Untitled

Chapter 1

Draco had never felt so comfortable. He was warm, clean and was lying on a bed with clean sheets. He tried to open his eyes but immediately closed them back when his vision swam before him. His pounded for several seconds before he opened his eyes again. This time he felt no pain and saw a kind face of an old lady smiling at him.

"You're up! Finally." The old lady's eyes were shining bright reflecting light from the fireplace.

"Where am I?" Draco asked trying to get off the bed. The old lady stopped him.

"No, don't get up." She gently pushed Draco back onto the bed. "You're at my house. We are in the grounds of the Fogswath Castle, near to Willoughbee. I'll get you some soup." She turned and got him a bowl of soup from the table. Draco gratefully took it and immediately started to drink it.

"My, my. Honey. You must not have been eating well for a long time." She said looking at Draco's skinny body and sunken eyes. "You need to take good care of yourself you know. What's your name?"

"I'm Drac…Drake Black."

"Well, nice to meet you Mr. Black.."

"Call me Drake. It's better." Draco said wiping his cheek.

"Well Drake, I am Irma Herza. You can call me Imma. That's what everyone calls me." She smiled again and her blue eyes were twinkling. She then took the empty bowl from Draco and went to the kitchen. Draco heard her washing and he took the chance of being alone to watch Imma's house. It was actually a cottage as it is very small. Just some sturdy old furniture and she also have all assorted belongings that just filled the house. There is a table in the middle of the room and Draco's bed is at one corner. He could see a door perhaps for the only bedroom. The kitchen and the bath must be at the back he thought as Imma returned.

"Drake, you should stay in bed for a few more days. You should rest first before you go home." Imma said to him. "Your body is very weak meaning that you haven't been taking good care of yourself. You should take care of yourself and the baby."

"What baby?"

"Oh! You don't know? You are carrying." Imma said seriously.

"But…but how? I am male! I'm not supposed to.." Draco was shocked and confused.

"Drake. Drake look at me." Imma was asking the confused boy to look at her. " I'm not surprised that you don't know. It is very rare… and when it happens it is not as obvious as usual. But you don't need to worry. I have seen one before." Imma tried to console the boy. Imma was shocked herself. The only male pregnancy she had seen before was when she was just a very young girl when his uncle gave birth to her cousin. She was in Austria back then. Anything can happen in the wizarding world but male pregnancy has always been rare. Very rare.

"But I did not… I have not…" Draco was still confused. Imma understood what the boy is trying to say.

"Nobody had ever determined how long you are supposed to carry the baby, you know. My mother once told me that there were some man who carries for almost two years. It is not usual you know." Imma explained.

"But how did you know? Where's the baby then? I can't see it. My belly.."

"I told you it is not usual. You will only bulge when it is time to deliver. I checked your pulse and I feel the baby's too. The pulse is strong. You are nearly due." Draco's head suddenly felt lighter. He was going to have a baby! Draco doesn't know what to feel. He had always been proud being the only son and heir of the esteemed Malfoy family or whatever that's left of it. His father would be rolling in his grave if he heard this. Draco brought his hand to his stomach unconsciously and it made Imma smile.

"Drake. You should rest here for a few more days before you go home."

"I can't. I can't go home."

"What do mean by that boy?"

"I have no home. I wanted to get to Willoughbee to get a job for the winter." Draco explained.

"That's…You can stay here until you deliver your baby." Imma said determinedly. "I will help you and your baby."

"No, that's okay. I will be fine."

"Perhaps you will be but the baby won't with you not eating well and wandering around in winter. You will stay dear, for your sake and for the baby's sake. Now you'd better get to sleep. It's already very late. I'll be in my room if you need me." Imma then tucked Draco into bed.

"Good night, Drake."

"Good night, Imma."

That night, Draco could not sleep. He never thought that he would be having any children considering his tendencies. Potter. How long ago did he think about that name. He had taught himself to forget that name since he lost his entire family and everything that his family worked for. How long ago since he killed the school boy infatuation that he had felt for the person bearing that name. Despite the night they spent together just before the final battle. Despite that very night that nearly made him forget who he is and his purpose in life. Draco had put that name far behind him as he wanders aimless through life. He never thought that Potter's name would resurface today.

The baby, himself, Potter, the night before the final battle. He is not sure what to feel. Draco wandered through life unknown and aimlessly. He had never paid attention to his own feeling and he had discarded all emotions. But tonight he felt like he wanted to cry. For the baby's sake. He had not lost everything. Another life is beating inside of him. A life connected to his. Draco felt alive again as alive as he was when he was a young school boy. For the baby's sake, Draco would live again. And surely, Draco is determined to love the baby and protect him. His own flesh and blood and also the light that came to him during the darkest and the loneliest time of his life. I will love you and I will protect you. Draco felt asleep that night feeling content.

tbc

A/N : Hehe...so how was it? I'd really love some reviews! (or flames?)