A Promise Kept - Chapter 73 - Settling In

Settling In

All had become rather quiet since the werewolf attack almost a week prior, almost eerily so. The Dark Lord would not have taken kindly to how much of the pack had been dispatched, and Sirius suspected Greyback would be less so.

What was noticeable, however, was that there was less activity in Knockturn Alley, and though the tension remained palpable, Diagon Alley was seeing its fair shar of foot traffic once more.

The war had certainly not been forgotten, but it seemed that the citizens of magical Britain were beginning to feel just a little bit safer.

That was thanks to Harry.

His decisiveness had shown that he was a man of his word, that he would stick to the promise he’d made to the Wizengamot, and country at large in doing whatever he deemed as necessary to combat Voldemort and his followers.

Of course, when the next gathering of the Wizengamot was called. He would be questioned, and Sirius did not doubt he would handle it with all the poise and confidence he’d come to expect from his godson, who had been understandably absent much of the week.

What was happening with Sabine’s pregnancy, Sirius did not know, but Harry had been seen coming and going to the Ministry as usual, whilst still likely dealing with his own personal situation.

It was hard to believe he was going to be a father.

Just like Lily, Sirius was still in a state of shock, but he knew he shouldn’t be surprised. He had seen the two of them together by the lake at Ilvermorny, had seen how Harry and Sabine had looked at one another.

It reminded him of James and Lily when she’d realised he wasn’t a complete prat.

They’d still be young then, much too young to worry about what would come for each of them in the years that had followed, and though it had come, Sirius was hopeful they’d found a way to overcome some of what it was they were up against.

Of course, Voldemort was still lingering and would do so until the final breath was ripped from his lungs, but Harry was not one to walk away from anything unsatisfied.

It had broken his heart to do so when he’d returned Sabine home to her parents a few months prior, but now that she was carrying his child, it would be different.

“Are you in there, Harry?” he called, knocking on the door of the flat before letting himself in.

He found his godson reading the newspaper, and the wireless was playing in the background whilst he sipped a cup of coffee. It was the most adult thing he witnessed from the young man, and Sirius couldn’t help but lament on the years gone by.

It only seemed yesterday that he was chasing Harry around the ranch, doing all he could to keep the adventurous boy out of trouble, and now, here he was, the Minister of Magic, a man grown.

He longed for those simpler days, and yet, he knew they were gone now.

Still, not all the changes were bad.

Harry had grown to be a powerful talented wizard, and despite his best efforts as a child, Sirius and Lily had seen him through the difficult times. Now, he must face many of those things alone, and from what he’d dealt with thus far, was already doing so admirably.

“So, you didn’t get yourself arrested in America.”

Harry shook his head.

“No, it was resolved easily enough,” he sighed, “even if I did almost kill the idiot.”

“But you didn’t,” Sirius pointed out.

“It would’ve been in rather poor taste, wouldn’t it,” Harry chuckled. “Winthrop agreed to terminate the contract, so long as I agreed to play for his Quodpot team for two seasons, when I am free to do so. It was the very best diplomatic offer he was going to get.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. He’s a big fan and had scouts watching me for years at Ilvermorny. He seems to think I can make us both a fortune, and there is also the option to extend the contract if I see fit.”

“Is that what you want to do?”

Harry shrugged.

“Two years of doing something I quite enjoy isn’t such a big price to pay to keep my child away from the shit.”

“You could’ve just killed him.”

“He’s not a Death Eater or Voldemort. I don’t want my legacy built on murder, Sirius.”

He nodded approvingly as he took a seat next to him.

“So, a baby.”

“You too,” Harry reminded him.

“Yes, but I am two decades older than you. Have you and Sabine figured it out?”

Harry frowned and released a deep breath.

“Not really. We didn’t get much time to talk, but she is free of the contract, and I made it clear to her parents that if they even think about signing another one, I’d bury the pair of them. When the house is done, she will be coming to stay until the baby is born. After that…”

He broke off and shrugged again.

“You want there to be more. There’s no point in denying it.”

“I wasn’t going to. I just don’t know what it is she wants. Just because she’s having a baby, it doesn’t mean anything else has to come of it.”

Sirius shook his head.

“You’re such a clueless prat when it comes to certain things, Harry,” he sighed. “That girl loves you, and I can see how you feel about her. It’s exactly the way your father felt about your mother.”

