A Heart So Ravenous (Sequel to A Love So Belated)
folder
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
37,252
Reviews:
326
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
44
Views:
37,252
Reviews:
326
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 27: Reaching Out
Chapter Number/Total: 27/44
Chapter Title: Reaching Out
Words: 2495 Words
Harry was in a fairly good mood – as good a mood as he could be in with all the worrying he had been doing for the past few weeks. He'd been driving instructors and students alike completely barmy with his worrying over Draco, and it was maddening that they all thought he was mental, because, of course, he couldn't tell anyone the real reason he was so uptight. Even worse was that, since Draco couldn't really move around, Kreacher had to take the Floo calls. So Harry was beyond happy when Christmas holidays were upon him. He was going to have several days with Draco before he had to go back to work, and it was a relief.
Right then, he was eating dinner in bed with Draco, having just got home from his last day.
Draco had slept most of the afternoon. His mother came to eat lunch with him every day and then he would nap until Harry came home. Currently he was propped up in bed with a tray in front of him. "We will have to tell mother that I'm busy for the next few days," he said.
Harry smiled. "Why?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Draco smirked, sipping his soup. "Because you and I can stay in bed together."
"Ahh," Harry said, smirking as well. "I thought it might be something like that."
"Much better than the photos I wank to while you're not here," Draco added, grinning.
Harry looked up from his soup quickly. "Is it just me," he said, feeling a little warmer, "or are you more horny than you were before?"
Draco arched an eyebrow. "I always want you, always have," he said softly. "Sometimes I lie here while you are at work and replay every way you have ever touched me."
Harry shivered, seeing it in his head. "That's ..." he said, "really hot."
Draco smirked. "Good, maybe we could replay them together over the holiday."
Harry smiled, feeling pleasantly aroused, but not overly so. "Yes," he agreed, starting to eat again. "You know," he said after a minute, "what are we doing? For Christmas?"
"Can we have Teddy for part of the day?" Draco asked.
Harry smiled another small smile. Since he'd been training and taking care of Draco, they hadn't got to spend as much time with the little boy. "He and Andromeda have been invited over to the Weasleys." He took another bite of bread, looking at Draco. "Ron asked if I was going to be there, but I didn't know what to tell him."
"You could go," Draco said cautiously. He never liked it when Harry was gone, and it was Christmas, but Harry needed his friends. Draco realised that if something happened to him, Harry would need them more than ever.
Harry made a face at that. "And leave you here?" he said. "I'm not doing that. I want to spend it with you."
Draco was thinking about the party they had had the year before. He wished they could do that again. "I wonder if my mother would come over," he said.
"Otherwise she would be spending it alone, wouldn't she?" Harry said.
"Yes," Draco said, pushing the tray away.
"Well, I don't see why she wouldn't come over then," Harry said. "I just wonder what sort of excuse I can give the Weasleys. I haven't spent a Christmas without Ron since I've known him." He frowned. He'd been using the excuse of work for a while now, and the only reason it had been working was because Ron really was so busy with work and Harry was ahead of him. Ron believed Harry was as busy as he was. And anytime anyone had shown up unannounced, Harry had made sure the visit was short and told them Draco was either at his mum's or working in the lab.
"I think it is time you told Ron and Hermione," Draco said quietly.
Harry stared at him. "About – about the babies?" he asked, eyes going a bit wide.
Draco nodded. He had been thinking a lot about this. Harry needed help to deal with what was happening.
The corners of Harry's mouth turned up into a smile. "You're serious?" he said.
"I am," Draco said. "They are your best friends. They should know."
Harry's smile widened. "They aren't going to believe me," he said.
"Bring them over," Draco said, turning to face him.
Harry leant over and kissed Draco on the mouth. Merlin, it would be wonderful to tell Ron and Hermione, to finally be able to let them know what was going on, to stop hiding things. "Thank you," he said, smiling down into Draco's face.
"You can show me your appreciation," Draco answered, waggling his eyebrows.
Harry grinned and kissed Draco again. "My pleasure," he purred.
***
Harry opened the front door and Ron and Hermione stood out on the front step, bundled up against the falling snow.
