la persistencia de la memoria

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews. Enjoy!


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“Auror Potter, I am officially placing you on administrative leave until Mind-Healer Garretson clears you to return to active duty, “ Auror Robards said, as he watched Harry slide into his shoes.

“But…I feel fine…I’m being released today!” Harry griped. “Why isn’t that enough to return to work?”

Robards rubbed his mouth with his hand and rolled his eyes, as if Harry was a five year old who kept asking for ice cream. “Potter, you have lost quite a bit of your memories. That includes cases, training, experiences…I can’t have you just jump back into work again, you’re not at the same level you were before. And you know the routine. Every Auror who gets injured in the line of duty must have counseling. And as often as you and Weasley here get injured, you both should have a permanent spot in that woman’s office.”

Ron snickered and even Harry grinned. “Yes, we do tend to have that luck in life. It was no different at Hogwarts, “ Ron agreed.

The Auror director nodded and then blinked slowly, as if preparing himself for an extremely unpleasant task.

“And besides Potter, there is the issue of…your home life.”

Harry stiffened and turned his full attention to Robards. “What about it?” Obviously, Robards must have known about his supposed relationship with Malfoy.

Robards looked uncomfortable, but plowed on. “I would derelict in my duty if I did not offer you…family counseling as well. It is my understanding that you remember little of your relationship with…Draco Malfoy. This is tantamount to…a pending divorce. We do have counseling for that as well.”

“Ummm…thanks.” Harry said with grueling effort. He had no desire to ever talk about him and Malfoy.

Robards looked relieved now that he had done is duty. The man would rather face Voldemort himself than to talk to his subordinates about family issues. Particularly something this delicate. Potter’s relationship with Malfoy had been both scandalous and sensational when the couple had been found out. Robards had the unpleasant task back then to say something to Harry about it, but only because Kingsley had forced him to. The star of the auror department and wizarding world savior involved with a Lucius’ Malfoy’s son? After dumping Arthur Weasley’s daughter? The fodder mill had churned endlessly for almost a year after that hit the cobble-stone lanes.

“Well, I wanted to deliver the news in person, Potter. I know you’re ready to get out of here.” Robards patted Harry on the shoulder. “You make that appointment and I’ll see you back to work soon.”

Robards nodded at Weasley and left Harry’s hospital room. Ron watched him go and then turned back to Harry.

“Ready to go, Mate?”

Harry jerked a nod and reached for his bag. “Hell, yes! This last two days have been a nightmare. I hate this place.”

“Hermione has cooked supper. She’s waiting for us. And…” Ron budged Harry with his shoulder. “I invited Ginny over to celebrate your safe return.”

Harry smiled. “Good.”


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Hermione placed several covered dishes down on the long dining table, smacking Ron’s hand as he tried to peek under the plates.

“Stop being impatient, Ronald,” She scolded, but it held no malice. Ron smirked, then hurriedly grabbed a roll when Hermione turned back to the stove. He shoved it into his mouth whole and rapidly chewed, almost choking in his haste.

“I see you haven’t changed even in your own home, dear brother.” Ginny said. “You act as if the twins are going to steal your food again.”

There was a moment of brief silence, as both Ron and Ginny fondly remembered Fred and George’s antics at the table. It was sobering to realize this would never happen again.

“Ron will never change,” Harry said, as he gazed at Ginny sitting across from him. Her beautiful red hair was swept up on top of her head and she looked young and pretty, even if technically she was five years older than he remembered her looking. The only marring her beauty was that stupid engagement ring on her finger.

Ginny fixed him with a smile. “It’s good you’re up and around again, Harry. It was a scary few days when you were unconscious. I’m so sorry to hear about the memory loss. When do you start therapy?”

Harry shrugged awkwardly. “I don’t know. I haven’t made the appointments yet for follow-up.”

Hermione turned from the stove and gave him a hard look. “And why not? They told you that it may start to help recover your memories. And you didn’t make the appointment?”

Harry looked down as his empty plate. “I haven’t quite decided what to do about that.”

Ginny gave him a confused look. “You don’t want your memory back? Why?”

