Harry didn't know what to do. For a week after their visit with Hermione, his relationship with Draco had been steadily improving. They ate every meal together, watched movies to pass the time at night, and sometimes even talked about Harry's cases. Draco's presence wasn't all that bad, but it was nothing like his life would've been had he chosen Ginny. The brunette hated comparing the two situations, but his mind did it without his permission.
Ginny was kind and caring while Malfoy was just...always indifferent towards everything. Ginny used to ask the brunette about his day, whereas Harry felt like Draco was only listening to him out of courtesy. Ginny would sometimes surprise him with random gifts and romantic gestures. Of course, there would be no reason for Draco to do that, but agreeing to the ultrasound would've been nice of the blonde. Overall, it didn't seem liked the blonde cared about Harry or his happiness one bit, but it didn't matter.
He's giving me a child.
The thing I wanted most in life.
I owe him everything.
All that changed after their second visit to Hermione, three weeks after their first. The witch's face immediately fell after she ran the tests to see whether Draco's iron-based diet had worked.
She shook her head where she stood and the three of them went silent, until Draco suddenly made the worst joke in the world.
"So, about that translatio potion?" he asked, drumming his fingers on the desk between them impatiently.
"Very funny, Draco. You're not taking it. End of discussion!" Harry said firmly. To his surprise, the blonde didn't fight him on the matter and didn't claim that it was none of the brunette's business. He merely shrugged, then sighed and sent his thoughts to Harry.
Fine.
We'll try the other potions.
But remember that this was your decision.
For when I get too...clingy.
The brunette felt strong insecurity radiating off of the blonde and quickly tried to assure him that it would be alright. Harry placed a tentative hand on Draco's and squeezed.
I won't mind.
I promise.
Draco's head snapped up and he looked at the brunette with a surprised expression.
"Really?"
Harry smiled.
"Yes, really."
The blonde blushed furiously and nodded his head, then said something that surprised both Hermione and Harry.
"You can do the ultrasound and...get the picture," he murmured, then got up, lifted his shirt, and laid back on the table for Hermione.
Are you sure about this?
Positive.
Hermione immediately cast a spell on the tiny, barely visible, bump in Draco's stomach. Almost instantly, a projection of the ultrasound manifested on the opposite wall. Harry felt tears welling up in his eyes as he saw the-
"Wait. Are-are those?" he stammered, unable to believe what he was seeing.
"Twins. Yes," Hermione said cheerfully, "Would you like to hear the heartbeats?"
Harry's heart was bursting with joy. He immediately nodded his head.
"Yes! Of course, we want to hear them. Oh Merlin, they're so beautiful. Draco, look at-"
The brunette instantly clamped his mouth shut when he looked at the blonde, who was looking to the side, away from the projection and had tears running down his cheeks.
Cast a muffliato on me.
Draco, we don't have to hear-
"Just do it, Potter!" the blonde yelled, still looking away. Harry nodded and cast the charm, then turned to Hermione, who had a sad look in her eyes, and told her to make the heartbeat audible.
Draco locked himself in his room as soon as they got home and didn't come out again. Harry was happy that he got to see his children, but confused over the blonde's reaction. The brunette wouldn't have pushed Draco if he knew the ultrasound would upset him so much. Harry just thought that the blonde didn't care about the babies. Why else would he give them up?
Could there be another reason?
Maybe he wants to keep them, but...can't?
Everything is fixable, though.
It's not the best situation for me, either.
But I am, at least, trying to make it work!
Why won't he try, too?
All that thinking got to him; he developed a headache and retired to bed early, but couldn't fall asleep. About three hours later, he gave up and tossed his blankets aside, getting out of bed entirely and deciding to drink a cup of warm milk so he could fall asleep. When he was descending the stairs, though, he froze as he heard choked sobbing coming from the sitting room. Malfoy was on the couch, staring longingly at the picture of the ultrasound that Harry had left on the table, and crying his eyes out.
The brunette stood there, on the step, not knowing what to do.
Should I talk to him?
This seems like a very private moment.
Draco doesn't even like to talk when he's happy.
There's no way he'd appreciate me trying to talk to him when he's this upset.
