Pilfered Progeny - Stolen Dreams

"Good morning, Mr. Potter." Nancy smiled as she moved into his office, handing him a file folder.



"Has Damitri come in yet?" Harry asked, accepting the folder and eyeing it a moment or two.



"No sir, not yet. He called and said he would be here in about half an hour…"



"All right; would you please have him join me when he arrives…?"



"Will do, boss…" She smiled and moved out of his office to tend to her duties. Before long, she was back at the door, showing Damitri Zabini into the office.



He was a tall, trim dark-skinned man with flashing black eyes and an elegantly trimmed beard. His relation to Blaise was clear; though he was quite a bit older he still had the same finely boned good looks as his nephew, and he hadn't lost a bit of the grace of his youth. Nancy slipped out of the door and closed it behind herself.



"Good morning, Harry…" the older wizard said with a smile.



Harry gazed at him and sighed softly. "Dimi, I've got a problem."



Damitri's smile faded to one of direct attention. Harry had been his partner for

over ten years now and he rarely greeted him like this; something must really be wrong… He moved over and took a seat with an expression of concern. "Fill me in; you know we'll figure it out…"



"Well it all started about six years ago…" Harry started.



-------------------FLASHBACK----------------------------------------------------------



Harry sat heavily down at the table, his eyes wet with tears. "Draco is so depressed, Hermione… Snape said he can't use the potion after he lost the last baby… I think we may lose him. I don't know what to do anymore…"



Hermione sat in the chair next to him at the table in their kitchen, pushing a cup of tea in front of her school friend. "You don't have to go strictly the magical method, Harry…" Hermione said softly. "Muggles have come a long way with infertility treatments… I've been working with Pansy Parkinson on a new combination of muggle and wizarding healing magic… our goal is to help infertile wizarding families to conceive…"



Harry glanced at her, then wiped at his damp eyes. "It's just so hard to believe that Parkinson became a Healer… she never wanted to do anything but help herself in school…" he mumbled. "And afterward, she didn't seem like she'd ever change until after her trial before the Wizengamot at the Ministry…"



"You know, it's strange… I never expected to like her or get along with her at all, but she's really helped me out with my schooling to become a medic…" Hermione said softly; glad that she could at least get Harry to focus on something other than this most recent miscarriage.



"Yeah… she did a lot to help you get those scholarships…" Harry nodded.



She paused, worry etched on her face as she laid a hand over his. "You and Draco should come in and talk to our healers at the clinic, Harry… it really wouldn't hurt…"



He bowed his head, though grateful for her touch. "We'll see, Hermione…" Harry murmured.



---------------------BACK TO NOW----------------------------------------------------



"…so did you and Draco decide to go to this clinic…?" Damitri asked.



"Yes, we did. Despite the fact that it originally was a muggle clinic, Draco was quite impressed with all the procedures and the science of the process and the blend of magical and muggle technologies that Hermione and Pansy had created... So we started all the tests; Merlin… it was beyond embarrassing…"



"What type of tests?" Damitri asked. "I've heard of such procedures but I've never looked into all the details of it…"



"It started with blood samples, tissue samples, sperm samples from both of us… tests of our magical levels, familial compatibility, blood type compatibility, muggle medications… It was a nightmare…." Harry sighed.



"But did it work?"



"Not right away; it took three years of needles and potions and spells, and tests before finally… it looked as if we were finally having our family. Then, at 22 weeks…" Harry's voice broke a moment; it was years ago but the memory of that tiny baby still tore his heart. "Well, we named her Andie. She lived for only two hours… we never set foot in that clinic again."



"I remember when that happened... nightmarish time that was..." Damitri said softly. "So where does the problem come in..?"



Harry pulled two scrolls of parchment out of his inside pocket and passed them to Damitri across the desk without a word. He unrolled them, taking a moment to examine the names on each one of the genealogical trees; his was expression thoughtful and almost calculating. "So…. Just how much of your sperm did they collect, anyway?" he asked, looking at Harry again.