"Well, don't just stand there," Ron said, pushing past Harry into the house playfully. He too had been very pleased to get off work and had been in the same happy mood the previous day.
Harry smiled and Hermione came in as well, shaking her head at Ron. "What's the occasion?" she asked as she began unwrapping herself. "Why are you actually inviting us over?" She raised an eyebrow at Harry.
He just continued to smile and shrugged.
"Well, isn't that mysterious," she said. "And let me guess. Draco's at his mother's. Or is he having a breakthrough up in the potions lab?"
"No, he's in the sitting room," Harry said, still smiling.
"Oh," said Hermione, looking thoughtful.
Harry waited until they had got all of their things into the closet before walking with them down to the sitting room.
Draco was lying on the sofa, propped up against one end with pillows and a blanket over himself.
"Hello," said Hermione when she set eyes on him. She obviously took in the pillows and blanket, but didn't say anything. "Been quite some time since we saw you."
Ron lifted his hand in a brief wave to Draco, and he and Hermione sat down in a couple of chairs. Harry sat down as well, feeling excited and nervous.
"And wow," said Hermione, looking around. "I've seen a little of this place since you two fixed it up, but you've really changed it, haven't you?"
"Yes, it's been ... a while," Draco answered. "My mother helped me redecorate."
"Ah," Hermione said with a nod. "I didn't think Harry did it," she teased with a grin at Harry. "It looks great in here."
Harry rolled his eyes at her. "Yes, they did a terrific job," he said.
"Thank you," Draco said, as sincerely as possible.
"So, what have you been up to?" Hermione asked. "You must be ready to take over the Potion Master's job at Hogwarts at the rate you've been working."
Draco took a deep breath and looked at Harry. "This is yours to tell," he said.
Hermione looked very confused with that answer and she frowned. Her eyes moved on Harry. Ron looked at him too.
Harry took a large breath. "I've been ... keeping a secret," he began.
Hermione's eyes flashed to Draco again and she looked once more at the pillows and blanket. "You’re sick?" she asked, frowning worriedly.
Draco nodded and shrugged. It was part of the answer.
She took in a small, sharp breath. "Oh – oh, my goodness. I was thinking it was maybe something like that. I – oh, that's – I'm so-"
"Hermione," Harry cut in. "It's not like you're thinking."
"What?" she said, still frowning.
"It's not like you're thinking," he said again. "Draco's ... pregnant."
Draco smiled wryly, nodding his head. Leave it to Harry to say it that bluntly.
Hermione drew her head back and looked at Harry like that had been the last thing on earth she had expected him to say, and it probably had been.
Ron's eyebrows came together in a look of slight annoyance and complete and total disbelief.
"With twins actually," Harry said. "Twin boys."
Hermione laughed oddly. "I really hope this isn't some kind of something you two actually spent time thinking up."
"No, we're not lying," Harry said. "It's not a joke. He really is pregnant."
The last thing Draco ever thought he would do in front of Hermione or Ron would be to take his clothes off. He slid the blanket down, and then lifted his shirt.
Harry waited.
Hermione's eyes slowly widened until Harry thought they might fall out of her head if she opened them anymore, and Ron actually looked disturbed.
"Wait," Hermione said in a slightly higher voice. "How is that even remotely possible?"
"With a potion," Harry answered calmly. "One that Draco made."
Draco pulled his shirt back down again.
"A potion?" said Ron. "How the hell can a bloody potion make a bloke pregnant?"
Harry frowned and looked at Draco. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to tell this part of the tale.
Draco flushed. He wouldn't have minded explaining it to Granger, actually, but Weasley was another matter. "I wanted a child, so I made a potion to make it possible. Is the rest important?"
"Well, actually," said Hermione, her eyes still unnaturally wide, "a potion that can make a male human being pregnant is one I would very much like to hear explained."
"Perhaps later," Harry said, glancing at Ron.
"The healer confirmed that I am carrying two boys," Draco said.
Hermione blinked several times. "Healer?" she repeated. "You've been to see a healer? How is this not out?"
"She's trustworthy," said Harry. "Works away from St. Mungo's, and we don't want it out."
