Disclaimer – Tisn’t mine…but you knew that already.

Chapter 11 – You Want It More

‘Hey Malfoy, you get much rounder and you’ll fall off your broom. You’d better lay off the chocolate frogs.’ Ron chuckled, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

Draco glared at the Gryffindor and lifted his wand but Harry caught his arm and pushed it down, wrapping the other one round his shoulders and kissing the top of his head. ‘Just ignore the uncouth Gryffindor, Dray.’ He murmured, tossing a smirk at Ron. ‘He’s just jealous because you’re so gorgeous.’

The Slytherins and Hermione burst out laughing as Ron pretended to gag. Draco gifted Ron with a smug look and began tugging Harry towards the Slytherin table.

‘Come on, I’m starving.’ The blonde insisted.

‘We’ll see you later, Harry.’ Hermione called out hopefully.

Harry stopped and glanced down at Draco, clearly reluctant to leave his Paladin who was excited to have dinner with his friends for the first time in two weeks, but knowing that his friends had missed him also over the two weeks.

Millicent solved his dilemma by grasping Hermione’s hand quite firmly and pulling her towards the Slytherin table also. ‘Come on, I’m sure no one will mind if you eat with us too.’ She said firmly.

Whispers broke out around the hall and any number of eyebrows were raised at the Slytherin table that showed there certainly were a number of them that minded a Gryffindor at their table. Of course, the bright smile that broke out on Harry’s face, and the unguarded look of delight in his eyes quickly silenced them all and finally Ron joined them, dragging his feet slightly, and with a look on his face as if he’d swallowed something nasty.

The conversation was stilted at first until Harry took one look at the roast beef and ice cream with maple syrup that Draco was eating…all at once.

‘Urgh, Draco…how on earth can you eat that?’ He groaned in mild disgust.

Draco shrugged. ‘Nate likes it.’ He said simply causing dead silence around them again as all but Draco’s closest friends wondered if he’d somehow picked up a second personality. Harry’s eyes glowed at the name and naturally Hermione, who saw his response, was the first to pick up on it.

‘Nate? Who is Nate?’ She asked suspiciously.

Harry glanced around at them, aware of the many ears listening. His smile grew wider and his hand rose so he could run them down Draco’s cheek before turning his still glowing eyes back to his friends. ‘Draco is pregnant.’ He said softly.

There was a deathly silence from those around them who had heard the words and whispered from those further away who were trying desperately to find out what had been said before Ron summed it up in two simple words.

‘Bloody hell!’

Harry let out a joyous laugh as he wrapped an arm around Draco’s waist. ‘Quite.’ He chuckled and those who knew him well were stunned at the change in him. They had barely seen any laughter or joy or happiness on his face in such a long time. Only Draco and Severus in the odd moments at Malfoy Manor over the summer and even they found their eyes suspiciously bright at the unrestrained emotion shining in the liquid green eyes.

Finally someone called up the courage to speak. ‘And it’s a boy?’ Hermione said finally.

Harry grinned. ‘Yes. Our son.’

Draco looked up at him, and it was easy to see the sheer adoration in his eyes also. The pair were practically glowing and Ron wondered if even his parents had ever been this in love. He doubted it. He didn’t think he’d seen anyone look at another person with such an expression before. It was a combination of love, adulation, possessiveness, commitment and contentment that would have doubted even existed if he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes.

‘I really happy for you…’ Ron said finally. ‘Both of you.’ He added quietly and Harry turned his bright eyes and cheerful smile on him.

‘Thanks mate.’ He murmured softly.

It seemed Ron’s words were to be the thin end of the wedge and soon everyone around them was adding their congratulations also and the rest of the great hall returned eventually to their meals whilst the chattering continued on.

‘I can’t believe you’re really here.’ Draco murmured as he traced his fingers over his bulging stomach his grey eyes fixed on Harry’s face. Harry lay on his side, his head propped on his hand, elbow bent, as he stared down at the Slytherin his other hand grasping Draco’s and holding it.

‘I will always be here, Draco. I swear to you.’ He vowed solemnly.