Harry sighed. "Over three years…? Plenty. From Draco as well."



"How did you find out about these children?" He asked quietly.



"Draco met Angel in the park… she's the five year old…" Harry answered, watching as Damitri turned to that sheet where he'd attached a photo of the little girl with the dark curls and emerald eyes. "She wasn't being watched near a river in the park that Draco and I were at… she nearly drowned to death in the river. When they got us to the hospital, they assumed she was mine… turns out they were

right. Severus Snape works as some type of doctor… a specialist, he said, at the muggle hospital… he's the one who did the potion and spell for family links on Angel. Then he was confronted with the twins that look so much like Draco… he told me, but we haven't told Draco and I don't intend to until we have some of this sorted out…"



"I can understand that…" Damitri nodded, still quite thoughtful.



"Dami, what am I going to do…? Hermione seems to be involved in all this mess, and she's my friend…"



"Hermione…?" Damitri looked up at the younger wizard. "Isn't she the wife of your best friend…? How is she involved…?"



"I'm not sure, but Ron came over last night; he's really worried. They really never had money, but she's managed to pay off the house and buy several new things including a new convertible car… Ron was just picked up by the Chudley Cannons this week; he won't have gotten any of that money yet…"



"So; lots of income… and she works at this clinic where your sperm and Draco's was taken and stored..." he frowned, shaking his head. "You know this doesn't look good for her, Harry… This will eventually end up in front of the Ministry and probably a full Wizengamot, regardless of what we find. At first blush it seems as if she's selling off your sperm and Draco's to the highest bidder… We'll need to do a thorough investigation of this clinic and what it is they're doing… Hermione and the staff there will know your magical signature from all the testing you underwent, so you're out to go undercover…"



"I couldn't bring myself to go back in there anyway… that's why I needed to bring you in on this one. I know I need your help. I certainly couldn't take it on myself. I did consider pulling in the Weasley twins again…"



Damitri shook his head. "No… they wouldn't be useful here. They're single still, no reason to want to have kids. They were a big help on the Carneal case, but I don't think they'd be given access to anything at a medical clinic, no matter how devious they are…"



"True…" Harry sighed.



"But how do we go about it…?" Damitri murmured, rising to his feet, the papers still in hand as he moved to the window, gazing out at the view without really seeing anything, wrapped in thought.



"Dimi…? Are you in here….?" A soft voice called.



Both wizards turned to see who had spoken; it was Damitri's life-bonded partner Terry. Slim, short in build, long wavy hair that was blonde at the scalp and pale pink at the tips, bound back with pink ribbons in ponytails that curled down to frame either side the face. A delicate lacy white sundress with a miniskirt flattered pale skin, delicate heels that strapped up to the knee emphasized long shapely legs. Only a faint trace of makeup graced the finely boned face and highlighted the wide soulful eyes. "Hi Dimi…" the newcomer smiled. Harry had to remind himself every time he saw Terry that the pretty delicate and extremely feminine creature and he saw standing in the doorway was not a woman, but a man. And he wasn't nearly as young as he appeared to be… everyone kept mistaking him for much younger than his twenty years of age.



"Terry, baby… what are you doing here…?" Damitri smiled.



"I wanted to show you what I got today… are you busy…? I'm sorry, I don't mean to intrude…" he started to step back.



"Now you know I'm never too busy for you, Terry." Damitri assured, holding his hand out and Terry moved over to join him.



Harry paused a moment, gazing from Damitri to Terry… they were a fantastic couple, and they had never been to the clinic… if they posed as a couple they could see just how far the clinic was willing to go… "It just might work…" Harry said softly.



Damitri looked over at him, then at Terry, who his arm rested about the waist of. "What…? Oh… yes, I see… yes, indeed it could…" he agreed, catching on to Harry's train of thought quickly. "But only if Terry is willing. After all, you did say the procedures were invasive and embarrassing…"



"Willing to do what, Dimi…?" Terry asked, gazing up at him. He barely came up to his husband's shoulder in height, even in heels.



