March 10, 1999
The rest of that day at Malfoy Manor had been relaxing. Severus enjoyed feeling the baby kick for a little bit, and then Harry could see Narcissa was itching to ask if she could feel as well, but didn't want to overstep. Harry only smiled and adjusted a bit, holding his hand out to her. She was confused at first, but Harry set her hand on his bump. It took a moment, but the baby kicked against her palm. The woman squealed with delight, placing both hands. Lucius only shook his head.
His wife would abandon her perfect wife and mother, lady of the house demeanor to enjoy feeling a baby kick. After all, the last she felt such would have been when she was pregnant with Draco, and that was almost twenty years ago now. Plus, they were family. Harry didn't mind sharing the experience with others. The teen was now two days from being twenty-eight weeks. Sometimes, he still couldn't believe he was seven months pregnant.
Two more to go and he'd be able to find out if he had a son or daughter. Two more months and he'd be able to hold his child. It was discussed at the manor while Harry and Severus had their moment of feeling the baby kick that Harry decided he couldn't possibly walk away after he or she was born. So he and Severus would both be in their child's life, they'd co-parent. Why couldn't they? It was easier now that they weren't butting heads all the time.
Severus still liked Harry, but didn't want to push things too much as they already had to be in close proximity for the baby, and add in having sex when they weren't together, nor were the feelings mutual. At least that's what Severus believed. Harry did like him and both of them, while unaware of what the other felt, had been feeling it since they realized who the other was that night in the club.
Today was a Wednesday, and it was about 4:15 pm as Harry made his way to the headmaster's office. Approaching the house totem, the stairs began to move and took Harry up. Once there, the door to the office opened and Severus looked up from his desk.
"Hello, Harry." Severus greeted.
"Hi, Sev." The teen yawned.
"Long day?" The headmaster inquired despite already knowing the answer. Harry gave him a look. "My apologies. I know it was a stupid question. But even with the shortened classes, is it still long?"
Harry didn't want to be pulled from all classes, so they reached a compromise where he would stay for the lesson and a demonstration. Then he could leave early and self-study, but he still had to turn in assignments. This allowed him to still go to class, learn things, keep up on his work, and get some light exercise by walking around the castle. But at seven months pregnant, it was still challenging.
"Do you want to go lay down for a bit?" Severus asked. "I can wake you for dinner if you like?" He offered.
"Are you going to lay with me? Our child seems to settle when you're around." Harry muttered.
Severus checked the time. "If you give me forty-five minutes to finish going through these and a quick meeting at 4:30, I can join you at 5. Maybe for now you can head in, get comfortable? Have a snack?"
"I guess I can do that." Harry nodded to him.
"Go on then." Severus motioned towards the door with his head.
Harry headed off to the man's quarters, setting his bag down and plopping on the bed. It didn't take him long to get comfortable, then call an elf for a snack. Once he finished that, Harry laid down to relax, hand on his belly. The teen closed his eyes and after a little bit, he drifted off.
The next time he woke was when he felt the bed move, and Harry craned his neck a bit to see Severus slipping in behind him. "I didn't mean to wake you," Severus said softly.
"It's fine. Come on," Harry replied. Severus laid down fully and scooted closer to be up against Harry's back, the man threw an arm around him as his hand rested on Harry's belly. A smile came to the headmaster's face as he felt their child giving a kick here and there. "See? It settles when you're near."
"I suppose we'll just have to be in close quarters until you give birth." Severus teased. "Rest, I'm here now. The little one shall be easy on you with me here. I've asked an elf to wake me when it's thirty minutes until dinner time, so we have time to get ready."
Harry nodded, moving against the man to get comfortable. He closed his eyes, relaxing as Severus's hand moved around his stomach in light motions. It felt nice, his body relaxed slowly and he closed his eyes. Severus continued to run his hand on Harry's belly, occasionally feeling those little kicks that began to settle. The older man kept his movements going along Harry's arm and hip. It was so light that it tickled the teen a little.
Severus hadn't laid down completely, he was holding his head up on his hand and elbow down on the bed. He just wanted to watch Harry be comfortable. Without even thinking, and while he assumed Harry was drifting off to sleep; Severus leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss at the crook of Harry's neck. It surprised Harry so much that he jumped a bit and turned his head to look at Severus.
