Chapter 5 Life Plans
Harry came downstairs to find Sirius, Remus, Hermione and Tonks all in the kitchen. He paused in the doorway, looking from one to the other. Finally Hermione and Tonks ushured the men out and let Harry sit. 'What's the time?' Harry asked, still feeling exhausted and groggy. 'Just after midday,' Hermione answered. Harry groaned and leaned back, stretching his legs beneath him. 'You need to eat, Harry,' Tonks said. Harry sighed and rubbed his stomach. 'I suppose I should,' he murmured. 'Eating for two, right?' Tonks smiled and Kreacher made him a sandwich. He picked at the bread before taking a small bite, the ham and cheese filling his empty stomach. 'So, gonna tell me what happened?' Tonks asked. ''Mione won't say anything.' Harry threw Hermione a thankful look and sipped the orange juice Kreacher had poured him. 'Well... I was at that Ministry function on my birthday. I managed to hide from Kingsley and my adoring fans.' Tonks snorted but didn't interupt. 'So I ran into... erm...' 'The father,' Hermione once again supplied. 'Yeah, and we spoke a bit, flirted,' Harry continued. 'I had no idea I was flirting, it was just so weird. I mean, he's hot, and that night he looked particularly good.' He blushed as the two women grinned at him. 'I just didn't realise that's what we were doing. 'Anyway, he cornered me when I was going to the bathroom. He started kissing my neck and pushed me against a door. I tried to stop him, said he was married and I was getting married-' 'Wait, he's married?' Hermione asked. 'You didn't tell me that.' Harry rubbed his eyes and played with his sandwhich. 'It's not important. He said it was an arranged marriage, he has male lovers and so does his wife.' Hermione and Tonks exchanged looks. Arranged marriages were common in pure-blood circles. Slowly they were listing what Harry was telling them, trying to figure out who the father was without Harry having to say it. Gorgeous. Arranged marriage. Male lovers. 'I said I wasn't gay and he just kept saying things and kissing me,' Harry said. 'I lost my head and next thing we're in a broom closet going at it like horny teenagers.' 'You are a horny teenager,' Tonks pointed out. 'But he isn't!' Harry said. 'Fucking hell, I got knocked up by a guy more then twenty years older then me!' He groaned and burried his face in his arms. More then twenty years older. 'Well...' Hermione said, '... at least it was good, right?' Harry grunted. 'What was that?' Tonks asked. 'Yes, it was good,' Harry said. 'Really good, he's... well... good.' Hermione and Tonks both snorted as Harry burned red. Fantastic in bed. 'So are you gay, Harry?' Tonks asked. Harry nodded before resurfacing to once more nibble on his sandwhich. 'Harry,' Hermione said slowly, 'Mr and Mrs Weasley turned up earlier.' Harry tensed, sandwhich halfway to his face. 'Molly was shouting, demanding you get your arse out there and face the music.' 'Sirius was pissed off,' Tonks said. 'He told her off, said you never wanted to marry Ginny and she had no hold over you. He said you'd cover the wedding and then strengthened the wards, blew her right off the front step.' She snickered and Harry sighed. Tonks had never much liked Molly's attitude. 'So she was upset,' the teenager muttered. 'She has every right to be.' Hermione sighed. 'Harry, you did the wrong thing and you've admitted to that. But you can't change the past. You would have been miserable with Ginny. Look at it this way; the father of your baby opened your eyes, showed you that you were living a lie. Now you can date men and have a family.' She paused before saying, 'Are you going to tell him?' Harry nodded. 'You don't have to,' Tonks said, cutting her own sandwhich. 'You can claim it was a mistake, that neither of you were thinking clearly. He forfits all rights to the child if he claimed it was a one night stand; you can get sole custody of the baby.' 'I have to tell him, it's the right thing to do,' Harry said, gulping down more orange juice. 'Besides, he already has a son, maybe he'll just accept it and not make my life hell.' One son. Hermione and Tonks exchanged looks. 'Are you sure that's what you want to do?' the ex-Hufflepuff asked. Harry nodded again. 'He has a right to know. I don't want anything from him, I have enough money and I know I can raise this baby by myself.' His right hand dropped to press against his stomach and a small smile pulled at his lips. Now that he'd got over the initial shock, he was surprised at the flood of warmth that filled him whenever he thought about his unborn child. 'You're already in mother-mode,' Tonks said and nodded at Harry's stomach. 