A/N: Eurgh, four tests this week and I've gotten neither one back yet! I've also got to start on my ISUs, my book report for law and get some more community service hours to graduate! Where's a time turning when you need one? Thanks to my beat Irite4uall for fixing my horrible mistakes. Hopefully no more complaints about my spelling and grammar!
Chapter Three: Symptoms and Discoveries
"I'm
sorry! I'm so sorry!" The smooth voice whispered lovingly in
Harry's ear as the boy gasped. Pain and pleasure were racing through
his body. Harry lifted a trembling hand to touch the silky skin of
the stranger's face, the other's dark blue eyes wide and dark with
lust and surprise.
"It's okay," Harry whispered back.
"I'm okay."
Harry Potter shot up in his bed. His
mind was racing as details of his dream slipped away like sand in a
cupped hand. The dream had been so vivid, almost real. The wizard put
his face in his hands and exhaled in a huff. His headache was back,
he realized, as he rubbed the palms of his rough hands into his eyes,
trying to stop the ache. A particularly painful throb later, Harry
also realized his nausea had returned as well.
In a movement of pure grace, the raven haired boy flung his sheets off his still sweat dampened body, slammed open the door to his and Ron's bedroom, and ran for the closest bathroom.
His redheaded best friend had also shot awake at the door slamming against the wall and Ron sighed once before slumping back down on his bed. Ever since they had brought Harry to the Order Headquarters from Hogwarts, he had become dreadfully ill. The Boy-Who-Lived slept like a bear in winter for most of the summer, awaking exhausted, achy and sick to his stomach. No potions or spells could be used to ease the boy wizard's pain and everyone in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place was worried. They had just gotten Harry back; they couldn't loose him already.
With a groan, the youngest Weasley male flipped his own blankets off his freckled body and followed Harry. All of the Weasleys were currently residing at the Headquarters, Percy included. The third Weasley son had come to his senses when Harry had been captured and was a big part of their efforts to help rescue the Gryffindor. Percy had been forced to stay away while Harry had been recovering at Hogwarts, as he was one of Dumbledore's most trusted Ministry spies. That and Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let anyone upset the emerald eyed teen while he recuperated. Ron grinned as he remembered Harry's and Percy's first meeting, here at Grimmauld Place's kitchen, during the summer break.
FLASHBACK
Percival Ignatius Weasley had been a fool and he knew it. Here he sat in the kitchen of a vigilante force against Voldemort and he had never felt so welcomed, while at the Ministry he had been stabbed in the back by the same knife his colleagues had cut their steaks up with.
Percy looked at his mother, bustling around the kitchen making tea and sweets, when Ron, Ginny and Hermione came home. And Harry Potter, of course. The redhead cringed mentally. If there had ever been a bigger 'open-mouth-insert-foot' scenario, Percy would be shocked.
The boy who had killed You-Know-Who before he was out of nappies, put up with a horrible life with his relatives, faced Voldemort in his First, Second, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Years while killing a Dark Wizard with his bare hands, a Basilisk with a sword of one of Hogwarts founders which he pulled out of the Sorting Hat, defended his godfather from hundreds of Dementors with a Patronus he had just mastered at thirteen, competed in the Triwizard Tournament and won while watching a school mate be murdered, faced his parents' murderer, dueled him and escaped, came back to school amid rumors and lies of being mad and an attention seeking prat while facing the most powerful Dark Lord the Wizarding World had ever seen and witnessing his godfather die, having his home then destroyed, his relatives killed, and then after all that, being kidnapped, tortured and having his memory erased, was coming here today.
And Percy was shaking in fear.
Harry Potter was truly what everyone always said a hero was made of, and Percy had been one of the many to call him an unstable, violent, lying little celebrity. If Harry just spat in his face then that would be all that particular Weasley deserved.
Suddenly the fireplace in the spacious kitchen flared and Ginny popped out. She dropped her trunk and turned back around to face the fireplace. Next came Hermione. She shot out of the fire and Ginny quickly grabbed her friend to stop her from hurting herself. The bushy haired girl smiled and said her thanks as she sat in the chair closest to the fireplace. Ron was next. He landed in a pile of endless arms and legs before straightening himself out and clearing the way for Harry.
Not a second after Ron had stepped away had the fire flared again and Harry stepped, not fell, out of the fireplace. Percy really saw the change in the Boy-Who-Lived. His normally sparkling emerald eyes were dimmed and wary as he studied his surroundings. He looked exhausted but Percy could still see the hero in the boy. What made everyone look up to him, believe in him, die for him.
The third Weasley son stood slowly as if he were trying to sooth a skittish animal. Harry's eyes snapped over to Percy's corner of the kitchen table and he looked at the man with emotionless eyes. The tension was thick in the room as every Weasley was either subtly or blatantly eavesdropping on the conversation that would be starting.
