Harry awoke with a choked gasp, eyes flying open and hands clenching around fistfuls of damp, white sheets.
"Harry." Draco instantly appeared in his line of vision, leaning over him with concerned eyes.
Harry focussed on his Alpha as he exhaled unsteadily, drinking in the sight of him as he tried to calm his racing heart.
"Are you in pain?"
"No, I…" Harry shook his head, trying to shake the lingering images of the nightmare from his mind. "Bad dream."
Draco carefully sat on the edge of the bed. "About what happened this morning?" he asked, forehead creased with worry.
"Yeah," Harry breathed out, his heartrate beginning to return to normal. "Except instead of my leg, he clawed my stomach and…" he trailed off, knowing Draco would be able to fill in the blanks.
Draco immediately slipped onto the bed to lie alongside his mate and gently placed a hand on Harry's stomach. "The Healer said the baby was fine," he said quietly, gaze on the slope of Harry's pregnant belly beneath the sheet. "Just as you said."
Harry felt the knot in his stomach ease a little at the confirmation. "And my leg?" he asked, flexing his left leg a little. The pain was gone but the muscles felt stiff and bruised.
"Maggie healed it for you. Unfortunately there's a bit of scarring."
Harry smiled a little at the anxious expression on his mate's face. "I don't care about that," he reassured, then reached out a hand to brush Draco's dishevelled fringe out of his eyes. His mate looked exhausted but also as though his entire body was practically vibrating with unease. "Maggie?" he questioned, continuing to comb his fingers through Draco's soft hair, hoping to soothe the tension out of him.
"The Clan Healer," Draco answered, eyes falling shut under his mate's touch. "You'll like her, she's quiet and listens well, but she's also very intelligent and extremely competent. I trust her."
"If you trust her to bring our little plonker into the world, then I do too."
Draco slowly opened his eyes and looked at him with a tired smile.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked with a frown. "I mean, besides the obvious, did anything else happen? You seem really… tense."
Draco's gaze skittered away from the sudden scrutiny. "I'm fine, just tired."
Harry narrowed his eyes. "No you're not," he replied shortly. "Now tell me what's going on. If it's not me or the baby, then something else is bothering you. Is your father all right?"
Draco swallowed, still not quite meeting Harry's eyes. "Father is fine. It's… those…" He hesitated and Harry gently began carding his fingers through his mate's hair again. Draco sighed and tried again. "While those vile men are still alive and in this house, I won't feel…. settled."
Harry frowned sympathetically, recognising just how difficult the situation was for his Alpha. "I thought you were going to kill them," he admitted quietly.
"We couldn't," his mate replied tightly, expression darkening. "We have to bring them before the Board for a proper sentencing first. Nundu are not allowed to pursue acts of revenge and execution without the Board's consent or knowledge, or else we drift into dangerous territory again. We don't want to associate ourselves with the Clans of the past who did whatever they pleased, including raping and killing whenever it struck their fancy."
"But you wanted to kill them," Harry construed, already knowing the answer.
Draco nodded, grey eyes flashing with something Harry had never seen in his Alpha's eyes before; something dark and dangerous.
"When will they be brought before the Board?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight?" Harry repeated in shock. "But it's Christmas day."
"The sooner the better," Draco replied tersely.
Harry paused and really looked at his mate; his pupils were slightly dilated and there was a distracted quality to his gaze, as though he couldn't quite concentrate properly. If Harry didn't know better, he'd think Draco had been drinking. And his Alpha's body was so stiff and rigid, as though he was on the verge of lashing out or flying into a rage.
Harry slid his hand down out of Draco's hair and cupped his warm cheek in one palm. "I love you," he said with quiet fervour.
Draco buried his face in the side of Harry's neck and Harry immediately wrapped his arms around his Alpha. Draco inhaled his scent and Harry hoped it would help to ease his anxiety.
"I hate feeling like this," Draco murmured, lips moving against Harry's warm skin.
"Like what?"
"Like… like a part of me is no better than the Dark Lord."
Harry swiftly pressed a kiss to the top of Draco's head. "Because you want to take the life of those men?" he asked, wanting his mate to talk about it, having learnt the hard way that communication was vital in their relationship.
Draco exhaled, his warm breath puffing across Harry's neck and raising goose-pimples in its wake. "I don't just want to end their lives; I want to make it…" He paused and swallowed hard. "Painful. I want to torture them, I want to ensure that they suffer."
Harry understood just how hard it would be for Draco to have those conflicting feelings. His mate so wanted to be better than the boy he was in their early years at Hogwarts, and to get away from the Malfoy reputation for being advocates of Voldemort, and then to actually havethose kinds of dark desires eating away at him… it would be so difficult to deal with, not to mention frightening.
Harry licked his lips, arms tightening around his mate. "But, you only want them to suffer because of what they did to me."
"Isn't it appallingly abhorrent to want someone to suffer though?" Draco replied, voice muffled. "Doesn't the fact that I want to rip them limb from limb disgust you?"
Harry sighed, distraught to hear such self-hatred and humiliation coming from his Alpha. "But it's not without a reason," he answered. "When you were on trial before the Board, I wanted whoever was responsible to be punished."
"But you didn't want to kill Daphne Greengrass with your bare hands," Draco pointed out.
"No, but then I'm not Nundu."
"Exactly, you're not a monster," Draco said, voice hard.
Harry held him still when Draco began to pull away. "You're not a monster," he said censoriously. "When Sirius was killed, I wanted to hurt Bellatrix so much that I cast the Cruciatus Curse at her. I wanted her to suffer as I was suffering."
Draco pulled back a little to look into Harry's face, grey eyes searching. "Did you want her to die?"
Harry nodded, remembering the feeling of rage and unfairness and hatred that had boiled up within him when Bellatrix had run away, laughing and taunting his pain. "Yeah, I did."
"I don't think you would have done it though."
Harry sighed, shaking off the memory. "Perhaps not if I'd had time to think about it first, but in the heat of the moment I… I really don't know. It was much more straight-forward with Voldemort."
"But you didn't actually utter the curse that took his life," Draco pointed out.
"No, perhaps not, but that was my intent. It was him or me, and I always knew that at some point I would have to kill him. I not only accepted that fact but I wanted to do it."
Draco slowly laid his head down on the pillow, staring unseeing across the room. "But you're not filled with this sadistic impulse which sometimes feels as though it's barely under your control."
"No, I'm not," Harry replied honestly. "But I'm not repulsed by it either."
Draco's dubious gaze swung back towards him.
"I know this response in you has been triggered by a very specific situation, and that once it's been dealt with, you'll return to your normal self," Harry said with conviction.
Draco frowned, almost appearing peeved. "But how can that not bother you?"
"Because when I accepted a mate who was a Nundu, I accepted everything about you. I may find it difficult to watch later today when-"
Draco's eyes widened in horror and he quickly cut him off. "You're not coming to the Board meeting Potter. I won't allow it."
Harry quickly quashed his irritation; he knew Draco wasn't trying to usurp command over him, he was simply showing a concern for his Omega's wellbeing.
He took a deep breath. "I'm coming and you can't stop me," he said firmly.
Draco quickly sat up. "I don't want you to see me like that."
