"Now place the tip of your wand over your heart."
Harry nodded and raised his wand to do as Professor Garrick asked, steadfastly ignoring his silently seething Alpha in the corner of the room.
Harry had had to tell his DADA professor about the possibility of him being pregnant in order to find out whether it was still safe to begin his Animagus training, and despite Professor Garrick's assurances that Harry could continue without any harm coming to a potential foetus, Draco was not pleased. They had had quite the row over it, the tension of which was still lingering between the two mates, but Harry was determined to learn how to transform, and he also needed a distraction during this interminable two week wait.
"That's it." Professor Garrick watched closely as Harry complied with his directions. "Now say the incantation."
Harry licked his lips and held his wand in place over his heart. "Amato Animo Animato Animagus," he chanted quietly.
"Good Harry," Professor Garrick said encouragingly, "now drink the potion."
Draco emitted a sound of disapproval as Harry reached out with his free hand to lift the crystal phial from off of the wooden table on his left. Without looking at his mate, Harry quickly downed the blood-red liquid and then swiftly set the phial back down, knowing, from the professor's warning, exactly what was to come.
Harry grimaced and shut his eyes against the rather fiery pain that erupted deep in his chest.
"Tell me when you feel it," the professor called out in the background, tone steady and calm.
Harry took a deep breath and tried to ignore the burning sensation under his skin in order to detect the thud of a secondary heartbeat.
His eyes flew back open as he suddenly felt it. It was definitely there; the distinct thump, thump, thump of a heartbeat in counterpoint to his own.
It was a very odd sensation…
Harry stared straight ahead and held his breath as the next stage began to materialise right before his eyes. Professor Garrick was speaking in the background but he couldn't understand what he was saying, he merely continued to stare straight ahead as a faint silvery light began to glow and rise up out of the dusty floor of the Shrieking Shack, slowly increasing in size.
Harry knew this was his vision of the animal he was to become whenever he transformed. He tried to pick out the antlers of the stag as the ball of light slowly took its intended form.
He frowned as the reforming light began to take on the shape of something that wasn't anything like a stag - or any sort of hooved animal at all.
It wasn't as tall as a stag, and a long tail seemed to be developing and becoming more solid under his baffled gaze. He wanted to look to Professor Garrick for assistance but he knew only he could see his intended animal; this was his vision and his alone.
Harry's eyes widened as the distinct shape of some sort of jungle cat began to take shape. It wasn't as tall as a lion or a tiger, its legs were shorter and stockier, but it had rounded cat ears and a long, oddly thick tail.
As the white fur with the black spots became obvious, Harry suddenly knew what it was. He'd only just seen one of these exact animals at the London Zoo with Ron and Hermione.
The cat swiftly became solid and looked at Harry with a cheeky sparkle in its green eyes. Harry absently admired the beauty of the creature for a minute, noting the black zig-zag on its forehead which perfectly matched the placement of his lightning-bolt scar.
The glowing creature only remained solid for a minute before finally beginning to dissolve into silvery mist once more.
Harry blinked and suddenly the vision was gone, the dim room of the Shrieking Shack coming back into focus and causing him to instantly miss the warm light of his Animagus.
He felt nothing now; not the mild burning sensation in his chest nor the secondary heartbeat.
Harry turned to see his mate standing next to him; the concern Draco felt for his Omega clearly overriding any residual irritation.
"It wasn't a stag," was all Harry could think of to say.
Professor Garrick approached him, looking curious. "What was it?"
Harry swallowed and a reluctant grin twitched at his lips as he got over the initial shock of his Animagus form not being what he had expected. "I think it was a Snow Leopard," he replied, answering the professor but looking at his mate.
Draco arched a brow. "You don't say…" he murmured, clearly amused.
Professor Garrick laughed out loud. "Perfect!" he said, looking pleased. "Your magic has chosen a form to match your Alpha; that's extraordinary."
"But I'm not a…. you-know-what," Harry replied, bemused. "I'm not even a tiger or any sort of cat that comes close to the same size as a you-know-what."
"But you will have the same sort of inclinations as Draco," Professor Garrick said, still smiling. "The same sort of instincts and nature, perhaps not as emotionally turbulent as him, which is brilliant, as you may help ground your mate in times of distress. It really is perfect Harry," he added, and then paused, his smile turning sympathetic. "I know you were hoping to share the same form as your father…"
Harry smiled a little and shook his head. "I'm not disappointed, I'm just… surprised. I assumed my Animagus form would match my Patronus."
"You may find that your Patronus has changed as well."
"Really?" Harry didn't know how he felt about that, he'd always felt as though his Patronus was like having a link to his father.
He re-sheathed his wand, not wanting to find out in that particular moment.
"How are you feeling?" Draco asked as his assessing gaze ran over his mate, searching for any hint of discomfort.
"I feel fine," Harry replied with a nod, as he reached for his cloak on the broken chair behind him. "Completely normal."
Draco glanced at the professor while Harry slung his cloak over his shoulders and clasped it into place around his neck. "And he can safely continue his training if he's pregnant?" he asked for perhaps the tenth time that evening.
Professor Garrick nodded, smiling indulgently at the young Alpha. "Yes, as I've said before, there is no harm in allowing Harry to continue to learn this process. I would advise against transforming during his final trimester as it would put extra strain on Harry's magical reserves at a time when he will need to conserve it." He paused, blue eyes flicking to Harry and back. "I am certain he will be much too exhausted to even thinkabout attempting a transformation by that point though. Male pregnancies are known to be quite taxing on the body."
Draco exhaled heavily, still not looking pleased, but at least he seemed a little more accepting of Harry's foolhardy ways.
Harry smiled at him, wanting the tension hanging over their heads to be gone. "Hey, no complaining, you knew what I was like when you accepted me as your mate," he teased.
Draco reluctantly smiled back. "Yes, but I never used to care when you were reckless," he pointed out. "In fact, I encouraged it wholeheartedly."
Harry laughed and they followed a grinning Professor Garrick towards the exit and down into the secret tunnel, which had been surreptitiously restored by the Golden Trio and a few close friends after it had been destroyed during the war.
Draco held onto his hand as they made their way back to the castle and Harry felt better than he had in days, like some of the weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He'd successfully completed the first stage of his Animagus training and Draco was at least speaking to him again. He knew fighting with his Alpha was not going to make this pregnancy fiasco any easier so he vowed to at least hold off on his training until after they found out.
The three carefully emerged onto the snow-covered grounds of Hogwarts. It was still early evening, but too cold and dark for any of the other students to be wandering around out there, so they were safe to make their way back into the castle unobserved.
Harry took a deep breath and slowly let it out as he walked close to Draco's side. In just six days he would find out if he was truly carrying their child.
. . . .
Harry chewed on his ravaged thumbnail and nervously swung his legs back and forth whilst sitting on the edge of the hospital bed. Draco stood next to him, arms crossed over his chest, not saying a word and face expressionless.
The silence in the infirmary was deafening, even the sound of heavy rain hitting the glass windows outside seemed muted as though in sympathy with the tension of the room within. Madam Pomfrey had ensured that the infirmary was empty for their appointment time and the quiet was only adding to their anxiety.
The past two weeks had been two of the longest in Harry's life, but now that the moment had finally come, it felt as though the time had gone by in the blink of an eye. He'd gone to all of his classes as though on autopilot and, except for his one night of Animagus training, his evenings with Draco had been subdued and quiet, not talking about the possible pregnancy but not talking about much of anything else either; mostly just remaining quietly lost in their own thoughts.
Even though Draco had been quiet, he'd been extraordinarily single-minded when it came to Harry's safety; grey eyes sharply watching anyone who came near his mate. Harry had wanted to start taking meals in their room to help ease the obvious strain on his Alpha, but Draco had said it would raise too much suspicion and so they continued on; with Draco attempting to moderate his reactions and Harry constantly worried about him.
To say they were both feeling a little ragged by the end of the fortnight was an understatement.
Harry looked up as Madam Pomfrey finally emerged from her office and strode towards them, wand in hand and face set.
