Mismatch

See Part I for Summary and Disclaimers

Three Days Later ~

Draco shifted again in the hard chair, propping his books carefully in front of his parchment. This was to be the first ‘tutoring’ session between himself and the Weasel. Draco had sent one of the house elves with a message asking Ron to meet him after dinner in the library.

Draco rubbis fis face tiredly with his hands. He’d just composed and sent off his request to his mother for funds. Narcissa had her own account at Gringotts, separate from the Malfoy household account, which held her inheritance fror grr grandmother. Draco had high hopes that he’d be able to inveigle enough galleons from his mother so that he and his baby wouldn’t be left to the tender mercies of the Weasley family.

Draco had painstakingly composed a letter that shamelessly used Narcissa’s well known vanity and love of secrets to help push her towards donating the ‘funds’ necessary to keep Draco’s head above water during and immediately following the pregnancy. Of course, she was hardly aware that the request for funds would indeed be the foundation of Draco’s ‘baby fund’.

In the letter, he informed his mother that he was interested in investing in a ‘business’ venture but, alas, Lucius was unable to see the ‘opportunities’ that this kind of chance presented. He slathered on the compliments about his mother’s native intuition and her open mind, all of which, of course, was a crock. Narcissa had no head for business at all, but she did have a deep need for ego stroking that Draco skillfully provided whenever he needed to get something from his mother.

Lucius, no fool, would have been difficult if not impossible to elicit the funds from---he would have demanded to know what was going on and wouldn’t have stopped pressing until he found out. Draco’s mother was almost childlike in her trust of her son and was easily duped. Still, Draco was uneasy about the whole situation; if his mother, just once, discussed this with Lucius, his quest for financial independence would well and truly be shattered.

Still, it was his best chance---otherwise, he might indeed find himself and his baby at the tender mercies of the Weasley clan. He shuddered hard. He had no intention of letting his baby be corrupted by that clan of muggle lovers. The Weasel, well,he was an exception, he was the baby’s father and Draco acknowledged the babies need for both its parents. Besides, if Draco didn’t let Ron live with them, he’d never hear the end of it.

Draco, who’d been staring off into the corner, heard the scraping of a chair.

“Sorry it took so long, I was talking to Harry and Hermione. It’s the first time I’ve had a chance to see them both in a week,” said Ron, throwing his books on to the taand and settling into the seat opposite Draco.

“Keep your voice down for a minute,” Draco said and then took out his wand and performed a quick silencing charm.

“There we are, now tell me what happened with Dumbledore,” Draco said.

Ron turned and ran his hand through his increasingly longer hair. He hadn’t cut it in weeks.

“He was good about the whole thing. He’ll hold a special staff meeting to go over your…requirements as a pregnant student. You’ll have to turn in your official notice to Hooch soon, though; you can’t be flying while pregnant,” said Ron.

Draco felt a pang. He really enjoyed playing Quidditch and was quite good at it actually. Despite the gossip that his father had ‘bought’ his way on to the team, Draco was the best seeker that Slytherin had ever produced. Unfortunately, Gryffindor currently fielded the best seeker in the history of Hogwarts, so Draco seldom got the attention due him.

“I’m not sure what to tell the team,” Draco said with a grimace. “They won’t believe I quit just to catch up with my studies. I’ve got the second best grades among the seventh years.”

Ron looked at Malfoy with some surprise. He’d known Draco was quite good in Potions but he hadn’t realized that he was in the top level of the other classes as well. Though, come to think of it, Hermione had mentioned several times over the last few years that Draco was her only real competition academically.

“How about a medical condition, then? Something not permanent, but that affects your balance?” said Ron.

Draco’s eyes narrowed.

“That’s…not bad, weasel,” said Draco. ‘Yes, even my father might believe that if Dumbledore told him’ thought Draco.

“Snape could even back him up, and tell everyone that it will take months of a certain potion to counteract the balance problems,” said Ron with a snicker.

Draco felt a huge weight leave his shoulders. Lucius Malfoy was interested in many things, but he was no expert in the area of potions and medical conditions. That was one problem resolved. Neither his father nor his team-mates could assign him culpability for a lingering medical condition.

