May 16, 1999
It had been almost two weeks since Harry woke up from Ginerva's attack, and it had been hell to be stuck on bed rest too. He stayed between the couch, a recliner, and obviously, his and Severus's bed. Harry only got up to stretch his legs, take little walks in their quarters, use the bathroom and shower. After the first week of this, Severus spoke with Poppy and Draco about seeing if they could at least agree to let Harry be outside once or twice a day for fresh air. The two agreed after Severus revealed that Harry was miserable being cooped up inside.
Minerva was temporary headmistress while Kingsley sent someone from the ministry to cover the Transfiguration classes. Severus made himself completely available to be there for Harry and the baby no matter what. Cuddling, massages, book requests, food and drink requests. Harry's friends popped in to visit every day after classes to bring his work and Harry got done what he could. It sucked, but he was trying to study a lot because he didn't think he'd have a lot of time after the baby came.
Gwain came through once with an auror to get Harry's statement of the attack, as well as anything else to prove Ginerva's obsession. Harry provided memories taken by Draco under Poppy's supervision of things he saw or heard Ginny try. Harry also provided the notebook where he kept track of other things people had told him and Minerva pulled those people aside to get their testimonies and memories of the events in question.
Lucius came by once or twice too to inform Harry and Severus of the case status, telling Harry that he was trying to work it out with Kingsley, Ginny's lawyer, and other people involved that Harry would not have to be present at the trial itself knowing how close he was to giving birth and the situation regarding the stray bit of magic still lingering that belonged to Ginny from whatever spell she sent at him.
Poppy and Draco had not yet figured out anything more besides being certain that it was trying to latch onto Harry and couldn't with the baby there. Other specialists had come through too. No one had been able to place what it was or remove it, but what they had seen thus far is that the weaker the baby got, the more the strand inched towards Harry's magical core.
With Ron's help, the auror department had found evidence to hold Molly Weasley for multiple things regarding schemes and intent against Harry Potter. There was also theft too and they found illegal ingredients, brewing supplies and some pre-made potions that were regulated by the ministry. So she was facing trouble too. Arthur was disappointed in his wife and daughter.
Poor Arthur had the displeasure of informing George, Bill, Fleur, Percy, and Charlie with Ron's aid. None of them stood with their mother or sister. Today was a Sunday and Harry was relaxing in the main space of his and Sev's quarters, leaning against the man on the couch.
"This sucks…" Harry groaned.
"Being on bed rest?" Severus wondered.
"Not being able to have sex or do foreplay!" Harry told him. "Why can't they just make Ginny tell them what she did instead of all the trying to figure it out shit…" He sighed.
"Last I spoke with Lucius, she refused to talk about what she did to you," Severus replied. "Her lawyer has tried everything in the last two weeks to get the case thrown out. He's a top lawyer too, I've been wondering how she and Molly are affording them without the support of anyone."
"I have a feeling that the lawyer only took their case because they told him in confidence that if he got them off, Ginny would be with me, and have access to my vaults to pay him." Harry rolled his eyes.
"It's possible," Severus agreed. "One of the last things Ginerva said that day was that you'd be hers. Lucius and everyone else who was present that day heard it too, you'd already gone unconscious," He added. "She seems convinced that she'll walk away from this and still have you in the end."
"How can she though? There's nothing that can make me be with her, Sev. No spells, no potions…No contracts or old pure-blood laws." Harry looked at his lover.
"I don't know, Harry…All I am aware of thus far is that arraignment happened on the 5th and she pleaded Not Guilty, so it went to trial. That started last week on…Tuesday, I believe. They've been at it since with her lawyer calling for dismissal, trying to get some charges knocked off, even claiming that she was drugged or insane." Severus told him.
"She's fucking insane alright, but she's aware of what she's doing…" Harry huffed. "And you told me Lucius was arguing about my presence there?"