"Good evening gentlemen," she greeted absently as she stood at the foot of the bed. She rested her wand in both hands and looked at Harry. "There is a very simple detection spell which I will cast on you Mr. Potter. You will not feel much, just a slight warming sensation around your abdomen, but no discomfort. It will only take a few seconds." She paused and then raised her wand in preparation. "The light will glow a pale yellow if there is a positive result and will be a deep blue if negative; very easy for everyone present to discern between the two, yes?" They both nodded dutifully in reply. "Are you ready?"
Harry nodded jerkily, heart thudding in his chest.
"Please lie down Mr. Potter," she instructed gently.
Harry awkwardly slid down to lie on his back, glancing up when Draco took his hand and held on tight. He wasn't sure if the gesture was meant to comfort him or Draco, but at that point he didn't care, and judging by the look on his Alpha's face, it was probably a bit of both.
"Gravida Revelare."
Harry turned back to the matron as a soft white light flowed from the tip of her wand and swept over him, encompassing his entire body for a moment before settling over his stomach.
Harry anxiously bit his lip as the light seemed to pulse there for only a second before the light shifted and vividly changed colour before their eyes.
Harry's teeth sunk even deeper into his bottom lip as the bright yellow light seemed to burn directly into his retinas.
And then it was over; the yellow light abruptly disappearing.
Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat as she lowered her wand. "I would usually offer my congratulations…" she said tentatively.
Harry swallowed thickly; gaze still glued to the spot where the yellow light had just been merrily glowing, at a loss for what to say.
Despite there being a fifty percent chance of this exact outcome, he still felt numb with shock. He honestly didn't know how he felt yet.
A warm squeeze to his clammy hand brought him back to the present.
"While this pregnancy was not precisely planned, it is certainly not unwanted."
Harry blinked and turned to look up at his Alpha. He knew surprise must have been written all over his face.
The corner of Draco's mouth stretched up into a tiny smile, gaze soft as he looked down at him; causing hope to unfurl warmly in Harry's chest.
Madam Pomfrey couldn't help but smile at the two of them. "I've already placed an order for a male pregnancy book for you Mr. Potter," she said, reluctant to interrupt their little moment but needing to give them further advice before they left the infirmary. "I should have one on hand for future cases regardless - if there ever are any. I will let you know when it is in my possession. I shall also charm the book so that no one else is able to read it except for the two of you."
"When do you think you will have it?" Harry asked, feeling a sudden wave of determination sweep through him.
It was like a switch had been flipped inside of him at the sight of that yellow light followed by the unmistakeable love in Draco's eyes - and now nothing was more important to him than this fragile foetus growing inside of him.
"I expect it tomorrow," she replied swiftly. "In the afternoon. If you are in class then I will send it to your rooms with one of the house-elves."
Harry nodded, satisfied.
"Now, I shall start you on a very specific course of potions which will safeguard your young one against any errant magic that may leach into the womb. These potions also contain supplemental vitamins and a mild boost to your magic levels. It is very important that you take these potions every day Mr. Potter. I expect you to help him to remember Mr. Malfoy," she added with a sharp look in his direction.
"Of course," Draco replied evenly, and Harry had no doubt that his mate would be forcing these potions down his throat if he ever tried to skip one.
"I will have one of the house-elves deliver a seven day supply to your rooms once a week. One of the potions you will take morning and night, and the other is once a day before bed. The bottles will be clearly labelled."
Harry nodded in understanding.
"I think that's all for today gentlemen," she said, tucking her wand away. "I will of course schedule some periodic check-ups with you, which will become more frequent the closer we get to your due date."
Harry slowly sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. "What is my due date? And will we be able to find out if it's a boy or a girl?"
Madam Pomfrey smiled, her stern exterior cracking just a little as she gazed at one of her most frequent patients. "We may determine both of those things in future appointments, if you wish."
Harry hopped off the bed, coughing to cover a snicker as Draco quickly held him steady with both hands; as though he wasn't capable of standing up without assistance.
Harry suspected that this was going to be a very long nine months.
. . . .
Three weeks later, Harry was feeling great - but having problems he never expected to have. He finally decided to seek out Hermione to have a whinge.
They were both seated in the back of the library, at the last table next to the wall, piles of books all around them and a heavy Silencing Charm keeping their very private conversation truly private.
Draco was at Quidditch practice and had nearly made Hermione swear an Unbreakable Vow to not leave Harry's side until he returned.
"What did you want to discuss?" Hermione asked, still speaking quietly despite the Silencing Charm. "You looked rather frantic to speak with me," she couldn't help adding with concern.
"Draco is driving me mental," Harry stated without preamble.
Hermione bit her lip to hide a grin. "In what way?"
Harry moved a stack of books in front of him in case anyone in the library could lip read. "Ever since Madam Pomfrey confirmed the pregnancy, he's been so bloody worried about me that he can't sleep at night. His stupid Alpha tendencies are irrationally concerned that someone is going to attack me while I'm asleep, so he stays up all night to… to bloody guard me!"
Hermione snorted but then nodded in understanding. "I thought he was looking a little worn-out recently. I suppose the fact that there was an attack on you only exacerbates his anxiety?"
"Yeah." Harry paused and ran a hand through his messy hair. "I could handle the non-sleeping, and the tired grumpy behaviour that comes along with it, but he…" Harry sighed and knew it was a sign of how frustrated he was that he was actually talking to Hermione about this. "But he's too tired to have sex - and I am bloody gaggingfor it."
Hermione laughed loudly in surprise then quickly clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle it at the look on her friend's face. "Sorry," she apologised, trying not to smile. "Is it pregnancy hormones which are causing you to… you know."
"Yeah, definitely," Harry replied unequivocally.
Ron and Hermione had been amazingly supportive of the pregnancy news when he'd shared it with them. They hadn't looked surprised in the least, so Harry guessed they'd been expecting it ever since he mentioned that it was a possibility.
They were both concerned about the same things that Madam Pomfrey was worried about though; the media getting ahold of the information and then Harry's attackers returning.
It was a secret they were all going to keep for as long as they could; which they suspected would be until Harry physically started to show.
"You wouldn't believe the lengths I've gone to attempting to seduce him - even for just a blow job," Harry continued in frustration, seemingly unable to censor his words now that he'd started. "He either falls asleep before we get started or he tells me that he's too tired or he has to study or he has a headache - I can't take it anymore!" he cried in exasperation, dropping his head into his hands. "I know it sounds mental but I am desperate and all he wants to do is fucking cuddle!"
Hermione laughed and moved a tall stack of books in front of her so that they were both completely hidden in their little corner.
"What about, er… helping yourself?" she suggested, cheeks turning slightly pink.
Harry lifted his head and looked at her. "I've practically sprained my wrist trying to lessen the desire and it doesn't help. It's not enough; it's clearly not what my body wants."
"Ah, I see." Hermione sat back in her chair, thoughtful. "I'm not sure I have any solutions for you Harry, it may be something you're just going to have to suffer through until your body's needs change, or until Draco gets some proper rest."
Harry moaned and rubbed at his eyes. "Yeah, I thought as much."
"So how are you feeling - other than sexually frustrated?"
A reluctant smile pulled at Harry's lips as Hermione grinned at him in amusement. "Good. No morning sickness or anything like that, just sort of hungry all the time."
"Do you feel different?"
"Not really." Harry shrugged. "Draco said I smell differently though, as though my scent has changed slightly."
"Oh that's interesting," Hermione responded, leaning forward. "Can he smell the baby do you think?"
"Possibly." Harry's face lit up with a genuine smile; that familiar burst of warmth exploding in his chest which always accompanied thoughts of Draco being all paternal.
Hermione noticed the look on his face and smiled. "So how's Draco coping? Other than the not sleeping thing of course. He's always with you so I never have the opportunity to ask."
"I know," Harry said ruefully. "Sorry about that. Other than the night-guarding issue, I actually don't mind the overly-protective side of his behaviour," he added with an amused grin, "just in case you were worried that I was secretly annoyed."
Hermione laughed. "Oh I know you don't mind Harry, I can see it on your face every time he puts an arm around you or glares at another Alpha… It's quite entertaining. I've always said it was time someone looked after you for a change."
Harry grinned. "Draco's been rather calm about the baby itself, now that the pregnancy has been confirmed. He's very… practical about the whole thing. Hasn't told his parents yet though," he added with a smirk.
"I don't envy him that conversation," she said, eyes widening.