"Forgive me…I thought you'd gone to sleep…" Severus said, feeling caught in his affection. Despite what was agreed, he didn't want to just pile it on hard on the teenager.
"Why did it matter if I was asleep or not?" Harry asked. "Is that the only time you can kiss me?"
"O-Of course not, Harry." Severus replied quickly. "It was more of a rest well kiss. It makes no difference to me if you're awake or not. I just thought you were sleeping already."
"You've never done it before now…" Harry mentioned, then he adjusted slightly to be turned over and facing the man. "What's going on?"
"Nothing at all, Harry." Severus replied.
"I'm not buying into that. The only times kissing has been involved has been when our child was conceived and just now. You did it while I was falling asleep, why not kiss me a rest well before I started to knock out?" Harry told him. "So what's going on? What brought on wanting to kiss me so suddenly?"
"I know that we must be close in order for the baby to benefit from both of us and I thought perhaps it might be better if we approached things more…Intimately, rather than jumping into sex." Severus admitted. "Poppy had told me that while we needed to have sex for the baby to develop, and a quickie, as she referred to it, would do the trick…It would be stronger to have there be some emotion or feeling behind it."
It wasn't untrue. While they said it wouldn't be awkward between them, it might be a little off putting to jump into touching and shagging. Severus was attempting to be gentle about it, somewhat seductive. Just more of a showing you I care rather than fuck because of the baby. It would be more powerful if there were feelings behind it as it would be if they were a couple. Harry knew this, Draco broke things down for him.
Most same-sex couples didn't have to worry about unexpected pregnancies because it was rare as hell to get pregnant without the help of conception potions. It hadn't happened in a long time. And on the off chance people weren't sure, they used contraceptive potions or charms. However, since Harry and Severus were disguised as muggles, in a muggle club; neither had any idea who the other was. And obviously, it happened.
But couples who did decide to have kids together, they were just that. Couples. Nothing was forced between them. Harry's and Severus's situation was different. Yes, they slept together and both enjoyed it. And there was no fussing about age since both were adults. However, they were being told they had to have sex for the baby to develop properly and there was very little time until the baby was born to get back all the time lost since Harry found out.
It was understandable, Harry got it. "Not that I was going to attempt anything while you were clearly about to nap. I thought it might be a nice gesture…" Severus added after a few moments of silence with Harry just staring at him.
"Well…As nice a gesture as it might be," Harry paused. "It may be better to not do that when I'm about to go to sleep." Severus blinked a bit in surprise. "My skin is sensitized from the slightest touches. It's not bad with clothes, but bare skin…" The teen trailed off as Severus understood. He saw the soft flush of Harry's cheeks.
It meant Harry could be very easily aroused from the smallest touches of intimate nature, as such, it would keep him from sleeping as he had intended to do so. "I understand. Forgive me, I was unaware."
"Nothing to forgive, and I assumed you might be…That's why I told you about it." Harry informed calmly. There was a subtle undertone that Severus picked up on. Harry basically just told Severus how to turn him on slowly. The big statement, however, was not to do it when he was trying to sleep. And the teen typically took a nap every day after classes ended.
"And while neck kisses are nice with some random bloke…I prefer those I'm comfortable with and like to kiss me on the lips and work their way around if you're aiming to seduce me. I'm also not against surprise seduction. Random sex is better than planned." Harry winked before he kissed Severus's cheek and rolled back onto his side, closing his eyes.
Severus blinked a few times, but smiled and resumed his place laying beside Harry. "Noted for future reference." Severus replied before relaxing.
. . .
Severus never went to sleep, but he remained with Harry as the teen napped. Severus just laid next to Harry, a hand over his belly while feeling the light kicks or movements. The nap wouldn't be long, they'd have to go to dinner at 6:30 pm. Severus didn't want to wake Harry, but it wasn't good for him to skip meals either. The potions master lightly shook Harry.
"Hey, time to wake up."
The teenager mumbled, and groaned tiredly as he entered consciousness and blinked a few times before reaching for his glasses. Harry yawned and rolled a bit to look at Severus, who was smiling softly at him. "Hi…What time is it?"
"6:05, we have to go to dinner soon." Severus told him. "I figured I'd give you time to wake up a bit."
