A Priceless Gift

Chapter 17

"What time is Blaise arriving again, love?" Harry asked as he shrugged on his jacket.

"Sometime this morning," Draco mumbled, rubbing his stomach. He was lying on the couch and watching Harry get ready to leave for university. "I've already called Hermione and told her she doesn't have to be here to let him in. It was nice of her to offer, though."

"Are you going to be alright here alone?" Harry fussed. He sat down next to Draco and rubbed his arm.

"Yeah," Draco answered with a sigh.

"Did you call in sick?"

"Mmm," Draco murmured. It was the end of the fourth month of the pregnancy, and Draco was still regularly feeling sick. However, it was now just a bad day here and there without the ever-present nausea. "They probably won't be too happy. I'm getting pressure about the promotion."

"You're going to have to make a decision, Draco. Why keep it hanging?" Harry said.

"I already told them I didn't want it! I told them weeks ago that it wasn't the right time. They keep coming back with counter offers... I'm tempted, Harry. They're willing to give me the hours and caseload I want. I just... urgh... don't want to think about it now. I feel like I'm going to be sick," Draco moaned. He rolled onto his side and curled up around Harry.

Harry summoned a bucket and placed it on the floor next to Draco. "Just rest today, baby," he urged and massaged Draco's neck with one hand. "Blaise will understand, I'm sure."

Draco sighed and closed his eyes. "He doesn't know."

"Doesn't know about the baby?" Harry snapped. "Why the fuck didn't you tell him?"

Draco smacked his lips. "Of course he knows about the baby. He just doesn't know about the Couvade Syndrome. He doesn't need to know," he insisted.

"Are you kidding? He would have to be blind and deaf not to pick up that something is wrong with you! He's going to be staying with us for a few weeks! You have to tell him," Harry scolded.

"I don't want him to know. It'll be alright."

Harry shrugged in defeat. "I don't bloody know how. How are you going to explain the nausea or the vomiting when it happens? What's he going to think of the mood swings, the strange foods, the tiredness, the farting?"

"I won't fart in front of Blaise," Draco cut in, offended that Harry would even suggest such a thing.

"Last time I noticed, you didn't exactly have much control over any of the Couvade problems, Draco! He's one of your closest friends; I don't understand why you don't want him to know about this," Harry huffed in exasperation.

"I'm sick of people knowing about this! It's fucking embarrassing and I don't want Blaise to either pull the piss out of me or have sympathy for me!" Draco seethed. "Fuck, I feel sick."

"Alright, alright," Harry relented. "I won't argue with you. It's your choice. Just take it easy today. At the very least tell Blaise you're sick so you can rest."

"I will. You better go, love. You've already been late once this week," Draco reminded him and Harry nodded.

"Do you want me to bring anything home?" Harry asked. He gave Draco a goodbye kiss.

"Tomato sauce," Draco replied.

"I only got you some last week! Have you gone through that already? Are drinking the stuff?" Harry shook his head and laughed. Tomato sauce had been Draco's biggest craving. That was all well and good, except he was eating it on just about everything, much to Harry's disgust. "Have a rest and try and eat your breakfast. I know you didn't want it this morning, but you'll feel worse later if you don't get something into your stomach."

"I love you. Don't rush home. I'll be alright," Draco said knowingly and Harry sighed.

"Ok. I love you, too."

o o o o o

Draco was kneeling in front of the toilet puking violently for the third time that morning when he heard the doorbell ring. "Fuck," he croaked and retched up another wave of vomit, "ungh, I hate this." The ringing became more insistent. "Ok, alright." Draco grabbed a handful of toilet paper and wiped his mouth and chin. He gripped onto the towel rail and dragged himself weakly off the floor, leaning down on the button to flush the toilet.

Draco stumbled out into the living area and steadied himself along the wall as he forced himself to the front door. He felt woozy, and the nausea wasn't letting up. He wanted to crawl into bed and die but hadn't earlier because he knew he had to wait for Blaise to arrive to let him in. He unlocked the door and opened it

"Malf -" Blaise blanched when he saw his childhood friend. "Fuck, Draco, you look worse than Pansy without makeup! How is it possible for you to be paler than you are usually?"

"Shut up and get the hell inside before I vomit all over you," Draco said hoarsely.

"Are you sick, mate?" Blaise asked warily.

"No, vomiting is my new hobby," Draco replied, mustering what little sarcasm he could locate and almost winced at his choice of words. His statement was more truth than sarcasm.

