AN: Wow. Got some fantastic reviews for my last chapter. *glomps all her
reviewers* Thank you so much! This chapter was meant to have a little more
content than it does, but it was long enough as it was. I'm not entirely
sure how it got that long........ *shrugs*
To thank my reviewers:
dhiana: I looked at your web address and went OMG I know this person. *L* I don't, but it freaked me for a moment. =P Thanks for reviewing.
WM: And so it begins. You know, I had a big discussion about this whole thing with my friend........ I guess I'll address your points now and refer people back to them.... 1. I like Severus. I think he should help people regardless. That sounds weak doesn't it? Put it down to the fact that I SWEAR I'm in love with this character. 2. Dumbledore is always happy. 3. I didn't mean to make Dumbledore sound surprised about the father, I just meant to make him sound surprised. *L*
frizzy: ^_^ I didn't want Harry having to deal with all the extra duties of Head Boy. *shrugs* I dunno why Dumbledore would really have let him off.
Potter-Snape: Thank you, but I still think there was something off about my last chapter. *sighs*
Ayame: Hello Celina. Nice to met you. ^_^ *shakes the werewolf's hand, er, paw* Eh, I dunno about BITTW. And OMG I'm sorry I wasn't online when I said I would be! My phone line was down and I spent the WHOLE weekend without the internet! *nearly dies* *glomps Ame*
Alyce: *glomps* Just for you, I won't take it down. *rolls eyes* What is it with you people and SS/HP? Like I can talk, I love that pairing too.
xikum: *rubs hands gleefully* To answer your questions: 1.You'll find out later whether or not Sev knows and if so how much he knows. *scratches head* I'm not sure what I mean by that 2. Jason IS without a doubt the father of Harry's child. I am in no way going to disprove that. 3. Oh, I'm having so much fun substantiating my theory on how Harry got pregnant to a muggle. It's quite fun actually. You find out all sorts of interesting things when you do research on the internet.
Phoenix: No, thank you! ^_~ =D
venus4280: What a wonderful review! Thank you. And thank you for praising my dialogue! It's what I always think lets down my stories the most. I hope to get around to telling you in the next chapter just what exactly Snape did on the summer holidays, but I won't say anything more about that now. =D Don't Harry, Ron, Hermione, Blaise and Draco make a cute set of friends?
oneofakindwerewolf: *joins in the jumping up and down* I can't believe I'm updating again!
Katy999: Me? I'm never mean! ^_^ *glomps Katy999* one of my loyal reviewers.
Saavik: You thought Dumbledore took it well? I thought he kind of went into shock a little. At least he didn't lambaste Harry anyway........
Insane1: O_O Loooong review. *glomps* *sighs* I didn't intend for the idea of Sev being the father to enter everyone's minds but it seems to firmly lodged there. *scratches head* I can't seem to understand why. Personally, I think you're all rapid SS/HP shippers. *stubborn look* Harry was NOT going to be Head Boy, even if I had to beat Dumbledore into submission.
AN (again): See, the reason I thought I should take it down is because it all gave you an idea I never intended. Fair warning: Severus Snape is fairly peripheral for the most part. At least for now. He may worm his way deeper into my story. I adore him too much to exclude him. *sighs* I don't know. I'm confused about this story.
Chapter Three
Harry had managed to surprise the headmaster. He'd thought for sure that someone would have been watching him all summer - probably Arabella Figg - reporting his moves back to the old wizard. But Dumbledore hadn't even known that he had been involved with someone, let alone the fact that the boy was muggle. It wasn't like Dumbledore to not know such a thing, and Harry couldn't help feeling a little miffed.
He stumbled again going down the stairs and cursed. At this rate, he wouldn't have to worry about what to name his child. If he tripped and fell wrong, he wouldn't have a child to name.
Harry watched his feet all the way to the hospital wing, determined not to trip again. Instead, he ran into Madam Pomfery.
"Mr Potter, here already?"
She ushered him inside and directed him to sit on the edge of a bed.
"What brings you to the hospital wing so soon, Potter? Surely you haven't had time to get into trouble yet?"
