Unforeseen Circumstances

Unforeseen Circumstances

Chapter 17

“I thought you were over the morning sickness, Harry,” said Lucius, rubbing Harry’s back as Harry heaved over the toilet.

“Obviously not, Lucius,” Harry muttered, leaning weakly against the toilet and Lucius. His stomach finally felt settled enough for him to climb off the floor and brush his teeth.

“Feeling better now?” asked Lucius worriedly.

”Lucius, you have had a child before. Shouldn’t you know what to expect?” asked Harry irritably.

“Uh, not really,” said Lucius sheepishly. At Harry’s look of disbelief, Lucius decided to elaborate. “Narcissa and I used a fertility potion because I couldn’t stand to touch her. Even when we slept in the same bed, I managed to stay as far away from her as possible.”

“Lucius, how long did it take her to get pregnant and were you around through any of the stages of said pregnancy?” asked Harry curiously.

“Oh, it only took that one time. We used the potion one night and waited two weeks to test for pregnancy. The potion was successful, and no, I wasn’t around to see her pregnant because she stayed with her sister,” said Lucius. As Harry continued to stare at him in disbelief, Lucius began to worry. “What? You met the woman. She may have doted on Draco, but I was not so lucky. She was a harridan towards me from day one.”

“I hope you’re not planning on doing this with this child because if you are, you can just walk out that door right now. I refuse to do this alone,” said Harry, crossing his arms across his chest and glaring at his husband.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Harry. I love you. There is no way I would leave you to bear and raise this child alone,” said Lucius, pulling Harry into his arms and rubbing the brunette’s back soothingly.

“Now if only I were done with my N.E.W.T.S, then I would be all right,” said Harry, groaning at the thought of another full day of tests.

“What tests do you have left?” asked Lucius, caressing the gentle swell of Harry’s abdomen.

“I have my Herbology and Potions exams today. Dad made sure the officials knew I was pregnant so they are going to pick a potion that won’t harm the baby to brew. The herbology test should be fairly simple,” said Harry, leaning into Lucius’ comforting caress.

“What time is your first test?” asked Lucius.

Harry checked the time and jerked into motion. The clock read 8:50. “In ten minutes. Come on, Lucius. You get to help me hurry to my potion’s test. Wouldn’t want me to fall in my rush, right?”

“You have to be in the dungeons in ten minutes?” asked Lucius incredulously.

Lucius grabbed Harry’s bag and arm and steered him from the room. They made quite a sight rushing down the corridor with Lucius in the lead pulling a noticeably pregnant Harry behind. They managed to make it into the classroom just as the clock turned 9:00. Harry walked to an empty station and collapsed wearily.

The official testing Harry looked at the breathless brunette with a smile. “Mr. Potter?” he asked.

“Mr. Malfoy,” said Lucius immediately. “He’s married now. To me.”

“Indeed,” said the official calmly. “Mr. Malfoy, are you ready to begin?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Harry quietly. He glanced at Lucius once more. “Okay, Lucius, I made it the classroom safe and sound. You don’t have to hold my hand while I brew this potion.”

“I’m sure that Professor,” “Marchbanks,” she replied. “Marchbanks doesn’t mind if I wait in the classroom until you are done, right?” asked Lucius, looking at the elderly witch.

“I don’t mind as long as you don’t disturb the testing in any way. I was told the young man was pregnant, and I can understand your need to stay near,” she said benevolently. “Mr. Malfoy, I would like you to begin brewing a calming draught. Gather your ingredients from the storeroom and start when you’re ready.”

“Yes, Professor,” said Harry, walking to the storeroom and gathering the ingredients he would need for the calming draught.

After two hours of tedious brewing and worrying, Harry’s calming draught was finally finished. Professor Marchbank’s instructed Harry to bottle a phial of potion and clean his work -station. Once those tasks were completed, she informed Harry that he was free to go. Harry eagerly left the classroom, dragging his husband behind him. Harry was absolutely starving. After all, morning sickness combined with a missed breakfast easily left a person hungry.

Rushing into the Great Hall, Harry immediately dragged Lucius over to the Slytherin table to sit beside Draco. As soon as his behind was in the seat, Harry started grabbing food and piling his plate high.