Draco’s eyes studied the striking face, taking in the scales and pale skin. ‘I want to believe it.’ He whispered. ‘I want to believe it so much. But what of Him? He’s caught you once. He could catch you again.’

Harry shook his head. ‘No, He caught me because I was stupid…careless. That won’t happen again.’ His green eyes flared in the moonlight room.

‘Promise?’

‘I promise.’ Harry repeated, bending his head till he could brush his lips over Harry’s.

Draco smiled and deepened the kiss before pulling away. ‘So, what do you think he will look like?’ He questioned glancing down at his stomach fondly.

Harry’s smile grew. ‘He will be beautiful. Just like his father.’

Draco snorted. ‘That has to be one of the sappiest things you’ve ever said.’ He chuckled.

Harry suddenly loomed over him. ‘Perhaps.’ He agreed softly. ‘But I bet you remember it.’ He added challengingly.

Draco could feel his hear beat speed up and his eyes narrowed as he reached up to wind his fingers in Harry’s hair. ‘Perhaps.’ He agreed before pulling Harry down to him, the Draconian shifting to make sure he wasn’t squashing Draco or their son.

The next month until the Christmas break passed very quickly. Harry remained by Draco’s side with an almost fervent need to protect him. The only time he would let the young man away from him was during his classes when after walking Draco there he would spend the time in various parts of the castle practicing the magicks taught to him by Linael in preparation for the battle he knew was coming, before meeting Draco after his class had finished and walking him to the next one.

His defensive magic was strong and his offensive even more powerful however both were overshadowed by his protective magic. He’d already incorporated extra protective magic into the wards of the school that most of the teachers and even some of the more magically aware upper years could practically feel whenever they were out on the grounds. It was only as most of the students left for the Christmas break that the way to defeat Tom Riddle finally hit him like a thunderclap.

Time magic.

He had to work out how to stop the time long enough to get to the Dark Lord and destroy him and get far enough away to survive the aftermath he knew the destruction of such a dark soul would cause. Linael said he would know how to do it when the time came but Harry felt himself reluctant to rely on that in spite of the faith he had in the older Draconian. Too much was a stake to risk it.

Draco knew something was wrong when Harry began to rely more and more on Ron, Hermione and the Slytherins to escort him to and from classes as he spent hours locked away in the room of requirement with nothing but a watch and a candle in front of him as he tried to wrangle the ancient magic that ran through him into stopping time if only for a moment.

Nothing he tried worked however and both Draco and Severus watched in concern as he became more and more frustrated.

‘You’ll get it.’ Draco murmured soothingly, as Harry sat down beside him at lunch the day before Yule with an aggrieved sigh.

‘Yes, but will it be in time.’ Harry countered, ignoring the food Draco piled on his plate in favour of nicking the chips off Draco’s own. Well at least until Draco smothered them in hot sauce, mustard and mayonnaise.

‘Oh Draco, that is truly disgusting.’ Hermione made a face as those around them laughed.

Draco shrugged cheerfully. ‘Don’t care. Nate.’

‘Likes it.’ Everyone around them finished for him before laughing loudly. Harry felt a smile tug the corners of his lips and he realized how odd the expression felt. He wondered just how many days it had been since he had smiled. He could see Draco casting surreptitious glances at him, an expression of concern he couldn’t quite hide in his eyes even with the smile on his face. Harry let out another sigh and pushed his plate away, lifting a leg over the bench till he was sitting sideways and wrapped his arms around Draco’s now enormous waist and pulled the Slytherin tight against his chest, bending his head to nuzzle the soft skin behind Draco’s ear.

‘I’m sorry.’ Harry whispered and Draco placed a hand on his arm as he turned his head awkwardly to kiss his cheek.

‘It’s okay.’ Draco said soothingly. ‘I know you’re just trying to finish this. You just have to be patient.’

Harry shook his head, gently running his fingers down and rubbing Draco’s lower back, an action that almost had his Paladin purring in his present state. ‘I cannot take that chance, Draco. I have to know it will work.’

