Part IV

In Which They Become Friends?

Pansy frowned at the flowers that littered her flat. Pansy frowned at the flowers that littered her flat. They were also crowding the desk at work too. The gossip headlines had somehow gotten wind of it too. Then of course there was the news that Potter was no longer engaged, a source had said he'd called it off. Pansy hadn't known what to think, because really, he was trying too hard. Draco hadn't been any help either. Pansy didn't read the first four but it was getting to be too much. She had finally cracked yesterday and opened one.

Our place, 6 for dinner?

Pansy didn't know if she wanted to see him or not. The idea that he might be trying was still too new for Pansy. Of course, at work everyone seemed equally surprised and moved by his jesters. Healer Clearwater made it a point to ask her about the health of her child. She knew from Healer trainee Patil that there was a workplace bet on the sex of her child. Most everyone was betting for a girl.

Draco only stopped in to visit her because Granger apparently had taken to following him around now. If she wasn't sure Granger was still in love with Weasley she would have thought that they had something going on. Daphne had visited several times to take more of the flowers from her flat. The flowers ranged from rare and beautiful to common and nice. She could sort of tell when Potter was on a case by the flowers he bought.

Pansy showed up at six at the Leaky Cauldron. Potter was seated at the back, flowers also lay on the table. Pansy sat down on the opposite side. Potter smiled at her. He nodded to the waiter who brought them her favorite food right now- grilled cheese and some tomato soup- and Harry's usual.

"I'm glad you made it," Potter said. He looked worn but happy.

"You can stop sending all those damn flowers now!" Pansy told him. He smirked but didn't say anything else about them.

"How's work?" Harry asked after a comfortable silence settled.

"The usual. Though they're a pool on whether it's a boy or girl," Pansy laughed. Harry smiled.

"What do you think?" he asked. Pansy sighed, she wanted it to be a girl but she rarely got what she wanted.

"I don't really care," Pansy shrugged. Harry nodded.

"I, ah, made a nursery. I know things aren't good between us but…I want to be part of your life, the baby's life," Potter began, "I know you're not sure if this is just some grand jester because of the baby. And it probably would have taken me longer to pull my head out of my arse but I know what I want."

"Okay," Pansy replied, waiting.

"I want you, first and for most I want you. I was going to propose but we'd had some silly fight and I went to vent to Hermione. She…she has some of her own bullshit to work out but thought she knew what was best for me. She thought I wanted Ginny and you were just some stop-gap. But then you reminded me that everything was so easy with Ginny. And I missed you. I missed the me I was with you. And Ginny found the fucking ring and thought it was for her." Potter sighed.

"I should have set her straight there and gone to you and proposed. But I was scared. It was happening all too fast, but it wasn't at the same time. I love Ginny. But I love you more; I love you in a different way. I can see us ten, twenty, fifty years from now. I'm asking for a second chance. And if not a second chance friendship, anything really." Potter finished.

Pansy didn't know what to say. She was glad to know that they had had something special, something that they both had wanted. But she was angry. Pansy loved him too. But she didn't want her heart broken again, she didn't know if she could trust him again. Trust broken was always the hardest to fix.

"I…I was scared too. We should have been able to talk about that," Pansy sighed.

"I know," Harry agreed.

"Let's start over, slowly. Friends first kind of deal," Pansy supplied.

"Okay, I can do that," Potter told her.

Pansy wasn't sure why Potter was waiting for her after she got out of work. She was tired and wanted to rest. He smiled at her and grabbed her bag. Pansy tried not to roll her eyes. It'd been three days since they'd talked and the flowers had mostly stopped. People smiled and giggled because they thought they knew what was happening. Draco had sent an owl that just said finally. Pansy had then sent one back that asked about Granger and why she'd been sitting waiting for Draco.

"How was your day?" Potter asked. Pansy shrugged. Nothing horrible had come in. Pansy cried when families would fight in front of her, she cried when the charts were read, it was annoying.

"It's was fine, what about you?" Pansy asked. Potter smiled.

"It was okay too, we picked up a few more cases," he told her.

"Anything interesting?" Pansy asked. She always loved to hear about who Potter was chasing. Potter laughed and shook his head.

"Want to talk over dinner?" Potter asked.

"Ah, sure," Pansy agreed.

"We'll go come place muggle. I'll pick you up at half past six?" He asked.

"Okay," Pansy nodded.

"See you then," Potter told her. He kissed her on the cheek and handed her bag back to her.

When Pansy got home she tried to decide what to wear. She hadn't really bought any muggle clothing for pregnancy. She charmed her yellow summer dress to fit her only to realize she looked super fat. She tried three more outfits before she heard the knocking on the door. Slowly she waddled to the door. Harry took one look at her before pulling Pansy into his arms.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm fat!" Pansy told him. She was angry now about being fat, pregnant and she hadn't meant to wail. Judging from Potter's face he was trying not to laugh at her.