“But it isn’t the same, is it? Sabine might decide that being around me is too dangerous, or that she feels like she’ll be competing for my attention with everything else.”

Sirius’s frown deepened.

“What gives you that idea?”

“It’s true, isn’t it?”

“Maybe, but then it is your job to show her that she is your priority above everything else, Harry. Believe me, relationships are not easy, and they will be even harder for you, but if it means so much to you, you will never let anything else interfere with it.”

His godson nodded thoughtfully and even offered him an appreciative smile.

“It will be easier when the war is done.”

“And if she refuses to wait until then?”

“Wy would she refuse?”

“Maybe because she wants to be with you, you clueless prat.”

He seemed confused, and Sirius could only chuckle.

“I don’t know if it is a Potter thing, or just you, but you should tell her exactly what you want. That is the only way either of you will get any clarity about wat is happening. At the very least, you’re going to be parents to a baby that will need both of you. There’s nothing wrong with the two of you wanting each other too.”

“I get the message,” Harry huffed as he stood. “Anyway, before that, we have something else to do. This came just before you arrived.”

He handed Sirius a slip of parchment, informing him of a meeting of the Wizengamot that had been called by Amelia Bones.

“Ah, I expect she wants you to head off any potential fallout after what happened in Aldershot.”

Harry nodded.

“I should’ve done it days ago, but I wanted the Obliviators and team from the Magical Catastrophes Department to finish up. It’s as though it never happened.”

“Well, now you will have to explain yourself, Minister. Don’t worry, it’s not as though Malfoy or his lot will show up. They’re all in hiding, terrified they will be brought in for questioning.”

“They will be,” Harry declared. “Just as soon as they are caught. They can’t run forever.”

“No, they can’t,” Sirius agreed, watching and waiting as Harry pulled his official robes over his head.

It made for quite the sight seeing him as he was now, and he gave the younger man’s shoulder a squeeze.

“I know I’ve said this many times to you over the years, Harry, but James would be proud of you. He’d be laughing his arse off that you’re the Minister of Magic, but bloody proud.”

Harry nodded once more.

“It will be a bloody strange life I will live if I survive this war,” he mused aloud. “From Minister of Magic to Quodpot player, to, well, whatever comes next. It’s like I’m doing it all in reverse.”

“I suppose you are in a way,” Sirius acknowledged. “Come on, we’d best get you addressing your adoring public, and then, you can get your arse across the pond and speak to that woman of yours. I expect she’s scared about what is coming. She needs you, Harry, more than she will say, and do try and see things from her perspective. She didn’t plan for this any more than you did. You really need to figure things out.”

“I know,” Harry conceded. “It’s just not so easy putting yourself out there like that.”

“It isn’t, but it will be worth it. Mark my words.”

(Break)

It was with a flourish of her wand that she added another layer of paint to the walls in the entrance hall of the new Potter home Harry had commissioned, and Lily nodded approvingly.

Neither she nor her son were inclined towards grandeur, preferring simplistic, and functional over flashy or gawdy, and she was certain he would like what she’d done with the place.

He’d given her full permission to do as she pleased, and having spent several days decorating, ordering and arranging furniture, and adding finishing touches to each of the rooms within the house, she was finally finished.

Of course, more could and would be added over time, but for now, the house was liveable, and just in time for Sirius and Emmeline to begin their own journey into parenthood, much like Harry would in around six months’ time.

It was difficult to believe that she would be a grandmother so soon, but just as she had become a young mother, Harry was to become a young father.

In an ideal world, such a thing would’ve waited until the war was over, yet, given the circumstances of both Harry and Sabine, there was no other way for them unless it was now.

Harry adored the girl, and it wasn’t so difficult to see how Sabine felt for her son.

Having spent some time with her after her ordeal at Malfoy Manor, it was impossible to miss how she looked at him, how she watched his every move, and how the two of them were drawn to one another.

Lily just hoped that the circumstances they found themselves in wouldn’t break that. She didn’t want either to have expectations of the other that were unrealistic or be dismissive of how much they cared for one another.

The worst thing would be for either to feel as though they had been forced into what was waiting for them.

She smiled sadly as she shook her head.

They would figure it out.

