A/N: Um... I've been waiting for a looong time for this chapter! I know some will hate me but... this has been my intention from the near start. Please review. Any feedback at all is welcome!

Things were quiet for the few days after Remi's birthday. The daily meetings were short and uneventful. There were no deaths in those days. And the best part was when Scorpius found another poem by Camdon Syphe.

"This one has a biography, too," Albus said quietly, examining the small book of poetry. They had missed it the first time around because of its size. Overall, there was only about twenty poems in the book and they were lucky enough that the person they were looking for was among them. "Maybe we can get more information from this one?"

Over in the other corner of the library, Scorpius was lying down on the couch. He was massaging his temples slowly, his eyes closed as he fought off a migraine. It seemed that reading the same boring books over and over again was taking a toll on him. Or he was just being dramatic…. "Read it, then. I could do with more erotic mental images of homosexual lovers writhing with pleasure right now."

Albus wrinkled his nose in distaste and turned to the page of the poem first. He read it silently to himself, not wanting to give the other man the satisfaction right now. He was feeling sick again and didn't want to hear how much his boyfriend enjoyed reading of the sexual experiences of others.

"It's not about gay sex this time," he said coolly, standing up off the floor and stepping over the ring of books around him to cross to Scorpius' couch. He sat gingerly at his feet, patting his leg as he explained further. "It's actually titled Cat&Sam…and it's about his children."

All ideas of suffering from a headache were thrown out the window. Scorpius sat up quickly, ripping the book out of Albus' hands. His eyes scanned the poem fervently as he worried at his lip. Was it that simple? Were the answers actually right here in front of them? After searching for so long…had they seriously just overlooked this?! "Go get me the other book," he snapped, raking his fingers through his hair. He was excited, but he was also quite frustrated. He didn't like feeling like a fool.

Albus sighed and got up, underwhelmed by his boyfriend's reaction to his find. He had made a great discovery! And there wasn't even a 'thank you'? He would have loved an excited kiss. At the very least, a smile would be nice. All he received was a barking command, however. Like he was a slave. He grabbed the other book of poetry off of a bookshelf and tossed it across the room to the other. "What?" he questioned with only mild interest. He was almost past the point of caring at this point.

"Do not throw shit at me," Scorpius snapped, his eyes locked dangerously onto Albus. If he weren't so lost in being hopeful, he might have stood up and enforced his words. Shaking his head, his jaw squared in anger, the man crossed his legs up on the couch and set one poem open on one knee and the other opposite. For silent minutes, he compared the two pieces of work. They were no doubt written by the same man. The style was the same and his heart was definitely on the page.

The differences between the two, however, were outstanding. In the first one they had found, his words were enchanting and drew quite a vivid picture of his no doubt bountiful sex life. The second…. Well, there was something forced about it. His words called no doubt to his love for these children of his, but it just wasn't written with the same passion. Frowning, the blonde flipped to the publication page of both books. The comparisons said everything. "This book you just found? Published in 1982. The other one is from 1998. Just after the last war…." He sighed, reaching back to tie his hair up into a loose ponytail.

Silence again stretched while Scorpius read over the small biographies in both books. Albus watched on with his green eyes smoldering with both anger and intrigue. He didn't want to care right now about what the other had to say. But he couldn't deny that this was a bit exciting. They were finally getting somewhere….

"First book – Camdon Syphe lives with his husband in Marseille. Second…. In the second, he's living with his wife and his son, Catari, and daughter, Samora, in London. So somewhere in between, he left his family and started a homosexual lifestyle." Scorpius gave an unbridled snort and tossed both books to the floor, kneading his fingers in his eyes now. The headache was back. "And, again, that doesn't help us!"

Sighing deeply, Albus crossed back over to his boyfriend. He sat beside him again, reaching up to softly graze his fingers over the man's pale cheek so flushed with anger. "At least we know…Catari Syphe exists. And he once lived in London. It helps, Scorpius. It's something to go off of!" He shrugged helplessly before dropping his hand. "If we asked someone else…maybe we could get some help…?"

In a display of anger he hadn't showed in the last few weeks, Scorpius turned towards Albus. His long fingers clamped tightly around Al's jaw as he swung himself around so that both of his legs were on either side of the brunette. Their faces were merely an inch apart and Scorpius' other hand was poised at the nape of the other's neck in warning. "No. Help," he ground out through his teeth, flexing his fingers in anticipation. Like he was expecting the other to defy him.