Amazingly, Harry was the first to speak.
"So you've finally come to your senses."
It was not a question, but a statement, and not said with scorn or hate. It simply was a fact and Percy felt a bit of his nervousness slip away.
"Yes, I did. I think I was a prat for long enough and I was hoping that maybe you could stomach working with me to stop the Dark forces?"
Harry still had a solemn look to his face but a slight tilt of the corner of his mouth indicated that Percy was forgiven. The boy-wizard lent forward.
"I'll work with anyone who is willing to help bring that son of a bitch down."
Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat meaningfully but let the cussing slide. The ice was broken after that and everyone begun to talk again. Not long after they had eaten, Harry had raced to the nearest bathroom to begin a long few weeks of being sick.
FLASHBACK
Ron shook his head as he headed toward the sound of Harry vomiting violently. The doors to Bill's and the twins' rooms opened and three sleepy looking heads poked out into the hallway.
"Is it Harry again?" asked Fred (or was it George?) while his twin yawned. Ron nodded and Bill sighed.
"This is getting stupid. Hermione and Mum are going to see Dumbledore today to see if we can get some muggle medicine to help him. Maybe that will help."
The yawning twin nodded. "I think Hermione has an idea as to what is the matter with Harry, but she has to research it to death and then beat it with a club before she'll say anything."
All heads turned as the toilet flushed and a pale Harry Potter opened the door looking utterly miserable. He saw all the Weasleys up and looking at him and blushed something fierce.
"Did I wake you guys again?" After they nodded, he sighed. "Sorry," he mumbled, looking guilty. Ron rolled his eyes and looked at the grandfather clock in the dank, dark hallway with a shrug.
"It's half past ten anyway. I expect Hermione would have sent Ginny up to wake us soon. Let's go eat."
Bill chuckled while Harry shook his head sadly. "Ron, the boy has just thrown up his guts. I highly doubt he wants to fill his stomach again anytime soon."
Harry smiled at the curse breaker gratefully. Ron blinked.
"How can anyone not want to eat? It simply amazes me." Fred and George snickered.
"Not everyone is having the same love affair with food as you, Ronald-bee. Harry here always was a pecker when it came to his food."
Ron sighed again and returned to his room to get dressed while Fred and George closed the door to their own room. Bill motioned Harry to come in for a moment. His suspicions were confirmed when the green-eyed wizard hesitated before casually walking into the room.
Bill closed the door and put up a Silencing Charm before looking at his little brother's best friend. Harry was stiff with tension, his face still pale from being ill and he had slight bags under his trademark emerald eyes even though he had slept for twelve hours just that night.
Bill crossed his arms and gave Harry a look.
"You know what's wrong with you, don't you? Or at least you have a suspicion."
Harry bit his lip and seemed to be having an internal battle with himself before letting his shoulders slump and shaking his head 'no'. At Bill's raised eyebrow, Harry explained.
"Hermione told me that she had an idea, but won't tell me what. That's why she wants to go out today. She said if she's right it's not permanent and she knows something that would help. But she needs to be sure."
Bill nodded and gave Harry a sheepish look as his stomach gave a loud growl. The Weasley heir opened his bedroom door with a grin.
"Okay, I'll accept that for now. Right now you need to scat. We need clothes and food no matter how your stomach feels today. I have a feeling we're going to be taking a small trip."
Harry smiled and dashed back to his rooms.
Downstairs, Hermione fidgeted in her seat. She and Mrs. Weasley had just returned from visiting Dumbledore and the girl was nervous. Today was the day she would know if her guesses were right. It was rare, very rare. It only happened if the circumstances were perfect, but it was very possible. This was really the only thing that made sense with all of Harry's symptoms and a simple test would tell her all she needed to know.
Since the end of June, Hermione had been researching and subtly questioning every wizard in the Headquarters on the subject. Except Moody. Not only was the ex-Auror scary, but too paranoid for his own good. If he thought she was doing anything sneaky or unhanded he would have cursed her faster than his magical eye swirled to the back of his head.
Ron, Fred and George bound down the steps in search of food as usual and Hermione couldn't help but roll her eyes at Ginny who smiled back. Charlie was fingering the set of keys he had gotten a few minutes before with a maniacal grin on his face. Apparently, Mr. Weasley's love of all things muggle had manifested in his second oldest child as well.
Mumbled greetings and a plate of food later, Bill and Harry came down the stairs. Hermione could tell instantly that he had been sick again. Apparently, so could Mrs. Weasley. The witch, who usually tried to stuff Harry like Christmas turkey, only set a few pieces of dry toast in front of the boy. Harry only ended up shredding it. Hermione decided to tell everyone the news.