'I guess I am,' Harry said and smiled properly. 'I just... it's weird, you know? There's a little human growing in me, someone I'll be related to by blood. I haven't had that since I was one.' Hermione smiled at her best friend. 'I'm glad, Harry. You'll be a great father.' 'Only with your help,' Harry said. 'Honestly, I'll be rubbish without you.' 'Don't be daft,' Tonks said. 'You'll be great, Harry; it's instincts. You'll want what's best for your son or daughter, you'll love them unconditionally. It all just comes to you after a bit of practice and learning from mistakes, trust me.' Harry smiled again and ate his sandwhich, feeling better. Tonks and Hermione looked at each other before glancing at Harry. Hermione's mind was running fast. Married, with male lovers, gorgeous, arguing all night and flirting... who would be bold enough, and suave enough, to get Harry in a closet? Tonks was thinking along the same lines. Pure-blood, invited to an exclusive Ministry party, Harry clearly knows him, thinks he'll respect the family aspect... has a son... 'Oh my God,' both witches exclaimed at once. Harry slopped juice across his plate and coughed. 'What?' Hermione's eyes were wide and Tonks said, 'Please tell me you didn't sleep with my uncle.' Harry frowned. 'Your who?' 'Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy,' Hermione said. Harry's eyes widened. He'd completely forgotten that Tonks was related to the Malfoys. 'Oh Harry,' Hermione continued. 'Please tell us the father isn't Lucius Malfoy.' Harry choked again and coughed repeatedly, slamming his hand on the table. Hermione was up and around the table, patting his back. 'H-How... how did you...' Harry tried to get out. 'It's Lucius Malfoy?' Tonks asked. When Harry had stopped coughing, he nodded weakly. Both women sat heavily, staring at Harry, who rubbed his lips. 'How did you figure it out?' he demanded. 'Lucius and Narcissa have an arranged marriage,' Tonks said, 'it was drawn up when Cissy was born.' 'He's a playboy and it's well known that he's gay,' Hermione took over. 'He's had a string of male lovers since he was a teenager.' 'He's a pure-blood, has a son, holds family higher then anything else,' Tonks said. 'And he's rich enough to be invited to a Ministry party like that one on your birthday,' Hermione added. 'Plus he's gorgeous and charming enough to talk the virigin Saviour into having a quick tumble in a broom closet,' Tonks finished with a smirk. Harry scratched at his hair, messing it up even more. 'Fucking hell,' he groaned. 'Are you still going to tell him?' Hermione asked. 'Of course I am, I have to,' Harry said. 'I'm not sure how he'll take the news,' Tonks mused. 'He's always wanted more children but I heard Narcissa didn't want to sire any more of his; she doesn't particularly like him, regardless of his looks. And really he wasn't too keen on having sex with her again. I think he was quoted in The Daily Prophet just after Draco was born saying, 'Once was too much'.' Harry snorted. 'Do you think he'll fight Harry for custody?' Hermione asked. Tonks shook her head, tapping at the kitchen table. 'For all his dark ways, he's an honourable man; like Harry said, he takes care of his family, he won't take the baby away from him. He wouldn't do that to a child, especially his own blood. He might want to be a part of the baby's life,' Tonks said. 'What?' Harry gaped. 'You don't think so?' Tonks asked. 'Well... I don't know,' Harry said honestly. 'I just assume he'll be happy when I say he's free of responsibility. I mean, he's... what, forty? He won't want to take care of a baby with his one-time lover, especially since I'm still just a teenager.' 'I don't know, Harry,' Tonks said. 'Lucius Malfoy takes care of his own. I think he'll be there for you.' Harry stared at the table, trying to process all of this. He didn't think Lucius would want to be a part of the baby's life. He had to admit the idea sounded good; he'd like his baby to have it's father. But could he handle having Lucius in his life? He thought about the man and blushed. Most of his thoughts surrounding Lucius these days were dirty. Hermione and Tonks noticed and smirked. 'Please don't tell anyone,' Harry said quickly. 'I want to tell Lucius first.' They both nodded. 'When will you?' Hermione asked. 'Soon,' Harry said. 'I just want to get used to the idea and figure my future out.' There was a knock on the kitchen door and they heard Sirius. 'Can Remy and I come back in?' he asked. 'Or am I still kicked out of my kitchen?' 'Come in, you stupid dog,' Tonks said and winked at Harry.