Harry could read the fear so clearly in his mate's eyes that it pulled at his heart. He sat up with a wince, feeling a bit bruised in places other than his leg.
"Harry…"
"No, tell me what's going to happen. If you warn me in advance then it won't be so shocking."
Draco sighed and rubbed at tired eyes. "The men will be brought before the Board," he eventually began to explain, "who will then sentence them to death." He paused and looked up. "My father and I will then be invited to come forward and carry out the sentence. In whatever way we deem appropriate."
"And if you don't do it, then the Board will do it? Or someone else?"
"Technically yes, but that has never happened. Harry…" Draco sighed again, looking so very weary. "I have to do it."
"Or you'll forever feel like you didn't have closure?" Harry replied with a frown, wanting to understand.
"Yes, in a way," Draco confirmed. "If I don't end their lives with my own hands, then I'll forever feel uneasy and… and weak, like I couldn't do it. As though by not doing it myself, I am somehow condoning the horrors they inflicted on you. On my mate. I know it's primitive but it's an inborn instinct that I can't fight - none of us can. This is the only way that we can safely co-exist with the rest of the wizarding world. This way we get rid of the Nundu who cause real harm while the rest of us are able to release the beast inside that is screaming to get out when a member of our family is threatened or harmed."
Harry reached out for Draco's hand when his voice broke and entwined their fingers.
"I want to be at the Board meeting with you," Harry persisted quietly. "I can't let you go through that alone. Nothing you do in that room will make me reject you or turn me away from you. We're in this together Malfoy. I'm carrying your child for fuck's sake," he added, repeating Draco's words back to him.
That prompted a tiny smile from his mate and Harry squeezed his hand.
"I've been through a war Malfoy; I'm not some sheltered, innocent child."
Draco distractedly reached out to stroke his fingers over Harry's Claiming Mark, as though it wasn't even a conscious movement. "I love you so much," he murmured quietly. "I don't know what I would've done if something had happened to the two of you today."
Harry's responding smile was all tenderness and warmth, chest swelling at the reminder of their little growing family. "Whatever happens to you, happens to me too," he said. "We're a family."
Draco met his fiercely affectionate gaze and finally nodded in acquiescence. "Yes, we are."
. . . .
Harry stood at the side of the room next to Narcissa, one hand on his stomach and the other clutching his wand. He knew that no harm would come to either Draco or Lucius, as the prisoners were chained to the floor with thick iron bands looped around their necks, but he needed the comfort of his wand humming with magic against his palm to help reassure him.
The entire Nundu Board was present, a grim expression on every face. Instead of sitting along a table, they were standing in a semi-circle in front of the two men from the Norwegian Clan. There were no children at this meeting and the only other Clan members present were some of the Nundu Aurors who had been searching for the men, as well as Professor Garrick, who was standing at Harry's side.
None of them seemed out of sorts about being called away from their families on Christmas Day. It was like this matter took precedence over anything else and was something they all felt very strongly about.
It warmed Harry that so many Clan members were there in support of them. He'd gotten off to a rough start with the Clan, but now he could see the Nundu people becoming like an extended family of sorts; people who all looked out for each other and who understood how hard a life lived in secret was.
Hugh Sloane cleared his throat but the room was already silent; the tension so thick in the air that Harry could feel it pressing in on him.
Draco was standing near the Board members with his father, eyes narrowed and sharply focussed, not taking his gaze from the two men for a second. Lucius appeared a little more composed than his son but still carried the impression of being on-edge, hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Harry swallowed his unease and vowed that he would not interfere with the Clan's ways or speak unless he was asked to do so.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Hugh began gravely, nodding at the Aurors in particular. "This will not take long."
The two men shifted angrily, their chains dragging noisily on the marble floor.
Hugh turned to them with sharp eyes. "Mathias and Jakob, this is not a trial. You are both guilty for the attempted murder of Harry James Potter." He paused, gaze flicking between the two of them. "If you would like to explain your actions, we will give you the chance to speak now before your sentence is carried out. I must remind you though, whatever you say will not change the judgement that has already been passed."
Hugh flicked his wand sharply, removing the silencing charm on the two burly men.
"You are all foolish!" Mathias instantly spat in heavily accented English. "Celebrities cannot be a part of Nundu Clan. Harry Potter will be the death of us all."
Jakob nodded sharply in agreement next to him.
"And so you took it upon yourselves to kill him in order to resolve your concerns?" Hugh replied contemptuously. "That is not the way of the new Clans."
"We have families to protect," Jakob argued, glaring at the Board Chair. "You should think of your own family Mr. Sloane."
"We have heard the other Clans talking," Mathias interjected insistently. "And they desire this male Omega for their own. Our secret will not last long if Harry Potter is being fought over by other Nundu."
Harry stiffened; he hoped that wasn't true, that the man was exaggerating for the sake of pleading his case. He pressed his hand a little more firmly against his pregnant belly, a surge of protectiveness welling up inside of him.
Draco snarled and Lucius laid a calming hand on his son's shoulder, all the while scowling darkly at the two Norwegian men.
Hugh held up a hand to silence them. "We will keep the secret just as we always have. Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy are taking precautions and making plans to ensure the safety of our people-"
"It won't work!" Mathias snapped, pulling at his restraints. "It is only a matter of time."
"Enough of this!" Lorcan Hipwell snapped, losing patience. "They're guilty, let's get on with the sentencing."
"Lorcan is right," Perpetua Bagnold spoke up next to him, voice calm but quietly firm. "We have the sanction of the Norwegian Clan to carry out the death sentence, we don't need to sit here and listen to this vitriol. They will not convince us of anything here."
Sophie McDougal nodded in agreement, arms crossed over her chest and a glare fixed firmly on her face as she stared at the two prisoners. She was dressed in stunning red robes and looked like she had come straight from an elegant Christmas party.
Hugh exhaled heavily, appearing just as irritated by the two men but clearly trying to remain calm and professional. He flicked his wand to silence them once more as they opened their mouths to protest.
"Yes, I believe we've heard enough on the subject now to understand their reasons - unfounded and irrational as they may be," Hugh proclaimed sombrely before turning back to the chained men. "Because of your decision to pursue the assassination of Harry Potter, you will now be executed by the wronged family, in this case Mr. Potter's mate and father-in-law." Hugh paused to stare at them intently. "You claimed to have done this to protect your families, but because of your foolish actions you are now leaving them without an Alpha and your children without a father. This is not the way to go about rectifying concerns which we may have with other Clans."
Hugh turned towards Draco and Lucius, giving them a slight nod of consent.
Harry swallowed and took an unconscious step closer to Narcissa. It was all happening so fast and he wasn't sure he was ready to witness what was sure to be a brutal execution.
The two accused men instantly transformed into their Nundu forms with a loud roar that echoed round the room and caused Harry to flinch, the magically enhanced metal bands around their necks expanding to accommodate the change.
Harry's gaze darted to his mate as Draco transformed in response to the two men's rapid change, a snarl escaping his mouth as he bared large pointed teeth at them and froze into a lowered stance, muscles shifting, ready to attack.