"You do kinda smell like puke, man," Blaise stated and wrinkled his nose. "Hangover?" He picked up his suitcase and wandered inside.

"Would I be like this if it was a hangover, you dick?" Draco snapped. "There is a potion for a reason." He closed the door behind him and rested his forehead on the back of it for a moment while he tried to get his bearings back. He loved Blaise to bits, but his friend was always a little too in-your-face and wore thin on Draco's temper often back in Hogwarts.

"Whoa, shit, man. I'm sorry." Blaise held up his hands in surrender. "You ate something dodgy then?"

"No," Draco said shortly and shuffled back in to the living room to lie down.

"You've got the bucket thing happening and all. You must be really sick. Tell me what's wrong. Did you get hexed? Did Harry do it? What did you do to piss him off?" Blaise interrogated.

"Just shut up! Stop with the twenty questions!" Draco snarled.

"Er, ok," Blaise muttered and sat awkwardly in the arm chair across from Draco. "Nice to see you too, mate."

"Look, I'm sorry, Blaise. I've haven't been feeling so great lately, and I've been in a shitty mood because of it. It's good to see you; it's been too long," Draco said genuinely.

"Yeah, I know. When you told me you were going to have a kid, I just figured that life's too short and I should come visit for a bit," Blaise explained with a smile. "How's Hermione doing? Pregnancy wearing her thin?"

Draco suppressed an irritated snort. "She's loving it and doing really well. We offer to help her all the time, but she turns us down. How's Canada then?" he asked in an abrupt change of subject.

"Oh, it's alright. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful country and I love my job, but I'm actually considering coming back here to live," Blaise said and Draco made a surprised noise.

"I thought you said the job was completely worth the move overseas? Will you be able to get as good an acting job here as you did over there?" Draco asked.

"I don't know. I lucked out over there. It's a long running soap opera and the job is there as long as I want it, but I miss home..." Blaise stopped talking and started biting his nails.

"So, homesickness is the real reason you came back?"

"Partly. It was more my selfishness of wanting to see with my own eyes how happy you are with Harry," Blaise admitted reluctantly and Draco sat up to look intently at his friend.

"You aren't going to try and cause problems for us, are you?" Draco's voice had an accusatory tone.

"No, Draco, I'm not going to try and come between you two again. I learned my lesson in school when Harry hexed me that time I pinched your arse. Two weeks in the hospital wing sent the message loud and clear. I just want to know he's everything you deserve," Blaise murmured and bit his lip.

"He's more than I deserve, Blaise! You've got no idea just how strong our relationship is. No one does and no ever will besides Harry and I. You have to promise me you don't still have feelings for me, otherwise your whole visit will be awkward and uncomfortable, and I can't deal with that right now. I have too much shit going on," Draco said and pierced Blaise with an intense gaze.

"I don't have romantic feelings for you anymore, Draco. I assure you they diminished a long time ago. But that doesn't mean I don't want to make sure you're deliriously happy. You're like a brother to me."

"Why now?" Draco demanded. "Harry and I have been together for years and you've never come on with this protective best friend slash ex boyfriend routine before. In fact, you've been AWOL in Canada for near to four years! And don't answer me straight away becauseI'mgoingtothrowup!" Draco grabbed the bucket and groaned when his stomach clenched painfully. He hadn't eaten, so there wasn't much left to throw up. His stomach wasn't cooperating with his brain, however, and he heaved noisily.

"If you're so sick, why isn't Harry here taking care of you? Why won't you tell me what's wrong?" Blaise whined.

Draco took some deep breaths to contain himself again and rolled his eyes in irritation at Blaise's comments. Since that incident in Hogwarts when Harry had hexed Blaise in a fit of jealously, there had been some animosity between the two. Draco had dated Blaise briefly before he even knew Harry was gay, but they broke up after a few weeks when Draco felt uncomfortable dating his best friend. It was never going to work, and Blaise took longer to realise that than Draco had. It was about six months later that Draco fell rather hard for Harry and started pursuing him. When Harry finally woke up and realised Draco wanted to be more than friends, the couple had begun dating and rest was history. However, the friction between Blaise and Harry remained. They were polite and friendly to each other, but occasionally, the sniping came out and usually when Draco was an issue in some way or another.

"Harry is at university and he has taken more than enough time off recently to -" Draco stopped abruptly before he put his foot in it.

