Situational Ethics

Situational Ethics

By Zega

Edited by Missy Padfoot

A/N: Alright, I need to have this story done before the end of the year so I can post the next and that leaves just about five months to post about ten more chapters. Here we go.

YES, THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. PLEASE JUST BARE WITH ME.

Posted on August 5th, 2008

Chapter 22:

gHardly Conscience Strickenh

gHush, Sirius, or wefll wake Harry,h said Remus in an undertone as he placed his free hand before Sirius, attempting to restrain Siriusf excitement.

It would take a great deal more effort, however, to control the eager godfather. Having been away for so long, Sirius only wanted to describe his fantastic adventures to the boy. gOh, hefll be fine. Harryfs a heavy sleeper anyway.h Sirius raced to the stairs before Remus could physically restrain him. But before he went up too far, Sirius turned around and whispered as loudly as he could, gLetfs see what hefs up to.h Sirius really wanted to rouse Harry from his sleep.

That is, if he was sleeping.

The disturbance echoed and spiraled in Harryfs ears like good gossip. Shit. Harry was almost positive that the ones causing all the noise were Remus and Sirius, and he wasnft in the least bit optimistic about it. Beside his bed in a crib, his son laid asleep. What if Remus and Sirius put two and two together and got three? What if they actually got four and tried to attack Harryfs son? What if they tried to attack Erasmus to prove a point to Harry?

From beside him, Harry could hear his baby making soft sounds, like it was disturbed. gHush, little one.h

Harry raised himself onto his knees and stretched out his arm with his wand, ready to curse anyone who dared to harm him and his baby. When the door swung opened, Harry was greeted by an unrestrained Sirius, gGet up, Harry! We brought you some gifts!h

Remusf eyes settled immediately on Harryfs wand. gEasy there, Harry. Itfs just us.h Years of being a member of the Order assured that Remus was always alert, even when in the company of his friends.

Not surprisingly, Sirius didnft even notice the wand that narrowly missed his eye by a few inches. He carelessly bounced onto Harryfs bed then beckoned for the Gryffindor to come closer. gCome on, Harry. See what we brought you.h Sirius handed Harry a box of Hawaiian chocolates with Macadamia nuts and then gleamed with excitement. gOpen it. Try one. They are delicious.h Siriusf mouth was practically drooling.

While they had their eyes on him, Harry quickly plopped one into his mouth, hoping to keep their eyes on him and away from the crib that was hiding just behind him in the shadows.

gHow are they?h Remus asked as he came forwards to wrap his arms around Siriusf shoulders. gSirius alone mustfve finished off five boxes of those.h

Harry laughed softly then from behind him, something began crying. Damn. I knew we were too loud.

Remus straightened himself out and uncoiled his arms from around Sirius. Sirius, in turn, frowned and then his eyes widened.

gSirius, I can explain.h

Sirius swiftly got off of Harryfs bed and followed the cry. His ears were alert, his posture was straight, and his mind was wondering from where was the crying coming from. And then he saw the crib. gBlimey, Harry! Is thatc a baby?!h

gStay away!h Harry commanded.

Before Sirius could get any closer, a force field curved around the crib, preventing intruders from closing in on the baby.

gWhose baby is this, Harry?! How long has it been here?!h Sirius roared.

gDonft you dare touch him! Hefs mine!h

Remus placed a hand on Harryfs shoulder then retaliated when Harry nearly elbowed him in the side. gCalm yourself, Harry. We are not going to do anything to the „Ÿ did you just say hefs yours?!h

gYes,h Harry confirmed with a daring hissed.

Sirius forcefully grabbed Harryfs chin and made him to look into his eyes. gYours and who elsefs?! Whose child is this, Harry James Potter?h

gI told you! Mine! My baby boy!h Harryfs eyes were filled with determination and anger.

gHefs awfully small. A newborn, perhaps?h Remus asked while peaking into the crib. gWhen was he born?h

gMidnight of August 16th.h

Remus gasped and turned away from the crib. gHefs only a little more than a week old.h Remus shook. gHarry, you are barely legal and about to go to war. Youfre in no condition to raise a baby.h

gSays who?!h Harry snapped angrily and approached Erasmusf crib; the force field granting him entrance.

gHarry, you fool, do you realise what youfve done?!h

gYes. I willingly brought forth a child into this world.h

Remusf eyes widened at both Harryfs declaration and its underlying meaning. He had thought that Harry knocked up some witch „Ÿ or wizard. gHarry, did you literally bring forth that baby?h

Though he was quite terrified, Harry knew there was no backing out of this now. He nodded twice. gI carried him for nine mouths in my womb. I gave birth to him. And I will raise him.h Harry ran the back of his hand over his sonfs wet cheeks.

gWho was your partner?h Remus asked softly. He was hoping that maybe with some reasoning, Harryfs partner would assist in raising their son.

