Could You Love Me?

Author: TheSiner
Title: Could you love me?
Genre: Angst, Romance, Drama and some attempted humour :)
Pairings: Harry/Lucius; Draco/?; Severus/?(mentioned)
Word Count: ~ 140,000
Summary: HP/LM, slash, mpreg. Lucius forces Harry to marry him. Things get bad and then they get better. This is a story about two different people from different worlds trying to make it work. Complete.
Rating: For some sex, but there’s not that much of it.
Disclaimer: These characters are not my own and belong to J.K. Rowling and affiliates. I am not making any money.
Warnings: slash, mpreg - a boy having a baby, OOC (kind of), non-canon, not betaedited, dubious consent, A/U – it is the same old Wizarding world though. And there is angst and emotional suffering.
Setting:– after Harry’s fifth year. Lucius doesn’t get caught at the Ministry.
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THE SIXTH PART – HOLIDAY SEASON

28. The Ball


Harry hurried back to the Gryffindor, his mind still reeling with everything that had just happened. Draco Malfoy had suddenly decided that he wanted to play nice with him, apologized to him and asked if Harry would go to the Yule Ball with him.

It was simply a bit much to take in. Draco Malfoy trying to make amends. He had been surprised, but also kind of relieved that Malfoy had decided to burry the hatchet and that obviously Draco was not going to hate the baby. He wanted the little one to have a family that didn’t hate each other. Besides, Harry was very tired of Draco’s abuse and was ready to go as far as necessarily to get him off his back.

The Fat Lady winked at him as Harry told her the password. It was weird, but lately she seemed to be taking a particular liking to him. He didn’t question it. When so much weirdness going on in his life, little things like unusually friendly portraits did not faze the boy anymore.

He spotter Ron and Hermione sitting in the front of the fireplace engaged in a game of chess. Hermione’s cheeks looked a bit flushed and Harry thought that one could not be sure if it was because of the fire or if there was some other reason. He personally thought that it was the second. They have danced around each other for too long already only didn’t seem to manage to take the final step and admit that they had feelings for each other.

Harry almost didn’t want to interrupt them both. But then Hermione looked up and noticed Harry standing by the entrance and waved him over.

“Harry, are you alright?” The bushy-haired girl grabbed his arm as soon as Harry had sat down on the rug between them. “He didn’t hex you, did he? What did he say?”

“I will wring his neck, if he…”

“Shh, Ron! Don’t worry Hermione, I am perfectly alright. Actually it went quite well,” then he looked around. Some fellow Gryffindors were already giving them curious looks, trying to pretend that they were not eavesdropping. “Not here, alright?”

Hermione looked around and then nodded and gathered the chess set. Then Ron and Hermione followed Harry to his room.

“It was weird, kind of, but went well anyway,” then Harry told them everything that had happened, that Draco had apologized and proposed that they should go to the ball together.

The boy almost started laughing, watching their faces as they tried to take everything in.

“I can’t believe it,” Ron breathed out.

Hermione appeared to be deep in thought.

“I guess he is really happy for the baby,” Harry tried to explain.

Ron nodded: “Well, obviously. Look, blood is thicker than water they say and new blood washes away the old bad blood – they say that one too.”

Harry looked a bit confused.

“It’s simple,” of course it was for Hermione. “Pure blood families used to solve family feuds by marriage between quarrelling parts and to have a new life, a child between both families, with new blood coming from both of them solves the conflict, because none of them can hate it.”

Harry made a wry face; he was not sure if he liked that kind of tactics.

“But now I have to go to the ball with Malfoy,”

Ron explained this one.

“Well, Malfoys are kind of old fashioned pure bloods, who follow some traditions which are centuries old. It is common that a pregnant spouse is like a responsibility of the whole family. Everyone is looking after the mother and child.
Besides, if something happens to the husband then someone of the family takes their place, like brother or even son. Marries the woman, you know. It has happened even in my family.
It is the same thing about the Yule Ball. Malfoy, I mean, Lucius can’t take you to the Yule Ball, so Draco offered to step in. It is more proper when another member of the family escorts you, than when you go with someone else, even a friend, or alone. Especially since you are pregnant and carrying around something as valuable as a Malfoy heir.”

“It sounds like I am their property or something,” Harry grumbled.

“I don’t know,” Ron shrugged. “Those pure blood traditionalists are strange. They still practice some of the old customs, others they don’t, and one can never be sure with them. The way your marriage was arranged certainly was their way. Blacks were worse than Malfoys, you know. But even my mother sometimes freaks me out when she suddenly does or says something strange.”

“I don’t think it’s just that,” Hermione put her palm on Harry’s hand in a comforting gesture. “You know that Malfoys usually don’t have many children. I can bet that Draco is truly very happy about your baby, Harry. Besides I was also the only child, I also wanted to have another sibling. I don’t believe that I am saying something like that, but - I can understand Draco very well.”

“If you want more brothers, Hermione, you can borrow some of mine,” Ron offered. “The twins, maybe?”

Harry giggled and Hermione joined him: “Sorry, Ron. I am not that desperate!”

“Hey, guys,” Harry spoke up after they finished laughing. “I just thought about one thing. About the Black line, Sirius is, is… I mean since Sirius is not anymore,” it was still hard to talk about that. “Does it mean that the Black line ends?”

“Not really, Harry,” Hermione answered. “I did a lot of studying when we were trying to do something about your situation. It is quite simple – you as Sirius’s heir inherited not only his money and properties, but also his name and the right to pass it to your chosen heir and you are the one who will pick the next Head of the House of Black. Of course everyone who has been born with the Black name has right to use it, but if a person marries someone and takes their name, he or she can’t keep it and pass it to anyone. Like Narcissa Black couldn’t give it to Draco.”

Harry still found everything very un-simple: “But my…err, baby will be Potter Black Malfoy?”

“Yes,” the girl nodded vigorously. “That is what I was trying to tell you. Were you listening or not? He or she will become Sirius’ heir through you.”

Harry was contemplatively worrying his lower lip.

“Harry?” Hermione prodded.

The boy sighed: “I am wondering what he would have said about it. My baby… well, he or she will be a Malfoy as well.”

“Sirius would have understood that it is not the child’s fault and would have loved him or her very much, because he loved you very much,”

“Oh, I guess he would have,”

Then Ron cleared his throat. He was not feeling very comfortable with where the conversation was heading. All that talk about Sirius and babies. But then, the redhead was sure that Harry was not going to be happy to hear what he had to say.

“Harry, mate,” Ron started. “Promise not to get too angry or upset, alright?”

“Why?” The dark-haired boy eyed his friend suspiciously.

“Because I don’t want you to kill the messenger,”

Harry sighed: “Ok, I can’t promise that I will, but I will try not to get angry with you. Shoot.”

“I guess that’s the best I can get, right, mate? Well, I got a letter from Mum, she says that you didn’t answer her last owl,”

Harry’s cheeks reddened, well, that was true. He hadn’t even read any of the owls from Molly or Remus, not to mention replying. And Ron new that very well.

