Wow. It's been awhile since I've updated. Sorry all. I finally had to switch all my files to my mum's laptop but then my mum's laptop stopped allowing me access to the internet so I haven't been able to update. SORRY! Also, I have finished read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and I want to say I'm not really sure how this will change my plot. I know I won't kill off anyone (won't name names incase some of you have yet to read/finish the sixth installment), but other than that...shrugs. I doubt I'll change much. I hope you guys like this chapter as much as I do. It's very possibly my favourite yet! xD So, without further ado...HAPPY READING!
Eclipse
Drays girl: Very glad you thought the explanation was satisfactory. I was quite worried about it. Thanks for the review.
Tommi-Dragon/Wolf: SQUEE! A new reviewer::dance of joy: Glad you like the story and thanks.
seshygirl04: Sorry. That isn't going to be happening in this story. I was contemplating it for another of my ficlets though...
Fai: Although I don't like being mocked thanks for the critiscm and for not flaming. I know Draco is rather out of character but as almost all of the situations he's been are where is comforting Harry obviously it makes it rather hard to write him properly. I hope to be able to remedy that as the story progresses. As to Sirius, I'm just to fond of him. I've only written him dead in one of my stories so far. That's just a personal preference. As to the rest... I'm not exactly sure what you mean by adding more emotion but I'll try to add more. Again, thanks for the input.
XxXxX - serperations between parts of the stories or points of view
blahblahblahblah - thoughts
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
Harry had fully recovered from all that had happened over the summer. Although, as time passed he almost wished it was summer again. Harry was going through hell to get through all his classes every day. He got tired so easily, and even with going to bed early he never felt rested in the mornings. Harry had already skipped transfiguration twice because he felt so exhausted that he might pass out. Not to mention that he had to deal with the constant inquiries from his housemates (to avoid suspicion Dumbledore had left him in his dorm instead of giving him a private room) about why he had quit Quidditch. Possibly worst of all was not being able to see Draco. Yes, they had the occasional night time visits but they couldn't talk during the day and Draco couldn't exactly come to his dorm and be with him at night. Ron was there in the morning but Harry missed his Slytherin love and the way he would whisper soothingly to him.
Currently, Harry was going through his daily routine of waking up early and throwing up what felt like they entirety of his insides. Ron wasn't with him because after awhile Harry had simply told the boy not to bother. Harry hadn't liked that Ron was loosing sleep because he was helping Harry. Still, it made the mornings all the more depressing when he was by himself.
After his stomach finally decided to settle Harry pulled himself up by the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked like he had been run over. His face was pale and drawn, his were even slightly sunken. Using the counter to steady himself the seeker washed his face and rid his mouth of the foul bile taste. Not feeling like moving Harry sank down the door and locked it. Suddenly, Harry's stomach heaved and he found himself kneeling in front of the toilet bowl once more. He was surprised when he heard a knock on the door and a voice softly calling to him.
"Harry, hey Harry are you okay?" Recognizing the Irish tilt Harry groaned.
"I'm fine Seamus, go back to bed."
On the other side of the door Seamus frowned. What in the world is the matter with him? This has got to stop. Walking over to Ron's bed Seamus shook the red head's shoulder.
"Ron. Walk up Ron. Harry's throwing up." Ron mumbled something incoherent into his pillow and made hand gestures for Seamus to go away. "Come on Ron! He's your best friend!"
"Leave him be Seamus, he's fine."
"Then why is he throwing up? Throwing up AGAIN I might add as he has been doin' it every mornin' since the beginning of the school year!" Slightly awake by now Ron sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"He's fine Seamus. Let him be will 'ya?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." Now standing at the open door was Harry, paler, if possible then before. Raising a shaking hand Harry wiped the sweat from his brow and managed a weak smile. "Just not a morning person." Ron smirked but Seamus frowned. By now, both Neville and Dean had been awoken by all the noise.
"Stop it. Why are ye pretending there isn't anything wrong with you? I'm not stupid, neither is anyone else. You're practically the livin' dead. You don't sleep, you throw up every morning, ye look like hell, you're always exhausted, and you quit Quidditch! I don't care what anyone says, I know you wouldn't have done that unless something was wrong with you."
"Seamus I-." Harry began but was cut off again by the Irish boy.
"No, don't say I'm imagining it. Or ye really were just in trouble. I'm not stupid Harry. Dean and Neville have noticed it too." Harry looked at the two other boys in the room and they both nodded solemnly. "And they aren't the only ones! Everyone has been asking us what's wrong with you. After all, they think we'd know. Considering we share a room with ya, and we're you're friends and all that. You'd think you'd trust us enough to tell us wouldn't you? But no, you're just going to pretend like everything's okay! Well sorry if I won't play along anymore. I'm worried about ya Harry, and so is everyone else. I can't just stand by and watch you go through hell everyday!" Ron was looking at Seamus in shock, his mouth slightly agape. Neville looked relieved that someone had finally said it and Dean looked approving. Before anyone knew what he was doing Harry went straight up to Seamus and hugged him hard.
