March 7, 1999
"Poppy!" Severus called as soon as he exited the floo and got into the main part of the infirmary. The medi-witch quickly spun on her feet as Severus laid Harry on the first cot he saw. "Help him! Help him, please!"
"What's happened?" Poppy asked quickly as she rushed to the side of the bed, wand drawn.
"I don't know, Poppy. I'm not a trained healer. He was in my office, Minerva and Miss. Weasley as well. Harry and Weasley exchanged words, and as he was leaving…He staggered, fell against Minerva. He just keeps crying out in pain, holding his belly. I picked him up and floo'd him here." Severus explained as quickly as he could.
It was clear he was worried. "Severus, if you cannot contain your panic; I will make you wait outside as all other visitors do." Poppy told the headmaster firmly.
"Don't you dare." Severus snarled, harsher than he intended. "I am not leaving his side."
"Headmaster or not, if you get in my way…I will remove you. Not because you're not listening, but if you're in my way, I cannot help him. So please…Settle down a bit and let me work." Poppy stated.
Severus nodded, taking a seat in the chair by the bed. His hand still holding Harry's as Poppy waved her wand in delicate patterns without any words to her spells. It had to be scans for both Harry and the baby. Poppy worked on Harry for nearly thirty minutes. Repeated spells, potions forced down his throat. It was hard for Severus to just sit there and watch without knowing what was going on.
Finally, Poppy seemed to check vitals one more time before stepping back with a sigh and Harry seemed to have fallen asleep, or gone unconscious. "I-Is he okay? Is…the baby-?" Severus inquired softly. "M-Minerva said the b-baby might be in distress o-or preterm labor…But she knew Harry shouldn't be in the amount of pain he was…"
"You seem quite concerned for Mr. Potter, and his child, Severus. I know you have always cared for him, despite the hard exterior mask everyone saw. You have always kept him safe from harm. But I cannot help but feel there is more to this." Poppy stated calmly.
"There is." Severus said, but didn't look away from Harry.
"You know you can tell me anything, Severus. I've had multiple generations of all you kids…" Poppy reminded.
"The baby Harry is carrying is mine." He heard her gasp. "I ask you not to think less of me, Poppy. It was an accident, and I assure you nothing occurred on school grounds." Severus revealed. "It was before term began, Harry and I apparently had the same idea to go out under disguises and fake names. We didn't know who the other was, it was a rowdy muggle nightclub…We'd both been drinking."
"Oh, Severus…" Poppy said gently. "Who else knows?"
"Very few, and we're trying to keep it that way. All anyone knows is Harry got pregnant from a one-night stand and the father is refusing to come forward and claim responsibility. Or that Harry refuses to name the father to keep people out of his private life. Surely you know what would happen if the truth came out…"
"You'd be arrested." Poppy understood. "Well, they won't find out from me."
"I appreciate that." Severus sighed. "Harry and I are both aware that it will come out eventually, we're just trying to stay it off until after he gives birth. So it doesn't stress him out. Draco already has him on moderate bed rest." He took a breath. "Can you tell me what happened today? Are he and the baby okay?"
"It was a stress-induced, panic attack that also distressed the child." Poppy informed. "You said Harry was speaking to Miss. Weasley?" Severus nodded. "I suspect it may have been fear-related stress. He puts on a very brave front, but I believe he's afraid of her. The obsession she carries, despite being told that she and Mr. Potter will never be together."
"But he and the baby are alright?" Severus pushed.
"Yes, they are. But I have to give you the reality, Severus." Poppy began gently, but in that firm tone which told Severus there was bad news. "This incident cannot happen again or I might not be able to stop it."
"What can't happen again?" The man asked.
"The pain Harry experienced was that of preterm labor. He is seven months along, it can happen. High-stress situations can induce labor. This is a magical child, but…Preterm labor in males is dangerous, both to child and carrier. Too early can still result in stillbirth, or the carrier dying in labor. Or both…" Poppy explained.
"From what I saw of my scans, this child is not as developed as it should be. It would be very difficult if the child were born now, even with interventions, to survive. And the stress it would put on Harry's body would damage or kill him." The medi-witch urged. "This cannot happen again. I have stopped the labor this time, I cannot guarantee that I would be able to a second time, Severus."