"Appreciate that." The teen replied. "Help me up?"
Severus got off the bed and walked around to take hold of Harry's hands and carefully pull him up to a sitting position, and then finally standing on his feet. Severus didn't move right away, knowing it took Harry a moment to find his balance. Harry went off to the bathroom and came out sometime after before grabbing his uniform pieces that he'd removed for the nap and re-dressing himself.
"Ah, almost forgot…After dinner, don't return to my office right away. Stay with your friends in the library or your common room." Severus mentioned.
"Why? Is something happening?" Harry inquired.
"Lucius worked with the DMLE for an emergency protection order for you against Miss. Weasley." Severus remarked.
Harry had actually almost forgotten he asked Lucius to get a restraining order on Ginny. It was one of the things they talked about when Harry and Severus visited Malfoy Manor three days ago. Harry knew that Ginny was only becoming more desperate, and he was sick of her thinking she'd get him. Harry planned to have the goblins reveal that the contract was void due to Harry's status as Lord Black, but he wanted protection from her going off in a fit first.
"It needed a bit of modification to work for the situation…Which is that you both attend Hogwarts. There are times where you'd cross paths going to classes and for meals." the headmaster explained.
"So it's set at eight feet away. I know that doesn't seem like a lot, but remember…These aren't like the muggle ones. These are set up with both of your magical signatures and charmed to make the person stay that distance away or be shocked. If they continue to push the boundary through pain, they will find themselves glued in place." he continued.
"And it makes sure they cannot run. For if she does end up glued in place, the protection order will alert the DMLE, and aurors would be dispatched to arrest her for violating the order." Severus revealed. "Lucius informed me that two aurors will be coming to Hogwarts after dinner to ensure Miss. Weasley is given the order in person, with her parents, and the staff as witnesses."
"Okay, so just want me to stay in my dorm tonight?" Harry wondered.
"No, no. Of course not, Harry. I will send word to you when everyone is gone and you can return. We can relax in front of the fire for the night until we turn in. How does that sound?" Severus suggested.
Harry smiled. "Sounds like I can't wait."
Severus nodded and they left the Headmaster's Tower and walked most of the way to the Great Hall together. But of course, had to separate so no one saw them come in together. Severus let Harry go first, and then he came in about five minutes afterward, heading right for the staff table.
Once Severus took his seat, he motioned for the food to appear on the tables and everyone began to eat. It was pretty peaceful, normal even. Harry was still concerned about Ginny's obsession with him, but…He felt pretty protected by his friends and Severus. Harry knew that if Ginny tried anything, Severus wouldn't hold back.
It would likely only show everyone how far Ginny's obsession went and also that Snape was protecting Harry as he always did. However, there was the chance that it could also reveal he was actually the father of Harry's baby. There would be trouble, an investigation…But Harry was confident that Severus would not see any jail time. Harry simply wouldn't allow it.
The pregnant teen smiled and laughed with his friends, mostly about old memories of their last six years there. It was mostly about how they'd all been rivals with one another, chatting about old arguments and whatnot. Harry loved moments like these, it was just perfect. No stress or drama. No trouble. Just peaceful and a good time. Harry did feel eyes on him and he could only assume it had to be Ginny.
The girl had been quiet lately ever since the incident in the headmaster's office, but Harry got word earlier today from a couple concerned Gryffindors that he'd want to be careful because Ginny was telling people who asking about that ring from the set Harry got her for Christmas that it was an engagement ring placeholder until graduation. That Harry planned to propose after NEWT exams with the Potter betrothal ring and they'd be married sometime in October.
Apparently, Ginny admitted that her mother was handling all the wedding plans so that Harry and Ginny could focus on school. And the only reason she was wearing the placeholder ring on her right hand was because she and Harry agreed to keep hidden that they were actually engaged. But the Gryffindors also mentioned that Ginny was basically calling herself his wife.
But the disturbing comments were that Ginny had been caught masturbating with some toys multiple times and she'd only moan Harry's name. She'd always be loud about it and it would be happening in the strangest places…Hidden alcoves, unused classrooms, bathrooms even. Harry already figured out that she was obviously trying to paint the rumor that she was actually with him.