"They're your babies?" Ron asked Harry, looking like he didn't know what to think or whether or not to believe any of this.
Harry frowned at him. "Of course they are," he said.
Draco scowled at the redhead. "And what do you mean by that?"
Ron turned eyes on Draco and scowled as well. "I meant exactly what I said," he answered. "How am I supposed to know what the hell's going on here? Hardly seen Harry in months except at work, and now you're both trying to tell me a bloke's having kids?"
Draco gripped sofa cushions so hard his knuckles were white. He tried to sit up, the weight in his body shifting uncomfortably when he did.
Harry jumped up. "Draco, don't," he said, going down on his knees beside him. He shot Ron a death glare over his shoulder.
Draco slumped back, still scowling at Weasley.
"I already said we're not lying," Harry said angrily. "And we're not. Draco is pregnant, and the babies are mine. I haven't been around because I've been taking care of him, and no one could come over because then everyone would know once they got a look at him."
Ron crossed his arms over his chest, expression hard.
"I asked you over here because you two are my best friends. I thought I should tell you I'm going to be a bloody father. I wanted to tell you. And, Merlin, Ron. If you're not used to the idea of me with Draco by now, then I have no bloody idea what to tell you."
"He's the one who jumped down my throat for asking a question," Ron retorted.
"You implied I lied about Harry being their father," Draco snapped.
"Oh, I did not," said Ron, scowling again. "Why? Got something to hide?"
"Stop it!" Hermione said suddenly. "Just stop this!"
Draco was glaring at Ron, his loyalty to Harry the only thing keeping him from hexing the arsehole.
Harry stared at Ron, shaking his head. "I can't believe you're going to be this way," he said quietly. "I thought you would ... be happy for me."
Ron frowned and opened his mouth, but didn't actually say anything.
"You don't have to be here if you don't want," Harry said.
"Come on, Harry," Ron said, sounding less angry now. "Don't ... don't be like – like that." He glanced at Draco and back. "I really was just asking a question. I ... didn't mean to get like that."
Draco tried to calm down. Getting upset tended to make him more dizzy, and the last thing he wanted was to pass out in front of Weasley.
Harry continued to stare at Ron.
"Sorry," Ron said gruffly.
Harry sighed. "Okay," he said. And after a few moments, "That's what I wanted you both here for. And ... now you know." It had not gone as pictured in his head.
Ron sighed too and did really look sorry, but Harry was too ... disappointed with him to care.
"The part he hasn’t told you yet is that it isn't just that I am pregnant. I am also ill," Draco said after a minute, looking more at Granger than Weasley.
Hermione frowned. The mood was definitely subdued now. "Are you having complications?" she asked, though the way she asked made it sound like she had figured that already.
Draco rolled his eyes but nodded. "The healer has said all along that it was risky, but we only recently found out I am having twins," he said.
"And your body ... can't handle it," she said quietly. "Can it? Of course it can't. Human male physique is not designed for carrying children."
"It is difficult but I am going to do it," Draco said, jaw set against any other possibilities.
Harry took his hand.
"How far along are you?" Hermione asked.
"Nearly seven months," Draco answered.
"And I assume you've already been put on bed rest? Judging from the pillows there, and the way Harry jumped up when you tried to move."
"Yes," Harry answered. "The healer put him on bed rest at the last appointment when we found out there were two of them."
Draco just nodded. "I am not supposed to stand or exert myself too much," he confirmed.
Hermione nodded too. "I thought so," she said. "Does your healer think you'll be able to carry to term?"
Harry squeezed Draco's hand a little harder.
Draco pursed his lips, looking unhappily at Harry.
"She wanted ... to abort them," Harry nearly whispered. "But Draco can do it."
Hermione was frowning again, and Ron even frowned at that.
"I won't kill our own children," Draco said firmly, his look defiant again as if warning Granger not to disagree.
"I ... don't believe I would be able to do that either," Hermione said quietly. "I don't blame you for wanting to do everything you can to keep them."
Draco swallowed thickly, touched by her words. He squeezed Harry's hands. He nodded. "They are part of us," he said softly. "Our family."
