The Whole Nine Yards

Chapter Twenty-Four - About A Boy

~ Potions Classroom ~

Draco was supervising the fifth year Hufflepuff/Gryffindor class as they concocted their Jubilation Jelly. There was a knock at the door and Draco turned to see the Head Boy standing on the threshold.

"An owl arrived for you, Professor Potter," Thomas said, holding out an envelope.

"Thank you, Thomas," Draco said, walking over to take the envelope from him. The Head Boy nodded and left. Draco recognised the seal on the parchment as being that of the Medi-clinic that would deliver their baby. Draco's heart leapt into his throat but he didn't know whether to be excited or worried.

Unfortunately he couldn't worry about that right now. He slipped the envelope into his pocket and returned to his students. He would read the letter after the class had left.

An hour later, the students were filing out of the room and Draco sank down into his chair behind his desk. He pulled the envelope out of his pocket and stared at it. Was it good news or bad? Or perhaps no news at all.

"There's only one way to find out."

Draco jumped before he recognised the voice as Hermione's.

"Do you make it a habit of sneaking up on people?" Draco wondered.

"Yes," Hermione giggled as she sat down in the chair next to his desk. "What's that?"

"Letter from the Medi-clinic," Draco said.

"Open it, then," she commanded.

"I can't," Draco said plaintively. "You do it."

He passed her the letter and closed his eyes so he didn't have to watch her open it.

Hermione squealed. "You're having a boy. You're going to have a son."

Draco's eyes snapped open and he stared at her in disbelief. "I'm going to have a son?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. Here's a picture of him."

She handed him the photo of the baby, it looked just like the one she had of her daughter. To Draco, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"Oh, look at him," he said softly, his finger gently tracing the outline of the tiny baby. His son. It suddenly seemed so much more real now that he had a picture. I'm going to be a father, Draco thought in amazement. This is my child. Draco felt his heart swell with love unlike anything he had ever felt before.

"I can't wait to hold him," Draco whispered, a single tear sliding down his cheek.

Hermione whimpered and reached out to hold his hand. "You are going to be a wonderful father, Draco."

"I should show Harry this," Draco said, holding up the picture.

"He's out on the Quidditch pitch with Ron," Hermione said, standing up. "I'll come with you."

~ Quidditch Pitch ~

Ron flew as fast as he could, darting around the pitch, trying to confuse Harry. It wasn't hard to do. Harry was playing keeper, a position he really wasn't cut out for and Ron knew it. Ron made a sudden turn at the last minute and lobbed the Quaffle at the top hoop. The ball sailed through to score a goal.

Ron cheered himself and heard other voices join in the cheering. He looked over at the stands and smiled as he saw his wife and Draco sitting in the stands beaming up at him. He flew over and landed on a bench. He jumped down and pressed a kiss to his wife's forehead.

"Hi love, are you alright?" he asked anxiously.

"I'm fine, Ron. Don't fuss so much," Hermione said. She always protested when he fussed over her but he knew she loved it.

Harry landed beside him. Draco stared up at him expectantly but Harry stayed where he was, watching Ron and Hermione.

"I got a letter from the Medi-clinic," Draco said softly, almost sadly it seemed to Ron.

Ron sat down behind Hermione and pulled his wife back into his arms as he watched his best friend and Draco warily. He just couldn't for the life of him figure out what was going on in Harry's head lately.

"Oh?" Harry said flatly.

"Yeah...um...they sent a picture, like the one Mione gave us. We're going to have a little boy," Draco said proudly. Ron smiled as he pictured Draco with his son. He would be such a devoted father.

Draco held out the picture and after a few tense moments, Harry reached out and took it. He glanced down at it and froze. Ron watched as Harry touched the photo, just as Hermione had described Draco touching it. Ron knew that Harry couldn't help but be moved by what he saw. There was something undeniably special about seeing your own child for the first time.

A slow smile crept across Harry's face. Draco's face lit up as he saw Harry's reaction to their son.

"Our son," Harry said hoarsely.

Draco nodded tearfully. Harry held out his arms and Draco stepped into them, wrapping his arms around Harry's waist. Draco's eyes closed and an expression of contentment spread across his face. Harry's arms closed around him and Ron saw Harry staring at the photo again as he held his husband tightly.

Ron felt Hermione relax against him and sigh happily.

"I think they'll be okay now," Ron whispered in her ear.

"I think so too," Hermione agreed softly, hoping desperately that they were right.