Harry shivered at the intense look in his mate's eyes; it was the unblinking stare of a hunter voraciously staring down its prey. There was no trace of the cool, sarcastic, caring man Harry knew.
Lucius transformed next to his son while the Board members moved back, allowing the two Malfoy men some room.
It was then that the whole situation struck Harry as exceedingly archaic; akin to a time when lions were brought into the arena and publicly slaughtered. It just felt so wrong, so socially unacceptable in a way that went against everything Harry had been brought up to believe.
A protest bubbled up within him in response but he quickly swallowed it down, reminding himself that the two men had tried to take not only his life but the life of his unborn child as well. Draco needed this and Harry had accepted Draco as his Alpha, which meant he'd accepted everything that went along with that choice.
This was still justice, just not in a manner that he was used to.
It was never more clear than in that moment just why Draco had had such reservations about telling Harry the truth about his heritage. Yes Draco was the aloof, sarcastic, loving man Harry had fallen in love with but he was also the ferocious predator standing in the centre of that room.
He glanced over as Narcissa laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, her pale unwavering gaze on her husband and son.
Harry thought he saw a flash of understanding in her expression but a commotion in the centre of the room had him turning back around just in time to see Draco and Lucius leap forwards.
Harry felt a flicker of fear for his mate lance through him and his hand clenched around his wand, but he needn't have worried. It looked like the bands around the prisoner's necks also prevented them from fighting back; all they could do was make noise and try to move away, but they didn't lift a paw to claw back or attempt to bite as Draco and Lucius tackled them to the floor.
Draco had his ears pinned back to his head as he sunk his claws into the other Nundu's back and shoulder. He then swiftly rolled them over so that the prisoner was pinned beneath him on the floor, the thick chains clattering jarringly on the marble floor.
The pinned cat - Mathias - hissed up at Draco, baring long pointed teeth, dark eyes glaring ferociously.
Draco emitted a wild call that caused the hair on Harry's arms to stand up and a foreboding shiver to run down his spine.
Harry forced himself to keep his gaze on his mate as the two Nundu carried on a sort of intense staring contest, which lasted mere seconds but felt like an eternity.
Harry waited, breath held, for something to happen.
In the blink of an eye, Draco suddenly shifted and his right paw had lashed out, claws extended, as he savagely ripped into Mathias' exposed underbelly.
The other cat screamed in pain and outrage, twisting in Draco's iron grip in a futile attempt at breaking free, all the while blood oozing in a thick stream of red from his wound and pooling onto the marble floor.
Harry blinked in shock as Mathias suddenly transformed back into his human form.
Draco growled low in his throat. The man had barely returned to his human self before Draco had lurched forward and attached his huge jaw around the man's fragile neck, sharp teeth sinking deeply into his flesh.
Harry gasped before he could stop himself and then watched in horror as Draco began to shake the man like a ragdoll, his hands coming up to clutch uselessly at Draco's fur, to push him away or hold on, Harry wasn't sure.
Draco continued to shake Mathias violently, jaws firmly clamped around the struggling man's throat, blood running in rivulets from the deep punctures and staining the fur around Draco's mouth.
Harry thought he was going to be sick. It was so much more horrific to witness when the victim was in human form; so much more unnatural and gruesome.
Draco stopped shaking him and placed both front paws on the man's chest, curled claws piercing the skin to hold Mathias' body in place.
Harry was barely aware of Lucius standing over the other man, Jakob, and enacting his own revenge. There wasn't a sound coming from the other pair and somewhere in the back of his mind, Harry suspected that Jakob was already dead.
There was so much blood: all over the prisoner, wetting Draco's fur, pooling on the light marble flooring beneath them…
Mathias' breathing was a wet-sounding gurgle in the quiet of the room and Harry's breath hitched with dread as he continued to watch. He just wanted it to be over with already.
Draco growled low in his throat and then lunged forward. He sank his teeth into Mathias' mangled throat as the man lay limp beneath him and then wrenched his head back, tearing half the man's throat away with the ghastly sound of ripping flesh.
Harry stared in shock, knowing his expression was utterly horrified but he couldn't help it.
The sharp coppery scent of blood reached his nose and suddenly the sight and smell was too much for him.
Harry clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from being sick all over the floor. He swiftly turned and strode from the room, ignoring Professor Garrick as he called after him with concern.
He tried to walk and not run, but as soon as he cleared the doorway he broke into a sprint, hand still clamped over his mouth, and ducked into the nearest guest room.
He darted into the ensuite and threw the toilet seat up before spewing the contents of his breakfast into the bowl with a sickening splash.
Thankfully it didn't last long; being away from the overpowering smell of blood, as well as the sight of Mathias' mauled and contorted body, was already helping to lessen his nausea. He cast a quick wandless charm to cleanse his mouth of the foul taste of sick and then sat on the cold tiled floor, bending his head forward to rest on bent-up knees.
He closed his eyes and took a few deep steadying breaths, trying - and failing - to wipe the grisly images from his mind.
He began to feel a bit detached; as though the macabre horrors he'd just witnessed hadn't actually happened, like they'd just been part of some gory film he'd watched and hadn't been real life.
Because how could he have simply stood there and watched that?
He continued to sit in silence for a while, taking measured breaths as his stomach slowly settled, before eventually pushing to his feet and slowly walking back out into the guest room.
He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling cold and shivery, trying to get his whirling thoughts under control.
A light knock at the door startled him out of his scattered ruminations and he looked up.
Draco was standing in the open doorway, evidently fresh from the shower; hair wet and the warm smell of lavender soap wafting around him.
The cautious and fearful expression on his mate's face instantly drove every other thought from Harry's head.
Harry stood and silently opened his arms.
With a choked sound of relief, Draco rushed into his mate's embrace and held on tight.
Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's waist and buried his face into his firm chest as the world righted itself once more. He closed his eyes as the warmth from Draco's body seeped into his chilled skin, thawing the numb detachment that had taken residence there.
"You don't hate me?"
Harry's arms tightened around his mate. "No."
"But I disgust you…"
Harry pulled back and forced his Alpha to meet his steady gaze. Harry's confidence was immediately restored; his mate was in distress and he needed to fix that as quickly as possible.
"I won't lie and say that it wasn't a shock to see that kind of violence from you, but those men knew that what they were planning to do to me was wrong and they did it anyway. They were fully aware of the consequences."
Draco's eyes tightened with anguish. "But you were so repulsed that you were physically sick," he said, gaze flicking towards the ensuite where he clearly scented what Harry had been doing in there earlier.
"I think that was more to do with smelling blood while pregnant than the fact that I couldn't stomach what was happening," Harry replied slowly.
He didn't know whether that was true or not, but he didn't want to upset Draco any more than he already had. He knew his Alpha wasn't proud of what his instincts had compelled him to do, so there really was no point in discussing it any longer and furthering Draco's guilt.
Hopefully they would never have to go through something like this again.
Draco sighed, the tension in his body releasing just a little. He dropped his head and nuzzled into the side of Harry's neck, lips searching out the Claim Mark and softly pressing kisses to the smooth, scarred skin.
Harry tilted his head away with a tiny shudder of pleasure, his body also leaking tension the longer he stood in his Alpha's embrace.
"Let's go back to my room before my parents come looking for us," Draco murmured against his skin.
