people insulting his Mother or Father, both was a touchy subject.
"Oh, I'm scared. Please, Black, the minute your Father got shipped off to Azkaban your Mother turned tail and ran," Ron mocked while the other boys snickered, but that died off once they found themselves at wand point.
"I don't make it a habit of warning people about making fun of my family; and for your information Weasley my Mother is here, you just don't know it. So, if I were you, I'd be careful 'cause if he finds out that you're picking on his godson, or worse, bad mouthing his husband, my Mum won't hesitate in melting the skin off your bones," Orion declared.
He wasn't going to let another thing happen to his family. He just hoped that his sister was fairing better than Harry and him.
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Transfigurations were a pain much to Harry's embarrassment. He already disliked his Head of House for what she said to him for being late, and it didn't help that he couldn't sit with Orion. He got stuck with that snob Weasley. If only the red head knew!
The second class of the day was Potions. Harry and Orion sat in the front row (on time) and next to them was Draco and Sheridan.
First Year Gryffindors and Slytherins were together.
The professor entered the classroom with a bang, walking briskly down to the front to turn sharply with a stop – talking as he went.
"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class."
The Malfoy boys smiled at their godfather's flare for trying to scare them. The Black heirs rolled their eyes at their Mother.
"As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is Potion making. However, for those select few who possess the predisposition…"
The professor slowly wrapped his robe around himself continuing in a low sensual tone keeping the youngsters captivated. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death…"
Severus eyed his students. Onyx orbs were searching for his next victim. "Then again maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to NOT... TO... PAY... ATTENTION!"
Dark roaming eyes landed on their target.
"Mr. Weasley, I'm sure that since your brothers are decent Potion brewers, masters in the making, perhaps you can tell me the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"
Everyone was staring at Ron waiting for him to answer, but the red head remained quiet.
"You don't know?"
He shook his head negatively. Severus sneered at him then focused on the whole class.
"Can any one tell me?" Severus looked around – several hands shot up.
"Mr. Potter, our new celebrity…tell me."
Harry heard the joking undertone. "Monkshood and wolfsbane are of the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite, sir," he explained proudly.
Ron's face colored the same as his hair, clearly mortified, which didn't stop there as the teacher went on to skewer him.
"So, Mr. Weasley, can you tell me what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"
Again, Ron shook his head no.
"Seeing that you do not have your brothers' brewing skill it would best to pay attention when I'm talking…the consequences would be most unfavorable."
Severus pulled up a chair in front of the frightened youth and began his lecture. After a few minutes of talking he said, "Well? Why aren't you all copying this down?"
Two hours later class was over. Severus told his kids and godsons to remain behind. As soon as the other students were gone they all cracked-up laughing.
"What's so funny, Orion?"
"Mum, please, you nearly made Weasley wet himself," he said.
Severus allowed himself a small smirk. "I'm glad to see that I was able to make your morning, son." Turning to Harry. "And how was your night?"
Harry immediately put his head down knowing that his godfather could read his mind. "It was fine, sir."
The older wizard raised an eyebrow and looked sideways to his son.
"It was bloody awful, Mum. The kids were teasing the 'boy-who-lived', and were cracking jokes about Dad."
"Who?"
"Who else? That git, Weasley."
"Don't worry much about him or the others, just stick together. Here's a note for your next class. Oh, by-the-way, Harry and Draco, your Father will be visiting the school again tonight. Come to my chambers after dinner."
After the kids left and Severus' next class filled the room, he contemplated briefly on his life, which wasn't much of one, since his husband's wrongful incarceration. Somehow, the Potions master was going to get Fudge for breaking-up his family, and for making him loose his babies.
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"But, Daddy, I wanna go there now! Why can't I go!" the little amber-eyed girl screeched, stomping her feet.
"Because, princess, you're not old enough, yet. You will be able to go to Hogwarts next year."
Remus looked to his mate for help but Regulus merely shook his head letting the older wizard know that he was not going to assist in any way whatsoever.
"Sam…" Remus bent down to his daughter's height. "I know you want to be with Harry and Draco as well as with you cousins but-"
"No, Daddy! Harry is in danger. Please…can't you say that I want to visit Uncle Severus or something, please," the little heart breaker begged.
The werewolf sighed. He knew he was making a big mistake by letting a ten year old manipulate him. "I'll fire call Grandpa Albus and see what he says."
The Remus-replica pounced on him. "Oh, thank you, Daddy! I love you," she shouted as she ran from the kitchen.
Regulus stopped nursing his son and placed the infant over his shoulder and patted him gently on the back before giving his husband his attention. Once the baby was nestled in the crook of his arm, Regulus burst out laughing.
"This is not funny, Reg," Remus hotly hissed.
"Oh, yes it is. Sam knew exactly what she was doing. I'm impressed. If she keeps going like this she'll end up in Slytherin."
