Title: His Daughter’s Father Part 10

Email: tirel@pcnuthut.com

Site: https://www.angelfire.com/tv2/firebird_ascending/

Author: Constant Vigilance

Disclaimer: JK Rowling is God. I own nothing.

Distribution: Sure. Just lemme know where my baby’s going.

Spoilers: Up to GoF. Book 5 never happened. *Growls at Rowling*

Summary: Proposals and pain.

Dedication: To all those who have been defending mpregs in various groups discussions.

Harry lay dozing with his head in Draco’s lap. Draco read his potions book and absently ran his fingers through Harry’s hair. The rest of the Gryffindor sixth and seventh years clan sprawled around the room, studying or playing chess quietly. Harry realized he had never felt so at peace in his whole life. He was surrounded by the love of his friends. He had their support, their understanding. He had the assurance of Headmaster Dumbledore that he would always have a home here at Hogwarts. Most importantly…he had Draco.

He couldn’t pinpoint the moment when Draco became his lifeline in this mad adventure his life had become. He only knew that now, a life without Draco was inconceivable. How could he raise this child without Draco at his side? How could he face each day without the blonde’s unwavering support? His wicked smile? The touch of his hand? His embrace?

Harry cracked his eyes open and stared up at the object of his affections. And affections it was. He could honestly say that somewhere in this mess, he’d fallen in love with Draco Malfoy. And he couldn’t imagine a world without him.

“Draco?” he asked softly.

“Mmm?”

“I need to talk to you.” Draco immediately closed his book and focused worriedly on Harry.

“What’s wrong, ducks? Are you feeling sick? Any stomach pains? Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey?” Draco had effectively gotten everyone’s attention with his paranoid questioning, and curious and anxious eyes locked on the pair of them.

“No, no, Dray,” Harry chuckled. “I’m fine. I just have a question to ask you.” He sat up and faced Draco on the couch. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot and I’ve finally made a decision,” he stated, looking a bit apprehensive.

He had Draco’s, and the rest of the room’s, undivided attention.

“W-would you be willing to be the baby’s father?” He stuttered once, but then picked up speed as the words spilled from his lips.

Draco looked dumbstruck. Intakes of breath were heard from around the room. “Er…you mean like Sirius? Like a godfather?” He asked cautiously.

Harry shook his head solemnly. “No. I can’t ever change the fact that Blaise is her biological father,” he explained softly. “And I can’t change that he will never be in her life. I don’t want to change that. But I do want to give her the opportunity to know what it’s like to have two parents who love her unconditionally.” He took Draco’s cold hands into his own.

“You’ve been there for me every step of the way, Dray. From the r-rape to the morning sickness to the weird cravings. You’ve held my hand when I’ve given blood, rubbed my feet when I’m too tired to move and wiped my mouth when I’ve hurled. You were the one who convinced me not to abort her. You were the one who convinced me that both she and I had a right to live…to enjoy living…to look forward to living.”

Harry sucked in a deep breath. “I can’t think of anyone in the world who has as much of a right to be this baby’s father as you. I can’t think of anyone else in the world I’d rather see in my daughter’s life, everyday, than you. I can’t think of anyone else in the world with whom I want to share everyday of her life...and mine.” He flushed slightly. “I want you to be there for her first step, her first word. I want you to cry with me when she goes off to school for the first time, when she falls off of her broom for the first time.”

He closed his eyes briefly and then forced them open and locked gazes with Draco. “So, Draco Malfoy, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband and the father of my baby?”

Draco gaped. Words flew around in his head, but none seemed to want to come out of his mouth, at least not in a sensible order. Once again, the universe narrowed to just Harry and him. “Y-you want to marry m-me?” he whispered, awed. Harry nodded. “A-And you want me to be the baby’s f-father?” Harry nodded again. “Are you sure, Harry? This is a huge step. You know I’ll always be there for you and for her. You won’t be alone. You don’t have to do this just because you’re afraid of being alone.”

“That’s not it, Draco,” Harry smiled softly.

Draco shook his head frantically. “Harry, please think about this some more. Talk to Sirius, or Ron or Hermione. See what they think, what they recommend.”

Harry sighed and pulled Draco’s hand down to his face. “Draco, you idiot. I’m not asking you to marry Sirius or Ron or Hermione. I’m asking if you’ll marry me. If you’ll spend the rest of your life with me…with our baby. I don’t need to ask anyone else. I know what I want.”

Draco closed his eyes. “Our baby,” he breathed. Harry smiled again, and waited. Draco opened his eyes and met Harry’s. “Yes.”

“Yes?” Harry repeated joyously.

Draco grinned; Harry’s happiness was infectious. “Yes, Harry James Potter. I will marry you. I will be our daughter’s father.”

Harry nearly bounced. He leaned forward and bashfully kissed Draco on the cheek. “Thank you, Draco,” he whispered in his fiancée’s ear. He sat up and his eyes grew wide. “I have to tell Sirius!” He heaved himself up and waddled out of the common room, looking once over his shoulder to smile shyly before disappearing.