"Lucius is trying to stall for time by calling up other key witnesses to Ginerva's behavior regarding you. Ronald, Hermione, other people in her classes and dorm. But the other lawyer is pushing for you to be brought in as the victim, and Lucius has Poppy and Draco informing the court that you're on strict bed rest, too close to your due date, and suffering complications that are making you and the baby weak." Severus nodded.
"They're trying to make it seem like I'm not well enough to be there, stall it out until I give birth or they find the counter spell to whatever she did?" Harry inquired.
"Basically." Severus responded. The fireplace flared and they saw Lucius there. "Hello, my friend," Severus greeted. "Just a call or coming through?"
"Coming through, if I may?" Lucius asked.
"Come on through, Lucius. We're just sitting around, it's all I do right now…" Harry stated.
A moment later, Lucius stepped through and waved his wand to rid himself of the soot. Severus sat forward to shake the man's hand, then Harry adjusted a bit to do the same before Lucius took a seat. "I don't come bearing good news, I'm afraid." Lucius began.
"They want Harry to appear, don't they?" Severus sighed as Lucius nodded.
"Tomorrow, 10:30 am." Lucius nodded. "I did everything I could to stall it and ask for continuance, Severus. And while the current Chief Warlock has sympathy for Harry's condition and the complications, he's still the main witness and victim."
"We know you tried, Lucius. It's alright…" Harry told him gently.
"It's foolish. How can they physically need Harry there when they have his sworn statement and his memories of things, plus the other witnesses who saw everything, heard it all?" Severus asked.
"Because Ginerva is playing the sob story that Harry has always been aware of her feelings since they were younger, that he led her on and she just loves him entirely. Believes they are soulmates and that Albus Dumbledore told her so, that he proved it with a spell." Lucius explained.
"That's why Dumbledore and Molly set up the contract, she claims. Because Albus proved to Molly that Ginny and Harry were meant to be. And the contract's terms are only written the way they were because it was believed Harry would die and there would need to be someone controlling the vaults until the heir was of age to do so." Lord Malfoy continued.
"She's getting sympathy from them? People are actually believing that?" Harry wondered in surprise.
"Yes. She's playing the role of just a girl who has always loved you, that you led her on for years and then broke her heart by not getting back with her after the war. Told her plenty of times you two would talk about it and never did. Her lawyer has called on shared witnesses to confirm you did say that, but it never happened." Lucius informed.
"Yeah, I did say we'd talk…I never confirmed we were getting back together. I had things I wanted to focus on…Like school, healing after everything. The more pushing she did on the matter of getting back together, the more she pushed me away and let me see that she wasn't supportive or understanding of what I needed…" Harry muttered.
"That's also been brought up and confirmed too, Harry, but she's using your one-night stand with Severus in the way of you went out and got drunk to deal with things instead of going to her and she would have been there for you like always. She actually said that you're the one obsessed…With Severus. She's mentioned sixth year, when you had possession of the Half-Blood Prince's textbook." Lucius revealed.
"I went out because of shit I learned at the bank because of her!" Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Harry…Harry, you need to relax. Don't stress out…" Severus reminded as Harry took a few breaths and sipped his water. The potions master looked at Lucius again. "Lucius, there has to be a way to stall this farther. Surely they understand that Harry is thirty-eight weeks pregnant and on bed rest. Trial will stress him out and we can't have him going into labor early…"
"Severus, I tried that...Just today, in fact. It was a vote, and the Chief Warlock does have sympathy for Harry's current state…But he's needed." Lucius said. "Look, even Ginerva's lawyer knows she's guilty…Unfortunately, even guilty people have the right to defend themselves. Her lawyer wants her to lose because then he can sue her for no payment."
"He supports you, Harry, but it's up to the Wizengamot to give the final verdict on what they believe…" Lucius paused. "And right now…They're buying into her sob story that you've been obsessed with Severus since you were sixteen. That you've known he's the father since before Christmas and hid it to protect him. She's getting sympathy that you still told her you two would talk even after learning you were pregnant, and knowing it was Severus's…"
"She's playing on Severus's past in how he treated you, like that muggle syndrome…The one where a victim is attached to their abuser, kidnapper, or whatever." Lucius said.