Draco tried to lift himself out of his blissful stupor. ‘I will. I know it will.’ The Slytherin moaned softly. Harry was not even sure if the blonde knew what he was saying. With less than two weeks, as best as they could guess, before their son arrived, Draco was huge. He waddled everywhere and unlike a normally paced pregnancy Draco hadn’t had time to get used to the change in balance and extra weight. His feet and back ached constantly and unable to take any potions that might harm the baby it was found that only Harry’s soothing hands could push the pain away. Harry rubbed a little more firmly and Draco huffed softly and let out a moan, his eyes closing as he leant his head back on Harry’s shoulder. Harry’s expression softened further and he bent his head further till he could capture the blonde’s lips with his own.

‘Ah gah! Do you have to do that here? I’m trying to eat’ Ron grimaced, still not that keen on seeing his best mate making out with another bloke.

Draco pulled away slightly as those around them snickered loudly. ‘Yes, Weasley, we do.’ He insisted lifting a hand and placing it on Harry’s cheek before guiding his lips back to where they belonged.

‘Still eating.’ Ron whined.

‘Ron, you could eat through a hurricane.’ Hermione scolded and there was yet more laughter. Even Harry snickered as he pulled away and glanced up, his green eyes alight as he glanced around at their friends before pulling Draco as close as he possibly could to his chest.

‘Bye.’ He called out cheerfully before disappearing, Draco and all, with barely more than a rush of air.

‘Thank Merlin for that.’ Ron muttered ducking the smack Hermione aimed at his head.

‘Really, Ron, I never realized you were such a homophobe.’ Blaise murmured idly, catching Hermione’s eye and giving her a wink.

Ron’s ears reddened. ‘I’m not. It’s just…it’s Harry.’

Blaise’ eyebrows rose as the girls around them snickered. ‘Hmmm…I wonder why you don’t like seeing Harry kiss another boy.’ He said mildly to snickers all around.

It took Ron, who was never the sharpest tool in the shed, several minutes to work out the very Slytherin innuendo but when he did he turned a very unattractive shade of green before it morphed into red causing those around them to burst out laughing. Ron’s red face morphed further into a scowl before he stood up and stomped from the hall.

‘I’d better go after him.’ Hermione chuckled, tears still leaking from her eyes as she stood and the laughter continued.

‘How are you, dear boy? You must be getting excited.’ Dumbledore levitated the cup of tea across to Harry who took it carefully even as he smiled.

‘I guess.’ He murmured and Snape frowned, glancing at the headmaster.

‘Harry?’ The potions master questioned softly.

Harry looked at the faces of two of the only three men he truly trusted. ‘I’m scared for him.’ Harry admitted and both men could see how much it took for him to admit that. ‘I’m scared for both of them.’

Snape reached out and placed his hand on the Draconian’s arm. ‘Nothing will happen to Draco or the child.’ He murmured soothingly.

‘Severus is absolutely right.’ Dumbledore added and Harry couldn’t help but smile at the confidence in the elderly wizard’s voice.

‘You know you are going to have to start calling him by his name, Father.’ He gave Dumbledore a wink. ‘I mean he’ll be here very soon and before long he’ll be calling you Grandpa.’

Snape choked on his tea as Dumbledore let out a very badly concealed snort of laughter. ‘Merlin forbid.’ The potions master said sternly and Harry laughed.

‘What did you think he was going to call you?’

Snape black eyes shone even as he raised an eyebrow at Harry. ‘Professor.’ He said dryly and both Harry and Dumbledore laughed unrestrainedly.

‘Yes, I can see that happening.’ Harry snorted. ‘Get used to it, Grandpa.’

Snape cuffed him once around the head. ‘I’ll get you back.’ He scowled. ‘Just you wait.’

It took several minutes for the laughter to die off leaving a long but comfortable silence to fall over the three men. Eventually Harry spoke.

‘How long do you think he’ll wait?’ He asked quietly, not needing to elaborate further with these two men.

‘I doubt it will be much longer.’ Snape admitted.

Dumbledore refilled the teacups slowly. ‘If it was to happen now, do you believe you could win, Harry?’ He asked as he set the pot back onto the table between them.

Harry frowned, turning the cup around in idle circles on the saucer in his hand. ‘I’d like to think so.’ He said finally. ‘But I can’t guarantee the time magic will work when I need it to. Linael was far older and more experienced that I am.’