"Would it ruin the friendship if I told you I'd fuck you right now?" Potter asked. Pansy tried not to gape at him. Maye that was why it was better to be pregnant when you had a partner. They would sooth the aches and make you feel wanted. Pansy hadn't felt wanted in a long time. It was great but scary at the same time. She and Potter were just starting as friends.

She let Harry kiss her anyway. She let him caress her breasts and she felt empower when she felt his erection. Pansy wanted what Harry was putting out there. They moved from the entryway to the living room. Harry underdressed her and himself. His hands moved everywhere, she felt surrounded by him. She was so wet, it'd been months, which seemed like years, since she'd had sex. She wanted Harry inside her now.

"Potter," Pansy scolded. He was trying to tease her.

"Yeah?" Harry asked. He was sucking on her neck.

Harry's hands skimmed over her breasts, teasing her nipples before they made their way slowly down her stomach. She didn't feel fat and swollen, Pansy felt alive. She urged Harry closer to her and he chuckled. He muttered something before a cool finger played with her clit.

"Good?" He asked.

"I want you inside me" Pansy whined. Harry chuckled and started to pull his pants down.

Pansy felt the blunt tip of his penis as he achingly slow thrust into her. Pansy tried not to moan when he finally bottomed out. They both panted, his hands on her hips as he looked up at her. Pansy would have liked to be on the bottom but she was too big. Harry moved and Pansy almost came then, she was too sensitive to last long. Harry sucked on her collar bone, her breasts and then kissed her. It was as frantic as it could get, she rested her head on Harry's shoulder as she came.

Harry was still hard and if she hadn't been the size of a whale she would have got on the floor to give him a blow job. Harry surprised her though by still moving within her. Pansy lay there and let him do the work, she was tired. Harry murmured in her ear as he came. They lay there in peace.

Pansy woke up to the smell of pizza. Potter was talking softly before he closed the door. Pansy realized she was covered by a blanket. She got up slowly and grabbed her clothes from the floor. Potter had ordered a pizza. Pansy was hungry and pizza was perfect. She wouldn't have to go out and she didn't have to worry about what she looked like.

"I got cheese and then a veggie one." Harry told her. Pansy smiled glad he remembered.

"What time is it?" Pansy asked as they sat on the kitchen table.

"Like half past eight?" Harry shrugged. The cheese was prefect, melted and there wasn't too much sauce.

"So have you thought about names?" Harry asked. Pansy sighed, because they did need to talk about this.

"Not really, I don't even know what we're having," Pansy told him. Harry smiled at her before stealing a piece of the veggie pizza. Pansy glared at him.

"When's your next appointment?" Harry asked.

"Tuesday, you should probably come," Pansy told him.

"Yeah, thank you," Harry smiled.

Pansy was waiting for Harry at the Healer's office. Today would be a checkup and then they'd go over the birthing plan. Pansy wanted something for the pain. She also didn't want to be split in half if the child had a huge head. Harry walked in and waved as she glanced over Witch Weekly. They sat in comfortable silence as they waited to be called. Usually Draco would come with her, he'd been relieved at not going this time.

"Sorry I'm late. Luna went into labor," Harry told her.

"You don't have to be here." Pansy told him. Harry shook his head.

"It's going to be a while. And I wanted to see my baby," Harry told her. Pansy paused, opened her mouth, before sighing.

"We could go after to check on them," Pansy offered.

"Yeah, that's be great." Harry smiled.

"Ms. Parkinson," called the Healer.

Pansy and Harry followed her to a room. They weighted her, listen to her heart then too her blood pressure. Harry sat on one of the chairs that faced her. She sat on the medical bed, soon they'd have she spread for a full check. Once the Healer left Pansy started to disrobe. Harry's eyes followed her with longing.

"Are we dating?" Harry asked. His eyes were glued to her breasts. Sex did changes things. Pansy couldn't say she still didn't love Harry but she didn't want to stick her hand back into the fire again. Maybe Harry had gotten his shit together, still didn't mean that Ron or someone else could say something that might change his mind.

"We're taking it slow, friends first remember?" Pansy told him. She knew he wanted more but Pansy wasn't ready for that.

"Okay, I just...if the Weasley family is there I want them to know you're my girlfriend, partner, significant other or whatever..." Harry shrugged. Pansy was saved from answering as the Head Healer wanted in.

"Pansy, lovely to see you again," Healer Jackson said. She smiled and nodded at Harry.

"So today we're going to see how the baby is doing. We'll make sure that the baby isn't breached," the Healer told them.

She muttered some spells and then a 3D picture of their baby was in front of them. Harry grabbed her hand and stepped closer. He looked as though he was going to cry. Pansy wanted to cry too, Harry raised his hand to touch the 3D image.

"Everything l looks good," Healer Jackson said.

"The only people allowed in the room will be Harry and Draco," Pansy told Healer Jackson. Harry would be there but Draco was her back-up plan just encase.

