Chapter 19 Mayonnaise and Tomato Sandwiches
Sometimes Harry hated being a wizard. Women had an easier time being pregnant because their bodies were naturally made to house a child. Harry's body, on the other hand, wasn't. He was showing earlier; his stomach was growing, expanding, magic morphing him to make a comfortable home for his unborn son. At four months pregnant he was more than halfway through but he definitely looked like he'd been pregnant eight. He felt that way, too.
Harry avoided going out in public when he could. Being Harry Potter meant people stared, wanted his attention. Being pregnant with Lucius Malfoy's son didn't help either, especially when he looked like he had half a Quaffle stuffed under his shirt.
But sometimes hanging around Grimmauld Place or Malfoy Manor grated on Harry's nerves. Being stuck inside pissed him off, made his already short-temper explode. So Draco, as a soon-to-be big brother, offered to take Harry out every now and then, in public, for lunch. People were less likely to approach the duo when one was scowling and the other was Draco Malfoy.
So after Tonks called them in, Harry said his goodbyes and Draco apparated the two to Diagon Alley. There was a small café around the corner from Gringotts that Draco loved, and it was tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the busy street. So Draco led the way, making sure Harry stuck close, while the Gryffindor muttered under his breath about stupid wizards and witches.
'Alright there, Potter?' Draco asked when they'd been seated at an outside table. A large umbrella stood tall and proud from the middle of the table, shielding them from the midday sun. It was getting chilly now that it was late November, but it had yet to snow, and charms had been put in place to keep the patrons of the café warm.
Harry was rubbing his stomach absent-mindedly as he gazed out at the various people walking past and didn't turn as he said, 'Just dandy.'
'Oh yeah?'
'Mm.'
'It looked like you were going to hex a few people back there,' Draco said and picked up a menu. He mostly knew it by heart but always felt the need to check. It made no sense, because he knew what he wanted, but old habits die hard, as they say.
'I just wish everyone would stop staring,' Harry sighed and finally turned to face his companion. 'I mean, everyone's known for about two months that I'm pregnant with Lucius' son, why are they still staring?'
'Because you're Harry Potter,' Draco stated simply. 'They're never going to stop staring. If you'd got some witch pregnant it probably wouldn't be as bad as it is. But throw your name in, your sexuality, and the baby's other father-'
'It makes for good gossip,' Harry interrupted. 'I know.' He picked up his own menu and said nothing more, so Draco assumed that topic was closed. A waitress stopped to ask if they wanted any drinks before ordering, and Draco got a soda while Harry stuck to juice- something about Lucius, Tonks, and Remus all making sure he was eating healthily.
To the waitress' credit she barely stared and disappeared soon after taking their drink orders. Harry went back to his menu and Draco put his own down, choosing instead to people-watch.
'I think I'm going to get the ham and cheese toastie with a pumpkin muffin,' Harry announced and dropped his menu.
'That's an odd order,' Draco said, nose wrinkled.
'Pregnant,' Harry shrugged.
Draco chuckled. 'I really don't envy you.'
He took a sip of his soda, and nearly spat it out when Harry randomly asked, 'Are you ever going to have kids?'
After coughing and spluttering, Harry watching in amusement, Draco said, 'Excuse me?'
'I was just curious,' Harry shrugged. 'Usually when someone's having a baby, next minute everyone wants to have one.'
'That's women,' Draco said.
'Hermione doesn't want one.'
'Yes, well, she's always been odd,' Draco sniffed. Harry just stared at him, green eyes piercing. 'Yes, I want children,' Draco finally said, 'but I'm in no hurry, Potter.'
'Harry,' the black-haired teen reminded him.
Draco rolled his eyes. 'I'm about to become a big brother, I'm too young to be a father. And my father's far too young to be a grandfather. Besides, I'd rather be married first.'
'Right,' Harry nodded. 'I was just wondering, because you have to have a male heir, right?'
'That's the way it's supposed to go,' Draco nodded. 'But Father pulled me aside some time ago and said there was no hurry; he didn't want to pressure me like his father did. And if my first-born is a girl, she can become head of the family.'
'Really?' Harry asked, eyebrows raised. It made no sense to him, but both Lucius and Sirius had explained that it was traditional in pure-blood families for the first-born male to become head of the family to keep the fortune in the family name, as well as keep the family name alive. It made absolutely no bloody sense; couldn't the witch just keep her maiden name, and give the kids that surname? For a society that was so far ahead in some matters, they were severely behind in others.
Draco nodded and spotted the waitress heading back towards them, a notebook in hand. 'My father doesn't discriminate against gender, and a woman can lead just as well, if not better, than a man.'
He looked up when the young witch stopped beside them, a bright smile on her face. 'What can I get you, gentlemen?' she asked in a bright tone.
'I'll have two tomato sandwiches with mayonnaise,' Draco said, 'and a bowl of chips with tomato sauce.'
She nodded, wrote it down, and looked at Harry.
'Two ham and cheese toasties and two pumpkin muffins, warmed, please,' Harry said.
'Gotcha,' she smiled, still bright, and took their menus.
When she was gone Harry asked, 'Tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches, really?'
Draco shrugged. 'I loved them when I was younger and I suddenly feel like one.'
'You're disgusting.'
'Says the guy who regularly eats cucumbers with peanut butter.'
Harry blushed slightly. That was a craving that hadn't stopped, even four months into his pregnancy... damn it, he should have ordered that. Shaking his head, he said, 'Yeah, well... shut up.'
