A Priceless Gift

Lani

Story Summary:
Hermione offers Harry and Draco the ultimate gift. What happens when the tables are turned and Draco gets more than he bargained for?

Chapter 25 - Chapter 21

Posted:
02/17/2006
Hits:
1,453
Author's Note:
Many thanks to my Beta, Malikamoonbeam!


Chapter 21

Harry was pacing the length of the waiting room near the operating theatre. His head was pounding painfully with a tension headache, and he was ignoring the other occupants in the waiting room.

After Harry had returned to the Emergency waiting room and explained to Hermione and Blaise what had happened and where Draco was, he had gone outside for some much needed fresh air. He had found a quiet bench and sat down and cried for a good fifteen minutes at having just put Draco through so much torture.

Once he calmed himself down a bit, he went back inside to the Surgery waiting room only to discover that Hermione had been busy making Floo calls and found Narcissa, Ron, Remus, Severus, and Pansy had all come to the hospital.

Harry appreciated their support and understood that they were concerned about Draco also, but he just wished they weren't all there. He could concentrate on Draco better if everyone just wasn't there staring at him with worried eyes.

Harry briefly acknowledged Severus handing something to Remus and then Remus tentatively approaching Harry. Remus placed a hand on Harry's arm and Harry stopped pacing and looked at him.

When Sirius had died, Remus made an applauding effort to be there and give Harry all the support he needed. Remus knew that Harry didn't want someone to step into the shoes of his deceased father and godfather, so Harry and Remus had forged a very close bond in sort of an uncle-nephew type way. Remus was there when Harry needed him, and Harry knew that and appreciated it. Remus had also taken to calling Harry 'son' as a term of endearment, and Harry loved being addressed in such a way.

"Harry, son, come and sit down for a bit. You're making me dizzy," Remus said gently with a soft smile.

"I can't, Remus. I'm so worried!" Harry stressed and rubbed his aching head.

"Ok, I'll make a deal with you. You take this headache potion that Severus just gave me," Remus handed Harry a tiny vial and Harry glanced at the Severus, who merely nodded at him, "and we'll go for a walk together?"

"I should stay here in case he needs me." Harry bit his lip and shuffled his feet anxiously.

"Harry, he's only been in there coming on two hours. He's going to be there a little bit longer yet, and you won't be allowed to see him until he is in Recovery at least. Trust me, I was there when you father had his appendix out." Remus chuckled.

"Really?" Harry asked and Remus nodded.

"Granted, he wasn't petrified of all things sharp and pointy or suffering Couvade Syndrome like Draco, but he hated the sight of blood and could whine and complain Draco under the table, I bet," Remus said.

"My Dad was a whiner like Draco?" Harry asked with a small shake of his head.

"Oh, one of the best. A complete an utter wimp he was. He passed out at your birth, and used to whine really bad after every Quidditch injury. Madam Pomfrey used to dread your father coming into the hospital wing."

"I know what you're doing, Remus. You're trying to distract me from thinking about Draco and it almost worked." Harry smiled weakly. "I appreciate it, but I really don't want to be distracted from him."

"Damn, you got me. I used to be so good at distracting you too," Remus teased. "Please take the potion, Harry. You're as white as a ghost." Harry took the top of the vial and downed it in one gulp and gave Snape a grateful smile when it started working.

"Thanks Remus." Harry gave the man a brief hug. Remus patted him on the back and returned to his seat next to Narcissa. Harry went back to pacing without looking at anyone else.

o o o o o

A long while later, Seamus came striding down the corridor and Harry raced up to him. "How is he? Is he awake? Did it go ok?" Harry asked frantically. Seamus reached out and grabbed Harry's hand to calm him.

"Harry, mate, just calm down," Seamus urged. "Let's sit an' we'll talk." Seamus led Harry to some seats in the corner of the waiting room away from their other family members and friends.

"Please just tell me he's ok," Harry pleaded.

"He's doin' fine, Harry. The surgery went really well, like clockwork. Maggie was pleased. She wanted me to come down an' chat with ya' on the count of the fact that I know ya' an' all. They're movin' him to Recovery shortly," Seamus said.

"I want to be with him when he wakes up," Harry stated.

"Aye, that's fine mate, I'll take you to him in Recovery. It's not standard procedure, mind, to let family into Recovery but Maggie thinks it'll do Draco some good to be seein' ya' face when he wakes," Seamus explained and Harry nodded.