Harry nodded in agreement and Draco instantly Disapparated them to his bedroom and sealed the door so that no one could disturb them.
Harry suddenly needed skin on skin contact with his mate and it seemed Draco felt the same way, as, without discussing it, they both removed all of their clothing and then climbed under the bedclothes.
They moved to the centre of the bed and faced each other, legs entwined and arms loosely wrapped around waists.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked, realising he hadn't asked how Draco was feeling after the execution.
A flash of what almost looked like shame passed over his mate's face.
"What is it?" Harry pressed with a frown when Draco didn't reply.
Draco's gaze dropped to the Claim Mark on Harry's neck and held there as he answered. "I… I feel fantastic," he admitted so quietly that Harry almost missed it. Draco took a breath and tried to explain when Harry didn't know what to say to that admission. "The stress and anxiety that I've been living with since the first attack is finally gone; I won't have to take Dreamless Sleep every night, that determination and rage and desire to end those men's lives has just… vanished. I just feel so… so…"
"Good?"
Draco nodded, gaze returning to Harry's face. "Yes, like I can finally be happy again."
Harry felt as though his heart was breaking at his mate's words. Draco's sentiments demonstrated just how much they'd been through in their relatively short relationship.
"I'm sorry I'm such a troublesome Omega," Harry mumbled apologetically.
A trace of Draco's familiar smirk flickered around his mouth. "Just as you knew what you were getting into when you chose a Nundu mate, I knew what I was getting into when I chose the Boy-Who-Lived."
Harry's answering smile faded as his memory was suddenly triggered. "Speaking of which," he broached hesitantly, not really wanting to burst Draco's happy bubble so soon. "Do you think it's true that other Clans are talking about me?"
Draco sighed and his arm around Harry's waist tightened a little. "I'm not sure. I haven't heard anything, and neither has anyone in our Clan because they would have notified my family straight away."
Harry nodded. "So maybe he was just bluffing?"
"Perhaps." Draco's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "I will have them look into it though. Hugh will no doubt be making enquiries to ensure that there are no new threats on the horizon." Draco's gaze dropped to Harry's softly rounded belly. "Now that they know you're pregnant, they will become that much more invested in protecting us."
"You told them I was pregnant?" Harry replied in surprise.
Draco smirked. "Harry, for the entire meeting you were resting one hand on your stomach, which was clearly sticking out further than usual under that thin jumper. It was quite obvious. Sophie's already passed on her congratulations in fact. Don't worry, they will keep it a secret for as long as you like."
Harry breathed out in relief. "I guess it doesn't need to be kept secret any longer…"
"But?"
Harry smiled and snuggled down into the warm bed. "But I like the whole world not knowing about our little plonker yet."
Draco chuckled and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "Then let's wait until after New Year's."
. . . .
Harry smiled sleepily as he leaned back against his Alpha on the squashy sofa and listened to Molly Weasley chastise her husband over the box of Muggle Christmas crackers which he had charmed to create an inappropriately exuberant explosion at the dinner table. Meanwhile, George was adding something to the hot apple cider from a silver flask and Ron was stealing a few more mince tarts while their mum was otherwise occupied. All the while the wireless was quietly playing Christmas carols in the background along with the comforting clink of the dishes washing themselves in the kitchen.
Hermione smiled at Harry from where she was seated in an old armchair next to the crackling fire, Ginny on the floor at her feet having her long hair plaited while she played with her new Puffskein.
Harry's answering smile was cut short by a wide yawn.
"Harry dear, are you all right?" Molly paused in her reprimanding to ask with concern. "You're not over-exerting yourself are you?"
Harry chuckled and shook his head. "Do you really think Draco would allow that to happen?"
The worry vanished from Molly's eyes in an instant as her gaze switched to his Alpha seated directly behind him, arms securely wrapped around Harry's chest.
Instead of being concerned about Harry having a Malfoy and a Slytherin for a partner, she'd silently reserved judgment until she'd spent some time with the two mates and witnessed for herself just how good a match they were. She had seen in an instant not only how caring and attentive Draco was when it came to Harry, but also how he teased him and didn't cater to his every whim.
The fact that Harry would soon be giving birth to a baby that was half Malfoy also added a lot of points in Draco's favour. There was nothing Mrs. Weasley loved more than new-born babies.
Molly smiled warmly at Draco before turning back to her husband, who had returned to his search for the missing Debenhams crackers.
Harry rubbed one hand over his small rounded belly with a slight groan. "I ate way too much, I think I would be this fat even if I wasn't pregnant," he grumbled out loud.
Draco's answering chuckle reverberated against his back.
"I say enjoy it Harry," Ron said enviously as he sat on the floor next to his sister to offer the Puffskein a mince tart. "It's the only time you can eat anything you want and not care about the consequences."
Hermione snorted. "Since when has that stopped you?"
Harry laughed and linked his fingers through Draco's overtop his stomach. Somehow it felt as though his belly had grown since yesterday. At this rate, he would be absolutely enormous by spring - and he wasn't due until August.
"Do you have any possible names yet Harry?" Ginny asked, glancing up from her fluffy little pet, which was currently devouring the mince tart with enthusiasm.
"Yes," Harry replied without elaborating.
"Boy and girl names?"
"Yup."
Ginny huffed in exasperation, causing Harry to laugh.
"We're not telling anyone any names until it's official, but we've definitely decided on a boy's name," Harry finally disclosed, taking pity on her. "And we have two girl's names that we both like."
"And you're finding out the sex in a couple of months?" Hermione asked, glancing up.
Harry nodded in confirmation. It wasn't just the fact that he and Draco wanted to know the sex so that they could purchase appropriate clothing, they wanted to be prepared in case it was a male because that would mean a Nundu child.
If it was a boy, then they would almost certainly be moving out of the country. They'd been doing a bit of research in preparation, searching for the most appropriate locations for safety and anonymity. Harry really didn't want to leave his and Draco's respective families but he was willing to do just about anything to protect his mate and his child.
If it had to be just the three of them for a while, then that's what they would do.
As though reading his mind, Draco gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"I believe it's time to get this one off to bed," Draco announced before placing a tender kiss to the back of Harry's neck.
Ron rolled his eyes while the girls watched with slightly gooey expressions on their faces.
Harry just smiled; feeling on top of the world after everything that had happened yesterday. How could he not feel great when the threat to his safety had finally been removed and his adoptive family had welcomed his mate whole-heartedly into their home?
It had been such a wonderful day spent with the Weasley's; from the delicious late-morning breakfast and snowball fight in the garden to the heaps of wizarding games by the fire, all capped off with a huge dinner and the unwrapping of gifts. Harry and Draco had received an honorary Weasley jumper for their future little one and Molly had promised to stitch an initial onto it once their baby had a name.
Harry sent Draco a grateful smile as he got to his feet, very nearly grunting with the effort to get off the low-slung sofa. He hated leaving early but that was just another part of being pregnant he was learning to live with.
The two mates bid farewell as they slipped into their thick winter cloaks and fur-lined boots by the door, the entryway a cosy catastrophe of brightly coloured wellies and puddles of melting snow along with a vast collection of woollen cloaks with hand-sewn patches and scraps of parchment and chocolate frog wrappers spilling out of the pockets.