Madam Pomfery took Harry's head in her hands and tilted it, staring into his eyes. She ran her fingers over the glands in his throat, looking for swelling.
Harry choked a little, "Urch. No, Professor Dumbledore told me to see you."
Madam Pomfery hemmed and released Harry's head. He rubbed a hand over his chaffed throat and continued, "I was going to come and see you myself in the morning."
The matron stood in front of Harry and set her hands on her hips, "And what did Professor Dumbledore find so urgent that he suggested you come and visit me tonight?"
His hands crept to his abdomen. Harry looked up at kindly medi-witch and smiled a little ruefully, "I'm pregnant."
The matron's eyes widened.
She pushed Harry down onto his back on the bed and parted his robes. Pushing up his shirt, she settled her hands on his abdomen and concentrated. The flush of warmth wasn't subtle this time. Harry felt it even though his hands weren't anywhere near his stomach. He supposed Madam Pomfery had done something slightly different to what Blaise had shown him on the train.
Madam Pomfery pulled Harry's shirt down again and stepped back, "And so you are pregnant."
Harry drew his robes together and sat up. Madam Pomfery pushed him back down again, "I need to run some tests before you leave."
Harry narrowed his eyes, "What sort of tests?"
"I just want to check the health of you baby and of yourself, get estimate of how far along you are, that sort of thing. It won't take along if you'll just lie still."
Harry sighed long-sufferingly and lay back on the bed. Madam Pomfery rolled her eyes at him and he grinned. Really, he wouldn't mind being kept here all night if it meant his baby was okay.
Madam Pomfery left briefly and came back carrying a tray of assorted paraphernalia. She set it down on the bed side table and selected one of the jars.
"Now, this will burn a little," she warned, taking Harry's hand in her own.
She smeared a liberal layer of the clear paste onto the palm of his hand. Immediately, it began to burn and he could feel the blood pumping strongly through his fingers. Madam Pomfery wiped her hands clean and pressed a strange silver thermometre-like instrument into Harry's burning palm.
"I need you to hold onto to that tightly until I say you can release it."
Harry grimaced, but nodded, "What's it doing, anyway?"
"The cream draws your blood to the surface and the minometre," she nodded at the silver instrument clutched in Harry's fist, "measures the nutrient levels in it."
Harry flinched when a cold gel was rubbed into his stomach. He hadn't even noticed the medi-witch pushing up his shirt again. The matron was running a bulbous looking grey metal device over his abdomen. As Harry watched, it spat blues sparks and a small holographic display blinked into life above the device. The information it displayed was incomprehensible to Harry, but it seemed to satisfy the medi-witch. She set aside the device and wiped Harry's stomach clean with a rag.
"You can let go of the minometre now, Harry."
Harry gratefully dropped the silver instrument onto the tray. It had turned an odd mixture of green and purple. Madam Pomfery took his hand in hers again and wiped it clean of the burning cream. She then lathered it with a cool green gel and immediately the burning sensation subsided. Harry sighed in relief.
Madam Pomfery smiled and set the tray aside before taking a seat at Harry's bedside, "Well, Mr Potter. You and your baby seem to be in good health -"
Harry smiled.
"- But there are several things you have to be aware of," Madam Pomfery picked up the minometre, "These colours indicate that you are low on iron. That means you will have to eat more red meat among other things. I will work out a proper diet for you later this week."
She set the minometre down and gestured at the other device, "This does have a more official name, but since you'll never remember it, I'll give you the common name for it: the infant-scope. I couldn't tell much at this early stage, but I can tell you that the embryo is developing normally and you are roughly six weeks along."
Harry started, '*Six* weeks? I thought I was only four."
The matron shook her head, "Before two weeks, it is hard to detect the pregnancy by any means. Women often mistake themselves for not being as far along as they truly are. It is not surprising you missed it.
"Now, do you have any questions you want to ask me?"
Harry started to shake his head, but he stopped, "Umm, I keep on tripping all the time. I'm afraid I'll fall and hurt my baby........"
"Ah. I'd forgotten about that. I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done about that. You'll just have to be extra careful from now on."
Harry blinked, "You mean this is meant to happen?"