"When did you become a mediwizard, Seamus?" Harry asked.

"Oh aye, you wouldn't be knowin' 'bout my career choice, would ya'?" Seamus pondered. "I was straight out of Hogwarts an' into St Mungo's on trainin', I was. Decided on the career one day when Snape gave me bedpan duty as detention. Madam Pomfrey had no patients so I took to askin' her loads of questions an' it caught my interest, it did. Love the job, an' all. I work in the operatin' theatre mainly. I hear you are going to be joinin' the medical field soon too, Harry, mate."

"Yeah, but I'm doing Muggle medicine," Harry answered

"Oh aye? My da' will be pleased to hear that. He's a Muggle." Seamus grinned. "So, Couvade? I was surprised to hear that, Harry. I've learned my lesson not to jump to conclusions, so I'm goin' to let you explain to me why Malfoy has Couvade Syndrome."

"Draco," Harry corrected and Seamus nodded apologetically. "It's not what you think. He hasn't cheated on me or anything. Ron was quick to jump to that conclusion and we didn't speak for weeks. Hermione offered to be a surrogate mother for us, so she's pregnant with our baby, and Draco's the biological father. I'm surprised you haven't caught wind of it before now, the way gossip spreads through the wizarding world."

"Aye, mate. But bein' in my kind of occupation, you can't let ya'self get involved in gossip. Patient confidentiality an' the lot. Last I heard of you two was that they had pegged ya' for bein' the first gay couple to be married when the laws change," Seamus admitted. Harry just smiled at that. "But anyway, tis good to see ya' again, mate, I wish it was under better circumstances. How 'bout we go see ya' beau, hey?"

Harry quickly explained the situation to everyone and told them that he was the only one allowed in Recovery with Draco. Seamus told Draco's entourage that someone would come and tell them when Draco was moved back to his hospital room and they could see him then.

Seamus stopped Harry outside of the Recovery room. "Harry, I know you're probably well clued in to how a patient will be after surgery, but seein' a loved one ill in a hospital bed is always a shock. Just to let ya' know, we've got him hooked up to a few bits an' pieces, but it's merely for precaution, mind. His arm with the IV is heavily bandaged as Maggie suggested to ya' an' he's goin' to be pretty groggy when he wakes. Maggie's expectin' him to be feelin' nauseous when he wakes because of some of the potions' side effects, so we have a basin ready an' waitin' if he has to vomit. Maggie will come speak to you once he wakes." Harry nodded and Seamus led him into the room and over to Draco's bed.

Draco looked as Harry expected him to: ill. He had a small tubular ventilator in his nose and the IV in his arm, which was bandaged thickly. Harry was relieved to see that the needle in Draco's arm was completely hidden by the gauze. Draco's hair was all sticky and limp from sweat and his face was very pale.

Seamus pulled a seat up to beside the bed for Harry to sit and patted Harry on the arm before moving over to write some notes at the staff desk. Harry took Draco's hand and settled in to wait for him to wake up.

It wasn't long before Draco woke. Harry noticed his eyes started fluttering, but before Draco could even comprehend his surroundings, he was sick. Vomit poured out all over himself, his pillow, the side of the bed and onto the floor, and unfortunately, all over Harry's arm and half of his lap.

Seamus heard the violent retching and raced over. "Whoa, easy there, Draco. That was a rather rude awakenin', wasn't it?" Seamus said in soothing tones. Harry stepped back and a mediwitch came over to help Seamus. "We have to get him onto his side so he doesn't choke, Brenda. I'll turn him while you put pressure onto his wound. Keep a firm push on it while he's still vomitin', otherwise the stitches will rip open from the force of the heavin'."

Harry watched as they did as Seamus instructed swiftly. Seamus held a basin under Draco's chin. Draco finally opened his eyes completely and looked around blearily. "Harry?" Draco coughed out before he retched again.

"He's right here, Draco. He's been waitin' for ya' to wake," Seamus soothed and pressed the buzzer next to Draco's bed. The other mediwizard Harry recognised as Mark from before Draco went into surgery came through from a door to their left.

"Oh dear," Mark said.

"Aye. Can you get a potion into him for this? It's not goin' to be doin' him any good to keep vomitin'," Seamus stressed. Mark fetched a couple of items from a cabinet near the staff desk and came back and inserted a hazy green potion into the tube of Draco's IV.

"That will work in about a minute," Mark said.