“She wants you to spend the holidays in the Burrow,”

Harry’s lips tightened into thin lines, he took a deep breath… that didn’t calm him down at all: “It is nonsense, Ron. Nonsense! I am married, I have a husband and I am pregnant with my husband’s child. And they want me to go to the Burrow for Christmas!” The boy’s voice rose with every word and he was close to shouting as he finished the sentence.

“I know, Harry, but…”

“No, buts, Ron, I am so tired of this all, you can’t even imagine,” he was close to tears. “Why is this happening to me? People never help me when I need it, but they are quick to ruin everything for me…”

“I am sorry, Harry,” Ron really looked sad. “It’s always so hard for you.”

“Not your fault, really,”

“I still feel sorry for you,”

“Thanks, Ron, but I think I will stay in Hogwarts instead, I don’t even know why I thought I could go to the Manor for Christmas.”

“No, Harry!” Hermione protested. “You can’t stay here alone. Almost everyone is leaving. I have already promised to go skiing with my parents.”

“It’s true Harry, I feel bad that you can’t do what you want, but it won’t be so bad, you know, I will be there, the twins are coming and Bill with his French fiancé and even Charlie will be there, it is going to be loads of fun,” the redhead tried to convince the other boy. “And maybe you could talk to Mum and Dad and Remus and improve things somehow, maybe even convince them to leave you alone. Don’t you think?”

Harry looked at his friends thinking about everything, and then he groaned and nodded.

***

Harry was wearing the loosest ones of his dress robes. Now he had several, thanks to Lucius who had bought them for him like most of the clothes the boy had. Harry would have to tell his husband to stop sending him things, because it was getting very hard to close his trunk.

He was thankful to the Wizarding world for the dress robes, they were loose enough and it was still not too obvious that Harry’s stomach was protruding. The school uniform was also perfect for covering his little secret. But how long would it stay ‘little’? ‘The secret’ was getting bigger and bigger every day. Heavier also. The boy started to feel a strain on his back.

“Very pretty, sweetheart,” the mirror complimented. Harry made a wry face. He didn’t like to be called ‘pretty’ more than any other guy. And ‘sweetheart’? Maybe he could call a house elf and ask him to take the damn thing to one of the girls’ bathrooms and bring him another? Probably won’t do any good, because Harry hadn’t met a magical mirror who knew how to hold its tongue in Hogwarts yet.

“Stop grimacing, honey, it will give you wrinkles!” The mirror chided.

“Shut up,” the boy snapped and picked up a comb to brush his hair once more. Not that there was anything wrong with it. Actually, since the boy had grown it a bit longer, Harry’s hair had become very manageable and didn’t cause him as much trouble anymore. Right now, he was simply nervous and wanted to busy himself with something.

Harry had written Lucius and asked if it was fine, that he went to the Yule Ball with Draco. It was very strange after all and he wanted to make sure, that his husband didn’t mind.

It was also strange for Harry to realise that it was very important for him not to offend Lucius Malfoy by doing something that was not proper.

Surprisingly or maybe, not, Lucius had been pleased that his husband and son were putting behind animosity and acting as a proper family should. He was proud that Draco was doing his duty. Lucius had also half-jokingly noted that maybe there was still some hope for his son. Harry had rolled his eyes. It was too much like a lecture about the family pride.

But then there had been the other thing. Christmas. Harry had been forced to tell his husband that he would not be able to spend the holiday at the Manor. Lucius had expected something like that, but still, from the tone of his letter, Harry could tell, that the man was angry. Lucius had hinted that if the boy only agreed, he would instantly take care that the Weasleys had other, more serious, problems than Harry and let them alone.

That the boy couldn’t allow. He had been angry, very angry, that was true. However, he didn’t want to hurt Ron and Ginny and the Twins and… none of them actually. He had made it clear, that he would be very upset if something happened to the Weasleys or Remus. Harry hoped that maybe there was a chance that something could change for the better and that maybe they wouldn’t go along with the threats they made and wouldn’t bring Lucius to Wizengamot for neglect or whatever allegations it was possible to make.

Well, but at the moment he had a ball to attend and a Malfoy to try not to kill. Maybe agreeing to go with the prat was a mistake. They disliked each other greatly, didn’t they? Could they get along for one night? Harry could imagine how ‘proud’ Lucius would be if they both were caught fighting instead of dancing.

“Here goes nothing,” the boy said and stepped out of the bathroom where Ron was already waiting for him.

“Finally! Let’s go Harry,” the redhead urged fidgeting impatiently. Of course, he was finally taking the witch of his dreams to the ball. Ye, finally, it was.

In the common room, Hermione was already waiting for them.

Harry decided that she looked really nice. The witch was wearing a dark green gown, which complimented her brown hair and eyes nicely and didn’t clash with Ron’s hair. A smart girl. She had pulled her hair up into a fancy twist that made her look different and showed off her long, beautiful neck.

Ron was obviously a bit speechless, he murmured something and simply took Hermione under his arm and they stepped out of the portrait. The Fat Lady warned them to be careful, because there was a suspicious boy hanging about.

The boy was no one else, but Draco Malfoy.

“Finally, Potter,” Draco huffed. “You take longer than any girl. And your hair doesn’t look much better than usually. You are not even a very good girl.”

“There you are wrong, Malfoy,” Hermione smiled. “They are boys and typical Gryffindors. They both got ready in ten minutes, including the shower, because that was how long they had after they were playing exploding snap till there was almost no time left.”

Harry stuck out his tongue at the snobbish blonde. He was no girl.

“Your hair on the other hand look awfully nice,” Ron quipped and Harry snickered. Even Hermione’s lips twitched.

Malfoy rolled his eyes: “Let’s go, Potter.”

“Won’t you take my hand?” Harry challenged the blonde Slytherin.

“Dream on,” Draco replied. “And before you get your hopes up, I am not going to snog you either. I am not looking forward to being disowned.”

Harry’s cheeks reddened and it was Draco’s turn to smirk.

***

When the both couples entered the Great Hall, it was as if they had walked into the spotlight. The students suddenly got very quiet. People were too busy staring to talk. Very few were amused, like Seamus, Dean and Neville who already knew that Harry and Malfoy were coming to the Ball together and knew the story behind it.

Many students were truly surprised, mostly the muggleborns who had no idea why would Harry Potter go to the ball with the Slytherin who was well known as his fiercest rival.

The most accepting were the Slytherins; they glanced at both boys with curiosity, but soon lost interest and returned to their own business.

Hermione winked at Harry and pulled her date straight to the dance floor. The dark-haired boy looked after the pair with something akin to compassion. He didn’t like dancing, probably because he didn’t know how and the first dancing experience he had had during the Triwizard Tournament had been disastrous.

“Hey, Malfoy,” Harry teased trying to shrug off the unease he was feeling since everyone’s eyes were on him and his partner. “Didn’t you have anyone to ask to the Ball if you are taking me?”