"How would you like to have a baby, Terry?" He asked.



"I can't…" Terry said with a pout. "I'm not a magic man, like you… I'm just a squib…" he gazed up at him. "I can't… can I…? How…?"



"There's a special clinic, Terry… they not only help you become pregnant, they can help you carry that baby to term." Harry answered him in a soft tone. He really did want them to try; he wasn't sure who else would be believable… but he wasn't going to try to coerce his long-time business partner's lover into

anything. "It's being done successfully every day, I understand…"



Terry's eyes widened. "Really…? I can really be a mum…?" He gazed up at Damitri, excited now by the very prospect.



"It is possible." He agreed, smiling at him. "I would love to have a child with you…" he stroked his husband's cheek. "I'll just get the address from Harry then, shall I…?"



"Oh, yes, Dimi!" Terry flung his arms about his husband and hugged him tightly.



Damitri kissed him tenderly. "Now, my sweet Terry… what is it you wished to show me…?"



Terry blushed; smiling shyly as he opened the bag he was carrying and brought out a fur-trimmed pink teddy with a long tail and a pair of cat ears.



"Merlin…!" Harry sighed. "I'd love to see Draco in that…"



Terry giggled softly at that. "I'd loan it to you but pink just isn't Draco's color…"



"That's all right, Terry… I don't think it would fit Draco right now anyway…" Harry chuckled.



"You know, Terry… if you'd like, you could help Draco and his mum shop for our baby…"



Terry looked over at Harry, curious. "Did you go to the clinic and get pregnant, Harry…?"



"No… I'm not pregnant. Draco is…" He smiled. "And we'll be having a five-year old little girl move into our house by this weekend…"



"Oh wow…! How fun…!" he smiled. "Can I, Dimi…? Please…? It would be so fun to shop for a baby…" Terry turned back to Damitri.



"Of course, love…" he chuckled.



Harry moved to the desk and jotted down the address. "Here's the information on the clinic…" he said, moving back and handing it to Damitri.



"I'll get right on this… come along, Terry. Let's have a quiet lunch and see just how much of a kitten you are…" he grinned at his bonded.



Terry hugged him, eyes sparkling. "All right, Dimi…"



The two moved out. "Nancy, we're going to lunch… take all my calls, will you?" he asked as he strolled past the secretary's desk.



"Of course, Mr. Zabini…"



Harry moved out just moments behind them. "I'll be out a couple hours for lunch and other business as well…"



"I've got things well in hand here, Mr. Potter." Nancy grinned at him.



"Naturally… that's why we keep you on…" he chuckled.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



"Draco…? Son, are you home…?" Narcissa called, glancing about.



"In here mother…" He called out from down the hall.



Narcissa followed his voice to one of the bedrooms that had recently been a study for the two young men. "Draco… what are you doing…?" she asked, looking about. The room had been completely stripped of all furniture and drop cloths covered the floor. Draco had a paintbrush in hand, a smudge of paint over the bridge of his nose and several splatters on his clothing. He gave her a warm, welcoming smile.



"Hello mother…" he said, moving to take her hand. Instead of hugging her as he usually did, he took her hand and placed it on the swell of his belly, his face glowing with happiness. "We've a surprise for you, mum; it's a boy…"



Her eyes widened. "Oh Dragon…! Oh…!" she pulled him into a hug, overjoyed. "A baby of your own…! No medicines? No potions…?"



"No, nothing at all… just pure Harry…"



"Outstanding..! Oh, I knew it would happen for you… and a boy…! And you're so far along…"



"I wanted to wait, mother, until the danger of losing him was past… I just told Harry a few days ago; it was so hard to hide from him…"



"I don't care if I'm the last in the world to know…. Oh, a BABY…! We have so much to buy… and why in the world are you painting…?"