“Hungry, Harry?” asked Draco bemusedly, still staring at the amount of food escalating on Harry’s plate. Harry just nodded and moaned at the first bite, enjoying his first meal of the day. Draco glared at Lucius. “Haven’t you been feeding him?”

“Of course I have, Draco. But this morning he got sick, and then he was running late for his potion’s practical, missing breakfast in the process, and worked on the potion for two hours. It’s not my fault,” said Lucius indignantly.

“I thought you were over the morning sickness phase, Harry,” said Draco.

“Obviously not, Draco,” said Harry wryly, pausing between bites to answer the blonde. “I still get sick occasionally, but not as often as before. I hate morning sickness.”

“Heh, I know what you mean,” muttered Draco quietly, missing the calculating look Harry aimed at him.

“Is there something you want to tell us, Dray?” asked Harry slyly, staring intently at Draco’s stomach.

The question finally sank in completely when Draco noticed the obvious glances at his belly. “What?! No!” yelped Draco, blushing when half the student body turned to stare at him. “I just get sick before big tests, okay?”

“Are you sure that’s what it really is?” asked Harry calmly. “Are you and Sev still using contraceptives?”

“We’ve only forgotten one or two times. It’s not like it’s easy for a male to get pregnant. There’s just no way I’m pregnant,” hissed Draco quietly.

“It only takes once, Draco, and you and Sev are both powerful wizards. There is a good possibility that you are pregnant. Do you want me to go to see Madame Pomfrey with you?” asked Harry worriedly.

“Would you?” asked Draco anxiously. He didn’t want to worry Sev until he knew for sure.

“You know I will,” said Harry loyally. “This way I can also beg for her to show me more pictures of my baby. You haven’t seen it yet, have you?”

“No, when did you do that?” asked Draco.

“Last week. It was brilliant. She does a spell that shows a three dimensional picture of the baby. She’s so tiny,” said Harry excitedly.

“What are you two whispering about over there,” asked Lucius, leaning around Harry to stare at Draco.

“I’m taking Draco to see Madame Pomfrey,” said Harry.

“Why?” asked Lucius worriedly, interrupting Harry.

“I want Madame Pomfrey to do the baby picture spell thing so Draco can see his baby sister,” said Harry soothingly.

“Okay. While you’re there, I think I’ll visit Severus so meet me back in his quarters, love,” said Lucius, kissing Harry quickly on the lips and walking over to where Severus was still sitting.

“Are you ready?” asked Harry brightly. Draco just nodded.

*****


“Mr. Potter, back so soon?” asked Madame Pomfrey as Harry and Draco walked into the infirmary.

“Well, actually, I came for two reasons. One is that Draco needs a check-up, and the other is that I want him to see the baby,” said Harry calmly, walking to his customary bed and sitting down.

“Mr. Malfoy, what do you think is the problem?” asked Pomfrey.

“It’s Snape these days, and I need you to make sure I’m not pregnant,” muttered Draco quietly.

“Ah yes, Mr. Snape. Get on the bed beside Harry and I’ll run some tests,” she said sternly.

Draco climbed onto the bed beside Harry and Madame Pomfrey immediately pulled out her wand to run some diagnostic tests. When she reached Draco’s abdomen a blue light flashed across his stomach. Draco, having already seen the same light when Harry discovered his pregnancy, immediately covered his face and groaned.

“Well, congratulations, Mr. Snape. You are indeed pregnant,” said Madame Pomfrey. “According to these tests, you are about three weeks pregnant, as a matter of fact.”

“Well, Draco, I did tell you so,” said Harry smugly. Not giving Draco time to retort, Harry turned his attention back to Madame Pomfrey. “Me now? Please?”

Madame Pomfrey had always had a soft spot for Harry Potter, and a pregnant, pleading Harry Potter was certainly no exception. She smiled indulgently and waved her wand over Harry’s stomach, showing the picture of his unborn daughter.

“There, Draco, look,” said Harry excitedly, pointing to the picture. “Isn’t she beautiful already?”

“Harry, not to burst your bubble, but she has no distinguishing features so how can you say she’s beautiful?” asked Draco curiously.

“She exists, doesn’t she? To me, she will always be beautiful,” said Harry resolutely. He smiled brilliantly at Madame Pomfrey as she disabled the spell. “Thanks, Madame Pomfrey. I just love seeing her. It makes it more real, you know?”