“Don’t be naïve, of course I do,” Draco was looking around lazily with a trademark smirk plastered all over his face, challenging everyone who was staring at him. “Actually the fact that I have you to escort is making life easier for me since I don’t date, I shag,” he paused as if to make sure that Harry understood what he was saying.

“However, I am not going to take to the Ball anyone whom I fuck, because some people are so… naïve and clingy, I guess. Be nice to them and they will start imagine that we are in relationship or even worse,” the blonde sneered, his distaste obvious.

“Besides this makes my father happy. I have to do something nice for him once in a while, and then I can go back to being my usual self until I start sensing that his patience is wearing thin again.”

“Thank you for a free course in the wretched Malfoy morals,” Harry tried to ‘do Hermione’ and look adequately reproachful, because the way Draco treated people was obviously not nice. Still his lips quirked a bit since the part about pleasing Lucius was quite amusing.

“Whatever. So, Potter, care for a dance?” The blonde Slytherin proposed with a gallant bow.

“Oh, no, Malfoy,” Harry protested. “I don’t dance.”

“Well, you will have to,” Draco stated as if there could be no discussions.

“Malfoy, I have no idea how to,” Harry admitted. “I just can’t dance. Honestly.”

“Merlin,” the blonde groaned. “You are useless.”

“Hey!”

“We are going to dance, don’t worry, you will not have to do anything, just follow my lead,” with that Draco unceremoniously dragged the Gryffindor on the dance floor. And the Slytherin had been right, it was working, because he was doing the one who was actually dancing. Draco was twisting and turning the smaller wizard as he wished. Harry felt like a rag doll in Malfoy’s arms.

After a couple of dances, Draco stopped and dragged Harry off the dance floor: “Alright, that is enough for now. Come, you shouldn’t overtax yourself, Potter.”

“Malfoy! I am not sick!” He hissed indignantly.

Draco easily ignored his ‘date’: “Stay here, I will get us something to drink. You must be thirsty. Are you hungry? Need a snack? Anything at all?”

“No! Take your time, I will enjoy every minute while you are gone,” Harry called after the Slytherin who had suddenly decided to mother him.

“Mr. Potter,” someone put a hand on Harry’s shoulder and the boy spun around.

“Aha, Professor Rasputin, you startled me!” The younger wizard grinned at the man he had started to like after they had spent some time together.

“I’m sorry then, it was not my intention,” Rasputin also looked very nice in his dress robes. “I see young Mr. Malfoy is escorting you tonight.”

“Yeah,” Harry smirked. “More like torturing me. Sometimes he is such a…” the boy clasped a hand over his mouth. He had almost sworn in presence of one of his professors.

Rasputin looked more amused than anything: “I understand, Harry. Of course, the old pure blood families like Malfoys are following traditions, looking after their own.”

“Yeah,” Harry smiled. “But that is something every family would do.”

“Of course,” the man smiled. “But young Mr. Malfoy appears to be slightly possessive of you.”

“Don’t tell me,” Harry snorted. “I am not sure what bit him.”

“Is his father the same? It can be very hard if one’s partner is too controlling,” the man frowned.

“Oh, no, Lucius is nothing like Draco,” Harry was sure about it. Or was he? How well did he really know his husband?

“I hope you know him well, Harry, I wouldn’t want to see you getting hurt…” Rasputin shook his head sadly.

“Professor, Rasputin,” Draco suddenly appeared by Harry’s side. “Enjoying the party?” It was amazing how the blonde could sound polite and hostile at the same time.

“Yes, Mr. Malfoy,” Rasputin however pretended that he hadn’t noticed the icy glare that was sent his way.

“I am happy for you,” Draco interrupted whatever else the man was going to say. “If you will excuse us now…” the taller boy grabbed Harry by his arm ready to lead him away.

“We were talking Malfoy,” Harry protested wondering what got into his ‘partner’. Draco was being very rude.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy is just looking after his family’s property here,” Rasputin’s tone was quiet and polite as ever when he was looking intently in the younger wizard’s eyes.

“Yes, I am,” Draco’s gaze was as intense as Rasputin’s.

“I am not a property, Malfoy!” Harry exclaimed indignantly.

“Yes, you are, Potter, come here!” Draco grabbed the boy by his elbow and pulled to the other side of the room and out of the Great Hall.

The Gryffindor gritted his teeth. He was furious, but didn’t want to cause a scene. At least until they were in the corridor.

“Who do you think you are!” Harry shouted when he and Draco were alone.

“I am your family Potter! I am doing what any family does – looking out for you,” the blonde crossed his arms over his chest and looked down at Harry in a manner that eerily reminded the other boy of Snape. The only thing Draco was missing, was the nose.

“But I am not your family’s property! You can’t just come and interrupt me when I am talking to one of our professors. It was rude!”

“It was not me, who was rude. Rude is the way he is looking at you,” Draco spat.

“What do you mean?”

“You are a dolt, Potter if you haven’t noticed that he looks at you as if he wanted to fuck you!”

Harry simply stared.

“Alright, maybe not to fuck you,” he conceded. “But like he would want to pick you up on his strong arms, put you on his white unicorn and then you would both ride off in sunset or something. It’s the same for me.”

Harry blinked: “You are delusional.”

The blonde snorted: “You are just clueless Potter. Believe me, there are some things I know for sure. Have you noticed how he is always leering at you and touching you during the class? It is not as unintentional as it appears!”

“He is our professor! He’s just very friendly. He would never…” Harry looked horrified.

“How can you be so naïve!” The blonde groaned.

Draco didn’t notice Harry’s face reddening until the boy exploded: “Of course I am naïve and stupid! Everyone treats me like some idiot! People keep telling me who I can see and who I can’t. I am sick and tired of it!”

A couple of portraits that were hanging nearby flinched and covered their ears.

“You have no right to patrnise me!” Harry went on. “You have no right to tell me who I should be friendly with and who I shouldn’t! We are not even friends!”

“Alright! Alright!” Draco threw up his hands in surrender. “Excuse me for caring and trying to protect you! But you should know one thing - I know people like Rasputin. The ones who pretend to be friendly and nice and who are all smiles and bunnies until they spike your tea with some unknown potion. Who knows what he could do to you? Do you truly know what his intentions are?” Draco’s tone had become apologetic and almost pleading by the end of his speech.

Then there was silence for some time. Draco was trying to calm down and Harry was thinking about everything. He really thought that Malfoy was suffering from paranoia. Not everyone, who had a pleasant personality, had some ulterior motives.

However, Harry was the first who broke the silence a couple of minutes later.
“Err, Malfoy?”

“What?”

“Was it some weird, very rude way to say that you care?” The boy finally asked.

Draco snorted: “It is not you who I care for. I care about my father and my… well you know.” The blonde glanced at Harry’s stomach. It was obvious that he was trying not to smile.

“And here I was trying to see something good in you! You are right, I am naïve and stupid,” Harry turned around to leave dramatically.

“Potter, wait!” Draco shouted worried that the other boy hadn’t understood the joke. “Whatever my reasons are I am worried. I was not very tactful I guess…”

“You are as tactful as an ogre, Malfoy,” Harry turned back grinning.