The two older men exchanged another glance. ‘You can only do your best, Harry.’ Albus said, coming around the small table to sit beside the Boy-Who-Lived and taking Harry’s hands in his own even as he studied the Draconian intently. ‘Severus and I and the other staff and your friends will protect Draco, you must believe that with every fibre of your being. Then, and only then, will you have the strength of will to concentrate on what you must do. Do you understand, Harry?’

The elderly headmaster was a serious as Harry had ever seen him and he found himself nodding slowly. ‘Yes.’ He breathed.

Dumbledore allowed a small smile to cross his face even as he wrapped his arms around Harry’s shoulders and hugged him tightly. ‘You will win, Harry, of that I have no doubt. Because you want it more. You have something in your life that Tom Riddle will never have, and it will help you more than you will ever realize.’

Harry nodded into the elderly wizard’s shoulder before pulling away. ‘I understand.’ He murmured.

Albus smiled and patted his hands. ‘Now, how about we make some plans and see if we can make Tom work to our time frame shall we.’

The three wizards left the headmaster’s office and walked slowly through the corridors towards the great hall for dinner. Harry’s smile grew when he heard Draco’s voice as his Paladin and their friends reached the top of the staircase after coming from the library. Harry stopped and looked up, watching as Hermione smacked Ron over the head again and the group laughed loudly at whatever the redhead had said. He watched as Draco looked up and caught his eyes, the grey eyes narrowing as his jaw tightened.

Harry frowned at the expression but moments later all thought was gone as Draco stepped off the landing just as the staircase moved away. Hermione screamed even as Blaise reached for him and then everything stopped.

Everything but Harry.

Harry though, barely noticed, lifting a shaking hand towards Draco’s frozen body and gently summoning it towards him until it was clutched tightly to him, his face pressed deeply into the soft skin of Draco’s pale neck. As he took a shuddering breath everyone around him began to move once more. Hermione’s scream was cut off abruptly when she saw Draco wasn’t immediately in front of them tumbling off the landing. Blaise was still reaching out towards where Draco was only minutes before.

Snape stared at Harry as the Draconian trembled beside him, his face still hidden, even as Dumbledore flicked his wand at the staircase, instantly returning it to where it was and the group of Slytherins and Gryffindors rushed down to surround Harry and Draco.

‘Draco, are you alright?’ Blaise was the first one to speak and the blonde lifted his head, his fingers instantly twining in Harry’s hair as he soothed the other. All of them could feel the magic hanging around them as Harry struggled to regain control of his emotions.

‘I’m fine.’ Draco said softly.

Harry heard him and pulled away, gently placing Draco’s feet on the stone floor before cupping his cheeks as he studied the grey eyes intently. ‘Why?’ He whispered. ‘Why would you do that?’

Draco frowned slightly before sighing. ‘Because I knew you would not rest until you knew you could do it.’ He replied calmly.

Harry’s face paled and the scales on his cheek paled further till they were almost white. ‘You could have died, Draco. Our son could have died.’ Those around them shifted as Harry’s fear seemed to seep into their very bones.

Draco reached up and placed his hand on the ice cold scales and shook his head. ‘I knew you could do it. There was no risk.’

‘Draco.’

‘No, Harry there was no risk. I knew you could do it. Linael told you it would happen when you need it to. You only had to believe that it would.’ The blond Slytherin said simply, causing raised eyebrows around them as it began to sink in that Draco hadn’t fallen by accident.

Harry’s eyes flicked over Draco’s face. ‘You’re completely mad.’ He breathed and Draco smiled.

‘Probably.’ He shrugged as Blaise and the others snickered nervously.

‘I love you.’

Draco’s smile grew. ‘I know.’ He agreed, standing on tiptoes to press his lips against Harry’s. ‘I love you too.’

‘Urgh.’

‘Shut up, Ronald. You’re not eating at the moment so give it a rest.’ Hermione scolded as more laughter erupted around them.

Snape stepped forward and placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder causing both young man to turn to him. ‘Are you alright, Harry?’ He asked softly.

The Draconian nodded and his scales darkened to their usual sapphire blue once again. ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ He breathed shakily.