Hermione smiled a little sadly at him. "I'm sure you will have a beautiful family," she said.
Harry smiled now too. "I know we will."
Chapter Title: Reaching Out
Words: 2495 Words
Harry was in a fairly good mood – as good a mood as he could be in with all the worrying he had been doing for the past few weeks. He'd been driving instructors and students alike completely barmy with his worrying over Draco, and it was maddening that they all thought he was mental, because, of course, he couldn't tell anyone the real reason he was so uptight. Even worse was that, since Draco couldn't really move around, Kreacher had to take the Floo calls. So Harry was beyond happy when Christmas holidays were upon him. He was going to have several days with Draco before he had to go back to work, and it was a relief.
Right then, he was eating dinner in bed with Draco, having just got home from his last day.
Draco had slept most of the afternoon. His mother came to eat lunch with him every day and then he would nap until Harry came home. Currently he was propped up in bed with a tray in front of him. "We will have to tell mother that I'm busy for the next few days," he said.
Harry smiled. "Why?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Draco smirked, sipping his soup. "Because you and I can stay in bed together."
"Ahh," Harry said, smirking as well. "I thought it might be something like that."
"Much better than the photos I wank to while you're not here," Draco added, grinning.
Harry looked up from his soup quickly. "Is it just me," he said, feeling a little warmer, "or are you more horny than you were before?"
Draco arched an eyebrow. "I always want you, always have," he said softly. "Sometimes I lie here while you are at work and replay every way you have ever touched me."
Harry shivered, seeing it in his head. "That's ..." he said, "really hot."
Draco smirked. "Good, maybe we could replay them together over the holiday."
Harry smiled, feeling pleasantly aroused, but not overly so. "Yes," he agreed, starting to eat again. "You know," he said after a minute, "what are we doing? For Christmas?"
"Can we have Teddy for part of the day?" Draco asked.
Harry smiled another small smile. Since he'd been training and taking care of Draco, they hadn't got to spend as much time with the little boy. "He and Andromeda have been invited over to the Weasleys." He took another bite of bread, looking at Draco. "Ron asked if I was going to be there, but I didn't know what to tell him."
"You could go," Draco said cautiously. He never liked it when Harry was gone, and it was Christmas, but Harry needed his friends. Draco realised that if something happened to him, Harry would need them more than ever.
Harry made a face at that. "And leave you here?" he said. "I'm not doing that. I want to spend it with you."
Draco was thinking about the party they had had the year before. He wished they could do that again. "I wonder if my mother would come over," he said.
"Otherwise she would be spending it alone, wouldn't she?" Harry said.
"Yes," Draco said, pushing the tray away.
"Well, I don't see why she wouldn't come over then," Harry said. "I just wonder what sort of excuse I can give the Weasleys. I haven't spent a Christmas without Ron since I've known him." He frowned. He'd been using the excuse of work for a while now, and the only reason it had been working was because Ron really was so busy with work and Harry was ahead of him. Ron believed Harry was as busy as he was. And anytime anyone had shown up unannounced, Harry had made sure the visit was short and told them Draco was either at his mum's or working in the lab.
"I think it is time you told Ron and Hermione," Draco said quietly.
Harry stared at him. "About – about the babies?" he asked, eyes going a bit wide.
Draco nodded. He had been thinking a lot about this. Harry needed help to deal with what was happening.
The corners of Harry's mouth turned up into a smile. "You're serious?" he said.
"I am," Draco said. "They are your best friends. They should know."
Harry's smile widened. "They aren't going to believe me," he said.
"Bring them over," Draco said, turning to face him.
Harry leant over and kissed Draco on the mouth. Merlin, it would be wonderful to tell Ron and Hermione, to finally be able to let them know what was going on, to stop hiding things. "Thank you," he said, smiling down into Draco's face.
"You can show me your appreciation," Draco answered, waggling his eyebrows.
Harry grinned and kissed Draco again. "My pleasure," he purred.
***
Harry opened the front door and Ron and Hermione stood out on the front step, bundled up against the falling snow.
"Well, don't just stand there," Ron said, pushing past Harry into the house playfully. He too had been very pleased to get off work and had been in the same happy mood the previous day.
