A/N: Blah, stuff is a real mess 'round here. Here's the next bit. I must
warn you, though. Heavy-duty painkillers and muscle relaxants were taken
before the writing of this chapter. I rail against two injustices in this
chapter. One, the fact that males don't have to go to the gyno, and two
the Patriot act (although, that is much more subtle, and not meant to rile
anyone's political sensibilities.).
Ice: Thank you! You'll just have to wait and see. Not long, though.
Soulsister: Yay! Thank you. I try, but never really know if my writing's effective. I'm really glad you like it.
Katy Kinneas: I saw your review and was sure I'd seen the name somewhere, and then it was like DUH! I love your fic. ~does cartwheels~
HecateDemort: Thanks.
"Harry...Harry, wake up, love. It's time to get dressed."
Harry just mumbled something and pulled the coverlet over his head. Draco sighed. Waking Harry had just gotten more and more difficult since the pregnancy. Mostly because Draco was no longer quite so efficient as he used to be. Harry tired easily, and was up through the night visiting the bathroom ~frequently~ and Draco was unable to bring himself to do some of the decidedly evil things he'd done before. But there was a way that worked every time.
Draco walked down to the edge of the bed, pulled the blankets off Harry's feet, and lightly began running his fingers over the arch of Harry's left foot. At first there was no response, so Draco started using the very tips of his nails, barely touching. Harry's leg twitched. Bringing his other hand up he started on Harry's toes.
"Stop that, you bastard, it tickles!"
"Yes, but it worked, you're up. Come on Harry, we have to go see Poppy today. After that, it's Saturday, we can come back and you can sleep some more." Draco said, placating.
"No, because I won't be able to sleep after that. I'll have been awake, with that woman spreading goop all over my stomach and prodding my like I was some cow..." Harry was obviously not in a good mood this morning ~or any morning, for the past month~ and Draco resisted the urge to throttle his husband, barely.
The morning after their wedding Harry had been violently ill. Draco was sure he must have thrown up everything head eaten in the past decade. It was like that for the first month, and Harry had been pitiful and apologetic the entire time. That month had done two things for Draco. First it had given him a new appreciation for his husband, for Harry had not complained once, and second it had reinforced his decision not to be the one to take the potion. Dealing with Harry now though, he almost wished he had been the one gestating. At least he would be the one with the swinging moods, and he almost wanted to be pregnant with the next child, just to pay Harry back.
The month after Harry had been ill was wonderful. He was glowing, and happy. During that month they had turned the room Harry had left into the nursery. It was neutrally decorated with light greens and yellows. There was a white crib, changing table, and dresser, enough diapers to hold off a flood, and all the other amenities needed when a baby was on the way.
The third month Harry's mood swings had begun. He went from grumpy arse to crying his eyes out. The latter always made Draco feel extreme guilt for he reactions to the former, and knew that soon enough Harry would be his sweet self again. It was just that in the mean time-
"My back hurts, gods, what the hell are we using for a mattress."
-things were not so easy. They were safely in the last month, though, and neither of them could wait for the baby to arrive.
"I can't wait to get this thing out of me."
Today they had an appointment with Poppy, and she would tell them the sex of the baby, along with some of the other things they needed to know. She would check the baby's magical aura, now that it was safe to do so, and make sure everything was lined up right for delivery. If it wasn't they would have a lot of explaining to do at a muggle hospital when the asked for a cesarean section.
Harry was finally ready to go. Draco wrapped his arm around his husband's waist, and they began the trek to the infirmary. When they were almost half way there a few first years came blasting through the hallway, missing Harry by less than an inch. They skid to a halt a few yards behind the two men, and looked at each other. Draco was livid. He was certain his expression showed it.
"We're sorry Professor Potter, and um Professor Potter. We didn't see..." After much discussing, Draco had decided to take the name of Potter. Both had wanted to take the other's name, to avoid the stigma of their own. Briefly they had considered creating a hybrid like "Potfoy" or "Malter" but opted against it.
"That's right you didn't see. You very nearly knocked down a pregnant man. You could have-"but before Draco could scold them firmly, and deduct an extremely large amount of house points, Harry stopped him.
"Draco let's just go. They didn't mean anything by it, and we'll be late." Harry had a wistful look on his face, but Draco couldn't decipher the reasons behind it.
"Alright..." Draco was willing to go on if Harry wanted him to, but he still threw an angry glance over his shoulder.
