𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 33

Chapter Number/Total: 33/44
Chapter Title: Time

Harry looked up at the clock again, not even hearing Branson at all. Over the last several days, he had been having to borrow notes from Ron to be able to keep up with everyone. It was almost like it had been when he'd first started out. Maybe even worse. They had just passed the seventh month mark with Draco's pregnancy. Harry was terrified that he would come home to nothing one day, that he would come home to find Draco.... It almost made him sick to even think about it. And what made it all worse was that Draco wasn't getting better. Harry could see it slowly happening, could see Draco's energy slowly draining away. Harry could hardly function in his worry. If it hadn't been for Ron, he might've already been kicked out of the program.

He continued to stare at the clock. Training seemed to go on for days rather than hours. He literally counted down throughout the entire day.

"Mate?" said Ron quietly beside him.

Harry looked at him absently.

"You can't keep doing this," Ron told him. "You can't."

Harry sighed and simply looked away from him. Ron wouldn't be able to understand even if he tried.

Ron shook his head sadly, sighing as he turned eyes back on Branson.

Harry did try to do some of his own notes, but he kept zoning out, wondering what Draco was doing and if he was okay. He had to convince himself several times a day, every day, not to walk out and go home. The only thing that could calm him, though it didn't calm him very much, was that Narcissa was with Draco almost all the time. At least she could look after Draco while Harry couldn't. Merlin, and there he was, zoning out again. He tried to sit straighter, focusing on the Auror in front.

There was a loud tapping and everyone in the room looked up to see a large owl flapping violently against the window. Harry easily recognised it was Draco's eagle owl. At once, his heart began to speed up.

"What in blazes ...?" said Branson. "I'll have someone's head for this. Stemp, run and get Ahsen ...." But she trailed off as Harry shot out of his seat and went to the window, letting the bird inside.

Branson seemed shocked. "Excuse you, Potter," she said, but Harry ignored her, reaching for the letter.

The owl nipped at Harry and flew across the room to land on Ron's desk, holding out its leg with the parchment to him.

Harry frowned, confused, and looked at Ron, who looked even more confused.

"What the hell is this?" Branson said. "Whose owl is that?"

"I – I don't know," said Ron.

"Take the damn letter!" Harry snapped, tempted to run out of the room to the Floo again.

Still confused, Ron reached for the parchment instead.

The letter was addressed to him:

Ronald Weasley,

Now is the time. Don't let him out of your sight until you are sure he will be safe. My sons are counting on you.

Thank you,

Draco Malfoy

Ron's eyes widened and he looked up at Harry. "It's time," he said after a moment of quiet.

Harry's eyes widened as well. "T-time?" he said.

"Time," Ron confirmed.

"Time?" said Branson, obviously highly annoyed. "Time for what?" But neither man answered her.