There was no doubt in her mind what they felt for one another, they both simply needed to realise that the baby did not have to come between them. If anything, it should bring them together.

It would.

It was a new journey for each of them to navigate, but they would not be alone in doing so. Lily would be there, as would Sirius, and hopefully, Sabine’s family, even if Harry was furious with them.

He’d made it abundantly clear he did not like Sabine’s father very much and had not even mentioned her mother.

For now, however, such things didn’t matter so much.

There was a suitable home here for them to find their way, if indeed Sabine chose to stay beyond giving birth to the baby.

“A baby,” Lily sighed.

It would take some getting used to, and from her own experience, that time to do so would pass quickly. Her own pregnancy had not been completely unexpected, but it seemed as though from learning she would be a mother, and Harry being placed in her arms, all that came between had been little more than a blur.

She could only shake her head once more as she climbed the stairs to the second floor of the house, pushing open the door next to the master bedroom.

It would undoubtedly become a nursery when Harry decided to make it so, and in a matter of only half a year, it would be occupied by her first grandchild, something that should fill her with boundless joy.

As things were, however, Lily could not deny that she was worried, that Voldemort would somehow learn of the babe, and he would shift his attention once more to an innocent child in a war it had no business being a part of.

(Break)

“Minister, you gave the order to use lethal force against the werewolves. Is that correct?” Amelia Bones asked.

“I did,” Harry confirmed.

“Why?”

It was all pageantry, something Hary despised, but understood the necessity of when it came to politics. It needed to appear as those Madam Bones was truly questioning him, grilling him even, on the decisions he’d made in Aldershot.

“Because there were hundreds of werewolves, Madam Bones. They were attacking the muggles indiscriminately, and it was my job to put an end to it, to minimise the casualties. I exercised my right to make such a call, and I do not regret it. When I took office, I promised I would do what was necessary to put an end to the Dark Lord, and that includes making such difficult decisions.”

Bones nodded.

“Do you believe that your actions were justified?”

“Undoubtedly,” Harry answered. “Had I not made the call, many others, including members of your own department, would likely have been killed.”

Amelia Bones took a few extra notes on the parchment she had been writing on.

“Thank you for clarifying your stance, Minister. That is all from me.”

“You’re welcome. Now, are there any other questions pertaining to the incident in Aldershot?”

It was Lord Boot who stood.

“Do we have a final number of casualties?”

“Four hundred and 17 muggles, and one hundred and seventy-three werewolves in total. The Obliviators were on the scene for the better part of three days, and the team from the Department of Magical Catastrophes for two.”

Boot nodded and took a seat, seemingly satisfied with the answered he’d been given.

“I believe that is all then,” Harry declared. “We will meet again next week, and I will open the floor to all of you. Good day.”

He watched as the Lords and Ladies filed out of the room, many offering him nods of approval, and a few even words of encouragement. When there were only a handful left, Amelia approached him, offering a look of apology.

“If no one else was going to do it, I had to,” she explained. “If your actions weren’t brought into question, it would seem as though you were not willing to discuss them. You do not want the reputation of being that Minister of Magic.”

“I know,” Harry replied appreciatively. “Thank you, Bones, and if you ever feel that is what I am becoming, I’ll be relying on you to call me out on it.”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, Potter. For now, we are getting along swimmingly, but traditionally, those in our positions will often find ourselves at odds with one another. We don’t want to upset tradition now, do we?”

Harry chuckled his amusement.

“Absolutely not,” he agreed, “but I meant what Is aid. Anything you need, Bones, you know where to find me.”

Amelia offered him a bow before following the others from the chamber, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief, glad the meeting had not dragged on.

After the conversation he’d shared with Sirius, he had other things on his mind.

His mother was due to finish the house in the coming days, and yet, he’d waited long enough after reaching an accord with Winthrop to be a man of his word.

He had no intention of leaving Sabine’s side, but after the negotiations, it felt right for the two of them to take a little time to adjust to the new situation they would find themselves in.

Today, however, he would be going to fetch, and though he was still uncertain of what would come from it, or just what lie ahead of them, he was willing to find out, and hoped Sabine was too.

Checking his watch, he knew it would be early in America, and that gave him just enough time to shower, and eat some lunch before making the journey to fetch her, where his life would inevitably change once more.