"Dumbledore approved the trip to the pharmacy. After you've eaten, Bill and Charlie will take us there in the car."
Harry looked relieved. Bill gave his brother an amused look.
"Is that why Charlie over there looks like someone just told him Hagrid hid a Hungarian Horntail in the basement?"
Charlie glared in jest. "Ha, ha, very funny Bill. Eat so we can go already. Do you care so little about young Harry's health?"
Bill had taken a hearty bite of scrambled eggs and was stuck giving his younger brother an evil look. Harry shook his head at their antics. He loved this family to pieces because they could always make him feel better.
Mrs. Weasley was cleaning the kitchen like it had done her some personal wrong as she kept on eye on the clock. She looked at Bill, Charlie and the twins.
"Try not to be too busy tonight. Dumbledore was meeting with his Slytherin friends today and we might have a meeting tonight."
Hermione smirked at Ginny, causing Harry to give both girls a strange look.
"Yeah, he had Professor Snape, the Zabinis, and the Malfoys in his office. All of them."
From some reason, Ginny went scarlet and glared into her orange juice.
Ron looked put out. He gave his mother a pout.
"Remind me why I have to go away the week before Harry's birthday again? Can't you tell Great Aunt Elma to come and see me? I can live without getting trained for another week."
Mrs. Weasley glared at her youngest son.
"Ron, I promised Dumbledore you would have your talents under control before you went back to Hogwarts. I want no more letters from Minerva telling me you've set fire to Draco Malfoy's robes again!"
Most of the kitchen snickered at this. The Weasleys were purebloods and it is well known that one child inherits a gift that is passed down through that specific family. Ron had gotten the ability to manipulate fire, just not create it. Harry had heard the best stories of Ron finally getting Draco back by setting the hem of his designer robes alight.
Because of this power, Ron had to go and be trained by his aunt. While the boy had already spent every waking moment with his two best friends, he was worried about leaving them for two weeks. Ron had actually confessed he was afraid he would loose them both if he wasn't there to protect them. That's when Hermione and Harry had both understood what the attack on Christmas Day had done to Ron, who wasn't there to witness it but was affected all the same.
Ron was leaving that evening and was making his last ditch efforts to get out of it as Bill, Charlie, Hermione and Harry left the kitchen. Bill quickly put some spells on Hermione while Harry put on a hat and a pair of contacts. Charlie was a bubble of excited energy as they stepped outside the house and toward the shiny, new, dark blue Malibu parked in the drive. Throwing out his arms, the dragon tamer stopped everyone before pointing the little controller at the car and pushing the button to unlock the doors. The vehicle clicked and Charlie nearly squealed with delight.
Everyone settled into the car; Charlie behind the wheel, Bill in the front passenger's seat with Harry and Hermione in the back.
Charlie was actually a very good driver. A bit fast, yes, but he checked and sometimes double-checked at stop signs. They were at the pharmacy in ten minutes. Charlie pulled over to the curb and let his three passengers out.
"I'll give you guys half an hour. Bill will guard the entrance and give you two can do your business. It would look a bit odd if we ogled everything in sight."
Hermione nodded. It would be easier to get what they needed without Bill hovering over them.
Trying to look as though he wasn't guarding the doorway to the shop, Bill lounged in the shade as the two Seventh Years entered the cool, white pharmacy. A bell jingled overhead to signal their arrival. The cashier behind the counter was a man who looked to be in his late thirties, was doing a crossword from the paper. He looked up to see who had come before quickly looking back at his 'work.' Harry looked at his friend.
"Where to, Ms. Brain?" Harry asked, but Hermione was already looking at the signs above the aisles. Finally spotting what she was looking for, the girl grabbed Harry's warm hand and began to hobble towards it, tugging the boy behind her.
They passed women's health products, vitamins and other puzzling medicines until they stopped, to Harry's horror and shock, in the section of the aisle that held many types of pregnancy tests. Harry blinked.
"What are you doing?" He yelled loudly, causing the cashier to look up at them. He seemed to understand, or in this case misunderstand, what was happening and frowned at them. Hermione was already pulling a few types of tests off the shelves and reading them.
"We'll need a few, just to be sure." She was talking to herself (she had been doing that a lot lately) while Harry stood there panicking. Hermione sighed once before grabbing one of every kind and putting some in Harry's arms before looking at the boy's stricken face. Then she bit her lip and in a whisper explained.
"You're symptoms. They're very much like the ones my aunt experienced while she was pregnant. I've been doing some research and it's possible that you're, well, that you are.."
Hermione trailed off but Harry got the picture. Could it be? But he was a guy for Merlin's sake! Harry looked down at the bundle in his arms.