‘Marvellous, how about we all head in for dinner then.’ Dumbledore said cheerfully, his blue eyes twinkling blindingly.

Draco snorted and Harry rolled his eyes but the entire group obediently followed the headmaster into the great hall for their evening meal.

Harry paced back and forth across the hall outside of the hospital wing, his cloak swirling around him as he glared at the ground as if it Hogwart’s fault that Madame Pomfrey had kicked him out of the room. He’d been growling at her as she’d scanned Draco after the Slytherin had woken up with severe back pain. Hermione, Ron and the four Slytherins all watched him with expressions ranging from amusement to exasperation.

‘Harry!’ Hermione finally burst out. ‘Stop it, you’re making me dizzy.’ The Draconian just growled at her and resumed his pacing.

‘Miss Granger is right, Mr Potter, that is quite enough.’ The clipped tones of the Hogwarts medi-witch startled Harry and he spun around.

‘Draco?’ He questioned, stepping closer to the door.

‘Is resting comfortably.’ She told him, clasping his arm and drawing him towards the room. ‘It was a false alarm, but I would like for Mr Malfoy to remain here for the moment.’

Harry, too panicked to disagree, just nodded. ‘Can I…’ He trailed off, looking past Madame Pomfrey and into the room.

‘Yes, you may.’ She said fondly and Harry all but flew across the room to his Paladin.

If he’s this bad now, Merlin only knows what he’ll be like when Draco’s actually having it.’ Millie muttered idly and Madame Pomfrey hummed in agreement.

‘Is Draco really okay?’

The medi-witch looked away from Draco’s bed at the group of seventh years standing nearby. She never ever expected to see these two Gryffindors standing so calmly whilst surrounded by this particular group of snakes. All of them looked back at her with varying degrees of concern. ‘He is.’ She assured them. ‘He is just a bit run down and he needs to rest. Stress is not good for him. Do you know if he’s been sleeping?’

Hermione shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’

‘How would you know, Granger? You don’t sleep in the same room as them.’ Blaise drawled.

Hermione raised an eyebrow. ‘Because Draco watches Harry all the time when Harry isn’t looking.’ She said simply. ‘I think he is worried about what will happen with V..voldemort. I can imagine that when the baby wakes him in the middle of the night he probably spends hours watching him then too.’

The Slytherins stared at her in surprise as Ron just grinned smugly.

‘Very clever, Miss Granger. That would make sense.’ Madame Pomfrey nodded approvingly. Hermione blushed but didn’t say anything. ‘Well, hopefully if I can keep Mr Potter away for part of the day the Mr Malfoy can get some proper rest.’

Blaise snorted. ‘Good luck with that.’ He chuckled, the others joining him.

Harry sat deeply in meditation, feeling that magic of Hogwarts flow around and through him. He could feel the magic of each individual within the castle, and the life magic of the creatures that lived within it and in the forest. He knew what he had to do now. He just had to wait till Tom Riddle came for him. He couldn’t leave Draco and go looking for him, not after swearing he wouldn’t.

Thinking of Draco made him smile, even as his eyes remained closed and he remained inhumanly still. Madame Pomfrey was saying that their son would be born within days. Draco was huge and uncomfortable and had kicked Harry out of the hospital wing with a flick of his wand after the Draconian wouldn’t stop fussing. The Slytherin told him to meditate and come back later so he could get some rest. Harry had sighed but agreed. He had overheard Madame Pomfrey telling Draco repeatedly that he needed to rest, and if that wasn’t enough, the dark circles under the pale silver eyes told him as well.

Suddenly he was thrown out of his meditation when the door to the Room of Requirement slammed open and Hermione, Ron, Blaise, Millicent, Crabbe and Goyle all piled into the room. All of them seemed to be struggling to say something but Harry just took one look at their terrified faces and he knew.

‘Draco.’ He breathed.

You lot are so patient…I do appreciate it very much. A little short for me I know but I wanted you to have something and I didn’t want to split the next chapter. There is only one more chapter to go on this story but I won’t give you any false promises on when it will be here except to say I will do my best.

Regards,

Mione