And some of these instances were reported that someone was with her, but no one could make out the partner's face. Only that Ginny would be moaning Harry's name. The last thing that got to Harry was that someone heard Ginny complain that she'd seen Snape get super concerned for Harry that day in his office, and rush Harry to the infirmary. The concerning part for Harry was that Ginny had said she hoped the baby died.
Harry was told Ginny said she hoped the baby died so she wouldn't have to make an elaborate plan to actually attack him physically and kill the baby that way, but she refused to allow it to be born. And if by chance it did, she'd play step-mom and during a feeding, kill it while Harry was working because she knew the rules that this kid would be Potter heir, it didn't matter that Harry wasn't married to whoever knocked him up.
It was scary, but Harry was determined not to get overly stressed. He couldn't because there was risk of premature labor, which could result in the baby's death and perhaps even Harry's. He was always protected between his friends and Severus, and now, the restraining order. Ginny would not be able to hurt him unless she attacked from a distance of eight feet away, and if she did, the order was also one of protection, so she'd be glued in place until aurors arrived.
This eased Harry's worries considerably and now he just wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening. This meal with his friends, and then later on, some cuddling with Severus in front of the fire. And maybe a little more too, they'd see how the night went.
. . .
After dinner, Harry left the hall with his friends and they headed to the common room to hang out and relax. His friends asked why he didn't go right to the headmaster's tower, and Harry explained quietly as to the reason. They all understood and hoped that this would be the end of the drama and with the girl having to stay away from Harry, she'd understand that Harry was serious about never taking her back.
In Severus's office, Minerva McGonagall had pulled Ginerva from the Gryffindor common room and informed her that she was being summoned to the headmaster's office when the girl inquired. Ginny obviously didn't know what she'd done wrong, all she planned to do this evening was finish off some homework and then make some decisions regarding hers and Harry's wedding.
Upon arrival, Ginny took notice of the dungeon bat sitting in his chair and hands folded on the desk. Then there was her brother, Ron, in his auror uniform and another auror beside him. All the teachers were present and then before she could ask what was happening, the floo came to life and her parents walked out.
"Excellent, everyone has arrived." Severus began.
"What is going on?" Molly inquired immediately.
"Molly…" Arthur said in warning. "I would like to know as well, but perhaps you should allow the headmaster to explain…" he paused. "Severus, please continue?"
"I'm afraid this was not my doing, Arthur. I am merely providing the space in which to hold this meeting at the request of the aurors." Severus stated. "I am told this was to be informational for all present."
The auror beside Ron stepped forward. "My name is Gwain Robarbs. I am head of the Auror Department for the Magical Law Enforcement office." the older male introduced. "Beside me is one of my aurors in training, Ronald Weasley. He is here as both my witness to this, and part of his training."
"Yes, now can we get on with why we were summoned here? Why is my Ginny here, has she broken school rules? I don't believe it's necessary to call in the aur-," Molly began.
"Mrs. Weasley!" Gwain interrupted firmly, causing the woman to quickly shut her mouth and look at the head auror with surprised eyes. "While your daughter has, in fact, broken many school rules and to my knowledge is on the verge of suspension or expulsion if she does not cease…" the man paused. "We are here because of a problem that has gone beyond the school's scope of discipline."
"Meaning she has done something illegal?..." Arthur questioned, though not in surprise but more acceptance and disappointment.
"I'm sure it can't be that bad. She's just a girl, a teenager." Molly huffed.
"I remind you that a female she be, but she is also an adult, Mrs. Weasley. Your daughter is seventeen years old and may I inform you at this time that you are only here as a courtesy to your son's request to be informed of what is taking place. The girl is an adult, as I said, we did not need to involve you." Gwain informed.
"Now then…" the man paused, facing Ginny as he approached her and pulled a rolled scroll of parchment from his inner jacket and held it out to her. "It requires a basic unlocking spell from who it is intended for." Gwain said.
"What's this?" Ginny asked as she took hold of the scroll. She pulled her wand, uttering Alohomora as the string untied and the parchment unrolled slowly. "This is an order of protection and restraint against you." Ginny read off. "You are to remain, at the closest, eight feet away from Harry James Potter. Failure to comply will result in legal action taken against you…" she looked up at the head auror quickly. "I'm…Not allowed within eight feet of Harry? B-But why not?"