"Just how do you plan on explaining this to Mrs. Weasley when we come home with a dozen pregnancy tests and no medicine to help me?"
The bushy haired girl smiled. "I'm going to buy some Tylenol, Rolaids, and such for you as well. All baby safe of course. We can do this after Ron leaves.
They approached the counter with very little hesitation on Hermione's part while Harry wished for the floor to open up and swallow him. The man behind the counter took one look at all the tests and gave Hermione a searching look.
"It only takes one, you know." he said and Hermione gave him a small smile.
"It's not for me, my friend. Just wants to be sure."
He looked as though he didn't believe her and rang up the prices. As Hermione searched her purse for the money, the man who's name tag read 'Joe' reached behind him and grabbed a box of condoms.
Hermione looked up and furrowed her eyebrows. She pushed the pack back towards Joe who gave her a knowing look at pushed them back towards her. Hermione gave a frustrated sigh.
"I don't need them. Plus I haven't the money."
Joe glared at Harry like it was all his fault. "These are on the house."
Hermione finally got her money out and threw the condoms in the paper bag with the tests in anger. Quickly they left in search of Bill.
They found him eating some ice cream from a little cart selling them. He offered to pay but both Harry and Hermione declined as Charlie pulled up and they left.
The sky was darkening with a coming storm when they pulled up to Number Twelve. Hermione, already of age, shrunk the packages and hobbled at her quickest speed toward the door and inside. Bill gave Harry a puzzled look and the wizard just shrugged and followed his friend into the Headquarters.
To calm Mrs. Weasley and everyone else, Harry took some of the medicine Hermione had bought to hide the tests and actually felt better. This gave Ron the peace of mind he needed to finish his last minute packing.
All afternoon the tests and idea of him actually being pregnant plagued Harry's mind as he played chess with Ron and lost spectacularly to him, listened to Fred and George joke, and just the pleasant rumble of friends and company. Kingsley, Tonks, Moody and a few others stopped by for supper as Mrs. Weasley made a feast for Ron's leaving.
Steak, mashed potatoes, corn, peas and gravy were the main course, along with salads and deserts of any kind. The only one missing was Remus who had been stuck in France trying to talk to a Werewolf colony. If things went well he would be back just before Harry's birthday.
Then, at exactly seven, Ron floo-ed away, swearing to writing every day and all that rot. It was actually pretty emotional for the Golden Gryffindor Trio to be separated again but everyone kept the tears from showing.
Harry and Hermione then waited until the visitors left the Headquarters, Mrs. Weasley, Bill and Charlie went and began to clean her dishes up, Fred and George Apparated to the shop to do some paper work and Ginny to write to Luna before heading upstairs to get the tests and sneak into a small bathroom on the third floor of the house.
Separating the tests into groups according to what Harry had to do, Hermione waited outside the door to give her friend some privacy.
An hour later, after Harry had dunked, dipped, submerged and peed on everything necessary, the results were back. Everyone of the twelve tests had turned the dreaded pink, double lined or plus signed, signifying that Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived and all around dude, was in fact pregnant.
Harry sat on the floor by the sink, his left hand on his lower abdomen, eyes glazed.
"Maybe they're wrong, Hermione. I mean I know Fate or Destiny or whatever really hates me, but this? How did this happen? I am-wait, was a virgin!"
Hermione picked up a test and looked at it as if willing it to change.
"I'm not sure. This is so rare! I mean, it hasn't happened in almost a century! I know you're confused and angry and upset but we need to decide what you're going to do next."
Harry's head snapped up to look at his best friend's face. It was suspiciously blank.
"Are you- are you asking me if I'm going to-kill-it? Hermione, how could you even think I would!"
The girl relaxed at that answer but looked anxious. "Madam Pomfrey is coming to see you on Friday. You have to tell her so she can help you. Tell Mrs. Weasley and we'll get the nurse here tonight! You need to know so much; how far along you are, what you need to do to keep healthy!"
Hermione was going to continue but Harry was shaking his head so violently, she feared it would twist off.
"I can't tell anyone yet and neither can you. Promise me, you won't tell. Promise me!"
The Seventh Year nodded, her eyes wide. Harry looked positively horrified at the thought of telling anyone he was pregnant. He seemed to realize she was staring at him.
"I just need to get used to this. Think about everything. Please give me that!"
Hermione hugged her near frantic friend.
"I promise, Harry. I won't tell a soul yet," she whispered, but added to herself, 'unless I have to save you. I won't lose you again.'
A/N:Pretty Little Secrets gets updated again new weekend if I've got time. I have to go to the library too. Thanks for the reviews!
S.Tangerine