"Stockholm Syndrome." Severus informed.
"Yes, that one. She's had her lawyer pushing to get Harry a cleansing to see if he's under any substances, trying to say you've drugged him to love you." Lucius remarked.
"Harry can't go through that, Lucius. Magical cleansings are a ritual and draining…It could kill him and the baby…" Severus tensed up.
"I know, and I've already had it thrown out…But the fact of the matter is that the Chief Warlock and even her lawyer want Harry to appear so he can get their sympathy. Talking about the stress of the war, being a child soldier, the nightmares, the people he's lost. How everything affected him after the war and he wanted to seek help that Ginny only worried about herself…" Lucius stated.
"You want me to give my own sob story…" Harry realized.
"Yes." Lucius confirmed. "Miss. Granger pulled me aside leaving court today and she's implored that you come and tell them what you revealed on Christmas to the Weasleys and her. No one else has mentioned it and Ginerva waited until others have spoken to say that you proposed on Christmas and took it away and had her mother back it up…"
"And Harry…I think you should tell them what you told Severus, Draco, Narcissa, and myself that day at the manor. About how you were in the in-between space after you sacrificed yourself, how you had a choice to go on or return home…" Lucius paused. "I am not saying bring up the Deathly Hallows, or your interaction with your loved ones…"
"But use it to express that you contemplated not coming back, the consequences regarding the war if you chose to pass completely. Remind them who you are, what you did for this world and play on the emotions regarding why did you do all you did to come back to enjoy a life without Voldemort like everyone else, but still getting dragged into things and having to suffer?..." Severus finished for Lucius.
"Fine…" Harry folded his arms over his chest.
"Lucius," Severus looked at his old friend seriously. "I will speak with Poppy and Draco on how we even get Harry to the ministry for this when he's not supposed to be apparating, flooing, or portkeying for tomorrow…But I need you to do something for me in return…"
"What is it?" Lucius asked.
"After Harry is called, I want you to make a motion that he is not questioned the normal way. I know it's the other lawyers job to push, but that can cause stress. You say he knows the girl is guilty, so pull him aside if you must and tell him to keep it basic. And I want the motion cleared that if, at any time, Harry needs a break; he gets it. And I want Poppy or Draco next to him and monitoring the baby and him."
"I will take care of that." Lucius promised. "I already planned on telling them that this will be the only day Harry comes to court to say his piece. What we're hoping for is that Ginerva gets mad when she sees Harry winning the Wizengamot over, she'll lose her composure and freak out like she did in the Great Hall, screaming that Harry is supposed to be hers."
"Here's to hoping for that and also that maybe she'll reveal what spell she threw at me." Harry sighed.
"I am certain that after tomorrow, we'll have a verdict. You are a person of the people, Harry. Reminding them of what you did for us should sway more than a few." Lucius stood, shaking their hands. "I'll see you both tomorrow." Then he left back through the floo network.
Harry sighed, leaning against Severus with his eyes closed. "Everything will be alright, Harry."
"You don't understand what it's gonna take for me to have to talk about all that again, Sev…" The teen admitted. "The things I said over Christmas were in a moment of anger. I hadn't even gotten to how I felt on that matter with my healer…It wasn't meant to be revealed to everyone…"
"I'll speak to Lucius tomorrow, before the session starts. Maybe we can do a closed session so nothing you say gets out to the papers…" Severus offered. "We can have you take a calming potion beforehand. They don't need it word for word, Harry. Just enough so they understand the kind of pressure you were under, the hurt that no one saw how much you were suffering while they relied on a teenager to kill Voldemort."
"You're very good at words, Harry. You said that yourself at the manor…Give them a little taste that they were part of the problem," Severus told him. "Make 'em feel like shit if you want. But remind them that you are the reason we have the peace we do now. And remind them that who are with all your titles is what Ginerva is after. If everyone else gets their happily ever after…Why aren't you entitled to it too."