Just as Harry was about to go back up the stairs, he heard Draco call him. He turned towards the blonde, his face red with embarrassment. The only thing worse than talking to a crying Draco is being caught eavesdropping on him then walking out of the room.
"It's alright. I'm not upset at you," the blonde murmured as Harry sat down next to him, then looked back at the picture in his hand lovingly. "They're just so beautiful."
"Those don't seem like tears of joy, though," Harry said absentmindedly. To his surprise, Draco didn't yell, but he didn't answer him, either. The blonde simply pointed at one of the twins and spoke.
"This one kind of looks like you," he said excitedly. Harry squinted at the picture, wanting to know how the hell Draco saw anything but two very vague figures. When he failed at identifying any features, he decided to humor the blonde.
"And the other one looks like you," he said in the same tone that Draco did. The blonde burst out laughing.
"Twins look the same. They both look like you, but that's okay. I wanted them to look like you," Draco said, looking at Harry with a strange expression.
Why is he acting so weird?
Must be making fun of me...
"Yes, very funny Malfoy. I know you don't want the kids to have my 'bird nest-like hair,'" Harry said, laughing a bit. If insulting Harry would cheer the blonde up, then the brunette wouldn't mind being insulted.
Draco only looked more upset, though and Harry didn't know why.
"That's not what I meant, Harry. You're very attractive despite that unruly hair of yours. Besides, if they looked like me, then people might actually figure out who carried them, and then...they'll be shunned. I don't want that for them," the blonde whispered, a stray tear making its way down his cheek as his lips quivered.
Is that why he wants to give them up?
That's the entire reason?
It's easily fixable!
Before Harry could ask about it, the blonde suddenly threw himself at Harry, saying "Don't be upset about me being sad. Being with you makes me feel better about everything. Remember when we studied for your test? I never wanted that night to end."
Harry raised an eyebrow at Draco, who was still embracing him.
"Er...Malfoy, are you feeling okay?" he asked, awkwardly putting his arms around the blonde.
"Of course, I am! I thought I shouldn't complicate things between us at first, but that was stupid of me. I mean, why let these seven and a half months go to waste when we can be together, right? It might hurt when I have to leave, but the good memories will always stay with us after that. Don't you agree?" the blonde said, pulling away from the hug to look Harry in the eye. The brunette tilted his head in confusion.
Malfoy's eyes almost looked different. They were...softer, kinder. Harry couldn't explain it, but he felt like he was seeing the genuine Draco, that the blonde was finally opening up. There would only be one reason for that.
"Draco, has the last bond-blocking potion you took worn off?" he asked as gently as he could.
"I am not sure," the blonde said, confused by the sudden question, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well, I think it has and-and it might be the case that you wouldn't be saying those things if it hadn't," Harry said softly. This was new territory. He didn't know how he should treat Draco when he was off the potions. So, he just went with his gut: be as gentle and sweet as possible.
"Maybe...Bonds do enforce a certain level of communication among partners, but I don't mind. I like talking to you."
I like talking to him, too.
But only when he's off the potion.
So, when he isn't being himself.
This isn't right.
I can't talk to him while he's like this.
I'd be taking advantage...
Which is probably what he was worried about in the first place.
"Er...me too, but don't you want to get some sleep?" Harry asked, gesturing towards the stairs that led to their bedrooms. Draco instantly smiled.
"Will you come with me? If we sleep in the same room until the birth, it'll be easier for you to know if anything happens," the blonde explained. Harry internally rolled his eyes.
Yes, I am aware.
I am the one who suggested this when you first moved in.
I believe you responded by kicking me in the bollocks.
"Er...I really want to, Draco, but I can't," Harry said firmly. Suddenly, the blonde's sweet, loving expression was replaced with a frown and him glaring at the brunette, crossing his arms around his chest.
"Why not?" Draco snapped.
"I-I get up early in the morning! Yeah, that wouldn't be good for the baby, if you wake up to my alarm," Harry quickly said.
"It wouldn't be bad for the baby and you don't even set an alarm! Admit it, Potter! You just don't want to spend any time with me!" The blonde screamed at Harry, then turned around and ran back up to his room, locking the door again. The brunette followed, but could do nothing but stand there and yell apologies through the door while suppressing a groan.
This is going to be a long week...