"I'm not going to hassle you, Draco. I'm just worried. What do you expect when you answer the door looking half dead? Not to mention the fact that you're sitting there arguing with me with your head in a bucket and you've obviously lost weight since I saw you last Christmas. But if you don't want to say, then I understand..." Draco pulled his head out of the bucket and gave Blaise a blank look. "I'll just get Pansy to wheedle it out of you when she comes to visit next weekend!"

"What the fuck?" Draco groaned. "When were you planning on telling me that little bit of information? Harry's going to spit!" Draco grabbed his wand from the coffee table and cleaned out the bucket before flopping back onto the couch. He grabbed his glass of water and took a long gulp.

"Harry's going to spit about what?" Draco jumped and splashed water on his lap when he heard Harry's voice. He looked up and saw his boyfriend standing in the doorway with a smirk, his backpack flung over his shoulder, and three heavy textbooks under his arm.

"What are you doing home so early?" Draco squeaked, swiping at his lap to get rid of the droplets of water.

"My lecturer's kid caught chicken pox apparently, so she wasn't there. Classes were called off for the rest of the afternoon," Harry explained and placed his stuff on the floor by the door. "Blaise, how are you?" Harry held out his hand and Blaise shook it.

"Pretty good. Yourself?"

"Yeah, not too bad." Harry smiled before turning his attentions back to Draco. "How are you feeling, baby? Did you manage breakfast?"

"No. I had to throw up four times and didn't want anything." Draco shifted over so Harry could sit next to him. Harry leant over, and they shared a brief kiss.

"Hermione just called me on my mobile on the way home. She's feeling pretty sick today, too. It must be..." Harry trailed off when Draco dug his fingernails into Harry's thighs to silence him. Harry cleared his throat in understanding. "So, why am I going to spit?" he repeated.

"Pansy's coming for a visit next weekend," Draco told him.

"Then she'll be coming to visit Blaise alone. It's our anniversary and I plan to spend it with Draco and Draco only," Harry said lightly. "We probably won't surface for most of the weekend. I'm considering taking him away somewhere, actually."

"Really?" Draco said excitedly. It had been ages since he and Harry had a romantic weekend away.

Harry nodded. "Sorry, Blaise but I've had this planned for awhile now. Draco's been run into the ground with work and stuff lately, he could use a bit of pampering. You don't mind, do you?" Harry asked, not really caring if Blaise minded or not.

"'Uh, no. Course not. I'll let Pansy know. Can she come another time?" Blaise asked, eying Harry warily while he stroked Draco's stomach. "She said she hasn't heard from you in months, Draco. Not since the dinner when you told everyone about the baby." The accusing tone was clear.

"We've had a lot going on lately," Draco mumbled.

"Yeah, you mentioned that," Blaise replied and inspected his nails. "It's not much of an excuse to neglect your friends."

"Lay off, Blaise! He's bloody sick," Harry snapped, immediately jumping to Draco's defence, as always.

"Fucking hell, Harry," Blaise complained. "I just want to know why things with Draco have gone arse up recently! You're usually in touch regularly with both Pansy and I, despite how busy you normally are, Draco, and recently we haven't even gotten an Owl! I want to know what the fuck's going on."

"NOTHING! Nothing is going on!" Draco hissed. "I'm just a selfish arsehole who thinks of no one but himself! There is no excuse why I haven't been in touch. I'm just a fucking bastard! HAPPY NOW?" Draco pulled himself off the couch and stalked up the stairs. Harry and Blaise heard the bedroom door slam moments later.

Harry raised an eyebrow and gave Blaise a look that clearly said 'Well done, wanker'. Blaise exhaled sharply through his nose and looked away. "I suppose you aren't going to tell me what's going on either?" he muttered.

"No, I'm not. But obviously you aren't stupid enough not to realise there is something going on, so why are you giving him a fucking hard time?!" Harry cried. "He's been looking forward to seeing you for weeks now, and you're on his back as soon as you arrive. It shouldn't matter that he doesn't want to tell you! You should just understand, you complete arsehole! And you call yourself his best friend?" Harry snorted.

"What sort of best friend is he, not telling me what is wrong?" Blaise tossed back.

"One that doesn't want to tell you just now what is wrong with him!" Harry snarled.

"Alright," Blaise relented. "I don't want to argue with you, Harry. I just don't understand..."

"Because it's a little personal and he wants to keep it to himself, ok? Is that such a crime?" Harry asked in exasperation.

"He's never kept secrets from me before," Blaise mumbled.