Harry fidgeted with his fork and looked up at them. “I...do want them back…it’s just…Malfoy.”

“Harry doesn’t want to remember that git, and I certainly don’t blame him. Tough choice there, Mate.” Ron said, craning his neck to the stove. “Aren’t you finished yet, sweetie? I’m starving.”

Hermione abruptly turned from the stove with a steaming pot and marched over to the table. She slammed it down, knocking over Ron’s water glass.

“Here’s your dinner. Hope it’s good.” She ripped off her apron and threw it on Ron’s lap. “I don’t have an appetite anymore.” She stomped out of the kitchen. No one spoke as they heard her stomping up the stairs and then the distant slam of a door.

Ginny and Harry both looked at Ron. Ron looked mournfully at the food and then slowly stood up. “I guess I should go check on her.” He left the room and Ginny glanced at Harry, who was staring at her.

“Harry, what’s going on?” Ginny asked.

Harry took a deep breath and said, “Ginny, I know this is going to be weird…but…I don’t remember Malfoy at all, at least…not as my…friend. I…remember us…you. And…that’s what I want. I want to be with you.”

Ginny’s eyes widened and she inhaled sharply. “What?”

“I still love you, Ginny. We were talking about getting married, having kids…that sort of thing. I don’t know what happened, but I know right now that’s what I want. And I guess I have no right to ask you for anything, but-“

Ginny shot out of her seat as though she had been electrocuted. “Harry…don’t.” She all but ran from the kitchen.

Harry jumped up and hurried after her. She was in the parlor, putting on her traveling cloak with trembling hands. Harry walked up to her and took her hands in his. She tried to pull them away, but he held onto them tightly.

“Gin…please. I’m sorry for upsetting you, but…I wanted to tell you that.”

“Upsetting me? You have no idea of how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that to me again! Harry…it took me so long to work through my anger about what happened to us. And I know it wasn’t really anyone’s fault, but…I loved you so much and for you to leave me for Malfoy like that.”

“I…did it badly then? God…I’m…so sorry.”

Ginny shook her head. “No, you didn’t do it badly. You were great about it. It made it even harder to hate you. You were so anguished about it, Harry. You told me that you had fought against your feelings for him for over a year, but in the end you knew that you were gay and-“

“I’m not gay!” Harry shouted and Ginny winced. Harry was immediately contrite. He whispered, “I’m not.”

Ginny pulled Harry’s hands to her face. “You told me that you had been attracted to Oliver Wood and Cedric Diggory at school. And even to Malfoy back then…from sixth year. You do remember that don’t you?”

Harry closed his eyes tightly. He did know that he’d been attracted to all of those guys, but he had simply explained it away as…nothing. It didn’t mean anything. He had told Ginny about all of that? Did that mean he had told her about Michael too? The gay bloke who had kissed him during Auror training after an enthusiastic round of drinking. And Harry hadn’t minded too much.

“That…was a long time ago, Ginny.”

“Yes that was. But Malfoy isn’t. As of last week, you two were a happy couple. And what about the baby?”

Harry flinched. He had tried his best to not think about that since he found out two days ago. Oh god…he was going to be a father, if what Malfoy said was true.

“I…I don’t know, Ginny.”

Ginny frowned. “Have you even talked to Malfoy? Have you seen him at all?”

Harry pulled his hands away from Ginny and strode towards the parlor. “You haven’t, have you?”

Harry walked over to the window and looked out, watching the sun sink in the sky. “No, I haven’t seen him since the hospital.”

Ginny’s voice was flat. “Well, I see your pattern of avoidance hasn’t changed.”

Harry whirled around. “That’s not fair! This was all dropped on me. I don’t know what to say to him. I don’t even like him!”

Ginny stared incredulously. “Harry, you love that man! Just because you don’t remember it right now…”

“And I may never remember! And right now, I love you. That’s my concern.”

Ginny cocked her head. “And when you do remember? Then what? I’m thrown out on my arse again? And what about my fiancee’? I’m getting married in two weeks, Harry! How can you tell me these things!”

