Title: The Potter-boy Problem
Author: Roslyn Drycof
Chapter: Three: Too Deep A Betrayal
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Voldemort has a new plan to get rid of the "Potter-boy Problem". A reluctant Draco Malfoy is ordered to carry it out, but things don't go as planned. He isn't as obedient as the Dark Lord would like and loses control at a crucial time. Whoops! HD, mpreg
Warning: Themes of slash, swearing, mpreg, and angst
Pairing: HPDM (also: RWHG, GWNL and others)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form.
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It was the second week of July when Harry first noticed something was wrong with him. In the mornings, he woke up with a terrible nausousness that most often led to him racing to the bathroom, a hand clasped over his mouth. He absolutely hated throwing up, but that's what he was doing every morning.
At first he'd thought he was merely sick, the flu or something. But when it persisted for more than a week and he had no fever or any other flu- like symptoms, he began to worry. What if he was dying? What if that potion Snape had made them drink had been more than a lust potion? Could it have been a poison?
Secretly Harry owled Dumbledore, knowing the Dursleys' despised him using "that blasted bird of his". It strangely took several days for the Headmaster to reply, but Harry knew that there was probably some important Order business going on and wasn't worried. What he was worried about was that he was afraid he'd die before he got an answer to his questions.
One morning about four days later, he lay in bed trying in vain to settle his upset stomach when he heard a tapping at his window. Seeing his beloved Hedwig, he slowly got up and stumbled over to the window. A hand was pressed against his rebelling stomach as he used the other to unlatch the window and let her in.
She wasn't very happy at being left waiting longer than necessary and nipped at the raven-haired teen's fingers in annoyance. "I'm sorry, Hedwig. I'll be quicker next time, all right?"
The snowy owl hooted and stopped nipping his fingers. With an imperious look, she held out her leg to show the envelope tied there. Harry chuckled at her look and intied the envelope he knew was from Dumbledore.
Suddenly fearful that there was bad new in the letter, he opened the envelope with trembling fingers. What if Dumbledore told him he was dying and there was no cure? Ironic that it was Professor Snape that finally got him and not Voldemort, if that was the case. Felled by your Potions professor and not your greatest enemy?
The letter simply read:
There is nothing to fear, my boy. It is not life-threatening and I will explain all when you come back to school in the Autumn. Drink this potion I have sent and your nausousness will be relieved. Disregard any other strange symptoms that appear, for all is well. Have a splendiferous summer and I shall see you soon,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry crumpled up the letter and tossed it to the ground. Why was the Headmaster being so secretive? Maybe something really was wrong with him and he didn't want to alarm him. But no, Dumbledore never lied. It had to be something else. But what was wrong with him that his mentor had to hide it?
Feeling his stomach rebelling against him even more, Harry hurriedly uncorked the small vial that had come with the letter and drained its contents. Almost instantly he found relief from his nausousness, even if the potion was so foul-tasting he actually wanted to throw up.
Grinning slightly at this thought, he tossed the bottle into the trash and began pacing the room. Thinking that his symptoms were the cause of that potion Snape had made him consume on the last day of classes had brought back memories he'd tried to bury far down inside his mind. But it was no use. Memories of Malfoy's gleaming body kept flashing in his thoughts. He didn't want to remember their time together, but he just couldn't help it.
Why won't images of that day just go away? I don't want to remember what happened with Malfoy! I don't care that it was one of the best things I've ever experienced, I want it to go away! Harry furiously cried out inside, terrified because he'd actually enjoyed screwing Malfoy.
These chaotic thoughts caused him to believe that maybe he wasn't as straight as he'd thought. Sure, he liked girls. He'd gone out with Cho and Ginny for a while and they hadn't exactly been tame relationships. He had even gotten to third base with Ginny, even if that was something Ron had better never find out.
So why these thoughts of Malfoy? And his reaction to these thoughts wasn't exactly nothing. Desire filled him every time an image of Malfoy writhing above him flashed before his eyes. Oh dear Merlin, I think I'm actually attracted to the prat! And that terrified him more than anything in the world.
Miles away while Harry was thinking these things, the object of his thoughts was leaning against the toilet and trying not to lose his dinner from the night before. It was a losing battle, and Draco wanted to curse everyone who'd caused it. He absolutely despised vomiting!
As he retched into the porcelain bowl of his toilet, he inwardly screamed at the unfairness of it all. Damn the Dark Lord and my father and Dumbledore and Severus and Potter. Damn them all! I hate them!