"What can I do? I can't expel the girl from school without her doing something abhorrent." Severus remarked. "No matter the measures we've taken thus far, she catches him in the halls. During meals. She's obsessed with Harry, believes completely that he will be hers and recent information confirms why she's so confident, but getting frustrated that the easy way of just getting back together isn't working. Now it's worse that she knows Harry lost his virginity to someone else, and is pregnant."
"Harry overheard her talking to others about how she'd marry Harry, and make nice to adopt the child and be a step-parent…But she is firm that she would never allow the child to be claimed as Potter Heir. She stated she would be Lady Potter, and only hers and Harry's kids would be considered legitimate to the Potter line." The man explained.
"And she's aware, along with her mother, of a marriage contract Dumbledore set up in 1996. Which is why she's so confident she'll marry Harry. The contract stipulated, originally, that Harry and Ginny would marry when they were both seventeen. And this contract seemed to double as an official last will and testament because when it was created, it was under the pretense that Harry would not survive the final battle. So the idea was for Harry and Ginerva to marry at seventeen, and she would become pregnant with the child who would have been considered first born…"
Poppy nodded to show she understood, but motioned for him to continue. "The contract basically says that with Harry's death, but an assured heir, Ginerva would have the place of Lady Potter and control over everything regarding the Potter family until the child was of age to take the mantle. But by then, of course…I'm sure there would be some manipulation of how the child handled the estate and finances." Severus stated.
"If that wasn't bad enough…The contract has a backup clause for if Harry lived, that they would marry before Harry turned twenty. Same stipulations of there needing to be one male heir, and the contract reveals what kind of marriage it would be, one of the permanent blood-bonding ones. Harry would have never gotten out of it besides death and given how much Ginerva wants the position of power, to use Harry for his fame and money…That they'd stage what would be an accident that got him killed so he could never oppose her."
"That's awful! Why would Dumbledore do that?!" Poppy gasped.
"I don't believe he banked on getting cursed by one of the protections on Voldemort's soul containers. So it's my belief that he anticipated living through the war and getting a piece of the pie, so to speak. Also riding the train of Harry's victory in defeating the Dark Lord. Dumbledore would have gained more love and adoration to claim he was the one who guided Harry to his destiny or whatever it would be." Severus said.
"Is there nothing we can do to prevent this?" The medi-witch frowned. "No wonder the boy is so stressed…"
"Harry didn't know about the contract until the end of August, when he received a bank summons. I believe it was the goblins informing Harry about the contract, and then everything else came out. Dumbledore did many things, Poppy…It wasn't just this contract. He ensured Harry grew up without love, made him suffer and forced him to fight…Molded him into the perfect, self-sacrificing weapon to take down Voldemort…" Severus sighed.
"However…As I learned from Harry, the contract is not valid. Dumbledore did not account for Sirius Black to set his affairs in order while a felon and also not assuming the man would live through a second war…" The potions master informed. "In December 1995, Sirius blood adopted Harry as his son, and was able to claim him the next Black Heir…"
"Which means Harry would become Lord Black in the event of Sirius's death." Poppy realized.
Severus nodded. "Yes, and that is exactly what happened and Dumbledore was literally months late in setting up that contract. Because while the Potter family has no rules in place to prevent a magical guardian from setting up contracts for an heir or lord while they are a minor, the Black family did. And with Sirius adopting Harry as his own…It protected him."
"Meaning that only Lord Black could approve such things. And Sirius was Lord Black until June 1996, then it passed to Harry. And neither one of them would have approved that contract." Poppy said.
"Exactly. Harry didn't know of the contract until last August, but it didn't matter…The contract could not be finalized and approved without the consent of Lord Black. So it's void, and Harry is safe. But…Obviously Ginerva and Molly do not know this. They believe the contract stands and sometime before Harry turns twenty, the magical binding of the contract will activate to force Harry to abide." Severus revealed.
"Ginny's only pushing because she doesn't want to wait that long. She wants to ride the fame early, so it can boost her status and use the fortune and her place as Harry's wife to get ahead in life with a career, likely in Quidditch." He added. "But it is a fear of Harry's that when this fact comes out that they are not in fact under contract to marry, that she'll lose it completely and go after Harry and the baby. Or she'll do it when the truth comes out that I'm the father and was Harry's first."