"Angel is coming home. I want it perfect for her…"



"Angel…? Oh, yes, Harry's child… your father is furious about her…"



"Father can think whatever he likes; my Harry did not betray me."



"Does she look like him, love?" She asked, clearly ready to accept whatever he stated as fact.



"Dark curly hair, and emerald eyes… mum, she's beautiful."



"You do know your father may never accept her…?"



"I don't care what he says. He never approved of Harry so what's the difference…?"



"I can't wait to meet her." She smiled, hugging him.



"I knew I could count on you mum…"



"Always…!" She said firmly. "And now, son, you WILL allow me to help you."



"Grab a paint brush." Draco laughed. "And then we can go shopping while it all dries…"



"All right…" she picked up the paint brush, eyeing it. "You know I've never done this before…"



"Its fun, really…" Draco moved back to the wall and his mother joined him, happily discussing how the room was to be decorated for little Angel.







Harry laughed as, about half an hour later, he walked into the room. "I never thought I'd see the day…" he commented, looking at his husband and mother, both splattered in paint.



Narcissa smiled at him. "Now, Harry; you know I'd do anything for my Dragon…"



"Did he tell you it's a boy…?" Harry smiled. "We're having a son…"



"And none too soon; a daughter too…" she moved to him, paint splatters and all, and hugged him. "Two blessings…"



Harry returned the embrace. "Are you two hungry? Get cleaned up and I'll take us all out to lunch…"



"…and then we must go shopping…" Narcissa said firmly.



"Of course; we'll need quite a few things for Angel. By the way, Terry would love to go with you… he's very excited about the baby. He didn't know that wizards could have babies…" Harry grinned.



"I would be more than happy to have Terry along… he is a lucky boy to capture Zabini's heart. I should never have let him get away from me…" Narcissa smiled, putting the paint brush down in its tray.



"You, mother…? And Damitri Zabini…?" Draco asked with a grin. "I never would have imagined…"



"Oh, it was a very long time ago… but don't tell your father." Narcissa smiled, giving the boys a wink.



"Never." He promised moving out. "I'm going to shower real quick…"



Narcissa used a quick spell to clean herself up, banishing the paint off of her clothing and skin with a murmured word. Harry watched a moment before he spoke.



"Narcissa… while Draco is in the shower, I need to talk to you…" Harry said softly.



She looked up at him, brushing her gown to straighten it. "What is it, Harry…?"



Harry took a deep breath. "Angel isn't the only child that Severus found."



"You have more children…?" her eyes widened.



"They're not mine, Cissa… Their mother committed suicide and was taken to a muggle hospital as she had no identification; they managed to save the twins. Severus did the hereditary spell and… well, they're Draco's children."



"No one has been told…? Not even the ministry…?" Narcissa asked quietly. She was certain that Lucius would immediately take possession of any such children, had he known about them.



"No one. Severus isn't required to tell of them as they have displayed no magical abilities, unlike Angel… We haven't told Draco yet… I don't want to put too much stress on him…"



"I agree… after losing the other babies… Draco needs to have this baby strong and healthy…" Narcissa murmured worriedly. "So only Severus and you know of them…?"



"And you, yes." Harry said softly.



"Very intelligent of you to keep it quiet…she said, frowning slightly in thought. "It will be a couple of days before I can get away to see them…""I understand; its all right. Severus is watching over them and tending to their health needs. He can show them to you; he's had them moved to a private hospital. They are so tiny… they could fit in the palm of your hand. He told me that they are doing quite well, despite their birth circumstances…"



"Have they names…?" She glanced toward the bedroom. Draco would be out any moment and she would not chance revealing anything that could harm her son.



Harry shook his head. "No… the mother died before she even saw them…"



"Poor little darlings…" Narcissa murmured softly.



"They need their Nana…" Harry smiled at her.



She looked at him and smiled back, feeling tears well in her eyes. "I feel like I've waited forever to be called that…"



"So, Harry, where are you taking us?" Draco asked as he moved out again, dressed in fresh robes.