“I know, Harry. You are free to come by any time, and I’ll do that spell for you,” said Madame Pomfrey generously.

“Thank you so much,” said Harry, jumping off the bed and pulling the mediwitch into a quick hug. As she squeaked at the suddenness of the embrace, Harry let go, grabbed Draco’s hand, pulled him towards the door, and waved a cheerful goodbye to Pomfrey. Harry dragged Draco all the way down to Sev’s quarters without pause.

*****

“Where are Harry and Draco going?” asked Severus quietly.

“To see Madame Pomfrey,” said Lucius absently.

“What’s wrong with them? Which one is hurt?” he asked worriedly, moving to stand and follow them.

“Oh, Harry just wants to show Draco the picture of the baby,” said Lucius quickly. “He just fell in love with our daughter at first glance. It’s so cute. He’s already a proud papa.”

“When did he see the first picture?” asked Severus indignantly.

“We saw it last week. I wouldn’t be surprised if Harry goes to see Madame Pomfrey at least once a week to have her do that spell. Next he’ll be dragging you, Granger, or Weasley with him,” said Lucius indulgently.

“He better take me next. I haven’t gotten to see my granddaughter yet,” muttered Severus, standing and heading towards the door. Pausing in the doorway, Severus turned back to Lucius. “Are you coming? You did tell them to meet us in my quarters, correct?”

Lucius just nodded and met Severus at the door.

*****

“Guess what, dad?” asked Harry excitedly, bursting into the room enthusiastically.

“What, Harry?” asked Severus drolly.

“You get to go with me next week to see my baby’s picture,” said Harry earnestly. “Oh, and Draco has some news.” He pulled the lagging blonde into the room and shut the door.

“What kind of news, Draco?” asked Severus quietly, noticing the hesitancy in Draco’s movements. “What’s wrong?”

“I’mthreeweekspregnant,” Draco muttered quickly, averting his gaze immediately.

“You’re what?” asked Severus, stunned at what he thought he’d heard. “Did you say you were pregnant?”

“Three weeks pregnant,” said Draco, moving closer to Harry as the silence lengthened.

“That’s impossible,” Severus finally said. “We’ve been using contraceptive charms.”

“Draco said you forgot them a couple of times,” said Harry pointedly, pulling the tense blonde closer to him.

“I still say it’s impossible. Natural male pregnancies are too rare to occur because of two missed contraceptive charms,” said Severus stubbornly.

“So what, you think Draco either a) drank a fertility potion to induce pregnancy or b) he cheated on you?” asked Harry disbelievingly. “Do you honestly believe Draco would do either of those things?”

“No, of course not,” Severus denied immediately. “This is just so sudden and I really don’t know what to think. I just wasn’t prepared for this kind of news.”

“Well, if you don’t want the baby, just say so, Sev,” said Draco quietly. “I’m sure Harry and my father will help me raise the child.” He rubbed his throbbing temples, suddenly tired of this conversation and just plain tired. “Whatever you decide, just let me know later. I’m really tired right now, so I’m going to take a nap.”

As soon as the door closed behind the weary blonde, Harry threw up several silencing charms so that Draco wouldn’t be disturbed when he murdered Severus. “What the hell was that all about, Severus?” asked Harry furiously, noting gleefully how Severus winced at Harry’s use of his full first name. Harry only called him Severus when he was angry these days.

“I was surprised, okay? I think I am entitled to be surprised when I find out my husband is pregnant,” muttered Severus mulishly.

“I can’t believe you practically accused Draco of cheating on you. Do you have any idea what he must have felt just then? Let’s see, you just find out you’re pregnant, and you come immediately and tell your husband the news. His first response? That’s impossible,” Harry recounted in vicious detail. “Makes you feel all warm inside, doesn’t it?”

“Okay, Harry. I get the point. I screwed up big time,” yelled Severus.

“Fix it, Severus,” said Lucius, adding his opinion for the first time since Harry and Draco arrived. “If you don’t, he is welcome to stay at the manor and raise that child.” Lucius walked to Harry and pulled his irate husband into his arms. “Come on, love.”

Lucius and Harry walked out of Severus’ quarters, leaving Severus behind to try and fix the problem he’d created with his stubbornness.