15

Chapter Fifteen The Conversations

Harry was counting the time until Draco came. Every second went by too slow and every minute made Harry's mood gloomier.

Harry had been sleeping since Ron and Hermione visited him during lunch. And he hadn't moved since he had woken up two hours ago. He was surprised when he saw that there were white roses on the nightstand beside his bed. A lot. But he didn't feel like counting them since he was thinking of things that might hold Draco from seeing him.

When Draco came in finally, Harry almost exploded in anger.

Draco walked cautiously to a very pale and angry looking Harry.

"Hey, babe." Draco tried to lessen the anger aura that draped around Harry.

"Don't you 'babe' me." Harry glared at Draco.

"Something wrong?" Draco looked around. "You don't like the flowers?"

"No. I like them alright. Just thinking about why you forgot to see me. And it's long past dinner." Harry tried to speak in fake calmness.

"I didn't forget, actually."

"You didn't…so you just didn't want to see me." Harry looked hurt by the answer.

"No." Draco walked hastily to close the distance between them. "I just can't keep disappearing. People are asking my whereabouts. And I've been talking to Dumbledore."

Harry wanted to ask about the 'people' but he was more interesting in the conversation his husband had with the headmaster.

"Talking about me?" Harry lifted one eyebrow.

"Yes. He thinks the baby's magic was affecting yours and it's not safe for you to use your magic until you can calm the baby."

"How?" Harry looked confused. "I don't even know when the baby is upset."

"Don't worry, you'll figure it out eventually." Draco gave Harry a light hug and kissed his temple. "I'm sorry if I kept you waiting."

"You better be. I wanted to pee but you weren't here."

Draco looked amused. "You couldn't pee because I wasn't here?"

"I couldn't pee because you weren't here to help me." Harry threw his arms around Draco's neck.

"And you've been waiting for how long?" Draco lifted Harry's body and carried him to the bathroom. "You shouldn't do that, Harry. It's not healthy."

"I know. Ron helped me when he came after lunch. I was sleeping all day and then I woke up because I want to pee and I had to wait for you for two bloody hours."

Harry's face was so red that Draco was afraid he would suffocate. "Breath, Harry, breath."

Obeying, Harry took a deep breath. After two or three times, he began to sniff around Draco.

"Stop it, you look like your godfather doing that. And where is he, I thought he was supposed to take care of you when I'm not here?"

"Have you changed your cologne?" asked Harry ignoring Draco's question, he didn't even realise that Draco had set him down and pulled his pyjamas down.

"Nope. Why?"

"You smell like girl's perfume." Harry cringed at the thought.

"No, I don't." Draco dutifully carried Harry back.

"You're lying." Harry said in low tone. He kept quiet until Draco gently put him back on his bed. "Is it because I can't partake in 'bed activities'?"

"Are you implying that I slept with some girl?" Draco didn't look amused.

"You smell like one." Harry said persistently.

"Hey, I'm not the one who let Weasley help me to the bathroom."

They glared at each other, but then Harry decided to ignore Draco. He pulled the blanket up and covered himself from head to toe.

"Oy, you're cheating Harry." Draco pulled the blanket from Harry. "You can't hide from me."

Harry let the blanked get pulled from him but he refused to look at Draco. Instead Harry was trying to control his breathing. When Draco hugged him from behind, he realised that Draco had pulled off his robe and was laying behind him in his muggle clothes.

"I'm not seeing any girl, Harry. Some of them were sort of running into me and I didn't have time to avoid them. That's probably why you smelled any perfume. And it seemed like they had poured all the perfume they had all over themselves. You could smell them from ten metres away." Draco's voice was soothing.

Harry turned into Draco's embrace with smile on his lips. "Ron was only helping me to the door." Harry blushed a little. "I didn't dare move too much."

"Did it hurt?" Harry could feel Draco's body tense up against him.

"No. I… I'm just afraid that I'll do something stupid or dangerous. I just didn't dare move." Harry didn't meet Draco's eyes.