"Either way, there's concern for him and the baby. I assume Harry instructed the goblins not to send word to Molly Weasley regarding the contract not being valid? To hold off them learning that things are not set in stone?" Poppy asked as Severus nodded.
"He's trying to stall until after he gives birth. As you said…Right now, if she attacked and we had to deliver the baby, it wouldn't survive. Or if she poisons Harry…There's no chance the baby survives." The man said.
"But if all this happens after the baby is born at full term, then there are a number of things that can be done to protect the child, and if something happens, we have counters. The survival rate is nearly 100%." The medi-witch agreed.
"So Harry is seven months pregnant…He has basically two months to go. What can we do to protect him, Poppy? From her, from stress…From this possibility that he goes into early labor again? Help me, please…I can't lose them." Severus inquired.
"Well, it would be drastic…But my suggestion would be to remove Mr. Potter from school entirely. Allow him to complete his studies privately at home, come in for tests. Held in his professor's offices. And this would double to remove the stressful environment. Because Miss. Weasley would not be able to come into contact with him, nor try any potions or spells to sway him towards her." Poppy stated.
"We can't do that, Poppy. The baby is underdeveloped because it didn't start getting the help from my magic until Harry was basically five months pregnant. And we only just began meeting once a day, as well as Harry staying in my quarters, my bed, twice a week. It's everything we can do to ensure the baby gets enough from both of us until the birth happens. Also without anyone finding out that I am the baby's father." Severus informed.
"Has Draco suggested physical contact yet?"
"That is what we're doing once a week, Poppy. Harry and I meet every day for an hour, sitting close to one another and I keep my hands on his belly to transfer energy twice in that hour. Fifteen minute transfers, then a break until the second one." Severus explained. "And on Friday and Saturday nights, he stays with me in my quarters. I still do the transfer, but he also spends more time in my presence and sleeps in my bed with me." he enlightened.
"Sex, Severus." Poppy remarked bluntly. "I am referring to sex being the physical contact. The magic released during sex is what the baby needs. Not some from you, and some from Harry. Both of you, at the same time. Like a power-up. The little touches you two may share is nice for little boosts and will help balance things out because you're obviously not going to be having sex every day,"
Severus flushed slightly. "But at this stage, sex is the only thing that's going to help get the baby where it needs to be if we don't want issues with its development and magic once it's born." The witch stated. "If you'd been doing all the cuddling, transfers and random sex from the start of pregnancy…There wouldn't be a problem. And I know there were circumstances surrounding why that was not the case…"
"Draco informed me that Harry initially didn't believe anything was wrong until convinced to be scanned. At that point, he was already two months along. And then there was a wait in learning the paternity of the other father until mid-December when he was, as you said, basically five months in. Which would have left you about four more months to start doing what I'm saying now…" Poppy paused.
Severus sighed. "But we didn't because we believed that meeting a few times a week for an hour would be enough. And it was only a little while ago that Draco made the suggestion we meet every day, with the two day sleepover…" The medi-witch nodded.
"And Draco even said that sex would be best…But he didn't want to have to force us into that because it might be awkward now that we know who the other person was…" The man reminded. "That one time we had sex was the night the baby was conceived. We were drinking and disguised…I can't ask him to do it again. It wouldn't be right." Severus mentioned.
"I am certain that with the truth out of who you two were that night in the club, that neither of you would mind repeating it. I do believe Harry himself said when it was revealed he was pregnant to Miss. Weasley that it happened and it was great. At that point, he knew you were the father already and still said what he did." Poppy commented.
"Rumors, of course, are how I heard that…But even so. Plus, it would keep Harry from stressing out. Sex is a wonderful way to release tension." Severus stared at her. "Don't look at me like I just said the dirtiest thing in the world, Severus Snape. It's just sex." Poppy rolled her eyes.
"It's just prison if things get out and I get arrested for sleeping with a student!" Severus narrowed his eyes.
"It's medically necessary. They cannot send you to prison for magically supporting your child in utero. And they can't send you to prison for an accident. You might get arrested, yes. But…There will be too much evidence to ensure you are not convicted. Trust me." Poppy remarked. "It's clear you and Mr. Potter are comfortable with one another that even with the truth out you two slept together months ago, that you're this close anyway for the baby."
