A Promise Kept - Chapter 75 - An Heir and a Wedding

An Heir and a Wedding

It was something of a glimpse into the future watching Harry cradle the baby, and Sabine couldn’t deny that it warmed her heart just as much as it made her anticipate the birth of her own child.

He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts as he gently rocked the boy, who was already sleeping, and when he pulled himself from them, he offered both Sirius and Emmeline a sincere smile.

“He’s perfect,” he declared.

“Well, look who he has for a father,” Sirius quipped.

Emmeline tutted at the man.

“And what will we be naming your first son?” she asked.

Sirius frowned thoughtfully as he stood and looked upon the boy, inspecting his thicket of ark hair, pudgy hands, and pink skin.

“Ares,” he murmured. “Ares Arcturus Black.”

Emmeline nodded her approval before she turned her attention to Sabine.

“You should hold him,” she urged. “It will be good practice for you.”

It was almost as though her arms did not want to cooperate with her as the babe was placed in them, but after a moment, Ares was nestled comfortably in them, and everything she’d endured these past months became a reality.

Soon enough, it would be her own baby she cradled, and though she did not feel ready for such a responsibility, Sabine couldn’t deny that she was excited by the prospect.

“He is perfect,” she echoed.

She’d never given much thought to motherhood until it was upon her.

Of course, Sabine had expected to have children, just not with someone she cared for. She didn’t doubt she would’ve loved her children, but it had seemed more a sense of duty than a desire.

That was until she’d learned she was pregnant with Harry’s child.

Now, it didn’t feel that way anymore. It wasn’t merely a duty. It was something she wanted, and although the circumstances were not the most ideal, she was certainly not dreading it any longer.

“I’m going to have to buy a new dress,” she grumbled as she struggled to fasten the one she was trying on.

It had fit the previous week, and it certainly didn’t help that Harry was amused by her predicament. That damned mischievous grin of his would irritate her if it wasn’t so endearing.

“Oh, you find it funny,” she huffed as she stepped towards him. “Well, guess who’s going to be taking me shopping.”

“Do I have to?” he groaned.

“Yes.”

He pouted and Sabine rolled her eyes at him.

“That won’t work on me, Harry Potter. You wouldn’t expect the woman you got pregnant to shop unescorted, would you?”

He frowned at the question.

“I could arrange for a few Aurors to do it,” he replied, scratching his chin thoughtfully.

“That is an abuse of power.”

He conceded the point with a nod.

“Fine, I will take you shopping.”

Sabine quirked an eyebrow at him.

“If it is so much of a hindrance. I mean, I only need a dress for your best friend’s wedding…”

“Oh, you’re good,” Harry snorted. “My problem is that you seem to have me wrapped around your little finger.”

Sabine nodded as she pulled him closer.

“And if we have a daughter, it will only be worse.”

“Bloody hell,” Harry muttered, eliciting a laugh from her.

Sabine hummed.

“So, is taking me to get a new dress such a terrible thought? Maybe if you behave yourself, I might get something nice for you to enjoy after this one is born.”

His eyes lit up immediately, and Sabine could only shake her head.

“After the baby is born,” she reiterated. “I already look like a fat cow. I don’t need underwear that leaves little to the imagination making it worse.”

“You don’t look like a fat cow,” Harry denied.

“I feel like one. Being pregnant is not fun.”

“But it will be worth it.”

She hummed once more.

“We will see about that. Anyway, the Healer should be here soon, so you can get that look off your face. It’s that look that got us into trouble in the first place.”

She turned to leave the room, and Harry followed.

“So, this is my fault?” he asked.

“Not entirely, but you were a part of it.”

He grinned at the thought, and Sabine shook her head, arriving in the entrance hall of the home just as the floo chimed.

Only a moment later, an aged man stepped through and greeted Harry with a firm yet gentle handshake.

“Lord Potter. It has been some time since your last check up.”

“Do I need them still?”

The Healer shook his head.

“I suspect not, but I will be continuing with them, nonetheless. Today, however, is not about you. I am here for the Lady Potter.”

“No, no,” Sabine interjected. “It’s not Lady Potter.”

“Ah, you have my apologies,” Tullius offered.

“When we get married, you will be one of the very first guests on the list,” Harry assured the man “After all we’ve been through over the years, it wouldn’t be right if you weren’t there.”

Sabine’s gaze snapped towards Harry at the mention of marriage, but neither of them commented on it further.