Madam Pomfery smiled, "In a witch's - or even a wizard's - pregnancy, the presence of the child affects the bearer's centre of magic; usually lowers it. The centre of gravity lowers as well and the mother - or in this case, the father - loses his or her sense of balance. And its not even something you can get used to: as the pregnancy progresses, the centres of magic and gravity will slowly return to normal, but for the duration of the pregnancy they won't be the same two days in a row."
She stood and gestured for Harry to follow her. He slipped off the bed, pulling his robes closed as he padded after the matron. She stepped into her office and returned carrying a pamphlet, which she handed to Harry.
"I keep these on hand to give to girls who find themselves in this condition. I'm not sure how much of an aid it will be to you: you're only the second male pregnancy I've overseen. I'll revise what I know this evening."
Harry looked down at the parchment pamphlet in his hand. It was - unsurprisingly - about pregnancy. Harry gulped. Suddenly it seemed very real. A hand settled in his shoulder and he looked up. The matron's face was understanding.
"It is a lot to take in, Harry and I won't try to fool you: the pregnancy can be dangerous. I hope you understand that you won't be flying anytime soon, nor do I want you going for your apparition license until after you've safely given birth........"
Madam Pomfery's voice had turned strict and Harry hastily nodded, "I've already told Ron that I won't be playing Quidditch this year. I even gave up being Head Boy because I didn't want to be too stressed........"
Madam Pomfery nodded and smiled grimly, "Good. You keep a sensible attitude like that, and you and your baby will have nothing to worry about," The hand dropped from Harry's shoulder, "Now, you will come in once a fortnight for a routine check-up. Mind what you do in Potions and Transfiguration. No ingesting potions and no transfiguring yourself. If you feel at all ill, I want you to come to me. Aside from that, I think you are sensible enough to know what and what not to do."
Harry smiled, "Thank you, Madam Pomfery."
He turned and headed around the corner. Harry jumped and stopped abruptly. Someone had been standing just out of sight around the corner.
"You're pregnant?"
"Dean! How long have you been standing there?"
Dean Thomas had been Harry's first boyfriend and was now his closest gay friend. His only gay friend for that matter. There weren't that many gay students at Hogwarts and Harry's break-ups with Terry Boot and Jeremy Kent, a Hufflepuff in his year, hadn't been very amicable. But his relationship with Dean had been more about mutual exploration than anything and it hadn't turned sour after they'd split up. Harry appreciated that. While Ron, Hermione, Draco and Blaise had always been understanding, it wasn't quite the same thing as having someone who knew what it was like to be gay.
Harry had been considering telling Dean about his pregnancy, but not quite like this........
"Long enough to hear Madam Pomfery say that you're pregnant."
Harry sighed and sagged a little, "Yeah, I am. I thought a month, but Madam Pomfery said six weeks."
Harry glanced up at his friend from beneath his eyelashes. The other boy was looking rather shocked.
"Listen, Dean, you can't tell anybody, okay? I don't want people to know yet."
Dean blinked, "What about Ron and Hermione?"
"They already know and so do Blaise and Draco."
Dean grimaced. As close as Harry, Ron and Hermione had become to Draco and Blaise, the other Gryffindor really only tolerated the pair, and that was mostly for their housemates' sakes.
"Please Dean? They'll find out soon enough, but I want to keep it a secret for as long as possible."
Dean blinked again, "Sure thing Harry. I won't tell," he grinned fiendishly, "On one condition: you gotta tell me who the father is. Do I know him?"
Harry laughed and clapped a hand on Dean's shoulder, leading him to the door, "I doubt it. His name's Jason Phillips. He's a muggle."
Dean started, "A *muggle*?"
Harry was beginning to wonder if he'd get the same reaction from everyone, "Yes, Dean, a muggle. Hey, what were you doing in the hospital wing anyway?"
"Oh," Dean rolled his shoulders, "Seamus ate too much at the Sorting feast and I came up here to see if I could get him a stomach potion. He can suffer; it'll serve him right. I want to hear more about this Phillips guy."