"I would even advise that he just move into your quarters for the remainder of the pregnancy. The closeness would be good for you both, and the baby. Pull Harry from all his classes, he can self study. Harry is a bright young man, and this would protect him from running into that girl again. She'll just believe he's no longer a student if she can't see him anymore. It's only suggestions, but it is only my intention to help." Poppy added.
"I know, Poppy." Severus sighed. "I'll talk to Harry about it first. He's got a thing about decisions being made without his knowledge, I promised him this was his life and no one controlled him anymore." The witch nodded, understanding. "How long will he be asleep?"
"Not long, I imagine. I only put him out to calm him down so I could work to stop the labor progressing. We got lucky, Severus. If his body had started to shift for delivery, it would have been too late. No more panic or fear-related stressful situations, Severus. I mean it…" She said in a stern tone as Severus met her eyes.
"I cannot guarantee that this won't happen again, that preterm labor starts up at random even if he's not stressed. Studies support that, both muggle and magical." Poppy ordered. "And as I told you…I also cannot guarantee that if he goes into labor early again that I can stop it. What I can promise you is that if we can't stop it a second time, the survival rate of the child is practically zero right now. And the stress of that ordeal on Harry's body could also kill him."
"I highly recommend that, for the sake of giving the baby the best chance at surviving if this happens again, you and Harry engage in sex. It doesn't have to be long, nor even romantic…Though I will mention that while quickies, as they are termed, would suffice…"
"Sex with some feeling and emotion behind it would be stronger. And to prolong the event for the baby to get everything it can out of the magic it needs each time…Climax from both of you," Severus probably would have blushed if not for the fact that this was necessary and he'd have to let Harry know too.
"And," Poppy began again, "That you stay together after sex. Cuddle up naked, take a nap, or stay in each other's arms all night. But don't separate from one another right away. The longer you're together, and physically touching after release is good for the baby, because it will feed on the mixed energy." She said as her eyes softened. "I know you care for him, Severus. Anyone could see it if they looked hard enough." The witch paused.
"And that's okay if you care for him, or he cares for you. You should have seen him when you were unconscious from Nagini's attack. He never left your side, and refused to let aurors take you away until you'd been cleared by me to leave. And when I say refused, I mean he actually pulled his wand on them and created an unbreakable forcefield around your bed…" Severus didn't know that.
"He almost got himself arrested for interference, then Kingsley showed up and also made an official decree that you would not be placed under arrest until you were healed and released by me." Poppy chuckled. "I heard how he defended you at your trial. Word going around is that the Wizengamot, or majority of them, didn't care what anyone said about how you actually were always on the light side. The dark mark was enough for them to lock you up…"
She chuckled a little. "Just about everyone knows that Harry hates his fame, his image and the political power he carries…But he used it to make them acquit you of all charges, first war and second." Poppy informed. The headmaster's eyes widened. Harry, who just claimed to Ginerva in his office that he wouldn't use his status like that, used it to free him?
"When was this? He didn't do any of that at my trial. Defend yes, as a witness testimony like others did…But he didn't use any of his-," Severus began.
Poppy smiled gently, a hand on Severus's shoulder. "Harry didn't make it public. It was during the recess, just after they'd called for it and you were taken back to the room to wait for them to reconvene…Harry left his seat, pretty angry and determined, according to Minerva. When he came back, he sat calmly with his arms folded over one another and one leg over the other. Minerva asked what he did, and Harry only told her what needed to be done. And then the trial started again and you were there for the rest. You were pardoned and received an Order of Merlin, First Class. Then you were released, a free man."
Severus blinked. "I don't know where Harry went or what was said during that recess, but it's clear that he used what he hates having to pull some strings to see you acquitted of charges, and recognized for your role in ending the war." The witch stated. "So like I said…It's okay if there are any feelings between you two, even if it's unsaid. It will make things better for both of you and the baby."
"Overall, Severus, for the best outcome for both Harry and the baby, whether it's an early birth or on time…Sex is now required to provide the most magical assistance in getting the baby to be where it needs to be for how far along Harry is and then continue to grow properly until he gives birth." Poppy told him. "Do you understand me?"