“Good idea, Weasley,” Draco said grudgingly.

“It’s Ron,” he said.

“What?” Draco said bemused.

“It’s about time you started calling me Ron, we are having a baby together,” said Ron dryly.

Draco’s head snapped back like a snake about to strike.

Ron bit his fingernails and then continued.

“Think of how confusing it will be for the baby,” Ron said.

Draco was irritated and wanted to say no, but couldn’t think of a way that wouldn’t seem, well…childish.

“All right, Ron it is, but only when we’re alone,” said Draco sharply.

“Fine, Draco,” he said equably.

Draco frowned fiercely but Ron merely grinned.

They were quiet for a few minutes, watching students passing by their table gazing curiously at the odd couple. Once things had settled down again, Ron spoke.

“The Headmaster says we should find a specialist in male pregnancies at St. Mungo’s,” Ron said with a bewildered expression. “I guess Pomfrey is fine for the day to day stuff, like diet and exercise, but the Professor said male pregnancies are a rarity and need to be monitored closely,” said Ron, eyeing Draco’s still slim waistline.

Draco squirmed a little angrily in his seat. Why couldn’t Weasley keep his eyes to himself?

“Imagine that,” Draco said sarcastically.

“I want to go with you,” Ron said.

“Whatever for?” Draco snapped back.

“Because I’m the father and I han inn interest, alright?” Ron snapped back in a peevish fashion.

“As if I could forget,” muttered Draco.

Two Weeks Later ~

St. Mungo’s was bustling with activity when Ron and Draco portkeyed there on a Friday afternoon. Draco, unexpectedly nervous, said little but seemed to cling to Ron’s shadow as thede tde their way to the mediwizards’s offices on the east side of the hospital.

“Here it is, Dr. Morgause, our ob-gyn” said Ron as he pushed the door open.

‘Our?’ Draco thought crankily.

They were greeted by a sight of several very pregnant witches seated around the waiting room as well as their progeny currently colouring and playing with the toys left for the children to occupy themselves in the centre of the office.

Old witch weekly’s and Daily Prophet’s lay around on the tables, as well as copies of “Working Witch”, “Magical Babies”, “Wizard and Witch Parent” magazines.

The pregnant witches smiled kindly at the two young men but Ron, sensing Draco’s unease, carefully guided him to a quieter corner.

Draco shivered. His hands were clammy and he needed to pee again. He wasn’t sure how long they’d have to wait.

“I need to pee,” he hissed to Ron.

Ron shifted in his seat and looked at Draco incredulously.

“But you just went before we left,” said Ron in a louder than expected voice.

‘I’ll kill him,’ Draco thought, going a deep shade of red.

A heavily pregnant witch seated near them reached over and patted Draco’s hand.

Draco almost snatched his hand away, but restrained himself.

“There, dearie. They never understand, do they?” she said, cocking her head in Ron’s direction.

“No, they don’t,” said Draco, glaring at the clearly bemused father to be.

The young woman with short, dark hair smiled gently at Draco.

“Your first?” she said with a smile.

Draco reluctantly nodded.

“Do you know the sex of the baby? Or are you waiting to be surprised?” she said, her eyes crinkling with unspoken laughter.

“It’s a girl,” said Draco with the beginnings of a smile.

Ron watched as the young mother drew Draco out and they were soon chatting away like old friends. He wondered what the trick was to breaking through those layers of frost on his…boyfriend? Ron wasn’t even sure what his status was in relation to Draco.

“Mr. Malfoy?” called the nurse.

Draco jumped up.

“Good luck,” the young mother said warmly to Draco.

“Thanks, you too,” said Draco, indicating her very advanced pregnancy.

“Soon, thank Merlin,” the young woman said and smiled.

Ron, acting impulsively, grabbed Draco’s hand. Draco startled for a moment but let Ron continue to hold it as they followed the nurse into the first exam room. Draco sred red again. He needed to pee and this room was cold.

“And you are?” said the nurse to Ron.