“And it will be my honour to attend. Of all of my clients, I believe only the former Lord Black, and former Lord Bones invited me to their nuptials. I suppose only seeing people when they are sick is quite off-putting,” he added with a chuckle.

“What was Arcturus Black like?” Harry asked curiously.

Tullius frowned thoughtfully.

“A difficult man who did not suffer fools, but he was one of the very best I knew and possessed as keen a mind as he did a wand. Now, shall we have a look and see how the babe and mother are doing?”

Harry nodded and led them through to one of the parlours, and Tullius gestured for sabing to lay on the sofa.

“I apologise in advance for the cold hands,” he said with a smile. “If you would lift your shirt.”

She did so, and his hands were indeed cold as he placed them on her swollen stomach, but after a few moments of feeling around, he nodded.

“All appears to be as well as it can be,” he declared. “Any sickness?”

“Not so much anymore,” Sabine answered.

“Any discomfort?”

“Only on my bladder most of the time.”

The Healer chuckled as he took a few notes on sheet of parchment.

“Any illnesses in either family I should be aware of?”

Sabine shook her head.

“No, nothing like that.”

“Then, given my own findings, I expect you will have a very healthy babe in a little over a few months. All I need to do now is have a look, if you do not mind?”

Sabine gestured for the man to continue, and he drew his wand.

She was certain what charm he used, but he seemed to be looking directly into her stomach, humming to himself as he did so.

“All is well,” he assured them. “The babe appears to be healthy, and I can see nothing to give me any concerns. Even so, I will be prescribing you a regimen of potions to see you through the rest of your pregnancy. They will keep your energy levels up and will even help you rest a little easier. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave, and congratulations to you both.”

Harry escorted him from the room, and Sabine placed her hands on her stomach, breathing a sigh of relief that all was well.

When Harry returned, he looked upon her fondly and offered her a smile.

“Shopping then?” he asked.

Sabine nodded as she stood.

“Don’t give me that look, Harry Potter. I’m sure it won’t be as painful as you think.”

“My concern is that it will be much worse,” he sighed.

(Break)

She watched as her mother cooed at the baby.

None would ever believe that she was from such an infamous family with a history of violence, and questionable actions, and Nymphadora snorted amusedly as Ares babbled in response.

“You know, you could always hold him,” Sirius suggested.

Nymphadora held her hands up as she shook her head.

“The last time I held him, he crapped his pants.”

The man laughed uproariously at the memory, and the Auror grimaced.

How so much mess could come out of something so small, she’d never understand, but it had certainly put her off having a baby of her own any time soon.

Not that she’d truly considered it.

Perhaps she’d never met someone she wished to have a baby with, or maybe Nymphadora just did not have the same maternal instincts as the other women she knew.

Her mother, Emmeline, and Lily were always fawning of Ares, and she just felt rather awkward and uncomfortable.

Still, it wasn’t as though she needed to think about such a thing now. No, Nymphadora was far too focused on her career to even consider motherhood.

“Tullius is visiting Sabine today, isn’t he?” Sirius asked curiously.

Lily nodded.

“She’s getting close to being six months along.”

“And they’re still not married?” Andromeda questioned.

It was impossible to miss the disapproval in her voice.

The Blacks were the epitome of tradition, and to have a child out of wedlock was unspeakable, even if Nymphadora’s mother had almost become the first to do so.

That honour had fallen to Sirius, who was yet to marry Emmeline, though that would inevitably come soon enough. Whether Harry married Sabine or not remained to be seen.

“He wants to,” Lily replied, and Nymphadora could not ignore the slight pang in her chest at the thought.

It wasn’t that she was jealous, and if anything, she was happy for them both, but she and Harry had shared something not so long ago, and it was still a little raw.

“But?” her mother pressed.

“I don’t know,” Lily replied with a shrug. “I think he is still getting used to the two of them being able to be together without sneaking around.”

To most purebloods, that would be unacceptable, especially as there would be a baby thrown into the mix in a matter of weeks. Still, it wasn’t as though that was being advertised.

Very few people knew of the relationship between the two let alone that they would be having a baby so soon.

It was dangerous information after all, especially with who would take such interest in it.

That in itself was a worrying thought, and Nymphadora could only imagine what Harry would do if any were to attempt to harm his child. It would be as though he was on the opposite end of what he’d experienced as a babe, but the outcome would be different.

As highly as everyone thought of James Potter, Harry was not him.