Minutes later, his stomach was behaving more normally but he still cursed the fates. He was blazing angry at the utter unfairness of it all. And deep inside, he knew part of it was his own fault. That irked him more than anything. Why did I have to lose control and forget that the potion works both ways? Why?!
The silvery-eyed boy seemed to be asking that question a lot lately. If only he'd never been involved in all of this. . .if only. Then, he wouldn't be carrying Potter's kid. And he wouldn't have lost his virginity. And he would still be hating Potter. Now, all he could think of was the fact that he couldn't hate Potter anymore. He wanted to, but the knowledge that he'd caused more suffering for the git was overwhelming. Yeah, he was pregnant, too. And hell yeah, that complicated a lot of things. But he'd gone into this thing knowing the possibility could occur. And Potter had no idea. No idea.
We're both pawns in this awful war, but him even more. He has to do things most people could never dream of doing themselves, and half the time he does it without knowing why or that he's even doing it. He's given so many burdens and used by so many people, it's just disgusting.
Thoughts like this chased Draco relentlessly and filled him with guilt. He was a tool like Potter, but not like the way Potter was. And he'd participated in using Potter! How could he forgive himself for doing something like this? He'd just given Potter the burden no teenager should carry, and on Dumbledore's orders. How was Potter going to react when he found that out? He'd probably never trust the old coot again.
Sighing, the blond straightened up and left the bathroom with a heavy heart. He wished that this war had never even begun. It hurt so many people. . .so many innocent people.
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The rest of the summer passed quite peacefully, not half as many raids occuring as before. The Dark Lord was still pleased over his plan, a rare occurence, but one that people treasured. Innocent lives were spared for the moment, and the Light side was beyond thankful. They knew this lull in Death Eater activity wouldn't last, but it was good while it lasted.
The end of August rolled around and Harry Potter was sitting on his bed in a dark mood, scowling blackly at the buttons on his trousers. Why wouldn't the stupid things button? And why the hell was his stomach bigger? He'd been exercising regularly!
I can't go to the Burrow like this. I'm still feeling lost about the incident with Malfoy at the end of the year, and now this? What if Ron saw that my clothes were getting harder to button? It'd be so embarrassing! With these thoughts swirling around in his mind, Harry knew he was making the right decision by not going to the Burrow.
Yesterday morning, he'd sent a letter telling Ron that he couldn't go this year due to fact that Dumbledore advised against it. The lull in Death Eater activity could mean that Lord Voldemort was planning something big, and it was safer to stay at the Dursleys'. Of course, Harry was told no such thing, but it made for a good excuse.
Ron would be quite disappointed, and so would Hermione, but they would get over it. Besides, that meant more cuddling for them. He knew they were uncomfortable with showing affection around him due to his single state. Any time he tried to tell them it was all right, they just changed the topic. He disliked their behavior, but there was nothing he could do.
Harry hoped that this extra time would give him enough time to sort out his feelings so that his friends wouldn't become concerned again. Hopefully, he'd be find by the time he met them for shopping in Diagon Alley. Hopefully. . .
A couple of weeks passed and it was soon the day before school started. In Malfoy Manor, Lucius Malfoy was trying to figure out what was going on with his son. Draco was late for breakfast yet again, and he was most definitely keeping something from him. But what? The boy had gone through with the plan, the marks on his upper body when he'd come home from school were enough to prove that. So what in Merlin's name was bothering his son? Could he actually be sympathizing with the Potter boy. Surely not!
"Good morning, father," Draco said as he slid into his seat moments later, looking paler than usual and a little green about the gills.
Now that he noticed that, Lucius felt and awful suspicion growing inside his mind. For the past two months, his son had been late to breakfast. He hadn't had any alcohol the entire summer, not even a glass of wine at supper. And the boy hadn't practiced his Seeker skills for Quidditch once this summer. Odd behavior since Draco was obsessed with beating the Potter boy.
The elder Malfoy simply couldn't dismiss the possibility that his son was pregnant. All the signs were there. But it made no sense! Draco had said he'd topped Potter! And the boy never lied to him. So why were all the signs of pregnancy there?
Setting down his fork, Lucius turned to look at his son. The boy was nibbling on a piece of toast, not really eating. Another clue. Damn, why hadn't he seen it before? Still, he tried to believe it wasn't true.
