Unforeseen Circumstances

Unforeseen Circumstances

Chapter 13

The following morning Harry and Lucius laid the foundation for their plan. “We are going to Hogsmeade over the Easter holidays, right? You did promise me a real date, Luc,” said Harry, walking with Lucius down the crowded corridor.

“I know that I promised you a real date, but why are we going to Hogsmeade?” asked Lucius, sneering at the students they passed.

“Because Dumbledore won’t let me go to London. He claims that it’s too dangerous to be so far away from the school. If we go to Hogsmeade we can get out of the castle and still be close enough for someone to get help in case of danger,” said Harry reasonably.

“Fine, Harry. We’ll go to Hogsmeade for our date.” Lucius noticed the shadow by the wall stealthily leave with the news of their impending date in Hogsmeade. Phase one was complete.

*****

“The final battle is approaching. We have set the trap and expect an attack in Hogsmeade over Easter holidays. We still have a lot of improvements to make so lets get to work,” instructed Severus. “I’m going to divide you in groups, and I suggest you learn to work well with the people in your group because you will be guarding each other’s back.”

The entire DA was divided into five groups of seven: Draco led group one, Hermione led group two, Ron led group three, Neville led group four, and Blaise led group five. Draco, Hermione, and Blaise’s group were the offensive group, while Ron and Neville’s group were the defensive group.

After two hours of continuous shielding and cursing, every DA member in there was about to collapse from exhaustion. The bad thing was they were expected to do this for two hours every day to strengthen them for the final battle, weekends included.

“Okay, that’s enough for today. Just remember to be back here at the same time tomorrow,” said Severus, ignoring the groaning protests from the entire room. “You know the saying ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ and that adage definitely applies here to suck it up.”

The students staggered out of the room with only Draco remaining behind. Even Hermione was completely exhausted and ready for bed.

“So what do you think our chances are?” asked Draco, flopping down beside Severus.

“I think with a little more practice, you all have a very good chance of surviving this battle,” said Severus with utmost seriousness.

“I certainly hope so,” said Draco quietly.

*****

The school corridors were literally teeming with students. The Easter holidays had finally arrived, and the students who were visiting their parents were gathering en masse in the entrance hall to wait for the arrival of the carriages.

Harry walked down the corridor on his way to the dungeons to see Severus. He was absolutely bored. Lucius wasn’t in the castle because he and Remus were on an errand for Dumbledore and weren’t supposed to get back until later that evening. Harry had just turned the corner when he heard the raised voices.

“I still don’t know why he ever bothered to befriend you, you little ferret,” screamed Ron. “I still think he only tolerates you because your father makes him.”

“He may have become my friend because of his relationship with my father, but that is not why we’ve stayed friends,” yelled Draco, pulling his wand.

“Lucius probably blackmailed him into marrying him anyway. Harry would never willingly ally himself to known Death Eaters like him,” said Ron with a vicious smirk in Draco’s direction. He also pulled out his wand, never noticing Harry running down the corridor, and sent a blasting curse towards Draco. Ron dropped his wand in shock when the curse hit Harry directly in the chest and throwing him forcefully into Draco.

“Harry!” cried Draco, pushing Harry off of him and checking for injuries. Seeing that Harry was unconscious, Draco lifted him into his arms and rushed to the infirmary with Ron only a few steps behind.

“Madame Pomfrey!” he yelled as he reached the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey rushed into the room, saw Harry’s limp form in Draco’s arms, and directed Draco to place the brunette in his customary hospital bed. “What happened?” she demanded.

“Weasley and I were arguing, and Weasley threw a blasting curse at me but hit Harry instead,” said Draco, holding Harry’s limp hand while Madame Pomfrey started her tests.

“He jumped in front of Draco. I didn’t mean to hit him,” said Ron defensively. “It was only supposed to blast Draco off his feet. Why hasn’t he awakened yet?”

“Shush,” said Madame Pomfrey, running her wand down the length of Harry’s body. She gasped when a blue light flashed above his abdomen. Muttering a few spells beneath her breath, she sighed in relief when they revealed no damage. “Draco, I think you need to get Severus and Lucius.”

“I can get Severus but father is away on an errand for Dumbledore,” said Draco.

“Well, at least get Severus. I’ll call Dumbledore and tell him to notify Lucius of Harry’s whereabouts as soon as he gets back,” said Madame Pomfrey impatiently.

“Right,” said Draco. He started to ask another question, but the quelling glare Madame Pomfrey aimed at him changed his mind hurriedly. He literally ran from the room down to the dungeons.