He’d been shaped differently, experienced and endured a different existence entirely, and it would undoubtedly prove to be the biggest mistake Voldemort could make.

“I just can’t believe he is going to be a father,” Andromeda said amusedly. “It only seems like yesterday he was setting things on fire, making a nuisance of himself, and…”

“Apparating into the shower when you were in it?” Nymphadora reminded the woman.

Her mother flushed at the memory, and the others laughed.

“Yes, and that,” she replied with a frown. “I think I’m more surprised by this than him becoming the Minister of Magic.”

“It is a strange world we live in,” Lily mused aloud.

“A bloody dangerous one,” Sirius muttered.

Nymphadora nodded her agreement.

The world had become dangerous in recent years, but recently, it was improving. Dark days had come upon them indeed, and yet, since Harry had taken up his position as Lord of the Wizengamot, and the Minister of Magic, there was something of a silver lining to look towards.

Even so, the war was not over yet, and with how silent the Dark Lord had been in recent weeks, there was still no telling what he would inevitably do next.

It was a troubling thought, one that kept those within the Ministry and members of Order of the Phoenix on their toes, anticipating where and when Voldemort would strike against them.

(Break)

“I don’t know what I would do without you, Arthur,” Harry sighed gratefully as the man placed three neat stacks of parchment on his desk.

Much of it pertained to busy, menial work, but important things that could not be overlooked just because a war was on. For the most part, Arthur was handling the daily tasks that ended up on his desk, and the redhead was proving to be an invaluable asset.

“I’m just doing what you hired me to do,” Arthur chuckled.

Harry nodded appreciatively.

“Well, as soon as this war is done with, you’ll be getting mine. If it hadn’t been necessary to take the post, you’d probably have it now. Sirius didn’t tell me about his plans to have you as the Minister of Magic.”

“I was…surprised,” Arthur replied thoughtfully. “I’ve spent my entire career in the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts office. It’s just about as low a job as you can have to most.”

“The job you do doesn’t define the kind of man you are, and Britain will need someone like you to help rebuild it.”

Arthur offered him a sincere smile.

“And men like you too.”

“Maybe,” Harry conceded. “I am only planning on being away for two days at most for the wedding, and I have done everything I can think of to ensure you are not inundated with extra work.”

“Oh, something will come up,” Arthur returned cheerily. “It always does.”

Harry nodded his understanding.

He wasn’t wrong.

“I hear that Ron is enjoying his training.”

Arthur’s smile widened at the mention of his youngest son.

“We were worried for some time that his only focus in life was Quidditch. He’s not been the easiest person to motivate, but he seems to have found his calling. Robards is singing his praises for how dedicated he is to training, and he’s changed a lot these past months. He’s found a passion in life. Now, we’re just waiting for Ginny to finds what it is she wants to do outside of spending time with her boyfriend,” he added with a disapproving frown.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Harry offered. “I think being an Auror will suit him, and Ginny, wasn’t she trying to play Quidditch?”

“She had trials for several teams but wasn’t shortlisted. The worldwide talent is exceptional these days, and she’s not taken the rejection well. Worse yet, she seems to believe one will come crawling to her, even though she’s not touched her broom in months now.”

“She will figure it out,” Harry assured the man. “Maybe an opening will come up in the Department of Magical Sports and Games.”

Arthur hummed, evidently worried about his only daughter.

“Well, at least the twins have themselves together. The shop is doing incredibly well.”

“And Percy is still here, and Charlie’s in Romania.”

Arthur frowned at the mention of the former.

“Percy is not pleased with his demotion, and is quite put out that I am doing what I am. He seems to think he has been hard done by being named as Diggory’s assistant.”

“Well, he was Crouch’s assistant, and the only way to prevent him getting the chop was by getting him away from Umbridge.”

“Believe me, Harry, I’ve explained that to him more times than I can count. Maybe when he sees the woman on trial for all she has done, he will be grateful.”

“Speaking of which, have we decided when we will put her out of her misery?”

Arthur shrugged.

“I left that up to Bones, and she seems content to leave her to rot a little longer. After what I uncovered, I can’t say I blame her. It’s not as though she has any hope of a reprieve, so the trial will just be a formality. There is no explaining away the evidence.”

“Good,” Harry praised. “How she managed to get away with it is beyond me.”

“Because there were and are still people here who facilitated it.”