Harry opened and shut his mouth in one smooth movement. He sighed and then said, “I’m telling you these things because I don’t want to lose you…not again. This is like a second chance for me…for us. Do you still have any feelings for me at all? If you don’t, then I won’t bother you again.”

Ginny swallowed audibly and stared down at her hands. When she looked up again, Harry was heading towards her, his face open and hopeful.

“You know that I will always love you, Harry. I’ve loved you for half my life.”

“But do you still love me, Ginny? You know what I’m asking.”

“I…Harry…don’t do this to me…please. I…it took me so long to move on…”

Harry cupped Ginny by the back of her head and pulled her closer. He looked deep in her eyes.

“Is it really over between us? Just say the words, and I’m gone.”

Ginny struggled to breath. Harry was looking at her with those beautiful green eyes and she had never been able to resist that. She loved Dean, he was good to her and had helped her to move on from her break up with Harry. How could she do this to him? Stand here with the man who had broken her heart and even consider this.

“Harry…I…I need to think about this. Dean…I love him. This would kill him. I can’t hurt him like that.” She lowered her head. “But I’d be lying if I said that I don’t still love you.”

“That’s all I’m asking for…just a chance to see if we can work things out. I don’t want to upset Dean either. He’s a friend. I don’t want to hurt you either.”

Ginny nodded. “I have to go now. I’ll get in touch with you soon, okay.” She hurried out of the room and by the time Harry reached the foyer, the front door was closing. Harry sighed. He hated to see Ginny upset. And Dean was his friend. But he still loved Ginny, was it wrong for him to tell her so?

“Ginny gone?” Ron’s voice floated down to him. He was standing on the steps, looking sullen.

“Yeah.”

“So, I take it that you two had a chance to talk?”

“Yeah,” Harry said, “But…I don’t know what she’ll do. She’s worried about hurting Dean.”

Ron grunted in comment. “Yeah, there’s that. Kind of sucks.”

Harry didn’t answer and Ron stood quietly for a moment. Harry looked up at him. “How’s Hermione?”

“Pissed. She’s giving me the silent treatment. Which means I’m on the couch for the next few weeks.”

Hermione giving the silent treatment was a bad sign. She was more dangerous quiet than she was screaming at you.

“I’ll go and talk to her.”

“Good luck. Watch your bits.”

Harry bounced up the stairs and headed to his friends’ bedroom. He knocked quietly on the door and then opened it. Hermione was sitting on the bed, her back to the door.

“Hermione?”

“It’s wrong, Harry. I’ve never known you to be this way. How can you be so callous towards this situation? “

“I…don’t know how to handle this. It’s crazy. Me and Malfoy…in a relationship? Having a baby? Having sex?? I can’t even think about this.”

Hermione turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed. “And how do you think Draco feels?? He’s pregnant, Harry! The first wizard in like five hundred years. And now his partner doesn’t even remember him and doesn’t even want to try and talk to him. He’s all alone at the home you two made together, and you don’t even care! I think that curse did more than take your memory.”

Harry shuffled over to the bed, feeling like a world class jack ass. He sat down and looked at Hermione. “I guess I didn’t really think about that. About how he felt. I’m just thinking about me right now.”

“Harry, this is your baby. No matter what you may feel about Draco, he’s having your baby. He’s gone through a lot with this pregnancy. He’s gone through a lot with you! You both…I never thought it would work, but the two of you…are so unbelievably happy together. It’s amazing. And the baby…Harry…you were so excited about it, you should see the nursery you made…it’s beautiful.”

“I made a nursery?”

Hermione nodded with a grin. “Yes, all by yourself. Draco simply pointed and directed…like he always does, but you did it happily. At least go the house, Harry. At least talk to Draco, tell him something. He never left the hospital when you were unconscious. He never does when you get hurt. “

Harry lowered his head, feeling worse than ever. This could not be the same Malfoy that he knew. But here Hermione was, fighting for him. And she was right. How could he be such an asshole and not even talk to Malfoy about this pregnancy issue? Harry loved kids. He adored Teddy…what was wrong with him??