"Draco, it has occured to me that you've been acting quite oddly this summer. Would you care to enlighten me as to the cause?" he inquired in a calm voice, hiding his inner fury that he knew exactly was wrong with his son.
The boy suddenly choked and lifted fearful eyes to stare at his father. One of his hands slipped under the table, and Lucius knew where he'd put it. On his abdomen.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you told me you were on top. Did you lie to me?" he growled, his eyes narrowing in rage.
"I-I did top him, father."
"Then why are you the one pregnant?!" Lucius roared, pounding a fist on the table.
Narcissa looked up from her breakfast, curious as to see what the commotion was. Hearing her husband's accusation at their son, she felt herself pale. Surely Draco had not bungled up the Dark Lord's plan!
"Draco, darling, please tell me your father is mistaken," she said, a note of pleading in her soft voice.
The seventeen year old bit his lip and scooted back from the table. Stumbling, he stood up and replied, "He isn't. Potter topped me as well."
The room fairly shook with the level of Lucius Malfoy's anger. How could his son do this to him? The boy was a disgrace! And to hide it from him, that was a traitorous act. If he'd been a proper follower of the Dark Lord, he'd have confessed his folly immediately. But by hiding it, he'd hoped to be under the protection of Dumbledore by the time anyone found out. Damn the boy! This was no son of his!
"A Malfoy is never topped, you bumbling fool! You are no son of mine. You're a disgrace and a traitor to the name of Malfoy. You will pay for your betrayal, you idiot of a boy!" he roared, his voice shaking with the rage and fury in it.
Draco stumbled back, a terrified look in his eyes. He knew what was going to happen when his father raised his cane. First, a beating. Then he'd be given over to the Dark Lord to be tortured and killed. And that was something he could not let happen. His child must be saved at all costs.
Knowing he was breaking away from the last of his past, Draco closed his eyes and reached into his pocket. In seconds, he was gone and all that was left was his father's shout of anger at his disappearance.
He arrived on the front steps of Hogwarts and felt his legs tremble with exhaustion at what he'd just done. He'd just destroyed any hope of survival unless the Dark Lord was defeated. Now, he was a fugitive. Lord Voldemort and his father would go to any means to kill him now.
Looks like I'm up there on old Voldie's shit list with Potter, now, he thought, a bitter laugh wrenching free from his throat.
The blond-haired boy felt a wave of darkness crashing over him, the effects of stress and exhaustion. His last thoughts were, It's a good thing I already had my trunks and things sent to school. . .
Three hours later, he drifted out of sleep to find himself in one of the infirmary beds. He sighed. I always seem to end up in one of these wretched things at least once a year. Almost got Potter beat.
"How are you feeling, my boy?" Dumbledore's elderly voice penetrated the final wisps of darkness and Draco looked up to find the Headmaster and Professor Snape standing by the bed.
"Fine, under the circumstances," he replied, looking down.
"Good, good. Although, I must say you've complicated things quite a bit. Quite unexpected, that you've become pregnant as well. I should have foreseen this possibility, but alas, I did not."
Draco flushed, biting his lip. He knew it was his fault to have lost control and let Potter top him. If only he'd had enough control, he couldn't made sure it didn't happen! But it had, and now he'd screwed things up.
The Headmaster saw the embarrassment the boy was feeling at the way he hunched his shoulders as if trying to get away. Poor boy, it wasn't his fault. That potion had been particularly strong and most young wizards had not the power to stay in control.
"Do not blame yourself. It was not your fault. I should have realized that particular lust potion was too strong. But we had to stick as closely to Lord Voldemort's plan as possible, and it included that exact potion. He meant to make sure Potter would succumb and not resist."
"But I should've had more control!" the teenager cried out, clenching his fists in self-directed anger.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. Young wizards and their impossible need to feel like they're in control. Didn't they understand that sometimes they simply couldn't? Young Harry was like this as well. Two more independent boys he hadn't seen since Sirius Black and James Potter. And both of them are dead because of their defiance. This must not happen to Harry and Draco. . .
"Albus, I don't see why you didn't let me examine the boy! What if something were seriously wrong with him?" Madame Pomfrey's angry voice jerked the Headmaster from his thoughts.
"Poppy, there is nothing wrong with him. I did not see the need to put him through an examination if he did not need it," he told her, his voice sterner than usual.
The medi-witch looked mutinously at the old wizard, but finally sighed. "As you wish, Headmaster."