Sirius and Remus came in, the werewolf carrying Teddy Lupin. The baby had bright green hair and a strange shade of purple eyes. He was constantly shifting his looks but mostly resembled his daddy. 'Feeling alright?' Remus asked as he sat beside Harry. Sirius took the seat on the teenager's other side. 'Alright, considering,' Harry said. 'Any morning sickness?' Remus asked as he shifted Teddy in his arms. 'I remember Tonks; throwing up every morning for weeks.' 'Well let's see how you go when you've got a little baby growing in you,' Tonks said. Remus paled, shaking his head, and the others laughed. 'I'm fine,' Harry said, 'no sickness yet today but it usually hits around three or so.' 'Have you had any checkups?' Tonks asked. Harry shook his head. 'No, just Madam Pomfrey telling me I was pregnant. She said to come see her and she'll send me to St Mungos.' 'Good idea,' Hermione said. 'You need to take care of yourself.' Harry noticed that Sirius hadn't said anything and turned to his godfather. 'Are you mad at me?' 'A little, if I'm honest,' Sirius said. 'No parent wants to hear that their teenager is knocked up.' 'I'm really sorry,' Harry said, 'I had no idea I could get pregnant until he cast the charm. By then I suppose it was too late.' Sirius sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. 'What's done is done,' the Animagus said. 'We can't change what happened, you're going to be a father in a few months. We need to make sure you and the baby are healthy.' 'So... you won't kick me out?' Harry asked, eyes wide. 'What?' Sirius said. 'Of course not, Cub. You're family, so is your baby. I could never throw you out on the streets.' Harry grinned and threw his arms around Sirius. 'Thank you so much, Siri, I don't know what I'd do without you.' Sirius smiled and hugged his godson back before letting him go. He called Kreacher, who made them some sandwiches, before settling back. 'You really had no idea you were pregnant until the wedding?' the Black patriarch asked. Harry shook his head. 'You know I've been unwell; throwing up, trouble sleeping, dizziness... I didn't even think of pregnancy, I thought I was just scared of marrying Ginny.' 'You should never have even got engaged,' Sirius growled. He'd been against it from the beginning, had known Harry wasn't in love with the youngest Weasley. 'I know, I just wanted to please the Weasleys,' Harry said. 'I should have been stronger.' 'It's in the past, let's forget it,' Sirius said, waving his hand. 'Let's focus on you.' 'Me?' Harry said. Sirius and the others all nodded. 'Are you going to go back to Hogwarts?' Remus asked as he stood to pass Teddy to his mother. 'How far along are you?' 'A month,' Harry said before blinking and looking at the werewolf. 'Wait, how come you could smell the pregnancy on me at the wedding but not before then?' 'Well, you've been smelling a little off lately,' Remus said, 'but I didn't know what it was. Once you realised you were pregnant and accepted it, your magical scent became stronger; it bonded with the baby's and I could smell it.' Harry nodded. 'Fleur did too.' 'She promised me not to say anything, not that that matters now,' Hermione said. Tonks snorted. 'Fleur likes Molly as much as I do; the woman's always bitching about the poor veela.' 'I don't get it, Fleur's great,' Harry said. 'She's smart, kind, funny...' 'She's French and beautiful, Molly hates that,' Sirius snickered. Remus rolled his eyes. 'Anyway, back to Harry.' Harry played with his plate, staring at it as he thought everything through. 'I don't think I'll go back to Hogwarts,' he said. Sirius gasped. 'Are you serious?' Harry nodded. 'I'll be in enough trouble when the papers find out I'm pregnant, I don't need to have people making fun of me all day.' 'That would put a lot of stress on you and the baby,' Tonks nodded. 'You can have your work sent to you,' Hermione said. 'I'm sure Severus would be willing to work it out with you,' Remus said. 'Want me to firecall him?' 'Have him come over, I'll explain it in person,' Harry said.