Harry loved it. He dearly hoped they could visit for Christmas next year even if they weren't living in the same country.
Mrs. Weasley gave him an especially long and tight embrace before letting him return to Draco's side, her eyes glassy with emotion as she pulled back.
"Goodbye Draco dear," she said, turning to him with a smile, knowing he probably wouldn't appreciate a crushing hug from her this early on in their association.
"Goodnight Mrs. Weasley, thank-you for having me," he replied politely as he slipped a warm hand into Harry's.
She nodded in response and Harry waved one last time at the gathered group before turning away to walk out into The Burrow's front garden, holding tight to his Alpha's hand while the stars twinkled overhead in the clear night sky.
They were heading back to a mostly empty school for the last few days of the Christmas hols. Harry had wanted to spend a bit of time there since it was his last Christmas at Hogwarts and the castle had been more of a home to him than anywhere else.
Draco looked up, following Harry's gaze as they walked down the front path. "Beautiful night," he observed.
Harry glanced at him with an amused smile. "Feeling sentimental are we?"
Draco dropped his gaze to Harry's and something in his expression made Harry frown.
Draco exhaled, breath puffing out in a white cloud in the cold evening air. He suddenly stopped walking and Harry paused, watching as his Alpha shoved both hands into his pockets, looking uncharacteristically uncertain.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked uneasily.
Draco swallowed and dragged his gaze back up to Harry's face, looking as though he had to force himself to look his mate in the eye. "You mean so much to me Harry," he began quietly, his comment taking Harry by surprise and only serving to increase his trepidation.
"Draco, you're scaring me…"
Draco huffed out a shaky laugh as he removed one hand from his pocket and held it out.
Harry frowned at him before looking down and then promptly freezing when he saw the deep blue ring box sitting on Draco's open palm. Harry's gaze flew back up to Draco's nervous grey eyes as he stared at him in disbelief.
"Is that…?"
"Your Christmas present," Draco answered with a faint smile.
He opened the ring box and Harry stared, gobsmacked, at the simple gold band nestled in a bed of white silk. He was too shocked to state that he'd already received more than enough gifts from his Alpha that Christmas.
"Will you marry me?"
Harry tore his gaze away from the polished ring to look up at Draco's face, taking in the happiness glowing in his eyes, tempered only by a slight hint of apprehension, as though Harry might actually refuse him.
That last thought caused Harry to suddenly smile.
"Aren't you supposed to be down on one knee?" he replied cheekily.
Draco snorted and arched a single brow. "Not in these trousers Potter, they cost more than your Firebolt."
Harry laughed and then abruptly threw his arms around his mate's neck, startling him. Draco only just managed to move the ring out of the way before it accidentally ended up in the snow.
"You're such a posh wanker," Harry choked into the soft wool of Draco's cloak, arms tightening around him.
"Is that a yes?"
Harry laughed and nodded.
Draco pulled back after a moment and opened the ring box again. This time, he immediately plucked the ring out and slid it onto Harry's waiting finger - which trembled only slightly.
Harry smiled as the cool metal warmed to his skin. He looked up at Draco with a curious smile. "I didn't think you wanted to get married."
"Whatever gave you that idea?"
Harry shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
Draco's answering smile was decidedly fond. "And you thought you'd just accept that and never complain? How very… Gryffindor of you. "
A slow smile spread across Harry's face as he took in Draco's amused expression. "It wasn't end of the world stuff to me," he reasoned.
Draco smiled and pushed a stray strand of dark hair away from Harry's eye before crossing his arms over his chest and stepping back. "I'll wait."
Harry blinked at him stupidly.
"Don't you want to tell the Weasley's your news in person?"
Harry knew his cheeks would be sore by the end of the night because he couldn't seem to stop grinning like a loon. "I knew there was a reason I was marrying you," he teased as he spun back towards The Burrow, pulling Draco along with him.
"You mean besides being pregnant with my baby?" Draco drawled.
Harry laughed, his exhaustion but a distant memory now as he strode up the path to tell his adoptive family the good news.
. . . .
IT'S A BOY!
MONDAY EXCLUSIVE: Our inside source at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has leaked the exclusive news that Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived, is expecting a baby boy this summer! The Wizarding World has been in a tizzy ever since it was announced that Mr. Potter and his mate (infamous Death Eater Draco Malfoy), were expecting a little bundle of joy, and it has now been confirmed that the Potter-Malfoy baby is a boy! This reporter will be waiting with baited breath until our first glimpse of the famous little one who will surely capture our attention and our hearts as Harry Potter himself has done. Note: Mr. Potter was unable to be reached for comment.
Betty Braithwaite - The Evening Prophet - 11 May 1999
. . . .
Harry grunted as he gradually lowered himself onto the warm grass, one hand on his lower back and the other firmly clasped in his Alpha's strong grip.
"You are really not selling the whole pregnancy thing Harry," Hermione teased as she watched him slowly and awkwardly manoeuvre himself to the ground.
Harry flipped her the bird as Draco sat back against the large willow tree and then pulled Harry to sit in between his bent-up knees, upper body lounging back against Draco's chest.
"I may need to re-think the whole having children plan," she mused.
"Don't tell mum," Ron interjected distractedly as he rummaged around in a newly opened box of Bertie Botts.
Hermione rolled her eyes as she reached over and plucked a red jellybean out of his hand.
"I can't believe this is our last day at Hogwarts," Harry said with a sigh, unable to keep the melancholy out of his voice.
The others followed Harry's gaze as he stared out over The Black Lake, lost in their own thoughts for a moment; reflecting on everything that had happened over the years on the ancient castle grounds. There were a few fairly awful memories, but a lot of very good ones too, especially for Harry, who grew to the age of eleven without really knowing what love felt like until he attended school.
Now he was leaving Hogwarts with not only some very special memories and life-long friendships, but also with a loving mate by his side and a baby on the way.
He never would have dreamed that his school days would've ended quite like this, but he also knew that he wouldn't change a thing.
Harry smiled when he suddenly noticed Draco absently toying with Harry's gold engagement ring. Harry was planning to buy a matching ring for Draco as well so that they each had one; he wanted the world to know that his mate was taken just as much as Draco wanted to growl at the world at large to tell them that Harry belonged to him.
They hadn't set a date for the wedding yet but they weren't in any rush, they wanted to have the baby and figure out where they were living first. The wedding could wait. They'd both already agreed that it was to be a small affair, with only close friends and family members present.
"I'm sure McGonagall will let you visit," Hermione eventually said, gaze still taking in the sight of the beautiful grounds. The lake positively sparkled in the summer sun and the sound of the birds chirping and bees buzzing were a soothing soundtrack to it all as they sat there contemplating life; as you inevitably do after your school leaving ceremony.
"I wonder what they'll do with our room?" Harry ruminated aloud.
"Wait until the next male Omega attends Hogwarts?" Ron offered with a crooked grin.
"Hopefully they leave them empty so that Harry and I may use them on kinky weekends away from the children," Draco said with a smirk.
Harry laughed while Ron made a disgusted face.
