Unforeseen Circumstances

Unforeseen Circumstances

Chapter 21

The summer was almost over and the new school year was due to start in three days. This had been the best summer Harry had ever experienced. Severus and Draco had spent the first month of summer vacation, well vacation for Severus since he still had to go back to teach, and Harry reveled in novelty of spending this time with a real family.

Draco was four months pregnant and craving the weirdest foods. Harry caught him eating toast with marmite and honey. Draco, of course, just obliviously offered Harry some of his concoction, totally missing the green tint to the brunette’s face. Harry had fortunately not experienced those weird cravings. He just craved chocolate covered strawberries almost constantly.

Harry also had his first real birthday party this summer. Lucius had invited the entire Weasley clan, despite his better judgment, Hermione, Luna, and Neville. Of course, Severus and Draco also attended. Harry had been as enthusiastic as a child, ripping into presents and proudly displaying his bounty.

After spending the first month of summer with Severus and Draco, Harry almost cried when it was time for them to go. In an effort to cheer him up, Lucius, knowing Harry’s past and how his so called relatives treated him, took Harry to France and Italy since he’d never been out of England. Harry absolutely loved the trip and enjoyed every minute, even with being as heavily pregnant as he was. Harry was now eight months pregnant and waddling. Lucius, of course, just thought he was positively beautiful despite Harry’s complaints of feeling ungainly.

Harry was jolted out of his musings by Lucius’ hurried arrival. Harry stared at his husband in surprise when he got a good look at his appearance. Lucius had a wide grin on his face and he was waving a piece of parchment excitedly.

“Lucius, what happened?” asked Harry anxiously.

“I have good news, love,” said Lucius quickly. “At least I think you’ll agree with my assessment.”

“Well, what is it?” asked Harry impatiently.

“I know how much you love Hogwarts and I know how much you’ll miss Sev and Draco this coming year, so I made a decision. Professor Flitwick decided to retire this year and Dumbledore offered me his job,” said Lucius smugly.

“We’re going back to Hogwarts?” asked Harry hesitantly. “I’ll have Madame Pomfrey nearby to help with the delivery?”

“Yes and yes,” said Lucius, smiling in anticipation of the explosion to come. “She actually insisted on delivering the baby whether I took the job or not.”

“Yess!” yelled Harry, rushing into Lucius’ arms. Well, rushing as much as a heavily pregnant man can rush. “I’ll get to see Sev all year too. This is great. Thank you so much, Lucius.”

Lucius tilted Harry’s head up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Anything to make you happy, love.”

*****

The morning of September 1st, Harry and Lucius arrived at King’s Cross Station at 10:30. Albus had instructed them to ride the train to the school because flooing and portkeying were not advisable for a person in the third trimester of pregnancy. Lucius sneered at the thought of riding the train with the rest of the ‘uncouth plebeians’ that would also be taking the train. Harry, on the other hand, delighted in the fact that he could once more ride the Hogwarts Express to his second home.

“Isn’t that, Harry Potter?” asked a little girl, nudging her friend and pointing in Harry and Lucius’ direction. Her friend looked where she was pointing, noticed the scar, and nodded. “Who is that with him? I didn’t expect him to be so fat.”

Her friend looked at her like she had just grown horns and a tail. “The man with him is his husband Lucius Malfoy, and he is not fat. He’s pregnant. Don’t you ever read the paper?” she asked disgustedly.

“Oh. I wonder why they’re riding the train,” said the little girl, still staring at their retreating figures.

“You don’t ever read, do you?” her friend asked irritably. “For your information, people in their third trimester of pregnancy are forbidden to apparate, floo, or portkey because they can damage the unborn child. If they are going to Hogwarts, they pretty much have to ride the train.”

“Do you think I can Harry’s autograph?” the little girl asked excitedly, unfazed by her friend’s her annoyance with her. They’d been friends since they were both two years old, and she was used to it.

Her friend just rolled her eyes and started down the corridor to find an empty compartment.

*****

“I knew there was a reason we shouldn’t ride the train,” growled Lucius, smirking as people literally jumped out of his path.

“And what reason would that be, Luc?” asked Harry, not even noticing the stares aimed his way. After all, he had lived with the stares and whispers for the past seven years. He was used to it.

Lucius stared at Harry for a moment. “I really don’t know how Severus could have possibly believed that you enjoyed the constant attention bestowed upon you. I’m talking about the people gathering around for autographs and the constant stares and whispers. How can you be so blasé about this?”

“Luc, dearest, I have had to deal with the ‘constant stares and whispers’ for the last seven years. Add to that the constant good and bad press from the Daily Prophet and I’ve become a pro at ignoring the people I don’t know,” said Harry patiently.

“I’ll just be glad when we get to Hogwarts because you are going straight to Madame Pomfrey for your checkup. Remember that she said a male pregnancy can be anywhere from seven to nine months in length. You could go into labour any day now,” said Lucius quietly, caressing Harry’s swollen stomach lovingly.

“I promise to go straight to Poppy’s office as soon as I set foot in the castle, okay?” said Harry, smiling softly at his worried husband.

“Okay,” said Lucius, pulling Harry close and stroking the brunette’s hair until he fell asleep.

*****

Harry walked straight to the infirmary when he and Lucius finally reached Hogwarts. Lucius went ahead to the feast because Dumbledore would have to introduce him as the new Charms Professor. Harry had just reached the hospital wing when he doubled over in pain as his stomach clenched viciously. As the pain slowly abated, Harry carefully made his way to his customary bed and slowly climbed on the bed.

