I got Alerts! Alerts I tell ya!
Well, I hope you guys like the story so far! With the exception of today I will update at least once a week!
Pps: I want to up the rating eventually. Or should I keep the rating and have the more mature information as one shot that accompany a chapter? I'd love some input. This story will be long. It will have an up and down. And their relationship will be a normal one with arguments and such. They will make it work though because they love each other. :-) And because I'm living vicariously because Drarry forever right...
The words Harry says were borrowed from the internet. I rephrased it. I also need a beta.
"Not the appendage I'd have picked."
Draco and Harry both started laughing and Harry noted that it felt good like how it felt before when he would send off a specific letter and wondered how Draco would take it. Too often he had to censor his speech, watch what he said but he had realized with Draco he didn't have to in his letters and he hope it transferred over into their day to day interaction. He liked knowing that his Freedom of Speech around Draco wasn't conditional on topics that Draco approved of. And Draco loved sitting with his back not against a wall for once. No longer when invited to a dinner, on the sparse invites did he receive, did he have to check the food, watch his back, entertain conversation and watch what he said. Dinners were an exhausting ordeal and Draco found that after getting a taste (literally and figuratively) he didn't want to go back to what he had before.
"Knut for your thoughts?" Harry inquired.
As Draco was about to answer he felt the monitoring charm on Teddy. Harry inquired where he was going when he heard Teddy start to cry. Harry wondered how the hell Draco became so good at child rearing because he was pretty sure there was no litter of Malfoy running around but then Harry reminded himself that once in a letter Draco had told him about the large extended Family in France that he visited often because in France no one cared about his past affiliations because the thousands of years of good service to the French wizarding community outweighed the few years his family had in Voldemorts service. And, Harry thought, if he could bribe Draco with some dinners, well that would just be icing on the treacle tart.
As Draco came back with Teddy snuggling up to him Harry decided he could definitely get used to scene before him. Draco looked so comfortable with Teddy over his shoulder. It was a domestic scene outside of some of the best visions of family Harry had. Harry wondered why it was that he felt so comfortable with Draco in his home and with so few others. He thought that maybe since they had written proof of some embarrassing thing between the two of them that this was the easy part. They've bared some secrets and neither one had divulged it to anyone else. In fact, Harry doubted anyone was even aware of the friendship between the two of them. As he heard Draco bounce and hum with Teddy, Harry had to make an effort and remind himself that Draco obviously had someone at home waiting for him. Why else would he tell the house elf to inform him, whomever he was, to dine without him?
"I'm going to get ready for the party at the Weasley's; I want you to come with me. Teddy obviously likes you and it's clear that I have to make an announcement at this thing that no one can misinterpret, misconstrue or just twist what I say to benefit them. I really don't want to go but I feel that for so long I bent to what they wanted from me that had Sirius not died I would've never realized how alone I was. "
Draco stared Harry and thought how he would've used this situation two years ago to hurt Harry. He knew then it was wrong but it's hard to let go of childish hurt and he had held on to the pain of Harry rejecting him for many years.
"I'll come. I haven't been entertained in weeks and if one of your weasels tries something I will hex first and ask questions later. No exceptions." Draco said
Harry chuckled while he nodded. It would no good to have any more bad blood start brewing after tonight although he knew realistically that once he said his piece that the die would be cast. At the end of the day he realized he might need Draco's friendship more than Draco needed his. And that made Harry happy because he knew that when people started questioning their newfound friendship (?) he could answer firmly that Draco really didn't benefit from it at all. And if anything he would be the one leeching off of Draco, Harry thought with a chuckle.
As Harry and Draco moved to depart through the Floo Draco stepped in to the fireplace with Teddy held securely in his grasp and told Harry it was best he squeezed in with him. It would do no good if he flooed to The Burrow only to be cursed nine ways till Sunday especially with Teddy in his arms. Harry hadn't thought of the response the ex-Slytherin would receive at what would be a house filled with Gryffindors. Some more than others would be all too willing to curse someone who they felt only avoided Azkaban by the skin of his teeth.