"Narcissa will be fine," Harry replied confidently. "I think she's very much looking forward to having grandchildren, it's Lucius that will be the problem."
"Because you're so young and still in school? Or do you think he'll only be upset because of the danger you're in right now?"
"Both." Harry snorted. "I don't really think he's the type to approve of accidents."
"Are you going to be there when he informs them of the impending bundle of joy?" Hermione grinned.
Harry laughed and shook his head. "Yeah, I wouldn't leave him to do that on his own. We're going to tell them before Sophie McDougall's party next week. Draco thought it would be a tactical advantage to tell them about their future grandchild directly before attending a party to welcome a new baby. He thinks it will soften them."
Hermione nodded. "I think it's a good plan," she agreed. "Are you sure it's safe for you to attend though?"
"Draco will be with me, and I'm using my Invisibility Cloak for travelling between Hogwarts and their home."
"And Blaise will be there," Hermione reminded him with a roll of her eyes. "Does he still not know that you're pregnant?"
"He keeps asking but I refuse to confirm or deny it," Harry said blithely, falling back against his chair with a heavy sigh. "Pansy will be at the party too. I wish you and Ron had been invited, I'm going to be outnumbered."
"Yes, that is a fair number of Slytherins," she observed with a raised brow.
"It'll be fine, I'll just hang out near the food table and play with the new baby."
Hermione smiled affectionately at her friend, absently toying with the edge of one of the large texts in front of her. "You're going to be a great father Harry," she said with quiet confidence.
Harry looked up and smiled. "I'm going to try my best," he said.
. . . .
By the time the night of the party had rolled around, Harry was ready to tear his hair out with exasperation.
Draco still wasn't sleeping and Harry still wasn't getting any.
Harry pulled his Invisibility Cloak out of his trunk, eyes on his mate as Draco slid a silk tie around his collar while looking at his reflection in the mirror opposite him. Harry frowned concernedly at the dark circles under his mate's eyes and the worrisome pallor of his skin.
He vowed to talk to Pomfrey about the problem; perhaps she could force Draco to take some Dreamless Sleep in order to get through the night, at least a couple of times a week until he settled down again.
"Are you sure you want to go?" Harry asked as he straightened and let the lid of his wooden trunk fall closed with a loud thud.
"Of course," Draco replied shortly, eyes still on his fingers as they deftly tied the deep blue tie.
Harry admired his Alpha, standing there in his perfectly tailored charcoal-grey Muggle suit with the blue tie that did beautiful things to his eyes, and instantly felt his cock stir in his trousers.
He walked over to stand next to Draco as the blond began to smooth his hair into place.
"You look amazing," Harry observed, green eyes tracking over his Alpha's fit body before coming to rest on his face. He smiled coyly at Draco with his best 'come-hither' look. "Can we be late?" he purred, reaching out to slide one hand under the back of Draco's shirt to run over smooth warm skin. Even just that small touch was enough to cause his groin to absolutely throb.
"Harry." Draco frowned in irritation and stepped away. "I just tucked that in. And no we cannot be late, we need to speak to my parents before the party, or have you forgotten?" he said tetchily, fixing his shirt with sharp, jerky movements.
Harry felt his temper flare hotly. Fuck he was at the end of his tether with his grumpy mate and this rollercoaster of arousal where he never got any relief.
"No, I haven't forgotten," he snapped back. "Fine, let's just go."
"Don't be like that," Draco said with annoyance. "You can't honestly think I would be in the mood directly before having this conversation with my parents?"
"Is that your excuse for the past month of no fucking as well?" Harry countered peevishly, hands clenching in his cloak as he held it in front of him like a shield. This was the first time he'd actually brought up how frustrated he'd been feeling and it felt liberating to finally get it off his chest - even if it wasn't quite as rational and eloquent as he'd been hoping.
Draco's eyes flared, but not with the guilt that Harry had been expecting. "Salazar, there are more important things than sex Potter! I am fucking exhausted and I don't have the energy for your little mind games right now. Don't you think I've put up with enough lately? What with the pregnancy and your life being in danger? A modicum of understanding would be appreciated here."
Harry gaped as Draco strode past him to the door and opened it; he was equal parts shocked and furious that Draco would speak to him like that.
Harry glared at the side of his stupid blond head for a moment before snapping his mouth shut and marching past him into the corridor. If Draco didn't want to listen then that was just fine. If he wanted to believe that Harry was just being utterly selfish and demanding for no good reason, then he wouldn't even bother to correct him, or to explain about the build-up of pregnancy hormones which were driving him mad.
Harry ground his teeth as he continued to walk at a brisk pace down the empty corridor. He could hear Draco behind him and, for some reason, his Alpha's silence was only serving to aggravate him further. He wished Draco would just admit that he was being daft and that this 'not sleeping' thing just wasn't practical, and that it was negatively affecting their relationship in the meantime.
Why the fuck couldn't he see that?
Harry continued to seethe as he led the way to the Headmistress' Office. McGonagall had given them the use of her private Floo connection to travel to Malfoy Manor. She was well aware of the McDougall party as a few of the Slytherins were attending and she thought it best for Harry's safety to use the Floo instead of taking any chances with leaving the grounds in order to Apparate.
Harry uttered the password under his breath and walked up the spiral stone staircase and into the familiar office. Thankfully the room was empty.
He hadn't told Professor McGonagall about his pregnancy yet, and a part of him worried that she would see right through him if they were alone in the same room together.
Harry walked past the wide oak desk and snatched a handful of Floo Powder from the bronze pot on the shelf.
He completely ignored his Alpha as Draco watched him toss the silvery powder into the hearth and then enter the innocuous warm blaze which had sprung up in its place.
"Malfoy Manor!" he called out clearly before disappearing in a whirl of green flames.
Harry closed his eyes, unable to watch the spinning grates as they flew past in quick succession.
Minutes later, he was spat out of the ornate white fireplace of the Malfoy's front parlour. He stumbled over the hearth and onto the worn rug but remained upright, Invisibility Cloak still clutched in his hands.
He looked up and was immediately greeted by Narcissa's gently smiling face as she moved forward to clasp his hand in greeting.
"Good evening Harry," she said in her customarily quiet manner. "I trust you are well?"
"Uh yes, I… I am." Harry forced a smile as he followed her to the seating area and was just sitting down in his usual spot on the pretty sofa when the whoosh of the fireplace announced the arrival of his mate.
"Draco," Narcissa greeted with another soft smile, eyes sparkling dotingly as she looked upon her only child. "It's been too long my darling."
Draco shifted uncomfortably, eyes flicking to Harry before resting on his mother. "Yes, I apologise for not contacting you earlier, we've been kept rather busy."
Narcissa nodded and beckoned him over with a graceful sweep of her arm as she took a seat in one of the armchairs opposite the sofa. "Your father will be along shortly," she informed them, still smiling pleasantly.
Draco stiffly took a seat on the other end of the sofa and Harry pretended to look around the room when Narcissa eyed the obvious space between the two of them with an arched brow. Harry usually sat shoulder to shoulder with Draco and held hands whenever they joined the Malfoys in that room. At the moment they were sitting as far from the other as it was possible to be on the small sofa.
Narcissa looked as though she was about to question them when Lucius suddenly entered the room, fiddling with the cuff of his crisp white shirt.
"Good evening," the Malfoy monarch intoned distractedly as he walked over to sit beside his wife in the matching armchair.
Narcissa automatically reached over to assist her husband, deftly positioning the silver cufflink with the large letter 'M' etched into it into place.
"Tea?" she asked the room at large as she finished.
"Yes please," Harry replied swiftly, relieved at the prospect of having something to occupy his hands instead of clenching them nervously in his lap.
Narcissa quietly requested some tea and biscuits from one of the house-elves while Lucius openly eyed the gap between the two mates, much the same way as his wife had.
"What's wrong?" he asked bluntly, gaze narrowing accusingly as he looked at Harry.
Harry wanted to roll his eyes; of course Lucius would immediately blame him. A hot wave of irritation rolled through him at the clear insinuation and, unfortunately, forced the next words from his mouth before he could stop them.
"Your son got me pregnant."
He heard a soft sigh beside him and glanced over to see Draco drop his forehead into his hand, eyes closed, as though he could block out the result of Harry's impulsive temper; the shock of which was now plainly written across both Lucius and Narcissa's stunned faces.