“I’ll go talk to him.”

Hermione patted his hand. “I’ll come with you.”

Harry gave a smirk. “Good, because I have no idea where I live.”


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Draco rolled heavily from the bed, huffing in deep panting breaths as he struggled into an upright position.

He was not used to sitting up alone, Harry’s hand had always been at his back to push him up, or reaching out to pull him up whenever he needed it. It had tickled the Gryffindor to no end, whenever Draco whined about sitting up. Of course, Harry had wanted Draco to use the magical pillows that would have elevated him on their own, but Draco’s revenge had been to insist that Harry do it. And the sodding git had done it happily, often rubbing Draco’s back in the process. Draco had tossed the pillows somewhere and now that he needed them…

He wasn’t going to think about that.

Granger had flooed last night and told him that Harry was ready to talk and they would be over today. Draco hadn’t done a very good job of remaining stoic when faced with the news. A lump had lodged in his throat and the butterflies that had swarmed in his stomach had interrupted the baby’s sleep…and it had immediately started kicking him in annoyance. Or happiness.

“He’s coming home?” Draco had asked, breathless with excitement. “He’s told you this?”

Granger looked sad. “Well, no. But he does want to come and talk to you. I don’t want to push him more than that.”

Draco had swallowed his disappointment and had gone to bed, but the little one had kicked most of the night and Draco had spent the whole night, rubbing his stomach, trying to calm it down. And fighting back the tears that seemed to come at the most inconvenient times.

Now as he staggered to his feet, he felt his bladder announcing that it was time for relief and Draco moved as fast as he could waddle over to the large bathroom to relieve it. He could barely reach his penis around his swaying stomach and he’d found it easier to simply sit down most of the time. He caught a glance at his reflection in the mirror and closed his eyes in resignation.

His eyes were puffy with dark circles and he looked exhausted. The baby kicking wasn’t the only reason he hadn’t slept. He hadn’t slept well since the horrible confrontation with Harry at the hospital. Draco had gone straight to his mother’s home and blubbered like a Hufflepuff who’d gotten dumped at the Yule Ball. Narcissa had crooned sympathetically and held him close as he’d cried. After he’d managed to stop his shuddering, gulping breaths and looked at her through his wet lashes, he’d hissed,

“I’m going to make him pay.”

Narcissa frowned. “Draco…that’s foolish. It’s not his fault from what you just told me. His memory is gone.”

Draco had flopped back on the sofa, his arms folded high on his chest and resting on his hard abdomen. “I told him that being an Auror was stupid! He should have listened to me! I can’t believe he doesn’t remember anything about us, since we’ve been together! He looked at me like I was…nothing!” To his horror, he could feel his chest tightening again and a lump forming in his throat. He hastily wiped at his face again. “These stupid hormones…”

Narcissa sighed and placed her hand on Draco’s arm. “Draco, please try to calm down. None of this is good for the baby. We’ll work through this and Harry will get his memory back and everything will be fine.”

Draco had stared down at the huge bulge, his fingers slowly moving across his stretched robes. Their baby fluttered little wings against his skin and Draco had felt a moment’s annoyance at the twinge. He wished that he could believe her.

He’d stayed with her mother that first night, but he’d returned home the next morning, even though Narcissa had assured him that any house-elf could fix him exactly what he wanted to eat and prepare the special blended tea that helped soothe his nerves. But Draco wanted to go home; to his home he shared with the man he loved, even if he wasn’t there. Draco had contacted St. Mungo’s for a status on Harry, but nothing had changed according to the healer on call. They had badgered him about his status…which quickly ended when Draco disconnected the floo call.

Bloody healers. Draco was sick of the lot of them. Always asking questions, taking blood, diagnostic spells, vitamins and an endless slew of owls from the wizarding public inquiring about his “progress”.

But he couldn’t think about that now. Harry would be here soon and Draco wanted to look his best.


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Draco tried not to show his nervousness when Hermione stepped out from the floo, brushing soot from her Muggle jeans. Another flash of green light and Harry was stepping into the living room.