Harryfs eyes narrowed. gThatfs none of your business.h

gDo not hide anything more from us, Harry!h Sirius yelled.

gLet me be!h

gHefs right, Harry. You were wrong to keep your pregnancy from us. You will not hide anything more from us. After whatfs happened, you owe us that much.h

Harry laid his hand on Erasmusf cheeks and thought quietly, What does it matter? Someday, theyfll see Severus Snapefs characteristics forming on the baby. But even so, Harry just didnft want anyone to know. gIt doesnft matter.h

gIn due time, Harry, your son will somewhat resemble your partner.h

The baby opened his eyes sleepily and groaned like babies did before they started crying. Remus then observed his eyes; from what little he could see of them, his eyes were a brilliant green „Ÿ the baby had Harryfs eyes, Lilyfs eyes. Remusf eyes and heart softened themselves. How could they even think about giving the baby up for adoption? He already resembled Harry, though vaguely. Other prominent features were simply not from the wizard standing before him; those obviously belonged to his other parent.

gHush, Eras,h Harry kissed his sonfs head. gNo one will take you from me.h

Just like Remus, any anger Sirius felt towards Harryfs asinine decision began to crumble. The baby couldnft go. It had to stay now.

Remus sat on the edge of the bed and Harry quickly pulled the sheets over to cover himself and his baby. Despite how close they were to Harry, Harry still felt distrust towards Remus and Sirius. gHarry, you cannot keep the baby. If Voldemort were to ever find out about his existence, he would stop at nothing to destroy him.h

gThen what do you suggest I do? Give him to my aunt and uncle? Never.h Harry hissed. It wasnft an option.

From across the room, Harry saw that Sirius had turned into his Animagus form. The dog, with his tail between his legs, hurried out of the room without taking another look at Erasmus. gSirius will come around once hefs had the chance to cool off.h

Harry didnft care. He just wanted to keep his son in his arms.

gWe have to take him to St. Mungofs Hospital for a physical examination.h

gNot now. Laterch

gHarry, donft you understand? You had the child. There is no guarantee that the baby is healthy. Birth defects are more than common in babies who were born from a malefs body or whose biological parents are the same sex. And I know itfs hard to accept, but most of them die because of this before their first birthday.h

Harry shivered. No. Not after everything he went through. He would not have another chance. He did not think he could bare another child. This one had to live. Erasmus had to make it.

gYou cannot afford to be stubborn. If not tonight, then please promise me that you will have the baby checked some time this week. Sirius and I will go with you.h

Harry turned his head away from Remus and held his son tighter. He didnft want anyone to know that he was a father. Surely the nurses there would want to run some tests and they will ask those ridiculously annoying questions. gRemus, I canft. No one can know about Eras.h

gYou think about that now?h

Harry remained guiltily quiet.

gWhy is that Harry? I donft think you care if Voldemort finds out, so what is it? Are you afraid that his other parent will find out?h

Harry nodded. gHe cannot know that he has a sonc at least not yet.h

Breath escaped Remus.

Finally, he moved away from the bed. He had nothing more to say to Harry, but he did have a rather furious lover waiting in the other room. gWell, youfve had quite the week. I was beginning to suspect you of something when you started acting different. Your friends told me you were eating a lot, losing weight, eating strange combinations of food, avoiding them, and then getting us to leave the house. Honestly though, I never would have guessed that you were pregnant.h

gAre you disgusted?h Harry asked softly.

gNo! Of course not.h Remus touched Harryfs shoulder. gIfm surprised, not disgusted. Harry, you are like a son to me. I will support you, even if I think you did something stupid.h

Harry remained silent, so Remus then said softly, gCongratulations, Harry. Eras is a lovely first born.h

Finally, a smile with enough strength broke through Harryfs frown. He then blushed but kept his eyes on Erasmus.

gNow, if youfll excuse me. I have to talk with Sirius. Wefll talk more later.h

HARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTERHARRYPOTTER

gHefs such a scrawny baby. I wonder if hefs a prem,h Sirius wondered.

gHefs not that skinny. His tummy is a little round.h

gDid Harry promise you hefd take the baby to the hospital soon?h

gYes, and if he refuses, wefll take the child from him and take Eras ourselves.h

Sirius sat with his back to Remus. Did Remus not understand what else Harry was telling them?

gSomething is bothering you and I donft think itfs just the baby.h

Finally, Sirius turned around and said, gRemus, he had the baby, implying that he engaged in intercourse. And since there isnft a way a woman could transfer her baby to a male body, Harry obviously engaged in gay sexch

gYes, he did tell me that he didnft want a him to find out. And I know he wasnft referring to you-know-who at the time.h

gI didnft even know he was gay! Why would he keep that from us? He knows that we are together.h

gNow youfre just being silly. Itfs wrong to simply assume anyone is either straight or gay.h

gButc itfs Harry. He always tells mech

gYes, and I bet that James is smiling down at Harry. I donft know about Lily. She probably would be furious with him, but I know that in the end, she would accept him and the child.h

gShe was always forgiving like that, even to snarky Snivellus.h

gYes, well, thatfs what made her such a beautiful person.h

Remus and Sirius reminisced together about their beloved James and Lily, unaware of the two, brilliant greens eyes watching them.

When Harry stepped away from the door, having heard everything he needed to hear, he looked down at the baby he was cradling in his arms and whispered, gYou are worthy of their love.h

Next to him, Kreacher nodded approvingly.

A/N: By now, you should have guessed what eErasmusf means.

Anyways, this goes out to all at Adultfanfiction. Since I am having problems with my account, I want to know whether or not you wish for me to continue updating. If you think I should just wait and then post all the chapters at once, tell me. Or, do you want me to continue updating despite the corruptions?