Albus wasn't sure whether it was the way the rough way his boyfriend was deciding to treat him again or whatever was actually making him sick, but he felt like he might puke. He took in deep breaths, trying not to move. Scorpius might see that as him trying to get away. He might actually choke him again. "Fine," he whispered, barely trusting himself to move. "We can do it your way. Your way is superior…." He swallowed back a little bit of bile and closed his eyes.

The flattery didn't make a bit of difference. Scorpius still closed his fingers around his throat. He still tightened them until Albus couldn't take a breath in. He still grinned down at him as he did so like he was enjoying every second of it.

His eyes were shining with something malicious that Albus knew he couldn't trust. His heart pounded in fear at the fear of the companion his heart had chosen to fall for. And his stomach was just about to its breaking point. But at least if he couldn't breathe, he wouldn't be able to empty his stomach. Right…?

"I have a theory…," Scorpius whispered, his voice sounding snake-like as he hissed the words into the other's face. "You weren't disciplined enough as a child. You don't know your place." The last word was emphasized by a stronger, more enthusiastic squeeze to the already constricted throat.

That was it. Disgust in this man and this act and his choice to be in love all wrapped up into one vile package. It erupted with only a moment's notice. He only had a second's time in which to violently push the blonde off to the side before relieving his stomach upon the no doubt expensive rug over the antique wood floor. Scorpius jumped up off the couch and back from the vile mess, covering his nose from the stench.

"You are disgusting!" Scorpius spat down at him, reaching down to grasp a handful of black hair. He tugged until the man, his chin stained with sickly green vomit, was meeting his heat-filled eyes. "You get sick from a small amount of pain? You're weak, Albus! Sometimes I'm ashamed to even waste my time on you…."

Crying from the harsh treatment and the burn in his esophagus, Albus stared up at his boyfriend. A title he was considering revising right now. "I haven't been feeling well…," he whispered, voice hoarse and breaking on several words. "I'm sorry. I'll clean it up…. I promise."

Like a switch turning off, Scorpius' eyes immediately softened. He released the deathgrip on Al's hair and took a step back. Like he was reconsidering the last few minutes and it almost scared him. Almost. "I…. I didn't know. You didn't say anything…."

Albus shrugged, wiping his mouth on his sleeve before slipping his shirt off. "I didn't think you would want to know." He stood up, actively avoiding the puddle of puke on the floor as he went for his wand where he'd left it over by the books. "You're not exactly sympathetic, Scorpius." The bruise forming on his neck was a great attestment to that.

By the time Al came back to the couch, the puddle was already gone. Scorpius stared at the floor, arms folded across his chest. Feeling…remorse? Maybe? "You and I are together, Albus…in whatever way you wish to consider that to be. I care about your wellbeing. Maybe I don't show it…."

"You don't."

With those words, Albus left the room. He was just done. Scorpius could apologize and feign innocence and sincerity all he wanted – he wasn't buying it any longer. A man who truly cared about him wouldn't choke him. He shouldn't be more disgusted over him puking than he should have been worried about him nearly passing out back there. He shouldn't be so…evil.

"Albus!" Gentle fingers took ahold of the Potter boy's arm, halting his frustrated and slightly obnoxious footsteps as he headed for his room. He just wanted to lie down and ignore all of this. He could deal with it later! But right now…. "Albus are you okay…?"

Teddy's voice was soft. He had the adept bedside manner of a Healer. There was even genuine concern in his eyes when Albus decided to meet them with his own tear-soaked emerald orbs. "I…. I'm fine. Not feeling well…. Some sort of bug or…or something doesn't agree with me. I'm fine." He faked a rather unconvincing smile and rubbed at his red neck, willing the fire upon it and his cheeks to go away. "What were you doing, anyway? Listening in?"

"I was coming up to check on George and heard you heaving. I'm just…concerned…. You've looked unwell the last few days." Teddy smiled, softening the dark brown of his eyes to a gentle amber and fading his hair color to a pleasing aqua shade. Trying to look…nice. Genuine. His eyes scanned over Al's body and hung for a second too long on his midsection. "Just the puking, then?"

With a shrug, Albus continued on his way towards his room. He didn't have the patience to be diagnosed. He would be fine. "Yeah, but that was the first time. Honestly, Teddy – don't fret over me. It's not worth it. I just want to go rest."