"Stop worrying, Harry. Leon is strong. Trust me." Draco kissed him again and held him till Harry fell asleep.

Harry woke up, feeling a hand and head on top of him. He turned to look at Draco's sleeping face. Slowly Harry kissed Draco's temple and laid his head back down to resume his sleeping. But he felt the hand tightening around him.

"Did I wake you?" Harry asked him softly.

"Nope." Draco's voice was still deep from his sleep. "Need to pee again?"

Harry was blushing furiously but he kept his smile on his face. He had woken Draco twice to carry him to the bathroom, and he honestly didn't feel bad about it.

"Yeah, but you could leave me there. I should shower too."

Draco tried to sit and rub the sleep from his eyes. He needed to be fully awake before he carried Harry or he would risk dropping him.

"Are you sure you up to it?" Draco looked concern at his spouse. "Don't force yourself. Or," Draco smiled invitingly, "I could help you."

"No." Harry shook his head. He knew his body had changed and until he knew it was for the better he wouldn't let Draco see him naked.

"I'm sure Madame Pomfrey won't object." Draco wrinkled his nose.

"I've changed my mind." Harry blushed. "But I do need to use the bathroom now."

"Okay." Draco got up and walked to Harry's side. "Hold on tight."

When Draco put Harry back on the bed, Madame Pomfrey came in to check on him. "You can leave him for now, Mr. Malfoy. It's time for breakfast anyway. You may come back later."

"I'll see you later, ok Harry?" Draco looked at Harry's worried face.

"Okay." He answered quietly.

~Ö~

"May be we could take this bed permanently, seeing as how often you have to come stay here." Draco came back after breakfast to find Harry already in fresh pyjamas.

"Can't you just ask Madame Pomfrey how long I have to stay here?" Harry pouted.

"Be careful, babe." Draco talked in dangerous tone. "Those lips are asking to be kissed."

"Then do it." Harry laughed.

He wasn't laughing when Draco kissed him. It was a long, gentle kiss. He could almost feel the love. And he couldn't help his hope rising. 'Maybe he does love me, even if it's just a little.'

"Hmm, you seem so happy to see me." Draco lifted his face so he could see right into Harry's eyes. "Need me to carry you again?"

"Maybe I would walk." Harry looked at Draco with concern evidently in his eyes.

"You are so sweet this morning." Draco couldn't stop his smile.

"I was just worried, I think. But Madame Pomfrey said that the baby is fine. And…"

"What?" Draco asked him curiously.

"I gain another two pounds." Harry glared at his husband, as if this was his entire fault.

"You're pregnant. You should gain weight."

"And I can walk. She said that it's okay if I do it slowly." Harry glanced at him from the corner of his eyes. "I'm too heavy now."

"I'm strong." Draco pulled up his sleeves to show his muscles.

"I can see that." Harry stroked Draco's arm fondly.

"I've talked to mother." Draco could feel that Harry was tense upon the mentioning of his mother.

"Hmm?" Harry didn't look at him as he waited for him to continue.

"She wanted to see if you were feeling better but I convinced her that you were."

"I am." Harry smiled a little.

"Maybe you should write her later, just to convince her." Draco's eyes were silently begging him for his understanding.

"I will." Harry put his head on Draco's shoulder.

Ron came to visit Harry before lunch and found that his best friend was laying on the bed, using his husband as a pillow.

"Hello, Harry. Draco." Ron nodded to Draco.

"Ron." Draco greeted him with the same polite tone.

Harry blinked his eyes. He was surprised that Ron and Draco could actually be friends. They were not even this civilized to each other when Hermione and he asked them.

"I didn't know that you two were friends." Harry smiled.

"Well, after he help me out a lot, I felt that I could consider him as a friend." Draco said casually.

"Harry didn't really need my help." Ron answered in a matter-of-factly tone. "He could take care of himself."