"The Burrow" Harry declared.
When Harry and Draco stepped out into the fireplace it was clear the party was in full swing. All around the room was banners of crimson and gold, bowls and bowls of punch of this type and that, tables and tables of pies, biscuits, chickens and presents. The presents had an entire wall for themselves and more people kept adding to it. Ginny was close by smiling and wearing ceremonial gowns. As she turn Harry noticed that the Potter family crests was over her right heart and the Weasley and Black crest adorned a sleeve each.
"Harry dear, you're here. You know you really shouldn't have been late to your own party." Harry was trying to decide if he should explode in anger or laugh in hysterics. The Party of the century was in full-blown mode and he wanted nothing more than to slap Ginny for being such a manipulative wench.
"Ginny, I'm here to set things strange, I'm not sure what you told Molly but we need to get this straightened out right now,"
As Harry made to answer he noticed Ron and Hermione in the corner arguing about what was obviously a heated topic between them. Noting Harry's distraction Ginny latched on to his arm and casting a quick Sonorous announced that her fiancé was ready and the party could really begin.
Harry watched as Draco tried to swallow the obvious fits of laughter that was fighting to come out. Harry was sure Draco was remembering their conversation from earlier.
Casting his own Sonorous Harry began the outline of his speech.
"Ladies and Lord, Sirs and everyone else, thank you so much for coming tonight to this most auspicious event. "
Hearing what was obviously the right words, Ginny tuned Harry out and thought about her future as Lady Potter. She knew that Harry wasn't female inclined however when she overheard two Slytherins talking about the most wealthy Lord in Britain she realized the catch she was throwing away.
"… I however, regret to inform you that there will be no wedding between Ginevra and myself. I have never made it a secret that following the defeat of Tom Riddle better known as Lord Voldemort I wouldn't bow to anyone else's whimsical fancy. I am quite disappointed in the people I once looked upon as family and their attempts to force me into what would be a loveless marriage."
When Ginny finally realized what Harry was saying and exactly how it was worded she knew she couldn't spin it to her gain. She couldn't even make it seems as if she was the one being wronged when clearly to all in attendance Harry was being forced here against his will.
Ginny then noticed Draco sitting in her house holding a War Hero's Child. Making a last ditch effort Ginny went and tried to pry Teddy out of the perceived enemy's hand. In her haste to grab Teddy, Ginny failed to make sure that she had a secure grip on Teddy and it was only with forethought that Harry was able to Wingardium Leviosa Teddy gently to the floor. He hoped he was there before Draco did the inevitable and cursed Ginny back into the last two centuries. As Harry snatched up Teddy and checked him over it seem to set everyone else in motion. Ron in Ginny's defense drew his wand. Draco turned his own wand onto Ron and Harry looked around the room surveying the scene. Hearing footsteps behind him Harry saw Luna and Neville trying to break through the crowd to Harry's defense.
"Mate, " Ron said in query. However whatever else he was going to say was lost as Luna, normally placid and the calm in the storm slapped Ginny so hard Harry felt it.
"Is this how the mother of your child is treated?" Ginny screamed. "Like a common whore."
More focused on Teddy's safety and the blast of action by the other party goers Draco took Teddy and whispered to Harry he was going back to Harry's Place.
Assessing the situation, and seeing that Teddy was no longer in any imminent danger Harry allowed his anger to surface.
"Someone called the Aurors." One person shouted.
"Loony has finally lost it". Another person shouted. The once quiet crowed was about to go in uproar. They stopped however when they heard,
"Longbottom, you are little more than a squib, what do you think you are going to do?" Ron sneered at Neville. Neville continued his silence. He met Harry's eyes and realized that if the both of them lost their temper the Burrow mightn't recover.