After an eternity they reached the door to the infirmary. Draco opened it, and gently pushed Harry in before entering. The infirmary looked as it always had. Many white-sheeted beds lined up in rows on each side of the room. Draco wondered briefly if there had ever been enough sick people to warrant the number. They followed Poppy down the rows of beds to the door at the end. The door opened into a room that looked much like a torture chamber. Metal instruments lined the countertops, leg stirrups on the bed, and straps to hold down the patient all added to the feel, that regardless of the miraculous nature behind their reason for being here, it would be an unpleasant visit. Harry was handed a rather scratchy looking paper gown and went behind a curtain to put it on.
"Up on to the examining table, Mr. Potter, and we'll get a good look at the baby."
With the help of both the nurse and Draco, Harry was finally able to wiggle his behind into position and lay on the table. As Harry laid there, his legs in the stirrups and Poppy poking this way and that over his stomach, Draco was hit with a sense of sick congruity, and had to cough to keep from laughing. That was, of course, the position that had gotten them into this mess in the first place (absent Poppy and her ambiguous yet frightening paraphernalia of course.).
"You're looking fine, Mr. Potter. You'll be delivering in about three weeks time. I strongly suggest you stay away from high stress situations, and heavy physical activity. There's not much else I can do, but it looks as though the delivery will go just fine. If you'll give me a moment I'll get the gel and we'll see what this baby of yours looks like."
Most times, Draco had discovered in his youth, it was best to just nod, rather than interrupt with questions. Usually she would answer them in her own time anyway, and it made sure she wasn't annoyed.
He watched as she spread blue gel all over his husband's round stomach. After she was done a projection floated over Harry's belly. The baby was much larger than it had been on their last visit, and it was most certainly moving. Draco got a feeling like worms in his gut. All that moving around was being done inside Harry's stomach. It was strange, and he wondered if Harry could feel their son (which was another thing made obvious, that they had not been able to view the last time) playing hackie-sack with his internal organs. ~If that's what he wakes up to every day no wonder he's moody. ~
The examination over Harry was given a towel to wipe the gel off with, and then helped off the table to change back into his clothing.
"He'll be alright then?"
"Of course, just make sure he's taken care of, and isn't under too much stress."
"Right."
They sat on the couch in their room. Harry was silent, but not really pensive looking. Sitting there Draco was struck once more with all the love he had for Harry. This happened several times since Harry had come to Hogwart's, and every time Draco was almost dumbfounded. He pulled himself up on the couch and sat on what was left of Harry's lap; his legs on either side of his husband he set his face as close to Harry's as he could with out touching, and whispered, "Our baby's in there," as he began running the palms of his hands over Harry's stomach, his fingers ghosting, but not quite touching.
He heard Harry gasp, and looked up to see him crying. Before he could react there were hands in his hair, and his lips were being brought to Harry's in an open mouth kiss, the like of which they had never shared. When it was over it seemed as though their thoughts ran together and they moved at the same moment, hand and hand, to the bedroom. Before they could move much at all, however, Dumbledore's head appeared in the fire.
"Harry, Draco, your needed in my office, immediately."
They looked at each other. All pretense was gone from the Headmaster's face, and what was left were stark fear, and a very large undercurrent of black anger. They left the room, not even closing the door on the way out.
Arriving in the Headmaster's office they found that Dumbledore was not alone. Before they could get a word out, though, they were surrounded by aurors in what did not appear to be a protective circle. One auror approached Draco, another Harry and their words ran together, but the gist was obvious.
"You are under arrest"
"Conspiracy against the Ministry of Magic"
"Use of the Unforgivables against muggles"
"The aiding and abetting of a Death Eater"
"The use of the Unforgivables against witches and wizards."
"Lying under oath in wizard court"
"Under the prevention of the Dark Arts bill, passed in 2003 we have the right to search your rooms with out warrant, or permission." "The ministry reserves the right to question you under veritaserum without liability"
"Under the muggle and wizard protection act, also of 2003, the Ministry reserves the right to deny you bail, if it so chooses."
"You are granted a hearing by the Wizard's counsel"
"If found guilty you are eligible for the Dementor's Kiss."
He could have been angry, he could have been scared, but the only thought that echoed through his head as they were led from Hogwart's that day was ~Oh shit~
******************************************* The room was dark. Harry sat on their bed, his back against Draco, Draco's back against the wall, their hands on his stomach, and wondered what kind of a world their son would live in. Hoping against hope that they would all live to find out.
