Pet

~*~*~*~*
THIRTEEN
~*~*~**~
Harry padded from the bathroom, adjusting his nightshirt over his pregnant belly. He stopped when he saw Lucius sitting on the edge of his bed, leafing through the book Harry had left open on his bedside table. Harry crawled back into the bed beside him, ungainly in his movements. He had been put on almost total bedrest.
The white blond wizard ran his warm hands over his concubine’s skin, feeling him tremble. He kissed the swollen abdomen and whispered a greeting to “Lucretia”.

“Still so beautiful…how are you feeling?”

“Uncomfortable, Master. Dr. Eeylops said its because my hips are too small…a woman’s pelvic bones would have spread to accommodate the baby…I…I can’t wait to meet her.”

“I wish I didn’t have to leave the country so close to your time. It’s too bad Severus has the flu, I’m sure the Dark Lord would have let him keep you company. The doctor will be checking on you every few days. You will let me know if Lucretia decides to come early, won’t you?”

“Of course, Master.”

Lucius indicated the book on the bedside table. “Why are you reading a book on childcare?”

“I am having a baby in case you hadn’t noticed…why wouldn’t I read up on child care?”

Lucius knew he should tell Harry he was giving the baby to Narcissa to raise, but he didn’t. Instead he said, “House elves will be raising the baby. House elves have always raised Malfoy babies.”

“Well,” Harry smiled. “That explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“Explains why Draco is such an insufferable prat, Master.”

*~*~*~*
December 28th began with northern winds rattling Harry’s bedroom window casements and coating the glass with a thick layer of frost. His discomfort increased and Sally called for Dr. Eeylops. Lucius, Narcissa and Draco had gone to spend ten days in Switzerland; they were meeting the family of Draco’s intended bride and to negotiate the prenuptial and marital agreements.

The elderly mediwizard arrived late morning and examined Harry. Harry had always felt comfortable around the old man; he didn’t have the sharp tongue of Madam Pomfrey.

“I think Mr. Potter, that your daughter is anxious to see the day. Is Lord Malfoy at home?”

“No, sir.” Harry said. “But she’s weeks early. Is there a problem?”

The old man patted his knee. “No, Child. Due dates are only arbitrary…babies do not read calendars. Is Lord Malfoy at the Ministry?”

“Master is vacationing in Switzerland with his family…he will be gone until after the New Year.”

“Your need to call your house elf. She should notify him in case he wishes to be present.”

“Dr. Eeylops…Master would hardly wish to shorten his vacation because his…whore…is giving birth to a bastard child…” Harry smiled wanly, hoping the man would not see through the lie. “It’s not like the baby and I are going anywhere…”

The old doctor smiled sympathetically at the much younger wizard. He knew the boy was lying to him, and Lucius Malfoy had owled his office with explicit instructions, but the mediwizard had a soft spot in his heart for his patient. Dr. Eeylops did not approve of slavery, nor did he approve of the forced pregnancy Harry had endured. Harry deserved time with his child even if the Oblivate Lord Malfoy had ordered would erase all memory of her.

No, he decided, he would not disturb the powerful dark wizard on his holiday. And heaven help him when his actions were discovered.
“Ready to meet your little girl?”

*~*~*~*
Harry wanted to be awake for the birth of his daughter so the mediwizard bound him to the bed to prevent sudden movement and numbed him. Although it did not hurt, Harry could feel his skin pulling. A sheet had been erected to prevent him from watching his cesarean performed and all the blood. He heard a soft pop and saw a bloody hand began suctioning out the baby’s air passage. Harry was relieved to hear the baby cry.

A few minutes and several diagnostic and cleaning spells later, a tiny, naked pink bundle was laid upon Harry’s chest. Skin to skin contact was very comforting to a newborn. Harry remembered reading that in one of the childcare books.

Harry stared into the serious dark eyes peering at him and his fingers stroked the pale shock of hair on her head. She yawned a big toothless yawn and Harry’s heart melted. He felt additional tugging on his abdomen and a slight cramping. The doctor’s movements were hidden behind the sheet, but the old man smiled at him over the top edge. After witnessing Harry’s awed expression while holding his daughter, the doctor did not regret his decision to defy Lord Malfoy.

“Nothing to worry about, Child. Everything went well. I’ve removed the placenta and the uterus, as you will no longer have use of it. I have also cast a charm to regenerate your abdominal muscles. You might feel a slight cramping, but that’s normal. Your internal organs are rearranging themselves back to their pre-pregnancy locations.”

“How long will I need to be in bed?”

“You’ll be able to get up in an hour. This is a Wizard’s cesarean, not a Muggle one. After I close the incision, you’ll be able to sit up.”

“Everything is numb from my chest to my knees. How long will that last?”

“Ten to twelve hours…I’ll leave some potions for you to take for the pain.”