"What's the matter Weasley, never played 'Gryffindor Virgin' and 'Naughty Slytherin' bedroom games before?" Draco asked ingeniously.
Harry and Hermione laughed and Ron lobbed an Every Flavour Bean at Draco's head.
"You are going to visit though, aren't you?" Hermione asked, expression sobering.
"Visit Hogwarts?"
"No, visit us if you move away."
Harry heaved a sigh and shifted on the grass. He never felt comfortable anymore now that he was seven months along and felt as big as a house.
"It's not a question of if anymore 'Mione," he replied. "We both want to have some time alone with no interference from the press or the Ministry."
Harry had been expecting the media frenzy surrounding his pregnancy but it had surpassed even hisexpectations. The press were relentless in attempting to get photos of a pregnant Harry with his Alpha. He and Draco had taken to not even leaving school grounds after the news broke in The Prophet. Luckily, the Hogwarts wards had been adjusted to keep reporters out during the leaving ceremony, and now they only had a few hours left of blessed peace and quiet before walking out those gates to face the inevitable mob.
Draco had said the other night that they would probably be moving countries even if they weren't having a boy, because it was just too much; too much scrutiny and stress, especially for a family that had a very critical secret to keep.
Harry had nodded in agreement, wishing - not for the first time - that he wasn't so bloody famous.
He settled back against his Alpha with a sigh, giving Draco's hand a gentle squeeze. He knew Draco was a little more on edge today because they finally had to face the world without the safety of Hogwarts behind them. Draco had been less and less tolerant of other people around his mate the closer Harry got to his due date, he really only bore Ron and Hermione's presence near his pregnant Omega now without snapping.
"The Ministry still pushing you to join the Auror training program?" Ron asked before popping a mottled green jellybean into his mouth and promptly grimacing.
"Yeah," Harry exhaled, dropping his head back onto Draco's shoulder. "They won't take no for an answer."
Hermione pursed her lips, looking infuriated on his behalf. "I don't know why they expect you to continue to put your life on the line for them when I think that everyone can agree that you've risked your life enough times already. I understand offering a position to you initially, but how many times have you refused them now?"
Harry couldn't help but smile at his friend; she would make a brilliant human rights lawyer. "Including this morning?" he replied dryly. "Four times. Although, to be fair, I didn't actually answer the last two, I just Incendio'd them."
"I sent a reply on your behalf," Draco interjected casually. "It said 'get fucked.'
Ron laughed and then paused. "Uh, you're joking, right?"
Draco merely arched a brow in response.
Harry snorted. "He thinks he's invincible to the Ministry now that he's my mate."
"That's probably true." Hermione smiled as she took the box from Ron and offered Harry and Draco some jellybeans. "But I wouldn't test it too much."
Draco sorted through the pile of jellybeans which he'd poured into his hand and then chucked the rejections back into the box. He passed half of the acceptable ones to Harry before popping the rest into his mouth.
"I hope your hands are clean," Ron grumbled as he took the box back.
Harry chewed on the flavourful jellybeans as a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He was excited for the future but he also knew that he was going to miss this.
They sat in silence for a while before Harry's rumbling stomach prompted Draco to tell them that it was time to go.
Harry hugged Ron and Hermione - as well as he was able to with his massive stomach - and smiled at them both with glassy eyes, not needing words to say how much their friendship had meant to him during his time at Hogwarts. They knew they were the reason he had managed to escape certain death on more than one occasion. What they didn't know was that they wouldn't be a part of his life in the same way that they had once been; he had loyalties to a new family now. One that he was willing to do anything for, including holding his best friends at arm's length in order to keep his family safe.
Harry stepped back and took his Alpha's hand before the four of them proceeded towards the front gates together…
EPILOGUE
Harry took a sip of his tea while gazing over the rim of the cup and through the window at his mate. Draco was currently bounding across the vivid green lawns of Malfoy Manor in his Nundu form, his father directly behind him.
Draco had to spend every morning working off his excess energy now that Harry was overdue by nearly a week.
Harry set his cup down with a sigh, one hand absently rubbing his lower back. Draco wasn't the only one ready for this baby to come; he was so tired of feeling uncomfortable and achy, not to mention bloody hot now that they were in the midst of an oppressively warm summer. Draco did everything he could to make Harry feel as comfortable as possible, with lots of massages and bringing him anything he needed or wanted but Harry's discomfort was making him rather difficult to live with.
Harry felt bad about being so grumpy all the time but Draco never complained and Harry vowed that he would make it up to him once he was feeling more like himself again.
"Can I get you anything?" Narcissa quietly enquired from across the small round table in the sunny conservatory.
Harry smiled wanly at her. "No thank you, I think I'll just go for a bit of a walk. My back is beginning to ache from sitting for so long."
"I'll have Trinket bring you some pain reliever potion in the front parlour when you're ready."
Harry nodded gratefully. He was only permitted two mild pain reliever potions per day and he was definitely ready for his first.
Narcissa picked up her own tea in pale hands and smiled softly at the sun glinting off Harry's engagement ring. "I wanted to thank you Harry," she said before taking a sip of her Earl Grey.
"For what?"
Narcissa smiled gently, cupping her warm teacup in both hands. "For giving my son such a wonderful life."
Harry blinked in surprise, cheeks heating under her warm regard.
"You have given him everything he could have wished for, and what more could a parent want for her child than that?"
Harry smiled in response, cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. "I love him," he finally replied with a shrug, as though that simple response explained everything, and perhaps it did, because Narcissa's expression warmed even further at his humble words.
She turned away to finish her breakfast and Harry pushed himself to his feet, trying not to groan at the ache that seemed to be spreading from his lower back to his hips and even up to his neck.
"I'll let Draco know where you are when he comes back inside," Narcissa said as Harry slowly made his way to the door.
He nodded in acknowledgment and then focussed on walking out into the hall, stretching his legs to the fullest stride possible to try to work out the kinks in his ligaments and muscles. He kept getting muscle spasms in his calves and in the arches of his feet, so he was trying to keep as limber as possible to avoid the debilitating cramps.
Now he knew why Narcissa had only gone through this once. He was out of breath moving from the rear of the Manor to the entrance foyer -and that was moving at a snail's pace. He was also at the point where he didn't even perform elemental magic anymore because it was too draining; any magic he had available was being consumed by the developing baby.
Harry paused to lean against the wall and catch his breath before making the trek to the front parlour. He had originally planned to take a turn about the garden, but he quickly realised that would be too much for him until he took his potion.
Harry inhaled sharply at the sudden stab of pain that ripped across his swollen abdomen.
He quickly placed both hands on his stomach and held his breath, waiting to see if it happened again. He knew male Omegas had very fast deliveries and he wasn't taking any chances by brushing this off.
When it happened again, the pain was much worse and Harry stifled a gasp as he stumbled sideways into the wall. He lost his balance and staggered forwards, sliding down the wall to the floor and knocking over a small table holding a vase of flowers to the ground. The crystal vase shattered into tiny pieces, water splashing everywhere.
Harry didn't care at that moment if the vase was a thousand years old and or if it had been in the Malfoy family for generations, the pain that was now erupting through his abdomen was nearly on par with a localised Cruciatus.