All eyes turned to Draco who sat on the couch in a daze. “Our baby,” he murmured. “Mine and Harry’s.” His face lit up in a huge smile. “Harry just asked me to marry him!” A small giggle escaped his lips. “I’m going to marry Harry Potter! We’re going to have a baby!” He stood up abruptly. “I have to tell my mother.” Without a second look around the room, he hurried out of the portrait entrance.

Hermione sighed happily.

Ron snorted.

Hermione smacked his arm.

Ron sighed wearily. “I guess he really loves Harry, huh?”

Hermione smiled and sighed again. “Oh yes, Ron.”

“And Harry really loves him.”

Hermione nodded, “Yes, Ron.”

“Who do you think is going to figure out first that they don’t want to be together just for the baby?”

Hermione grinned. “They already know, Ron. They already know.”

Ron sighed.

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Harry and Draco settled into their new ‘relationship’ over the next two weeks. Smiles were worn more frequently. Touches came with more ease. Draco stopped shying away from helping Harry make decisions about the baby. They spent hours together, cuddled in the Gryffindor loveseat, going over names and lists for the nursery.

Dumbledore offered to set up a suite of rooms for them as neither young man had anywhere to go after graduation. The Dursleys had made it very clear that Harry was never to darken their door again and, though Draco possessed the Head of Household status, he had no desire to fight Lucius for the Manor. He had no doubt in his mind that Lucius would leave more dark surprises than he could handle. There was no way Draco was bringing his future husband and baby girl into it.

No one had heard from Lucius since the day that Narcissa received her divorce papers from his barrister. He was seen in the Prophet every now and then, a contrived look of sorrow on his face. He said his wife had deserted him after he’d discovered her in an adulterous affair with the Hogwarts Potions Master. He stated that she had warped his only son’s views of him, forcing the younger Malfoy to turn his back on a loving father. And so, the only comfort poor Lucius Malfoy had was that which he could purchase with his considerable wealth.

May 1^st. A bright spring day. Students were studying like mad for OWLS and NEWTS, professors were scrambling to shove all of the previous years knowledge into final week cram sessions. Harry was 6 weeks from delivery. Severus Snape and Narcissa Black had just announced their own engagement. And Lucius Malfoy finally ran out of money in his personal accounts.

To say he was angry when he contacted his barrister was insufficient. He demanded to know why he was unable to access any of the Malfoy accounts. He demanded to know who was responsible. He was astounded to find that by not having in his possession the Heir of Household ring, he was the cause of his own monetary demise. He immediately turned the Manor upside down, searching for the ring. Hours later, he had come to the conclusion that his wife was a sneakier Malfoy than he.

He knew she had something to do with it. He just didn’t know what. Legally, she was no longer able to hold onto his possessions. So, if she did indeed have the ring with her, she would be forced to relinquish it. If she’d sold it or given it to someone--like that traitorous bastard Snape--, he would not only get it back, but he would be able to file charges of theft against her and whomever she’d given the ring to. He smiled coldly. What a lovely day this was turning out to be after all.

He entered the Great Hall during lunchtime. Silence fell over the assembled students and staff. Lucius paused a moment to bask in it and then moved forward, striding regally down the aisle. Narcissa tensed and dropped her fork onto her plate. She shuddered at the clatter it made and absently brushed Snape’s hand away. Taking a deep breath, she stood.

“Lucius,” she called coolly. “What brings you to Hogwarts?”

He paused, a smile coming over his face. “Narcissa, my dear wife. I would like a word with you, if I may. Privately,” he added, glancing about the room. When his gaze moved back to Narcissa, she was smiling slightly.

“I think not, Lucius,” she replied, her back straightening. “I am neither your wife nor in possession of sufficient diminished mental capacity to go anywhere alone with you.” Snickers met her reply and Lucius felt a slow burn beginning. He inclined his head politely.

“As you wish, my dear. You appropriated an item of mine,” he began. “A ring. It belongs to the Malfoy line. The Malfoy heir would like it back,” he smiled sweetly.

“The Malfoy heir already has it,” a voice rang out behind him.

Lucius turned in surprise. His son stood in the aisle, arms crossed, the Malfoy Heir of Household ring glinting on his finger. Lucius ran his gaze over to the table and saw that his son had been sitting with Gryffindors. Not just any Gryffindors, but Weasleys, mudbloods…and Harry Potter. A very pregnant Harry Potter.

He smirked. “Well, son. I see that you’ve made some new friends. Why don’t you introduce me?”

Draco returned his father’s smirk. “I think not, father. Not only do I have no desire to inflict you upon them, but I also know that you could care less who they are. Your only interest lies in this ring.” He waved his fingers against his arm.

Lucius bowed slightly in acknowledgement. “Very well, Draco. Enough pleasantries then. Give me my ring.”

Draco shook his head. “No.”

Lucius frowned. “You have no choice. I am the Malfoy Head of Household.”