"Blaise, you've been in Canada for four years! There is a lot you don't know about Draco anymore," Harry pointed out.

"Is he ill?" Blaise questioned.

"No," Harry answered honestly.

"See, now I know you're lying to me!"

"I'm not lying," Harry told him blandly. This was wearing thin. Why wouldn't Draco just tell his best friend what was going on? Blaise was staying with them for an indeterminate amount of time, which was going to be at least a couple of weeks. Draco was not going to be able to hide the Couvade Syndrome. "Please stop trying to milk me for anymore info. Draco has asked me to keep my mouth shut, and I will do so. Now, you've travelled a long way. Are you hungry?"

Blaise gaped at Harry, defeated. "Yeah, sure. Thanks," he said. Harry nodded and wandered in to the kitchen to make Blaise some lunch.

o o o o o

Blaise watched in astonishment as Draco poured a fountain of tomato sauce over his mashed potatoes and pulled a face as he looked questioningly at Harry.

"Um, feeling better, mate?" Blaise asked. Harry glanced between Draco and Blaise in amusement. Draco scooped a large spoonful of drowned mashed potatoes into his mouth and nodded.

"Aren't you going have some chicken with that, baby?" Harry asked with a smirk.

"No," Draco said as if it was the world's stupidest question. "I called work. I'm meeting with the senior partners tomorrow morning. I'm going to make a decision about the promotion one way or another."

"Then you better make sure you aren't puking," Harry stated without thinking and earned a furious glare from Draco.

"I thought you said you were better, Draco," Blaise jumped in immediately.

"I am. Why would I be puking, Harry?" Draco asked tauntingly, daring Harry to say the wrong thing again.

"Who wouldn't be after eating that much tomato sauce?" Harry mumbled and shoved a forkful of peas into his mouth.

"I wouldn't need so much sauce if the potatoes had flavour!" Draco snapped back. The phone started ringing and Draco whipped out his wand and viciously summoned the handset to him. "Hello?" he growled.

"Mood swing, Malfoy?" Hermione asked with amusement.

"Shut up," Draco mumbled and ignored the disbelieving stare from Blaise. "You're interrupting our dinner."

"Awww, is Dwaco feeling fwagile?" Hermione cooed.

"I swear to god, Granger if you -"

"What? If I let on to Blaise you're sympathetically pregnant, you'll...?" Hermione taunted. "Lighten up, honey! He's not going to care. Just tell him."

Draco glared harder at Harry, who shrunk down into his seat further. "When did he tell you?"

"When you were napping this afternoon. What did you tell Blaise was wrong? Dysentery? Scarlet Fever? Malaria? Extra big toe?"

"Bite me, Granger," Draco grumbled. "I hope you puked yourself stupid today."

"Two 'Grangers' in one conversation? My, my, we are in a shitty mood," Hermione intoned. "And I'm feeling much better; thanks for asking. Some of us are fortunate enough to just be sick in the morning on rare occasions."

"Why are you calling?"

"I wanted to know if that salve I gave you for your sore nipples worked. Go on, say the word 'nipples' with Blaise sitting there listening. I dare you," Hermione urged with a laugh.

"Hermione!" Draco squeaked.

"Oh, you do know my name?" Hermione teased.

"Have you been trained to haunt me, or is it a natural talent?" Draco asked, his mood lightening a bit.

"I'm all natural, baby," Hermione answered. Draco finally laughed. "There we are. Didn't strain a muscle with that laugh, did you?"

"Thank you, Hermione. I needed this," Draco said genuinely.

"I know," Hermione laughed. "Tell Blaise, honey. He's your best friend and you're going to be miserable for his whole stay if you think you need to hide."

"I'll think about it," Draco agreed grudgingly.

"Now, the salve? Did it work?"

"A bit. Harry put it on for me," Draco told her.

"Oh, well, bonus then. Keep it up; it's done wonders for me. It's best to use it after your shower or bath when the skin is the softest," Hermione explained.

"How's things, anyway?" Draco asked.

"Smashing. Can I come over later this evening? I've got something I want you two to see," Hermione said and Draco could hear that she was grinning.

"Sure, love. Come anytime you want. But try not to make it too late if you can. I have a meeting first thing with my bosses about my promotion."

"I will be over soon. Don't let Harry fall asleep in the recliner or anything. I want you both there for this," Hermione warned.

"Ok, see you soon, then!" Draco said.