"I know, Sev…But that doesn't make it right that I have to lay my mental problems out because she can't accept the answer of 'no'." Harry remarked. "Her sob story is working because you know they didn't want to pardon you, and now you have the bow who lived twice, vanquisher of Voldemort, and we're having a baby." He paused.
"You think they're buying her story because something that happened by accident where we fucked and you're pregnant, also we're in love…But you aren't living the life they want you to live?" Severus inquired.
"Tell me any other way to see it. She's guilty. She attacked me, a pregnant person. And there is a castle of people, five aurors, and even the minister of fucking magic who saw the whole thing. They're buying it because guilty or not, they see her side as loving me unconditionally for years and making it known, but I paid no mind. They see it as I shouldn't be with what they deem as an ex-Death Eater…" Harry mumbled.
"They believe that someone like me should be with someone like her. A nice girl from a light family. Someone who could give me lots of heirs and heiresses, name Lady of the House…" The teen sighed. "They're believing her because probably a fair amount of them don't believe in two men being together, or the male pregnancy thing." He paused. "What are we going to do, Sev? If they take her side?"
"We'll keep the restraining order in place and if she can't contain herself or they get too many supporters…We'll go where we would be accepted. We'll go to another country. But I promise you that we'll be safe. I've told you before…I've spent my adult life teaching, being a spy, and protecting you. Nothing could ever stop me from doing that. I'll protect our family." Severus assured.
"She won't get away with this though," Came Draco's voice from the doorway. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. It was open already a bit and when I knocked, opened all the way." He informed. "Don't panic about Ginerva, Harry. She won't get away with it."
"How can you be so sure?" Harry asked.
"Mother, our friends, and myself have been coming up with a plan." Draco smiled. "Don't worry. We stand with you and so do many more. We've rallied your following, Harry. And everyone is ready to defend you. You'll see tomorrow, if it becomes required. If not, I'll tell you what the plan was. Okay?"
"Alright…" Harry nodded. "What brings you by? Another check up?"
"I check you every day right now, Harry." Draco replied as Harry forced himself to lean up and sit straighter. "But, I also have news on our project, if you're interested?"
"Good or bad?" Severus pushed.
"I'd call it good, but it's really more of a theory we need testing." Draco informed. Severus and Harry looked at him, wanting more of an explanation. He approached with his wand and began waving it to check over Harry and the baby. "So, the theory comes from the overriding magic scenario we mentioned two weeks ago."
"Yeah, you said there were concerns that it could send him into labor…" Severus reminded.
"We said that the sex alone may send him into labor between the magic and the chemical that releases during an orgasm is a natural labor inducer…This would involve sex, but something a little more…Stable." Draco paused.
"Uh huh…Where you going with this, Dray?" Harry inquired.
"Alright, so after meeting with multiple medi-witches and medi-wizards who work in pregnancy, and a couple specialist for male pregnancy…We all got together earlier and went over findings from their exams of you, the baby, and that bit of magic belonging to Ginerva. We've researched and we believe we've come up with solution…" Draco stated.
"Go on, godson…" Severus invited.
"The general consensus is that while we don't know exactly what she did, we all agree on the first theory that she hit you with something to link you and her. Not like a horcrux or anything, but in a…Bonded kind of way. We think, given the obsession, she'll use it in court to say you two are…Well, basically married." Draco revealed.
Harry's breath got caught in his throat, stiffening immediately. "What?..."
"Hey. Hey, relax. Breathe…" Draco urged. Harry took a few breaths. "Now, just listen because what she did was attempt to bond you two. It's lingering, like stasis, because it's not complete."
"It's incomplete because it wasn't your typical bonding. She fired off a non-verbal spell, but it wasn't consummated." Severus realized.
Draco nodded. "Exactly."
"Hang on…Still don't know a lot of the wizarding world. Help me understand this?" Harry said.
