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Title: Never Easy Part VII
Author: Ruby13b
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Warnings: Adult Language, Sexual Content, Mpreg
Summary: Sequel to The Recovery Boys. Loose ends are tied up. New drama occurs. It's never easy for Harry and Draco.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and am owned by no one. Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling. I am not being paid for this.

This is a Harry/Draco fanfic. Meaning boy/boy. If you don't like don't read. You have been warned.

Harry opened the door, revealing the smiling faces of his two best friends. Harry grinned back and motioned them inside. Hermione and Ron gazed around in awe at the huge manor.

“Damn, Harry,” Ron said in amazement, “You live here?”

Harry laughed, closing the door. “I know it takes a little getting used to,” he admitted.

“I think it’s lovely,” Hermione said. She walked over to Harry and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Where’s Draco, then?” she asked, looking around.

“Yes, where is ferret boy?” Ron asked. Hermione shot him a look. Ron had the good grace to appear slightly ashamed of himself. Harry chuckled. He had missed this.

“Dray’s still getting ready. I swear, he takes longer than a girl. I’ll go get him.” Harry turned to walk up the staircase but stopped when he heard Draco’s voice.

“Don’t bother, I’m already here.” Draco was standing at the top of the staircase. He was wearing long flowing black robes that cleverly hid his growing stomach. “Talking about me behind my back, are we, love?” Draco asked Harry. Harry blushed and held out his hand. Draco descended the staircase as if he were a prince and took Harry’s outstretched hand. Harry kissed the back of Draco’s hand, his eyes never leaving Draco’s. “I only wanted to look nice for you,” Draco added.

“You look beautiful,” Harry told him, stroking Draco’s hand with his thumb.

Ron cleared his throat, looking very uncomfortable. Hermione was watching, entranced, and had her hands placed over her heart. She looked close to tears.

Draco smiled and went to her, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“It’s wonderful to see you, Hermione,” Draco said to her.

“I’m glad we’re here,” Hermione said. She gave him a quick look up and down, frowning a little before saying, “You look different than I remember.”

“Yeah, not so scrawny,” Ron put in. Hermione glared at him, but Draco seemed unaffected.

“Weasley,” Draco nodded.

“Malfoy,” Ron returned. Any contempt they once had for each other had long disappeared. That didn’t stop them from taking a swipe at each other every now and then. Hermione said that it was just their way of showing that they cared.

“Now I’m sure you’re wondering what our big news is, so if you care to join us in the living room, we’d like to tell you,” Harry said. He felt very excited, giddy even, to tell them Draco was having his child.

The four of them made their way to the living room where the house-elves had set up a little table with hors d’oevres. Harry poured a glass of wine for Ron and Hermione and orange juice for Draco and himself. He didn’t think it was fair for him to drink if Draco couldn’t. Ron happily helped himself to cheese and crackers, while Hermione sat down, sipping her wine. Draco sat down in a chair opposite her. Harry went over to Draco, handing him a plate of food that he had assembled for him. When Ron had finally taken the seat next to Hermione, Harry cleared his throat. He hadn’t actually planned what he was going to say.

“This may come as a bit of a shock,” Harry started. Hermione cocked her head and Ron seemed to be confused. Harry laughed a little before continuing. This was really going to blow them out of the water. “Draco and I are very excited to tell you that Draco is expecting.”

Hermione’s eyes widened in surprise and she looked over at Draco as if asking if it was true. Draco nodded. Ron just looked more confused than ever. He looked from Hermione to Draco to Harry; he seemed to know that he was missing something.

“Expecting what?” he asked slowly. Harry shook his head. That was exactly what Marilyn had asked.

“Draco’s pregnant,” Harry said simply.

This seemed to be a very hard concept for Ron to grasp. “As in…as in,” Ron began.

“As in there’s a baby inside of me and Harry’s the father,” Draco stated. “Well, other father.”

There was a moment in which no one said anything. Draco sipped his orange juice and Harry rubbed the back of his head, awkwardly. Maybe he should have eased his two best friends into this with a little more poise than that.

“That’s brilliant!” Ron suddenly exclaimed. “You got him pregnant? That’s…well done, mate!” Ron jumped up, grasping Harry’s hand and shaking it vigorously. Harry breathed a sigh of relief “You got Draco Malfoy pregnant!”

“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” Draco commented lightly.

Ron began laughing. “I didn’t even know it was possible,” he said.

“Neither did I,” Harry admitted. “I bet you did, didn’t you, Hermione?” Harry asked her.

Hermione nodded. She raised her eyes to Draco. “Draco…” she started.