"Aye, thanks. Can you fetch him a glass of water with a straw? We need to get some fluids into him," Seamus instructed and Harry realised that Seamus must be the staff member in charge.

The potion started working and Draco stopped vomiting abruptly. He looked around for Harry but his eyes weren't focusing properly and his head felt thick. Seamus quickly cleaned up the vomit with his wand and Brenda eased Draco onto his back again. "It's not a complete clean up, but it'll do until we get him back to the ward," Seamus explained to Harry, and Harry noticed that the smell of the vomit still lingered, indicating that although most of it had been vanished, it still wasn't entirely clean. A spell could only do so much.

Harry moved back to Draco's side and took his hand and leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You did so well, baby. I'm so proud of you," Harry spoke softly. "You're all fixed now, no more sore appendix."

"Don't you mean 'no more appendix', full stop?" Draco croaked and gave Harry a very weak smile.

"Well, that too." Harry chuckled and gave Draco a small peck on the lips.

"Ew, Harry, don't. I have vomit breath and I'm all sweaty." Draco pushed Harry away. Harry's face lit up in a huge stupid grin as though remembering something.

"Is he fully coherent, and all, Seamus?" Harry asked and Draco glared at him.

"I'm still here, Harry," Draco complained.

"Aye, Harry. He's probably feelin' pretty groggy, but he's coherent," Seamus answered and watched the couple curiously.

Harry dropped down onto one knee next to Draco's bed and Draco watched him incredulously. "Draco Malfoy, will you marry me?" Harry asked.

Draco blinked and shook his head as if trying to clear it. "I think something's gone wrong. I'm hallucinating!" Draco cried anxiously. Seamus stifled a laugh and snorted and Harry shook his head vigorously.

"No, baby, you aren't hallucinating," he insisted.

"YES I AM!" Draco screeched. "My boyfriend just fell to his knee and proposed to me in an operating theatre right after I puked all over him and I still have vomit breath! I AM HALLUCINATING!"

"Baby, I'm deadly serious." Harry got up off the floor and sat on the bed next to Draco and ran a finger down the side of his face. "Remember my meeting with the Minister of Magic this morning? She told me the new laws had been passed and they want you and I to be the first gay wizard couple to be married! I don't care about your vomit breath! Draco, will you marry me?" Harry repeated. Draco frowned and searched Harry's face for any sign that he was joking.

"I..." Draco started but Harry cut him off.

"I know this isn't the most romantic setting for a proposal and there are no candles or flowers or fireworks, but my proposal is as sincere as they come. I want you to marry me, Draco," Harry declared.

Draco burst into tears.

Oh fuck, Harry thought. I've stuffed it! He wanted the hearts and flowers proposal! I should've known! Oh my god, maybe he doesn't even want to marry me! Harry was about to open his mouth to retract the proposal when Draco spoke up.

"Oh, Harry!" Draco sobbed. "I don't care about flowers and candles! Of course I will marry you!" Harry wanted to fling his arms around his new fiancé and squeeze him in the biggest hug he could manage, but he didn't want to hurt Draco, so he settled for a firm squeeze to Draco's hand.

"Ach, Harry, give a hug for fuck sake! Snog him silly or somethin'!" Seamus laughed. "It's not everyday we get a marriage proposal in Recovery, let alone a marriage proposal by Harry Potter!"

"I don't want to hurt him," Harry admitted.

"He's dosed up with pain relievers. You can't hurt him," Seamus told him.

"I wondered why I felt so good." Draco chuckled and Harry gave him a huge hug.

"Don't get used to it, mate. Once they wear off, you'll be pretty sore an' go back to feelin' sick most likely," Seamus warned and Draco rolled his eyes.

"I'm quite tired, actually," Draco said with a yawn.

"That's just the after effects of the anaesthetic. We'll get you back to your room and cleaned up, then you can sleep as much as you like." Seamus started doing some diagnostic spells over Draco to check how he was doing after the operation. "You're doin' well, Draco. I'll go an' check that your room is ready an' arrange for you to be taken up. Just rest a bit, an' Harry, give him some more water to drink."

Harry picked up the glass and placed the straw in Draco's mouth. Draco drank the whole glass thirstily and Harry smiled at him. "Do you want some more?" Harry asked but Draco shook his head.

"Harry, I love you so much," Draco said softly and pulled Harry back down for a hug. "I can't believe it's actually happening for us; that we can actually get married. Oh, does that mean we can get married before the baby comes?"