"Thank you Seamus. You're right. I shouldn't have hid this from you, from any of you. I'm glad I have friends that care about me as much as you." When Harry let go of the Irish boy he saw Seamus was slightly red from embarrassment but still looked rather smug.
"So spill. What is it? Ye aren't gonna die on us are you?"
"I hope not. Look, I want to tell you. I really do, I just can't right now." When Seamus opened his mouth to protest Harry continued quickly. "It isn't that I don't trust you, because I do. It's just that this information could put me and others I care about in a lot of danger and with so many people trying to figure out what it is you guys could be put in danger too. I can't risk this information being found out because someone tortured you or something. You understand?"
"I guess, but Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Promise me that if you need me, need ANYTHING you'll ask." Speaking up finally Dean walked over and put an arm around Harry's shoulders.
"Yeah mate. Just ask any of us. We're ALL here for you. Not just Ron." Neville too, stood up and moved next to Ron.
"Yup, we're your friends Harry. We want to help." With slightly teary eyes Harry put his arms around all the room's occupants.
"I love you guys."
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx
After Harry had calmed down a bit (he had ended up crying happily, at which it was Ron's turn to curse his hormones) the boys all went down to the Great Hall for Breakfast. As it was the weekend the hall normally wouldn't have been as full as usual. In fact usually, the professors didn't even bother to eat breakfast in the hall; instead opting to have it brought to their private rooms. So it was a surprise for the hall to be busting with students, all crowding around the Gryffindor table.
As the boys neared their usual seats they saw everyone seemed to be surrounding Hermione who was trying to keep a letter behind her back. Ron could hear numerous voices telling her to hand it over and Hermione vehemently replying she would never. Right before the boys got to the girl Snape had entered the hall with Draco in tow, the boy looking worried.
"EVERYONE WILL SIT AT THEIR RESPECTED TABLES IMMEDIATELY!" When no one went to move Snape strode farther into the hall and glared at them all. "Or I will be deducting one hundred points from EVERY house!" The students around Hermione scattered, some running to their house tables, others leaving the hall post hast. Hermione sighed visibly and sank down into her chair. With Snape now seated at the staff table no one came back to accost the girl.
"Hermione, what the ruddy hell happened?" Hermione looked up as Ron sat down next to her and Harry on her right. All the other fifth year boys across from the trio.
"You guys haven't read the Prophet yet have you?" All the boys shook their heads. "Well, I can't show you a copy because they took mine but I'll sum it up. The Irish Ministry of Magic has officially withdrawn their alliance with the British Ministry of Magic because of Fudge finally telling everyone all he knows about Voldemort's return. It's rather like what the Ministry did to Dumbledore when he said he supported Harry." The entire group looked at the now pale faced, Seamus.
"Well," Dean looked nervously from Seamus to Hermione and back. "Why were they all attacking you or whatever it was they were doing?"
"Well, as soon as the rumors had circulated a bit everyone started looking around for any of the Irish students. That sixth year Ravenclaw got away quickly, and took that second year Slytherin with her. So no one got those two but then everyone looked here for Seamus. Unfortunately your owl chose that exact moment to sail in with a letter for you. When some people recognized it as yours they caught the poor bird on its way out of the hall to the Gryffindor common rooms and tried to take the letter. I-uh- I kind of took the letter and then sent the bird off so they wouldn't hurt it. Then everyone decided they were going to verbally attack me and threaten me until I handed it over. Dra-Malfoy must have seen and gotten Snape before they could ummm, fulfill any of their threats." The girl seemed to remember, to Harry's relief, at the last moment that she was supposed to hate Draco.
By now Seamus was simply staring at Hermione, lips tight and eyes wide. Dean put an arm around his best friend's shoulder and shook him gently.
"Hey, earth to Seamus. Are you okay?" Seamus turned unseeing eyes towards Dean, as if he wanted to cry.
"Mum was warning me about this over the summer. She was telling me how her friends in the ministry were becoming unbearable once she had formally announced she believed in Dumbledore. She told me I might have some problems at school this year if the Ministry did anything. But, but she-I never thought it would come this far." Seeming to snap out of himself somewhat the Irish boy then turned towards Hermione. "I'm so sorry."
"This isn't your fault Seamus!" Hermione looked surprised and shook her head so hard her hair whipped about slightly.
"Still, at least you aren't hurt. They didn't hurt you did they?" Seamus' eyes were saucer-sized again and he looked almost fearful of her answer.
"I'm fine. Just thoroughly annoyed." Hermione reached across the table and put a hand on one of the Irish boy's that had been resting on the tabletop. "Don't worry Seamus. This crowd, mainly Slytherins. A few Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws but no Gryffindors. You're one of us. We'll watch your back. It's what Gryffindors do. We're like one huge family. You know that right?" Seamus nodded slowly and managed a small smile.