“I’m the father,” Ron said. He wasn’t leaving Draco for a second if he could help it.

The nurse looked at Draco in inquiry.

“Yes, yes, he’s going to stay,” stuttered Draco, a little put off by the exam table with stirrups.

“Please have a seat,” and while Ron stood the nurse and Draco went over his medical history. Before she left them waiting for their physician she drew blood and sent Draco off to get a urine sample.

“When you come back, please take off all your clothes and put this on,” she said pointing to a paper hospital Johnny.

Draco tensed.

“I’ll help him,” Ron said before Draco could object.

Draco walked off morosely to the bathroom with a small cup in his hand. He had a feeling that this was only the first in a long line of humiliations.

Two hours later ~

Draco still felt shaky and tense. He’d never had anyone examine him so ‘intimately’ before. He’d actually been grateful for Weasley’s support, although he’d never admit it to him.

“You look a mite pale, Draco,” said Ron gently. “Let’s stop by the cafeteria and pick you up some tea and a little something to eat.”

The minute Ron mentioned food Draco’s stomach came to life. An embarrassing gurgling sound seemed to come forth in answer to Ron’s suggestion.

Ron laughed. Draco glared but allowed himself to be led into the cafeteria. They soon f a t a table and Draco sat while Ron wandered picking up a light meal and tea for them both.

Draco’s head swivelled around and watched as Ron approached the cashier using his wand to carry along the two meals on trays. The pretty blond cashier smiled and eased her chair forward, leaning towards Ron while ringing him up. Ron smiled and the blond witch reached out and touched his arm while speaking animatedly to him.

‘The bloody nerve---she’s chatting him up,’ thought Draco. Without thinking, Draco arose from the table and stalked over to the cashiers where Ron was still speaking with the flirtatious witch.

Ron smiled at Draco as he came up.

“Hey, Draco, this is Candida. She’s a recent graduate of Hogwarts, a classmate of Percy’s, can you believe the luck, running into her here?” said Ron, oblivious to Draco’s bad temper.

“Will wonders never cease?” Draco said sharply, giving the young witch a cold look.

The pretty witch flushed and started to say something but Draco interrupted.

“Come along, Ron, the baby needs its lunch,” said Draco in a purring voice, patting his flat belly.

Ron was thunderstruck.

The young witch frowned. She’d received the warning loud and clear from the sulky blond beauty. The handsome young redhead was his property and he would stand for no pouching.

“Well, good luck with the baby then,” she said weakly.

“Keep the change,” said Draco as he drew out a galleon and dropped it in front of the cashier.

Ron followed Draco back to the table completely baffled. Why on earth would Draco just casually announce his pregnancy like that?

As they sat down in the chairs and started in on their sandwiches and tea, Ron finally gathered his wits.

“And what was all that about?” he asked with a nod in the direction of the cashier.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Weasley,” Draco said and Ron could feel the frost dripping off of each word.

“Don’t give me that codswallop, Draco, and my name is Ron so use it,” Ron said irritably. He wasn’t about to be put off of an answer.

Draco remained silent and continued to eat his sandwich but his normal pale colouring was tinged with a blush on both his cheeks.

“Eat your lunch, that’s what we’re here for,” Draco said shortly.

Ron just shook his head. It must be the hormones.

Draco mentally railed at himself. What on earth was he doing? It just wasn’t like him to throw a wobbly like that---it was so…well…Gryffindor. He’d have to watch himself from now on…

Ron finished up his sandwich and drank down the last of his tea while studying Draco. He really wasn’t half bad and, if he was honest with himself, he’d even have to say ‘hot’.

Ron’s mind suddenly flashed back to the day of the potions accident. He remembered in clear detail what Draco had looked like---lips bruised and swollen from kissing, writhing and howling under him like a kneazle in heat as Ron had pounded into him. Ron gasped as his cock hardened immediately at the memory.

Draco heard the soft gasp and glanced up. Ron was blushing and squirming around in his seat.

Draco fidgeted as well and then cleared his throat.

“It’s time we got back to Hogwarts…Ron,” said Draco.

tbc