Narcissa was the first to recover.
"How did… pregnant?" she responded, as close to incoherent as Harry had ever seen her. "Are you certain?" she asked, glancing between them.
"Yes," Draco confirmed with quiet resignation, raising his head. "Madam Pomfrey verified the pregnancy herself. No other Hogwarts professor is aware of the situation, except for Professor Garrick."
Narcissa put a hand to her chest, staring in disbelief.
"How could you let this happen?"
Harry blinked in surprise at the furious glare directed his way from Lucius. It was a look he hadn't been subjected to from Mr. Malfoy in a very long time, and he couldn't help but feel rather hurt that the man could fall back on that distrust and hatred so easily.
"I… It was an accident-"
"Clearly," Lucius hissed, eyes practically throwing sparks in his anger. "How could someone in your position be so incredibly stupid?"
Harry swallowed and knew it was a direct result of his current emotional state that, instead of righteous indignation, he suddenly felt the hot prickle of tears in back of his eyes.
This wasn't how this was supposed to go; Draco was supposed to suffer the brunt of his parent's anger - not him. The blame was fifty-fifty after all; there would be no baby without their son's implicit involvement.
For the first time since learning of his pregnancy, Harry felt the sharp stab of regret.
He was barely three weeks into it and already he was emotionally and physically drained. Draco had been right; it just wasn't the right time…
He lifted his gaze to Lucius' condemning glare and suddenly hated the man for making him think such thoughts.
It made him want to lash out.
"I'll just get rid of it then, shall I?" he snapped crossly.
"Harry," Draco interjected warningly.
"I didn't fall pregnant all on my own, you know," Harry continued, ignoring his mate as glared at Lucius.
"Harry," Draco cut in sharply, and then sighed wearily before adding, "no one is asking you to terminate the pregnancy."
"No, he's just implying that I'm a bit of a slag who somehow tricked you into impregnating me," Harry exclaimed spitefully.
A house-elf in a patched green tea-cosy suddenly appeared holding a silver tray of tea along with a small selection of biscuits, the look in her eyes turning apprehensive as she took in the palpable tension in the room.
Narcissa cleared her throat. "Yes, thank you Trinket," she said delicately. "That will be all."
Trinket carefully placed the large tray down on the table between them before bobbing a hasty curtsy and disappearing.
There was a minute of very uncomfortable silence, in which no one knew quite where to look or what to say. The mounting antagonism had been somewhat deflated by the appearance of the house-elf.
"How are you feeling Harry?" Narcissa eventually enquired, breaking the hostile silence.
Harry scratched uncomfortably at his scalp as he stared at the toes of his spotless black boots, unable to meet her gaze, not wanting to find that he'd lost her approval as well. "I'm… I'm fine."
Lucius exhaled heavily, obviously trying to get ahold of his emotions. "What's done is done," he finally said stiffly, as though he were being quite magnanimous about it. "Moving forward, we need to discuss how we are to protect this new Malfoy."
Harry immediately bristled. "He's half Potter as well."
Lucius' eyes narrowed. "Yes, and as you are unmarried and have no living parents, the child would then legally be the sole Malfoy heir after Draco."
Harry frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means he's legally a Malfoy."
"So… the baby becomes your property? Is that it?"
"Harry, that's not what he's saying-" Draco said tiredly.
"In legal terms, yes," Lucius replied sharply, as though Draco hadn't spoken.
"Father," Draco said, turning to him with a look of warning.
"I don't believe we need to be discussing the legalities of the child right at this moment," Narcissa inserted stridently, frowning at all three of them.
Harry abruptly stood. He'd had enough; he couldn't take one more minute of this conversation or the accusations flying around - especially because it felt as though his mate had abandoned him to the wolves without any hint of support. Draco hadn't even bothered to tell to his parents that he wanted this baby.
Or perhaps he'd changed his mind. It certainly seemed that way judging by his near silence.
Harry blinked back the tears which accompanied that thought and stubbornly lifted his chin.
"I'd like to go to the party now," he announced roughly. "I won't sit here and be reprimanded for something that was an accident, especially because you don't even know the full story. I know its poor timing but it can't be helped now. I am going to protect this baby - even if I'm the only one who wants it."
"You know that's not true Harry," Draco said, frowning.
"Feels like it," Harry replied stonily.
Draco sighed and rubbed at his eyes. "Perhaps we should just return to Hogwarts."
"No." Harry shook his head. "As much as there's nothing I want to do less right now than to attend a celebration for a new baby, there are too many people expecting us. It would be suspicious and people might ask questions - especially Blaise."
Narcissa rose from her seat and looked at Harry, expression set. "I shall escort you to the McDougall's. You have not been there before and Draco will remain with Lucius for a minute." She then turned to her husband and son, pale gaze uncompromising. "You are not going anywhere until you're able to be the caring wizards I know you are. This pregnancy news has come as a bit of a shock but that is no excuse to treat a member of this family so appallingly."
For the third time that night, Harry had to fight to blink back tears. He blamed it on pregnancy hormones and did his best to thwart the impulse.
Draco appeared somewhat chastised as he dropped his gaze to the floor, but Lucius looked as though he were about to protest vehemently - and then thought better of defying his strong-minded wife and closed his mouth again.
Narcissa fetched her pretty travelling cloak from where it had been carefully laid out over the back of her chair and clasped it around her thin shoulders. She waited while Harry carefully concealed himself beneath his Invisibility Cloak and then she held out an arm for him to take once he'd vanished from sight.
Without a word to his taciturn mate, Harry linked his elbow through hers, grateful for at least one ally.
He was so disappointed in how his Alpha had behaved that evening. He knew the lack of sleep and the stress was a definite part of it, because up until then, Draco had been nothing but caring and protective of him, but Harry still couldn't help but feel hurt by the blatant abandonment.
Harry closed his eyes as Narcissa swiftly Disapparated the two of them away, leaving their recalcitrant Alphas behind.
. . . .
Harry released Narcissa's arm as soon as the ground was safely beneath his feet again and silently followed her up the long tree-lined drive, openly goggling at the opulence of the McDougall's property from beneath the hood of his Cloak.
He'd thought the Malfoy's estate impressive, but it was nothing compared to the unashamed extravagance of Sophie McDougall's home.
The McDougall's resided in a strictly Wizarding Village, so they had quite a few magical touches around the grounds. There were hundreds of floating lanterns lighting the way along the gravel drive towards the massive stone building in the distance, which appeared to be at least five storeys in height. The drive was bordered on both sides by magical Ever-Blooming Cherry Trees, their froth of white blossoms a beautiful accompaniment to the glittering snow-covered grounds surrounding them. The windows of the massive home were shining yellow-warm in the dim evening light and the total effect of it all was quite breathtaking.
There were dozens of other finely dressed guests slowly making their way up the drive on foot and Harry was careful to stay out of their way in order to remain hidden until he was safely inside the house.
Harry frowned a little when Narcissa changed course and led him to the side of the house, to where a small stone bench seat was set back in the shadows a little ways away from the front entrance.
She sat down on the snow-dusted seat, wrapping her warm cloak around herself and keeping her watchful gaze on the passing guests. She murmured a quiet Silencing Charm before speaking.
"Are you and Draco quarreling over the baby?" she asked, surprising him with her candour.
Harry slowly sat down next to her, making sure to lightly brush her shoulder with his own so that she'd know where he was under his Cloak.
He sighed. "No, not really. He was upset at first because he was so worried about what that would mean for my safety, but when Madam Pomfrey told us the news…" Harry paused and felt a little of his ire melt away at the memory of Draco's soft gaze full of affection and love in the Infirmary. "He was pleased."
Narcissa smiled a little, gaze still on the gravel drive and the passing guests.
Harry kicked at the loose snow at his feet. "Ever since we found out though, Draco hasn't been able to sleep at night. For some reason he thinks I'm vulnerable while I'm sleeping and that something may happen to me, so he stays awake all night - whether he wants to or not - and it is wreaking havoc with his temperament. He's stressed and irritable, trying to protect me and keep up with his schoolwork while at the same time trying to catch a bit of sleep in between classes. So many times he's nodded off right in the middle working on an assignment in our room… I don't know what to do except to force Dreamless Sleep down his throat and make him bloody sleep."
