5 years...
Draco opened his eyes, the ache in his body fading, though the clenching in his abdomen still pinched occasionally. He felt the rough hand of Harry's gently rub his cheek.
"Good, your fever is down. How're you feeling?" Harry's voice was a nice thing to hear after the fever fit.
Draco lifted his head towards Harry and smiled weakly. "What's the matter? Worried, Potter?"
Harry didn't smile or scoff. "Draco, love. You've been in and out of that fever for almost a month. I had to give you painkillers just to make you sleep, remember?"
Draco scrunched his brows. "No. A month? You sure?" He'd never had one that long. Maybe a bit more than a week at the beginning, but never that long.
Harry nodded. "Draco. Please go to the doctors. Since your fever broke and you're up, I have to work. Just take your time and go to the doctor." Harry's voice was stern.
Draco was still processing why he was in that state for that long. Maybe he should. The last doctor, not counting Madame Pomphrey, was the Malfoy doctor when he was 15. He didn't want to go, but he probably should.
He whimpered at the sharp pain in his abdomen as he tried getting up. Harry fixed him a concerned look, but Draco waved him off. "Fine. Whatever you say, Harry. Now go, your shift is starting soon, right? Gotta go help idiots."
Harry kissed his forehead and the earring twinkled in the morning light. A month? "Harry? What about my work?"
Harry hummed, looking back and Draco had to admit, if he wasn't still feeling wretched, he'd make a semi-joke about Harry in a uniform. "I explained and they'll await your return. Your MP, little sly Pansy Parkinson, said her other underlings weren't as good as you."
Draco nodded. Pansy was so sweet to understand. Harry left and Draco begrudgingly got ready. First, a shower. He almost stumbled, his legs shaky, but he made it.
Afterwards, he realized he looked a bit different and it wasn't because of his hair growth. He couldn't pin it until he tried putting his pants on and they wouldn't fit. His hips were wider. His thighs a bit thicker. You'd think being bed ridden for a month would make you lose weight. He truly didn't remember the month.
He stole Harry's sweatpants and used a t-shirt. He still felt the shocks of pain throughout his body, almost making him buckle.
He felt so embarrassed to go out in what would be considered pajamas, but Harry's pants, though bigger than his, would be too long and he'd rather look like a man just waking up, than someone who didn't know how to dress.
The hospital was noisy and a headache was coming. He should've ate or drank before leaving.
"Mr. Black-Lupin?" A nurse called and Draco followed.
They did the usual tests before the doctor showed, though they did want him to do some blood tests for their records.
He told the nurse why he was even there and she said she'd see about getting an ultrasound done to see if there's anything serious that's going on. The usual things, he supposed.
A short, maybe an hour visit turned into 4 and counting as they did do some blood work and tests and the ultrasound but wanted to wait and see the results before allowing him to leave.
The doctor came back in and Draco was already ready to go back home and sleep. He felt terrible. Either from the blood work and tests, or doing so much after a fit, Draco wasn't sure.
"Hmm...do you have a mate-or partner, by chance?" The doctor asked as she stared at the picture. She was a lemur.
Draco scrunched his brows. He wasn't sure why that was important since both he and Harry were clean and this was of his stomach-guts and not lower. "Yes. Why?"
She looked over his blood results and everything again, along with the photo, of which he hadn't seen yet. "What type are they? It'll help me figure out why what's happening, is happening."
Draco could feel the coil of panic in his chest. 'Happening?' What could be happening?! He wasn't sure how to respond.
She looked to him sympathetically. "Please, I assure you nothing is wrong. You're not sick. It's just something...odd."
That helped him decide to tell, but he was still on edge. "He's a bear-type. Why is that important?"
She hummed, listening. "That explains a lot. When did he Claim you?" She was jotting notes.
Draco blushed. "He...hasn't. It's a long story. Yes, he Claimed me back when we were 7 years old but at 15 I "crossed it out", so no he technically hasn't Claimed me again. Why is the Claim thing important?" He wasn't sure if it was leftover from the fit, but he felt ill.
She sighed. "How deep? I know these might seem very personal, but I assure you, this is necessary. Also, you told the nurse and in your paperwork you've been having these fevers and body pain. When did that start?"