“It’s alright, ‘Mione,” Draco told her.

“But Draco…” Hermione tried again.

“Really,” Draco said, cutting her off. “It’s fine.”

Hermione closed her mouth and nodded.

“You are going to be a wonderful dad,” Ron said to Harry. “Both of you!”

Harry smiled. He didn’t know why Ron was so keen on the idea of Draco being pregnant. Draco scowled at Ron who in return smirked at him.

“Ah, come on, Malfoy,” Ron said cheerfully. “I think it’s brilliant that you and Harry are going to be parents.”

Draco relaxed and smirked back. “Harry and I beat you to it,” he said. “Maybe ‘Mione is going to want one now.”

Ron turned a sickeningly green color and glanced over at Hermione, who didn’t give Ron any sign one way or another. Ron paled even farther and opened his mouth in an attempt to speak.

“Oh, leave him alone, Dray,” Harry scolded half-heartedly. “Why don’t you show Ron your collection of Quidditch books?”

Ron perked up at the mention of Quidditch and Draco nodded, leading him out of the room. Once they were gone Harry turned to Hermione, smiling. She smiled back, though her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Can you believe it, Hermione?” Harry asked. He sat down and took a long drink from his glass of orange juice. “I’m going to be a father. I always wanted a family. I just thought I would have to adopt, which I might try to convince Draco to do anyway.” Harry laughed and swirled the juice in his glass. He seemed to be laughing a lot lately. He was just that happy. “Especially if we continue living here. This place is too big to only have one kid.”

“Draco appears to be happy, too,” Hermione said quietly.

Harry nodded. “Yeah, but if truth be told he didn’t want to keep the baby at first,” Harry admitted.

Hermione set her wine down and clasped her hands together in her lap. “Did,” Hermione stumbled, “did he mention why he didn’t want the baby?”

Harry thought for a moment before answering. “Not really,” he told her. “I think it was something about being too young. But when he saw how much I wanted the baby he…” Harry broke off. Hermione was wringing her hands and biting her lower lip. “Is there something the matter?” Harry asked. Hermione was a worrier, but most of the time it wasn’t without a good reason.

“Harry,” Hermione said slowly, “Do you know anything about the last male pregnancy?”

“Errr,” Harry said, “I know it happened about a hundred years ago.”

Hermione looked torn. “I know Draco probably doesn’t want me to tell you this but…” she stopped, her eyes were bright with tears and Harry suddenly felt very uneasy. Hermione took a big breath and continued. “Last time, the pregnant wizard…he…oh Harry, he died!”

Harry was stunned into silence. Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

“He…he died?” Harry choked out.

“The baby was nearly lost, too,” Hermione whispered.

Harry’s eyes darted frantically around. “But that was a long time ago,” Harry said desperately.

“That’s true,” Hermione agreed, “But the risk is almost as high.”

“I,” Harry said, “I didn’t know.”

“I know you didn’t,” Hermione said. “And I don’t think Draco wanted you to know.”

Harry suddenly felt himself growing hot with anger. He jumped up from his seat and paced back and forth a few times before stalking over to the wall and hitting it roughly with his fist. “All this time!” he said, shaking with anger. “All this time, Hermione, I’ve been saying things to him like, ‘Once the baby gets here’ and ‘Let’s be good parents, Draco’ and ‘We need to set a good example’.” Harry’s heart was beating in his chest. “And all this time, Draco has known that he’s going to die! How could he not tell me? How can he smile when he’s…?” Harry broke off with a sob. He sunk down against the wall, pulling his knees into his chest.

Hermione crouched down next to him and laid a cool hand on his shoulder.

“It’s not fair, Hermione,” Harry whispered, looking up at her. “It’s just not fair!”

“Go talk to him,” Hermione urged. She rubbed his shoulder, gently. “Go tell him how you feel.”

Harry shook his head. “I can’t let him see me this weak.”

“Yes, but you need to,” Hermione said.