"A new place… Damitri tells me the chef there prepares traditional French food with a modern twist…"



"Sounds lovely; let's go…" Draco agreed.



"And after we will call Terry and head out to do some proper shopping… we must have the room ready for little Angel." Narcissa said firmly.





--------------------------------------- Two Days Later ------------------------------------



Damitri sat led Terry into the inner waiting room of the clinic and sat down on the rather comfortable couch. So far, he was rather impressed with the overall look of the place. It didn't have that chemical odor he had come to associate with muggle hospitals; nor was any of the waiting areas crowded or uncomfortable. They had made an appointment to come in, and had been shown to this room with lovely photos on the walls that included both tiny babies held in the large hands of their fathers to shots of

mother's tummies, round and ready to give birth.



Terry had gazed longingly at the photos, wishing it would be him soon having a round tummy like that, carrying a baby… He was standing beside one of a tiny baby, touching the glass while Damitri watched him. He jumped, blushing and hurrying to Damitri's side when the door opened, admitting a young woman into the room in a pale blue scrub-like uniform.



"Good afternoon…" she smiled.



"Good afternoon, miss." Damitri responded as Terry sat down beside him, cuddling close.



She smiled sweetly at them. "I'm Amber, and I'm very happy you've chosen our clinic; we have a long track record of successful assistances with pregnancy…" she said. "I'm sure you saw the wall of success on the way in…?"



"You helped make all those babies…?" Terry asked innocently, eyes wide.



"Yes, we did." She chuckled softly. "So let me tell you what exactly you're getting into here…" she said, then launched into a description of the procedure that would assist a muggle couple or even a witch and wizard to conceive, handing them various pamphlets as she explained the procedures involved in artificial insemination as well as intrauterine insemination, and in-vitro fertilization. Damitri listened patiently and Terry just looked confused, looking at the pictures of the babies on the covers and inside the booklets. "…does this sound like something you would be interested in, you and your young wife…?"



"Perhaps, if I had a wife, miss, these would be good options for us…" he rested an arm about Terry's shoulders. "But I'm afraid none of these are possible. I can see you are confused as so many are… my sweet partner here is not my wife, he is my husband." He clarified.



The girl's eyes widened; clearly she'd believed that Terry was a woman. She was so feminine, and delicate of build… "Oh… oh my… I would never have guessed…! Well… you will need to see the specialist then…"



"Exactly so." Damitri agreed with a smirk. Terry blushed, snuggling close to his husband.



"If you'll just give me a moment…" she said, looking at Terry with eyes wide with clear amazement as she slipped out of the room.



"Dimi…? Are you sure this will work…?" Terry asked timidly.



"I want to see what you look like, Terry… all round with a baby…" he smiled at his husband, one hand caressing Terry's flat stomach. Terry gazed up at him, eyes sparkling and his hand over Damitri's.



"Good afternoon…" a woman with her brown hair pulled back into a neat bun at the nape of her neck moved into the room. "I'm Hermione Weasley. Amber tells me that you needed a specialist…?" she asked, hesitating a moment. She looked to the north wall where a photo of a baby hung; the frame seemed to be glowing ever so faintly. Damitri realized it was a magic detector; he'd been looking for something of that sort in this room to tell staff that the occupants were of the magical community; her surreptitious glance had given the item away.



"That is what she said." He agreed.



She smiled and turned to them, taking a seat. "I'm sure we can help you, we have special services available for wizards and their partners. Of course, the process is a bit different for two males than it is for a male and a female…"



"We understand this." Damitri nodded. "We are willing to do anything that is necessary… I need an heir, and I am willing to spend what gold is needed. I need a magically strong child to carry on the Zabini name…"



"You do understand, Mr. Zabini, that it isn't possible to use your husband's seed for this…?"



"Because he is a Squib…?"