*~*~*~*
Harry eyed Dr. Eeylops’ wand, laid casually on the bedside table. The doctor had finished his examination of the newborn girl and sent out the proper paperwork for the official birth certificate to be filed at the Ministry. The elderly wizard set several vials of pain relieving potion on the bedside table and finished packing his satchel.

While the old man was distracted, Harry quietly summoned the mediwizard’s wand. He was relieved to discover his erratic magic had not dissipated with the birth of his daughter. Harry wrapped his fingers around the wand, feeling a surge of magic. Merlin, how he had missed that feeling.

“Dr. Eeylops…I am really very sorry.”

“Sorry? For what, my boy?” The doctor looked up into his own wand pointing at him.

“Stupify.”

A look of shocked comprehension froze on the old wizard’s face as he fell backwards onto the bed. Harry was glad the old man had landed on something soft; he didn’t want to hurt him. Carefully, the slight wizard eased himself out of bed, holding the tightly bound incision with the palm of his hand.

There was no time for regrets and no turning back. He pointed the wand at the Hogwarts school trunk and opened it.

“Accio, book bag.”

His schoolbook bag landed beside him on the bed. Harry had packed it just incase an opportunity for escape arose. He summoned his Muggle clothing – trousers, turtleneck sweater, Weasley sweater, heavy socks, and boots.

‘Harry, what have you done?” Sally’s little squeak made him jump.

“Master is taking my baby away…I have to go…Please, Sally, don’t stop me.”

Sally held up an ice blue infant garment. She had other items in her hands as well. With practiced movements, she dressed the baby in a warm fleece sleeper and then summoned a snowsuit from somewhere in Malfoy Manor.

“These clothes belonged to Master Draco…No one will miss them.”

“Sally, why are you helping me? You’ll get in trouble.”

Sally let out an amused sound as she tied a hat securely beneath the tiny chin. “Sally has served the Malfoy matriarchs for decades and sometimes served the Malfoy concubines as well. Lord Malfoy ordered Sally to take care of you and take care of you I shall. I do not answer to him, I answer to you. I have kept many secrets for my ladies, and I will keep yours.”

Harry cast a “Featherlight” charm on his school bag and adjusted his winter cloak. The baby was resting against his chest in a carrier Sally had fashioned. He picked up the doctor’s wand and approached the still immobile mediwizard.

“Thank you for my daughter. I am sorry if I hurt you in anyway.” Harry placed the wand on the elderly wizard’s stomach; he was many things, but he was not a thief.

Harry opened the decorative floo powder box he had taken during the Winter Solstice Ball.

“Thank you for being my friend. Sally. I won’t tell you where I am going so you won’t have to lie when they ask you. Wish us luck!” Harry tossed a handful of floo powder into the fireplace and stepped in. He spoke clearly. “The Malfoy Stables.”

Sally blinked at the flash of the floo. She debated what to do about the doctor and Lord Malfoy. Harry had not told her what to do.

“Foolish boy.”

Sally jumped at the mediwizard’s voice. She was startled to see him sitting up on the bed, running his fingers over his wand.

“He really should have taken my wand with him.”

Sally cautiously approached the elderly wizard. He smiled pleasantly at her. “Most unexpected, but I do understand….So, my little friend, what do you think his chances are?”

S-sir? Harry’s magic did not work?”

Dr. Eeylops laughed. “Oh, he stupefied me all right. He has power, but no control. The spell dissolved after a few minutes…I really wish he would have kept my wand….I always carry a spare.”

~*~*~*~
In “The Leaky Cauldron” Tom and his patrons were shocked when an elderly wizard shot out of the floo network and sat dazed on the floor. Someone recognized him as their old family doctor. It took a moment longer to get his attention. Oblivated, the elderly wizard could not remember where he was or why he was in the pub. In fact, he couldn’t remember the past three days.

*~*~*~*
Harry stepped out of the fireplace in the Malfoy stables. He hoped Dobbins was secure in his cottage, riding out the early winter storm. He pushed open a side door of the stables and braced himself for the blinding snow outside. Readjusting his cloak, he attempted to cast a wandless warming spell without success. With a shiver, the slender wizard stepped out into the deep snow and waded toward the forest.

He squinted into the cold wind and hoped the snow would soon obscure his footsteps. Harry paused beside a feeding trough and caught his breath. Everything hurt. He stared into the forest and inhaled the cold air.

“Blix!” he called out.

*~*~*~*~
Harry walked out of Regent’s Park and tried to get his bearings; in what was the coldest, most terrifying ride of his life, Blix had flown him to London. The snow was falling heavily as Harry made his way down the dark street. Cars passed slowly in the deepening slush of the roads.

The newborn mewed softly against her father’s chest. She was warm in the cocoon of the cloak, but hungry and wet. She drifted back to sleep after a few moments to Harry’s great relief. The headlights of a passing truck illuminated a sign up ahead and the tired wizard moved toward it.

Carefully he climbed down the snow-covered steps leading into the London Underground. He opened the cloak to give the baby fresh air and reached into his trouser pocket for one of the tokens he had brought from his school trunk.