Draco tried not to stare, but he wasn’t sure how well he was succeeding in not devouring Harry with his eyes. Harry was looking around the room with undisguised interest and more than a bit of unease.

“Draco, how are you?” Hermione asked quietly. “Been eating properly?”

Draco managed to tear his gaze away from Harry to scowl at her. “Of course.”

Despite a tough battle with Harry’s friends over the years, Draco and Granger had managed to form a tense but amiable friendship. The brains of the Golden Trio had softened towards him and had often defended him against her brutish husband. This softening had increased exponentially since his pregnancy.

Harry turned and looked at Draco. “Thank you for having us over,” he said politely, even though Draco could tell from the set of his jaw that he was very uncomfortable and that Granger had yelled at him before they had got there to behave himself. He would have snickered if it weren’t so humiliating.

“This is your house too, Harry. You don’t have to thank me.” Draco said, fighting down his desire to go and kiss him.

Harry’s mouth pulled in a tight line and then he sighed, “Oh…right.” He glanced around the sunny living room. “It’s nice.”

Draco smiled. “Yes, I know. I decorated, you…watched.”

Harry felt the twinges of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He frowned it away.

There were several pictures decorating the living room. Harry stared in disbelief at pictures of him with Malfoy, doing all kinds of….things. There was a picture of them at a Quidditch match, another one at Grimmauld Place and still another one of them together outside of this very house. In all of the pictures, they were both smiling or laughing and Harry couldn’t believe how happy he looked…how happy they both looked. He’d never remembered Malfoy ever smiling, unless it had been preceded by an insult.

There was one other picture that caught Harry’s eye. It was a picture of Malfoy, sitting alone in a beautiful garden. Harry picked it up, and the picture Draco turned and looked in Harry’s direction. A slow smile crossed his features as a puff of wind blew his long blond hair into his face. His hand, long and elegant, rose and brushed the stray strands from his face, revealing the most beautiful gray eyes. Harry’s mouth fell open and he let out a small gasp. He hurriedly dropped the picture back onto the table where he had found it.

The house was a large country home tucked away in the middle of nowhere. On the ground floor, there was a large sunny kitchen with a huge pantry, an enormous living room with fireplace, a large library, a dining room, two small sitting rooms and two guest bedrooms. Harry walked through the rooms, trying to see if anything felt familiar. A large gray and white cat was sunning itself in the library and it looked up when Harry entered the room. It gave a yowl and padded towards him, its tail twitching. It purred once it reached Harry’s legs and began twining around him, looking for affection. Harry bent down to rub the soft fur.

“That’s Mittens,” a low voice drawled near his ear and Harry started, almost kicking the cat in his alarm.

He turned and glared at the blond, who was practically standing on his back. “Damn, Malfoy! A little warning next time?”

Draco’s face fell and he whispered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

Harry immediately felt contrite. Malfoy looked like a kicked krup and Hermione had warned him not to upset the man too much. Malfoy was dressed in pale green dressing robes that made his blond hair look even lighter. He had not glamoured his body and the roundness of his face made him look soft and angelic. The swell under his robes seemed more pronounced and Harry had to fight hard to keep from staring. Seeing a pregnant man was beyond his capability to imagine, but a pregnant Malfoy with his baby…well…he wasn’t coping well with any of it.

Harry gave a small sigh. “I didn’t mean to shout at you. I’m…sorry.” Harry ran his hand through his hair, a clear sign of his nervousness. “I…well…how are you? I mean…the baby and all?”

Draco sighed wearily. “I’m fine. Just tired. It’s getting close. I had an appointment last week. They think it will be another three weeks or so.”

Harry nodded and then said, “Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”

Draco smirked. “You didn’t want to know. Wanted it to be a surprise. Ironically, it’s being stubborn. Healers can’t tell anyway…won’t turn over. There’s no way this baby isn’t yours. ”

Harry gave a slight chuckle. “Gryffindor then.”

Draco rolled his eyes. “Never.”

Harry grinned and watched as Draco’s face lit up with a smile. Harry felt a blush begin to color his cheeks and he quickly looked away, but Draco stepped forward and smiled hopefully.