"But still, I thank you."

"Wait a minute. What you two are talking about?"

"Nothing, babe. I just asked him to watch you when you went to Hogsmeade." Draco told him conversationally.

"You mean you asked him to follow me." He accused him.

"Yes." Draco nodded his head.

"So that means that our double date wasn't a coincidence." Harry turned to look incredulously at Ron.

"No." Draco answered.

"How could you?" Harry looked at his husband with wide eyes.

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't trust me?"

"I don't trust him." Draco tried to explain his logic.

"That's just the same."

"No it's not."

"But still, how could you."

"I'd do anything to protect you." Draco told him possessively.

"You mean you'd do anything to protect your heir. Even from me." Harry glared at his husband.

"You don't actually mean that, do you?"

"Well, what is your reason if it's not your child?" Harry's lips began to tremble.

Ron squirmed uncomfortably but didn't move from his seat. He needed to watch out for his best friend's well being.

"Not again." Draco mumbled under his breath but apparently Harry heard this because he wasn't crying. But instead of feeling relieved, Draco felt bad because he knew that it wasn't Harry's fault that he had mood swing. And now Harry wouldn't even look at him.

"I love you." Draco didn't know who was more shocked by this statement but at least he got Harry's attention.

"What?" Harry slowly lifted his head to look at Draco.

"I love you."

Harry quirked his head and narrowed his eyes. He wanted to believe it very much. "Not my hair, or my eyes, or…" He looked confused.

"Your arse?" Draco smiled, helpfully filled him in.

"Or my arse." Harry blushed.

"I love you. Every part of you." Draco smiled again. "I do love my child but since he is now growing inside you, it makes you the most important thing to me."

"Really?" Harry beamed at him.

Ron studied Harry's face and noticed that it had a healthy flush now, and it made him look better. Even beautiful. His thoughts drifted to Hermione. It had been so long since she had looked at him the way Harry looked at Draco now.

"Yes. I love you." Draco couldn't help laughing when Harry threw himself at him.

Ron couldn't stop thinking about Hermione. Yes, he envied Harry and Draco's happiness, especially with the baby on the way. And he wanted the same happiness and to share it with Hermione, if he could just find her.

"I don't mean to be rude, Harry, but have you seen Hermione?"

"She hasn't come here today." Draco answered him.

"Probably still in the library." Harry spoke dreamily. "With the NEWTs coming closer she's practically moving in there."

"I've looked for her there. I even waited two hours for her but she didn't show up." Ron told them thoughtfully.

"Maybe she's angry with you." Draco was so happy with Harry in his arms that he actually felt a tinge of sympathy for the red head wizard.

"Why would she be angry with me?"

"Maybe because she told you to study thousands of times but you ignored her." Harry looked serious now. "Imagine how she will feel if she graduates with the higher grade and you fail."

"Hey." Ron blushed furiously. "I'm not going to fail. I'll study hard from now on."

"Good. If you need any help with Potions I could teach you," Harry offered nicely, "Since I have to teach Draco too."

"What?" Draco was shocked.

"You made mistakes before, remember?" Harry glanced at his husband. "And I'm the closest to the Potions Master that you can get."

They turned to the door when they heard a familiar snort.

"Severus." Harry smiled, not at all embarrassed that the Potions Master overheard him. "I mean Professor." Harry glanced at Ron.

Severus only waved his hand. "I only came to drop him." He looked down at Padfoot who barked at him.

"Come here, Sirius."

Ron had closed the door so that Sirius could change back.

"It's good to see you so happy." Sirius grinned.

"Yeah."

"You shouldn't have left him alone yesterday." Draco stared at the older wizard. "He needed to be carried…" His word was cut as Harry put his hand over his mouth.

"I'm sorry, Harry." Sirius looked ashamed.

"No, I asked you to leave." Harry grinned as he saw his godfather blushed, ignoring Draco's grumbled.