A/N: Uh-oh. Yeah, go ahead, smack me now. I had this half-way done, went to lay down for just a moment, and when I woke up again in was 4 am. Forgive me, so here it is now, and I'll have more up (really and truly this time) in a little while.
Ice: Thank you! You'll just have to wait and see. Not long, though.
Soulsister: Yay! Thank you. I try, but never really know if my writing's effective. I'm really glad you like it.
Katy Kinneas: I saw your review and was sure I'd seen the name somewhere, and then it was like DUH! I love your fic. ~does cartwheels~
HecateDemort: Thanks.
"Harry...Harry, wake up, love. It's time to get dressed."
Harry just mumbled something and pulled the coverlet over his head. Draco sighed. Waking Harry had just gotten more and more difficult since the pregnancy. Mostly because Draco was no longer quite so efficient as he used to be. Harry tired easily, and was up through the night visiting the bathroom ~frequently~ and Draco was unable to bring himself to do some of the decidedly evil things he'd done before. But there was a way that worked every time.
Draco walked down to the edge of the bed, pulled the blankets off Harry's feet, and lightly began running his fingers over the arch of Harry's left foot. At first there was no response, so Draco started using the very tips of his nails, barely touching. Harry's leg twitched. Bringing his other hand up he started on Harry's toes.
"Stop that, you bastard, it tickles!"
"Yes, but it worked, you're up. Come on Harry, we have to go see Poppy today. After that, it's Saturday, we can come back and you can sleep some more." Draco said, placating.
"No, because I won't be able to sleep after that. I'll have been awake, with that woman spreading goop all over my stomach and prodding my like I was some cow..." Harry was obviously not in a good mood this morning ~or any morning, for the past month~ and Draco resisted the urge to throttle his husband, barely.
The morning after their wedding Harry had been violently ill. Draco was sure he must have thrown up everything head eaten in the past decade. It was like that for the first month, and Harry had been pitiful and apologetic the entire time. That month had done two things for Draco. First it had given him a new appreciation for his husband, for Harry had not complained once, and second it had reinforced his decision not to be the one to take the potion. Dealing with Harry now though, he almost wished he had been the one gestating. At least he would be the one with the swinging moods, and he almost wanted to be pregnant with the next child, just to pay Harry back.
The month after Harry had been ill was wonderful. He was glowing, and happy. During that month they had turned the room Harry had left into the nursery. It was neutrally decorated with light greens and yellows. There was a white crib, changing table, and dresser, enough diapers to hold off a flood, and all the other amenities needed when a baby was on the way.
The third month Harry's mood swings had begun. He went from grumpy arse to crying his eyes out. The latter always made Draco feel extreme guilt for he reactions to the former, and knew that soon enough Harry would be his sweet self again. It was just that in the mean time-
"My back hurts, gods, what the hell are we using for a mattress."
-things were not so easy. They were safely in the last month, though, and neither of them could wait for the baby to arrive.
"I can't wait to get this thing out of me."
Today they had an appointment with Poppy, and she would tell them the sex of the baby, along with some of the other things they needed to know. She would check the baby's magical aura, now that it was safe to do so, and make sure everything was lined up right for delivery. If it wasn't they would have a lot of explaining to do at a muggle hospital when the asked for a cesarean section.
Harry was finally ready to go. Draco wrapped his arm around his husband's waist, and they began the trek to the infirmary. When they were almost half way there a few first years came blasting through the hallway, missing Harry by less than an inch. They skid to a halt a few yards behind the two men, and looked at each other. Draco was livid. He was certain his expression showed it.
"We're sorry Professor Potter, and um Professor Potter. We didn't see..." After much discussing, Draco had decided to take the name of Potter. Both had wanted to take the other's name, to avoid the stigma of their own. Briefly they had considered creating a hybrid like "Potfoy" or "Malter" but opted against it.
"That's right you didn't see. You very nearly knocked down a pregnant man. You could have-"but before Draco could scold them firmly, and deduct an extremely large amount of house points, Harry stopped him.
"Draco let's just go. They didn't mean anything by it, and we'll be late." Harry had a wistful look on his face, but Draco couldn't decipher the reasons behind it.
"Alright..." Draco was willing to go on if Harry wanted him to, but he still threw an angry glance over his shoulder.