"Tell Blaise," Hermione insisted and hung up.

o o o o o

"Wow, Hermione. You really are pregnant," Blaise stated stupidly as Hermione followed Harry into the living room dressed in jeans and a tight but flattering white maternity shirt. Now beyond the halfway mark of the pregnancy, Hermione was quite obviously showing and she rubbed her bump lovingly.

"I'm charging them ten galleons a stretch mark," Hermione joked and everyone laughed. "Let me sit, my back is killing me." Draco shifted over on the couch and Hermione sunk down next to him with a deep sigh. "You've been into the sauce again, haven't you?" she asked.

Draco just sniffed and stretched out with his feet up on the coffee table. "Do you want a tea or cof... er... tea, Hermione?" Harry asked with a quick apologetic glance at Draco.

"Coffee would be great, Harry," Hermione said pointedly. "Join me for a coffee, Blaise?"

"Sure," Blaise said curiously. "White with two, thanks Harry."

Draco made a strange choking sound. "Um, I, uh, think we're out of coffee, actually..." Harry said hesitantly.

"Oh, never mind," Hermione said lightly. She pulled her wand out and within seconds a freshly brewed pot of coffee and four cups was sitting on the coffee table before Draco had a chance to escape and avoid the inevitable.

"Hermione!" Harry scolded as Draco covered his nose with his sleeve and was sent racing towards the bathroom. "That was cruel and nasty and... just... argh!" Harry glared at her before spinning on his heal and chasing Draco.

"What the fuck is going on?" Blaise demanded.

"Just wait," Hermione said confidently and took a small sip of her coffee before she vanished all traces of the beverage from the room.

About ten minutes later, Harry led a shaky Draco back into the room and helped him sit down on the couch. "You're evil," Harry stated lowly to Hermione. "We love you to bits and you're an amazing woman, but you are pure evil. He was feeling well, and you had to go and stir it up again! He didn't go waving horrible smelling things in your face when you had morning sickness! Why did you do that to him?! He's got an important meeting at work in the morning and he can't be sick!"

"Harry, leave it, love," Draco sighed. "Blaise looks like he's about to have a breakdown or piss his pants. I have to explain now."

"I'm sorry, hon, but you needed a good boot up the arse to tell Blaise what's going on," Hermione said.

"MORNING SICKNESS?!" Blaise exploded. The next thing Draco knew, Blaise had launched himself out of his seat and was next to Draco, reefing up his shirt. Draco swore at him harshly.

"Get the fuck off me!" Draco cried and pushed Blaise away. "What are you doing?!"

"You don't look pregnant," Blaise said in bewilderment.

"Of course I'm not pregnant! You know, as well as the rest of us in this room, that I very much have a dick!" Draco snapped and Harry growled at the statement and clenched his fists.

"You keep your wand where I can see it, Potter!" Blaise screeched. "And you better tell me what the fuck is going on, Malfoy!" Blaise looked like he was either going to explode or burst into tears.

Draco brought his hands up to his face and rubbed it furiously. "I'm the baby's biological father, and I've been experiencing what they call a 'sympathetic pregnancy'," he said with a sigh. Harry was still sitting next to him fuming at the comment about Blaise knowing Draco had a dick, and Hermione sunk back into her chair, satisfied that Draco had confessed.

"I don't get it," Blaise said dumbly. So, Draco explained all the ins and outs of the Couvade Syndrome with Hermione jumping in now and then on the technicalities. Harry simply sat with his arms crossed, scowling at Blaise. When they had finished, Blaise was staring intently at Draco and he exhaled slowly. "Wow, mate. That must suck."

Draco blinked. "What? You aren't going to laugh?"

"Why the hell would I laugh?" Blaise asked, offended. "I can't see anything funny about it. Both you and Hermione have my complete admiration."

"You laughed at me in school when I got cursed with a laxative charm to work every time someone said my name," Draco argued.

"But that was funny because you were being an arse to that girl and deserved it," Blaise pointed out and Draco snorted.

"Harry, will you stop growling at Blaise?! He never touched my dick, ok? He's seen it, but never touched it. You know that!" Draco scolded.

Harry smacked his lips. "I'm tired and going to bed," he muttered and stood up, but Hermione grabbed his wrist.

"No you don't, mister! You can put off your huffy drama queen exit for a few minutes." Hermione pointed to the seat and Harry dropped back down into it. "I came over for a reason. Draco, come sit on my other side, please." Draco shuffled over and blushed slightly when Hermione pulled up her shirt and slightly exposed her swollen stomach.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Harry asked. She didn't answer, but instead took one of each of their hands and rested it on her abdomen.