Draco gulped. "They started when I was 11. And...I'm not sure, I never got an X-ray even though it was on the back of my neck."
She muttered. "Alright. Let's get an X-ray of your spine. I'm surprised though, that you haven't used a heal spell for your tail, now that I see it."
He chuckled nervously. "It's just to remind me what I almost lost. It only bothers me during winter or if someone is rough with it."
She nodded and led him out the room, she apparently meant an X-ray right then.
He felt even more tired after the X-ray. He just wanted to curl into Harry, wanting that comfort.
When the doctor came in, she switched on the light board and set up the first X-ray. His spinal one. He noticed there were indents in the back of his neck vertebrae along with what looked like nerves coming out. It sent a chill down his back.
"This...is your Claim mark. Or what's left of it. Even as a child your mate bit you so hard it left indents of their canines in your bone. His magic, though, kept you from any damage caused by his teeth. That's where those nerves are from. It's also the reason for your fevers even after you "got rid" of it."
Draco had to think. He'd never heard of a Claim causing fevers. He opened and closed his mouth, trying to ask. She waited.
"How? I've never heard of that. You said it was the cause of the fevers, so, why? Why is it causing them?"
She scratched at her head, but then realized something important that happened during the X-rays. "Mr. Black-Lupin, have your hips always been a bit wider than the average cat male?"
Draco shook his head. "No. Actually, it just happened during this last fever. That's why I had to wear sweatpants. My pants wouldn't stretch over." His mouth felt dry. He felt like she was trying to get somewhere but Draco couldn't seem to pick what.
"With all the information I've gathered, Mr. Black-Lupin, it definitely seems your results of the ultrasound seem factual. You see, for some reason, bear-type numbers are VERY small. Not even 1% of the world's population. Their magic is very powerful, even the weaker ones. Usually when a bear-type chooses a mate, their mate will have some sort of change. In females it's usually higher fertility or an immunization to their mates magic, something minute. Males, usually similar results or the changes could be as simple as a need for only that bear and their body will reject anyone else. Here." She handed him the picture and he was very confused.
Something oddly shaped but hollow was a little higher than his hips. "What...is it?"
The only thing he could even remotely think it looked a bit like, was a uterus. It's shape was similar but there wasn't a tube where a baby would go out. Also, he was male.
"You have to be joking. This has to be the wrong test result." He looked at the name on it and it was his.
"I assure you, I'm not lying, Sir. It wouldn't be beneficial for me to. It seems with the dwindling of their race, along with your unique case of having been Claimed with the same mate for 13 years, long even before puberty, your body had been going through this large change, fueled by the Claim mark and magic inside you. I can't be sure your mate is even aware, judging by how long ago it was done. Regarding the fevers, it must've been to help with the pain, to overwhelm your body into exhausted sleep. Taking another look, it seems it's almost done. See?"
She pointed where there was a network of nerves going from the bottom of the makeshift uterus to lower and he could only guess with embarrassment where.
She wrote a lot of what she said down, in case Draco was in too much shock to hear.
He heard. He listened and processed all that information. His body began to shake. He wasn't even sure what caused it. Maybe stress? "I-uhm...don't see an area for a child to...so what's the use in..."
he shuddered out.
The doctor hummed, looking over some notes and the picture. "There isn't one, since you're still male. If you were to hold child, it might have to be a c-section. That's ONLY and IF you get pregnant and can do a full term. We don't have enough information on how complex the magic has made everything to make any judgments. So, don't be too concerned with that for now. Check in if you have another fever or worse, okay?" She patted his knee and left.
The thought that it wasn't real, kept replaying over and over. Denial.
He'd have to tell Harry. Maybe he could reverse it or get rid of it since it was his magic that did it.
He was curled under the blankets, a habit he's had for a long time. Usually under stress. The doctor had given him a copy of both, since he asked.
He wasn't sure how long he stayed under the covers. He missed Harry, but he was also scared. What if Harry thinks it's freaky? Or is disgusted by what happened? He tried taking deep breaths.
He was startled by their bedroom door opening and Harry's scent wafting in.
"Draco? The lights were off. You sleeping? Everything alright, Ferret?"
He could hear Harry walking over to where he guessed Draco was in the large pile. His voice was soothing, sweet.