He screwed his eyes shut and cried out in pain, his hands clenching around his belly as he tried to curl into a ball, his body instinctively trying to escape the agony.
The front door of the Manor was abruptly thrown open and Harry squinted up at the sunshine streaming through the open doorway to see an enormous black cat standing there. The cat swiftly transformed back into his Alpha and Draco ran over, vanishing the spilt water with an absent wave of his hand before crouching down next to his mate.
Harry couldn't stop the whimper of relief that overwhelmed him at the sight of his Alpha. He reached out for him and Draco quickly scooped Harry up into his arms, lifting him as though he weighed nothing at all.
Harry closed his eyes and tried to concentrate on his breathing like the books had instructed him to do. He knew Draco would take care of the rest.
He was only vaguely aware of Lucius and Narcissa appearing in the foyer and speaking to Draco while Trinket was sent to fetch the Clan Healer. After a very hasty conversation between the three Malfoys, Draco turned and began to carry Harry up the stairs.
Harry could barely focus through the haze of pain that refused to abate. His contractions were not sporadic, they merely held steady with no breaks in between, as his makeshift womb was not meant to push the baby out in the same way that a female's was. Their baby had to be delivered by caesarean and it had to be quick for the health of not just the baby but for the carrier as well.
Harry opened his eyes when he felt a sudden brush of cool air, as though they'd just stepped outside.
Draco had carried him into a large room which he'd never laid eyes on before. It was reminiscent of the Room of Requirement which Draco had conjured so long ago when they'd had their first conversation, except much cleaner and more welcoming, almost like a secret grotto in a lavish Scandinavian spa. It was made entirely of stone and had a small, soothing waterfall emptying into an emerald pool in one corner, and then a large raised platform covered in furs in the other corner. There were no windows but the room was lit with multiple wall sconces and the water in the pool reflected the flickering light up onto ceiling above.
Harry was in no state to fully appreciate its beauty though; besides the stabbing pain, he also felt hot and dizzy as Draco carefully laid him out on the thick pile of furs.
"Hold on Harry," Draco murmured, sounding distressed. It was just the two of them now as Lucius and Narcissa were not allowed to enter the birthing room. Draco would not be in his right mind and could lash out if there were too many people around his suffering mate - regardless of whether they were family or not. "Maggie will be here any second and the pain will stop."
Harry squeezed onto his hand as though it was a lifeline, emitting another helpless cry as the pain overwhelmed him.
Draco swallowed thickly and turned sharply when Trinket suddenly appeared with the Clan Healer, Maggie, in tow.
"What took you so long?" Draco snapped furiously.
Trinket's large ears drooped with shame before she left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.
"Let me help Draco," Maggie said in her faint Scottish lilt, knowing just how to handle an Alpha Nundu in this situation.
Harry looked up at her through stinging eyes as she slowly approached the side of the platform. She was tall, with Auburn hair that shone red in the firelight. She had hazel eyes and lots of freckles, and gave such an aura of self-assuredness that Harry felt instant relief at her presence, even though this was only the second time they'd met.
"Hello Harry," she greeted, holding his gaze as she set down a worn canvas bag full of supplies and carefully extracted a glass phial full of blue liquid. "I need you to drink this for me; it will give your magic a much-needed boost."
Harry writhed on the furs, not wanting to take his hands away from his stomach.
Draco quickly took the phial from her and held it to Harry's lips. "Drink this Harry," he instructed firmly, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder to keep him from turning away.
Harry clenched his eyes shut but obediently opened his mouth and drank the syrupy potion when the glass was pressed to his lips, the thick liquid dripping thickly down his throat.
"Draco," Maggie said proficiently, taking the empty phial back from him once Harry had drunk every last drop. "I need you to remove his clothing for me."
Draco's eyes flared with outrage for a moment, clearly not wanting anyone else to see his mate's naked form, but it only lasted for a second and then he swallowed and nodded in compliance.
Draco withdrew his wand and quickly vanished every stitch of Harry's clothing; leaving his mate completely nude except for his glasses.
Harry barely acknowledged the spell; he was in too much pain to care about how exposed he was to an almost complete stranger.
"Good Draco," Maggie murmured as she swiftly prepared some more potions and raised her wand. "Now, I need you to sit with Harry and concentrate on lending him your strength and magic through the bond as much as you can."
Draco nodded and carefully climbed onto the platform, gently sliding Harry's upper body into his lap and resting his fingers over the Claiming Mark.
Harry moaned and just wanted it to be over with. He really didn't think he could take much more.
Maggie muttered spells under her breath while pouring thick topical potions over Harry's stomach and then dabbing some of the liquid onto the centre of his forehead, over his heart, and the bottoms of his feet. She finished and then stepped back to withdraw her wand.
Harry struggled to stay still. He looked up at Draco pleadingly and gripped his hand as he let slip an involuntary cry of pain, trying to choke it back so that he didn't distress his Alpha, but it was so hard to stay quiet when it felt like he was being ripped apart from the inside.
Draco bent forward and kissed his sweaty forehead, expression concentrated as he forced his magic through their bond; the buzz of what felt like tiny electric currents running from Draco's fingertips to flood Harry's body.
Harry followed his mate's gaze when Draco glanced at the Healer and his grey eyes suddenly filled with what looked like barely controlled anger. At a glance, Harry realised that Maggie was raising her wand above his potion coated stomach to make the first incision.
Harry's gaze quickly flew back to Draco's face, not wanting to watch Maggie split him open. He knew he wouldn't feel it because of the numbing potion but he didn't think he could watch.
Draco locked his gaze with Harry's and held steady.
It felt as though they both needed the other's support to get through this; not just the Omega needing his Alpha, but Draco needing Harry to keep him grounded too.
Harry felt a warm, tingly sensation over his stomach and knew Maggie was casting the first spell. He gasped as the pain seemed to ratchet up a notch.
Harry tried to breathe through it, his vision blurring around the edges as the room swam in and out of focus. He concentrated on Draco, holding his gaze as he felt his Alpha's strength and magic still leaking into him. He tried to concentrate on that feeling, to encourage it and welcome it, knowing he needed the support to make it through, but it was so hard to focus beyond his own suffering.
And then, Harry unexpectedly felt as though all the blood in his head had drained away. His eyes slowly drifted closed and there was an odd sensation of falling. The sharp, intense pain began to just float away…
He breathed a tiny sigh of relief as he was finally released from the grip of that relentless agony. He could faintly hear Maggie shouting something to Draco but couldn't understand the words as they passed over his head.
He felt warm breath on his ear and Draco was there, whispering fervently. He couldn't comprehend the words but the feeling behind them was clear: love and compassion and encouragement.
The warm breath moved down the side of his neck and his senses were snapped back to full alertness when his Alpha suddenly bit down over his Claiming Mark, piercing the skin and jolting Harry back to the present.
Suddenly everything flooded back in as though someone had turned up the volume, sending his senses into overdrive, and Harry cried out, trying to writhe away from whatever was hurting him.
Draco soothingly kissed his neck and then his cheek, whispering in his ear while his grip on Harry's hand tightened; the magic passing between them intensifying with Draco's palpable determination.