“And you are as moody as a hippogriff,” Draco countered.

“I have an excuse,” Harry stuck out his tongue.

“I guess you do,” Draco admitted smiling. Harry decided that the blonde looked much better, when he was smiling.

“Let’s return to the party, Malfoy. I forgive you for being such a jerk,” Harry’s grin widened.

“Oh, I am so grateful,” Draco bowed courteously.

“No, you are not; you are just trying to play nice,”

“Oh, shut up and let’s go and try to enjoy ourselves or at least we could make fun of everyone else.”

The rest of the evening was not so bad. Probably because both wizards had shouted enough for one night and there was less tension between them. Draco didn’t mention the DADA professor and Harry didn’t try to tell the blonde what he thought about the his paranoia. Harry decided to accept Malfoy as he was for now; it was obvious that even the Slytherin had something good in him.

They tried to stay on ‘safe’ topics – mostly the other students. Sometimes Harry couldn’t decide if he should be amused or scandalized since Malfoy’s comments were not very complimentary. But very funny. Evil, cynical, yes, but funny nonetheless.

But everything went smoothly since there was something like a silent agreement between both boys – not start another fight.

In the end Draco proposed to walk his father’s husband back to his tower.

Naturally, Harry declined.

Of course Draco walked him anyway.

29. Going with Weasleys

A couple of days later Ron was helping Harry with his trunk. Harry didn’t protest at all. It would be of no use. He didn’t like it, but was getting used to allowing people to take care of him. it didn’t feel right, because Harry had never had anyone to do things for him, even as a small child he had learned to manage on his own, besides, the boy was worried that someone might start to wonder, why was Ron carrying around his bag or why he did some Professors gave him different practical exercises in some classes.

He had a feeling that any day from now his secret would get out and… Harry wondered if maybe he should tell everyone himself, but he didn’t really want to. He was famous enough already.

These were going to be his first Christmas spent outside Hogwarts. Voldemort was gone, there was no need to hide. Harry smiled sadly. He had always wanted to spend Christmas at the Burrow with Ron and Weasleys; he had imagined how great it would be… But now? Now he didn’t want to go.

“Don’t look so sour, mate,” Ron playfully ruffled his best friend’s hair. “It’s Christmas.”

“Not yet,” Harry mumbled ducking his best friend’s hand.

“Spoilsport.”

“You know, that you love me anyway,”

“Hey,” Neville leaned out of the train window. “I fond us a compartment. Hurry up guys!”

Harry let out a deep sigh and boarded the Hogwarts Express.

***

When the Hogwarts’ Express arrived at the King’s Cross, Mrs. Ad Mr. Weasley both were already waiting for their children. And Harry.

“Sweet Merlin, Ronald! You have grown again, haven’t you?” Mrs. Weasley admonished.

Ron grumbled something about it not being his fault.

Mrs. Weasley hugged Ron and Ginny first, then twins who were trying to evade her arms and ample bosom. It didn’t work, of course. Harry was also trying to hide behind Ron, Hermione and Ginny and that didn’t work either.

“Harry, my dear!” Molly exclaimed hugging him closely. Once Harry had liked her hugs. Now they were confusing – he loved the Weasleys, but at the same time was awfully angry with the older ones. Harry simply didn’t know what he should say or do.

“Mr. Potter-Malfoy! Mr. Potter!” The boy was jostled out of his thoughts by a shrill voice. Harry spun around and found himself face to face with one of his last favourite witches. Rita Skeeter.

“You look well Mr. Potter-Malfoy,” the woman beamed. “How is the school? Don’t you miss your husband? How is your marriage coming along?” She was not wasting any time.

“You don’t have to talk to her Harry, come,” Ron tried to guide the smaller wizard to the exit.

“Wait a minute Mr. Potter, our readers has a right to know!” The woman grabbed Harry by the sleeve of his robe. “Where is Mr. Malfoy? Is he coming to meet you? Would you mind to pose for a picture? Both of you? A nice family portrait?”

Harry was about to say something rude, something he would certainly regret later when someone stepped in front of him, standing between the boy and the obnoxious woman.

“I thought, that I already informed you once, that Mr. Potter-Black-Malfoy would not giving any interviews, especially in the middle of the train station,” Lucius Malfoy drawled. His voice was low, cultured and it left no doubt that the aristocratic blonde was to be taken seriously.

Harry couldn’t help himself – shivers went down his spine and goose-bumps rose as he heard the voice he had learnt to know so well. However this was different Lucius Malfoy – this was the side Harry never saw when they were alone. And there was something exciting about it.

“Mr. Potter-Black-Malfoy,” Lucius went on. “Is going to stay with his friends for a while. I couldn’t deny him that.”

Harry thought that when the man spoke no one could possibly doubt him. His husband was the strongest and the most authoritative person he had ever known.

Skeeter stepped back scowling, but not daring to say anything. Lucius shifted impatiently. She turned around and marched away with her nose turned up.

Then Lucius turned around and looked down at Harry. It was impossible to tell; probably Harry was the only one who noticed, because he was looking directly into the man’s eyes, but Lucius’s eyes had turned much softer and kinder as he looked at the boy.

The older wizard lifted his hand and cupped one side of boy’s face gently: “I am glad to see that you are well.”

Green eyes met grey, the crowded platform around them ceased to exist, Lucius looked as if he was going to kiss his young husband who simply couldn’t wait for that to happen.

“Harry, the Ministry car is waiting,”

Never, ever before Harry had hated Mrs. Weasley so much.

Lucius took away his hand and stepped back: “You must go. I hope to see you soon.”

The man’s expression was unreadable, a void of emotions.

Harry was quite sure that on the contrary it would take only one look at him to see what he was feeling. Regret. Pain. Disappointment. Anger. Longing.

“Harry, come,” Ron was pulling The-Boy-Who-Didn’t-Want-to-Go by the hem of his robe.

Harry looked back. He saw Lucius standing there with Draco. They made quite a sight, both blond, tall, immaculately dressed, arrogant and cold. Both were looking after him…

***

Nothing was the same. For the first time since he had known him, Harry was feeling uncomfortable with the Weasleys. The ride in the Ministry car, which Mr. Weasley had arranged, was a strained affair since only Ginny and the twins somewhat reluctantly joined the conversation, but Harry was just looking out of the window and Ron was openly scowling at his hands.

It was not as if Harry had nothing to say. There were many things he wanted to tell Molly Weasley. There were some things he would like to shout at them. That was exactly the problem. He was afraid that if he opened his mouth what came out of it would do no good to anyone.
It left them in an uncomfortable, pregnant silence. Silence that felt like it was about to erupt into loud, ugly words.

When they arrived at the Burrow it was decided that Harry was going to share the room with Ron. As usually. He didn’t mind. Only Ron insisted that this time he was going to take the cot and let Harry to use the bed.

Harry didn’t argue. He lied down on the bed and turned around facing the wall.