"Unfortunately, yes… If you wish a strong child you need to have a second donor to create the baby…"



"I don't mind, Dimi, really…" Terry said worriedly, concerned that his lack of magical ability would prevent them from being able to go on with things.



"Don't you worry, baby. No amount of money is too much to give you a child." Damitri soothed him, and then looked back at Hermione. "I would, of course, require that the second donor be of pureblood lineage."



"Do you have a donor in mind, sir…?" she asked.



"Not particularly… do you have any suggestions? I want to be able to peruse what you have available. I really would prefer someone with stronger magic…" Damitri commented.



He noticed her smile faltered a moment but she hid it quickly. "We really don't have too many wizarding donors, sir…" she rose and went to a cabinet. "I'll show you our list…" she riffled through the folders a moment, and then turned back to him with a small pamphlet. "Here you are; I'll just…" she looked over at the doorway, her voice and smile faltering again. Framed in the window of the door was a slim blonde, gesturing urgently for her to come out. "Oh… will you excuse me a moment?" she asked, turning to answer the summons.



"Of course, my dear." Damitri said, taking the booklet and opening it to study the options offered. She gave him the best smile she could and slipped out of the room. Damitri saw the description of several wizards, along with a strict statement that no family claims upon fortunes or even names of families could be made with the resultant offspring. None of them seemed to reflect either Harry or Draco…



"They just want a baby…" Hermione said softly.



"Don't be a damned fool, Weasley. Don't you know who that is…?" Pansy Parkinson asked, her eyes almost gleaming with greed. "That's Damitri Zabini…! He's got more than enough gold in just one of his Gringott's vaults to pay for our special stores, time and time again…!"



Hermione looked at her with a sinking heart. "Pansy, no, I…"



The blonde turned on Hermione, eyes narrow, glinting dangerously. "Don't you ever tell me no again; you WILL do it, Weasley. I'm certain he won't want anything less than a pureblood. And that little fluff he has hanging on his every word looks enough like our blonde 'donor' that the resulting child should

be quite to their liking. Try to talk them into donor number 1…"



"It should be their choice; Pansy, we need to stop…"



"Oh, no, Weasley; quite the contrary, actually… It's time to expand. We've been playing the small market more than long enough." She scowled at her, and then her expression changed in a heartbeat to sweet and calculating. "That husband of yours… he's finally made the big leagues, hasn't he…?" Her smile widened. "And he's a reasonably strong wizard, with quite the strong, pure bloodline… if you aren't willing to make babies with him, I know I can find more than one little witch out there who's willing to have one… bring him in on Monday."



Hermione looked horrified. "Pansy, I know he won't do it…" she started, but she knew that she was just in too deep now. There was no way out for her… she was trapped in this mess…



"Oh, yes he will." Pansy retorted, and then gestured at the door. "Go on, talk to our clients. You usually don't prefer that I do the talking… that little fluff looks so delicate…" she commented, and then her tone took on a dangerous tone. "Or do I have to take matters into my own hands…?"



"No… no, I'll talk to them…" Hermione assured quickly. She truly had no choice… she could be blamed for everything… every single thing… she lowered her eyes and took a moment to compose herself before she moved inside.



"Mrs. Weasley, is it…?" Damitri spoke up the moment she came into the room. "I'm afraid none of these will do… none have the power I seek, and I see several are of mixed blood."



"There are… some others…" she said hesitantly, clearly unwilling to produce the other list. "But they are not easily accessible…"



"I want the best. You understand; I'm sure… I have my standards…"



"Yes, of course, Mr. Zabini…" she said softly, pulling up a chair and taking a seat. She was silent a moment, both of them looking at her. "We do have access to some… very powerful wizards. Old, pureblood families…" she glanced at the door and the blonde, still framed in its window, smiled charmingly and turned, strolling away. The young brunette sighed faintly. "Of course, sir, you must understand, these wizards would never want their identities to be revealed… the fact that they have even donated must be kept strictly and completely confidential…"



"Shall I send my Terry out while we discuss this?" Damitri asked with a smirk.