"This is absurd! Who would order such a thing?" Molly demanded, taking the parchment from her daughter to read it over. "Ginny and Harry are betrothed! Set to be married in the Fall! Who ordered this! I demand to know who is daring to to keep my Ginny away from her future hus-,"
Ron lost his temper, regardless of the consequences. "Mother…SHUT UP." The room fell to silence. Molly looked as if she'd been slapped. In a way, verbally, she had been.
"Auror Weasley…" Gwain began.
"No, sir. I'm sorry…But my mother is just as delusional as my little sister regarding all this and I've had enough." Ron stated. "The person daring to keep your precious little girl away from Harry, mother, is Harry himself."
"No!" Ginny already turned on the waterworks. Nobody felt bad or seemed sympathetic except Molly. "Harry wouldn't do that to us."
"Ginny! Get over yourself! Both of you need to get over this fantasy that Harry and Ginny are betrothed and getting married. You need to get over the fact that there is no Ginny and Harry at all!" Ron glared. "It is March 1999. Ginny, Harry and you have been broken up since our brother got married in August 1997. It has been about a year and a half."
"I know you two dated before, and he left you because we were going on the run. That he was worried about your safety…But Ginny…He was worried about everyone's. Because he was the chosen one and everyone was relying on him to destroy the Dark Lord. And yes, I know Harry said that you two could talk about MAYBE getting back together with the war over…" the ginger haired young man paused.
"Maybe you would have gotten that chance if you had just backed off and given him some space to relax after he spent seven years doing what everyone else wanted him to do. After he was forced to live with muggles who hated him and be their slave. After he learned he was a wizard and thought his life was finally going to get better and it got a whole lot worse."
"Because he learned that his parents were killed by a Dark Wizard, and then he ended up having to face that same wizard at the end of his first, second, fourth, fifth, and what would have been his seventh year of school, which was also the final battle. He learned that he was chosen by Voldemort, not fate or destiny, to be the one the prophecy spoke of in defeating that Dark Lord."
"We may have fought beside him, but we did not fight Voldermort himself. Harry did. We did not die to protect the world. Harry did. Harry lost his friends, his parents, his godfather, and his uncle…He lost more than anyone. He suffered more than anyone. And everyone relied on him…I've heard stories of people giving up, giving in and taking their own lives for far less than Harry has been through," Ron paused.
"So have I," Robarbs agreed. "I heard someone took their life when they lost their wife, then the kids in the custody battle…But it was his own fault for cheating."
"Me too." Severus nodded. "I overheard my mother talking to a group of moms discussing how bullying for a year drove a sixteen-year-old girl to kill herself."
"Exactly…Harry lost the most because it was all targeted at him being in pain, by Voldemort wanting to hurt Harry in every way possible before he killed him. But Harry kept fighting through all that to bring that bastard down and made sure he couldn't ever come back. He lost the most. He sacrificed the most. He sacrificed HIMSELF to see Voldemort destroyed, Ginny."
"And you heard him on Christmas, after he died the second time…He didn't want to come back. Harry only came back because he knew that if he moved on to the afterlife, the war would be lost. Because no one would be able to distract Voldemort to get Nagini away from him and destroy her. And ever since he's been back, he's miserable and trying to figure out why he's still here because he did his job…What he was born to do, defeat the Dark Lord. But even with hearing that from Harry himself, it doesn't matter to you. You lost Harry because you decided to make it all about you when Harry, for once, FINALLY, focused on himself."
"When he was trying to get over the past he suffered through and survived for all of us. When he was trying to HEAL, Ginny! Heal and find a purpose in life. And you didn't care. You only wanted to get him back and rush him into settling down…For Merlin's sake, despite how you'd been towards him, he got you a Christmas gift. The jewelry set he got for all his female friends…And the only thing you saw was the ring, which you immediately took as a silent proposal, stuck it on your left finger and proceeded to go on and on with mum about wedding plans!"
"All you've done is push him into things he either didn't want or wasn't ready for. He said he didn't want to settle down, just get through his last year of school and heal…" Ron finally spoke in a calmer tone by this point.
"Well, he's certainly settling down now that he's pregnant, isn't he?" Molly scoffed.