"Where is Ms. Granger?" Severus turned around the room, expecting the witch to show up at any moment. "I could always use a company of someone intelligent."

Harry and Ron looked at each other, and both had the same thought in mind. 'Snape's finally lost his mind. He was actually praising Hermione.'

"I don't know, Sir." Ron answered, "I haven't seen her since breakfast." He turned to ask Harry. "Did she tell you something, Harry?"

"What day is today?" Harry asked thoughtfully.

"Saturday."

"Oh."

"What's that 'oh' mean?" Ron eyed him suspiciously.

"Draco." Harry called his husband in a singsong voice, purposely refused to answer Ron's question.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Say it again."

"I love you, Harry." He obeyed.

"Again."

"I love you, Harry." Draco told him in the same sweet tone. Both were unaware of three pairs of eyes that eyeing them with envy clearly written.

Ron didn't ask Harry about Hermione's whereabouts during lunch and long after that. He had enough of Draco declaring his love. He'd wait impatiently until Hermione came. He knew that Hermione would look for Harry eventually because she really cared about him.

Severus left them and had his lunch at the Great Hall. That gave the four of them a more peaceful time to chat, gossip, and play chess.

"They're going to want to come and see you tomorrow, Harry." Sirius warned him. "It's best to take your rest now."

"I've had enough rest." Harry told him persistently, wanting to see who was the better player between Ron and Draco.

Sirius wanted to persuade him more but he changed to his animagus form as they heard two sets of steady thump approaching the room.

"Hello, Harry." Hermione came in, followed closely by Pansy.

"Draco?" Pansy was surprise to find him here. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" He asked her in an arrogant tone.

"He is visiting me." Harry told her merrily. "And she is visiting me." He added voluntarily.

"What are you doing together?" Ron eyed the Slytherin girl.

"We're having a double date." Pansy announce smugly. "With your brothers."

"What?" Ron looked very confuse.

"Harry didn't tell you?" Hermione glanced at Harry who was shaking his head profusely.

"Harry?" They were all looking at the boy.

"She was hitting on Draco, so Hermione and I set her up with your brother."

"I was not." An uncharacteristic blush tainted her face. "I don't know that you were going out with Draco."

"We're good at keeping secrets." Harry smirked.

"I don't know that you two were friends now." Draco chuckled.

"We spent a lot of time together."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Ron was enraged.

"It's not my place to tell you." Harry pouted.

"New lipstick, Parkinson?" Draco drawled as he caught the bruised and reddened lips.

"Oh, you won't believe it, Harry." Hermione giggled as she walked to Harry's side. "She was trying the candy and had three of them."

"Not you too, I hope." Ron cut her callously.

"Of course not." Hermione told him impatiently. "I didn't like how it tasted."

"What candy?" Draco was interested.

Pansy threw some at Draco. "Kissing Candy. You might want to try it with Harry."

"So, are you changing your mind about us, Hermione?" Ron asked her bitterly.

"What 'us', Ron, I'm wondering if you ever loved me." Hermione looked sad and she left without a word.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Weasley." Pansy growled. "She bought some to try it with you." She too left after Hermione.

"Don't say it." Ron snapped.

"Say what?" Harry asked him innocently.

"How stupid I am."

"Oh, I'm not going to say that. You know perfectly well how stupid you are. I just want to tell you that she was dating Fred."

"So?"

"Fred is gay." Harry smiled.

The room was silence after Harry's announcement.

"How do you know?"

"We dated before."

"You what?" Draco asked him incredulously.

"Last year. And he is a nice person. But he's totally gay." Harry turned to Padfoot. "Right?" And was satisfied when he received a bark in return.

"I better go after her." Ron stood up hastily and slammed the door behind him, earning a glare from Madame Pomfrey.

"Good luck, Ron." Harry waved happily, unaware that he had created his own mess.