“Harry…would you like to see the nursery?” He gently touched Harry’s arm.

Harry tried hard not to snatch his hand away, but it was so weird to see and feel Draco Malfoy’s hand touching his arm in a caressing manner. He pulled away slowly and pretended not the see the crestfallen look on the blond’s face.

Harry shrugged awkwardly and tried to squeeze past Draco in the doorway. However, Draco was turning to watch Harry try to get away and Harry was smashed against the doorway, trapped by Draco’s stomach.

Harry’s face flamed red and Draco grunted in discomfort. He began to pant slightly and Harry made an anxious noise in his throat. Suddenly, something reached out and poked him in his chest. He gave a yelp and tried to jump away, but only succeeded in banging his head against the door frame. He yelped again.

“What’s going on? “ Hermione called, just as she appeared in the hallway. She took one look at them stuck in the door and she laughed out loud.

“It’s not funny, Hermione! We’re stuck and something just stabbed me!” Harry wailed. He knew he sounded ridiculous.

“Something stabbed you?” Hermione choked out, as she gave Draco a look. The blond rolled his eyes.

“It’s the baby, Harry. It’s kicking.” Draco said in a raspy voice. Harry whipped around to look at Draco, who looked rather peaked.

“That’s…the baby…?” Harry asked, and he dropped his head to stare at Draco’s stomach. A soft poke jabbed at him again and Harry watched in amazement as the imprint of a tiny foot poked from the robes to jab a third time.

“Come on, Harry, “ Hermione said, “let Draco breathe. ”

Harry reddened again, but sucked in his stomach and eased past the blond and into the hallway. He cast a cautious glance at Draco, who was rubbing his stomach and murmuring softly.

Draco felt the silence in the hallway and he glanced up, finding Harry staring at him and Granger with a knowing smile on her face. Draco continued to rub his stomach and said,

“Sometimes talking helps calm it down”.

Harry nodded absently, still in shock that the baby in Malfoy’s stomach had reached out and poked him.

Hermione glanced back and forth between them and said, “Go upstairs and look around, Harry, maybe something up there will jar some memories.”

Harry flinched and Hermione’s face colored a nice rosy pink. “I meant-“

“Yeah, I got it, Hermione.” Harry said hurriedly.

“I’ll just….go.” Hermione said and quickly hurried down the hall. Draco gave a snort and waddled down the hallway. Harry followed, trying desperately not to envision what had happened “upstairs” that had led to Malfoy’s condition.

The upstairs level contained four more bedrooms and one grand bedroom suite. Harry stared at the wide, expansive bed, covered with plush pillows. The room was tastefully decorated in soft hues. There were two large archways on opposite sides of the room. Harry headed to one of the archways and walked into a huge walk-in closet that would have fit the Dursleys whole house.

He looked at Malfoy and raised an eyebrow.

“No doubt this is yours, “ Harry said, not even bothering to enter the space. He had no desire to see Malfoy’s obnoxious display of wealth.

“Actually, Harry, a lot of that is yours. Through a lot of hard work, you’ve learned a smidgen of my impeccable taste in style.”

Harry gaped and Malfoy laughed. “Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either.”

Harry sputtered indignantly. “I have style! I dress very well thank you! Just because I don’t spend hours in the mirror falling in love with myself every minute-“

Draco held up his hand. “Harry, I don’t want to fight with you, okay? Please? I want to show you the nursery.”

Harry snapped his mouth shut. Malfoy didn’t want to fight with him? Malfoy always wanted to fight with him.

But Draco was pointing at the other archway. “Through there. I need to sit down for a moment.” He waddled over to one of the large plush armchairs that was settled near another small fireplace. He sat down heavily and closed his eyes.

“Hey…are you all right?” Harry asked, his voice riddled with concern.

Draco nodded. “Yes, just tired. Go on, take a look.”

Harry stepped through the archway and entered….wonderland. He inhaled sharply as he took in the room full of stuffed toys, and everything that an army of babies could possibly need. The walls were decorated with teddy bears and baby dragons, all magically marching and dancing around happily.

