Title: Boy-Who-Lived: Father-To-Be
Author: SweetMercy (my first fic under this name! yay!)
Rating: M
Warnings: mpreg, slash, has naughty swear words!
Pairings: RL/HP BUT has references to others. (If you want to know what others, check chapter 1)
Summery: One day in the summer after Harry's 6th year, an article appears in the paper that turns his world upside down. Knowing that most of what was said in the article was true, Harry fears seeing his friends and the rest of the Order. But, just like everything else, life has to go on, and Harry returns to school to face the music.
A/N: The Father - Alot of you lovely people want to know who the father is. Well, I can't tell you that, not yet anyway. In the next 4 or 5 chapters (not including this one) you WILL find out who the possible fathers are though, promise. And yes, this is Remus/Harry, they will get together eventually, never fear...but that doesn't mean to say that Remus is the father...or does it? Mwhahahahaha! Anyway...
Chapter 4: A Visit to St Mungo's
Harry went downstairs the next morning and was instantly greeted by the smell of bacon and eggs. Now, normally Harry would have jumped at the chance to have a proper breakfast in the morning, but the baby didn't seem to like that smell at all, so by the time he eventually made it to the front room, breakfast was well over and Harry was exhausted once more from throwing up.
"Good morning Harry," Molly said cheerfully as he took a seat among the others. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"Fine," Harry lied, not having the heart to tell her that the smell of her cooking had disagreed with him. "You?"
"Well," she said. "I've been ever so worried about you; we all have. But, I'm glad you're here now, safe and sound."
"Me to," Harry smiled.
Harry sat silent for a while, preferring to listen to the conversations around him rather than join in, enjoying the feeling of being around his friends again, knowing that he didn't have to go through this hell alone anymore. True, Sirius was sat opposite him trying to get his attention but Harry wouldn't look at him. After all, he had only just started to accept the pregnancy, he wasn't about to start worrying about…other things.
He listened contently as Ron, Mundungus, and Kingsley argued over the Quidditch European Cup and the chances of Ireland winning that, as they had already won the World Cup 3 years ago. France were favourites for winning, according to Kingsley, closely followed by Portugal. England had already been knocked out, which wasn't surprising really as the whole team had lost heart for the game as they hadn't won a match in years.
"The World Cup's happening again next year," said Ron, looking at Mrs Weasley. "Think dad could get tickets again?"
"You'd have to ask him," she said, looking up from her conversation with Professor Mcgonagall, who Harry had only just realised was there. She smiled at Harry before turning back to Mrs Weasley. Harry couldn't help but think about all the other teachers at school; what would they all think about this? Well, he thought to himself, Snape was going to have a lot of fun.
"Ah, Harry! You're awake! Good."
Harry looked up to see Dumbledore strolling into the living room, dressed in deep purple robes with a silver trim. He took a seat next to Harry and smiled at him
"I have made you an appointment at the Hospital for today," he told him. "It's this afternoon at 1:30."
"Thank you so much," said Harry, really meaning it.
"Don't mention it," Dumbledore smiled.
"Are you going to come with me?" Harry asked. "I really don't think I could go on my own."
"Of course," he smiled again, "I wouldn't let you go alone."
The rest of the morning went by pretty quickly. He spent most of the time with Ron and Hermione thinking up funny names that he would never dream to call the baby, such as Wolverine and Cyclops, which Ron had gotten from a muggle comic called 'X-men' that his dad had recently started to collect. He did, however, like the sound of some of the more unusual names that Hermione had suggested, most of which came from books she had read, like Armand and Lestat (from The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice), but still wouldn't give the baby any of those names.
Sirius stopped by his room a couple of times to 'see how he was getting on' but Harry knew he wanted to talk. Thankfully, he had Ron and Hermione with him and Harry knew that Sirius wouldn't dare talk about that in front of them.
At 12:30, Dumbledore suggested that they better get going if they were going to get there. They had to take muggle transport since Harry wasn't in any state to use a port key, the floo network, or the Knight Bus. They decided that a taxi would be best, but they had to do the Glamour Charm on Harry, so they wouldn't attract any unwanted muggle attention, something which both Hermione and Mrs Weasley both objected to as too many spells performed on Harry was bad for the baby, but in the end they agreed they had no other way. Besides, what could one more hurt?
The taxi ride was most uneventful. Dumbledore had obviously travelled this way before as he didn't fuss over things the way a wizard, mainly Arthur Weasley, would have. But then again, Dumbledore really wasn't the type of wizard to do that.
Harry stepped out of the taxi as Dumbledore paid the man in the front and shut the door. They were outside the red-bricked department store 'Purge & Dowse Ltd' once more. The magical display in the window was as shabby and as out-of-date as ever. The few muggles walking passed weren't paying it any attention at all, hurrying along to shop in 'New Look' and 'Morgan' across the road.