"Magic folk can marry the muggle way. Usually used between muggle-borns and half-bloods who are familiar with a marital union in that method. But…We also have bonding. It is still marriage, but magically binding. In muggle marriage, you can sign the paper with witnesses and take off the rings for a divorce…" Draco paused.
"But in bonding, you not only exchange rings that are linked to one another, and say binding vows…You tie yourselves to one another." Draco informed. "Your lives, your souls, your very magic…And it isn't just a fancy ceremony with words and all that. It's ceremonial robes, candles, hand-fasting with ropes as you say your vows. And there are tons of bonding ceremonies."
"What he's saying, Harry, is that bonding is a ritual. It's not just an event like a muggle wedding. In bonding, it's a ritual to call on magic to bind you to your partner." Severus clarified. "And more than just that ritual everyone witnesses…The bonding isn't complete until you and your partner have sex. Like when we have for the baby, sex in bonding does the same thing. It would release and mix…"
"And if you do want divorce after a binding, it has to be done in a ritual to call on magic to break what was created. Think of bonding as…A string. Alright?" Harry nodded, following so far. "When you bond with someone, your two strings meld together into one and it's like a lifeline. In bonding, you can feel your partner's…Emotions, feelings…In some, know when they're hurt."
"You become each other's other half. And there are different versions of bonding too. Some are as basic as a muggle wedding, but some are…Well, let's use something ancient and powerful, like say…Blood magic. There are ways to bond using blood as part of the ceremony. And those…Incredibly difficult to break." Draco explained.
"Most pure-bloods stick to inbreeding because they know which families are compatible with one another. There have been instances where a bonding ritual fails because magic decides they won't work together. Magic requires…Compatibility to mix properly. And there are people out there who just…Don't mix well." Severus mentioned.
"But there are also some bondings that magic blesses during the ritual. Now…It's not confirmed, but rumor has said that the ritual's magic blessings will result in a glowing of rings and if that happens, it's been said that it means you've found your soulmate." Draco said.
"Alright, got it…What is this to do with what Ginny did?" Harry asked.
"What Draco is saying is that there are spells that can force a binding of magic. It's not real bonding, of course. But what it means is that what Ginerva did was try to bind the two of you together and then she'd use it in court to say you're already bound to her. It might force the Wizengamot to accept such and then you wouldn't be able to testify against her. It's a law…A married couple can't testify against the other one. It goes against the vows of always loving and supporting the other." Severus informed.
"Then I suspect once she was free, the Wizengamot would order you to finish the bonding. You wouldn't be able to argue either. Then I assume she would have set up the room to in fact permanently bind you to her." Draco paused. "But…" He put his hand on Harry's arm to keep him calm. "She failed a few ways."
"One, her spell didn't work or it would have linked you two. Right now, as I mentioned two weeks ago, your baby is protecting you because the baby shares yours and Severus's magic. The child being the…Bonding link between you and him." Draco stated.
"But you mentioned two weeks ago that if I went into labor and gave birth…The link Ginny is trying to form will latch?" Draco nodded. "And you said that whatever she did is blocking anything new from Severus coming in…The baby we made is also creating a block so that her magic can't touch me?" Harry questioned.
"Correct." Draco replied. "So the situation is this…The other healers and I believe we've come up with a safe way to eradicate her magic from you, but it will require some sacrifice from you and Severus. We still need you two having sex to develop the child because right now, you're both weakening without that burst of magic."
"We've sacrificed before," Severus said. "What do you believe will fix this situation?"
"Since her magic hasn't latched because of the baby, and there was no consummation done…We believe that if you and Harry were to bond and consummate it, then her magic will be forced out as magical laws on bonding are that only two people may be bonded together one time. I know you have the baby as a bond…But I'm talking about something between…You two." Draco suggested.
"You're saying we should get married?" Harry and Severus asked in unison.
"That's precisely what we're suggesting." Draco confirmed.