She cast a penetrating look over the boy on the bed before turning around and disappearing into her office from which she'd come only moments before. She really wanted to get a look at that boy, but she had to obey the Headmaster.
A few minutes later, Draco ventured to ask, "Why aren't you telling her?"
"I cannot take the risk that it will somehow get out. Poppy is a dear soul, but a scientific witch at heart. The prospect of overseeing a male pregnancy would overjoy her and possibly cause her to boast the news. We cannot let anyone know of your condition, and especially not Harry's." The Headmaster of Hogwarts sounded more somber than usual when he said this, and Draco knew there was something the old man wasn't saying.
Snape spoke up for the first time. "I agree with the old coot. We can't allow this to become common knowledge. Potter himself hasn't even been told yet."
The seventeen year old blond gaped in disbelief. Potter didn't even know yet? But he was almost three months pregnant! How could he not know? "Is he a bloody idiot? How could he not know something's wrong with him?"
"He does. I merely sent him a morning sickness reliever potion and told him I'd tell him when school started. He'd probably very curious and more than likely worried, but that cannot be helped."
"Are you telling me he doesn't know his symptoms are the signs of pregnancy?" Draco couldn't believe the stupidity of the git.
Dumbledore sighed. "He has been brought up in the muggle world. Men can't carry children from what he's been taught."
How stupid! Of course men could carry children. It wasn't a very common occurence, because why would a man go through that wretched experience if he could help it, but it did happen occasionally. Didn't Potter know that his own father had been pregnant when he'd died? Well, that little bit of news wasn't common knowledge and Draco only knew because his father had boasted the news to him that he'd killed a pregnant James Potter, bit still. . .Wouldn't Black have told him he'd lost a child as well as a lover? Did Potter even know his father had been lovers with his godfather?
Albus fairly saw the thoughts racing through the boy's mind and immediately ordered, "You are not to mention his father's relationship with Sirius Black at all costs. He is not to know. How you even know is beyond me, but I suppose Lucius has his sources. Harry believes his father was in a loving relationship with his mother. If he knew that their marriage was a sham the Marauders had come up with to protect Lily from your father, Harry would be devastated. In his condition, it could be fatal. Do you understand what I am saying?"
The grey-eyed Slytherin nodded, feeling as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. So this is what it feels like to be like Potter, knowing something you can never tell.
"I don't get it, though, why would it hurt him so much? His father and Black were very much in love from what I gathered from my father's ranting about Lily Evans. Wouldn't Potter be-"
Professor Snape cut him off. "No. He would feel betrayed from all the lies he was told. Wouldn't you be angry if you were told your mother was only married to your father to save your mother from someone? Especially if your mother was in love with another man who was a known Death Eater at the time?"
Draco's eyes widened at the emotion in his godfather's voice. Surely he wasn't suggesting. . .
"Yes, I was in love with Lily. But I couldn't be with her because I was a follower of Voldemort and that would've put her in danger. If she hadn't been protected by James, Lucius would have had a clear shot to get her."
The blond felt sickened by all of this. He knew his father had hated Lily Evans with a passion, and knew the reason why. But his obsession over getting her had destroyed so much. Too much. And simply because she had refused his advances in their seventh year at school? It was too much for such a simple thing. Lucius Malfoy was indeed as crazy as the monster he followed.
"I wish that creature wasn't my father. I hate him," Draco whispered harshly, staring down at his clenched hands. It hurt to know that evil man was his own father.
Severus looked at the pain shining in his godson's eyes and wished the same thing. Lucius had put that boy through so much suffering over the years. Was it ever going to end? Would Lucius ever be stopped? No one deserved the pain caused at his hands. No one.
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Yet another angst-filled chapter. Looks like there's going to be a lot of it in this story. I'm proud of what I revealed in this chapter. I'll be no one expected most of it, am I right? I think I'm getting much better at leaving subtle hints of what's to come later in the story. Subtlety is very important.
So, Severus was in love with Lily. Sirius and James were lovers and expecting their first child when James was killed. How interesting, don't you think? That bit of the story came out of nowhere and I'm excited that I thought of it. A nice backdrop to some one Lucius's evil. Well, I just wanted to the people's who've reviewed my story. It makes me glad that at least some people like my story. I hope I get more reviews, though. I thought this story was pretty good but I don't know now. A lot of people haven't been reviewing. Oh well, and thanks to the people who actually did!
Much love, Roslyn Drycof. . .