TBC
AN: There. That chapter served less of a purpose than I had intended it to. But all in all, I don't think its a bad chapter. What do you think? Visit my friend, the blue button and tell him and me what you think. My Muses take inspiration from your responses. *glomps all readers*
To thank my reviewers:
dhiana: I looked at your web address and went OMG I know this person. *L* I don't, but it freaked me for a moment. =P Thanks for reviewing.
WM: And so it begins. You know, I had a big discussion about this whole thing with my friend........ I guess I'll address your points now and refer people back to them.... 1. I like Severus. I think he should help people regardless. That sounds weak doesn't it? Put it down to the fact that I SWEAR I'm in love with this character. 2. Dumbledore is always happy. 3. I didn't mean to make Dumbledore sound surprised about the father, I just meant to make him sound surprised. *L*
frizzy: ^_^ I didn't want Harry having to deal with all the extra duties of Head Boy. *shrugs* I dunno why Dumbledore would really have let him off.
Potter-Snape: Thank you, but I still think there was something off about my last chapter. *sighs*
Ayame: Hello Celina. Nice to met you. ^_^ *shakes the werewolf's hand, er, paw* Eh, I dunno about BITTW. And OMG I'm sorry I wasn't online when I said I would be! My phone line was down and I spent the WHOLE weekend without the internet! *nearly dies* *glomps Ame*
Alyce: *glomps* Just for you, I won't take it down. *rolls eyes* What is it with you people and SS/HP? Like I can talk, I love that pairing too.
xikum: *rubs hands gleefully* To answer your questions: 1.You'll find out later whether or not Sev knows and if so how much he knows. *scratches head* I'm not sure what I mean by that 2. Jason IS without a doubt the father of Harry's child. I am in no way going to disprove that. 3. Oh, I'm having so much fun substantiating my theory on how Harry got pregnant to a muggle. It's quite fun actually. You find out all sorts of interesting things when you do research on the internet.
Phoenix: No, thank you! ^_~ =D
venus4280: What a wonderful review! Thank you. And thank you for praising my dialogue! It's what I always think lets down my stories the most. I hope to get around to telling you in the next chapter just what exactly Snape did on the summer holidays, but I won't say anything more about that now. =D Don't Harry, Ron, Hermione, Blaise and Draco make a cute set of friends?
oneofakindwerewolf: *joins in the jumping up and down* I can't believe I'm updating again!
Katy999: Me? I'm never mean! ^_^ *glomps Katy999* one of my loyal reviewers.
Saavik: You thought Dumbledore took it well? I thought he kind of went into shock a little. At least he didn't lambaste Harry anyway........
Insane1: O_O Loooong review. *glomps* *sighs* I didn't intend for the idea of Sev being the father to enter everyone's minds but it seems to firmly lodged there. *scratches head* I can't seem to understand why. Personally, I think you're all rapid SS/HP shippers. *stubborn look* Harry was NOT going to be Head Boy, even if I had to beat Dumbledore into submission.
AN (again): See, the reason I thought I should take it down is because it all gave you an idea I never intended. Fair warning: Severus Snape is fairly peripheral for the most part. At least for now. He may worm his way deeper into my story. I adore him too much to exclude him. *sighs* I don't know. I'm confused about this story.
Chapter Three
Harry had managed to surprise the headmaster. He'd thought for sure that someone would have been watching him all summer - probably Arabella Figg - reporting his moves back to the old wizard. But Dumbledore hadn't even known that he had been involved with someone, let alone the fact that the boy was muggle. It wasn't like Dumbledore to not know such a thing, and Harry couldn't help feeling a little miffed.
He stumbled again going down the stairs and cursed. At this rate, he wouldn't have to worry about what to name his child. If he tripped and fell wrong, he wouldn't have a child to name.
Harry watched his feet all the way to the hospital wing, determined not to trip again. Instead, he ran into Madam Pomfery.
"Mr Potter, here already?"
She ushered him inside and directed him to sit on the edge of a bed.
"What brings you to the hospital wing so soon, Potter? Surely you haven't had time to get into trouble yet?"
Madam Pomfery took Harry's head in her hands and tilted it, staring into his eyes. She ran her fingers over the glands in his throat, looking for swelling.