“And as for you, Mr. Weasley, I believe two weeks worth of detention with Filch will cure you of your desire to curse your fellow students in the hallway,” said Madame Pomfrey.

“But you’re the nurse. You can’t give out detentions,” protested Ron. That was the wrong thing to say.

“Ah, Severus, you’re here,” said Pomfrey with a smug smile.

“Draco said Harry’s been hurt. What’s wrong with him?” he asked frantically, going to the unconscious brunette’s side immediately.

“Draco and Ron were arguing, and Ron decided to hit Draco with a blasting curse. Unfortunately for him, he hit Harry instead. I’ve given Ron two weeks of detention with Filch, but he insists that because I am merely the nurse that I don’t have the authority to assign detentions,” said Madame Pomfrey almost conversationally.

“Mr. Weasley, Madame Pomfrey has full authority to assign detentions, but I am all too willing to give my own. Since Poppy’s detention wasn’t suitable for you, you will now serve a month of detention with Filch,” said Severus, smirking maliciously at Ron’s protests at the unfair treatment. “I suggest you leave now. Detention will start at 8:00 on the first night back to school.”

Ron glared at Severus and stormed from the room, nearly knocking Draco into the wall as he shoved past the blonde.

“What’s his problem?” asked Draco, glancing worriedly at Harry.

“He thinks a month of detention with Filch is unfair,” said Severus smugly. He looked over at Madame Pomfrey. “Okay, Poppy, you called me here for a reason. What is it?”

“Harry is pregnant,” she said simply.

“What?!” shouted Draco and Severus in unison.

“He’s not very far along. Maybe four weeks, but that is why the blasting curse knocked him out rather than just off his feet. Harry’s magic focused on protecting the fetus rather than cushioning his fall, and he hit his head in the fall,” she explained.

“Yeah, he hit his head against mine,” said Draco, rubbing the red mark on his forehead.

“I always knew you were hard headed. This just confirms it,” said Severus teasingly.

“Hey!” said Draco indignantly. He glared at Severus and turned back to Poppy. “Will he awaken soon?”

Before Madame Pomfrey could reply, Harry groaned and clutched his aching head. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Severus, Draco, and Madame Pomfrey. “What happened?”

“I can’t believe you took that blasting curse Ron sent towards me. What were you thinking?” raged Draco. Now that Harry was awake and basically unharmed, Draco was furious at Harry.

“That’s the problem, Draco. Harry is the quintessential Gryffindor and didn’t think,” added Severus. “If he had been thinking, he would have hexed Mr. Weasley rather than getting hexed.”

Madame Pomfrey watched Draco and Severus fuss at Harry for a few moments. She finally decided that Harry had gotten the point several minutes ago and decided to interfere. “Harry, dear, how do you feel?”

“My head and back hurt, but that’s it,” he said quietly. He took the potion phial without complaint and gulped it down quickly. He sighed in relief when the pounding in his head dropped to a dull throb.

“Well, Harry. I have some news,” said Madame Pomfrey gravely.

“Okay. What is it?” asked Harry nervously. The serious expression on Poppy’s face did not bode well for him.

“You are about four weeks pregnant,” she said bluntly.

“I’m wha-“ he started and just fainted.

“Well, he took it well,” said Draco.

*****

“Are we ready now?” asked Lucius impatiently. He swore to murder Dumbledore the next time he even thought about sending him anywhere with Remus Lupin.

“Yes, I’ve acquired the last ingredient. Grab the portkey,” said Lupin, holding the flask so Lucius could reach it. As soon as Lucius touched the flask, Lupin tapped it with his wand and activated the portkey.

Landing in Dumbledore’s office, Lucius immediately started towards the door. He was in a hurry to find his husband, and Lupin could debrief the irritating headmaster.

“Lucius, before you leave, I have message for you,” said Dumbledore quietly. “She requests your presence in the infirmary immediately.”

Considering there were only three reasons his presence may be required, and the most likely reason was a brunette named Harry, Lucius paled slightly and rushed to hospital wing. Fortunately for him, the corridors were empty so no one witnessed the cool, unflappable Lucius Malfoy running down the corridor at full speed. He rushed into the infirmary and saw Severus and Draco sitting beside the still form of his husband.

“What the hell happened?” he demanded furiously, hurrying to his husband’s side.

“Weasley accidentally hit him with a blasting curse, we brought him here because he was unconscious, and we found out he’s pregnant,” muttered Draco quietly.

“I’m going to kill that annoying Weasley spawn for hurting my Harry,” said Lucius and then the rest of the sentence registered. “He’s pregnant?”