Narcissa tilted her head towards him, blond hair done up in an elegant chignon at the nape of her neck. "So Draco is worried about you and you are worried about Draco?"
Harry exhaled with a rueful smile. "Yeah, that about sums it up. So of course we're rowing all the time and saying things we don't really mean… and I really should be more tolerant of his behaviour towards me right now because I know he loves me, but…"
Narcissa nodded in understanding. "But you are only human."
Harry nodded in response, even though he knew she couldn't see it.
Narcissa was quietly contemplative for a moment before speaking. "I remember Lucius being very, very protective of me while I was pregnant with Draco," she eventually said. "If I left the house, he would always accompany me, and if he couldn't, then he would ensure that I had someone else with me, usually one of the poor house-elves was nominated for the job. It is an Alpha compulsion which is too instinctual to change - made that much worse by the inherent nature of a Nundu. I can't even imagine how much my poor son is attempting to cope with right now: having a pregnant mate whose life is in danger…" she trailed off and shook her head. "Draco does not like surprises, he never has, he prefers things to be carefully planned and calculated."
Harry smiled a little. "I know."
"Nevertheless," she continued firmly, "however he is feeling or however exhausted he is, there is no excuse for treating you poorly. He should realise what he is doing to you and make the necessary changes to fix it, such as speaking to the matron about sleeping potions or perhaps missing a day or two of classes in order to catch up on his sleep."
Harry nodded emphatically in agreement. "Yeah, I've told him that. I even told him that I would stay with him in our rooms so that he could sleep without worrying about me going to class without him, but he didn't want people to become suspicious."
"I will speak with him," she promised, flicking a sympathetic glance in his general direction. "If nothing else, the Christmas holidays are approaching and you and Draco are welcome to stay at the Manor for the duration. Draco will be able to relax there, knowing that at least Lucius and I are around to help keep an eye on you. Not that you particularly need looking after quite to that extent," she added with a tiny grin. "I think Draco sometimes forgets that you are the same man who defeated the Dark Lord."
Harry chuckled, feeling much better than he had earlier. He noticed Narcissa shivering and thought it was probably time to go inside.
"Shall we?" he said, standing, feet crunching in the snow.
Narcissa smiled as she stood. "Yes, I'm certain Lucius and Draco will be along shortly."
Harry followed along beside Narcissa as she walked back through the snow to the stone steps leading up to the brightly illuminated entrance.
"Thank you," Harry said quietly, embarrassed, but needing to say it, "for the talk."
"You are very welcome Harry," she replied, equally as quiet, smiling to herself as she delicately lifted her long robes to climb the steps.
The vast double doors were held open and flanked by about eight house-elves dressed in tiny blue and silver suits and holding trays of champagne.
Harry had never seen such well-dressed house-elves before and the sight made him smile.
Mrs. Malfoy handed off her cloak to one of the elves just inside the door and then gracefully accepted one of the glasses of sparkling champagne from another attending elf.
Harry ducked inside after her and then hid behind one of the large white stone pillars circling the entrance hall to remove his Cloak. He rolled it up in his arms and then returned to Narcissa's side as she casually waited for him; feigning interest in some of the artwork adorning the walls.
They joined the well-dressed crowd making their way into the ballroom located at the far north end of the home.
Harry stopped in the wide doorway and gaped at the magnificent room, the golden lustre of it practically causing him to squint. Every wall of the vast room was ornamented with elegant gilded mirrors and the wall space in between was also a burnished gold. The polished floor was gleaming nearly as brightly as the walls.
There were groups of witches and wizards scattered throughout, dressed in long elegant dress robes or finely tailored Muggle clothing. It seemed like the younger guests were the ones sporting the Muggle clothing and the older generation were in more traditional dress.
"Do close your mouth Potter, staring gormlessly is not your best look."
Harry turned to his right to see Pansy's smirking red lips and dark teasing eyes. "Good evening Parkinson," he said with forced politeness. He then raised his brow at her unashamedly exposed cleavage. "Classy as usual, I see."
Pansy laughed and immediately tucked her arm through his. "I like you Potter, you shall have to save a dance for me. Good evening Mrs. Malfoy," she leaned around Harry to greet Narcissa courteously. "Mind if I steal your date?"
"If Mr. Potter does not mind," Narcissa replied with a glance at Harry.
Harry smiled and shook his head. "It's fine," he said and was immediately tugged away by Pansy.
"Where's your gorgeous Alpha?" she asked as she led him towards the far wall, which had a large table spread with enough food to feed the whole of Hogwarts with, next to a pair of glass doors leading out onto a stone patio and the gardens beyond.
"He's coming," Harry replied distractedly, noticing quite a few pairs of eyes tracking his progress across the room. He wasn't sure if it was because he was Harry Potter or because he was a male Omega, but he really didn't like the look in some of the men's eyes.
Harry tried shake off his unease, instead focussing on the cluster of Slytherins next to the table Pansy was leading him towards. He recognised two fourth year Ravenclaws as well, but Harry was the only Gryffindor, and there were no Hufflepuffs.
Pansy snatched two glasses of champagne off a passing tray and handed one to Harry just before they joined the group.
He was greeted by cordial variations of "evening Potter" from every single one of the Slytherins. Having dinner at the Slytherin table and the Thursday evening study sessions were clearly working to improve his relationship with that particular house and he couldn't help but be pleased.
"Good evening," Harry replied pleasantly before absently taking a rather large gulp of his drink.
He suddenly remembered that he shouldn't be drinking.
Too late; he coughed and spluttered a little as the alcohol trailed smoothly down his throat. He looked up, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand - and met Blaise Zabini's penetrating gaze.
Harry froze as the man's dark gaze flicked down to his mid-section and then back up again, a faint smirk slowly stretching his lips.
Harry turned away as nonchalantly as possible but knew his cheeks had probably flushed tellingly.
A pale hand suddenly reached in front of Harry and plucked the champagne flute clear out of his hand.
Harry looked up as Draco slid an arm around his waist and took a sip from Harry's glass, keeping it in his hand afterwards. Harry leaned into his mate's side, biting back a sigh at the relief his Alpha's presence gave him. They hadn't been separated from each other by such a distance in a long time and, despite their current problems, Harry really wasn't fond of the feeling.
"Don't you look dashing Draco," Pansy drawled in observation, eyes running over his impeccable suit.
"And don't you look… tasteful," he commented wryly in return, brow arching.
"Thanks darling," Pansy replied with a wink. "Too bad all eyes are on Potter though. I think half the men here had an instant erection the minute he walked in. You should have seen the drooling as he accompanied me across the room."
Draco's eyes narrowed but his tone was flippant as he replied. "I'm sure the straight ones were staring at your tits Pans. Nice bit of wand work that."
"I don't need magic to enhance these beauties," she informed him smugly, giving her shoulders a little shimmy to jiggle said breasts.
Draco snorted and Harry rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning back at her. He quite liked her brash personality - when it wasn't used to mock him or turn him over to evil Dark Lords, that is.
A loud tinkling bell suddenly echoed around the large room, garnering everyone's attention.
Harry turned to look towards the entrance doors and saw Sophie McDougall standing there holding a tiny bundle wrapped in soft white blankets. Standing to one side of her was a tall muscular man with red hair, who must've been her Alpha, and on her other side stood an older couple who looked to be her parents.
Harry smiled when he spotted little Gemma standing just behind Sophie, one hand clutching her mum's dress robes as she stared shyly out at the gathered crowd.
Sophie's husband welcomed everyone to their home with a warm smile, in fact he smiled quite a bit throughout his speech, and Harry wondered if he was a naturally merry person or if he was just flying high on 'new father' endorphins.
Sophie briefly welcomed everyone as well and told them all to come up and meet their new son, Samuel, throughout the evening.
Everyone applauded and then either returned to their conversation or drifted over to the McDougall family to congratulate them.
Harry saw Professor Garrick across the room and waved to him with a smile. The professor was standing with a petite brunette woman who must've been his wife, Anna. Harry hoped his daughters were there as well so that he could finally meet them.
Harry turned to Draco to see if he wanted to visit the baby and caught his mate covering a yawn with one hand. "Hey," he said gently. "Want to sit down and I'll bring you some food? And maybe beg a house-elf for an espresso or two?"