"Yeah-yeah. You're right. Besides, it's not like this will last forever. I mean, there's only maybe five Irishmen in this school as Hogwarts IS for you Brits. It'll blow over." Seamus looked at all his friends. "Won't it?" Hermione looked at the boy sadly.
"I hope so Seamus. I certainly hope."
All of them became lost in their own thoughts. In fact, so much so that no one noticed when a small note appeared in front of Harry, except for Harry that is who jumped almost a foot in the air. He quickly unfolded the small bit of parchment and read the note.
Meet me behind the statue of Old John the Conjurer on the fifth floor in ten minutes.
Draco
Harry quickly made his excuses and left, almost running to the statue. He was about to walk right paste the statue in his haste but arms grabbed him and pulled him into a hidden alcove.
"Draco!" Harry spun around and threw his arms around the Slytherin's neck. "You really saved Hermione."
"Is she alright. I went and got Snape as quickly as I could once I figured out who it was everyone was standing around."
"You did swimmingly love." Harry began kissing the boy's neck.
"Mmmm. And you're friend, Finnigan? Is he alright?" Stopping his actions for a moment Harry looked slightly confused.
"I don't know. He seemed alright when I left but he was so….well….weird when he found out. I just don't think he could shake off whatever he was feeling when Hermione told him as quickly as he seemed to."
"You think he was pretending he was fine just so none of you would worry?"
"Something like that."
"Well, then that's something you're far too familiar with isn't it?" Harry stuck his tongue out at the slightly taller boy and hit him on the chest lightly.
"Oh shut it you."
"That could be arranged." With one languid motion Draco had brought Harry to him and was kissing him passionately. When Harry broke away suddenly Draco looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I almost forgot to tell you. The whole, keeping my pregnancy a secret isn't going very well."
"Why's that?"
"Well, no one believes the alibi Dumbledore gave me for quitting Quidditch. And everyone's been noticing my odd behavior and uh….how I look."
"You mean like hell frozen over?"
"DRACO!"
"What, did you think I didn't notice? I've been going mad with worry seeing you looking so terrible every day and not being able to hold you and tell it's going to be okay."
"Oh, Draco."
"I don't even get to see you when we plan half the time because you're so frazzled you forget we were going to meet. You know, like the one we were supposed to have last week." Harry's eyes widened and he put a hand to his mouth.
"Fuck, I forgot. I'm so sorry!"
"Harry, this isn't about you standing me up this is about you not telling me what's going on with you and me having to find out from other people things that YOU should be telling me willingly."
"I just don't want to worry you."
"Well I am worried."
"I'm sorry."
"No you're not." Draco looked sad and Harry frowned slightly.
"I am sorry that you're worried but that doesn't mean I'm going to become some sort of ask-all-answer-all type of people."
"It's not like I can make you tell me Harry. I just wish you would but I won't force you."
"You know I love you."
"I know Harry, and I love you." Harry found himself being pulled down to the now sitting Slytherin and drawn into his lap. Harry sighed contentedly and rested his head in his boyfriend's shoulder. Loving the feeling of being held by his love again. Before he knew it his eyes were closing and he had to fight to stay awake. He's so comfortable...and I'm so tired.
"Harry?"
"Mmmm?"
"Tell me truthfully, how are you doing?" When Harry looked into grey eyes, grey eyes that shown with affection he was tempted to lie just so he wouldn't cause the Slytherin anymore stress. But that's exactly what he doesn't want me to do.
"I'm exhausted. I'm not really sleeping well. And I guess being pregnant is taking a lot out of me."
"Are you still having nightmares?" Harry sighed and nodded.
"Yes. Ron wakes me up whenever he sees that I'm having one but it's not like I can ask him to stay awake all night to wake me up when I start muttering in my sleep."
"No, I suppose not. What has Madame Pomphrey said? I know she must have noticed how sick you look."
"Nothing really. Just keeps telling me to eat properly, take it easy, and to tell her if I need anything. I think she wants me to stop taking classes. She keeps implying that part of the reason I'm so tired is because I'm putting myself under too much stress."
"Well, you probably are." Draco sighed heavily and kissed Harry's forehead. "I hate that you're suffering so much. I wish I could just take you away until the baby was born and make you comfortable."
"I know you do," Harry smiled. "And I would love to let you but I can't do that. I'll be fine. I think I'm just going to stop going to Divination. Trelawney never notices when someone is absent and that should give some time to rest and stuff."
"I guess, I don't like the idea but I can't think of anything else." Harry yawned widely, causing Draco to smirk.
"S-sorry. It's not like I'm bored or anything."
"I know it isn't. Here, why don't you sleep for a bit? I'll wake you in an hour or so."
"Are you sure? Don't you have things you need to do on the weekend?"
"Need, yes. Want, no. All I want is to be here with you. Now sleep. I'm not going anywhere." Harry needed no further encouragement and was asleep within minutes.