“Then maybe they too should be looked at a little more closely. What good is winning the war if the disease in this place isn’t gotten rid of?”

Arthur nodded as he stood.

“Another problem for us to deal with then,” he chuckled humourlessly. “Enjoy the wedding, Harry.”

He took his leave of the office, and Harry released a deep breath.

Being the Minister of Magic was not an easy job, and he could only imagine how much more difficult it would be without Arthur Weasley helping him. Fortunately for Harry, that was not something he needed to concern himself with.

No, he remained adamant that at the earliest convenience when the war was over, he would vacate the position and advocate for the redhead to be his replacement.

Britain would be in the capable hands of a man he could trust, and one with the necessary experience to see it through what came after the conflict that had plagued them these last decades.

For now, however, Riddle was still out there, biding his time, and though Harry’s mind was never far from the Dark Lord he intended to tear limb from limb, his thoughts were on the impending wedding between Wendell and Isabelle.

It was odd to think that they were to be married.

At times, it felt as though it was only yesterday he was boarding that carriage to Ilvermorny for his first year of schooling, and now, two of those students were getting married, and Harry was anticipating the arrival of his first child.

First child.

Did that mean he wanted more in the future?

He’d known the answer to that question ever since he was aware of what a family was, and Harry wanted that more than anything else, and there was only one person he wished to build it with.

Opening the top drawer of his desk, he removed the small box that had been sitting there for several weeks now and opened it.

Nestled into the velvet lining was a ring, an elegant gold band with a modest enough diamond that it wouldn’t be a hindrance, but more than enough to speak of its value.

When he would propose to Sabine, he wasn’t certain. He wanted to do it at the right moment for them both, and yet, such a luxury might not present itself.

Perhaps he should just choose one and do it.

With a thoughtful frown, he placed the box into his pocket instead of back in the drawer and readied himself to leave for the day.

Tomorrow would be about Wendell and Isabelle, but he knew that he should secure his own future soon. Sabine hadn’t said as much, but Harry was almost certain it was what she wanted.

He knew that he did, at least.

(Break)

He had fond memories of Hogsmeade.

During his third year of Hogwarts, he’d been granted his first taste of true magical freedom by visiting the famed village where he’d learned about wizarding confection, fashion, and the culture he one day hoped to be a part of.

Truthfully, he’d been rather disappointed in what he’d seen.

To have something as wondrous as magic at their disposal, the magical community seemed to have been stuck more than a century in the past. The fashion was outdated, the attitudes of most were draconian, and were it not for the power each possessed, the young Tom Riddle would’ve sworn he’d been transported back to a rather mundane existence.

Needless to say, he was disappointed, but he still found some solace being amongst his own, not having to hide what he was, and there was some redeeming qualities.

Even so, he had not returned to this part of Britain for a trip down memory lane.

No, there was one reason only he found himself here, though as he entered Honeydukes, he was struck with a feeling of nostalgia. It smelled of the same treats he’d never been able to afford as a student, or slightly burned sugar, a variety of fruits, toffees, and caramels, and just a slight undertone of vanilla that lingered in the air.

“Ah, how may I help you?” the shopkeeper asked.

It was not the same man who’d served the students during his schoolyears, but the resemblance was uncanny enough that he would be a son or another close relative.

“Perhaps some of your finest fudge,” the Dark Lord replied.

He’d never tasted it before.

He remembered his housemates raving about the confection, of just how spectacular it was, and he was curious to try it for himself.

“Do you have a specific flavour in mind, or would you like a selection of each?”

“A selection.”

The shopkeeper smiled brilliantly and went about the task of boxing the offerings, trying it together with a neat bow when he was done.

“That will be seven sickles, please.”

The Dark Lord placed the coins on the counter and pocketed his purchase, removing his wand upon doing so.

“Imperio!”

The expression of the man immediately went blank, and he offered little resistance to the curse.

None had ever been able to resist him, and the Dark Lord was certain such a simple man would not be the first.

“Remain where you are, continue with your work, and forget that I was here,” he instructed.

The shopkeeper nodded, and the Dark Lord entered the cellar just a short distance away from the counter.

According to the redheads, there was a tunnel here that would take him directly into the castle, and as he approached the farthest wall, he nodded to himself.

Tapping the bricks with the tip of his wand, a grin crested his lips, though it fell as he stepped through.

The tunnel had been collapsed, likely by Black during his tenure as the headmaster, which would mean considerable effort on his part to make it useable again.