Draco snorted, 'Great comeback, Potter.'
'Shut up,' Harry repeated and leaned back in his wooden seat.
They fell into silence, just enjoying the outdoors and each other's company. It still struck Harry- and Draco too- as odd at times. They'd been at each other's throats since they were eleven, and now they regularly spent time together; just the two of them. And they actually had fun. They had a lot in common; both loved Quidditch, DADA, and reading, though Draco's likes swayed more towards herbology, spellwork, and magical beasts, while Harry liked Muggle books.
Harry smiled when he remembered showing Draco one of his James Bond books. He'd bought the complete set during his last trip to Muggle London with Hermione and had re-read them dozens of times. All the guns and sex just confused poor Draco and made Harry giggle.
Harry turned back to watch the people walking past, either hurrying along or strolling, some in deep conversation with each other. He was glad that nobody- yet- had come to bother them for who they were. Harry rarely got to just enjoy a day spent outside, especially since the news he was having a baby, so he smiled and closed his eyes, letting the sun that was falling on him warm his face.
When a few minutes had passed Harry opened his eyes and looked at Draco. It was a further two minutes before Draco noticed and raised one blonde eyebrow.
'So... Tonks said you and Sirius looked awfully comfortable out on the patio,' Harry said slyly.
Draco felt his ears turn red and cleared his throat before saying haughtily, 'Whatever you're thinking, just no. For your information, I am completely straight.'
'I thought that too,' Harry nodded. 'Until your father-'
'Let's not talk about yours and my father's sex life,' Draco interrupted quickly.
Harry chuckled. 'Sorry,' he apologised, seeing how uncomfortable that subject was for the older teenager. 'I just meant that I thought I was straight until... you know...' He gestured at his stomach.
Draco snorted and said, 'Well I know, without a doubt, that I like women, Potter. So no, I won't be joining your dysfunctional family any more than I already have.'
'Alright,' Harry shrugged. 'Just so you know I'm fine with it.'
'Seriously?' Draco asked. 'If I decided to shag your godfather, you'd be fine with that?'
''Course I would,' Harry nodded. He picked at one of the sugar packets in the middle of the table. 'I can't exactly forbid Sirius from sleeping with who he wants. And I'm with someone a lot older than myself, so I can't judge him for picking someone young.'
Draco just stared at him.
'And I know you're related; your mum's his cousin, right?' Harry said and Draco nodded. 'But wizards don't seem to care about that. I mean, Lucius and me are related somewhere down the Potter line.'
'I think five or six generations ago,' Draco nodded. 'The Potter and Malfoy families didn't inter-breed as much as the Blacks or Flints.'
Harry snorted. 'Explains why Marcus Flint looked like a troll.'
'No, he got that from his mother,' Draco shivered. 'My mother always invited his family over for important get-togethers- you know, pure-bloods standing together and droning on about rubbish.'
Harry grinned, 'I can't imagine those parties were fun.'
'Well, Blaise always managed to make them a bit livelier,' Draco admitted. 'In second year he stole a bottle of firewhiskey and got Theo, Millicent, Pansy, Flint, Crabbe, and Goyle drunk. They made absolute fools of themselves in the middle of the ballroom. I think Crabbe even stripped.'
'Oh God, I really didn't need the mental image of that, thanks,' Harry groaned. Draco snickered. 'Anyway, back to our original topic,' Harry then said and Draco sighed. 'I really wouldn't care if you and Sirius did end up together. Magic helps take out some of the problems with in-breeding, right?'
Draco nodded. 'It's why there aren't as many mental illnesses as there could be. Of course, siblings re-producing would be horrible.' He grimaced at the very thought.
'I think Sirius said his parents were first cousins or something,' Harry mused.
'Yes, I'm surprised your godfather isn't completely crazy like Bellatrix was,' Draco said.
'Oh, he is,' Harry nodded, 'just hides it better.'
'And you want me to shag him?' Draco asked. 'You make him sound so wonderful.'
Harry smiled. 'Just... you know, I wanted you to know I was fine with it.'
'I appreciate the understanding, but I really am straight,' Draco said.
'I think the wizard doth protest too much,' Harry joked.
'I am this close to strangling you, Potter,' Draco growled. He huffed when Harry snickered.
'Sorry, I'll drop the subject,' the Gryffindor raised his hands. 'I just wanted-'
'Me to know,' Draco interrupted, 'yes, I gathered that.'
'Good,' Harry nodded. They stopped talking when the waitress appeared with their food, and Harry licked his lips as he eyed his full plate. The ham and cheese toasties had come with a side-salad and he almost moaned when he popped a lettuce leaf into his mouth.
'Go easy there,' Draco muttered, 'I don't need to hear it, thank you.'
'Getting you hot and bothered?' Harry joked. He shut up when Draco growled, deciding he'd teased his pseudo-step son enough for the afternoon. 'How can you eat that?' he said instead, watching as Draco bit into a tomato sandwich that oozed mayonnaise.
'Easy,' Draco mumbled, 'like this.' He took another large bite and Harry winced.
'I have some pretty weird cravings, but nothing as disgusting as that.'
'Ask my father what his favorite midnight snack is,' Draco said. 'I guarantee it's more disgusting than this.'
Harry frowned. 'Do I want to know?' he asked.
Draco just grinned and Harry decided to drop the subject. Instead he focused on feeding himself and his son, soon weighing the pros and cons of the names Caelum, Castiel and Connor. For some reason he really liked names beginning with C and couldn't decide on one. Of course, he still had to run the new names by Lucius.