Author: Roslyn Drycof
Chapter: Three: Too Deep A Betrayal
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Voldemort has a new plan to get rid of the "Potter-boy Problem". A reluctant Draco Malfoy is ordered to carry it out, but things don't go as planned. He isn't as obedient as the Dark Lord would like and loses control at a crucial time. Whoops! HD, mpreg
Warning: Themes of slash, swearing, mpreg, and angst
Pairing: HPDM (also: RWHG, GWNL and others)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form.
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It was the second week of July when Harry first noticed something was wrong with him. In the mornings, he woke up with a terrible nausousness that most often led to him racing to the bathroom, a hand clasped over his mouth. He absolutely hated throwing up, but that's what he was doing every morning.
At first he'd thought he was merely sick, the flu or something. But when it persisted for more than a week and he had no fever or any other flu- like symptoms, he began to worry. What if he was dying? What if that potion Snape had made them drink had been more than a lust potion? Could it have been a poison?
Secretly Harry owled Dumbledore, knowing the Dursleys' despised him using "that blasted bird of his". It strangely took several days for the Headmaster to reply, but Harry knew that there was probably some important Order business going on and wasn't worried. What he was worried about was that he was afraid he'd die before he got an answer to his questions.
One morning about four days later, he lay in bed trying in vain to settle his upset stomach when he heard a tapping at his window. Seeing his beloved Hedwig, he slowly got up and stumbled over to the window. A hand was pressed against his rebelling stomach as he used the other to unlatch the window and let her in.
She wasn't very happy at being left waiting longer than necessary and nipped at the raven-haired teen's fingers in annoyance. "I'm sorry, Hedwig. I'll be quicker next time, all right?"
The snowy owl hooted and stopped nipping his fingers. With an imperious look, she held out her leg to show the envelope tied there. Harry chuckled at her look and intied the envelope he knew was from Dumbledore.
Suddenly fearful that there was bad new in the letter, he opened the envelope with trembling fingers. What if Dumbledore told him he was dying and there was no cure? Ironic that it was Professor Snape that finally got him and not Voldemort, if that was the case. Felled by your Potions professor and not your greatest enemy?
The letter simply read:
There is nothing to fear, my boy. It is not life-threatening and I will explain all when you come back to school in the Autumn. Drink this potion I have sent and your nausousness will be relieved. Disregard any other strange symptoms that appear, for all is well. Have a splendiferous summer and I shall see you soon,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry crumpled up the letter and tossed it to the ground. Why was the Headmaster being so secretive? Maybe something really was wrong with him and he didn't want to alarm him. But no, Dumbledore never lied. It had to be something else. But what was wrong with him that his mentor had to hide it?
Feeling his stomach rebelling against him even more, Harry hurriedly uncorked the small vial that had come with the letter and drained its contents. Almost instantly he found relief from his nausousness, even if the potion was so foul-tasting he actually wanted to throw up.
Grinning slightly at this thought, he tossed the bottle into the trash and began pacing the room. Thinking that his symptoms were the cause of that potion Snape had made him consume on the last day of classes had brought back memories he'd tried to bury far down inside his mind. But it was no use. Memories of Malfoy's gleaming body kept flashing in his thoughts. He didn't want to remember their time together, but he just couldn't help it.
Why won't images of that day just go away? I don't want to remember what happened with Malfoy! I don't care that it was one of the best things I've ever experienced, I want it to go away! Harry furiously cried out inside, terrified because he'd actually enjoyed screwing Malfoy.
These chaotic thoughts caused him to believe that maybe he wasn't as straight as he'd thought. Sure, he liked girls. He'd gone out with Cho and Ginny for a while and they hadn't exactly been tame relationships. He had even gotten to third base with Ginny, even if that was something Ron had better never find out.
So why these thoughts of Malfoy? And his reaction to these thoughts wasn't exactly nothing. Desire filled him every time an image of Malfoy writhing above him flashed before his eyes. Oh dear Merlin, I think I'm actually attracted to the prat! And that terrified him more than anything in the world.
Miles away while Harry was thinking these things, the object of his thoughts was leaning against the toilet and trying not to lose his dinner from the night before. It was a losing battle, and Draco wanted to curse everyone who'd caused it. He absolutely despised vomiting!
As he retched into the porcelain bowl of his toilet, he inwardly screamed at the unfairness of it all. Damn the Dark Lord and my father and Dumbledore and Severus and Potter. Damn them all! I hate them!