He released a deep breath of frustration as he returned to the shop, taking his leave to make his way towards the Shrieking Shack, hoping that he would not be hindered further with the need to clear the path into the grounds of the castle.

(Break)

Hary had never been to a wedding before and was clueless when it came to the differences between a muggle and magical service.

Fortunately, Sabine had attended several throughout her life and had been able to tell him of his responsibilities for the day, what was expected of him, and had even helped him pick out a suitable present.

Wit it being Wendell and Isabelle, two exceedingly different people, he’d opted for something both would enjoy.

What he had not been looking forward to, however, was giving a very public speech. Much to his relief, however, there was only around fifty people in attendance and it had gone well enough.

Keeping it short, heartfelt, and speaking of just how much he adored both had been quite the hit, and Isabelle’s father had given his own, much longer endorsement immediately after.

“You did well,” Sabine praised.

Harry nodded appreciatively.

“Only because you helped me with everything.”

“Then you’d better make sure you keep me around,” she suggested. “When the war is over, you’ll probably be invited to just about every gathering you can imagine.”

“I don’t suppose I can decline them.”

“There are polite ways of doing so.”

“Good.”

Sabine chuckled and she took a step away from him as Wendell and Isabelle approached, both smiling brightly, enjoying their day.

“Thank you, for everything,” the woman said sincerely to Harry, placing a kiss on his cheek.

Harry waved her off dismissively.

“Anything for both of you,” he replied in kind, removing an envelope from within his robes and handing it to her. “I had no idea what kind of gift the two of you would both enjoy, so, I thought this was best.”

Isabelle opened it, her eyes widening before showing it to Wendell, who shook his head.

“Around the world trip?” he asked amusedly. “This must’ve cost you a fortune.”

“Well, until you’re an old bastard who can’t lift his pitchfork anymore, I expect you’ll be spending most of your time on the farm. You should have a good honeymoon before that.”

Wendell nodded appreciatively.

“Well, not all my time,” he chuckled. “I don’t think this one here would allow that.”

Isabelle hummed.

“I’ll have the task of dragging him away from it,” she sighed. “Not that I have anything to complain about. It is you I feel sorry for,” she added to Sabine. “I know how difficult Harry can be.”

“Oh, I know,” Sabine agreed readily. “I expect he will keep things interesting.”

“Or outright dangerous,” Wendell quipped. “He attracts trouble.”

“How do you think I ended up where I am,” Harry grumbled good-naturedly, nodding towards Sabine, who quirked an eyebrow at him.

“You got me pregnant,” she pointed out.

“There is that,” Harry conceded, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “I suppose I brought it on myself.”

Wendell shook his head.

“See, he enjoys toying with dangerous things. At least I know when to shut up.”

“Thanks, Wendell,” Harry replied dryly, “but it will be your turn next to deal with a pregnant woman.”

“Come on, it can’t be that bad.”

It was Harry’s turn to laugh, and he gave his friend’s shoulder a squeeze.

“Oh, you have no idea.”

“I haven’t been so terrible,” Sabine interjected. “I could be much worse. I only disturb you at night when your child is pushing on my bladder. Speaking of which, if you’ll excuse me.”

“I’ll come with you,” Isabelle declared. “You may need to help me with this dress.”

Sabine nodded, and the two of them linked arms to head towards the bathroom, leaving Harry and Wendell alone.

“So, how are things between the two of you?”

Harry shrugged.

“Good. Maybe not quite what I was expecting, but…”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” Harry answered honestly. “Things aren’t bad, but there is sometimes this awkwardness that has never been there before.”

“Have you spoken to her about it? Why am I even asking, of course, you haven’t.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

Wendell shook his head amusedly.

“Do you feel awkward, or do you think Sabine does.”

“Definitely her.”

“Then you need to ask yourself why that is. Think, Harry. Only a couple of months ago, she was expecting to marry some jackass she couldn’t stand, then she finds out she is pregnant with your baby. You being you, ran through every single expectation anyone would have of you, and now the two of you are living together. That takes time to get used to by itself and add into it all that she is not exactly certain about her future. Oh, she knows that you’re both going to be parents, but what else?”

“I have brought a ring to propose to her,” Harry defended.

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes.”

Wendell nodded.

“Then that is a good start. As much as it might not mean so much to you, she is from an old family, and that means something. She has been raised with the belief that being married is the right thing, but you, you can give her so much more.”