Draco poked his head out and Harry smiled fondly at him. "There you are. You go to the doctor or stay in bed?"
Harry began to get changed as Draco tried thinking of how to tell him.
He observed how filled out with muscle Harry was becoming. His hair was parted now, revealing the scar on his forehead. Draco felt both lucky and not enough. It's been years since he felt that. Maybe it was the sudden body change.
He took a deep breath. It was now or never. Or...until Harry looked where he was about to tell him.
"Look on the vanity." He debated on hiding more or looking, to see Harry's reaction.
Harry quirked a brow and walked over, only in his pajama bottoms. "What's this? X-rays?! Draco, did you break something?" Harry's voice was alarmed but Draco put his hand up.
"Just look carefully." Draco croaked. He wouldn't know what to think if Harry reacted badly.
He saw Harry did look, his face scrunched in confusion. "Indents in your spine? When did..." he looked to the other, more confused by what he was seeing. "What's this?"
Draco took a deep breath. "The-the doctor said when you bit me as kids, your grip was so hard it left indents in my neck vertebrae. That-that the magic from it had protected my neck from damage. And..." he squeaked that last word. He hadn't even noticed he hid.
He felt Harry come over and go under with him. Draco tried hiding his hips. As far as he knew, Harry didn't know.
"Why're you so scared?" He whispered.
Draco knew there was no point lying. It's just make things worse. "So...s-since 11 years old, I've had the fever fits. Turns out, since the bear population was so small, your magic altered my body, since I'm male. I'm so scared you're going to think I'm disgusting after I tell you."
Harry scooted closer, gently laying his hand on Draco's. He didn't speak for a moment.
"Draco? What gave you that impression?" Harry's voice sounded hurt.
Draco hadn't meant for that. "No-it's just-Harry..." he took a deep breath again, "my body has been literally altered because of your magic through the course of the 13 years I've had your bite. I'm worried...you won't like them. The changes...I mean." He turned his head. This nervous wreck wasn't like him. He could stare down criminals or people who thought they could bend the laws that he knew every trick to, and he beat them without breaking his small victorious smirk.
But the thought of Harry rejecting him...he couldn't do it.
He knew it was unrealistic and just his insecurities talking, but he couldn't help it.
Harry's voice was a whisper, it sent chills down his spine. "What were the changes?"
Needing assurance, Draco leaned forward and kissed Harry. He pulled back, pulling Harry too. He knew Harry would be over him and if he-yep.
Harry had put the blankets down as to see Draco better and he paused when he had to widen his knees farther than usual at Draco's hips.
Harry looked down, seeing the usually narrow hips were a bit wider. He tilted his head and ran his large scarred hands up Draco's thighs, his palms flat against the front of his hips.
Draco gasped at the feeling, not expecting how gentle Harry was being.
"This..." he whispered, his arm over his eyes and placed his hand softly on top of where Harry's was on his hips, "and on the other...picture."
Harry removed his hands and got up, Draco whined, not wanting Harry to get up, but understanding.
"I'm not trying to be dumb, ferret, but what is this?" Harry asked and Draco snorted, actually smiling, but he kept his arm over his eyes.
"You're not trying because you ARE dumb, Potter." He snarked. That got a deep chuckle from Harry, sending heat to Draco's stomach.
It was silent as Harry took a moment to look over the picture. "It looks a lot like what's in a woman, but also not."
Draco began to laugh. "Come here you stupid Gryffindor."
Harry did and laid beside Draco. Draco turned to bury his face in Harry's chest. He took a deep breath. "It kind of is, Harry. The doctor...she said with how long your magic has been inside me, along with how scarce your race is, it pushed your magic to make a way for a male, to possibly bear a kid." His heart began to head wildly, "It's not for sure and it might just be an attempt at making a male mate have one in a dire situation. She said that's why I've had the fevers. It was changing my body since around puberty."
There was a pause, Harry was probably taking it in.
"Do you want it? If it's causing pain...listen, love. When I Claimed you it was simply because I wanted to keep you forever. I wasn't even thinking about reproduction. I'm not even sure where to begin to reverse it, if it's what YOU want." Harry said, he was serious.