Harry smiled and Hermione came in as well, shaking her head at Ron. "What's the occasion?" she asked as she began unwrapping herself. "Why are you actually inviting us over?" She raised an eyebrow at Harry.
He just continued to smile and shrugged.
"Well, isn't that mysterious," she said. "And let me guess. Draco's at his mother's. Or is he having a breakthrough up in the potions lab?"
"No, he's in the sitting room," Harry said, still smiling.
"Oh," said Hermione, looking thoughtful.
Harry waited until they had got all of their things into the closet before walking with them down to the sitting room.
Draco was lying on the sofa, propped up against one end with pillows and a blanket over himself.
"Hello," said Hermione when she set eyes on him. She obviously took in the pillows and blanket, but didn't say anything. "Been quite some time since we saw you."
Ron lifted his hand in a brief wave to Draco, and he and Hermione sat down in a couple of chairs. Harry sat down as well, feeling excited and nervous.
"And wow," said Hermione, looking around. "I've seen a little of this place since you two fixed it up, but you've really changed it, haven't you?"
"Yes, it's been ... a while," Draco answered. "My mother helped me redecorate."
"Ah," Hermione said with a nod. "I didn't think Harry did it," she teased with a grin at Harry. "It looks great in here."
Harry rolled his eyes at her. "Yes, they did a terrific job," he said.
"Thank you," Draco said, as sincerely as possible.
"So, what have you been up to?" Hermione asked. "You must be ready to take over the Potion Master's job at Hogwarts at the rate you've been working."
Draco took a deep breath and looked at Harry. "This is yours to tell," he said.
Hermione looked very confused with that answer and she frowned. Her eyes moved on Harry. Ron looked at him too.
Harry took a large breath. "I've been ... keeping a secret," he began.
Hermione's eyes flashed to Draco again and she looked once more at the pillows and blanket. "You’re sick?" she asked, frowning worriedly.
Draco nodded and shrugged. It was part of the answer.
She took in a small, sharp breath. "Oh – oh, my goodness. I was thinking it was maybe something like that. I – oh, that's – I'm so-"
"Hermione," Harry cut in. "It's not like you're thinking."
"What?" she said, still frowning.
"It's not like you're thinking," he said again. "Draco's ... pregnant."
Draco smiled wryly, nodding his head. Leave it to Harry to say it that bluntly.
Hermione drew her head back and looked at Harry like that had been the last thing on earth she had expected him to say, and it probably had been.
Ron's eyebrows came together in a look of slight annoyance and complete and total disbelief.
"With twins actually," Harry said. "Twin boys."
Hermione laughed oddly. "I really hope this isn't some kind of something you two actually spent time thinking up."
"No, we're not lying," Harry said. "It's not a joke. He really is pregnant."
The last thing Draco ever thought he would do in front of Hermione or Ron would be to take his clothes off. He slid the blanket down, and then lifted his shirt.
Harry waited.
Hermione's eyes slowly widened until Harry thought they might fall out of her head if she opened them anymore, and Ron actually looked disturbed.
"Wait," Hermione said in a slightly higher voice. "How is that even remotely possible?"
"With a potion," Harry answered calmly. "One that Draco made."
Draco pulled his shirt back down again.
"A potion?" said Ron. "How the hell can a bloody potion make a bloke pregnant?"
Harry frowned and looked at Draco. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to tell this part of the tale.
Draco flushed. He wouldn't have minded explaining it to Granger, actually, but Weasley was another matter. "I wanted a child, so I made a potion to make it possible. Is the rest important?"
"Well, actually," said Hermione, her eyes still unnaturally wide, "a potion that can make a male human being pregnant is one I would very much like to hear explained."
"Perhaps later," Harry said, glancing at Ron.
"The healer confirmed that I am carrying two boys," Draco said.
Hermione blinked several times. "Healer?" she repeated. "You've been to see a healer? How is this not out?"
"She's trustworthy," said Harry. "Works away from St. Mungo's, and we don't want it out."
"They're your babies?" Ron asked Harry, looking like he didn't know what to think or whether or not to believe any of this.