Ron sighed and decided to leave his friend alone for a while. He understood perfectly. His family tended to be overbearing and it didn’t really matter that they meant well.

***

Draco decided that he had still a lot to learn when he watched as his father skilfully got rid of Rita Skeeter after Potter had left with the Weasels.

He brushed the annoying reporter off with subtle threatening and benevolent arrogance. When Lucius Malfoy was like that, nobody could make out, what exactly he was thinking or going to do. It was utterly confusing. However, people agreed on one thing – that they started to feel extremely uneasy.
Obviously even Rita Skeeter got the message.

Draco was proud of his father. Lucius was very resourceful when he set his mind on something and very convincing.

There were no conversations until they both got in the car.

The Malfoys’ car looked like it had been made in fifties or sixties; it was a large, black and antique vehicle that reminded a Rolls Royce. Still, the car was of no certain brand since Lucius’ father Abraxas Malfoy had thought that owning a car of a particular muggle brand was just too muggle, but it had become too inconvenient to use a carriage. As a sensible pure-blood Abraxas had cared for International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy more than for the tradition and to stand out might be dangerous.

Therefore, he had commissioned a car to be specially made and spelled to operate even without a driver. It carried the Malfoy crest, all the parts that appeared to be silver were actually made of white gold. The seats were covered with dark green leather.

Lucius sat very still. He was sitting there and looking out of the window. Draco personally thought that his father was very much pissed off, but didn’t want to express it in some kind of undignified way.

“Can I ask a question, father?” The younger Malfoy was the first who broke the silence.

“Go ahead,”

“Why aren’t you doing something to keep the Weasels in line?”

“If you know a way to do something about them without my husband finding out you are welcome to share your ideas. Did you really have to ask?” If his son didn’t see the obvious then there was a reason for Lucius to be really annoyed.

“No, I didn’t actually have to ask, to figure it out, but I wanted to hear you admitting that your hands were tied,” Draco smirked.

Lucius shot his son an angry glare.

“And on the top of that - by a Gryffindor,” Draco added.

“Gloating is vulgar, Draco,” the older wizard pointed out.

“It is not like you are going to tell anyone, father,”

The man chuckled. His son was a spoiled, disrespectful brat, but rather charming brat and definitely a Malfoy.

“You brought it upon yourself father. By marrying a Gryffindor,” Draco continued. “Honestly, you thought that you could get involved with Potter and expect everything to go as you planned?”

“I must admit, I did. Initially,” Lucius confessed. However, he was more amused than upset. “Initially I just wanted to show everyone that Malfoys always got what they wanted and the best. Even if it was the pet hero of the Wizarding world.”

“Potter, the best?” Draco mocked. “Well, whatever. But you got more than you bargained for, didn’t you?”

The older blonde chuckled: “Yes, Harry is more than I expected, but I don’t think that I would change anything about it. It is not a bad thing.”

“Damn it, father, you got it bad,” Draco chuckled.

“Language, Draco,” Lucius reprimanded. “The point is that he is not The-Boy-Who-Lived or whatever they call him. He is Harry. I made some mistakes and I don’t really want to take more risks. That is the reason why I am not doing anything about the Weasleys at the moment. I have decided that that would be a very bad idea. I can risk him turning against me.”

“I understand,” Draco sighed. “You have my condolence – Potter is painfully Gryffindor.”

Lucius allowed himself a sigh: “That makes things complicated. Everything would be easier if he were not ‘painfully Gryffindor’ as you put it. But also less exciting.”

The last comment made Draco laugh out.

***

Molly and Arthur Weasley were concerned. The reason was Harry. The-Boy-Who-Lived was not himself, not the cheerful, playful Gryffindor he had always been. It was not as if Harry had not been troubled and moody before. The difference probably was that this time he didn’t try to hide it. Harry was a quiet boy, a bit shy sometimes, but this just wasn’t the Harry they had known for years.

It was the second day at the Burrow. Molly had prepared a nice dinner, Fred and George had been surprisingly well-behaved, probably, because they had hardly left their room, the twins were busy, working on some new prank. Charlie had just arrived and Bill too. Bill’s girlfriend Fleur was not there yet and Percy had claimed to be too busy to come, so not everyone was there, but still…

Everyone was in a very good mood and happy to see each other again.

Except Harry. During the meal, he was staring at the table and poking at his food without much interest in eating it. When someone tried to talk to the boy, he just shrugged or answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Then suddenly he surprised everyone, in the middle of meal the boy jumped to his feet, mumbled ‘I’m sorry’ and ran upstairs.

“Ok,” Charlie drawled frowning. “What just happened?”

Arthur gave a deep sigh and massaged his temples tiredly.

“I would also like to know what is wrong with Harry, he really doesn’t seem to be himself,” Bill was giving his mother and brothers puzzled looks.

Ron put down his fork and glanced at his parents: “It’s actually very simple,” the redhead ground out. “Harry doesn’t really want to be here.”

The older Weasleys’ sons looked taken aback.

“No,” Fred started.

“There must be,” George continued.

“Some kind of mistake,” Fred finished.

As seventh years with their own friends and plans, they didn’t spend much time around Harry and while both could feel that something was off, the twins didn’t know, what was really happening.

“No mistakes,” Ron snapped. “He is upset, because he couldn’t go to the Malfoys and was forced to come here. And don’t look at me like that! It’s true!”

“But I thought, that he would be happy to get away from Lucius Malfoy,” Charlie furrowed his brow.

“Well,” Ron made a face. “I am not at all happy about it, but a lot has changed since then. He wanted to go with the Malfoys.”

“I don’t think Harry knows what the best is for him at the moment,” Molly Weasley joined the conversation. She looked uneasy, like he refused even consider that Harry could want to have something in common with Lucius Malfoy. “The poor dear is very confused. He needs our support.”

Ron stood up before anyone else could say something: “If you are going to talk about how there is something wrong with Harry and how he doesn’t know what he wants, I am leaving. I don’t want to hear that. This time I am with him.”

And with that he left the room.

“Ronald!” Molly called after her youngest son to no avail.

“Well, well, well,”

“Looks like ickle Ronnekins had finally grown some back bone,” one of the twins commented earning a reproachful glare from Molly.

Bill and Charlie exchanged confused glances.

***
It was cold and dark outside, so Ron didn’t feel any inclination to visit his usual hiding place, behind the shed. He climbed upstairs instead.

“Harry,” the redhead knocked on the door tentatively. “Hey, mate, can I come in?”

“It is your room, Ron, you are welcome,”

“Good, because I have nowhere to go otherwise,”

Harry was lying on the bed and Ron could see only his back.

“Are you all right mate?” The redhead asked tentatively, eying his best friend with some trepidation.

There was a pause and then Harry turned around: “No, not really.” The green eyes were slightly red; it was obvious that he had been crying.
“It’s, Ok, Ron, you don’t have to say anything. I shouldn’t be weeping at all. I am a boy and the hero… I guess I could blame my rampant hormones…”

Ron sat down on the bed next to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder: “I don’t think that there is something wrong with being emotional. And hormonal.”