Draco wasn't sure. He didn't even know if he COULD have one and he didn't want to give Harry hope if he had the stuff but could bear a little one. He also had work, so did Harry. "What do you want, Harry?" He whispered and looked up as he pushed away a bit, enough to see his face.
He saw the blush on his face and the placement of his ears, the look in his green eyes said it. 'He wouldn't be opposed. Stupid Gryffindor.'
Draco sighed, trying to curl even deeper into Harry. "I missed you today. I feel like I haven't touched you in forever." Draco said.
Harry hummed, running his hand along Draco's side. Draco shivered, getting goosebumps.
"I was worried for you today. Haha, how about...I act like a Ravenclaw and try and find out what I can about reversing it? Just in case it causes you pain or you say you don't want it? S-sound fair?"
Draco snorted. "That sounds like you're trying to be a perfect mate by offering me everything. You want one, don't you?"
Harry sighed. "Draco, no. Really I hadn't thought of it because I thought it was impossible. More than the thought of a little one running around, I want you happy and not in pain from these fevers."
Not thinking about it, Draco placed a hickey on Harry's chest, making the other gasp. "Draco..."
"We're avoiding the main question." Draco whispered. He missed his mate. He slowly moved his leg up and hooked it to Harry's back.
Harry chuckled, getting the hint and pushing Draco back.
He got on top, Draco getting lost in the dark look of swirling greens.
"Well...how about, my beautiful ferret, we take it one step at a time? We're mates. We'll figure it out. I don't need kids to be happy with you forever." Harry whispered lowly and Draco wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him down and licking a long strip up Harry's neck, causing him to groan.
Draco chuckled at his playful rilling and smiled. "Yes. Mates forever. I'll never let you go."
7 years...
They weren't able to reverse it. They tried after Draco's fever fit that occurred a while after the doctor visit. Harry had wanted to avoid putting Draco in pain. They had decided to put a fund away anyway, in case they could conceive and it got far. They'd rather be a bit prepared as opposed to thrown out of left field.
Draco opened the Black-Lupin house door. He carried in a large treacle tart. Since his "in-laws" place was bigger (him and Harry saving for a larger place) they were holding Harry's birthday there. He must've been the first one there, with the lack of noise and shoes in the door.
"Remus! Sirius? I'm here." He hollered.
Remus poked his head out of the kitchen, the scent of Harry's favorite dinner dishes filling the air, once Draco got close enough. "Oh, Draco! Bring that in."
He did and relaxed at the bar table.
"Will Harry be by after work?" Remus asked, working on a marinade while Draco saw Sirius working on something out back.
Draco nodded. "Yeah. I even threatened his boss with a little something if he didn't let Harry leave on time for once. He's an Aurora, not a P.I. there at your beck and call. Only I'm allowed to do that."
Remus chuckled. "You have that boy around your finger. You know he'd do anything for you?"
Draco smiled. "I know."
Everyone started to pour in soon after. Draco helped how he could, mainly wanting to learn a few dishes Harry liked to surprise him.
Hermoine helped as well, Ron looking after their little one. Neville and Blaise were helping Sirius out back. Luna was overseas but she sent her regards.
Now they were just finishing up and waiting on Harry.
Everything got livelier when Harry showed up, still in uniform but happy. He had come over and kissed Draco but then everyone wanted the birthday boy's attention. Draco couldn't blame them. He got Harry most of the time and sometimes he still felt like it wasn't enough. Rarely was it too much, after all these years.
He saw Harry play with the little ones and laugh with their friends.
They all had gotten done eating and were socializing.
Draco bit his thumb, his arms crossed and tail nervously flicking. Should he tell Harry then? Or wait till they got home?
"So...did you get the results back?" Sirius came up beside him. Draco nodded.
About a week ago, Draco had collapsed during work with abdomen pain and a high fever. Sirius was the only one home, since Remus was at Hogwarts for the week, having a professors meeting before the school year would start. Then, Harry was at work, investigating something a town over. He'd taken and stayed with Draco at the hospital while they figured out what had happened or if it was a little fluke with his yearly fevers.
Turned out...his and Harry's life would get a bit bigger, if it went right.
"You think he'll be happy? I don't...even know if it'll work. There's still so much even the doctors don't know."