Harry followed Dumbledore over to the window, noticing the 'Closed for Refurbishment' sign was still hanging on the rusted door. As Dumbledore explained why they were there to the dummy in the window, Harry wondered what was actually on the other side of the shop door. He supposed it was the Hospital, but then the Hospital was far too big to fit in this store.
"Right Harry," said Dumbledore, "Walk through."
He stepped forwards and walked through the window, emerging on the other side. Lots of witches and wizards were hurrying about, some dressed in lime-green healer robes. Harry followed Dumbledore through the crowd and over to the reception desk at the far end. He was very aware of just how many people were looking at him, although not all the stares he was receiving were one's of disgust; quite a few were sympathetic. Some people waved at him and offered their congratulations. Others, however, just glared at him and shook their heads. Harry gulped and continued across the room, staying close to Dumbledore.
"Good Afternoon, how can I help you?" smiled the blonde witch at the desk.
"Good Afternoon," smiled Dumbledore. "I'm here with Mr Harry Potter, he has an appointment. Could you tell me where we have to go please?"
"One sec…" She flicked through a book on her desk, running her polished finger down the columns. "…Potter…Here we are. Harry Potter, 1:30. You're on the Ground floor. Down the hall, turn right, through the double doors, and head towards the Maternity/Paternity Ward."
"Thank you very much," Dumbledore smiled, and they set off again.
They followed the directions the witch had given them and eventually came to a large waiting room, mostly full of expectant women. Harry did spot a few pregnant men as they headed towards some empty seats though, which made Harry feel a little bit better.
Dumbledore checked them in than sat down next to Harry, who was growing nervous. He knew it was only a check up but what if something was wrong?
"You alright Harry?" asked Dumbledore.
"I'll be fine," he answered. "Just a bit worried in case something's wrong."
"I'm sure everything will be ok," he reassured him. "Which reminds me, we better take of the Glamour charm."
He pulled out his wand and muttered a spell. Harry saw his stomach grow bigger and he pulled his robes close around him.
They sat in silence for about 20 minutes, watching the patients come and go. Some parents had brought their children along who were running up and down the waiting room noisily. Finally, a witch with long red hair tied back came out.
"Harry Potter."
Harry slowly stood up, very aware of all the eyes looking his way. Thankfully, most of them were smiling fondly which meant that they hadn't taken that article in the paper completely seriously. When Dumbledore didn't stand, Harry looked down at him.
"Aren't you coming in with me?" he asked, slightly confused.
"I thought you would want to do this on your own," he said kindly.
"But I can't. I need someone in there with me," Harry said, and he could feel himself getting nervous and scared again. "You said you'd be there for me and I need you now."
"But isn't this the sort of thing the parents should do together?"
"I'm a single parent right now and I'm asking you as a friend, not a student. Please Professor." Harry would beg if he didn't come in there with him, he really would. Dumbledore chuckled.
"You say you're not asking me as a student and yet you call me 'Professor'," he said with a smile. "Are you sure you want me to…"
"Yes! Please, I can't do this alone," Harry said with a pleading look.
"Very well," he said, and he got up and accompanied Harry through the door and into the room.
"Good Afternoon to you both," said the witch. "My name is Aurora Neeson and I'm the one who is going to be looking after you for the next few months. If you have any queries, don't hesitate to ask. Now, just lay down on this bed for me here Mr Potter."
Harry lay down on the bed, feeling slightly nervous. There were lots of machines in this room that he didn't like the look of. He had to keep reminding himself that it was a standard check up.
"Do you know exactly how far gone you are?" she asked kindly and Harry shook his head.
"Not to worry," she smiled. "I'll just do this…" she waved her wand over his stomach, "…and this…" she tapped a machine with her wand which sprang into life, "…and this," she said as she tapped his stomach with the wand again. All the while, Dumbledore had been watching interestedly, but Harry hadn't got the slightest clue of what she was doing.
"Arh, here we are," she smiled. "You're 5 months and roughly 1 week pregnant. We can't be accurate with the days."
"So when is the due date?" asked Dumbledore.
"Should be due towards the end of October. Again, we can't be accurate with the days."
Harry watched as the witch smiled and went back to fiddling around with the machine and her wand. His mind seemed to be racing, yet he wasn't getting anywhere. 5 months, 1 week…which meant that the father was…? He had no idea. He needed a quill and parchment to work out all the calculations. But even then he might not be sure. Three of his…encounters…were only days apart – he remembered that bit as he had been going through a tough time and had welcomed all the comfort he could get.
"Now," she said, waking Harry from his thoughts. "I'm just going to do a routine check up to make sure that everything is in tip-top shape."
She did a few more wand movements and examined the machine as Harry's mind wondered again. He noticed that Dumbledore was looking at him strangely and Harry turned to him with questioning eyes but the headmaster just shook his head politely.
The healer turned back to them.