Teddy cleared his throat, staying behind but not willing to let his cousin go that easily. He wasn't done. He had a theory to test…. "Have you been feeling…tired? Like overwhelmingly fatigued? Or…how about put off from certain foods? Moody…?" There was a bit of a smug, unsure grin tugging at the corners of his lips. But that was the only let on he gave to what he was starting to realize.

Curious, Albus halted his steps. He bit his lip, tilting his head to the side. "Yes…. All of them," he admitted unabashedly. His cousin was a trained professional. He wanted to know what his opinion was. It would be nice to know how he could fix this sick feeling that came and went and why he couldn't control his emotions. He turned back, just enough to look at the other man while still remaining a bit detached. "Why?"

The response Teddy gave wasn't what Albus desired. He didn't offer an answer or a solution. He merely scoffed, like he was slightly disgusted, and turned away. The words he spoke as he disappeared down the stairs were quiet, but they rang heavily in the other's ears. He froze, wanting to follow and question, but too shocked to make a move. The world was spinning. The same words echoed around and around in his head. He groaned softly, crashing to his knees before he'd even realized he was falling. His body felt limp and foreign as he slumped over into the wall. Even though he knew it was grounded and solid, he couldn't help but to fear it would fall out from under him at any moment.

A dangerously erratic heartbeat pounded in Albus' ears. His breathing was coming much faster than normal. His heart and head simultaneously felt like they would burst from overstimulation. He was about to pass out…. And yet he couldn't allow to let himself to. If he did, he might not remember what Teddy had said once he woke up. He might forget what this was about. He couldn't afford that!

Somehow, Al was able to force himself back to a standing position. He was wobbly on his feet, but he was able to make it downstairs. The path he took was uncertain; he had no idea where he was going. He just needed…something. He needed to be…safe and…. Somewhere calming.

"Albus!"

Why is everyone always shouting my name in greeting…?

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Ginny's gentle hands were on Albus' face, the cold touch of her skin cooling his flamed cheeks. Shaky and uncertain, he met his mother's eyes. They were soft and full of concern.

Whimpering softly, Albus threw himself into his mother's arms. His arms clung to her in desperation as he let loose with broken, terrified sobs. She kept expressing her concern, asking him to tell her what was wrong. He heard all of this and felt the way she shook his shoulders. He just couldn't get himself to respond. There was a loop of Teddy's voice in his brain. It wouldn't end and every time it repeated brought deeper panic.

"You may want to tell your boyfriend to stop choking you. He'll give your baby brain damage."

"...your baby…"

"YOUR BABY"

A baby...

"He's pregnant, Aunt Gin. He's just overreacting."

"Pregnant?!"

"Oh, come on, you had to have assumed they were…doing it. That Malfoy boy is anything but innocent. I'm sure he talked him into it. Or…took advantage of Albus. Look at him! He's a mess!"

"But…but this is…."

"Entirely possible. We both know that. He knows that. Could've been Malfoy's plan all along..."

"I-it wasn't…."

Both Ginny and Teddy jumped. They hadn't been expecting Albus to speak – he had seemed so distraught. Clearing his throat and sharing a concerned look with her godson, Ginny led her son over to the table. There was an aroma of chicken and something savory lingering in the air. Albus had made his way back to the kitchen where he knew his mother would be making dinner right now. Just like she did every night. His instincts were still working, even though he was having troubles thinking correctly.

As he sat, Albus looked up and took in his surroundings. It was just the three of them. That was safe enough. But he couldn't help but to feel like this secret wouldn't be safe for long. And he wasn't sure how well it would be received. It was already turning out to be a problem with just these two. And with himself…. He wasn't even sure how he was supposed to react here!

Albus had never considered being pregnant. He hadn't wanted to even acknowledge feelings for men! Why would he think about having sex with them and the consequences of that? But now that he was thinking about it… It wasn't a horrible thought. At…any other time. When there wasn't a war on. When they weren't all fearing for their life on a daily basis. When they could leave the house for five minutes to buy clothing! Albus owned only two outfits of his own here. Scorpius only had one. How would they be able to clothe a baby in these times if they couldn't even clothe themselves?

Not to mention just how dangerous the world was right now. This was no way to bring a child in.

"How do you know it wasn't his plan, Albus?" Ginny asked gently, her tone slightly forceful. She must have asked a few times already and not received any answer.