Draco shrugged. “Actually, father, you aren’t. I am. You missed your window of opportunity to disown me months ago when I turned 18. I am an adult now and as far as the ring is concerned, you’ve effectively passed Head of Household to your heir…me.” He smiled kindly. “But you are still my father and I won’t leave you in the cold. How much do you feel you require for a monthly allowance?”

Laughter reverberated through the room and Lucius saw red. “You tricked me, you bitch!” He spun to face the front of the room again. Narcissa’s face went white with fear and Snape stood, pushing her behind him. “And you, you little bastard,” he whirled back around, spittle flying from his mouth. “You dare to stand there and mock me?”

Draco’s smile fell away and he stepped forward into his father’s space. “Yes, old man. I dare to mock you,” he snarled back. “You’ve made my life miserable. You’ve terrorized me and my mother, holding the Malfoy duty over our heads like an anvil. How strange that, of all of us, you are the actual betrayer.”

Lucius narrowed his eyes. “What the hell are you talking about, boy?”

Draco laughed harshly. “You’ve been siphoning Malfoy monies and properties off to ‘the cause’ for years. You don’t give a rat’s arse about the Malfoy name. You’re just terrified that if you don’t have the money and power to back you up, your Lord will shove you down to the next rung! You won’t be Voldemort’s right hand any longer!”

Lucius winced at the utterance of the Dark Lord’s name. “Shut up, boy,” he hissed. “You have no idea of that which you speak.”

Draco snorted. “I know exactly of that which I speak,” he mimicked. “And I know, finally, exactly what you are: a sad, worn out bootlicker for a man who is destined to die.”

Lucius roared his rage. He pulled back his cane and swung blindly. Perhaps because he wasn’t trying to hit any part of Draco in particular, he did more damage. The cane whistled through the air and Draco pulled back to let it swing by his chest harmlessly. Instead, it caught him in the throat. He felt the fangs of the serpent head catch on his skin and warmth flow down his chest.

That wasn’t his major concern, though, as he seemed unable to pull any air into his lungs. He slowly sank to his knees, staring wide-eyed up at his father. What had he done? Lucius’ lips were drawn back, baring his teeth. His eyes were white and black, the iris hidden by a nearly totally dilated pupil. His skin was suffused with enough blood that it looked as though he’d broken the blood vessels in his face.

Draco didn’t think he’d ever seen anyone so out of control. He knew he’d never seen his father come even close to this. He could vaguely hear screams. He caught his name a few times, but couldn’t seem to place where it came from. He watched in morbid fascination as Lucius drew his wand from the cane’s sheath. He watched the insane man level it at him. Then a black robe moved in front of him and the effort of keeping his eyes open was just too much. He slumped to the floor and let it all wash over him.

Harry could feel his skin prickling as Lucius began screaming. He stood, not knowing what to do, only knowing that he needed to do something. When Lucius swung the cane at Draco, his knees nearly buckled. He watched in horror as the fangs ripped Draco’s throat open. Blood began pouring immediately but Draco just stood motionless. The delicate shock on his face a vivid counter to the gaping wound below his chin.

Draco dropped to his knees and the room erupted in sound. Screams bounced off of the walls. Narcissa hurdled the head table, shrieking her baby’s name. Lucius yanked the head of his cane off and removed his wand. He pointed it at his son. And Harry moved in-between them. He stepped into Lucius’ field of vision, holding his own wand at the ready.

“No,” Harry screamed in defiance. “No more! You’ll hurt him no more!”

Lucius never lost his manic expression, but a bit of comprehension trickled in. “Potter. How lovely to see you,” he twittered inanely. “How is the pregnancy going? The father is anxiously awaiting the birth, you know.”

Harry’s hand shook.

Narcissa slid to a stop behind him, sobbing Draco’s name over and over.

Harry’s hand stilled.

“Then I suggest you leave so that we can heal him up,” he spat. Lucius looked confused for a moment and then his eyes widened. He glanced down at his son, lying in a pool of blood and then back up to Harry.

“You,” he breathed. “You took him from me.” He adjusted his wand to aim at Harry. “No one takes what’s mine,” he advised.

“Expelliarmus!” Harry shouted.

The wand flew out of Lucius’ hand and the man flew back nearly four yards. He staggered for a moment and then righted himself with a grin. “Very nice, Potter. What else can you do? Expelliarmus!” he returned, and Harry’s wand was snatched from his fingers.

Harry stared at his empty hand in bewilderment. Then he turned his gaze to a steadily approaching Lucius. The older man shrugged modestly. “I am a man of many skills.” He continued his approach towards an unarmed Harry.

The tingle was back. Harry could feel it surging through his body. With the world spinning, he gave into it…and Lucius flew backwards again. And again. And again. He hit the wall with a sickening crack and staggered to his feet. He stared at Harry in astonishment. The boy had his eyes closed and tears were streaking his face. Harry clutched at his stomach and silent screams spilled forth from his mouth.

Another powerful wave of magic rocked Lucius back again and he made his choice: run and live to fight another day at his Lord’s side. He slipped through the doors and bolted. The doors slammed behind him with a resounding clang…

And the soothing strains of Fur Elise filled the room.

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