"Harry, I'll go check on Draco. Please be careful, between father and Lady Longbottom I'm sure they'll rip me a new one if Nev or I allowed something to happen to you. " And with that Luna flooed after Draco and Teddy stopping only long enough to survey the room. Knowing that if for whatever reason evidence was needed her pensieved memory could identify potential witnesses.
Harry realized that Ron was still holding his wand in a duels stance.
"Are you threatening me Ronald?" Harry demanded.
"I'm defending my sister and our family's honor, Harry!"
"Screw you and your sister. She has the honor of an alley cat. She's been ridden more times than the cleansweeps at Hogwarts."
The resounded gasp finally reminded Harry that he wasn't alone and no matter what he might have with Ginny and now Ron he didn't want to further disrespect the Weasley's in their home.
Catching Arthur's eye Harry nodded towards the adjacent room that was currently empty. Charlie and Bill who was now joining the party sense the tension and followed their father and Harry.
Meanwhile Hermione started shepherding the party goings away to their own homes ignoring the naysayers and instigators. Hermione was pissed that Harry had been distant as of late however her loyalty remained with him first. As soon as this mess with Ginny was sorted out he'd have to stop associating with Malfoy but Hermione knew that the friendship she had with Ron was only because of Harry saving her life from the troll. Harry wouldn't even have to have saved her had Ron not reduced her to tears in the first place.
Knowing that her welcome was just about worn out at the Burrow, Hermione thought about her argument earlier with Ron. How he could even ask her to keep her parents memory away from them was beyond her. The worst part was because Harry was so distant of late she couldn't or wouldn't turn to him when Ron had become violent with her. Glad she had some of her muggle belongings Hermione took a picture and had it places in her Gringotts vault. When Molly had not only interfered but also insinuated that Hermione knew of Ron's temper and therefore she shouldn't of provoked him to a fight Hermione knew that if she didn't leave the burrow she might kill someone. An Order of Merlin First Class or not she would rot in Azkaban for killing a pureblood. Be them a blood traitor or not. Some prejudices ran too deep to be dispersed of less than a year after a war.
After everyone, not of Weasley descent, had left and Hermione searched for any possible listening device. It had not escaped her attention that the Boy Who Lived arguing with his adoptive family would make headline for weeks. Throw in the fact that a death eater that was pardoned by Harry's word was holding the son of his disowned cousin and her werewolf husband who both died in the war was major news.
Before Hermione shrunk her bags that were already packed she headed into the room to take her place by Harry's side.
"Harry, I'm sure there is a logical solution to this. Why would Ginevra lie?" An innocent enough question but to those who knew Bill Harry could hear the accusation.
"Bill, I fail to see how this is any of your business. Your sister is passing off a child that is obviously not mine. Whoever she slept with it's not mine."Harry denied.
"It is. I swear it on my magic!" And with that Ginny performed a simple spell of red sparks. The entire room realized that since Ginny could still do magic the implications against Harry wasn't looking good.
Harry stood his grounds however and said "someone call the Aurors or Neville get Draco back here. Tell him I need the Aurors. Tell him Harry said to tell Madame Bones it's an A1. She'll understand. "
Harry waited what seemed like hours but was really fifteen minutes when the pop! Of apparations could be heard.
"Harry, this had better be good."
"Madame Bones, this isn't good but I needed you here. Ginny Weasley insists that she is carrying my child. She swore it on her magic. I can swear on my magic that I never slept with her. "
Turning to the Weasley's Madame Bones reminded all in attendance that any incriminating evidence could be used against them if charges were brought to the Wizengamot.
"Do you both agree to voluntarily take veritaserum?"
Hermione noticed Ginny's blanched face and that Draco was standing silently by the window.
"I want a lawyer." Was the only thing Ginny Weasley's said.