"No, no… that won't be necessary… he will need to sign these documents as well…" she answered in a soft tone. "I know he is a squib, but it is necessary… the paperwork absolves the donor of the DNA of any responsibility for the child, and protects them against paternal suits…" she began.



"That is not a problem…" Damitri assured her, studying it a moment. He took the paper from her and studied it a long moment, reading through it. "Do you have a quill…?"



"Yes…" she produced a quill with distinct black and gold fletching. "Here you are, Mr. Zabini…" she said, passing it to him. He knew this quill was one commonly used to bind wizards to agreements and it was not an agreement that could be broken without the destruction of the document. The ink that was used was one's own blood. Damitri paused only a moment, then signed his name, passing it to Terry who signed as well in a slow, awkward hand.



She checked it, and then sighed, relaxing a bit. "Thank you… I'm sorry for the formality, Mr. Zabini, but it vitally is important to protect the identity of our donors. Now; we do have several pureblood families to choose from who will never show on our common list. Their donations are much too expensive to show to common wizards…" she produced a paper from an inner pocket that listed eight additional donors. The list bore no names, but it gave detailed descriptions of the donors such as height, weight, hair color, age, and paternal ancestry to reflect the purity of the bloodlines.



"May I keep this…? I would like to have some time to consider this with my husband…"



"I'm sorry, but this list must remain here. Of course, you may have as much time as you wish to make up your mind; we don't rush our customers…" she assured.



"I understand…" Damitri said. "Could I have some tea, perhaps…?" He asked.



"Of course; what type would you prefer? We have several teas from about the world, including Earl Gray, Darjeeling, Londonderry, White tea, even a Chinese Herbal…"



"Earl Gray will do quite well, thank you." He said before she could go on. She smiled and opened a cabinet, producing an English tea set, warming the water with magic and adding the tea before she turned, serving it to them on the little coffee table in front of the couch. "Here you are…" she smiled warmly. "I'll just go and let you discuss things…" she turned and headed for the door, taking the signed contracts with her.



"Just think, my love; soon you'll have a baby of your own to love… now sit and I'll tell you who we may choose from…"



Terry sat close beside him. "I don't care what choice we make, as long as the baby is ours; yours and mine…"



Damitri poured each of them a glass of tea, and then rested his arm about Terry. "This baby will be ours, love… I promise no one will have claims on it…"



Terry smiled happily, eyes sparkling. "I can't wait…"



Damitri kissed him, and then started to read off the list of names and lineage. Terry cuddled close, looking at the list only a moment. He preferred to cuddle close, listening to him. Damitri read through the paper twice before settling on one. "That one is all right, isn't it lover…?"



"I told you… as long as it's yours and its mine; I don't care… should I go get

that lady…?" Terry asked.



"Yes, love. Thank you. After we choose, we will set up the appointment…"



"It's really going to happen, Dimi…? I'm really going to get a baby…?" Terry asked, excited, bouncing to his feet.



"Yes, love." Damitri smiled. Terry kissed him, and then hurried out in search of Hermione. Before long, both of them returned to the room.



"You've made your choice…?" She asked as Terry returned to Damitri's side.



"Yes, we have. Number three." Damitri said, handing back the paper.



"Oh yes, very good… thank you." She smiled, looking even more relaxed than before. "When do you wish to begin…?"



"Next Wednesday would be a good day to begin… it's my Terry's birthday. It could be my birthday present to him…"



Terry smiled shyly, taking Damitri's hand.



"Excellent; I'll take care of everything required personally for you. Shall we say, nine...?"



"Nine it is." Damitri agreed, rising. "Good day to you, Ms. Weasley."



"And to you…" she shook his hand with a genuine smile.



"Come, my love… how about supper at LaShays…?"



"…and dancing…?" Terry asked.



"Of course..." He chuckled, while at the same time thinking about everything he would need to share with Harry. He already knew how he was going to get around the binding against speaking of the donors…