Harry took a few deep breaths to stop himself from hyperventilating and nodded. He knew Hermione was right. He had to talk to Draco. He stood up leaning on the wall for support and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. Hermione offered Harry her hand, which Harry took without hesitation. These thoughts were…these thoughts were unthinkable.

~~~

They found Ron and Draco in the manor library. Ron had his nose in a book titled ‘Great Moments in Quidditch’. Draco was standing at the window with his hands clasped behind his back. He had a soft look on his face as his eyes traveled up and down the landscape. As Hermione and Harry walked in the room he inclined his head ever so slightly. Ron didn’t look up from his book.

Hermione looked at Ron, shaking her head. “At least he’s reading something,” she said.

“‘Mione, this is fascinating,” Ron told her excitedly, “And Draco’s letting me keep it!”

“That’s very generous of him,” Hermione said, glancing at Draco. Draco made no sign that he heard her and continued to stare out the window. Hermione sighed before saying, “Ron, will you come with me? There’s a painting in the hallway that I want to show you.” Ron complied without making a fuss and left the room with Hermione. As Hermione walked past Harry on the way out, her hand ever so slightly brushed his in a reassuring way. Harry and Draco were left alone.

Harry took a few nervous steps into the room. He really didn’t know what he ought to say. It was all so sudden and unexpected and there were too many emotions rushing through him to handle. Draco glanced back at Harry. The look on Harry’s face was all it took for him to know what was wrong.

“Hermione told you then, did she?” Draco asked.

Harry nodded, even though Draco’s back was turned to him. “Draco, I…”

"No, Harry,” Draco cut in. “You’re not going to blame yourself on this one.”

“But, Draco…” Harry tried again.

Draco sighed, turning around. His eyes were sad but determined. “I’ve already made my decision.”

“I didn’t know it meant giving up your own life. I don’t want to lose you!” Harry cried.

Draco walked over to him, putting his arms around him. Harry clung to Draco. He never wanted to let go. Not now, not ever. Draco put his mouth to Harry’s ear and whispered, “Idiot, I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

Harry buried his face in the crook of Draco’s neck. He inhaled deeply, taking in Draco’s scent. Draco smelled like morning. He smelled like a cold, damp morning. And summer rain, though Draco really hated the rain. But even Draco agreed that if it had to rain, summer rain was the best sort of rain. “Draco,” Harry murmured, closing his eyes tightly. Maybe if he shut them tight enough, everything else would go away.

“Let’s just be happy with the time we have,” Draco said seriously. He lightly kissed Harry’s ear before pulling back and smirking. “Not such a tough guy anymore, are we, love?”

Harry laughed. “Not when it comes to my daft boyfriend, I’m afraid.”

Draco wiped the tear that was threatening to fall from Harry’s eye away with his thumb. “That’s the teapot calling the kettle black,” he commented nonchalantly.

“I suppose so,” Harry admitted. “But why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I knew what you would say,” Draco said simply. “I knew there would be no way you would want me to give up my life.”

Harry nodded at this. It was true. If he had known, Harry would have insisted that Draco end the pregnancy. He wanted children, yes, but he wanted them with Draco, not alone. Life without Draco wasn’t something Harry would be able to face. Draco had been, after all, a constant presence in his life since they had been eleven.

“We could still,” Harry said slowly, “not have the baby, you know.”

Draco shook his head. “I’ve told you, I’ve already decided. I’m not one to have second thoughts. I’m very stubborn that way. And I told you, I’m not going anywhere.”

“But Hermione said,” Harry began.

“Hermione worries too much,” Draco said shortly.

“You’re not angry with her, are you?” Harry asked. He hated to think that he got Hermione in trouble. After all, she only wanted the best for both Harry and Draco.

“No,” Draco said. “I know I should have told you. I just didn’t want you to worry before we actually had something to worry about.”

“You know me,” Harry said.

“Besides,” Draco continued, “the last male pregnancy was a long time ago. We’re better prepared this time. I’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

“You better be,” Harry mumbled, not looking Draco in the eye, “I’ve gotten too used to having you around.”

“It’s a good thing then that I’m not going anywhere,” Draco said. “I’m afraid it’s going to take a lot if you ever want to get rid of me.”

“Never,” Harry told him, sincerely. “I love you too much.”

“And I love you,” Draco said, giving his nose a little kiss. “Don’t ask me why I love you. I hardly know myself. You’re such a sappy Gryffindor.”

“I like sappy.” Harry pulled Draco closer, wrapping his arms around him and closing his eyes. Somehow, Harry felt a wave of calmness pass over him. He didn’t quite know how to explain how he felt at the moment. He figured it must be love.

Draco laughed a little and pulled himself out of Harry’s clutches.

“Come on, tough guy,” he smirked, taking Harry’s hand. “Our guests probably wonder where we are.”

Harry sighed and let Draco lead him out of the room. For once he wished that Ron and Hermione weren’t there. Right now he just wanted to be alone with Draco. Harry didn’t know how much longer he would have together with Draco. He knew that it was rather morbid thinking on his part, but he couldn’t help it. Draco had said to just be happy with whatever time they had together. But Harry knew that he could never be happy with anything less than a lifetime with Draco. So really the only thing he could do was make certain Draco didn’t die. That was, after all, the only sensible solution.