Harry frowned at him. "Of course they are," he said.
Draco scowled at the redhead. "And what do you mean by that?"
Ron turned eyes on Draco and scowled as well. "I meant exactly what I said," he answered. "How am I supposed to know what the hell's going on here? Hardly seen Harry in months except at work, and now you're both trying to tell me a bloke's having kids?"
Draco gripped sofa cushions so hard his knuckles were white. He tried to sit up, the weight in his body shifting uncomfortably when he did.
Harry jumped up. "Draco, don't," he said, going down on his knees beside him. He shot Ron a death glare over his shoulder.
Draco slumped back, still scowling at Weasley.
"I already said we're not lying," Harry said angrily. "And we're not. Draco is pregnant, and the babies are mine. I haven't been around because I've been taking care of him, and no one could come over because then everyone would know once they got a look at him."
Ron crossed his arms over his chest, expression hard.
"I asked you over here because you two are my best friends. I thought I should tell you I'm going to be a bloody father. I wanted to tell you. And, Merlin, Ron. If you're not used to the idea of me with Draco by now, then I have no bloody idea what to tell you."
"He's the one who jumped down my throat for asking a question," Ron retorted.
"You implied I lied about Harry being their father," Draco snapped.
"Oh, I did not," said Ron, scowling again. "Why? Got something to hide?"
"Stop it!" Hermione said suddenly. "Just stop this!"
Draco was glaring at Ron, his loyalty to Harry the only thing keeping him from hexing the arsehole.
Harry stared at Ron, shaking his head. "I can't believe you're going to be this way," he said quietly. "I thought you would ... be happy for me."
Ron frowned and opened his mouth, but didn't actually say anything.
"You don't have to be here if you don't want," Harry said.
"Come on, Harry," Ron said, sounding less angry now. "Don't ... don't be like – like that." He glanced at Draco and back. "I really was just asking a question. I ... didn't mean to get like that."
Draco tried to calm down. Getting upset tended to make him more dizzy, and the last thing he wanted was to pass out in front of Weasley.
Harry continued to stare at Ron.
"Sorry," Ron said gruffly.
Harry sighed. "Okay," he said. And after a few moments, "That's what I wanted you both here for. And ... now you know." It had not gone as pictured in his head.
Ron sighed too and did really look sorry, but Harry was too ... disappointed with him to care.
"The part he hasn’t told you yet is that it isn't just that I am pregnant. I am also ill," Draco said after a minute, looking more at Granger than Weasley.
Hermione frowned. The mood was definitely subdued now. "Are you having complications?" she asked, though the way she asked made it sound like she had figured that already.
Draco rolled his eyes but nodded. "The healer has said all along that it was risky, but we only recently found out I am having twins," he said.
"And your body ... can't handle it," she said quietly. "Can it? Of course it can't. Human male physique is not designed for carrying children."
"It is difficult but I am going to do it," Draco said, jaw set against any other possibilities.
Harry took his hand.
"How far along are you?" Hermione asked.
"Nearly seven months," Draco answered.
"And I assume you've already been put on bed rest? Judging from the pillows there, and the way Harry jumped up when you tried to move."
"Yes," Harry answered. "The healer put him on bed rest at the last appointment when we found out there were two of them."
Draco just nodded. "I am not supposed to stand or exert myself too much," he confirmed.
Hermione nodded too. "I thought so," she said. "Does your healer think you'll be able to carry to term?"
Harry squeezed Draco's hand a little harder.
Draco pursed his lips, looking unhappily at Harry.
"She wanted ... to abort them," Harry nearly whispered. "But Draco can do it."
Hermione was frowning again, and Ron even frowned at that.
"I won't kill our own children," Draco said firmly, his look defiant again as if warning Granger not to disagree.
"I ... don't believe I would be able to do that either," Hermione said quietly. "I don't blame you for wanting to do everything you can to keep them."
Draco swallowed thickly, touched by her words. He squeezed Harry's hands. He nodded. "They are part of us," he said softly. "Our family."
Hermione smiled a little sadly at him. "I'm sure you will have a beautiful family," she said.
Harry smiled now too. "I know we will."