One Month Later
After the disgrace to the Ministry over the treatment of Sirius Black being posthumously declared a war hero the Ministry was sure to be very careful in the handling of all cases. There was a strong conflict of interest though. Arthur Weasley was a Ministry employee and Ronald Weasley a decorated war hero. Both were sitting in front of the head Of the DMLE accusing Harry Potter of renegading on a marriage contract or sexual assault. Most wasn't too sure. And based on the Lawyers face that was representing the Weasley's, she wasn't sure either.
"As we begin, I would like all in attendance to agree on the facts that are not being disputed. Miss Weasley is pregnant. Based on the healer who examined her an hour ago she is about eight and half months along. Miss Weasley claims that the child belongs to Harry Potter. Harry Potter denies having been intimate with Ms. Weasley. Harry Potter denies every proposing to Ms. Weasley and states that being the mother of his Godmother, Augusta Longbottom would've been the only living person who by proxy would've listened to any contracts but being so far removed and of no blood relations wouldn't have been able to bind him to one. Lady Longbottom has issued a statement saying Molly Weasley and her husband Arthur Weasley made inquiries in a match but the head of the Weasley family Muriel Weasley denied the match because as the only son of and only son she wanted a husband for the only daughter born to the Weasley's in centuries to be married to family with more female births. Aurors please administer three drops of the serum to Ms. Weasley. "
As Harry and everyone else tried digest all the information that was given it was Hermione who realized it was a little over eight months ago that Harry and her was deserted by Ron on their hunt for the Horcruxes.
Molly Weasley kept looking at the petite frame of her daughter and was sure the healer had to have been wrong there was no bump. She seemed to be the same size, If not a little smaller.
Harry was trying to remember all he could about muggle biology classes. It had been so long since he thought in terms of Biology instead of Healing. However, Harry was sure that if nine months equal a baby and only five of which he was around. He couldn't twist the numbers in any way to equal him and Ginny having a baby.
Draco Malfoy had heard many things. However this informal gathering of information was causing his eyebrows to almost disappear into his hairline. If it wasn't for a fussy Teddy he would be doing is one calculation on a piece of parchment.
"What is your name?"
"Ginevra Weasley" Ginny intoned in a monotone voice.
"Are you pregnant?"
"Yes."
"Who is the father?"
"Harry Potter."
Harry would've fainted if Hermione hadn't called out suddenly
"Did Harry have sex would you willing?"
"No"
"Did you drug him?"
"No."
"How did you get pregnant?"
"When they went on the Horcrux hunt, Ron thought for sure they wouldn't survive the war. He agreed to start a conversation or allow Harry to overhear what he would think was Hermione and him having sex. If Harry masturbated he'd try and salvage his sperm. "
Harry besides being shocked at learning he was going to have a child felt violated and thanking Merlin for small favors was glad Ron didn't actually sodomize him for his sperm.
"Why Harry's sperm?" Madame Bones continued with the questions despite how queasy she was feeling
"As the Black heir, the family trees would recognize any children of his and I'd be rich. And the family lines would continue. The Black ancestral home would've recognized any child of his. "
Ronald Weasley was watching as the carefully crafted plan was being demolished.
"Do you know how he kept the semen viable?"
"He placed a stasis charm on it and cooling spells. It was basically frozen when he arrived. After he was sure the pregnancy would take he left to make nice with Harry. He told me that based on his interpretation both Harry and Voldemort would die at the final battle. "
Whether it was the cold way in which Ginny and Ron was planning to make money from his death, or hearing that he was going to be a father again or how much he hated those who felt it was okay to take advantage if him. Whatever it was Harry was feeling overwhelmed and was about to walk oh of the room when pandemonium broke out.
Ginny was trying to fight the veritaserum and the increased blood pressure and the stress from the day before had her feeling a sudden gush between her legs. Looking down at her dress robes Ginny began to panic internally. Seeing the pool of liquid in the floor, Madame Bones orders the antidote administered right away. The Auror closest to Ginny tried to keep her calm. Molly, regardless of what she learned was trying to get to her baby girl. Arthur watched the scene with a coldness that would've worried anyone if they had noticed. Regardless of what after this Ginny Weasley and quite possibly Ronald Weasley would be spending more than a few years in Azkaban.