“You will sit with me, right?”

“Sure, mate…”


***
30. Merry Christmas

Nothing much changed in a couple of days prior to Christmas. Harry was still depressed and refused to talk to Molly or Arthur and didn’t say much to the other Weasleys either, except Ron, who already knew, what was wrong with the dark-hired boy.

It didn’t stop him from worrying though. Ron started to worry that his friend was loosing appetite. At least Harry was still taking all the necessary potions regularly. He reckoned it was dangerous to try forcing someone as stubborn as Harry into anything at all. Didn’t matter if it was for his own good or wasn’t.

The other Weasley children obviously couldn’t decide what to make of the whole situation. Ginny was torn between Harry and her parents, so she pretended that everything was all right. Bill was quite busy with Fleur who had finally arrived, he was showing her The Diagonal Alley and the muggle London as well. Charlie probably didn’t want to take sides, so he had joined Ginny in feigning ignorance, but obviously wasn’t feeling as comfortable with it as his sister.

Percy still had to make an appearance. And the twins – no one really took them seriously and they didn’t take anything seriously. Besides both boys were too busy with planning their future business.

The Christmas dinner in the Weasley family was not so bad since there were a lot of people and it was easier to ignore the fact that the of them were having some serious issues between them.

***

Harry groaned someone was poking him in the side: “Phiv mor mints…” he turned, trying to get rid of the annoyance.

“Come on, Harry, wake up,” Ron pleaded. “We can’t open the presents without you!”

“Rooon,” the boy groaned. “Can’t they wait until I get some sleep?”

“Presents? Wait? Harry, are you sure that you are feeling well? Not running a fever? Since when presents can wait?”

“Yeah, yeah, got it,” the boy grumbled and threw the blanket aside and crawled out of the bed. “Just let me put on some pants, will you?”

“Oh, mate, you better do and not only the pants,” Ron ran an eye over his friend. “You know that you are showing, I mean, really showing?”

“Believe me, if I say, I do,” Harry sighed and pulled an exceptionally baggy sweater over n his head.

“It’s a sheer luck that mother hasn’t noticed anything, she has seven children herself after all. Or maybe she just thinks that you are getting fat,” the redhead mused. “Ouch, Harry!” Ron rubbed his shoulder where his pregnant friend had punched him.

“I am not getting fat,” Harry explained nonchalantly.

“That is not exactly what I meant, but alright, forget it. Let’s go!” Ron grabbed Harry by his arm and dragged him out of their room, downstairs.

A couple of minutes later Harry was in the middle of the Weasley family room, sitting in a pile of colourful wrapping paper. There were all kinds of the traditional gifts – sweets from Ginny, a T-shirt with picture of Dragon from Charlie, a green Weasleys’ jumper with large H on the front of it and so on.

Harry’s eyes widened when he started unwrapping Hermione’s gift. It was a large, white, very fancy photo album decorated with teddy bears and ribbons, which almost screamed – ‘put some baby pictures in me!’ Harry hid it under the Weasleys’ jumper and hoped that no one had noticed. He was not sure if he should be touched or angry with his friend for giving such suspicious, but sweet gifts. Probably that was because she was a girl and couldn’t help it and the album was kind of cute.

All of it made Harry to think of Lucius. He hadn’t bought a present to his husband, because he just hadn’t had a chance to go anywhere, he had been locked in the castle and then in the Burrow. Lucius had given the boy so many presents since they had gotten married. More than Harry had received during his whole life. ‘Little nothings’ the man had called them. Flowers, sweets, clothing, fancy soaps and bath oils.

And here he was, without anything for Lucius. Merlin, but it was just too much, the thought suddenly made him so sad, so miserable. As if he was choking on everything, on Weasleys’ love, on all those stupid presents, damned Christmas and on his life in general. There was a lump in his throat and it was choking him too.
Harry knew he was going to burst into tears any moment from now… again! Fucking hormones! He was choking on those too. He sprang to his feet and ran upstairs, back to his room, completely ignoring everyone calling after him.

Everyone in the room grew silent. Only a reluctant rustling of paper could be heard.

“I will bring Harry his presents,” Ron announced and started gathering the packages as well as things the boy had already unwrapped. The youngest Weasley son was somewhat upset with his parents. He didn’t like Lucius Malfoy one bit, but he trusted his friend’s judgment and he could imagine what it was like when Harry couldn’t make his own decisions. After all since he was on of the youngest and the family often treated him like a baby.

“Are you sure that you are doing the right thing, mum?” Bill was the first to break the uncomfortable silence after they had watched sullen Ron climb upstairs. “Harry looks very unhappy.”

Molly knitted her lips together and started levitating the wrapping papers that were scattered all around the room into one neat pile.

“I don’t know anymore,” Arthur admitted with a sigh.

“What do you want me to do, Bill?” Molly burst out suddenly. “You think we should just give him to Malfoy? I don’t know what spell he has over our poor Harry, but… but he has to see that we are doing this for his own good, nothing more!”

Ginny motioned at Fleur and they both went to put away their gifts not really wanting to join the discussion.

Fred and George looked at each other, shrugged and decided to do the same. It was not like their parents were going to listen to them anyway. If someone had a chance, then it was Bill and Charlie.

“Still, this is obviously doing him more harm than good,” Bill continued. “I understand that you wanted to get Harry away from Malfoy and I honestly thought that it was also what Harry wanted himself. But it is not so. He is only getting more and more upset with you.”

“Yes, that is obvious,” Arthur admitted regretfully.

“And what is going on with those emotional outbursts. He’s moody like a dragon,” Charlie added, scratching his head. “I mean, he’s been through a lot, but still – seems a bit extreme.”

“Yes, I have a feeling we are missing something very important here,” Bill agreed, looking at his father inquiringly.

“I just don’t know what to do anymore…” Molly appeared to be on the verge of tears.

Suddenly their conversation was interrupted as the flames in the fireplace flared up and turned slightly green. Someone was trying to fire-call them.

Arthur pointed his wand on the fireplace and murmured an incantation to lift some wards and allow the fire-call.

The Weasleys turned towards the fireplace and were quite surprised to see no one else’s, but Lucius Malfoy’s head appear in the flames.

“Mr. Malfoy,” it was obvious that Lucius was the last person Arthur wanted to see at the moment.

“Yes, Weasley it’s me,” was not exactly a polite way to greet someone, but they were not on friendly terms after all and both parties silently agreed that there was no need to exchange Christmas greetings.

Besides, even if the Malfoy patriarch was wearing his customary arrogant sneer, it appeared that something was not quite alright.

“What is the matter?” Arthur inquired quite politely, because he was not in the mood to make things more complicated by starting an argument straight away.

“Have you seen The Prophet, today?”

“No, not yet,” the post owl had not delivered the newspaper yet.

“Hm, well, you should,” Lucius stated coldly. “I any case I would like to come over.” He didn’t comment on the fact that Weasleys didn’t even get their mail delivered on time, even if he was tempted.