“Poppy said he’s about four weeks pregnant,” said Severus, watching Lucius closely.

“Oh dear Merlin. He can’t go tomorrow,” he said immediately. “He’s far too vulnerable now. We’ll have to find another way to destroy the Dark Lord.”

“Luc, the plan was set for tomorrow. We have no choice but to follow through with those plans. We have worked to hard to get to this point to stop now,” said Severus quietly. “I know how you feel, Lucius. I don’t want Harry out there any more than you do, but he is a vital part of this war. We must proceed as planned.”

“But-“ said Lucius, staring at Severus helplessly.

“Sev’s right, father. If we don’t do as planned, the Dark Lord will target Harry even more and more lives will be lost. We have a chance to finish this. I swear to do everything possible to keep him safe, but he must be there,” said Draco.

Harry stirred on the bed and groaned once again. In the next moment, he bolted upright. He saw Severus and Draco immediately as Lucius was on his other side. “It wasn’t a dream, was it? I’m really pregnant?” Severus and Draco nodded solemnly. “Lucius is going to kill me.” He froze when Draco started snickering. “He’s right behind me, isn’t he?” Draco just nodded. Harry turned around slowly to face Lucius. “I love you, Lucius.”

“I love you too, Harry,” said Lucius. “I’m guessing this a natural pregnancy?”

“Well, I certainly didn’t take any fertility potions, Lucius. I really wanted to wait until after we destroyed Voldemort before trying my hand at child bearing,” said Harry sarcastically. “Now I have to be extremely careful while facing old snake face tomorrow.”

“And who says you’ll be going tomorrow?” asked Lucius quietly.

“We don’t have a choice Lucius. If I don’t go, you’ll be a wizard short for the dimensional spell. Besides, our plan has been set into motion. We must proceed. I want that bastard dead, and he will die tomorrow. That means if I have to bind you and drag you down to Hogsmeade for our date, then that is what I’ll do,” said Harry, crossing his arms across his chest stubbornly.

“I don’t like it,” growled Lucius, pacing across the floor like a caged tiger.

“Well, I don’t particularly like being the Boy-Who-Lived, but you don’t hear me complaining about it,” said Harry. “Look at this way. I’ll be there with you, dad, Draco, and Dumbledore. I know you will all do everything in your power to keep the baby and me safe. We do need to inform Dumbledore, though, in case he needs to change something.”

“I believe Poppy already told him,“ said Severus.

“Oh good, you’re awake,” said Poppy, walking back into the room. “And Lucius is here, too. Did they already tell you the news?”

“Yes, Poppy, they did,” said Lucius quietly.

“Are you not happy about the baby?” she asked with concern.

“We are going to war tomorrow. I am terrified that something bad will happen to Harry because his pregnancy has weakened him,” said Lucius.

“I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you. Harry’s magical scan showed the baby’s magic already entwining with Harry’s, giving him a significant power boost,” said Poppy calmly.

“See? What did I tell you?” asked Severus. “The Potter luck holds true once again. I told you that knowing you, you would be able to tap into the baby’s magic, making you stronger. And I was right.”

“You discussed Harry being pregnant?” asked Poppy.

“And that reminds me, young man. I thought you said that you weren’t trying to tell me anything,” said Severus, glaring at Harry.

“I said I didn’t think I was, if you’ll remember. It was as much a shock to me as it was to you,” said Harry defensively. “How was I supposed to know that I could get pregnant this easily or quickly? I thought natural male pregnancies were extremely rare.”

“And of course you didn’t take into consideration the Harry Potter Factor,” said Severus.

“Now what are you talking about?” asked Harry irritably.

“The Harry Potter Factor: things that are impossible or rare will inevitably happen to or around Harry Potter,” said Severus dryly.

“When did this discussion occur?” asked Poppy, staring at them in total confusion.

“I suggested starting a rumour that I was pregnant to draw out Voldemort,” said Harry, explaining the nuances of their conversation to the confused medi-witch. “They vetoed my idea because Severus said that I was strong enough to tap into the baby’s magic, and I wouldn’t be such an easy target. He then asked if I was trying to tell him something, and since I had absolutely no idea that I was actually pregnant, I denied it.”

“Are you still going to participate tomorrow?” asked Poppy.

“I have to. We’ve come too far to back out now, and this is our best chance to get rid of that monster,” said Harry solemnly.

“Then all I have to say is be careful and come to see me as soon as you get back. I better not see you carried back in here. You better be able to walk in here on your own two feet, Harry Potter-Malfoy,” instructed Poppy sternly. “That goes for all of you.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.