"He's not settling down, mother. He's pregnant, yes, but it was an accident. Harry was in a muggle bar, with someone he thought was a muggle stranger. And to be fair, he didn't know that male wizards could get pregnant. Nor that it's extremely rare for it to happen without potions." Ron rolled his eyes. "But we know who to blame for Harry not knowing anything about the wizarding world on…"
He glanced over at Dumbledore's portrait. Ron knew Severus sealed him in place there so he couldn't travel to other pictures or speak. "But either way…That has nothing to do with all this. What's happening here is that neither Ginny nor you can accept the reality that Harry does not want to be with Ginny again. She pushed him away, and his feelings changed."
"Ginerva continues to push despite what she's been told…We've had multiple discussions here at the school over what we're deeming as obsession." Severus finally spoke. "She hangs outside his house entrance for him, has tried to follow him into the boy's lavatory, gotten detentions for fighting with other students over learning Mr. Potter has contact with his child's father and they're communicating to co-parent their child."
"Mr. Potter has had enough." the headmaster added. "He came to me three days ago after the incident here in my office where you tried to get him to use his image to get you out of trouble. I put him into contact with a colleague I have in the ministry who is representing Mr. Potter's interests and the course of action decided on was a protection and restraining order since Miss. Weasley cannot seem to leave Mr. Potter alone."
"And since she's gotten physical with other students over the matter of Mr. Potter being pregnant and having contact with the other father, her behavior has gotten worse, we're concerned she'll try to go after Mr. Potter to harm the baby. We've heard statements from other students who hear her muttering to herself that Mr. Potter would be hers if he wasn't pregnant or the baby was out of the way because then the other parent wouldn't be in his life." Minerva stated. "This is for his and the baby's safety."
"He's being very selfish. We took him in as one of our own and this is how he thanks us? Leads my daughter on with ideas of a future when the war is over, breaks her heart?" Molly stated.
"He did not lead her on, Molly. It's you and Ginny who took his words the wrong way. Harry said they could talk about maybe getting back together…Not that it was definite. And from what I've seen after Harry's outburst on Christmas, I cannot say I blame him for selecting this course of action." Arthur said. "Perhaps it's time we address this matter with a mind healer."
"I'm not crazy! I just love him and it hurts that he suddenly doesn't want me back this…Drunken one night stand. I understand he's been stressed a-and the baby. I told him we could still have a future, I wouldn't just walk away because he got pregnant. I understand he didn't know it could happen…" Ginny tried.
"Ginny, this isn't love! A lover is understanding, supportive, respectful of boundaries. Harry asked you for space to focus on himself and you hounded him! You have it in your head even now that you're getting married to him in October when you're not even dating." Ron said. "There are multiple accounts of things you've done and said, plus other witnesses to you harassing Harry."
"And so we've arrived at the order." Gwain remarked. "Perhaps one day Mr. Potter will lift it…But for now, it is in effect. And there is nothing anyone can do except Mr. Potter. I would be very careful Mrs. Weasley, on whatever action you think you should take in attempting to speak to Mr. Potter since your daughter will be unable to get close…"
"Whatever do you mean?" Molly asked.
"You've been coddling Ginny about getting Harry back ever since the war ended and he decided to move into his own place. Every time Harry refused Ginny, she went crying to you and you just promised up and down that Harry only needed time and he would come back. Almost like you know it's inevitable." Ron said in a slightly accusatory tone.
"However, what my boss means is that if you should decide to make any moves against Harry in harassing him on Ginny's behalf or your own to pressure him into dropping the order or being with Ginny…There is a pending protection and restraining order against you sitting on Head Auror Robarb's desk. All Harry has to do is reach out and give the okay then it will be done."
"Now then…" Gwain faced Ginny again. "Ginerva Molly Weasley, you are hereby ordered by this official declaration from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Wizengamot, signed off by the Chief Warlock, Head of the DMLE, and the Minister of Magic. You will remain eight feet away from Mr. Potter. And there will be no mistake if you try to get closer than the limit."
"You see, when you used that spell to unlock the parchment, you activated the charm that recognizes your magic as who the order is against. The charm is linked to the one being protected. Which means that if you come within the eight-foot limit of Harry Potter, you will know. You will find yourself zapped. It won't be anything damaging, just a reminder you're too close. The zap will increase in strength if you pursue getting closer to him."