"Everything seems to be going ok," she said, "All nice and healthy. However, I recommend you get some rest Mr Potter. You may not think it, but too much stress and anger can really affect a child in the womb. Exercise is always a good thing during the early and middle stages of a pregnancy, but don't over do yourself. Take some time to just chill out, have a relaxing bath, read a good book, just don't over do yourself Harry."
Harry nodded, tongue in cheek. He knew all that stress was going affect the baby, but he couldn't help feeling like that.
Dumbledore smiled. "Don't worry Miss Neeson, we'll take good care of him."
"I take it he's in good hands then?" she smiled. "Well, in that case, I need say no more on it."
She got up and came over to Harry who was still lying down on the bed. She lifted her wand above his large stomach once more and muttered a spell, then returned to the machine. Then she smiled again.
"You see that there?" she asked softly, pointing to a small but distinguishable shape on the machines screen. "Those are your babies."
Harry didn't know if his heart skipped with joy or stopped with fear.
"My….my what?"
"Babies, Mr Potter, babies."
"Plural? There's two of them?"
"Arh," she said. "I take it you didn't know it was triplets then?"
"Triplets?" Harry's voice was now dangerously high. "There's three of them! Oh shit." And with that, he fainted.
He came round a couple of minutes later. Healer Neeson was dabbing at his forehead with a wet cloth and Dumbledore was at his side, a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
"Welcome back Mr Potter," smiled the Healer as Harry sat up.
"Wha…what happened?" he asked, looking up at them both.
"You found out you were having triplets and you fainted," smiled Dumbledore and Harry could have sworn he heard something like humour in the old mans voice.
"Triplets…" Harry repeated as if in a trance. "Oh my God, I'm having triplets. I'm not ready for triplets. I can't handle one child let alone triplets. I can't have triplets. What am I going to do with triplets? I don't want triplets!"
"Harry, calm yourself," said Dumbledore, making Harry look at him. "Now, first thing's first; stop saying 'triplets'."
Harry took a deep breath and nodded.
"Secondly Harry, there's no need to panic," he continued. "We're here for you, the whole Order is here, and we will help out in any and every way possible."
Harry nodded and took another deep breath. He could do this. He had help. He could do this.
"Now," said the healer softly, "you alright? You need anything?"
Did he need anything? Well, he could have used some protection 5 months ago!
Harry shook his head. "No…no, I'm cool."
"Sure? Good," she smiled. "Now Mr Potter, you think you're up to seeing your babies?"
Harry nodded slowly and turned back to look at her. She pointed at the machines screen and Harry's eyes followed.
He bit his lip to fight back the tears as he looked at the little bodies on the screen. He could clearly make out three heads, arms, and legs, all cuddled up together inside his womb. It was surprising they could all fit in him.
"Those are my babies?" he asked with wonderment.
"Those are your babies," she smiled again.
Harry continued to look at them, a nice, warm sensation flooding through him. He no longer felt the shame eating away at him, but pride; he had helped make those babies, he had created life, lots of life. Triplets.
"Professor, look," he whispered softly, reaching out for Dumbledore's hand but not taking his eyes off the screen. "It's my babies."
"Do you want to know what sex they are?" she asked with a smile. Harry nodded eagerly, trying to hold back the tears that kept coming (which, despite feeling overwhelmed from seeing his babies, he blamed on the hormones).
"Well, Harry," she smiled, "you're having two girls and a boy. Congratulations."
"Triplets, can you believe it?" Harry said with wonder as they walked towards number 12. "I'm having triplets."
"It's wonderful Harry, really it is," smiled Dumbledore.
"I mean, I know I was a little shocked at first but I'm ok now," he smiled, as they reached the door.
"A little shocked? Harry, you were completely freaking out," laughed Dumbledore.
"I was not," said Harry as they entered the hall.
"You fainted," Dumbledore pointed out with a smile as he shut the door behind them.
"Everybody faints once in a while," said Harry, and they both laughed.
They made their way to the front room and went in. Ron and Hermione were sat nearest the window with Remus and Tonks sat opposite. Sirius was sat nearest the door. They all looked up when they came in.
"I thought I heard voices," said Tonks, hair falling elegantly down her back in golden waves.
"How did it go?" asked Hermione. "Is everything ok? How about the baby?"
"Everything's fine," Harry smiled. "All nice and healthy."
"And how far gone are you?" asked Ron, and Remus looked at Harry for the first time since he had arrived. Harry pretended he hadn't noticed and carried on smiling.
"Just over 5 months," he told them.
"And do you know if the baby is a boy or girl?" asked Tonks. Dumbledore smiled behind him before taking a seat next to Sirius.
"Yeah I do," he smiled. "Two girls and a boy."
"Two…and a…?" Ron stuttered.
"Yep," Harry smiled. "I'm having triplets."
A big thankyou to all those who reviewed! Please, be my guest and do it again:-)