Albus shook his head, wiping thick tears out of his eyes for the second time that day. "I just…." He sighed, frustrated and slightly embarrassed to have to detail this out for them. If it had been anyone else…. "It only happened once. I swear…. It was a quick thing of desperation." He sniffled, looking down at his stomach and shivering.

There was something growing inside of him. What was he supposed to think about that?

Again, Ginny and Teddy shared a look. This time they both seemed to be thinking the same thing. "Al…are you sure that's what it was? He, uh…. He didn't take advantage of you? Hurt you? …rape you?" the man asked as softly as one could when using such accusations. "Did you ever tell him 'no' in that time…?"

Disgust settled into Albus' stomach. He knew they were just trying to be helpful and supportive and protective. But really…. That was a little too far. "No! I…I never said…anything," he muttered, recalling the hazy events of that morning. He hadn't said anything…. Had he? He couldn't recall protesting. He couldn't recall submitting, either, though. But he wasn't about to admit that…. Tension in such a tight house was never a good thing. "It was…innocent on both sides," he reassured his mother, leaning into her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

"So why are you so…freaked out, then?" Teddy questioned. His voice was soft, but something in it said he didn't believe his cousin. He wanted someone to blame. "Why aren't you happy? None of this is your fault…so please don't say you're blaming yourself. What is the truth, Al?"

"I never thought to worry about it!" Albus nearly yelled, jumping to his feet as well as his own rescue. "I mean, yeah, we learned about the potions that could aid this sort of thing in school! But…but other than that, we were taught that it took an intense amount of energy and magic without. Most wizards aren't able to even get on the scale of possibility. I never thought about it after…we did it. It's just a shock, okay? An unforeseen shock. But now I've realized…. Scorpius is a very powerful wizard. I'm not quite as surprised as I was. But still…. I'm pregnant. And I don't want to have a baby in a world where I constantly fear for the lives of my family members! So forgive me if I'm a bit shell-shocked…." He rolled his eyes, running his fingers through his hair and mussing it up a bit in thought. Trying to get everything straightened out in his brain.

Every single synapse of his mind was mixed up. It was like someone had dropped a fully constructed puzzle and he had to figure out where all of the pieces went. He had to figure out how to make sound decisions again. Like how he was going to tell everyone else in his family? How he was going to rationalize that he was mildly happy about this strange and…maybe miraculous baby growing inside of him. James would be upset. He'd thirst for blood. He'd go after Scorpius…. They'd both make horrible decisions. Someone would end up hurt…most likely James.

But before all of that, how was he supposed to tell Scorpius in the first place?! And how would the Malfoy heir react? Happy like his father would have? Or furious like his grandfather? Would he claim the child? It would be born out of wedlock. They would shame the family name. How would this all end…?

The world was spinning again. Groaning, Albus sank back into his seat and covered his mouth. He wanted to be sick again. Though whether that was the morning sickness or because of his internal struggle, he wasn't entirely sure this time. Now that he knew the reason….

"Please don't tell anyone," Albus whispered, avoiding looking at either of the other two. The last thing he could handle to see right now was the pity and disappointment in their eyes. "I…I need to think about this more. I need to figure out…how to do this right. Okay? Please…."

He didn't give them the chance to answer. Though he was shaky and dead tired, Albus launched himself up from his seat and left the kitchen. He wasn't hungry anyway, so he wouldn't be back for dinner. He might not even be back that night. He could use a good night by himself…without all of the questioning glances as he stayed silent.

Throughout the walk up to his room, Al was silent. Thoughtful. Dazy. His fingers lingered just over his stomach, going over everything he knew about male pregnancy. The facts over pain and cautionary spells and potions. Things he didn't have access to at the moment. The procedure…. Teddy was talented and trained, but did he know how to do that? This type of thing wasn't exactly common….

As soon as he was behind his door, shutting it with finality, Albus let out the breath he had been holding the entire way up. He allowed himself to crumble back into the confused and slightly helpless person he was right now. He let his emotions take over and again there were tears in his eyes.

He didn't know what to do. He didn't know where to start.

And he didn't know how to handle having that beautiful man sitting on the bed before him. He wasn't able to escape, was he?

"Scorpius…," he whispered, nodding in acknowledgement.

The blonde man sat on the edge of the bed, staring down into his hands. He had taken off the clothes he had found in the attic – the vintage vest and slightly poufy collared shirt – and was currently wearing the only outfit of his own that he had access to. In his hand was his wand as well as the Elder Wand. He looked ready to leave. Ready to bail.