Harry choked a little, "Urch. No, Professor Dumbledore told me to see you."
Madam Pomfery hemmed and released Harry's head. He rubbed a hand over his chaffed throat and continued, "I was going to come and see you myself in the morning."
The matron stood in front of Harry and set her hands on her hips, "And what did Professor Dumbledore find so urgent that he suggested you come and visit me tonight?"
His hands crept to his abdomen. Harry looked up at kindly medi-witch and smiled a little ruefully, "I'm pregnant."
The matron's eyes widened.
She pushed Harry down onto his back on the bed and parted his robes. Pushing up his shirt, she settled her hands on his abdomen and concentrated. The flush of warmth wasn't subtle this time. Harry felt it even though his hands weren't anywhere near his stomach. He supposed Madam Pomfery had done something slightly different to what Blaise had shown him on the train.
Madam Pomfery pulled Harry's shirt down again and stepped back, "And so you are pregnant."
Harry drew his robes together and sat up. Madam Pomfery pushed him back down again, "I need to run some tests before you leave."
Harry narrowed his eyes, "What sort of tests?"
"I just want to check the health of you baby and of yourself, get estimate of how far along you are, that sort of thing. It won't take along if you'll just lie still."
Harry sighed long-sufferingly and lay back on the bed. Madam Pomfery rolled her eyes at him and he grinned. Really, he wouldn't mind being kept here all night if it meant his baby was okay.
Madam Pomfery left briefly and came back carrying a tray of assorted paraphernalia. She set it down on the bed side table and selected one of the jars.
"Now, this will burn a little," she warned, taking Harry's hand in her own.
She smeared a liberal layer of the clear paste onto the palm of his hand. Immediately, it began to burn and he could feel the blood pumping strongly through his fingers. Madam Pomfery wiped her hands clean and pressed a strange silver thermometre-like instrument into Harry's burning palm.
"I need you to hold onto to that tightly until I say you can release it."
Harry grimaced, but nodded, "What's it doing, anyway?"
"The cream draws your blood to the surface and the minometre," she nodded at the silver instrument clutched in Harry's fist, "measures the nutrient levels in it."
Harry flinched when a cold gel was rubbed into his stomach. He hadn't even noticed the medi-witch pushing up his shirt again. The matron was running a bulbous looking grey metal device over his abdomen. As Harry watched, it spat blues sparks and a small holographic display blinked into life above the device. The information it displayed was incomprehensible to Harry, but it seemed to satisfy the medi-witch. She set aside the device and wiped Harry's stomach clean with a rag.
"You can let go of the minometre now, Harry."
Harry gratefully dropped the silver instrument onto the tray. It had turned an odd mixture of green and purple. Madam Pomfery took his hand in hers again and wiped it clean of the burning cream. She then lathered it with a cool green gel and immediately the burning sensation subsided. Harry sighed in relief.
Madam Pomfery smiled and set the tray aside before taking a seat at Harry's bedside, "Well, Mr Potter. You and your baby seem to be in good health -"
Harry smiled.
"- But there are several things you have to be aware of," Madam Pomfery picked up the minometre, "These colours indicate that you are low on iron. That means you will have to eat more red meat among other things. I will work out a proper diet for you later this week."
She set the minometre down and gestured at the other device, "This does have a more official name, but since you'll never remember it, I'll give you the common name for it: the infant-scope. I couldn't tell much at this early stage, but I can tell you that the embryo is developing normally and you are roughly six weeks along."
Harry started, '*Six* weeks? I thought I was only four."
The matron shook her head, "Before two weeks, it is hard to detect the pregnancy by any means. Women often mistake themselves for not being as far along as they truly are. It is not surprising you missed it.
"Now, do you have any questions you want to ask me?"
Harry started to shake his head, but he stopped, "Umm, I keep on tripping all the time. I'm afraid I'll fall and hurt my baby........"
"Ah. I'd forgotten about that. I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done about that. You'll just have to be extra careful from now on."
Harry blinked, "You mean this is meant to happen?"