Draco turned to him and Harry saw that his mate had definitely used some sort of concealment charm on the dark circles under his eyes.
His Alpha smiled tiredly and shook his head. "No, I'm okay," he said. "Let's go meet Samuel, I know you're dying to."
"All right." Harry decided not to argue even though his mate was clearly exhausted.
"I'm sorry about earlier Harry," Draco murmured into his ear, absently nodding at the people who acknowledged him as they made their way towards the happy family. "I didn't mean to let my father get carried away like that, I should've stopped him."
Harry slid his hand into his mate's and gave it a squeeze. "It's all right, we'll talk about it later."
Draco turned to him; grey eye searching. "But we're okay, right?"
Harry smiled at the worry shining there and couldn't help but feel a little comforted by it. "Yeah, of course."
The tightness around Draco's eyes eased at his words and he nodded.
Harry pressed his lips together as they started walking again, concerned with just how bloody tired Draco looked. He knew he had to do something about it - for both their sakes. Just having Draco's arm around his waist was turning him on in a way it normally wouldn't have if it hadn't been for the lack of sexual contact wreaking havoc with his body.
They approached the McDougall family and Harry smiled in greeting at Gemma while Draco said good evening to the glowing parents.
"Hi Gemma," he said, kneeling down. "How are you?"
The girl smiled back without reservation. "Hi Harry Potter," she said.
"So do you like having a brother?"
Gemma immediately frowned and Harry had to stifle a laugh at her very cute pout.
"No," she said, eyes flicking to her mother for a moment to ensure that she hadn't heard. "He doesn't even do anything interesting, he just lays there and cries or sleeps. He's boring. But everyone thinks he's soooo fascinating."
Harry chuckled. "You're right," he said conspiratorially. "You are much more interesting."
"I know." She smiled and shifted in her shiny patent shoes, looking restless; clearly tired of standing next to her family while everyone cooed over her baby brother.
Harry had a sudden idea and smiled at her. "I have something you can borrow to make the party more fun - just for this evening though, and then you have to give it back."
Her eyes gleamed with interest. "What is it?" she whispered.
"Hold on, I'm just going to say hello to your parents and your new brother, then I'll tell you."
"Okay." She nodded, smiling.
Harry straightened and turned to the newborn baby cradled in Sophie's arms, Draco's conversation with Sophie and her husband floating around him, but he wasn't absorbing any of the words as he focussed on the tiny infant instead.
He smiled softly at the little boy as he slept peacefully, eyelashes fluttering every few seconds.
"Do you want to hold him?"
Harry blinked and looked up to see Sophie smiling at him. He would never have thought such a gentle look possible from her after the way she'd acted at that first Board meeting.
"Sure," he replied uncertainly; he'd never held a baby before and he really didn't want to drop him; he looked incredibly fragile.
But he ought to learn since he would be holding his own in nine months. That thought both excited and terrified him in equal measures.
Harry held out his arms, trying to mimic the way Sophie had had her arms positioned.
Sophie handed him over and Harry carefully pulled the little body in to his chest, making sure to support his frighteningly floppy neck.
Harry held his breath as blue eyes opened for a second to look up at him and then closed again, his little rosebud mouth moving as though chewing before he quickly settled back to sleep again.
Harry smiled, Samuel's body was so warm and he smelled so good. "Hi Samuel," he said to the slumbering newborn. "Be nice to your big sister and try not to steal all the attention, okay?"
There was a giggle from Gemma and Harry grinned at her as he unconsciously started to rock Samuel a little from side to side.
"You're a natural Mr. Potter," Sophie's husband observed jovially.
Harry looked up and smiled, feeling his cheeks flush a little in embarrassment.
"I'm John, by the way."
"Nice to meet you," Harry replied with a nod, "and congratulations."
"Soph did all the work," he answered honestly, slipping an arm around his wife's shoulders. "She was amazing."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "And John had to be restrained so that he wouldn't hurt the Healer - who was just doing his job," she said, poking him in the ribs.
John smiled self-consciously. "It's hard to sit back and see your mate in so much pain." He glanced at Draco. "You'll see Malfoy, one day it will be you watching Harry scream bloody murder. And I've heard male Omega's have a really tough time of it."
Harry swallowed and glanced at Draco, who looked slightly stricken.
"John." Sophie glared. "Don't say such things; you'll scare poor Harry into not having any children." She turned back to Harry holding her son. "You'll do fine Harry, you're strong."
Harry tried to feel reassured but he only felt nauseous.
He quickly turned back to gaze down at Samuel again, seeking reassurance in his warm weight and serene expression. Harry felt his expression soften and his heart melt a little.
He could do this, whatever happened, it would be worth it.
He glanced up to find Draco's assessing gaze on him and he smiled a little at the warm affection there. His Alpha looked affected by the sight of Harry holding the baby, he must have been thinking about how his mate was carrying their own child right at that very moment. He hadn't looked like that since the pregnancy confirmation in the infirmary.
"Do you want to hold him?" Harry asked.
Draco's eyes widened and Harry passed him over before his mate could protest.
Draco swiftly recovered and pulled the baby in to his chest. He stared down at him with both fear and wonder on his face.
Harry grinned and then spotted Narcissa and Lucius watching them from nearby. She smiled at Harry and he could see the slight sheen to her pale eyes, clearly moved by the sight of her son holding little Samuel. Lucius' eyes were also on Draco but Harry couldn't read his mood at all.
Harry turned back to watch his mate and had to force himself to not put a hand on his own stomach, the urge to connect to his growing baby nearly overwhelming him. He'd been so busy worrying about Draco and everyone's reaction to him being pregnant, that he'd hardly had the time to actually think about being pregnant; to enjoy it, or even to really anticipate their child's arrival on any level.
He was a bit saddened that his experience thus far had been somewhat tainted by everything else going on.
There was a gentle but insistent tugging at his trousers and Harry broke out of his wandering thoughts to find Gemma staring up at him impatiently.
"Are you done with the baby now?" she asked.
Harry laughed, as did Sophie and John.
"Yes, I'm all yours now," he replied. He glanced at Draco, who was still staring at the baby in his arms. "You okay if I entertain Gemma for a minute?"
Draco finally looked up and nodded. He opened his mouth as though to say something and then shut it again, before nodding once more.
Harry smiled, knowing Draco probably had all sorts of baby related thoughts running through his head. He touched his Alpha's arm briefly before turning his attention back to Gemma, hoping Draco wasn't exhausted enough to accidentally drop the baby in his absence. Sophie's mild-mannered countenance would probably turn feral fairly quickly if he did.
He took Gemma's hand and steered her out of the grand ballroom and back into the large hallway. "Your house is very beautiful," he said to her as they walked past gilded paintings and red velvet wall hangings.
"Yes it is," she said solemnly, causing Harry to grin at the blunt immodesty that only a child could get away with.
He took her around the corner and stopped, looking around to make sure they were alone first before crouching down to her level.
"How would you like to be invisible?" he whispered. "Just for tonight?"
Gemma's eyes widened. "Invisible?" she repeated in a hushed voice.
Harry nodded and then brought out his Cloak from under his arm. "This is an Invisibility Cloak," he whispered seriously. "If you put it on then no one will be able to see you. You can sneak up on anyone's conversation and hear what they're saying without them knowing you're even there."
Gemma's eyes lit up as she smiled, greedily reaching for the Cloak.
Harry placed it in her hands but didn't let go as he looked her in the eye. "This Cloak is very special to me, my father left it to me, so I need you to take extra special care of it - and don't let anyone else use it or even see it, all right?"
Gemma nodded gravely and Harry knew she understood and that she would take care of his beloved Cloak.
"Don't take it outside but you're free to wander the house with it," Harry added, not wanting the Cloak to be dragged through the snow and slush.
"Thank you Harry," she replied, hugging the garment to her stomach, expression earnest. "I won't let anything happen to it."
"I know you won't," Harry replied with a smile. "Make sure you keep an eye out for me getting ready to leave later because I won't be able to find you."
Gemma giggled and nodded. She swung the Cloak around her tiny shoulders and everything south of her neck disappeared.
Harry grinned and reached out to flip the hood of the Cloak up over her head until not a trace of her could be seen. "Remember people can still bump into you, so stay out of their way or you'll be discovered - and no eavesdropping on me, okay?"
