I Thought It Was The Flu
Chapter 8

by goldenpaw

Poppy and Sirius slipped away to let Harry and Severus have a few moments alone, before she would have to check them both over again to see how they faired with their travels and to see if being together would improve both of them physically.

Severus and Harry had fallen silent after their declarations of love and had just sat on the edge of the bed gazing at each other, both thinking that they may be dreaming and afraid that it would all vanish from their grasp in a blink of the eye.

Severus reached up and caressed the side of Harry's face tentatively, wanting to re-memorise his lover's features, a month had been far to long since he had last gazed into those beautiful, emerald green eyes. Harry's eyes drifted shut at the soft touch of Severus' fingers across his skin, he leaned in to savour the contact and sighed in contentment.

"I've missed you so much, Harry. This last month has been hell without you. I wanted to tell you before you had left that I loved you, but it wasn't until after you had gone that the words would come." Severus placed his forehead against the younger man's and exhaled in relief. "You're here and there is so much more I want to tell you, have to tell you."

Harry wrapped his arms around Severus and hugged him and held on to him for dear life. His strength had not completely returned and his jubiliant jump from the bed had tired him somewhat. "I'm so tired, Severus. I've been in and out of consciousness for the last month, the damage from my fight with Voldemort had been extensive, but when I was awake all I could think about was getting back to you. I've missed you as well, for you have been the only thing that kept me going."

"Everyone thought you were lost or dead, did you know that? I knew deep down you were alive, but beyond that I had no idea."

Harry shook his head, dazed. "What?! You mean, Sirius, Ron, Hermione, the Weasleys, they all believe I was gone or dead? Why didn't Dumbledore or McGonagall tell you that I was fine, well not fine, but alive and in safe hands?"

"I don't know, but I think Poppy does and I'll be sure to ask her when she comes back in. I'm sure the others though haven't given up hope yet, if I didn't, they certainly can't have either." Severus pressed his lips gently against Harry's and whispered against them, "Though I did shed several tears at not having you nearby. Not having you there by my side, was like a huge, dull ache in my heart. You are my heart, you and... our child."

Harry gasped and drew back a little, "Our child? We... you're going to have a baby? How? I mean, I know when and how it was conceived, I just didn't think it was possible."

"Neither did I, when Poppy told me a week or so ago. I had thought I was suffering something like the flu and she told me I was pregnant instead. I'm carrying a miracle, Harry. Our miracle and this week has been hard on both the child and myself. That's why Poppy had to resort to whatever plan she finally ended up using. I believe she drugged Albus with his blasted lemon drops, which I personally think is apropos." Severus chuckled and Harry did to as the truth of the events leading up to this moment finally all sank in.

"We're going to be parents. Oh, Merlin! Parents!" Harry blinked and then before Severus realized what was happening, the still ill young man fainted in his arms.

Severus' heart skipped a beat for a second as panic took over and then righted itself and he called out, "Poppy, I need your help here!"

Poppy came rushing in, with Sirius close at her heels. "What happened?"

"I told him the wonderful news that we were going to be parents and I think when it finally dawned on him, he passed out." Severus gently shifted Harry so that he was half laying down, then got up and swung the young man's legs up unto the bed.

"Maybe we should just let him rest and come to on his own. I, for one, could also use some rest. This last week of emotional teetering back and forth has drained me. But, heavens, I'm so glad to be here now with Harry. Poppy, how can I ever thank you for what you've done?" Severus asked the medi-witch while she waved her wand over Harry to check on his well-being.

She nodded her head in approval at whatever results were indicated before she turned to Severus to answer his question. "You just did, my dear Severus. Your words of thanks are all I need. Besides, I couldn't, in all good conscience, let what was happening to you, the baby and Harry go on any longer. I will also suffer whatever consequences happen once Albus comes to and figures out what I have done. I stand behind the choices I have made this day."

"Then if you need anything, my support verbal or otherwise, you have it. Thank you, again." Severus sat down next to Harry and gently clasped the other's hand, his thumb stroking back and forth over the smooth, unmarred surface. Severus gazed at the hand that had touched him intimately, that had brought him pleasure and tenderness. Severus once more had to blink back the tears that had been threatening to surface for the past half hour. As much as he loved the baby he was carrying, he dearly wished that it wouldn't play havoc with his hormones, he hated to cry.

Poppy walked up to Severus and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Think nothing of it. Now that you two are together, you both will start to feel much better and more yourselves. And the young wizard you carry within you will grow and flourish as well."

Severus' head whipped around and he looked up at her in shock, "We're going to have a boy? You're certain of that?"

"Of course. It's rare, and you will have to be monitored carefully, but all male pregnancies have resulted in wizards being born. I'll tell you and Harry everything I know, once you both have rested up. I think it best if you both find out at the same time all the details and complications to expect with this pregnancy. Now, go rest and afterwards you should think about eating something. You, my dear man, are dangerously thin and you need the extra energy to carry this baby."

With that, Poppy indicated the potions professor should lay down next to Harry. He didn't need any further urging and he shrugged out of his outer robes and laid down next to his love. Poppy and Sirius left, but before he completely left the room, he turned back and saw Severus reach out and once again take hold of Harry's hands, as if still afraid that Harry would vanish.

~tbc~