Madam Pomfery smiled, "In a witch's - or even a wizard's - pregnancy, the presence of the child affects the bearer's centre of magic; usually lowers it. The centre of gravity lowers as well and the mother - or in this case, the father - loses his or her sense of balance. And its not even something you can get used to: as the pregnancy progresses, the centres of magic and gravity will slowly return to normal, but for the duration of the pregnancy they won't be the same two days in a row."
She stood and gestured for Harry to follow her. He slipped off the bed, pulling his robes closed as he padded after the matron. She stepped into her office and returned carrying a pamphlet, which she handed to Harry.
"I keep these on hand to give to girls who find themselves in this condition. I'm not sure how much of an aid it will be to you: you're only the second male pregnancy I've overseen. I'll revise what I know this evening."
Harry looked down at the parchment pamphlet in his hand. It was - unsurprisingly - about pregnancy. Harry gulped. Suddenly it seemed very real. A hand settled in his shoulder and he looked up. The matron's face was understanding.
"It is a lot to take in, Harry and I won't try to fool you: the pregnancy can be dangerous. I hope you understand that you won't be flying anytime soon, nor do I want you going for your apparition license until after you've safely given birth........"
Madam Pomfery's voice had turned strict and Harry hastily nodded, "I've already told Ron that I won't be playing Quidditch this year. I even gave up being Head Boy because I didn't want to be too stressed........"
Madam Pomfery nodded and smiled grimly, "Good. You keep a sensible attitude like that, and you and your baby will have nothing to worry about," The hand dropped from Harry's shoulder, "Now, you will come in once a fortnight for a routine check-up. Mind what you do in Potions and Transfiguration. No ingesting potions and no transfiguring yourself. If you feel at all ill, I want you to come to me. Aside from that, I think you are sensible enough to know what and what not to do."
Harry smiled, "Thank you, Madam Pomfery."
He turned and headed around the corner. Harry jumped and stopped abruptly. Someone had been standing just out of sight around the corner.
"You're pregnant?"
"Dean! How long have you been standing there?"
Dean Thomas had been Harry's first boyfriend and was now his closest gay friend. His only gay friend for that matter. There weren't that many gay students at Hogwarts and Harry's break-ups with Terry Boot and Jeremy Kent, a Hufflepuff in his year, hadn't been very amicable. But his relationship with Dean had been more about mutual exploration than anything and it hadn't turned sour after they'd split up. Harry appreciated that. While Ron, Hermione, Draco and Blaise had always been understanding, it wasn't quite the same thing as having someone who knew what it was like to be gay.
Harry had been considering telling Dean about his pregnancy, but not quite like this........
"Long enough to hear Madam Pomfery say that you're pregnant."
Harry sighed and sagged a little, "Yeah, I am. I thought a month, but Madam Pomfery said six weeks."
Harry glanced up at his friend from beneath his eyelashes. The other boy was looking rather shocked.
"Listen, Dean, you can't tell anybody, okay? I don't want people to know yet."
Dean blinked, "What about Ron and Hermione?"
"They already know and so do Blaise and Draco."
Dean grimaced. As close as Harry, Ron and Hermione had become to Draco and Blaise, the other Gryffindor really only tolerated the pair, and that was mostly for their housemates' sakes.
"Please Dean? They'll find out soon enough, but I want to keep it a secret for as long as possible."
Dean blinked again, "Sure thing Harry. I won't tell," he grinned fiendishly, "On one condition: you gotta tell me who the father is. Do I know him?"
Harry laughed and clapped a hand on Dean's shoulder, leading him to the door, "I doubt it. His name's Jason Phillips. He's a muggle."
Dean started, "A *muggle*?"
Harry was beginning to wonder if he'd get the same reaction from everyone, "Yes, Dean, a muggle. Hey, what were you doing in the hospital wing anyway?"
"Oh," Dean rolled his shoulders, "Seamus ate too much at the Sorting feast and I came up here to see if I could get him a stomach potion. He can suffer; it'll serve him right. I want to hear more about this Phillips guy."
TBC
AN: There. That chapter served less of a purpose than I had intended it to. But all in all, I don't think its a bad chapter. What do you think? Visit my friend, the blue button and tell him and me what you think. My Muses take inspiration from your responses. *glomps all readers*