After an eternity they reached the door to the infirmary. Draco opened it, and gently pushed Harry in before entering. The infirmary looked as it always had. Many white-sheeted beds lined up in rows on each side of the room. Draco wondered briefly if there had ever been enough sick people to warrant the number. They followed Poppy down the rows of beds to the door at the end. The door opened into a room that looked much like a torture chamber. Metal instruments lined the countertops, leg stirrups on the bed, and straps to hold down the patient all added to the feel, that regardless of the miraculous nature behind their reason for being here, it would be an unpleasant visit. Harry was handed a rather scratchy looking paper gown and went behind a curtain to put it on.
"Up on to the examining table, Mr. Potter, and we'll get a good look at the baby."
With the help of both the nurse and Draco, Harry was finally able to wiggle his behind into position and lay on the table. As Harry laid there, his legs in the stirrups and Poppy poking this way and that over his stomach, Draco was hit with a sense of sick congruity, and had to cough to keep from laughing. That was, of course, the position that had gotten them into this mess in the first place (absent Poppy and her ambiguous yet frightening paraphernalia of course.).
"You're looking fine, Mr. Potter. You'll be delivering in about three weeks time. I strongly suggest you stay away from high stress situations, and heavy physical activity. There's not much else I can do, but it looks as though the delivery will go just fine. If you'll give me a moment I'll get the gel and we'll see what this baby of yours looks like."
Most times, Draco had discovered in his youth, it was best to just nod, rather than interrupt with questions. Usually she would answer them in her own time anyway, and it made sure she wasn't annoyed.
He watched as she spread blue gel all over his husband's round stomach. After she was done a projection floated over Harry's belly. The baby was much larger than it had been on their last visit, and it was most certainly moving. Draco got a feeling like worms in his gut. All that moving around was being done inside Harry's stomach. It was strange, and he wondered if Harry could feel their son (which was another thing made obvious, that they had not been able to view the last time) playing hackie-sack with his internal organs. ~If that's what he wakes up to every day no wonder he's moody. ~
The examination over Harry was given a towel to wipe the gel off with, and then helped off the table to change back into his clothing.
"He'll be alright then?"
"Of course, just make sure he's taken care of, and isn't under too much stress."
"Right."
They sat on the couch in their room. Harry was silent, but not really pensive looking. Sitting there Draco was struck once more with all the love he had for Harry. This happened several times since Harry had come to Hogwart's, and every time Draco was almost dumbfounded. He pulled himself up on the couch and sat on what was left of Harry's lap; his legs on either side of his husband he set his face as close to Harry's as he could with out touching, and whispered, "Our baby's in there," as he began running the palms of his hands over Harry's stomach, his fingers ghosting, but not quite touching.
He heard Harry gasp, and looked up to see him crying. Before he could react there were hands in his hair, and his lips were being brought to Harry's in an open mouth kiss, the like of which they had never shared. When it was over it seemed as though their thoughts ran together and they moved at the same moment, hand and hand, to the bedroom. Before they could move much at all, however, Dumbledore's head appeared in the fire.
"Harry, Draco, your needed in my office, immediately."
They looked at each other. All pretense was gone from the Headmaster's face, and what was left were stark fear, and a very large undercurrent of black anger. They left the room, not even closing the door on the way out.
Arriving in the Headmaster's office they found that Dumbledore was not alone. Before they could get a word out, though, they were surrounded by aurors in what did not appear to be a protective circle. One auror approached Draco, another Harry and their words ran together, but the gist was obvious.
"You are under arrest"
"Conspiracy against the Ministry of Magic"
"Use of the Unforgivables against muggles"
"The aiding and abetting of a Death Eater"
"The use of the Unforgivables against witches and wizards."
"Lying under oath in wizard court"
"Under the prevention of the Dark Arts bill, passed in 2003 we have the right to search your rooms with out warrant, or permission." "The ministry reserves the right to question you under veritaserum without liability"
"Under the muggle and wizard protection act, also of 2003, the Ministry reserves the right to deny you bail, if it so chooses."
"You are granted a hearing by the Wizard's counsel"
"If found guilty you are eligible for the Dementor's Kiss."
He could have been angry, he could have been scared, but the only thought that echoed through his head as they were led from Hogwart's that day was ~Oh shit~
******************************************* The room was dark. Harry sat on their bed, his back against Draco, Draco's back against the wall, their hands on his stomach, and wondered what kind of a world their son would live in. Hoping against hope that they would all live to find out.
A/N: Uh-oh. Yeah, go ahead, smack me now. I had this half-way done, went to lay down for just a moment, and when I woke up again in was 4 am. Forgive me, so here it is now, and I'll have more up (really and truly this time) in a little while.