This time, Harry was hopeful it would do so for the better.

(Break)

She felt as though she was a simple commodity, a beast of sorts that three men were determined to barter for, well, two at least. Her father remained silent as Harry and Winthrop discussed their terms.

“You will pay me fifty thousand galleons.”

Harry leaned back in his seat, his unwavering gaze boring into Donald Winthrop’s.

“I will pay you fuck all,” he replied. “You will take the considerable considerations I have gifted to you, and you will be happy. Two seasons of Quodpot, with Maggie Archer acting as my agent, with the potential to extend the contract if it is suitable for us both. If I do not win the league both years, I will relinquish my significant wages paid by the sponsors, no less, to you.”

That was quite the sum of gold.

With the amount of interested Harry had garnered from several teams in the league, the sponsors of Winthrop’s team will be willing to empty their coffers to sign him.

Winthrop frowned thoughtfully, his own gaze shifting towards Sabine and her stomach.

“Deal,” he murmured, offering his hand.

Harry accepted it, and Winthrop grimaced at how tightly he’d done so.

“If you make any attempt to rescind on this deal, or you try to harm her, I give you my word that I will tear down everything your family has built brick by brick, and then I will burn it with every last person you held dear among the debris. Do you understand me, Winthrop?”

Donald nodded and dragged his son from the room.

Only a moment later, they were gone via the floo, and Harry’s nostrils flared.

“Are there any contracts in place for the baby?” he asked.

Sabine looked towards her father, who sputtered.

“No, no, not for grandchildren of daughters,” he assured him.

“Then you’d best keep it that way,” Harry urged. “This baby will be a Potter, and don’t you forget that, Augustine.”

Her father paled, and Harry’s expression softened as he looked towards her.

“Give me a week to make some preparations,” he requested. “I’ll come and get you then.”

Before she could say anything, he was gone, and though Sabine was relieved that she would not be marrying Winthrop, she now felt as though she was in a limbo of sorts.

What would happen from here, she didn’t know, but she took comfort in the knowledge that it would be Harry looking after her. At the very least, she would be kept safe.

Throughout the last week, she had experienced a myriad of emotions ranging from utter joy to worry Harry would not return, to outright fear that it had all been a dream.

Only looking at her bare finger reminded her that once more, Harry had gone out of his way to ensure she was protected from an undesirable fate, and yet, Sabine was no closer to figuring out what it all meant.

Today, however, Harry would be arriving to collect her. To what end, she didn’t know.

What happened between now and when the baby was born, and even after?

He wouldn’t abandon her, she knew that, but just being there… Sabine wasn’t sure that was enough for her, not when she could finally have all of what she wanted.

Did Harry want that too?

He had always been difficult to read, for the most part, especially when he was making a conscious effort to give nothing away.

Still, it wouldn’t be much longer that she would be left waiting on tenterhooks. He would be here soon enough, and at the very least, she would learn something of what her fate was to be.

Sabine took a look around her empty room.

For almost eighteen years now, this was all she had known, and though by now she would be living in a new home already had the wedding gone ahead, she had prepared for it, prepared for a life she would be unhappy with.

Now, she was preparing to leave, perhaps forever, but this time, it was to something uncertain, yet, with hope that she would not go on to endure a miserable existence.

How could she when she would be with Harry?

That thought alone brought a smile to her lips, and although it faded as knock sounded at her door, that spark of hope was still alive within her.

“He’s here,” Marcus informed her, closing the door as he entered. “I’m going to miss you, little one. I know we weren’t very close until recently. You were always the tiny little sister I never expected would come along, and I was already a man grown before you could even talk, but I’m happy for you.”

Sabine offered her older brother a smile.

“I don’t even know what will happen,” she pointed out.

He rolled his eyes.

“That man quite literally walked through hell to bring you back here,” he reminded her. “He was devastated when he discovered you’d been taken, and I did not doubt for a single second that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to see you safe. That man adores you, Sabine, completely. That is something you should never doubt.”

“He just seemed so…distant when he was speaking with Winthrop.”

Marcus chuckled as he shook his head.

“He needed it to appear that the baby was his only concern. Winthrop would never have let you go if he thought he could use you against him. Oh, Harry would’ve killed him if necessary, but he played his hand perfectly, and it only cost him two years of his life. I can promise that will mean nothing to him compared to the many the two of you will spend together.”