"Well, that is the only drawback. If we accept, the Ministry wants us to get married on a certain date; the date the law is enacted. It will be before the baby is born, but Hermione will be nearly eight months pregnant and god only knows how you are going to be feeling by then," Harry said ruefully. "I was a bit hesitant, so I haven't actually given the Minister an answer. Oh fuck, I was supposed to tell her this afternoon one way or another! You were so sick, I totally forgot about it until now."

"Go and Floo her now," Draco urged. "Tell her we accept!"

"But -" Harry said.

"No buts, Harry! I want to marry you at the first possible opportunity, regardless of the Couvade Syndrome! I want us to be the first gay couple to be married, and I think we deserve it!" Draco insisted.

"But the press, sweetheart. They are going to want to be there in masses, which will inevitably lead them to want stories about the surrogacy and then the baby once it's born. I don't know if I want my life splashed all over the papers again," Harry sighed.

"Call the Minister and tell her we conditionally accept. I'll speak to my colleagues and have them draw up contracts with media only allowing the access to certain parts of the wedding and for only a limited time. We'll also insist on a clause preventing them from mentioning the baby or the surrogacy at all. That Muggle pop star, Michael Jackson, does it with pictures of his kids." Draco waved his hand excitedly.

"Yeah, and look at the lengths he goes to to prevent pictures of them. I'm NOT having my baby walk around with table cloths on his or her face! It's barbaric!" Harry cried.

"I don't mean that. I mean we'll have privacy orders drawn up for anything to do with the baby. When the baby is born, we'll publish a simple birth announcement and that will be it. What do you think? We won't hide from the media, but we won't force ourselves into the public eye." Draco kissed the back of Harry's hand and gave Harry his puppy-dog eyes which Harry could never resist.

"Alright, alright!" Harry said and threw up his hands in defeat. "It's nearing seven pm now, but I'm sure someone will allow me to call her at home. But, I want to wait for you to be settled in your room first and preferably asleep before I leave your side."

Draco smacked his lips. "I feel fine!" he cried.

"That's because you're drugged up to your eyeballs with potions. You admitted you're tired and you need to rest. Oh bugger!" Harry cursed.

"What?"

"Everyone's out there waiting for you to wake up," Harry said. "I don't think you're up to so many visitors."

"Who's everyone?" Draco asked with a groan and snuggled down under his covers.

"Your Mum, Ron, Hermione, Severus, Remus, Pansy and Blaise."

"Aw fuck," Draco sighed. "I know they're all here because they're worried, but I'm really am tired. Mum's going to be peeing herself with worry."

"At least we can tell them our news," Harry offered and Draco nodded in agreement.

Seamus returned then and Mark and Maggie followed shortly after. Maggie read Draco's chart for a few moments before she looked up at the newly engaged couple. "I believe congratulations are in order?" Maggie asked with a smile.

"He just did it to distract me from this dirty great big needle that's in my arm," Draco said and Harry's mouth dropped in surprise. He had thought Draco hadn't realised he had the IV in his arm, and was trying to distract him slightly. "What? You think I didn't notice? Well, I didn't at first, but when I saw the huge bandage and felt my arm was numb, I figured out what was going on."

"You're, um, awfully calm, baby," Harry pointed out tentatively.

"No, trust me, the thought of it being in my arm is making my skin crawl, but I don't know why I'm not freaking out just now," Draco murmured and his eyes were closing. Neither Harry nor Maggie decided to tell Draco that he wasn't freaking out because he was laced with a calming draught and numbing potion.

"Try and stay awake for a little bit longer, Draco. We're just going to get you into a clean bed and off this trolley. Then Seamus and Mark will wheel you up to your room," Maggie said as she shook Draco's arm softly. Draco opened his eyes and Harry stroked his cheek. Draco was fighting a losing battle at staying awake, so Maggie decided to keep talking to him. "How are you feeling, Draco?"

"Tired. Things are starting to hurt too," Draco mumbled.

"Your room is quite nice. Harry demanded nothing but the best for you while you were in surgery. You should hang on to him, Draco," Maggie chatted.

"I plan to..." Draco sighed.

"What colour theme are you going to have for your wedding?" Maggie asked and Harry squeezed Draco's fingers.

"Umm... maybe silver and blue..." Draco slurred. "Or red... and black..." He sighed again and his eyes slipped shut.

"Sounds stunning," Maggie replied and Draco's eyes sprung open again.