"I'll make a note," Healer Jackson said writing it down on her charts, "Any other questions?"

"How long will after the birth till Pansy and the baby be allowed home?" Harry asked.

"If things become complicated then it depends otherwise, a day," Healer Jackson told them.

Pansy got dressed after the healer left. She then followed Harry to Luna's room. The waiting area by her room was full of Weasleys. Ginny took one look at their hands and walked away. Mrs. Weasley frowned before turning to talk to her husband. No one approached. Granger was sitting next to one of the eldest children, Pansy couldn't really tell them apart. She also tried not to rub her relationship with Harry in their faces. She had gone to some "family" events but never stayed long.

"How's Ron?" Harry asked ignoring the tension.

"He just up-dated us about the progress," Mr. Weasley told them, "Luna has a couple more hours ahead of her."

"Okay, we're going to get something to eat, do you want anything?" Harry asked.

"Some tea? Maybe ah some snacks?" Mr. Weasley said, "Hermione why don't you go and help?"

Granger smiled and got up. Pansy and Harry followed, Harry holding her hand. Granger of course frowned but Pansy didn't say anything. It wasn't about her and Granger. Right now it was about being there for Harry. Harry's face was neutral as if he didn't want to give any emotion away. Granger looked uncertain about what she should say of do. Pansy guessed that Weasley hadn't told his parents about the fight.

"Harry..." Granger began but stopped.

"We should get them so biscuits too," Harry muttered. Pansy grabbed a paper plate and looked over the offerings. St. Mugo's maternity wing had much nicer food then her wing.

"Harry are we ever going to talk about this?" Granger asked. She looked annoyed now.

"Hermione, I need people in my like that want to support me in what I'm doing. I'm making a life with Pansy, you don't a agree with that. And until you don't I think we should talk later," Harry replied. Pansy looked at Harry surprised. She had thought he'd accept her apology and move on, dirt under the rug.

"Fine," Hermione muttered, "fine."

Pansy woke with a back ache. She wasn't use to Harry's new bed and the baby was kicking hard. She got up to walk around- Harry was probably at work already. He had decided that he'd take a week off the week of her due date. Pansy had agreed to stay at Grimmauld Place. Harry had walked her through the nursery. But Pansy also still kept her apartment. She knew the first couple of months would be hard and staying with Harry would be easiest. Pansy remembered Weasley and Luna's pale tired faces when they'd gone out to dinner one night.

Pansy had started her maternity leave two days ago and she was already bored. She'd been reading all the books in the library. She also made notes on how to make the house brighter and more inviting. Pansy felt a warm liquid run down her legs. And her back got more intense. She took a deep breath, she needed to owl Harry and then floo to St. Mugo's.

Harry,

In Labor. Get, bag

Pansy

Pansy was surprised at how fast everything had gone. Harry had gotten to St. Mugo when she was only 5 centimeters dilated. She heard yelling between Daphne and Harry. Draco had come in to visit her while they were yelling at each other. Harry had come back looking annoyed but they didn't talk about it. They didn't talk about home Ron, Luna and Neville were the only people from his side to show up.

James Orion Potter was born September 8th at 5:30 am weighing 3 kg and 50cm. He had been loud as Pansy and Harry had tried to figure out what to name him. They had agreed on the first name- James. Pansy had then decided on the middle name. Harry hadn't pressured her into giving James the same surname which was why she did. If anything he wouldn't be able to run from his responsibility. Pansy knew James was going to look like Harry. Draco had cried when he had held James, so had Ron. Luna had just smiled.

Pansy was glad to have a night out with Harry. Luna had offered to baby sit but Ron had also wanted a night off. Draco had decided to watch him. Pansy had lost most of the baby so she put on one of her more formfitting dresses. Harry was taking her some place nice, she'd pumped her milk so she could drink some wine. Pansy was excited.

"You look amazing!" Harry told her. He gave her a quick peck on the lips before they made their way to the car. Harry had tried to teach Pansy how to drive. Pansy had tried and failed, Harry was good at driving so he would keep driving them around.

They sat in the back corner away from the other people. Harry ordered a steak while Pansy got the chicken. The wine was good- Pansy liked it sweet much to Harry's dismay. The slice of cake had a ring in it. Pansy was stunned. They hadn't been back together technically. Yes, she usually spent the week living with Harry but she hadn't moved in. They went on as many dates as they could with work and a baby.

"Harry..." Pansy said. She didn't know how to say no but still keep him

"I love you. And I know now isn't really a good time to get married but I wanted to ask because, I love you," Harry told her.

"I love you Harry," Pansy smiled, "but I'm not ready. I'll ask when I'm ready." Harry frowned and sat quiet. Pansy wanted to say yes, but knew she couldn't. She didn't know what else she could say.

"You still want to be with me yeah? Like I'm your boyfriend right?" Harry asked. Pansy smiled, she tried not to laugh.

"Yeah, we're dating."

Don't know if anyone is still reading this, again sorry for the long delay...