Harry eyed his friend questioningly.

“It’s no longer just about marriage and raising a baby, Harry. You’ve given her freedom form everything else. Have you asked her what she might want to do? She has been taken from everything she has ever known, and I imagine she is lost. I bet she has dreams of her own, and not to swell your ego any more than it is, you can give her anything she could ever want.”

Harry nodded thoughtfully.

“Not just gold, a roof over her head, and helping with the baby. Just like Isabelle, Sabine is a brilliant witch. I had some classes with her, and she was leagues above most of us. I think she might like some certainty of where everything is going.”

“When did you become so wise?”

“Since I began spending most of my time with an incredible woman with dreams of her own. I have the land to farm and creatures to tend to, and Isabelle has her own thing. Think about it. It doesn’t take wisdom to see how much you care about each other, but you need to talk.”

He clapped Harry smartly on the shoulder, before gesturing towards the table of drinks.

“Come on, I think I’ve earned one of them.”

Harry followed the man, grateful for the advice he’d given.

How he himself could be so blind to something so important was beyond him, but maybe it was just his inexperience showing. Still, he knew he needed to do better now, and he would do just that.

“And here they come,” Wendell announced as Sabine and Isabelle returned, the former offering Harry a bright if a little guarded smile, something he intended to remedy as soon as he possibly could.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked.

“You want to dance with me looking like this?” she snorted, gesturing to her swollen stomach. “Have you ever tried moving a wardrobe without magic?”

Harry shook his head amusedly a she took her by the hand.

“You look as beautiful as ever,” he assured her. “Besides, wardrobes aren’t so difficult if you angle them properly.”

“Oh, so now I have to be angled properly?” Sabine returned.

“For now,” Harry deadpanned. “Just follow my lead, and you’ll be fine.”

“You really do like to play with fire, don’t you, Harry Potter?”

“Only if I know I won’t get burned so badly.”

“Well, you may well have taken on more than you can handle with me,” Sabine replied, changing their grip around so she was pulling him towards the dancefloor. “I think maybe you should follow my lead.”

(Break)

“It will likely take several days, maybe weeks to get through those tunnels with how discreetly it must be done,” Severus pointed out with a frown.

The man was still in a foul mood after his ordeal with the stuffed octopus and was even more displeased that the redheads had been left mostly unharmed.

For now, discretion was key to seeing his way into the castle, and with no other option save for one that would require a full-frontal assault, this was the better of the two, unless he abandoned the idea altogether.

No, he could not do that.

With much of his inner circle having been depleted, he could not go on fighting the war the way he had with Potter slowly but surely getting the edge over him.

Not that it mattered in the long term, but he needed every follower he had at his disposal to take Hogwarts, to secure a position of power, and to grant him the leverage he needed to sway the war in his favour.

He did not care if he had to make the entire country submit by killing a few children to achieve that.

The Dark Lord would see his goals through, no matter what it took.

“Believe me, Severus, I do not like it any more than you do, but our options are limited.”

“Unless you forget the idea of taking the school. There are other ways, my lord. Rebuild your strength, lure the Aurors out, and be rid of them. Put pressure on Potter until he is forced to make a mistake.”

It was not often the Potions Master showed such concern for any of his plans, not even during the aftermath of what occurred at Malfoy Manor when he’d almost been killed.

Even so, his mind was made up, but that didn’t mean other things couldn’t be pursued in the interim, if only to serve as a distraction, or even better, to provide other opportunities.

“Perhaps you are right, Severus,” he responded thoughtfully. “It will not do to remain idle any longer, I…”

He broke off with a frown as a knock sounded at the door, and a rather perplexed, and frowning Lucius entered.

“My lord, I think there is someone here you would like to speak with,” he informed him.

The Dark Lord looked on as a young man entered, an almost unremarkable man, but as he spoke, he did so with an American accent.

“Lord Voldemort,” he addressed him. “I think I have some information that will interest you. It is about Harry Potter.”

The Dark Lord frowned as he looked towards Lucius questioningly.

“This man was betrothed to a certain young lady Potter rescued from my home,” the blond explained. “Tell the Dark Lord what you told me, Winthrop. He will be most interested and grateful for your visit.”

The Winthrop man smiled, his lazy eyes becoming lazier still as he did so, and the Dark Lord could not help but think that whatever this man had to say would mean little to him and his own plans.