Minutes later, his stomach was behaving more normally but he still cursed the fates. He was blazing angry at the utter unfairness of it all. And deep inside, he knew part of it was his own fault. That irked him more than anything. Why did I have to lose control and forget that the potion works both ways? Why?!
The silvery-eyed boy seemed to be asking that question a lot lately. If only he'd never been involved in all of this. . .if only. Then, he wouldn't be carrying Potter's kid. And he wouldn't have lost his virginity. And he would still be hating Potter. Now, all he could think of was the fact that he couldn't hate Potter anymore. He wanted to, but the knowledge that he'd caused more suffering for the git was overwhelming. Yeah, he was pregnant, too. And hell yeah, that complicated a lot of things. But he'd gone into this thing knowing the possibility could occur. And Potter had no idea. No idea.
We're both pawns in this awful war, but him even more. He has to do things most people could never dream of doing themselves, and half the time he does it without knowing why or that he's even doing it. He's given so many burdens and used by so many people, it's just disgusting.
Thoughts like this chased Draco relentlessly and filled him with guilt. He was a tool like Potter, but not like the way Potter was. And he'd participated in using Potter! How could he forgive himself for doing something like this? He'd just given Potter the burden no teenager should carry, and on Dumbledore's orders. How was Potter going to react when he found that out? He'd probably never trust the old coot again.
Sighing, the blond straightened up and left the bathroom with a heavy heart. He wished that this war had never even begun. It hurt so many people. . .so many innocent people.
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The rest of the summer passed quite peacefully, not half as many raids occuring as before. The Dark Lord was still pleased over his plan, a rare occurence, but one that people treasured. Innocent lives were spared for the moment, and the Light side was beyond thankful. They knew this lull in Death Eater activity wouldn't last, but it was good while it lasted.
The end of August rolled around and Harry Potter was sitting on his bed in a dark mood, scowling blackly at the buttons on his trousers. Why wouldn't the stupid things button? And why the hell was his stomach bigger? He'd been exercising regularly!
I can't go to the Burrow like this. I'm still feeling lost about the incident with Malfoy at the end of the year, and now this? What if Ron saw that my clothes were getting harder to button? It'd be so embarrassing! With these thoughts swirling around in his mind, Harry knew he was making the right decision by not going to the Burrow.
Yesterday morning, he'd sent a letter telling Ron that he couldn't go this year due to fact that Dumbledore advised against it. The lull in Death Eater activity could mean that Lord Voldemort was planning something big, and it was safer to stay at the Dursleys'. Of course, Harry was told no such thing, but it made for a good excuse.
Ron would be quite disappointed, and so would Hermione, but they would get over it. Besides, that meant more cuddling for them. He knew they were uncomfortable with showing affection around him due to his single state. Any time he tried to tell them it was all right, they just changed the topic. He disliked their behavior, but there was nothing he could do.
Harry hoped that this extra time would give him enough time to sort out his feelings so that his friends wouldn't become concerned again. Hopefully, he'd be find by the time he met them for shopping in Diagon Alley. Hopefully. . .
A couple of weeks passed and it was soon the day before school started. In Malfoy Manor, Lucius Malfoy was trying to figure out what was going on with his son. Draco was late for breakfast yet again, and he was most definitely keeping something from him. But what? The boy had gone through with the plan, the marks on his upper body when he'd come home from school were enough to prove that. So what in Merlin's name was bothering his son? Could he actually be sympathizing with the Potter boy. Surely not!
"Good morning, father," Draco said as he slid into his seat moments later, looking paler than usual and a little green about the gills.
Now that he noticed that, Lucius felt and awful suspicion growing inside his mind. For the past two months, his son had been late to breakfast. He hadn't had any alcohol the entire summer, not even a glass of wine at supper. And the boy hadn't practiced his Seeker skills for Quidditch once this summer. Odd behavior since Draco was obsessed with beating the Potter boy.
The elder Malfoy simply couldn't dismiss the possibility that his son was pregnant. All the signs were there. But it made no sense! Draco had said he'd topped Potter! And the boy never lied to him. So why were all the signs of pregnancy there?
Setting down his fork, Lucius turned to look at his son. The boy was nibbling on a piece of toast, not really eating. Another clue. Damn, why hadn't he seen it before? Still, he tried to believe it wasn't true.