“If that is what he really wants.”

Marcus shook his head once more.

“You will see,” he assured her. “For as damned terrifying as he is, I cannot say that I have ever met a better man than him. He’ll see you right.”

Sabine wasn’t so sure, but as she followed Marcus from the room, already having pocketed her trunks, she shot a final look towards the stables in the distance.

She wanted to take Bruce with her, but wasn’t certain how she would even transport the horse to Britain, or even if Harry had space for him.

Maybe one day she would be able to fetch him, but for now, she needed to think of the immediate future.

Entering the kitchen, she found Harry speaking with her parents. He seemed to be a little more rested than the last time he’d been here, but then again, according to the announcements on the wireless, he’d only just finished fending off quite the attack from a pack of werewolves shortly before he’d arrived.

This time, there was no lingering smell of blood or sweat clinging to him, and he even offered her a reassuring smile.

“Do you have everything you will need?” he asked.

Sabine nodded.

“I think so, but we will need other things,” she added, gesturing to her stomach.

“That can all be arranged. We should get you settled in first. What about your horse?”

“Bruce is in his stable. I don’t know…”

She broke off as Harry handed her a bag.

“He will be comfortable in there for the journey. He has stables waiting for him.”

She felt a warmth spread throughout her chest, though she eyed the bag curiously.

“Newt Scamander sent it to me when I asked the best way to transport creatures,” Harry explained. “He will be fine.”

Without even thinking about what she was doing, Sabine closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Thank you, Harry,” she whispered sincerely.

He snorted amusedly.

“I know how much he means to you, and there’s even room for a few more, so long as they don’t mind sharing the land with some griffins. Don’t worry, they won’t harm Bruce.”

Sabine could only offer him a smile as she took her leave of the kitchen, already feeling just a little better about what might come next.

Of course, Harry had thought of Bruce. He wouldn’t have forgotten just how much she loved her companion.

(Break)

The house he stood before was more than a little odd, and the Dark Lord wouldn’t be here were it not of the utmost importance. He hadn’t considered that there was a community of people seeking out the Deathly Hallows, and according to Lucius, the man he was to speak with, in disguise of course, was among the keenest.

Ensuring his disguise was in place, opened the gate and took the winding path towards the tall, strange house, pausing at the edge of the pond to read the handwritten sign.

“Please help yourself to guppies but do mindful of the nargles. There is quite the infestation,” he murmured.

What were nargles?

It was not something he’d ever heard of before, and before he could extract himself from such thoughts, he heard approaching footsteps coming from behind.

“Ah, I see they got you,” the eccentric man said amusedly. “Not to worry, they will leave you alone soon enough.”

“Excuse me?”

“The nargles,” the man said gleefully. “I’m afraid if you’re here for your copy of The Quibbler, it won’t be ready for a few hours. You see, there was a problem with the printing press, but it’s working now.”

The Dark Lord could only look at the man confusedly, wondering if he’d taken leave of his senses.

“You are Xenophilius Lovegood?” he asked.

“Writer and editor of the aforementioned magazine,” Lovegood confirmed, shaking the Dark Lord’s hand enthusiastically. “Would you like some plumwinkle juice? My daughter makes it, and it is delicious, so long as you don’t mind spitting out the seeds.”

The Dark Lord did not know what plumwinkle juice was, and he had no intention of finding out.

“No, thank you,” he said dismissively. “I recently took an interest in the study of British myths, and I was led to believe that you are quite the authority on the Deathly Hallows.”

Lovegood’s eyes lit up at the mention of them, and he retrieved a gold pendant he wore beneath his robes whilst nodding frantically.

“Oh, it does me good to know there are other budding believers. Of course, you will be familiar with the tale of the three brothers.”

“Yes, it is what first garnered my interest in them.”

Xenophilius smiled understandingly.

“It was the same for me. Now, what is it you wish to know?”

“Anything you can tell me, down to the very last detail.”

Xenophilius hummed.

“Well, that might take some time. Yes, we should have a goblet of plumwinkle juice whilst we talk. It is the perfect beverage for such a conversation. Come, the kitchen awaits!”

Had he known Lovegood would’ve proven to be such an odd man, the Dark Lord may have reconsidered his decision to come here, but he couldn’t deny, his enthusiasm meant that he might just know more than any other.

