𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 26

Chapter Number/Total: 26/44
Chapter Title: Sons and Stars

Harry helped Draco out of the fireplace in the kitchen, his eyes still unbelieving. He didn't know how he had gone from such elation knowing they had twins, to feeling this muted, intense fear.

Narcissa had come before them, her eyes red and puffy, though she had stopped crying now. She was still pale.

Draco pointed toward a chair, still too wretchedly sick from Floo travel to speak and hoping Harry would get it.

Harry felt very odd, like he couldn't function right or wasn't functioning right, but he did move to help Draco into the chair, a blank frown in place.

Draco sat panting, waiting for the dizziness to abate and the other two people in his life to react.

"Draco," Narcissa said calmly, perching herself on the edge of a chair where she could see her son. "This is very, very serious. I am not trying to patronise you, but it really is. I know it is."

Harry didn't say anything, standing by Draco's side.

"I know," the blond said, hands automatically going to his belly again.

Narcissa frowned, opened her mouth, and then closed it, looking at her hands. "You could ... You ... could ... di-" She didn't look up, and didn't finish.

Harry gripped the back of Draco's chair tightly.

"Sit down beside me, Harry," Draco said.

Harry's knuckles were white and it took him a moment to process what Draco had said. He finally let go of the chair and pulled another out for himself, sitting stiffly.

"I think ..." Narcissa said quietly to Draco. "I think you should come and stay with me."

Harry looked up at her.

Draco sighed, shaking his head. He kept his attention on his lover for the moment. He knew what his mother would say. But what he was waiting for was the shock to wear off and Harry's feelings to surface.

Harry glanced back down, looking at his hands on the table. "I don't know what to do," he said, his voice quiet and even a bit hard.

"You are going to help me give birth to two beautiful sons," Draco said quietly. "That's what I want. What I need."

"But what do I do if -" Harry wondered if he could finish the sentence. "What do I do if something happens to you?"

Draco glanced at his mother, but returned his attention to Harry. "You will take care of our sons," he said. "I don't even have to ask you to promise that. I know you will."

Harry trembled. "But I can't live without you," he whispered. "I can't, Draco."

Draco shifted so he was facing Harry and took both his hands in his own. "I don't intend to die. But if it happens, I know you. You will do the right thing. You will love them and protect them."

Harry shook again, taking his hands from Draco's to hold his face. He stared into his eyes for a long moment. "Yes, I would," he whispered, and though he was fighting it, he refused to cry.

Draco smiled, his heart feeling full as he gazed into those deep green eyes and saw the effort there to hold back. "We have both done the impossible before," he whispered. "I have the one person I could never have. I have your love. After that, anything is possible."

Harry pulled Draco gently against his own body, one hand sliding up into his soft hair and the other moving down to press against his back. "You can do it," he whispered.