"Draco, it has occured to me that you've been acting quite oddly this summer. Would you care to enlighten me as to the cause?" he inquired in a calm voice, hiding his inner fury that he knew exactly was wrong with his son.
The boy suddenly choked and lifted fearful eyes to stare at his father. One of his hands slipped under the table, and Lucius knew where he'd put it. On his abdomen.
"Draco Lucius Malfoy, you told me you were on top. Did you lie to me?" he growled, his eyes narrowing in rage.
"I-I did top him, father."
"Then why are you the one pregnant?!" Lucius roared, pounding a fist on the table.
Narcissa looked up from her breakfast, curious as to see what the commotion was. Hearing her husband's accusation at their son, she felt herself pale. Surely Draco had not bungled up the Dark Lord's plan!
"Draco, darling, please tell me your father is mistaken," she said, a note of pleading in her soft voice.
The seventeen year old bit his lip and scooted back from the table. Stumbling, he stood up and replied, "He isn't. Potter topped me as well."
The room fairly shook with the level of Lucius Malfoy's anger. How could his son do this to him? The boy was a disgrace! And to hide it from him, that was a traitorous act. If he'd been a proper follower of the Dark Lord, he'd have confessed his folly immediately. But by hiding it, he'd hoped to be under the protection of Dumbledore by the time anyone found out. Damn the boy! This was no son of his!
"A Malfoy is never topped, you bumbling fool! You are no son of mine. You're a disgrace and a traitor to the name of Malfoy. You will pay for your betrayal, you idiot of a boy!" he roared, his voice shaking with the rage and fury in it.
Draco stumbled back, a terrified look in his eyes. He knew what was going to happen when his father raised his cane. First, a beating. Then he'd be given over to the Dark Lord to be tortured and killed. And that was something he could not let happen. His child must be saved at all costs.
Knowing he was breaking away from the last of his past, Draco closed his eyes and reached into his pocket. In seconds, he was gone and all that was left was his father's shout of anger at his disappearance.
He arrived on the front steps of Hogwarts and felt his legs tremble with exhaustion at what he'd just done. He'd just destroyed any hope of survival unless the Dark Lord was defeated. Now, he was a fugitive. Lord Voldemort and his father would go to any means to kill him now.
Looks like I'm up there on old Voldie's shit list with Potter, now, he thought, a bitter laugh wrenching free from his throat.
The blond-haired boy felt a wave of darkness crashing over him, the effects of stress and exhaustion. His last thoughts were, It's a good thing I already had my trunks and things sent to school. . .
Three hours later, he drifted out of sleep to find himself in one of the infirmary beds. He sighed. I always seem to end up in one of these wretched things at least once a year. Almost got Potter beat.
"How are you feeling, my boy?" Dumbledore's elderly voice penetrated the final wisps of darkness and Draco looked up to find the Headmaster and Professor Snape standing by the bed.
"Fine, under the circumstances," he replied, looking down.
"Good, good. Although, I must say you've complicated things quite a bit. Quite unexpected, that you've become pregnant as well. I should have foreseen this possibility, but alas, I did not."
Draco flushed, biting his lip. He knew it was his fault to have lost control and let Potter top him. If only he'd had enough control, he couldn't made sure it didn't happen! But it had, and now he'd screwed things up.
The Headmaster saw the embarrassment the boy was feeling at the way he hunched his shoulders as if trying to get away. Poor boy, it wasn't his fault. That potion had been particularly strong and most young wizards had not the power to stay in control.
"Do not blame yourself. It was not your fault. I should have realized that particular lust potion was too strong. But we had to stick as closely to Lord Voldemort's plan as possible, and it included that exact potion. He meant to make sure Potter would succumb and not resist."
"But I should've had more control!" the teenager cried out, clenching his fists in self-directed anger.
Professor Dumbledore sighed. Young wizards and their impossible need to feel like they're in control. Didn't they understand that sometimes they simply couldn't? Young Harry was like this as well. Two more independent boys he hadn't seen since Sirius Black and James Potter. And both of them are dead because of their defiance. This must not happen to Harry and Draco. . .
"Albus, I don't see why you didn't let me examine the boy! What if something were seriously wrong with him?" Madame Pomfrey's angry voice jerked the Headmaster from his thoughts.
"Poppy, there is nothing wrong with him. I did not see the need to put him through an examination if he did not need it," he told her, his voice sterner than usual.
The medi-witch looked mutinously at the old wizard, but finally sighed. "As you wish, Headmaster."
