Those Crazy Nine Months

CHAPTER SIX

"You could come crash at my place; I don't live with Gran anymore..."

That's what Neville said in the car that day, a little over eight months ago. Harry can still remember the light blush that covered the other man's cheeks as he tentatively made the offer. At the time, Harry had never imagined that Neville had a crush on him. He had been too busy stressing out about the fact that he was going to have a baby, and depressed because he had to leave Michael.

Harry had accepted the offer of course. He didn't want to go to Grimauld Place and intrude on Remus, and the other members of the Order. As the days went on Harry got comfortable living with Neville, and in turn Neville never asked him to leave. After six weeks of living together, they got into their first fight.

"It's dangerous for the baby! You need to stop playing!" Neville exclaims, placing his hands on the dining room table.

"Neville! It's the only thing I can do these days, and it's none of your business!" Harry yells in retort, immediately regretting it when he sees the hurt look on Neville's face.

Needless to say, Harry put in for a yearlong leave the next day. Not long after, he noticed that Neville was spending as much time with him as he could, and that they had developed something of a relationship.

Five months into Harry's pregnancy, Christmas came around.

"Harry... Wake up, it's Christmas. I've got a present for you." Neville's voice is soft in the early morning light filtering through the window in Harry's room.

"Mmm..." Harry mumbles, rolling over to face Neville.

"Ok so it's for you, and the baby." Neville hands Harry a small square package wrapped in light gold paper tied with red velvet ribbon.

Sitting up, Harry says, "Thanks Neville..." He gently unties the ribbon, and takes the paper off of the box. Opening the lid, Harry gasps. Inside the box are two matching identification bracelets. The larger of the two has a reddish brown stone next to the initials H.J.P. The smaller one has an empty indentation and room for an inscription.

"That's an almandine, a kind of garnet. I don't know what the baby's will be yet, but when he or she is born I'll finish theirs," Neville explains with a shy smile. "They both have protego and a tracking charm and the baby's has a monitoring charm. Just in case, y'know."

"Oh Neville!" Harry cries, setting the box off to the side and embracing him. "Thank you so much, but how did you ever afford this?"

"It doesn't matter, just as long as you're happy," Neville says softly, blushing.

"I am..." Harry says softly, gently lifting Neville's face and placing a kiss on his lips.

Neville is frozen for a moment, in shock, but gently returns the kiss. Leaning in a bit to keep from slipping off the edge of the bed, Neville places his hand softly on Harry's stomach. A moment later a movement under Neville's hand startles the men, and drags their attention to the baby. Chuckling softly, Neville says, "I think the baby likes it too."

Harry still feels bad about only getting Neville a book for Christmas, but he made up for it.

"It's about time you got home, I know today is busy for flowers and whatnot but still..." Harry says, grinning playfully as Neville Apparates into the living room. "Hermione and the Weasleys are coming over soon, but I wanted to give you your Valentine's gift before they got here." Harry smiles, handing Neville a slim box wrapped in shiny red paper and a thin gold ribbon.

Neville gives Harry a gentle hug, before turning his attention to his present. Not as patient as Harry, Neville rips the paper, taking it off and eagerly opens the box. Inside lies a similar bracelet to the ones Neville gifted Harry and the baby. The stone is the same as Harry's since their birthdays are only one day apart, and the initials N.L. are followed by an intricate floral design.

"Oh Harry... It's beautiful. You didn't have to get me this," Neville says, wrapping his free arm around Harry's middle.

"I know, I wanted to. It's got all the same charms as mine. Look at the back," Harry says, happy that Neville likes his gift.

Taking the bracelet out of the box and turning it over, Neville finds three tiny symbols. A lightning bolt, the eternity symbol [a sideways 8], and a flower. "Forever?" He asks, looking over at Harry.

"If you'll have us," Harry answers, resting a hand on his protruding stomach.

"Always," Neville responds, capturing Harry's mouth in a passionate kiss.

'It's a good thing Hermione uses the front door instead of the floo or Apparating...' Harry thinks to himself, remembering Valentine's Day.

Today though, they are going to the Burrow. Molly Weasley is a trained midwife, and has been working with Harry in preparation for the baby. Since he is male, his water can't really break in the female way so she has been working with Hermione to find out what charms and procedures the other cases of male pregnancy used.