"And if you should get within a foot of him, you will be charmed in place and the auror office alerted that the order was ignored and violated. Aurors will be dispatched to arrest you, and you will be placed in holding until your arraignment and trial. You are an adult, you can be tried as one." Gwain explained. "Do you understand the terms of this order? If you do not and intend to try and ignore or test it, I will arrest you now."
Shaking and whimpering, plus Arthur holding back Molly from going to comfort Ginny, the teenager lowered her head. "I understand the terms of the order…I am to stay eight-feet away from Harry…"
"Good. Then we're done here. Headmaster Snape, if there is any more trouble, do not hesitate to contact me directly." Gwain stated, handing the man a card with his information on it.
"If not from me, then from Mr. Potter…" Severus nodded.
With that, the aurors left and the other teachers, aside from Minerva, who would take Ginny back to the common room, left as well. Severus sat at his desk, watching as Arthur finally let Molly go to comfort Ginny who had hit her knees and sobbed at the fact she could no longer get close to Harry, whining that all chance to show him she'd changed was gone.
"Ssh, my darling…" Molly soothed quietly. "Don't lose hope, it's not over yet…" The problem with this was that while Minerva and Arthur spoke, Severus listened to Molly speaking to Ginerva. This was his office, so it wasn't hard. And he had a device nearby, charmed to record everything.
"B-But how can I get close to him with this, mum…" Ginny asked.
"We'll be careful, for now. You can still show him you've changed, sweetheart. For now, just play along. Seem upset, but not overboard. Don't try to talk to him, or tempt the order in place. Over the next week or so, just go about a normal day. Don't do anything to attract attention from others about it, don't even talk about it…Maybe try to date someone else…" Molly said.
"But-,"
"Just to give the illusion that you're moving on. When Harry sees that, I'm sure he'll believe that he has nothing to worry about and drop the order. Then when he does, there can be a big break up between you and the other person…Harry will have come around to be friendly and see if you're okay, then ease into that friendship and I'm sure he'll fall for you all over again. Take it slow, don't jump in or do too much or he'll back off thinking it was just a ploy to get him…"
"And if this doesn't work by the time we graduate?…I need him as my husband before the professional Quidditch tryouts. And we have to deal with the kid, but also making sure I have the heir on the way…" Ginny reminded.
"There will be plenty of time, dear…We can always push him along with some…Suggestive assistance. And if not…While it will take another year, do not forget that we have the contract in place thanks to Dumbledore. The stipulation of Harry surviving the war, you two would be wed before he turns twenty. As that birthday closes in, he will be forced to abide by it." Molly said.
"Once you two are wed, we will ensure you conceive immediately and call in old traditions and laws that force a lord to only recognize legitimate children, as in born out of marriage, not bastards, as legal heirs to a bloodline. We will deal with the brat…Either before it's born after you hook Harry, or after. There are ways to make it appear as sickness and too weak to fight it…"
"And if Harry tries to get out of the marriage?"
"He can't, Dumbledore wrote in a very old, blood-magic binding for the marriage. You'd be bonding, it's unbreakable, unless by death."
"Yeah, but there's also a fidelity clause, mother…Which means neither of us can be with other people and I know that Potter won't sleep with me beyond the bonding…I'm not getting locked into this and not being able to have sex." Ginny snapped.
"Relax, my daughter. We can just dose him with love or lust potions tied to you. Or compel him. And if that does fail…We could always kill him after you have your boy. That's in the contract too. You would have sex as many times as necessary, whatever children it may take until you have a boy to take over."
Ginny sighed. "This is turning into so much work, but fine."
"It will all be worth it when you become Lady Potter. You'll be married to the savior, a famous Quidditch star, have powerful children…And filthy rich." Molly smirked. Ginny nodded.
Severus forced himself to hide a smirk. That's what they thought, but the whole point of the protection order was to ensure Ginny could not go after Harry when the notice reached Molly and Arthur that the contract was void because of Harry's status as Lord Black when the contract was drawn up. And now he had this recorded proof of their plotting.
Soon, Arthur and Molly left. And Minerva took Ginny back to the common room. Severus quickly finished up his work and sent word to Harry it was safe to return. Severus would tell Harry what went down, but ultimately, it was assured that the Weasley women would never get what they were after. Hopefully, the rest of their night would be peaceful and enjoyable.