Remus rolled his eyes – as if any child of his would end up in that house. "I only relented because she seemed genuinely worried about Harry."
"You know as well as I do that she has a crush on Harry," Regulus replied softly.
There werewolf sat in the chair closest to his mate while carefully lifting the sleeping infant from Regulus. Remus gazed lovingly at his partner. Regulus smiled only to drop his head blushing from the admiring looks from Remus. Even after all these years, Remus still managed to make him glow all warm and fuzzy inside.
"I'm going to put this little guy to bed then I'm contacting Dumbledore. Why don't you take a nap too," Remus suggested as Regulus struggled to his feet.
At just being a little over four months pregnant Regulus Black was huge. Remus was (if not more so) shocked than Regulus when they went for Regulus' three month check-up, and was told that his mate was with child for the fourth time.
The young wizards were pleased but this time around they thought their luck might have run out. Regulus was too scared to ask on his last visit if he was carrying more than one child. He was too afraid that he would end up like his brother-in-law and friend. Both Severus and Lucius, lost their spouses because of unforeseen circumstances and he couldn't bear it if anything happened to Remus.
Because of archaic werewolf laws, he and Remus couldn't properly wed, but certain mating and breeding rights did allow werewolves (especially Alphas) to publicly claim their mates as well as live with them.
In addition to that, any offspring were allowed to attend any wizarding schools and work at any post without the bias against werewolves. Times indeed had changed, now if they could only get Fudge out of office life would be grand.
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As it turned out, Sam's intuitions turned out to be correct. Harry was indeed in danger, which was highlighted at his Quidditch match when he nearly fell from his broom.
The next incident happened in the Forbidden Forest when the messy haired Gryffindor was attacked by who he believes was You-Know-Who. Lucius was not happy about that or the fact that both his sons was serving detention in the forest to begin with for being out past curfew.
The proceeding mishap occurred in Defense Against the Dark Arts when Harry was almost struck with a stray curse. No one admitted to it but Harry firmly believed that Ron threw it because he, Draco, Sheridan, and Orion were the only ones capable to cast defense shields and a mild jinx.
What nearly did Lucius in, was when at the end of the year it was discovered that Quirrell was the one behind trying to kill his son.
Fortunately, his kids were smart enough to figure out (with Miss Granger's help) that Voldemort was after the Philosopher's stone. Harry in a flash of bravery fought Quirrell in the dungeons and came out victorious.
Managing to prove himself as more than capable of taking care of himself, Harry smiled at his Father during the end feast as Gryffindor was awarded the House Cup.
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Platform 9 ¾ was filled with the flurry of children returning back home to their families who hadn't seen them for almost a year.
One blond in particular was solemn. Lucius told Draco to head to the limousine while he talked with Harry.
"Do I have to go, Daddy?"
"Yes, son, I'm afraid so. There's nothing that I can do, Fudge made sure that you stay with Aunt Lily's sister during the summer vacation."
Harry hugged his father around the waist. They were standing in Muggle central now since no one knew about his relation to the Malfoy heir. Fudge kept that out of the papers as well. Their happy moment was interrupted by a harsh cough.
Lucius stood erect and glared down at his deceased friend sister's husband. Vernon Dursley was an overly large man and Lucius didn't like him. He knew something was going on with Harry, for every time he returned from staying with the Durselys over the summer, and every time he inquired about it, Harry would clam up stating that everything was fine.
His son was on the small side. Draco was much larger than Harry and was growing in leaps and bounds while Harry was more delicate and easy to bruise.
"Harry, promise me that if anything happens, please contact me or Severus even Dumbledore, please," Lucius asked.
"Okay, Daddy, I will." But Harry kept his fingers crossed behind his back knowing that he wouldn't be able to keep such a promise.
With a heavy heart, Lucius watched his son depart with the heavy set man, counting down to the day of his first monthly visit.
oOo TBC oOo
A/N: Well, how was that? I know it was kind of sad toward the end but I'm setting up for the next chapter. Were you happy that Remus and Regulas was added in as well? I hope so. I did get some comments about when were they going to come back on the scene.
Now, the question is should Regulas be pregnant with twins or not? Let me know. I haven't decided on that one. What's going on with Harry? He's at the Dursley's – how in world did that happen? Well, to find out, stay tuned for the next chapter.
oOo Teaser for Chapter 10 oOo
"Daddy, please, something is wrong with Harry," Draco said with some trepidation. "Hermione has written to me saying that she hasn't heard even once from him, and Ori and Sheri are saying the same thing."
"I agree with Draco, Lucius, ever since the Christmas hols, that boy has been acting differently," Lucien added with his grandson.
"Well, seeing that we get to visit with him for the weekend, I will get to the bottom of this," Lucius finally said.