"I do…" Severus replied, still going over what Poppy told him about his trial and that Harry is the reason he was a free man and recognized for the things he did to help win the war.
He might have to ask Harry about that, but not right now. It could be a topic for the times they just sit together and relax for transfers. But Poppy made it clear those would help, but not as much as sex would. It would probably be an awkward conversation, but Severus wanted both their child and Harry to be alright. So if sex was necessary, then so be it.
"Good. Now then, pick him up. I'll place him in Draco's office, the private room so no one disturbs you two while he wakes up and then you can talk." Poppy said.
Severus nodded and shifted to pick Harry up carefully, then carry him to Draco's private office and set him on that bed. Severus adjusted the teen's pillows for him, then took a seat as Poppy left the room, closing the door. Severus took a deep breath. Harry wasn't going to like this, but…It was agreed that they'd do anything for the baby. And Severus had said he'd do anything for Harry and the baby.
. . .
It was nearly two hours later when Severus realized that he was expected at the manor. He could leave Harry a note and go inform the Malfoys he wouldn't be able to stay. The potions master stood and pulled his hand from Harry's. He went to grab some parchment from Draco's desk when Harry began to shift, then a groan as the teenager opened his eyes.
"Harry?" Severus abandoned what he was doing to get back to Harry's side.
"Severus?" Harry tried to sit up.
"No, no. Stay down, Harry…You need to rest." Severus told him gently.
"What happened? All I remember is being in pain in your office…The baby! Is the baby okay?" Harry asked quickly.
Severus resumed his seat next to Harry. "You had a panic attack, likely due to being so close to Ginerva in my office. The pain was because you started going into labor," Harry's eyes widened, mentally preparing to shake his head. It was too early.
"Wh-Where is my baby…? D-Did it not-,"
"Harry…I need you to breathe and calm down. Everything is alright. Okay?" Severus assured. "You did start going into labor, and I rushed you here from my office. Madam Pomfrey was able to stop it." The visible release of relief was shown in Harry's exhale. "The baby is okay. See?" Severus set Harry's hand on his belly, then placed his own hand over Harry's. "He or she is right here, safe and sound in your womb."
Harry brought his other hand to his belly and rubbed them both around. Harry's eyes closed as he relaxed fully when he felt the gentle movements of his baby. "I know she scares you, her obsession with you does. But Harry, Poppy said this can't happen again or next time, she might not be able to stop it."
Harry opened his eyes now and looked at Severus with worry. "And giving birth this early could be dangerous for you and the baby." Severus explained. "The baby isn't developing fast enough with all the things we put in place a few weeks ago. The chance of survival if born early now is almost zero, and Poppy suspects that the ordeal itself of preterm labor and delivery would be too much on your body…So it could kill you too."
"If what we're doing isn't enough, and won't help develop the baby before my expected due date in like two months…Or if I go into labor early again…" Harry trailed off with concern that they might be too late in coming together to the baby. And it would be his fault for not saying anything as soon as he knew.
"What else can we do, Severus…" Harry asked. "There's…There's barely any time left before June, and that's only if I make it that far. If the baby's chance of survival right now is practically nothing, including my own…Is there anything else we can do?" He looked at Severus with concern in his green eyes. "Do…Do we have to be around each other all the time from now on? Should I move in with you, and we start having sex?" Harry wondered.
Severus was quiet, but it was his eyes that told Harry his unspoken answer to what he asked. Severus's eyes seemed apologetic, but also resigned and maybe a little nervous to what Harry would say in response to realizing that what he said is exactly what needed to happen. "Severus? Wait…Is that what you're thinking we could still do? Have me live with you in the Headmaster's Tower, your private quarters…And start having sex?"
"It's…What Poppy suggested, actually. What we're doing works for little boosts throughout the day, but it's not providing enough on its own." Severus finally spoke. "She believes you living with me will increase the small bursts, like when we make physical contact by hugging, snuggling, holding hands. But sex is the ultimate physical contact where our magics would expel and mix, then shower us and the baby with it."
"And your response to her suggestions?" The teen inquired softly.