Seamus and Mark quickly transferred Draco onto the other bed. Seamus also helped him into a clean hospital gown and fluffed the pillows so Draco could settle down comfortably.

"There you are, mate," Seamus said cheerfully. "This will be ya' bed for the next few days. Are you ready to move to your room now?" Draco just nodded and his bandage-free hand grabbed at his side slightly.

"Have you got pain, Draco?" Maggie asked. Draco nodded again. "It's a bit too soon to give you more pain-reducing potion, but I can give you a mild sedative that will ensure you sleep through the night."

"Harry, if I'm asleep when everyone comes in to see me, will you tell me our news?" Draco asked tiredly.

"Do you want me to, baby?"

"Yes please. I want them to know straight away. Tell Mum that I'm fine and I love her." Draco yawned and closed his eyes. Mark administered the potion into the IV line and Draco was asleep before it even had a chance to work.

"Harry, I'm transferring Draco's care over to your Healer, Jenny. She's completely aware of his Couvade history and is the best person to continue the care. It was lovely to meet you both. Best wishes for your impending nuptials," Maggie said and shook Harry's hand.

Harry said goodbye to Maggie and thanked her for all her help, then followed Seamus and Mark as they transferred Draco up to his hospital room.

Maggie was right, the room was quite nice. It was done out in blues and whites and had a private bathroom and a big bay window looking out onto St Mungo's gardens. There was about five chairs for visitors and a small cabinet with various items that Draco may need during his recuperation.

Seamus fussed around Draco, setting his IV out of the way and such as Mark fetched a bowl of warm soapy water and cleaned Draco up a little bit. Draco didn't stir during the whole process and was obviously in a deep sleep because he was snoring softly.

"We'll keep the ventilator on him for the next twenty four hours an' the IV will be there until he leaves, unfortunately. He won't be released until he can tolerate food again," Seamus explained to Harry. "He'll sleep right through the night until about seven thirty or eight in the morning, so you'd be best to be gettin' home for some sleep ya'self, Harry. He's goin' to be mighty sore come mornin' an' I'm guessin' you'll need ya' wits about ya' to help him through."

"Thanks Seamus, I'll take your advice. I need to go home and get him some clothing and stuff. Anything in particular you suggest?" Harry asked.

"Loose cotton pyjamas are the best, mate. But I'm thinkin' a Malfoy won't own cotton?" Seamus asked with a smirk.

"Nope, not cotton PJs anyway. I'm sure his Mum will take a trip to Diagon Alley to fetch anything he needs, though," Harry laughed. "Will he be able to eat anything like sweets or chocolate? His cravings have been unbelievable and he might get rather irritable if he can't have what he wants."

"He won't be feelin' much like eatin' for the next twenty four hours. A nutrient potion is actually goin' through the IV also, so he won't have an appetite. After that though, anythin' goes in moderation," Seamus advised. "Has he been havin' all those freaky cravin's I've heard 'bout?"

"You've got no idea how spot on 'freaky' is. He put chocolate sauce on his sausages the other day. Made me completely lose my appetite, I couldn't watch him eat it." Harry shook his head. "He balanced it out, though, by putting tomato sauce on his ice cream." Seamus' expression said everything; he looked horrified then laughed.

"I must say, it must be amusin' watchin' Draco Malfoy with pregnancy symptoms! What we coulda' done with info like that back at Hogwarts!" Seamus chuckled. "Anyway, Harry, I'll have to leave ya' to it, mate. My shift's nearly over and the other half will be tappin' her foot impatiently by now."

"You're married?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Aye, goin' on six months now. Nice wee Irish lassie from my home town. She's a Muggle, so we live in Dublin and she works as a school teacher. Bridget's her name," Seamus said with a fond smile.

"Congratulations, mate. That's brilliant." Harry grinned. "I'd best let you get home then." Harry winked at him.

"Oh aye, we're tryin' for a wee baby, so there is a lot to be gettin' home for." Seamus grinned cheekily. "My shift starts at lunch time tomorrow so I'll drop by to see how Draco's doin'."

"Thanks for everything, Seamus. It means the world to us both." Harry gave Seamus a brief hug.

"No worries, mate. I'd say it's just my job, but it goes beyond that when it's family or a mate. It was good to catch up with ya'. I'll let ya' entourage know he's back safe and sound in his room on my way out."

"Cheers Seamus." Harry waved as Seamus left the room with a wave.