Remus disappeared to retrieve the Hogwarts Headmaster, leaving the others in silence. When the werewolf returned he was accompanied by Severus Snape, the man looking healthier then Harry had last seen him. The snake attack had left him very weak, almost dead, and only St Mungos finest (all paid for by Harry) had been able to save him. 'Potter,' Severus nodded, sitting beside Hermione and folding his arms. 'Lupin said you wished to discuss something with me.' Harry leaned back and turned to face the Slytherin. 'I know I told you I'd be returning to Hogwarts but I can't.' Severus raised an eyebrow and asked, 'Why?' He frowned suddenly. 'Aren't you supposed to be on your honeymoon?' Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. 'I called the wedding off.' 'About time,' Severus snorted and smirked when the others stared at him. 'You're as gay as your godfather, Potter, marrying the red-head would have destroyed you.' Harry gaped, mouth falling open, but it was Sirius who said, 'You knew?' 'Of course,' Severus smiled. 'You didn't?' Sirius scowled. 'Not all gay men can spot each other, you know.' 'Pity, you would have avoided the cost of a wedding if you could,' Severus mused. 'Now, why can't you come back to Hogwarts?' 'Well... it's the way I found out I'm gay,' Harry said and bit his lip. Severus raised an eyebrow and the Gryffindor sighed. 'I'm pregnant,' he said. 'One night stand, it was just sex, but I'm pregnant. I don't want the stress to harm my baby so I've decided not to go back.' Severus sat in silence, Harry's words swimming in his brain. Finally he rubbed his eyes and said, 'I see.' 'We were hoping you could help, Professor,' Hermione said, ever the polite young witch. 'I can have your seventh year work delivered by owl,' Severus said, 'once a week or month will do. I can have the other teachers mark your work and send it back. If you need extra tutoring or don't understand something, I'll set it up so you can floo into Hogwarts and sit down with the teachers.' 'Thank you so much,' Harry said, a bright smile pulling at his lips. Severus couldn't help smiling back. He'd finally managed to see Harry for who he was and not a minature of James. The boy was quite sweet and intelligent once you got to know him. 'You need options, Potter, especially with a baby on the way,' Severus said. 'If you need any potions for morning sickness or anything else, let me know.' Harry nodded and thanked him again. Severus had to get back to Hogwarts, school was starting in two days. He told Hermione he'd see her there, as Head Girl she'd be working a lot with the Headmaster, and flooed back to the castle.