"Okay Harry," the disembodied voice replied cheerfully.
Harry straightened and listened to her shoes tap away on the hard flooring back towards the ballroom.
He chuckled and slipped his hands into his pockets as he also made his way back. He'd now solved the problem of where to keep his Cloak while he was at the party as well as giving his little friend something to keep her occupied with while her brother was showered with attention.
Harry stood in the doorway, idly watching the crowded room. He spotted Draco over with his parents at the far right side of the room, looking as though the three of them were having a somewhat serious conversation.
He hoped they weren't talking about his pregnancy because Gemma could be lurking nearby. He was fairly confident that they wouldn't discuss such a thing in a room full of people though. Being Nundu, they would be quite adept at keeping secrets.
Harry startled when something brushed against his neck and he turned to see a tall man he didn't recognise, apparently sniffing at his neck and invading his personal space in a way that instantly had him on edge.
"What are you doing?" Harry demanded with a frown, taking a step back.
The man, who looked to be in his forties, leered at him. "You smell delicious little Omega," he practically purred, looking drunk on Harry's scent. "I was hoping you would dance with me."
"No thank you," Harry quickly replied. "My Alpha wouldn't like it - and neither would I, for that matter."
The man's expression darkened and Harry felt his heart rate tick up in response.
"Harry, darling, you promised me a dance."
Harry nearly sighed in relief as Pansy suddenly appeared and grabbed him by the arm. She flashed a faux apologetic look back at the stranger as she dragged Harry away to the dance floor.
"You're welcome Potter," she smirked as she forcefully positioned Harry's arms around her and then nudged him to start dancing.
Harry smiled at her. "Thanks, you're a lifesaver. I hate dancing but it's worth it to be away from that handsy Alpha."
Pansy threw her head back and laughed. "You hate dancing because you're terrible at it Potter," she said, unashamedly taking the lead in their waltzing as she moved them across the floor amongst all the other couples. "You'd better get used to it because Draco loves dancing, all Purebloods do, and he will expect you to be presentable at your wedding."
Harry snorted. "Well I'm not a Pureblood and there isn't going to be a wedding."
Pansy narrowed her eyes. "You don't want to marry Draco?"
"I would if he asked but I don't think he's interested in marriage. I think Claiming me was enough for him. I really don't care either way."
Pansy narrowed her eyes disbelievingly. "I'll speak to him about it," she said decidedly. "He's just not thinking straight, which I meant to talk to you about," she continued blithely. "What is up with Draco lately? Are you keeping him up with wild animal sex every night or something? Because he looks completely worn out."
Harry almost replied with 'I wish' but wasn't about to get into a discussion about his sex life - or lack thereof - with Pansy Parkinson. He decided to go with just a few kernels of truth mixed in with deliberate evasion.
"No, he's just really worried about me getting attacked again and attaining high scores in his N.E.W.T's," Harry replied smoothly. "All this stress is keeping him up nights. I'm about to demand some Dreamless Sleep from Pomfrey in order for him to get some proper rest."
Pansy nodded. "See that you do Potter. I worry about him - but don't tell him that."
Harry grinned. "I wouldn't dream of it Parkinson."
"That boy keeps too much to himself," she continued and then sighed. "All Slytherins do to an extent, but Draco in particular has made a nasty habit of it."
Harry also felt like sighing. "Yeah, I'm learning that," he said vaguely.
Pansy eyed him shrewdly. "I never would have thought I'd say this but, you're good for him Potter. You care about him but you also don't put up with his shit. He needs that."
Harry chuckled and then on a whim, spun Pansy out and back in before dipping her low as the last note of the violin faded away.
Pansy laughed in surprise and then smirked at him as he lifted her back up. "Nicely done Potter," she said, clapping along with everyone else as they applauded the string quartet. "Not bad for an Omega."
Harry snorted but didn't respond as he applauded the musicians, who nodded in acknowledgment before beginning the next piece.
Harry turned back to Pansy only to find Blaise suddenly standing in front of him.
"My turn," he said abruptly as he took Harry's hand for the next dance.
Pansy looked as though she was about to protest but another young man swooped in and asked her to dance.
"Don't do it Potter," she said over her shoulder before walking off with the smiling man.
Harry frowned and began to take a step back. "She's right, Draco wouldn't like it."
Blaise smirked and glanced over Harry's shoulder to the far side of the room. "I don't think he cares about much of anything right now Potter."
Harry turned and quickly spotted his mate sitting slouched over in a chair at the side of the room, head resting against the side of the armchair with eyes closed and lips slightly parted.
He was clearly fast asleep.
Blaise pulled Harry into his arms and began to dance before Harry could think of a response. He frowned at Blaise and decided to just allow the one dance and avoid making a scene.
"Just one dance Zabini," Harry warned.
"Of course," Blaise grinned triumphantly. "I do hope Malfoy isn't drooling over there, he'll be most embarrassed."
Harry glanced over at his Alpha with concern. "I'd wake him but really, he needs the rest."
"It's almost as though he's preoccupied with other things," Blaise said pointedly.
Harry turned back to face him, frown deepening.
"I noticed your faux pas with the champagne there Potter, I'm sure one little sip isn't going to-"
"Shh!" Harry hissed as they moved around the floor. He wasn't even really paying attention to what his body was doing as Blaise smoothly led him in the fast-paced waltz. "Don't say it."
"It's true though, isn't it?"
"I'm not telling you anything," Harry replied stiffly.
Blaise laughed. "I'm not an idiot Potter, I know."
"You're guessing," Harry shot back.
Blaise smiled and shrugged. "It's an educated guess - but I'll stop talking about it."
"Thank you." Harry hoped the song would be over soon, he didn't feel comfortable dancing with an Alpha who he knew was interested in him. Or at least, one that used to be interested in him - before the pregnancy. "I'm surprised you wanted to dance with me Zabini, I thought Alphas weren't interested in Omega's who are you-know-what."
Blaise arched a brow. "I'm not dancing with you because I want to shag you Potter, I just wanted to dance and make some of the other men jealous."
Harry relaxed a fraction. "Oh."
Blaise swung him around with a grin. "You're not thatirresistible Potter."
Harry finally cracked a reluctant smile. "I'm hurt Zabini."
The Slytherin chuckled. "Knew you had a huge ego."
Harry laughed as Blaise spun him out and in, just as he'd done to Pansy.
Harry blinked, the spin suddenly making him a little dizzy.
Blaise paused, his smile replaced with a frown of concern. "You all right Potter?"
Harry's stomach churned and he quickly shook his head. "Just… just a little dizzy."
Blaise quickly took him by the arm and led him off the dance floor. "Come on, let's get you some fresh air."
Harry swallowed, keeping his eyes on the ground as he obediently followed Blaise through the room - which suddenly felt too crowded and too hot - and out through the glass doors to the huge stone patio.
There was a warming charm on the area but the air was still refreshingly cool on Harry's heated skin as he followed Blaise to one of the empty stone benches and sat down.
Blaise withdrew his wand and conjured a glass of cold water while Harry inhaled the frosty air deep into his lungs with relief.
"Thanks." Harry gratefully took the glass and gulped the cool liquid before handing it back. "Sorry about that."
Blaise vanished the empty glass and then waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine Potter. All jokes aside, you do need to take it easy for… for a while."
"For the next nine months?" Harry whispered with a wry smile.
Blaise smiled back. "Yeah, something like that."
"Well, I think I'm okay now." Harry exhaled determinedly and stood up - and then immediately buckled at the knees.
"Whoa!" Blaise quickly jumped in to put his arms around Harry, holding him upright. "Steady there Potter."
Harry blinked the spots from his vision, holding tight to Blaise's waist for balance.
"Silly Omega," Blaise murmured, pushing a few locks of hair back from Harry's forehead.
Harry swallowed and met Blaise's suddenly intense gaze. "Er…"
Unable to help himself, Blaise leaned in and inhaled Harry's neck before softly pressing his lips to the warm skin. "Salazer, you smell so good…"
Harry's heart jumped and his brain told him to push the Alpha away, but his body… his body was definitely saying something else as Blaise kissed his sensitive skin.
Harry couldn't hold in the breathy moan as Blaise's hand wandered down his back to cup his arse and bring his hips up into the solid line of Blaise's thigh. Harry flexed his hips against the firm muscle and was instantly hard.