Harry gulped in a shuddering breath and held on with everything he had. He didn't want to fall into that floaty world again where there was no pain, because he knew that wasn't a good place to be.
He eventually opened his eyes and Draco exhaled in relief.
Then, without warning, the intense pain all but disappeared; the abrupt cessation causing the breath to catch in Harry's throat.
After a moment of bewilderment, a faint crying could be heard in the cavernous room, echoing off the walls.
The sound seemed to focus him again, reminding Harry of what he was there for and why he'd gone through all that suffering.
He looked down and his heart skipped a beat when he saw Maggie cradling a very small baby in one arm. She deftly used her wand to clean him and sever the umbilical cord in quick efficient strokes.
Harry was stunned into silence, and he couldn't stop staring; nothing else seemed to matter now that he'd laid eyes on his tiny son.
"Is he all right?" Draco asked from above, voice tight with concern.
Maggie smiled reassuringly as she conjured a soft plaid blanket and bundled him into it. "He's fine Draco; very healthy." She slowly moved towards the two new fathers and held the bundle out to Draco. "Meet your wee bairn."
Harry felt his heart swell with emotion as Draco gathered their new-born son into his arms and carefully pulled him in tight to his chest, gazing in wonderment at his little face, which was flushed from crying. Harry knew Alpha Nundu needed to hold their new-born children as soon as possible to learn their scent and imprint on them in return. Narcissa had warned him about that particular trait so that he wouldn't be offended when he wasn't the first to hold their baby.
Maggie smiled and then quietly returned to healing Harry's stomach as Draco leaned down to inhale the scent of his son, grey eyes wide and in awe. The baby stopped crying and snuffled in surprise at the strange touch of Draco's nose against his sensitive skin and then the touch of his lips as Draco softly kissed the top of his small head.
Draco smiled and reclined back on the bed, shifting the baby towards Harry so that he was in between the two of them.
Harry tentatively reached out to touch his tiny hand, swallowing thickly as he gazed into his son's eyes for the first time. They were a beautiful clear blue (for the moment), and his head was topped with a fine, blond fuzz.
Harry smiled; completely enraptured. He was perfect.
Maggie stepped back after finishing up with Harry and then cleaned the surrounding furs on the platform, which had become covered in blood and other fluids during the caesarean. She then flicked her wand once and Harry was suddenly dressed in soft, loose pyjamas.
She sheathed her wand and then began to pack her medical bag, keeping her distance from the new family. Draco would be feeling quite protective for a time and she didn't want to overstep her boundaries and upset him.
"Have a name yet gentlemen?" she asked quietly as she placed the empty phials back in her bag.
Harry glanced up, blinking away tears. "Liam," he replied softly.
Draco cleared his throat, still gazing at his son. "Liam Severus," he elaborated, and then glanced up at the Healer. "Named after a man who did a lot for Harry and I during the war."
Maggie nodded. "Liam Severus," she repeated with a gentle smile. "I like it."
Draco smiled and turned back to his tiny son, who now appeared to be falling asleep in his arms.
"Liam Potter-Malfoy," Harry murmured.
Draco kissed his cheek and Harry smiled back at him, feeling dazed and exhausted, but happy.
"We did it," Harry suddenly uttered in amazement.
Draco and Maggie both chuckled at the look of disbelief on Harry's face.
"Draco?" Maggie spoke up, waiting for Draco to make eye contact before continuing. "Harry is not to move around too much for the next two weeks, and if you can carry him everywhere for the next twenty-four hours, that would be best. His stomach is healed but he will be sore for a while and there is a chance for complications if he pushes things too soon. I will leave some potions with Trinket to bring to him three times a day for the next seven days." Draco nodded and she glanced at Harry as she closed her bag. "You're my first male Omega delivery Harry, and I don't mind saying that you gave me a fright for a moment there," she said with a wry grin. "Luckily you have a great bond with your Alpha so everything turned out fine."
"Congratulations," Harry responded before yawning.
Maggie laughed. "I think you'd better sleep now. I will come back for a couple of check-ins but I don't foresee any problems with you or wee Liam."
"Thank you," Harry murmured sleepily as he snuggled into Draco's side, keeping one hand clasped around his son.
"I'll let your parents know that everything went fine Draco and that they will see you when you're ready," Maggie said, gazing silently at the new family for a moment before quietly slipping out the door.
Draco adjusted his position a little more comfortably on the furs so that he could slip an arm around his mate's shoulders.
"Don't go anywhere while I'm sleeping," Harry instructed before he could allow himself to drift off.
"I won't, I promise," Draco replied with a kiss to the top of his head. "You did so well Harry, you should rest now. I'll watch over Liam while you're sleeping."
Harry smiled contentedly as he swiftly fell asleep.
. . . .
Harry closed his eyes and turned his face up towards the sun as he reclined back on the chaise lounge, the heat of the bright beams warming his skin.
A quiet gurgle caused him to open his eyes and look down his son. Liam was wrapped in a soft white blanket and cradled in his arms, a spot of drool dribbling down his chin as he squirmed a little. He was not a baby who liked to stay still, and he was only a week old.
"Want me to take him?" Draco asked as he set down some tea next to his mate and sat in the adjacent chair. The question was directed at Harry but his affectionate gaze was glued to Liam.
Harry smiled and shook his head. "No, he's fine, he'll drop off again in a second. Thanks," he said, reaching out with one hand for the tea.
Draco stretched out on his chair with a sigh, closing his eyes and enjoying the pleasant warmth of the August sun as much as his mate. They were both fairly exhausted after a week's worth of scattered sleep.
"So," he said casually, "made any definitive decisions yet?"
Harry sighed as he absently watched Liam's eyes flutter closed, despite his best intentions. "No not yet, but this wonderful sunshine is making me think that somewhere with lovely warm beaches would be nice."
Draco smiled, eyes still closed. "Less Clans in warmer climates too; we like the cooler temperatures."
Harry glanced over. "That could be a plus," he said thoughtfully and then frowned. "But then you don't want it warm either."
Draco opened his eyes and turned his head to look at his mate. "I want to be where we're not going to be disturbed, so I would put up with it if I had to."
"Hmm..." Harry hummed in thought. "Maybe I'll look at Newfoundland again, there aren't any Clans there and it certainly isn't hot."
"And it isn't too far from home."
Harry grinned at him. "Yeah, there is that too."
Draco smiled and reached out to touch his cheek. "We don't have to make any decisions today Harry, my parents are quite agreeable for us to live here with them indefinitely."
Harry chuckled and looked down at his sleeping son, knowing all too well how much Narcissa loved having her first grandchild in the house with them. Even Lucius was showing a tender side that Harry had never seen before; the man clearly loved his new grandson.
"I know," Harry replied. "Plus, wherever we go won't be for forever, one day we'll return home again."
Draco smiled and closed his eyes once more, settling more comfortably into his chair. "Wake me if you need me to take him."
Harry turned to look out at the beautiful grounds of the Manor, taking the opportunity to enjoy the silence and the relaxation. Everything was in bloom, the sun was shining and the peacocks were out in full force. The very weather and gardens gave an air of new beginnings and endless possibilities.
Harry looked down at his son and smiled, he couldn't wait to see what the future would hold for their resilient little family.