“I don’t think…” Mrs. Weasley started to protest vehemently.

“I wouldn’t dare to make such request if I didn’t have a good reason,” Lucius eyed the woman with badly hidden disdain. “It is important that you see the Prophet and I happen to have a copy at hand. And I need to talk to my husband. He will be very upset very soon.”

“Is there trouble?” Arthur started to worry. “With the Prophet?”

“I believe there is, or at least Harry will see it as such,”

“Tell us what is the matter and I am sure we will manage,”

“I don’t believe that,” Lucius smirked. “The truth is that these days Harry is not very fond of your family. Don’t you think? The fact that you don’t even know some very important facts about his life proves that.”

“Why would we trust you?” Arthur demanded.

Then another blonde head appeared in the fireplace. Draco.

“Good morning, Merry Christmas, Weasel…Weasleys,” the boy sneered in a similar fashion to the other man. “What my father is trying to say is that Potter will blow up when he will see today’s paper. Better let my father be there when it happens since it has more to do with him than with you and he at least knows what exactly has happened while you don’t,” and with that the young wizard disappeared.

“And what exactly had happened?” Charlie inquired looking with something akin to amusement at the fireplace where the younger Malfoy had appeared and disappeared just a moment ago.

“There is only one way to find out,” the Lucius smirked. He made it obvious that there would be no information sharing if he didn’t get to come to their house and see Harry. He was not playing by the rules, but, why should he?

“Fine,” Arthur admitted his defeat. “It is obvious that you are not going to… you are not exactly welcome. But you can come over.”

Molly looked like she was about to protest, but Bill looked at his mother pointedly and shook his head. The older son apparently had even more hold over his mother than her husband.

Lucius enjoyed his victory, no doubt, even if his expression didn’t even change, he was above gloating.

When he stepped out of the flames, it became obvious that Lucius Malfoy couldn’t have looked more out of place in the middle of the modest, shabby Weasleys’ sitting room with his immaculate, expensive clothing, blond hair and aristocratic posture.

“Here,” he tossed the newspaper at Arthur. “Can’t exactly say that those are bad news. However because of obvious reasons my young husband didn’t want this information to become public. At least not this soon and not like this. See for yourselves.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARRY POTTER-MALFOY PREGNANT?

By Rita Skeeter

I must fulfil my honourable duty to inform our society, that puzzling things are happening at Malfoy Manor. As you all remember the Malfoy house has recently been residence of our favourite Hero, Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived and the Saviour of the Wizarding world due to his marriage to most wealthy and respectable Lucius Abraxas Malfoy.

From a source, which wanted to remain anonymous, I was informed, that every week some potions are delivered to Malfoy manor from St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Some of them could be used on various occasions, like pepperup potion and Locust’s appetizer.

However, others are quite specific. Such as Fifty-five baby-good herbs draught, Abigail Morning’s anti sickness potion and Happy Baby drink (vanilla, cherry, orange and butter beer flavoured). These are usually used by pregnant witches to make sure that their baby’s are healthy and comfortable.

What does this mean? Does Malfoy-Potter family has a secret?

One can only assume that someone is expecting in Malfoy family. The only question is, who? Since there are no witches residing in the Manor at the moment we can only assume that a true miracle have happened and a wizard might have become pregnant.

It is very unlikely that Mr. Lucius Malfoy would find himself to be in such condition. That leaves Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter-Malfoy. Everyone knows which one of those two young wizards is well known for managing to do impossible and has just gotten married.

Has Harry Potter done the impossible again? Is The-Boy-Who-Lived truly pregnant?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh, dear,” Molly paled.

“And, yes, it is true,” Lucius verified before anyone thought of asking the question.

“Merlin’s balls!” One of the Weasleys’ sons exclaimed and Molly didn’t even think of berating him.

“Harry is only sixteen! How could you do that to him!” Mrs. Weasley exclaimed.

“I can assure you, it was not planned and quite unexpected,” Lucius stated the obvious. “Skeeter is right about one thing – a male pregnancy is nearly impossible. It was not some devious plan of mine; I can assure you of that.”

“Poor Harry,” Molly cried out.

“Nowhere near poor,” Lucius snorted. Poverty was something he didn’t even like to think about. “The pregnancy is not the problem. At least not for both of us. The problem is everyone knowing about it. Harry has almost irrational fear of publicity, so, I assumed that it would be better if I told him myself.”

“Blimey! Our Harry is going to be… a mummy…” Charlie shook his head.

Lucius glared at the boy: “Please refrain from such comments regarding my husband. Can I see him now?”

“I will call Harry, I guess,” Bill glanced at his father who nodded looking rather resigned. He accepted that they had lost control over the situation.

Molly looked disturbed and started banishing the used wrapping paper, which was still scattered all over the living room.

Everyone else was deep in thought except Lucius who was simply waiting impatiently. Not that he let his impatience show…

“Lucius?” Harry couldn’t believe his eyes when he walked in the room.

The Weasleys found it disturbing the way Harry’s face lit up when the boy laid his eyes on Lucius and even more, when he flung himself at him.

The boy wrapped his arms around the taller man’s waist and pressed his face against his chest. There was no visible reaction from the man at first, and then he put a hand on Harry’s back.

Molly Weasley was carefully watching them both. She couldn’t understand how someone as sweet and good as Harry could be so obviously enamoured with someone like Malfoy. The man was insufferably arrogant and cold. A real bastard.

“Why are you here?” Harry asked looking at his husband. Then he turned towards Arthur and Molly. “Did you finally decide to leave us alone? Can I go with him?” He was so hopeful and desperate when he looked at the Weasleys than it was almost unbearable to watch.

“I am sorry to say, that it is not the case,” Lucius stated. “This was my initiative. I am afraid that as soon as my affairs here will be settled, I will have to leave.”

Harry’s expression immediately changed. He looked disappointed. He squeezed his eyes shut and looked so tired and sad.

“I have had enough,” Harry whispered and clung to his older husband as if his life depended on him. “I couldn’t buy you a Christmas present, because I couldn’t go anywhere… I don’t care about the Wizengamot and the Wizarding world! I can’t take it anymore,” he turned around and looked at the Weasleys still clutching Lucius’ robe with his small hands. “I will not stay with you anymore, you can tell what you want to the whole world, I don’t care! Soon I will be seventeen and then I will be able do what I want anyway. I am sick of being told what to do! I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“Harry,” Mrs. Weasley looked deeply hurt. “We just wanted to protect you. We didn’t want to hurt you! We would never…”

“I know!” Harry shouted. “But you are hurting me! Don’t you see? I don’t want to hate you, but I do sometimes. You can do what you want, tell the whole world how fucked up my life is! I don’t care! I am leaving.”

“We are sorry Harry, if we did something to hurt you,” Arthur looked shocked. “It was not my intention, really. I have noticed that you are not happy. If you feel so strongly about it, I guess there is nothing we can do to stop you from leaving.”

“Arthur!” Molly exclaimed.

“Mum, Dad is right,” Ron had also come downstairs. “You should just leave Harry alone.”