Ginny's scream permeated the air. As Harry stood out in the hallway he heard the agonizing pains of Ginny and Molly's encouragement. Knowing he wanted to be their when his child was born he was about to enter the room when he heard he healer say "one more" making a motion to the Aurors standing guard at Ginny's door to let him in. By the time Harry had time to realize he was about to have two children under a year old he heard the wails of an infant lung.
Ginny for her part was exhausted. Harry sent a small smile her way before he only had eyes for the bundle in the healer's hands. He stretched out his hands and gazed into the face of his baby boy.
"Oh, look at you. I only knew about you for a few weeks and already you occupy my heart. You came into the world and I reached for you. Before I could understand. My hands will always proudly hold you," Harry said as he soothed his newborns hair. "My Godfather Sirius used to say 'One day I'll have a child, And come to understand. The power of love, held in a Daddy's hands.' And I see what he means. I name you James Sirius."
Ginny was sobbing into Molly's chest because it really was beginning to sink in. She had gambled and lost. She wouldn't get to know her child. The child she carried inside her. Molly watched heartbroken as his father held her grandchild she knew that after all that Ginny confessed she'd be going to Azkaban. She thought that given Harry's ineptitude at handling children she should take the baby.
"Harry," Molly interrupted. "I know you think that you taking the baby are a good idea but you just got Teddy, and two infants when you are inexperienced are very much a handful. I'll be taking little Arthur Fenice home with me."
Harry was shaking his head before Molly even finished.
"I'll go through the courts if I have to. You can't take my daughters child from me."
"His name is Sirius James. My son born to me, when your conniving bitch of a daughter and thief of a son stole from me. And I will be taking my son to the private nursery to watch over him. If I see you or anyone else I didn't authorize near my child I won't hesitate to kill you. That will be the only warning you will receive. Good day Mrs. and Ms. Weasley."
Harry saw the shock that obviously showed that Molly didn't believe he would've defied her and the pain as he walked away with his baby in his arm. Harry showed the ultimate disrespect to Molly showing he didn't acknowledge her as a grandparent. He didn't hold the baby out to her to hold him.
As the Healers gave the James another check over each one commented on much like Harry he looked. When Harry went to the private nursery he had asked to be set up, he saw Hermione, Luna and Neville waiting for him.
"Where's Draco and Teddy? I thought someone would've called him by now." Harry asked.
"It seems we aren't even dating yet Potter and we have two children." came a voice behind Harry.
Harry tried to ignore the merriment in Draco's eyes and the rising blush on his own face.
"Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to James Sirius. Teddy, come meet your brother."
"Harry he's so handsome." Luna said. "Come meet your nephew Luna. And as Luna gave James his first bottle, Harry didn't feel jealous. Neville was standing in the background as proud as a peacock over Harry's achievements. "Uncle Neville, come met your nephews. Theodore and James."
Hermione watched as Harry passed the baby around the room to everyone but her. Eventually Harry decided he'd made her suffer enough. "Aunty Mione, your nephews can't meet you from all the way over there."
And although things were far from good, James Sirius signaled a new beginning for Draco and Harry. Yes, they will have to build a nursery and buy clothes and Muggle diapers. And since breastfeeding wasn't an option for them they would need to take a parenting course or two. The most profound thought to Harry was he considered his future with Draco in it. And based on how Draco was cooing over the baby while simultaneously reassuring Teddy he knew that comes what may he found someone to share his life with.
Teddy is Six Months old. He's born in January. James is born June 27. Teddy is a few days shy of being seven months old. This is not the last of Molly and the Weasley's. Most of the Weasley's will choose Ginny side. I don't like Ginny and I never understood how quickly the Weasley's sided against her in other fanfictions. I feel that even if they feel she was wrong they'd side with the only girl born in her family for so long.