“Madame Pomfrey!” he yelled, rubbing his belly soothingly.

Madame Pomfrey immediately rushed into the room. “Harry, what is it?” she asked worriedly.

“Well, I came for my check-up,” said Harry. He suddenly clutched his stomach and groaned. In the next moment, the sheets were completely soaked as his water broke. “Uh oh. Does this mean what I think it means? I’m not ready for this and Lucius is still in the Great Hall. I can’t have this baby without him here.” Harry was almost hysterical by this time as his babbling proved.

“Harry, calm down,” she said calmly. “I’ll get a message to Lucius. You still have a while yet so he should get here in plenty of time.”

“How are you going to send a message?” he asked skeptically. “Everyone is in the Great Hall and you are not leaving me here alone. What if something wrong happens while you’re gone?”

“I guess you’ll just have to come with me then,” she said, hoisting Harry off the bed and wrapping an arm around his waist.

Madame Pomfrey and Harry painstakingly made their way to the Great Hall, stopping every three minutes to ride out another contraction. The doors to the Great Hall were closed as the Welcoming Feast was still in session, so Harry, impatient and hurting, slammed the doors open with a huge burst of magic, startling everyone.

Lucius immediately saw Harry and rushed to his side. “Harry, what’s wrong?”

“I hate you, Lucius. How could you hurt me this way?” Harry whined pitifully, whimpering as another contraction ripped through his belly.

Lucius looked helplessly towards Madame Pomfrey for some answers. She finally took pity on the poor man. “Lucius, Harry is in labour. His water has already broken and he should deliver within the next few hours.”

“Oh, dear Merlin. I’m not ready for this. We were supposed to have another month to prepare,” said Lucius frantically. Another contraction hit, almost sending Harry to his knees, so Lucius quickly grabbed Harry around the waist, supporting his other side.

Lucius and Madame Pomfrey managed to half drag and half carry Harry back to the infirmary. Once there, Lucius helped Harry back into the bed, stroking the panting brunette’s hair away from his face. Madame Pomfrey immediately went to her office to get all the supplies she would need to deliver the baby and hurried back.

“Okay, Harry, I’m going to numb your stomach,” said Madame Pomfrey, waving her wand over Harry’s stomach. Harry immediately relaxed as the contractions were numbed along with his belly.

Ten minutes later, Madame Pomfrey placed a screaming baby girl wrapped in a pale yellow blanket on Harry’s chest while she quickly repaired the incision and cleaned Harry up. Harry was simply enthralled with his little girl and didn’t even notice when Madame Pomfrey left the room.

“Look, Luc. Isn’t she simply beautiful?” asked Harry, petting the soft black hair gently.

“She’s as beautiful as her daddy,” said Lucius, staring at Harry and Keely lovingly. “Our little beautiful sunrise.”

“I wonder what colour her eyes will be,” said Harry, yawning and blinking his eyes sleepily.

Keely opened her eyes just then, showing a pair of blue eyes with silver overtones. “It looks like she’ll have my grey eyes,” said Lucius softly, kissing Harry on the forehead as Harry finally gave in to his exhaustion and fell asleep.

*****

As soon as the Feast was over and the students had been sent to the dormitories, Severus and Draco quickly made their way to the infirmary to check on Harry. When they finally arrived, they saw Lucius sitting beside Harry’s bed, cuddling the newborn girl.

“How’s Harry?” asked Severus quietly, holding out his arms in a silent command to hold the baby. He smirked when Lucius very reluctantly handed Keely over to her grandpa. “She’s beautiful, Luc. She looks just like my Harry.”

“What are you talking about, Sev?” asked Draco indignantly, looking closely at the baby. “Except for the hair, she’s definitely a Malfoy.”

“Actually, Draco, she really does look just like Harry, but we think she’ll have my grey eyes because they already have a silver overtone,” said Lucius smugly.

“Whatever,” said Draco nonchalantly. He peered closer at Keely. “Sev’s right, though. She is beautiful. I never would have thought that Harry could produce a child that pretty.”

“I resent that, Draco,” muttered Harry sleepily, struggling to sit up in the bed. Lucius hurriedly helped him to sit and glared at Draco. “It doesn’t really matter what you think, anyway. Lucius thinks I’m beautiful and that’s what counts.”

Lucius just nodded and muttered ‘Damn right,’ which was echoed by Severus.

“Hey, Draco?” asked Harry.

“Yeah?” asked Draco.

“Have you found out what you’re having yet?” asked Harry excitedly.

“I’m having a baby, Harry. You should know this considering the fact that you just had one of your own,” said Draco teasingly.

“A baby? Are you sure?” asked Harry innocently. “Demon’s usually have spawn.”

“Ooh, funny,” said Draco sarcastically. “And no I haven’t found out the sex of my baby. But since I’m here, I may as well have Madame Pomfrey show me.”

“Yeah!” said Harry cheerfully. “Climb aboard and get comfy.”

Draco rolled his eyes and climbed onto the bed beside Harry. Lucius went to get Madame Pomfrey and Severus continued to coo at the baby. Madame Pomfrey just smiled indulgently at Draco and Harry and recited the spell to show the three-dimensional picture of the baby. They got a full frontal shot on the first try, and Madame Pomfrey congratulated Draco on expecting a boy.

“That is so cool,” said Harry, staring at the picture in awe.

“What are you so excited about? It’s not like you’ve never seen this before,” said Draco.

“But this is my brother, Draco” said Harry quietly.

“I see your point,” said Draco. He suddenly turned towards Severus. “Okay, grandpa, it’s my turn to hold the baby. I have to greet my baby sister.”