“You don’t understand, you are just a child yourself, Ronald,” the woman objected.

“Of course! We are all still just children, no matter what we have been through. Especially Harry. Get real, mum!” Ron exclaimed. “I just don’t want to lose my best friend! We will lose him, if you won’t stop trying to rule his life. I don’t agree with him, but I support him, because I want to see him happy and if he is making a mistake… well, he has right to make his own mistakes!”

“I think Ron is right,” Arthur sighed. “Molly, it is obvious that Harry doesn’t want our interference and it’s doing him more harm than good.”

“I can’t accept this Arthur, I just can’t,” Mrs. Weasley turned around and left the room. Bill followed her apologising shortly.

Arthur Weasley turned to Harry who was still leaning against Lucius “You must understand Harry; we think of you as of one of our own children and we would do anything to keep you safe. You went through a lot and after the way Malfoy made you to marry him and knowing Malfoy,” he glanced at the blonde wizard. That one look expressed more than any words.
“We just couldn’t believe that you would want to stay with him by your own choice, that it would be good for you.”

“I know,” Harry sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you, I just want to… ” he looked at Lucius over his shoulder.

Arthur stepped closer to Harry and put a hand on boy’s shoulder: “Forgive us, please, you are like one of our children and no one is good enough…” the man glanced at Lucius Malfoy again. The look told that Lucius was definitely far from good enough. More like the worst what could happened. “I understand that you want to go, but if something changes, you should know that you will always be at home here, you can always return, if you have enough of…”

Harry giggled. He could understand Arthur Weasley’s reservations.

Lucius almost rolled his eyes.

He didn’t like Weasleys either. They were poor. And it was not only about the money, they were also a poor excuse of pure bloods. He was not sure why he was standing there and talking to those people at all, but he had a suspicion, that it was better not to voice his opinion, because that would cause him problems with Harry. His pride was not worth it so this was one of the rare occasions when he simply let go.

“You should probably go and pack your trunk, Harry,” he suggested.

“I guess so,” the boy beamed.

“I will help you,” Ron followed his friend upstairs.

Arthur Weasley looked at Lucius Malfoy frowning: “I still don’t like you and don’t understand what Harry sees in you.”

“It’s mutual, Weasley,” Malfoy sneered.

“When are you going to tell him about the article?”

“Later,” Lucius simply didn’t want to ruin his young husband’s good mood yet.

“Hm…”

Charlie was simply watching both men. He had not mind up his mind about it all yet. Well, he could see why Harry might be attracted to Lucius. The man was one of the kind. Hell, but Charlie wouldn’t have turned the man down. All that hair.

Harry came down the stairs and Ron behind him, hauling his friend’s trunk.

Lucius wanted to ask both boys if they were wizards or not and had they forgotten their magic, but held his mouth shut and instead just cast a shrinking and lightening charms at it himself. A good family like the Weasleys certainly didn’t let their children to use magic outside the school until they were of age. Lucius wouldn’t do anything like that to his own son. Of course not. Unimaginable.

Lucius watched disdainfully as Harry was saying his goodbyes. As if nothing had happened, as if the Weasleys hadn’t blackmailed them both and threatened to reveal facts about Harry’s private life to everyone who would want to listen… it infuriated the man. It was a horrifying thought, that his husband would never be free of the family Lucius couldn’t stand a sight of and they would always be somewhere around.

Even teary-eyed Molly returned to the family room to hug the boy and ask for his forgiveness and pouring her maternal advice over him, reminding Harry to take care of himself over and over again.

He even felt a flare of jealousy, when the oldest Weasley boys got to hugging Harry, one of them even touched his hair! Lucius wished he could hex somebody and put an end to the… disgusting love fest. But Harry looked so relieved and happy…

Finally, when molly Weasley once again had run out of the room crying, the nightmare was over and they were free to leave. Lucius was going first, so he could catch harry, when the boy stumbled out o the fireplace (as it usually happened). He was feeling reluctant to. What if they found some excuse to keep Harry back?

“Take good care of him, mister Malfoy,” one of the boys spoke up.

“By, Charlie!” Harry grinned at the redhead. Lucius said nothing.

He threw some floo-powder in the fireplace and was gone. Harry fell into his arms a moment later. Lucius didn’t let him go straight away and the boy didn’t try to leave his embrace either. It felt nice. Harry was right there, the mop of unruly hair resting against Lucius’ chest, if he jut leaned down… Lucius wondered if he could get away with…

“Merry Christmas, Potter, Father,” Draco looked up from the Quidditch magazine he had been reading, a cheeky grin all over his face, perfectly aware that he had interrupted something and not really sorry. “Welcome home.”

Lucius narrowed his eyes. How unfortunate that he had already given the brat his Christmas presents.

TBC

A/N: Another chapter done with. I have a feeling that it was kind of boring. But I just can’t judge my own work. There was a hint concerning Draco in the chapter. Who noticed?

Thank you for reviews, I got many this time. Keep it up, please. I tried to respond as well as I could, sorry if I missed something, but it was really nice to hear from you.


Rokkis: Thanks. About Draco – he feels a bit guilty about the way he has treated Harry. Of course, he also stubbornly doesn’t want to admit that he was wrong, so he was looking for proof that he wasn’t. I think he is secretly relieved that Harry is going to give him a sibling also, because it kind of justifies not hating Harry anymore

Ithilwen: You will have to wait to see about Rasputin ;)

ArchNemesis: Iamglad that you are intrigued with Rasputin. And, sorry, but Severus is not going to be with Remus. If I tried to put them together I had to write another story. Severus’ ‘pair’ will be shortly mentioned in the last chapters of the story, that’s all.

HermioneMalfoy08: thanks, I am very relieved when I keep getting reviews from people who say that they are alright with the way Harry’s and Lucius’ relationship is progressing.

SandRene: Thanks, it means a lot to me, that I

Mithrilandtj: Thanks, it’s nice that I am convincing someone thatmy story is worth reading. I thought that usually it was the other way around – people being interested in a story and then getting bored with it.

Yunasgrace: It’s unfortunate that adult.net doesn’t send update alerts. But I am posting the story on fan fiction net as well and they do. In case you have a profile there you could find my story and ad it to your alerts. I will try to get the next chapter out in a week.

Natalie: Thanks a lot.

DemonicDarkness: Thank you.

BD: Thank you!

MysticFae: I like this pairing too! I wish other authors would follow the example and wrote some nice Lucius-Harry stories.

syn99: Thank you.

Unanswered questions
Revealing that Harry is pregnant – someone obviously tipped Rita Skeeter about the potions Lucius is buying for Harry. Even if Harry is living in the Hogwarts now, Lucius is still the one paying for his medicine.

Draco’s attitude – have improved since he knows that there could be consequences if he upsets Harry too much.

Harry’s moods – a bit irrational since he is pregnant. He just gets upset easily.
Time table
The 3rd Week of December – the ball and after that everyone is leaving for Christmas.
Boxing Day – Harry returns to Malfoy Manor.