The students had been told that Harry's magic was unstable and he might hurt others so he would have to stay at the infirmary. But it was Monday and Harry was expecting a few of his friends from his house to come and visit him. He had made sure that Draco brought the Invisibility Cloak with him just in case someone came. That way he could stay with him.

Ron and Hermione hadn't come. 'Still working out their problem I guess.' Harry stroked Padfoot's fur as he was laying next to Harry's bed.

Seamus, Dean and Ginny had come after breakfast. Ginny said nothing about Ron and Hermione. She probably didn't know what had happened.

Dean only grinned, saying that he hoped Harry could control his magic soon or he wouldn't be able to take the NEWTs. He wondered what had triggered the unbalance in the first place.

Seamus had said that he looked a little off shape. He said Harry probably needed some exercise. And that was all it took to be thrown out. All three of them left after that because Harry had taken out his wand and turned Seamus green.

All the time Draco was trying to hold back his laughter. Padfoot was barking noisily and Madame Pomfrey showed up to check on Harry. The racket died down as the three guests were ushered out by the annoyed mediwitch.

Draco had again hidden under the cloak as someone knocked on the door, wondering who else would be brave enough to visit Harry.

"Hello Harry," Neville greeted him nervously. He eyed around the room but only saw Harry, and Green, the dog.

"Hello, Neville." Harry smiled.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I just need a little rest but I'm fine." He carefully rearranged the light blanket.

"Er… I brought you some chocolate frogs. I wanted to bring you books but I wasn't sure if you want to read. So," Neville shrugged his shoulder.

"Well, come and sit down, Nev. I sleep all the time so I guess I won't need any books." Harry crinkled his nose.

They had only chatted about what had happened at class during his absence when Blaise came in.

"I think I should go." Neville stood up hastily but didn't look at Blaise. They hadn't spoken to each other again since the chocolate incident.

"No." Blaise said coldly. "I could come back later."

"You could both be here." Harry told them. "Madame Pomfrey wouldn't have let Blaise come in if she didn't think it was alright."

"But…"

"Something happen?" Harry asked curiously.

Neville avoided Harry's eyes while Blaise stared irately at the boy.

"Nothing." Blaise casually walked to the seat next to Neville and sat close enough to let his shoulder touch Neville's.

"So how is your study session with Blaise? He is good at Potions, right?" Harry's smile lightened his face, gave it a flush.

"You don't mind?" Neville nervously studied Harry's face.

"He's stopped it." Blaise didn't look at Neville.

"Stopped? But why?"

"I guess he was too busy teaching some Hufflepuff Herbology."

'How did he know?' Neville turned to look at Blaise and he was shock to find the blue eyes piercing coldly at him.

"I was only helping Justin." Neville wanted to protest, but he decided to keep silent as Blaise was glaring at him.

"Why would I mind Blaise tutoring you?" Harry asked curiously.

"He thought we were seeing each other just because we dated once."

Harry laughed. "Do you believe that?" Harry looked into the space beside him, ignoring the confused look he got from his guests. He was so happy that he wanted everyone to know that he was with Draco but he was not sure if that was wise.

Draco finally pulled down his cloak. "He's with me so you two can go solve out your problem." He smirked when he saw Neville almost fall from his seat.

"Very nice, Draco." Blaise mocked him. "Come on, Nev, let's leave these two."

"I promised Justin that I would meet him at the green house." But he didn't push away Blaise's hand.

"Well, see you two later." Harry grinned, giving them a thumbs up.

"I don't know what's up with you," Draco hugged Harry. "Do you enjoy being a matchmaker?"

"I'm just happy."

"I think we better tell Madame Pomfrey not to let anyone visit you. You have done enough damage. Setting Gryffindors with Slytherins."

"I can't help it since I'm married to a Slytherin." Harry laughed died down when he noticed that Padfoot still had his eyes piercing the door.

"Are you worried about them, Padfoot?" Harry asked him. "Don't worry too much. Blaise is nice."

Padfoot only barked once and closed his eyes.

5 September 03, 5:29 pm