After locating a women’s restroom, Harry entered it in search of a changing table. He did not know if the London Underground was progressive enough to have a changing station in the men’s restroom. He decided that with his hair hanging down his back he could probably pass for a woman if no one looked too closely. The room was filthy. Dirty puddles of water made a trail from stall to sink. He stroked a soft, pink cheek and exited into the main concourse; he would not undress his child in such a place.

The concourse was crowded with a late after work rush hour. The slender figure kept getting bumped by travelers scurrying to catch trains as he tried to read a graffiti covered map on a white tiled wall. A large crowd surged and Harry found himself being carried with it.

His adrenaline reserves just about tapped and the numbness beginning to fade, Harry collapsed into an empty corner seat. He stared at another map posted on the side of the car and tried to remember the places in the picture book of London. The baby mewed again; Harry unhooked the carrier and held his daughter in his arms. He rummaged in the school bag for one of the baby bottles Sally had packed.

The baby sucked greedily on the nipple. Harry burped her and settled her back in the carrier. He still needed to change her diapers, but that would have to wait. Quietly he cast a cleaning charm on her bottom and was grateful when it actually worked.

“Feeling better, Rosamond?” he asked her and kissed her cheek. Harry sipped from one of the vials of pain potion; it took the edge off the sharp pain of the incision.

The train continued its circular route through London and no one really noticed the small figure in a black cloak asleep in the corner. Harry slumped lower in the seat and was missed by the Underground agent making his final rounds through darkened cars before locking the train in the yard for the night.

~*~*~*~
Harry awoke with a start to Rose’s cries several hours later. He could see his breath in the cold subway car. He tried to shake off his disorientation and finally decided it didn’t matter. They had shelter from the snow and were safe for the moment.

The cesarean incision throbbed and the entire ordeal of the past twenty-four hours left him drained. Harry took another vial of pain potion; Dr. Eeylops had also provided a Dreamless Sleep Draught but Harry did not take it. He and Rosamond were far too vulnerable out in the open.

Fascinated, Harry watched his tiny daughter sleep in the pale light reflected by the security spotlights. He had spent so much time devising numerous escape scenarios that he was not sure exactly how to proceed now that they had actually escaped. He had more money than they would ever need tucked deep in his Gringott’s vault, but Lucius had confiscated the key, and Harry was not about to walk into Death Eater controlled Diagon Alley and demand a replacement key anytime soon.

Idly, Harry played with the choke chain around his neck. An unwanted thought played at the edges of his pain-numbed brain. He had to rid himself of the necklace; Lucius had placed a tracking spell on it. Harry tugged at the chain, but was unable to release the catch.

*~*~*~*
The snow had stopped by the time Harry and Rose left the subway car; it was still dark, but he was afraid of being arrested tor trespassing if the Underground agents discovered them on the train in the morning. He doubted he could cast a successful “Notice-Me-Not” charm with his erratic magic and his drained reserves.

Harry studied a telephone book as he sipped on a mug of hot tea in a shabby corner tea shoppe. Rose sucked on her last bottle. Noting addresses and directions to cheap hotels on a paper napkin, Harry began to plan out their day. He needed to get them proper shelter for a few days until he could build up his energy reserves again. The bright neon sign of a pawnshop caught his eye and he waited in the warm shop for the pawnshop to open.

Nibbling on his toast and marmalade, Harry wrote out his “To Do” list on another paper napkin as well as a short shopping list. He had to purchase baby formula and diapers soon.

*~*~*~
Mark Rosier dropped off his overcoat and his newspaper behind the bar. He nodded “hello” to the bartender and several of the waitpersons before snagging a cup of strong coffee. It was New Year’s Eve day and it promised to be a long night in the club.

A cold draft indicated the front door opening. A slender figure in a black cloak stepped in, carrying a blanket covered wicker basket under one arm.

“We’re not open yet,” Mark called to what he thought was a young woman.

“I-I’m not here for a drink.”

Mark looked over at the figure again; the voice was too deep for most women.

“There is a sign out front…have you filled the dishwasher position yet?”

~*~*~*~*
High in the Alps a tattered Ministry of Magic postal owl landed beside Lucius’ breakfast plate and wearily extended it’s leg. The white blond wizard looked at the pink envelope before removing it. The owl dipped his beak into a goblet of water and drank deeply.

Lucius turned the envelope over in his hands; it bore an official seal from the Department of Records. He broke the seal and extracted an official looking document. It was a birth certificate. The blue gray eyes narrowed.

“Born on December 28th to Lucius Draconis Malfoy [father] and Harold James Potter [mother] a [natural] daughter Rosamond Lucille Potter.”

Rosamond? Where had that come from? His daughter was to be named Lucretia. December 28th? His daughter was two days old; why had no one from Malfoy Manor bothered to notify him?

The postal owl flew up in alarm as Lucius abruptly stood up, knocking the chair to the floor. He stalked out the door.

*~*~*~*~