She cast a penetrating look over the boy on the bed before turning around and disappearing into her office from which she'd come only moments before. She really wanted to get a look at that boy, but she had to obey the Headmaster.
A few minutes later, Draco ventured to ask, "Why aren't you telling her?"
"I cannot take the risk that it will somehow get out. Poppy is a dear soul, but a scientific witch at heart. The prospect of overseeing a male pregnancy would overjoy her and possibly cause her to boast the news. We cannot let anyone know of your condition, and especially not Harry's." The Headmaster of Hogwarts sounded more somber than usual when he said this, and Draco knew there was something the old man wasn't saying.
Snape spoke up for the first time. "I agree with the old coot. We can't allow this to become common knowledge. Potter himself hasn't even been told yet."
The seventeen year old blond gaped in disbelief. Potter didn't even know yet? But he was almost three months pregnant! How could he not know? "Is he a bloody idiot? How could he not know something's wrong with him?"
"He does. I merely sent him a morning sickness reliever potion and told him I'd tell him when school started. He'd probably very curious and more than likely worried, but that cannot be helped."
"Are you telling me he doesn't know his symptoms are the signs of pregnancy?" Draco couldn't believe the stupidity of the git.
Dumbledore sighed. "He has been brought up in the muggle world. Men can't carry children from what he's been taught."
How stupid! Of course men could carry children. It wasn't a very common occurence, because why would a man go through that wretched experience if he could help it, but it did happen occasionally. Didn't Potter know that his own father had been pregnant when he'd died? Well, that little bit of news wasn't common knowledge and Draco only knew because his father had boasted the news to him that he'd killed a pregnant James Potter, bit still. . .Wouldn't Black have told him he'd lost a child as well as a lover? Did Potter even know his father had been lovers with his godfather?
Albus fairly saw the thoughts racing through the boy's mind and immediately ordered, "You are not to mention his father's relationship with Sirius Black at all costs. He is not to know. How you even know is beyond me, but I suppose Lucius has his sources. Harry believes his father was in a loving relationship with his mother. If he knew that their marriage was a sham the Marauders had come up with to protect Lily from your father, Harry would be devastated. In his condition, it could be fatal. Do you understand what I am saying?"
The grey-eyed Slytherin nodded, feeling as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. So this is what it feels like to be like Potter, knowing something you can never tell.
"I don't get it, though, why would it hurt him so much? His father and Black were very much in love from what I gathered from my father's ranting about Lily Evans. Wouldn't Potter be-"
Professor Snape cut him off. "No. He would feel betrayed from all the lies he was told. Wouldn't you be angry if you were told your mother was only married to your father to save your mother from someone? Especially if your mother was in love with another man who was a known Death Eater at the time?"
Draco's eyes widened at the emotion in his godfather's voice. Surely he wasn't suggesting. . .
"Yes, I was in love with Lily. But I couldn't be with her because I was a follower of Voldemort and that would've put her in danger. If she hadn't been protected by James, Lucius would have had a clear shot to get her."
The blond felt sickened by all of this. He knew his father had hated Lily Evans with a passion, and knew the reason why. But his obsession over getting her had destroyed so much. Too much. And simply because she had refused his advances in their seventh year at school? It was too much for such a simple thing. Lucius Malfoy was indeed as crazy as the monster he followed.
"I wish that creature wasn't my father. I hate him," Draco whispered harshly, staring down at his clenched hands. It hurt to know that evil man was his own father.
Severus looked at the pain shining in his godson's eyes and wished the same thing. Lucius had put that boy through so much suffering over the years. Was it ever going to end? Would Lucius ever be stopped? No one deserved the pain caused at his hands. No one.
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Yet another angst-filled chapter. Looks like there's going to be a lot of it in this story. I'm proud of what I revealed in this chapter. I'll be no one expected most of it, am I right? I think I'm getting much better at leaving subtle hints of what's to come later in the story. Subtlety is very important.
So, Severus was in love with Lily. Sirius and James were lovers and expecting their first child when James was killed. How interesting, don't you think? That bit of the story came out of nowhere and I'm excited that I thought of it. A nice backdrop to some one Lucius's evil. Well, I just wanted to the people's who've reviewed my story. It makes me glad that at least some people like my story. I hope I get more reviews, though. I thought this story was pretty good but I don't know now. A lot of people haven't been reviewing. Oh well, and thanks to the people who actually did!
Much love, Roslyn Drycof. . .