The baby crib and bassinette were decorated in bright, happy colors and several baby albums and picture books were waiting, ready to capture every moment of the new bundle of joy. The photo album that Hagrid had given him was sitting proudly on another table. Harry felt tenderness in his heart as he fingered one of the stuffed dragons. The dragon gave a tiny roar and a small puff of smoke emitted from its mouth. Suddenly it was all too much and Harry couldn’t breathe.

He backed out of the room and turned to see Draco pushing himself up from the chair.

“You made all of this, Harry,” Draco said softly, “some of it without magic. You did this for our child.”

Harry’s throat was tight and every breath seemed to cling inside his lungs, not wanting to come out.

“Can’t you see that we are happy? That we are together? Is any of this familiar at all?” Draco asked, his eyes searching Harry’s face for some sign of…well…anything.

The room was beginning to spin. Harry needed to get out of there.

“I’m…sorry…Malfoy…I…I…can’t do…can’t do…this.” Harry ground out.

Malfoy looked as if he’d been slapped.

“You’re not going to do anything to be with us? Nothing??” Draco said, his voice sounding very shrill and incredulous.

“I…I do…want to be in the baby’s life. I’ll do whatever…I can for the baby…” He trailed off as Malfoy’s eyes grew huge in his face.

Draco tilted his head. “For the baby,” he said slowly, “But not for me, right?”

Harry sighed, “Malfoy, I…look. I’m sorry about all of this. I really am, but…us being together…no. I love Ginny and…well…that’s what it is.”

Draco felt as if someone had hit him with a bludger. “Harry,” he whispered, and each word he spoke felt as if he’d swallowed glass. “Give it time. Your memory could come back any time. We love each other. Weasley…is gone. She’s marrying Thomas.”

“She might give me another chance.”

Draco stared at Harry. “What?”

Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “We’ve talked and we might be able to work things out. I’m sorry if this upsets you.”

“If this upsets me? Upsets me?? Why would I be upset?? WHY WOULD I BE UPSET? IT’S JUST MY HUSBAND JUST TOLD ME THAT HE’S LEAVING TO GO BACK TO HIS BINT OF AN EX AND I’M PREGNANT! I’M FUCKING PREGANT! BASTARD! FUCK YOU, HARRY!”

Harry could hear Hermione’s footsteps as she pounded up the stairs, which distracted him from the blond rushing forward and punching him right in the face. Harry reeled back, his face blooming with pain, just as Hermione ran into the room.

“GET OUT!” Draco was shouting, hysterical, his breath coming in gulps of air, his eyes ablaze with hurt and anguish.

“Draco! Calm down! Calm down!” Hermione tried to coax, but Draco was hearing none of it.

“Did you know?? Did you know he’s going back to Weasley! Fucking bastard! Was this fun for you both?? To bring him here and make me hope?? FUCK!”

Draco whirled around and stumbled, almost falling headfirst onto the bed. He overcompensated and lurched drunkenly away from the bed. Both Harry and Hermione leapt forward, trying to keep him from falling. They each managed to catch an arm, and pulled the distraught blond upright. But Draco struggled in their combined grasps.

“Get out!” He shouted again and he felt a force of magic erupt from him. The force of it propelled both Hermione and Harry through the heavily warded house and dumped them both unceremoniously on the hard gravel road outside half a mile away.

The impact of landing on hard road knocked the wind out of the pair. They both lay there, panting, until Harry sat up jerkily, looking at Hermione.

“Are you all right?” He looked back down towards the road. “What the hell was that? Should we go back?”

Hermione sat up slowly, rubbing her head. “That’s why the healers don’t want Draco getting upset. His magic is quite wild right now, and the baby adds to it. Especially when he’s distressed. It’s a symptom of wild hormones. It happens with most witches during pregnancy.”

“He sent us through wards, wandless! I felt them. They had my signature. Those were pretty powerful, blood wards.”

Hermione turned to glare at him. “And I told you not to upset him! Good job, Harry.”

Harry fell back on the road again. He’d really bollocksed this up.