Sirius smiled, a fond one very similar to Harry's. He rubbed Draco's back. "As long as you're happy and healthy, Harry won't care. I think you stress too much because you don't want to lose him again. You know you won't."
Draco nodded. "I know. You're right...I guess we'll think of titles later?" He grinned largely at Sirius who looked at him with big eyes but grinned as well.
"Yep. Moony will want dibs I think." He chuckled.
The nickname gave Draco an idea. "What about 'Padpa' for you and 'Moonpa' for Remus? That is...IF it's a success."
Sirius got tears in his eyes but he smiled still. "I love it. I'll run it by Moony in a bit. But you know, it will be. I know you and I know Harry. You both are stubborn to a fault so you both will work to make sure it grows and you'll find a way."
Draco smiled softly. He looked back at his friends and family. He took a deep breath and decided. He'd tell Harry then.
If he waited, yes it's be more personal, but then their friends would not leave them be if they heard after. "Wish me luck." He told Sirius.
Sirius laughed and drawled. "No need for luck, son. Just make sure you're loud enough."
Draco fought to make a joke, but he smiled so wide he swore his mouth would split. He grabbed some crates and things to make him a bit higher. He made sure everyone was outside and he saw Sirius dragging Remus out. Harry had already opened it received most of his gifts, it was just Draco's left to go. He cleared his throat and whistled.
That got everyone's attention.
"Alright, Potter. Ready for your birthday gift?" He quirked a brow.
Harry chuckled but tilted his head in question. Draco was nervous, but he played what Sirius had told him over and over, along with what Remus had told him that night in 6th year, before he confessed to Harry.
"That depends, ferret. Will it cause me pain?" Harry played.
Draco smirked, Harry's aloof playing had him relaxing. "Don't worry, not all the time. Do you want to guess?"
Harry was definitely confused. "Are you going to give me clues? Because Draco, love, if you don't, I'd be naming thins for hours."
Draco scoffed. "You don't have the brain capacity for hours worth of one thought."
"Then give me clues." Harry put a hand on his hip.
"It's something we have both been preparing and ignoring for."
Harry tilted his head, thinking.
Draco couldn't believe how daft he could be. He was no better. He didn't want to keep the guessing game going, so, with a nervous shuddering breath, Draco locked his fingers together and placed them over his abdomen. He looked at Harry, who seemed to be catching on.
"It's...it's the one thing that makes me nervous and scared. But-but with you a-and our loved ones, I know...I know I can fight past the nerves. Just...promise me you'll stay with me through it? E-even if it doesn't work?" He scrunched his eyes closed, scenes of memory of a cold, lonely home with no one there, flashing in his mind.
Harry lifted him by his thighs, so Harry's face came to his stomach. "You know I would. There's no way I'm ever letting you go again." His voice was serious but when Draco looked at him, his eyes sparkled that green that Draco saw when he first met Harry. The nap time green when laying under the trees. Harry smiled so wide his fangs were revealed and his eyes crinkled, making his glasses askew.
Draco bit his lip and leaned down enough to whisper in Harry's ear. "I have another present. Later tonight, you can Claim me again. I won't ever cross it out. Erase my mistake, Potter. Unless you're scared?"
He asked as he pulled away. He saw that dark look, and wondered how far into the house they'd get later.
Draco laughed so hard he was snorting and Harry laughed with. Harry turned and saw mostly everyone was confused. He chuckled but didn't tell them.
Draco rolled his eyes, patting Harry's cheek and allowing his tail to wrap around Harry's thigh for a moment before letting go and Harry releasing him.
"You know, I do wonder what a bear/cat would look like?" He said loud enough. Mostly everyone got it and he was hugged by Neville, who was already tearing up in happiness, and Hermoine who was delightfully saying how happy she was for them.
He'd have to explain to them later, that there was the chance it wouldn't work, but for now, he let them be happy.
Later that night, as they walked home, Harry had begun to carry Draco since Draco insisted on being a tease.
He opened the door and after locking it, Harry kissed him thoroughly. "I love you, ferret."
Draco laughed against Harry's lips. "I love you too, Potter. Always have. Always will."
He grinned ear to ear.
Draco was home.