"I know she's right, and Draco sort of already said the same thing…He just didn't want to put that kind of possible strain or awkwardness between us, where it would be…Forced that we had to do." The man replied. "But Poppy is very upfront and gives you the reality of not imploring the advice." He added. "I know heeding her suggestion is to give the baby what it needs from both of us because the power involved with having sex while pregnant is the strongest form of what we can call an energy transfer…"
He took a breath. "Only, in this…Event, the baby would get the largest and strongest transfer from both of us. But it would be balanced, so it wouldn't leave us drained and still provide for the baby." Severus paused. "But obviously, I did not just say that I'd force you to move in and engage in sex with me…I said I would talk to you first because the last thing I want to do is make decisions regarding you without you." Severus admitted. "I don't want to do what Dumbledore did to you."
"That's not what I meant, Severus. I know you'd never make a decision like that without talking to me first. You, like myself, were also forced to follow decisions made by others for you. Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord." Harry paused. "I'm asking if you agree with Madam Pomfrey on the basically prescribed course of action?"
"Research on the mechanics of magic and sex have proven to be true. Muggle may say it's magical, but for our kind…It is magical. When both participants take part, their magic builds around them the same as an orgasm would. And when the release hits, the mixed magic affects all those involved. It would affect us, and by extension, the baby. The potency of this act is exponentially higher to give the baby what it needs to develop in magic and health." Severus informed.
"Severus, don't be overly analytical about it. Do you agree with Madam Pomfrey that we should be living together and we should be having sex for the sake of the baby catching up in development to where it should be how far along I am?" Harry asked. "It's a yes or no response."
"Yes."
"Okay then." Harry relaxed again. "Then that's what we'll do." Severus blinked a few times, staring at Harry. "Why are you looking at me like I suggested the most insane thing on the planet? You just told me you agreed with the idea."
"I didn't think you'd agree to it so easily, or calmly." Severus said.
"It's not like we've never had sex before, Severus," Harry motioned to his pregnant belly.
"That was when we didn't know who the other person was." The man reminded.
"It doesn't change who we were beneath the disguise. We know the truth now, it doesn't change that we still had sex. Are you saying you can't do it because I don't look like Scott. I'll change into him again if it makes you feel better." Harry folded his arms.
"No! No, I'm not saying that at all, Harry," He needed to word this carefully or risk invoking the moody pregnant teenager's wrath if Harry thought Severus was taking a shot at his looks as he was. Harry's eyes stared, waiting for Severus to continue. "I just didn't want it to be awkward or forced."
"It won't be. I'm agreeing willingly, aren't I? I'm not being forced to agree." Harry rolled his eyes.
"We kind of are, Harry," Severus mentioned. "We're agreeing for the sake of the baby's development. It feels forced."
Harry sighed. "Severus. That night in the club when we fucked in the bathroom…After we finished, what did we say?" The potions master drew a blank. "We said it was great, and wouldn't mind repeating it if we should run into one another again. Right?" Severus nodded slowly. "Just because we wore disguises that night, and fake names, does not change the decisions made, nor the words exchanged."
"We both agreed it was a good time and we already also both said that despite learning who the other person really was, and the fact I got pregnant, we didn't regret anything. So let me ask this…" Harry paused. "If I hadn't ended up pregnant, and who we really were that night would have come out…Likely through Draco as the mutual person who knows us both and would know the story on both ends. If it still came out and we happened to run into one another over the holiday again at Oblivion, or some other place…Would you have tried to sleep with me again?"
"Probably." Severus confessed.
"Despite knowing at that point that we'd be what we are right now? Headmaster and student? Regardless of knowing we could get caught, and you could get fired and/or arrested?" Severus nodded. "So if you'd do it and not care in that situation…What changes if we do it now, and also add in the fact it's literally necessary for our child?" Harry stated.
"Tell me what changes, Sev?" The potion master's heart skipped a beat, and sped up at hearing Harry call him Sev. "And you know what I'm just realizing…" Harry paused as the older male arched a curious brow. "You gave me your phone number. I still have it, it's on the desk in the library…I almost called you over Christmas to invite you over so we could talk about that night, tell you I was Scott, and that I'm pregnant with your child."
Severus went wide-eyed. "You kept it?"