If he was indeed betrothed to the girl Potter had rescued, he was only here for his own gain, his bitter jealously spurring him to do so.

Nonetheless, he would humour him at the very least, and perhaps even learn something worthwhile whilst doing so.

(Break)

She huffed irritably as she kicked the duvet off once more and made her way to the bathroom to relieve herself for the fourth time.

Being pregnant was not easy, and yet, with each passing day she could feel the baby grow, Sabine would never say it wasn’t worth it, even if she was spending what seemed to be half of her life in the bathroom.

Returning to the bedroom, she did her utmost to not disturb Harry as she climbed back into bed, only for him to wrap his arms around her.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

He shook his head as he pulled her closer.

“You never have to apologise for being pregnant.”

Sabine smiled as wriggled herself closer to him, simply revelling in what had once been an impossible dream of such a moment.

“Are you happy?”

The question caught her by surprise.

“Am I happy?”

“With how things are.”

She frowned thoughtfully.

“Honestly, I’m still getting used to all of this. Everything changed so quickly, and, I don’t know, I’ve not thought much about anything since I got here.”

“What if you didn’t need to get used to what this is?”

Her frown deepened as she turned to face him, that task made just a little more difficult by the bump now resting between.

“What do you mean?”

He shrugged, and Sabine could see that he seemed to be struggling with something, but even in the moonlight pouring in through the window, there was nothing in his eyes except for adoration.

In a way, it made him seem vulnerable, even if he was anything but.

“You must have dreams beyond being in this house and waiting to have the baby. You wanted to be a Vet, didn’t you?”

“You’re not sick of my company already, are you?”

“Never,” Harry murmured. “I just don’t want you to be unhappy or think that this is all your life will be.”

“It wouldn’t bother you if that is what I want?”

“You can do whatever makes you happy. If you decide you just want to be here, I’m fine with that, but if you want more, I will do whatever you need to make it happen.”

He meant it, and Sabine pressed her lips against his.

“I know,” she assured him, “because underneath all that terrifying Dark Lord killer is the same sweet, stupid boy I met during my first week at school. I would like to be a vet, maybe have a few more horses, and even some other creatures around the place. I know it’s not very ambitious, but I love animals, Harry, and I would like to do something worthwhile with them.”

“That’s not unambitious, that’s admirable,” he replied sincerely. “I’ll one day have to play at least a couple of seasons of Quodpot, and I have other obligations I’ll need to fulfil that will take some time. Other than that, I have no idea what I will do. I’ll be on the Wizengamot, of course, but beyond that, I don’t know. I’ll figure that out when I need to.”

“Well, whatever you decide to do, you’ll be amazing at it.”

“Maybe,” Harry snorted.

“You’re annoyingly good at just about everything you do.”

“That’s not true. I can’t sing, I’m quite dreadful with potions, and I seem to do everything in life backwards. I’ll go from Minister of Magic to Quodpot player, and then… whatever comes next.”

Sabine laughed amusedly.

“Not to mention getting me pregnant…”

“Before marrying you,” Harry broke in.

“I wasn’t going to say that.”

“No, but you’ve thought about it, maybe just as much as I have.”

“Harry, we don’t need to…”

“What if I want to?”

She swallowed deeply as she met his gaze once more, and again, she saw nothing but sincerity.

“I brought a ring weeks ago,” he revealed. “I’ve been thinking of when a perfect time to ask would be.”

“I don’t think such a thing exists.”

“I think you’re right.”

They fell silent for a moment.

“So, are you going to ask me?”

“Shouldn’t I ask your parents first?”

“I don’t see any reason we should change the way things have been working for us so far,” Sabine returned with a grin. “It’s not as though they will say no. If anything, they’ll be relieved.”

Harry nodded as he raised his hand out of the duvet, and Sabine could only shake her head as the door opened, and he snatched a box out of the air, offering her another grin.

“Show off,” she muttered. “Why am I not surprised you can do wandless magic.”

Harry shrugged before closing the door with another wave of his hand and suddenly became rather nervous.

Sabine said nothing as he began fumbling over his words in his own awkward, endearing way. Somewhere along the line, he managed to open the box and cleared his throat.

“So, will you marry me?” he asked.

Sabine hummed as she eyed the ring he held.

It was not important her in any way other than what it represented, but he had certainly chosen well.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” she relented, squealing as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

It was odd how things could change in just a matter of moments, not always for the best, but for once it seemed, this was one of those changes she could not be happier with.