"You're pregnant…. That's why you've been sick, correct?"

That only confirmed what Albus was thinking – This man was going to leave him high and dry with a baby he wasn't ready to take care of. All alone. "Yes. You heard Teddy?"

Scorpius nodded, scrubbing a hand over his face. He looked more tired than Albus had ever seen him. In the last few weeks, he had seen him in many different states of overwhelmed, so this meant something important. "Yes…. Your cousin is right, though. He's a wise man." He sighed, hanging his head towards his lap now, his fingers knotted behind his neck as he held this position. "I shouldn't have choked you. I shouldn't hurt you…. I could hurt the baby. Your baby…."

"Your baby," Albus said, harsher than he had intended. He cleared his throat, leaning back against the door and hitching his chin in the direction of the blonde man. "I think you have to realize that our tryst actually did count, now. Now that it made a life…."

Still hunched over and looking broken, Scorpius nodded towards the floor. "I am aware." His shoulders, usually so poised and controlled in stature and posture stank. Who knew this was what it would take for him to be human?

Seeing his boyfriend just as ragged as he was feeling gave Albus a slight amount of comfort. He bit his lip, placing his hand over his waist again as he pushed up off the door. "It's strange, isn't it? The thought of being a parent…." He tried for a smile, but Scorpius didn't see it as he was still staring at the floorboards. "But, um…this could be a blessing, right? As long as…. As long as the war ends soon…." He cleared his throat, taking a seat beside the other on the edge of the mattress. "That's the only thing that really scares me about this."

The silver eyes that Al knew to be so entrancing locked right onto his. They weren't strong, they weren't cold, they weren't sure. They were scared and shaky in resolve. Very unlike the man he knew. "I don't know how to love. I don't know how to be tender. I don't know…what it is like to be a parent. Everything I might have seen in my father was counterbalanced by the shit my mother pulled. I don't know the balance. I don't know how I'm supposed to be expected to do this." Scorpius ground his teeth together. "I'm not parent material, Albus. And that's the end of it."

With a final, frustrated shrug, Scorpius stood up and gripped the wands tighter in his hand. He took a few steps towards the door, ready to flee. This was more than he could handle, apparently. He was fine parading around like a good guy after he'd unleashed a murderer back into the world. He was fine shrugging off killing his lover's father. But he wasn't fine with welcoming an innocent child of his own blood into the world?

"Don't you dare leave!" Albus' voice broke pathetically as he lunged after the man. He clung to his arm, breath hitching on his soft sobs. He couldn't do this alone! If he lost the man that he loved the same day he found out earth-shattering news, he wasn't sure what he would do. "Please, Scorpius…. I love you. I love this baby! I just found out about it, but I already love it! And the fact that it will exist makes me love you more. If you leave me…." He shook his head, leaning in so their faces were mere inches apart. "Please don't leave me. I need you, Scorpius. Please."

Scorpius' lip curled dangerously. He looked like he wanted to throw Albus off. Slap him and push him onto the ground. But the flare in his eyes disappeared as soon as they flicked down to the man's stomach. And that's when Albus realized why he was running. He was no longer in control. He wasn't able to use his tactics to use this man and it was making him feel uncomfortable.

Very gently, Albus reached up to caress the pale cheek of the man he loved. He smiled at him, pressing their bodies close together. "Scorpius…stay…," he whispered, ghosting his breath over the man's lips. Hoping to tantalize him into staying here. Into keeping him somewhere he could easily access him. Where he could be close at hand to help raise their child together. "I love you and I want you to stay. I need you here…to keep me safe. To keep us safe. Don't you want your child safe from the monster you brought back?"

His eyes soft still and submitting to logic, Scorpius sank into the gentle hold the other man had on him. He let out a shaky breath, looking at the lips so close to his own. It looked as if he was considering the words said, but it didn't take long for him to see reason. He sighed heavily, closing all space between them and crushing their lips together. They groaned simultaneously, arms tightening around one another.

There was no more talking about it. No more arguing facts or questioning what they should do. In this kiss, there was desperation and love. There was an understanding folding between them without words. They could get through this for reasons they were unsure of. But it was something they knew. And they could work through this.

And they would do everything they could to end this war before the only thing keeping them grounded right now was fully brought into this world.