With that in mind, he reluctantly followed in the hope that his time here would not be wasted, that he would come away with something of use to him.

(Break)

“Griffins?” Valerie asked worriedly.

Harry nodded.

“I have an entire herd,” he explained. “I rescued Aurelius when he was just a chick. I found him by his dead mother and took him home. I was only five and didn’t know what I had found.”

“And when he was old enough, he wandered off and found himself a few mates,” Marcus broke in.

“He did,” Harry confirmed, “and now, there are thirty of them. Only Aurelius and one of his daughters are golden.”

Marcus whistled appreciatively.

“Very rare creatures.”

“Will the baby be safe around them?” Valerie questioned.

“Of course they will be. They will recognise her as Harry’s child, as a member of their herd,” Marcus answered.

“And what about the dragon. Is it true you have a dragon?” Augustine pressed.

“Norbert,” Harry said fondly. “He was just a babe too when he came to us. He seems to like me well enough, and no, he is happier and safer here than he would be in Britain. This is his home.”

“He is here?” Valerie asked worriedly.

“Not even close,” Harry assured her.

The woman breathed a sigh of relief, though she frowned and looked towards her husband.

“Will we… will we be able to visit to see the baby?” she asked.

Harry would not pretend that he had suddenly grown fond of Sabine’s parents, but he’d not been granted the opportunity to get to know his own grandparents, nor any other family he might have.

He would not put his own child through that.

“Of course,” he answered.

Valerie sagged, and Marcus offered Harry an appreciative nod just as Sabine returned, a little less nervous than when he’d arrived, but still quite uncertain of what was to come, just as Harry was.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She nodded, and Harry offered her his hand, which she accepted.

“I’m sure she will write to you soon,” he assured her parents and brother before activating the portkey he carried, whisking them off to Britain, where the two of them could figure out what was to be, neither with any further clarity other than their impending parenthood.

(Break)

She’d only just finished placing the final table in one of the three parlours she’d decorated when she felt the protections around the property alerting her to the arrival of Harry and Sabine in the front garden of the property, and Lily exited the house to greet them.

The young woman was already taking in her surroundings with a sense of wonder and could only shake her head.

“This is amazing,” she whispered.

It was indeed quite the home, and the rolling hills in the distance with the woodland bordering the property only added to the natural beauty. Already, Lily loved it here, and she was certain Sabine would too.

“Hello, Mrs Potter,” the younger woman greeted her.

She seemed to be feeling rather uneasy, undoubtedly unsure how she would be greeted, and Lily wanted to put her mind at ease. Offering her a smile, she pulled the woman into her arms and held her tightly, feeling Sabine relax considerably.

“Would you like me to show you around?”

Sabine nodded, and linked her arm through hers, leading her towards what would be her new home.

It was certainly quite the change of scenery, and it would take some adjusting, but Lily assured herself that this was what was right, that Sabine should be here during her pregnancy, away from all that had befallen her these past months whilst waiting to marry a man she did not love.

Still, she shot a questioning look towards her son who could only shrug in respond, and Lily rolled her eyes.

Of course, the two of them would need to work things out between them, but she did not expect it would take so long. Her son adored the blonde he had undoubtedly been missing, and she’d come to know Sabine well enough to know how she felt about Harry.

Despite having just endured quite the ordeal when they’d last spoke, it had been impossible to miss the love she spoke with.

That simply didn’t just evaporate, after all.

(Break)

“He is a very odd man,” the Dark Lord murmured. “It is difficult to believe anything he says between his ramblings about nargles and crumpled something-or-others.”

“I did warn you, my lord,” Lucius pointed out. “The Lovegoods have always been a little odd, but not foolish. The man’s wife was quite the witch before she managed to kill herself with one of her experiments.”

The Dark Lord hummed uncertainly.

It was difficult to put his faith in the knowledge provided by such a man, and yet, it somewhat made sense.

Godric’s Hollow.

That was where the Peverells were buried, and he could not deny that he had felt the odd magic of the land probing at his own during his brief visits there.

He could not help but reflect on the very first one, and how that had ended.

“Death,” he snorted, though he could not shake the uneasiness that continued to plague him as he pondered what he’d learned.