"I didn't know I had. I was drunk that night…I barely remember getting home. I don't think I apparated, I might have just hidden in the alley and called Kreacher." Harry admitted. "I think I might have thrown up once I got home. When I asked Kreacher what happened, he said I got sick on myself and he forced me into the shower, then to bed."
"He must have found the paper with your name and number, put it in the library and didn't tell me or he did and I forgot. I spent most of the next day hungover, then making sure I had everything to return to school…" The teen said. "So yeah…After the whole thing that happened at the Weasleys when I left early because Ginny was acting like a child because I went off on her in front of the entire family, I was in the library with some hot chocolate and tidying up the desk when I found it."
"I probably spent the rest of the night trying to decide if I should call, but I wasn't sure if you'd even be at the place the number was connected to." Harry stated. "And I let it go cause I already agreed before the holiday that I'd tell you when I returned to school. Then things just got busy with classes, dealing with Ginny and the rough days I told you about…"
Severus nodded, understanding. "I was home. That number is to my parents' house in Cokeworth, on Spinner's End. It's my childhood home, I never left. Minerva had the school handled, given most students go home and the castle is pretty quiet."
"But my point is that we had such a great time that we said we'd do it again if we ran into one another. And you left me a way to contact you, so we could meet up." Harry explained. "So with all that and your admittance that there were no regrets and would be none in the what if scenario regardless of risk, Severus, tell me what changes from what we said we'd do if we had the chance to do it again?" He paused.
"Here we are. We know who the other person was that night…And we have the opportunity. Yes, we're basically being healer ordered, for the health, safety, development, and survival of our child to have sex. But when you really think about it…It doesn't have to just be for the baby cause we already said we would repeat the night. And when things come out, no one has to know that particular detail. So tell me what changes?"
"Nothing changes." Severus agreed, so why was he so hesitant? Harry was completely right, actually. They were being ordered to do this for the baby, and that would make someone feel it was forced and awkward. But Harry and Severus already said as their disguised persona's and as themselves that there were no regrets and they'd do it again if they had the chance. Well, that's exactly what they were being given. They could enjoy it and it helped their baby.
"You're nervous because this is turning into what is definitely not allowed between staff and student, and It's going to come out eventually. I'm not saying let's go public with it…But it would come out you're the father of this child and you'd be arrested anyway on their assumption that you took advantage of a student and that it was me, of all people. That's why we brought in Lucius, to build a defense. To be prepared for the inevitable outcome." Harry remarked.
"That's the only reason they're going to arrest you. Because they think you'll have knocked me up during the school year. It was out of bounds, and an accident, Severus. We already said that if we were drunk and ridiculously horny, we might have been more aware to take precautions. Such as a silent contraceptive charm, condom, or pulling out cause you didn't want to assume I'd be alright with it." Harry reminded.
"But that's not what happened, so it was a complete accident. We didn't know the other was a wizard and we were too drunk and horny to question if the person we were having sex with might actually be a wizard in disguise. There's nothing they can do when we ourselves were unaware, and everything we've done thus far or begin doing…Is for the baby."
"We've done nothing wrong, Sev. We had drunk, horny, unprotected sex thinking the other was a stranger and muggle. I got pregnant from it, and when I learned who the father actually was, I confronted him and you decided to be supportive and involved in the child's life."
"So we agreed to co-parent and would hash out details once the baby came as far as shared custody went. And when an appointment revealed that we needed your energy and magic to take strain off me, we made arrangements for that to happen."
"But it wasn't enough because I'd gone five months of pregnancy without your help, so the baby needed more and we made the decision with the advice of two healers, that inhabiting the same space to keep us as close as possible throughout the day, and night…Plus having sex, would give the baby everything it needed." The teenager told him.
"And that's the only story they need to know, and again…There's nothing they can do about it. We may have been staff and student when I learned I was pregnant, and when you were informed, and while we're doing everything we can for the health and safety of the baby…" Harry paused.
"But the event which landed me pregnant was when we were not on Hogwarts grounds. Not during the active school year of September to June. We are both adults, and the night that it happened, we didn't know who the other person was under the disguise. It's not like it was planned."
"I know you're right, Harry, but you can't blame me for being worried about arrest. If I get hauled off and in prison while you're still pregnant…" Severus sighed.