"Now, shut up, both of you, and wait for a bit," Hermione ordered. After about a minute, Draco started fidgeting, obviously uncomfortable touching Hermione like that for any extended period of time.

Soon, Harry whipped his hand back as if he'd been burned and gasped. "Oh my god," he whispered.

Draco's mouth dropped open. "Is that...?"

"It sure is, honey." Hermione beamed at them both as she grabbed Harry's hand and placed it back on her stomach next to Draco's. "That's your baby kicking."

"Oh! It did it again!" Draco squeaked. He put his other hand over Harry's and grinned before bursting into tears when the baby kicked once again.

"That's the most amazing thing..." Harry murmured. He leant over Hermione and put his hand behind Draco's head and kissed his forehead.

"How long?" Draco choked out and then made a whimpering noise when he felt the movement again.

"It's only been happening in the last couple of days, so you haven't missed a thing," Hermione assured him. "It may have been a little longer, but I couldn't tell the different between that and, well, wind. Something you've become an expert on, Draco." She grinned cheekily.

"Thank you for coming to see us when it happened," Harry said and gave her a hug. "It means a lot to us."

"Oh shush, you," Hermione scoffed as she hugged him back. "I promised you two would be involved in every possible step. I'm not going to break that promise."

Blaise cleared his throat then and stood up. "I might just head to bed. I don't want to intrude or anything," he said awkwardly, and he was surprised when it was Harry who spoke up first.

"Don't go, Blaise. You aren't intruding at all. Stay, and share this with us," Harry insisted and all Blaise could do was nod and slump back in his seat.

"Wanna feel?" Draco hiccuped and looked at Blaise with wet, red eyes. Blaise frowned. He had never actually seen Draco in tears before and it was unnerving.

"Er, no. I, uh... touching girls... you know..." Blaise cleared his throat uncomfortably and Hermione laughed.

"Don't think of me as a girl. Just think of me as an incubator for Harry and Draco's baby for a sec and come feel," Hermione urged.

Blaise gulped, but got up and moved over to perch on the coffee table. He reached out tentatively and pressed his finger tips to Hermione's stomach. When nothing happened, he went to pull away but she put her hand over his and held it in place.

"Wait a minute. She or he won't perform on demand," Hermione said with a smile.

"Don't you know what it is yet?" Blaise asked. "OH MY GOD! It feels like butterflies in there or something!" Hermione laughed, and Draco sobbed and buried his face in his hands. "Jeez, you really are an emotional wreck," Blaise commented and gave Draco a weird look.

"Fuck off. I am not," Draco choked out whilst wiping his face on the back on his hands.

"Yes you are! Look at you bawling your eyes out!" Blaise laughed. "Are you sure it's really only a pretend pregnancy? He's doing a very good imitation of pregnant woman right now. I remember when Pansy was pregnant. Oh my god, it was like a battle zone." Harry laughed and then cut himself off with a wide yawn.

"On that note, I think I should leave. You look about to doze off, Harry," Hermione noted and Harry just gave her a heavy-lidded gaze. "Good luck with your meeting in the morning, Draco. Are you taking the promotion?"

"Don't know," Draco mumbled. The tears had now ceased and a frown marred his forehead. "I'm going to decide when I walk into the meeting. I want to hear their final offer."

"You think you can juggle a senior partnership and a new baby?" Hermione asked seriously and patted her stomach. "You led me to believe it was going to involve a lot more time and responsibility." Harry shifted his gaze to Draco, but his face remained impassive.

"Um, yeah... I guess..." Draco replied and shot Harry a wary look. Harry had remained neutral throughout Draco's whole procrastination of the promotion, and made it clear he would be supportive of any decision. But Draco knew that Harry's priority was and always would be Draco and their new baby, and Draco felt guilty for even considering putting his promotion into the equation.

"Oh well, let us know how you get on," Hermione said and gave both men a hug. "Sleep well you lot. Don't show me out," she held up a hand as both Harry and Draco stood up, "I can manage! See you later!"

They heard the front door open and close as Hermione left; choosing to travel by car now that the pregnancy was getting on.

"Bed," Harry said simply and started shuffled out of the room. "Night, Blaise. Coming, baby?"

"Night, Harry," Blaise said with a small wave.

"I'll be up soon, love." Draco gave Harry a peck on the cheek. "Keep the bed warm."