Fuck, it had been so long since he'd been touched in this way and his body was craving it so fiercely; the desire overpowering any other rational thought. It was like sensory overload and he was instantly dizzy with want.
Blaise groaned as Harry started to rut against him, holding him tighter and pushing his own erection against any part of the delicious Omega that he could.
"More… please, more…" Harry gasped, groin throbbing and body lighting up from the inside.
Blaise ripped his mouth away from Harry's neck and swiftly pulled him around to the other side of the tall hedge next to the bench.
As soon as they were out of sight of the ballroom windows, Blaise lowered Harry to the snow-dusted ground and covered his body with his own.
Harry dazedly moaned his approval, his legs coming up to wrap around Blaise's hips as Blaise ground down into him, sliding the hard lines of their erections against each other.
Harry's body was singing its approval as Blaise's lips descended on his neck once more, causing him to writhe on the ground in bliss.
Blaise sat up, straddling Harry's thighs as he began to wrench at the zip on Harry's trousers.
"Yes…" Harry hissed in approval, voice sounding foreign to his own ears.
As soon as Blaise had Harry's trousers open, he shoved one hand down into his pants and wrapped his fingers around Harry's warm, hard shaft.
Harry arched up with a cry that was part pleasure and part unadulterated relief.
Blaise leaned down to mouth at Harry's neck again as he firmly stroked him with one hand.
"Fuck, Harry," he murmured against his skin. "I want you so much, want to make you come so hard…"
Harry closed his eyes and thrust up into Blaise's tight fist, moaning at the touch and the words; at this Alpha wanting his body so badly, wanting to give him such incredible pleasure. And Harry just wanted to take, take, take.
His body was screaming for it and had been for weeks.
"Oh Harry, I could come just from this," Blaise continued to murmur in an aroused stupor. "Wanted this for so long… Love you so much…"
Those three little words were like a bucket of ice water over the flames of Harry's arousal.
Harry's eyes flew open and his body stiffened, stopping its incessant thrusting. "Stop," he commanded, instantly horrified by his behaviour and what he'd been about to do, but his voice came out as a whisper and Blaise was too far gone to hear, or to even realise that Harry had stopped thrusting into his hand. "No - stop!" he demanded, voice quickly growing stronger as his head cleared and his body swiftly came back under his control.
Blaise frowned down at him in confusion, cheeks flushed and pupils dilated.
Harry felt a flicker of unease at the very strong hand that was still pinning him down by the shoulder. "Blaise," he said very firmly. "Let go of me."
Blaise's frown deepened as he slowly released Harry's quickly softening prick, but instead of moving off of him, he lay down more fully, keeping him in place with his body.
"But I know you want it Harry," he said, rolling his hips uncomfortably into Harry's flaccid cock. "I'll take care of you; clearly Malfoy isn't up to the task…"
Harry's unease quickly turned to anger. "Get off of me," he demanded, uncaring of how much noise he was making.
Blaise's confusion only seemed to grow. "You can't change your mind."
Harry's eyes s widened in outrage. "I can do whatever the fuck I want with my body Zabini - now get off!"
Blaise's expression turned cross as he frowned, gaze hardening and losing some of its haziness, but Harry could see that he was still driven by his thick-headed Alpha nature.
"But you're an Omega," he said, frustrated and hard against Harry's hip. "You're made for this."
Harry's temper flared hotly and he jerked his body, trying to jostle the heavy Alpha off of him. He'd had just about enough of this. "Bollocks," he exclaimed furiously. "I don't want you to touch me."
Harry was ready for drastic measures, but he couldn't move his arms enough to get to the wand tucked into the waistband of his trousers. He practically growled in frustration. "Get the fuck off me!" he roared, vocal cords straining.
Blaise blinked, and Harry could see that his words may have finally started to register with the other man.
Before Harry could say another word, Blaise was gone, and Harry was hit with a waft of cold air in his wake; as though a large bird had just flown over-top of him.
Harry scrambled to sit up and turned around.
Draco was on the ground, on top of Blaise, one hand on his throat and the other pointing a wand directly between his eyes, his face a mask of feral rage.
Harry zipped up his trousers as he hurriedly struggled to his feet and then ran over to kneel in the snow next to his mate. He wanted to place a hand on Draco's shoulder but was afraid of startling him and suffering the consequences of having Draco accidentally reacting violently.
"Draco, stop," he said quietly but firmly. "You don't want to hurt him."
"Like fuck I don't," Draco snarled, silver gaze locked on Blaise and hand tightening reflexively around his throat.
Blaise swallowed and was blinking rapidly, obviously coming out of his lust-filled haze to find this startlingly reality staring down at him.
"No, you don't," Harry repeated steadfastly. "It wasn't his fault. Well, not entirely."
"What does that mean?"
"Draco-" Blaise started hesitantly.
"No!" Draco shouted, pushing his hand further into Blaise's throat and causing him to choke off in surprise.
Harry gently wrapped his hands around Draco's forearm and eased the pressure a little, green eyes glued to Draco's intensely focussed expression. "Draco, look at me. Please?"
A muscle in Draco's cheek jumped as he stared down at Blaise before very slowly dragging his eyes away to look at Harry.
Harry nodded in encouragement, feeling as though he were convincing a man to back away from the edge of a cliff. He took a deep breath and let it out, stealing himself for what he had to tell his mate. "I encouraged him. I wanted him to touch me, and when I returned to my senses, it… it was hard for Blaise to stop."
Harry cringed at the absolute hurt that stared back at him from Draco's eyes.
It looked like a million thoughts were going through Draco's head as he dropped Harry's gaze and then eventually turned back to Blaise, still lying wide-eyed beneath him.
He eased up his hand around Blaise's throat but kept his wand in place.
"You weren't stopping when Harry asked you to," he finally said, tone low and heated.
"I… I know," Blaise stammered, swallowing. "I don't think I would have… I wouldn't have hurt him."
Draco's flinty eyes narrowed in warning. "You might have taken him against his will."
Blaise opened his mouth but didn't know what to say to that as he stared wordlessly back at his housemate.
The hurt was back in Draco's eyes as he finally lowered his wand and slowly rose to his feet. "You… you'll have to get better control of your emotions if you're to… to live with us."
Harry's eyes widened. "What? No! Draco, that isn't what this is."
Draco turned to him with a frown as Harry stumbled to his feet, panicked. Blaise remained where he was, watching the exchange in wary silence.
"But you wanted him," Draco said, frowning.
Harry swallowed and took a step towards his Alpha but Draco didn't look as though he wanted to be touched, so he stopped, hands dropping awkwardly to his sides.
"I… I was desperate for anyone's touch," Harry tried to explain, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "These fucking pregnancy hormones or… or whatever they are, were driving me crazy and I needed some relief."
"Why wouldn't you just come to me?"
"I tried!" Harry exclaimed fervently. "You've been so tired and cross lately."
"If you had told me…" Draco trailed off and suddenly glanced at Blaise as though just realising he was still there. "You can go Zabini, this doesn't concern you any longer."
Blaise got to his feet in a hurry, looking relieved as he dusted the snow from his clothes.
"Oh and Zabini?" Draco added threateningly as Blaise made to leave. "If I ever find you near Harry again, I won't hesitate to use my wand."
Blaise held up his hands in surrender as he backed away. "No problem."
Harry stepped aside to let him pass, not making eye-contact, his sole focus was on his mate. "Draco, I'm so sorry," he said as soon as the other Slytherin was out of earshot.
Draco exhaled hard and ran a shaky hand through his snow-flecked hair. "Do you know how close I was to losing control Harry? I've never…" he trailed off, voice rough and uneven, the emotion tearing at Harry's heart. "I don't wish to discuss this right now," he said quietly, not meeting Harry's gaze. "Let's just go home."
"All right," Harry replied tentatively. He knew he wasn't solely to blame for what had happened; a culmination of weeks of over-wrought emotions and stress, but he couldn't help but feel guilty for the look of devastation on his mate's face.
Draco turned and strode past Harry without making eye-contact, and then he unexpectedly slowed to a stop and glanced over his shoulder.
Harry's breath caught in his throat and he rushed to catch up, taking ahold of the hand which Draco had extended back to him.