{oOo} Remus and Harry went to Hogwarts and met with Hermione, the Muggle-born wanting to accompany Harry to his appointment. Luckily Severus needed her and she left Harry and Remus at the hospital wing. Harry didn't think he could do this with an audiance, he was nervous enough. They'd owled Madam Pomfrey ahead of time and she'd called a friend from St Mungos to check Harry over. They walked through the corridors late September during dinner, only encountering the odd student or two. Poppy and the healer, introduced as Roger Christie, both shook Harry's hand and asked him to take his shirt and jacket off. He did and sat back on one of the wooden beds, playing with the sheets nervously. Remus sat in the chair beside Harry's bed and smiled reassuringly at him. 'So, Mr Potter, I take it this is your first child?' Roger asked. Though he knew who Harry was (everyone did), professionalism came before curiosity. Harry was his patient, whatever the boy said was strictly confidential. 'Yeah,' Harry nodded as Roger took out his wand. 'Planned or accidental?' Roger asked. 'Accidental,' the teenager answered. Roger nodded and waved his wand, muttering spells under his breath. Thick threads of colourful magic leaked from the end, wrapping around various parts of Harry's body; head, neck, chest, abdomen, hips, etcetera. 'And the father...?' the healer asked, glancing at Remus. 'Gods, no,' Remus shook his head. 'I'm his-' 'Dad, he's my dad,' Harry said and grinned at the werewolf. 'Remus Lupin.' Remus smiled broadly and leaned back. Roger didn't even bat an eye and said, 'Okay, and will the father be a part of the baby's life?' 'I don't know, I haven't told him yet,' Harry said. 'It was... kind of a one night thing.' 'Ah,' the healer said in understanding. He smiled warmly. 'Don't worry, Mr Potter, everything we discuss is strictly confidential.' Harry thanked him with a nod as Roger continued to examin him. When he was done he told Harry to re-dress and both sat on the edge of the bed. 'Now, Mr Potter, what do you know about male pregnancies?' 'Nothing,' Harry said honestly. 'Okay, well the most important thing to know is that they last six months, not nine,' Roger said and Harry nodded. 'You're almost two months pregnant, about seven weeks along. Your baby is healthy, we won't be able to tell the sex until you're two months in.' 'Okay,' Harry said. 'You need to eat more, Mr Potter,' the healer told him. 'You're currently underweight, both for your height and how far along you are. I know the morning sickness can be horrible but there are potions to counter it.' 'It's more afternoon sickness,' Harry said. 'That's common with wizards,' Roger said. 'You need to eat three meals a day and whatever your body craves, no matter how strange it is.' Remus chuckled and Roger glanced at him. 'He likes cucumbers and peanut butter,' the werewolf said. Roger smiled. 'Trust me, your cravings will get stranger,' he told Harry. 'Wizard pregnancies are different to womens' because your magic is used to create a womb, feed, and protect the baby. You'll feel tired all the time because of this so take it easy. Remember to exercise, take a walk for about thirty minutes each day; keep it simple.' Harry nodded again, wishing he could write this all down. As though he could read Harry's mind, the healer said, 'I can give you a list of good books to read about male pregnancies and child rearing. They'll help keep you informed and help prepare you for fatherhood.' 'Thank you so much,' Harry said. 'I take it you don't know about the birthing process?' Harry shook his head and the other wizard continued. 'When the baby is ready to be born, your body will absorb your penis and testicles just before your water breaks.' Harry's eyes widened and Roger chuckled. 'Temporarely, they come back after six weeks,' he said. 'It's healthier for a baby to be born naturally and that means being squeezed through a birth canal. As you don't have one, your body makes one. You'll lactate so you can breast-feed if you wish. After six weeks your body will return to normal but hold off on sex until at least eight or nine weeks after giving birth.' Harry nodded vaguely, heart thumping painfully in his chest. 'You'll get used to it,' Roger smiled. 'Male pregnancies are delicate, Mr Potter, so try to minimise stress and take it easy. No broom riding, no apparating, no smoking or drinking of any kind. Try not to cast spells, it'll deplete your magic and you need it to protect and nurture the baby. I can give you a list of what not to do.' Harry nodded again and Roger stood to get his things. He gave Harry a list of do's and do not's, as well as a piece of parchment with fifty or so titles all about wizard pregnancies as well as parenthood. There was also a small book on what was safe to do and eat while pregnant and what he could do to make himself more comfortable when his belly began to swell. He found out he wouldn't start to show until close to three months, sooner if he was pregnant with twins or triplets. The morning sickness would stop around midway but the hormones would get worse further in as well as the food cravings. He had an amazing amount of things to look forward to. 'Great,' Harry muttered and Remus looked at him. They were walking back to Severus' office to floo to Grimmauld Place. Roger had told Harry to come to St Mungos for his two month check up. 'What?' Remus asked. 'Listen to what's going to happen to me,' Harry said, pointing at the booklet he was reading. 'Swollen ankles, mood swings, a high sex drive, hunger, back pains, headaches.' He groaned. 'I'll be a horny, swollen blimp.' Remus chuckled. 'That's what you get for having sex, Harry.' Harry scowled at him. 'Shut up.' Remus smirked and led Harry down the corridor.