"It won't happen, Severus. You might get arrested, I can't stop that…But it won't last. I'll have you back holding me in your arms while we lie in bed before they even finish processing you as a prisoner and set an arraignment or trial date." Harry promised. "If you end up arrested, Draco, Lucius, and I will have you home within the same hour you were taken, or by the next hour at the latest."
"So confident of that?" Severus gave a small smile.
"Sev," Harry chuckled. "This is me we're talking about. I can make anything happen."
Severus rolled his eyes. "I thought you hated fame?"
"I do, when people want to use me for themselves. However, if I want to use my fame for something or someone I choose, especially when it's for a morally good damn reason…I don't mind one bit. I'm not going to let them lock up the father of my child. And the public would riot if they found out that the ministry arrested the father of the savior's child on a bullshit charge just because they're mad that they couldn't lock him up for being a Death Eater." Harry smiled.
"The public pressure alone would probably get them to drop it because the ministry knows that if I don't stand with them, the people won't either. They'd care a hell of a lot more about losing supporters than locking up one person on a fake charge cause we didn't actually do anything wrong. It might seem wrong and definitely look unprofessional…"
"But what happened and will happen is not illegal." Harry chuckled. "I'm not underage, you're not my teacher, and the sex that landed me pregnant happened off campus and also not during school term. And all the sex we will be having is medically necessary for the development of our baby, Severus."
"So stop being so nervous. You're a war hero, and you were acquitted of any charges regarding being a Death Eater, Sev. You have an Order of Merlin, First Class. You're a respected, talented Potions Master. Headmaster of Hogwarts. They might arrest you, but they're not going to throw you in prison. They will definitely try, but they'll fail because they have no case. No grounds. Nothing. And they have to get through me." The teen said firmly.
"You protected me for years, I can do the same for you now and then. Stop worrying…I don't mind reminding them who they're dealing with. I promise they won't want to deal with me again." Harry said. "We're doing this for our child, Severus. We're not doing anything wrong."
"And hey, we get some fun out of it too like any normal couple would." He shrugged. "So back to the original point…No, it doesn't bother me, and it doesn't feel forced that we have sex again. Besides, I've had too many days where I'm horny as fuck and between the back pain and large belly to manuever, it's a struggle to wank."
The older man laughed, but nodded. He wished he would have known, he could have helped sooner. Consequences be damned. Harry was right, they weren't doing anything wrong and it was for their baby. Just like any other male couple who bonded over their child. Except Harry and Severus weren't a couple. Maybe they could be eventually.
"Is…Is it safe for us to have sex? Isn't that dangerous towards the end?" Severus asked.
"It's fine." Harry smiled. "It gets testy at the end because sex, or rather, the orgasms can induce labor."
"Then is this safe? We already stopped labor once…"
"That was panic and stress-induced. This won't be. Calm down, would you?" Harry chuckled. "Poppy wouldn't have suggested it if it were going to be dangerous to our baby." Yeah, Harry had a point there. "Now, what time is it?"
"12:45." Severus responded.
"We're late for lunch at the manor!" Harry said quickly.
"Only a few minutes. Relax. You needed to rest. I still think you do, Harry. Are you sure you want to go?" Severus inquired.
"Sev, I missed breakfast due to sleeping late and having to be rushed here. We need to eat…" Harry stated. "It's just lunch."
"Alright." Severus agreed. "But you need to not get the way you did before, Harry. Poppy was serious about you needing to avoid stress, or she'll order you to strict bed rest."
"I'll behave." Harry promised. "I just…Didn't like being that close to Ginny. I don't trust her…"
"It's understandable why you don't, Harry. But you were with me and Minerva in my office. She wouldn't have tried anything." Severus assured. "She did see me switch off headmaster persona when you nearly collapsed. I am not sure if she'll make a fuss or not. But we should be prepared for the worst that she may make a connection…"
"No matter what she thinks or does…She'll never have me." Harry promised. "Now, let's go to lunch. Your child is getting demanding."
Severus laughed as he helped Harry up, then alerted Poppy they were leaving. Severus then assisted Harry to the fireplace in Draco's office, and called Malfoy Manor as the destination.