Were it anything other than what he had dedicate so much time and effort into avoiding, he would dismiss it out of hand, and though he wished to do much the same now, he found he could not ignore it so.

No, it troubled him and would continue to do so until Harry Potter was lying dead at his feet; something he needed to ensure happened much sooner rather than later.

Frowning, he pondered just how that would be, and once more, his thoughts drifted to the other plans he had in motion.

Nodding to himself, he began mentally preparing for such an undertaking, a risk, of course, but one that only seemed to become more pressing, as though he was being spurred in the direction of doing so.

That thought gave him pause, and yet, seizing Hogwarts for himself was the only thing worth taking such a risk for.

Still, he could not rid himself of the unease plaguing him, but despite this, he pressed on with his plan, ensuring that every last thing that could go wrong was accounted for and mitigated as best he could, in the hope that his inevitable push would be just enough to take the castle and be rid of the man who’d proved to be his most dangerous foes.

“Horcruxes,” he whispered reassuringly to himself, his gaze shifting towards the napping Nagini, who was resting by the fireplace.

(Break)

“And this is your room,” Harry’s mother informed her, pushing open another of the many doors on the second floor of the house. “You are free to decorate it however you wish.”

It was already cosy.

There was a lit fire in the hearth, and adjoining bathroom, and it was complete with all the furniture she would need.

Many of the rooms in the house were empty, but the woman had gone to considerable effort with this one.

“The room next door will be a nursery,” Lily explained. “I thought that you and Harry should decorate that one together.”

Sabine smiled gratefully.

“Thank you, for everything.”

Lily offered her a smile in return.

“If there is anything you need, just ask. Harry is still getting used to all of this, but I know that he is happy you’re here.”

Sabine wasn’t so sure.

Harry had been called to the Ministry shortly after she’d arrived, and he’d not said much before leaving.

“So am I,” she replied sincerely.

“I know. I will give you some time to settle in. Harry did mention he would be getting a couple of elves to help around the place, but I quite like to cook for myself. Dinner is usually around six.”

She left and Sabine could only look around, appreciating the gesture of being given her own space, but a little disappointed at the same time.

Just as she was, Bruce was settling into his new home, the stables built to house him having been completed with a myriad of charms to keep him comfortable.

He would love exploring the land surrounding the house, and Sabine was simply grateful he’d not been left behind.

Even so, she felt somewhat out of place here.

When Harry had rescued her from her imprisonment in the Malfoy dungeons, she’d not been apart from him. She’d slept, as best she could, in his bed, where she’d been most comfortable.

Such memories, though bittersweet, instilled that longing within her, and Sabine’s heart ached knowing that he was so near and not with her.

She’d heard Harry return more than an hour prior, and although she’d heard his footsteps pause outside her door, he’d not knocked. That in itself was rather irksome, but she wasn’t angry with him.

No, she was more upset that so much had come between them.

She wiped away a tear that rolled down her cheek and decided that she had no desire to live like this. Of course, she was grateful for all that Harry had done. Opening his home to her was more than she could’ve asked for, just not what she wished for.

With that in mind, and not quite knowing what to do or say, she left her room and walked the length of the hallway until she reached his door.

Knocking on it more confidently than she felt, it opened after only a short delay, and Harry seemed to only be able to stare of her, the same myriad of emotions flitting across his features when he’d arrived at her home a little more than a week prior.

“What changed, Harry?” Sabine asked quietly. “I know none of this has been easy for either of us, but, I don’t know. Is it just me that thought…”

She broke off, and wiped away another tear, stilling as Harry took her hand.

“Nothing changed for me,” he murmured.

Sabine frowned at him.

“It didn’t change for me either, you ass!” she huffed.

He snorted amusedly, and Sabine fought the urge to curse at him again, taking a step forward, only for her swollen belly to come between them.

In the last week, it seemed to have only gotten bigger.

Carefully, Harry placed his hand on the bump and shook his head.

“We’re having a baby,” he whispered.

Sabine hummed as she nodded.

“Is that it?” she asked.

“I don’t want it to be.”

“Then show me.”

Before he could offer a response, she captured his lips in her own, releasing a satisfied gasp as he closed the door behind them.

This was where she should be, where she wanted to be, and Sabine Van Droombeeld would not settle for anything less.