Chapter 5



“I noticed several owls came for you today,” Lucius said over dinner one evening a week later.

“Yes,” Draco replied, studying his meal intently. Nothing looked appetizing. This wasn’t the first time this week it’d happened. The parasite wasn’t as hungry as it had been, making Draco a touch happier. It meant he wouldn’t be putting vinegar on his ice cream anymore.

“Who are they from?” Lucius asked casually slicing through the lamb he was having. Taking the sliver, he spread mint jelly on it before continuing to cut it into smaller pieces.

“I took the liberty of contacting several of the names off your list. I want to know how each plan on serving me. We need to make sure it can be done quickly and properly.” Draco glanced up to watch his father’s reaction. Lucius nodded his head slowly.

“I see and how did you find their responses?” He inquired, taking a bite of dinner.

“I still haven’t heard from all of them. I want to do that before I make a final decision.” Draco replied, spearing a small slice of lamb and lifting it onto his plate.

“You don’t have long now,” Lucius pointed out narrowing his eyes slightly. As he spoke, the parasite kicked Draco particularly hard in the kidneys. His eyes watered, forcing him to shut them momentarily until the pain passed. “It grows bolder I see.” Draco took a deep breath, trying to recover.

“Yes, unfortunately for my insides.”

“This unpleasantness will soon be over.”

“Yes Father.”

Minutes later Draco gave up trying to eat and excused himself from the table. Heading back to his room, he stopped off at the bathroom. The parasite’s weight pressing down on his bladder forced him to use the toilet more often. Its size also threw off his balance and he now found himself waddling everywhere. He felt like a damn duck! This couldn’t end soon enough in his mind. If anyone saw him in his current state, he’d outright kill himself.

Walking into his room, he paused by the full-length mirror. He’d been avoiding looking at himself in it for weeks, even going as far as turning it to face the wall. Tonight though he wanted to see. Taking his wand from where it rested by his bed, he pointed it at the piece of furniture. Speaking a quick spell, he waited for the mirror to turn itself around.

Draco felt a nervous twitch tug the corner of his mouth. It was all he could to keep himself from laughing helplessly. His reflective twin stared back at him, showing every bit of the sway-back broodmare Draco had become. Running a hand of his protruding abdomen, he wanted to cry.

It’s that bastard Potter’s fault! If I’d had been on top, then Potter would be pregnant! The potion’s description even said so! It stated that ‘whomever was the recipient of the sperm had a ninety-five percent chance of getting pregnant’. Stupid fertility love potion! Damn stupid Hathor’s Kiss! Huffing, Draco pivoted around and headed to the bed.

Pulling back the silver and green hand woven blankets, he heard a faint tap at his window. Draco froze, his heart pounding as the tapping continued. Cautiously approaching the window, he held his wand tightly, ready for the unwelcome intruder. Opening the casement to the chilly night air, Draco prepared to curse. A tiny owl flitted in. About the size of a grapefruit, the russet brown and cream-colored bird glided over to the bed and promptly flopped down.

Blinking, Draco closed the window and waddled over. The owl hopped backwards revealing a weather beaten envelope. Reaching forward, he snatched it. Breaking the seal, Draco pulled out the letter and began to read. A delighted smile crept across his face as he did. This was the midwife he’d been waiting for. Madame ‘Extremely Unsuitable’ was perfectly suitable.

“According to this, your name is Sara,” he said, glancing down as the saw-whet owl puffed out her chest. “Madame O’Toole claims that I’m to follow you to her residence and that I need not send a reply, simply show up.” Sara hooted. Draco frowned. “Well, don’t think we’re leaving right away, it’s pitch black outside and despite my Seeker’s skills, I doubt I could find you in the dark. We’ll wait until tomorrow morning.” Pausing, he stared at the bird realizing he’d just had a one-sided conversation with it. The hormones were getting to him again. He couldn’t wait for this nonsense to end.

Tucking the letter back in its envelope, Draco considered what to do next. He would need to leave early because his condition didn’t allow for swift flights. Apparation was out of the question. At this late stage of his pregnancy, it was considered dangerous. This left traveling by coach or broom as his only options. He didn’t want Lucius to know what he was up to, so that left his broom.

Rubbing his stomach to ease some of the tension as the parasite shifted, he decided he should pack tonight. This way he could make his escape early in the morning before Lucius woke. Finding a satchel in his wardrobe, Draco thought about what he’d need to take before packing. His mind made up, he started the task while Sara fluttered to the apex of the bed’s carved headboard and settled in to watch. Bustling about, he stuffed clothes he wanted to take, leaving enough room for the most important item he would need. Money in which to pay the midwife for her services and her secrecy was crucial. If he didn’t have it, then there wasn’t much to keep her mouth shut about the parasite.

An hour later he finally crawled into bed. The candles extinguished themselves on command, leaving Draco alone with Sara. Pulling the covers over his shoulder, he felt her gold eyes on him.

“Quit staring owl,” he hissed. Sara blinked, but made no sound.



Back to the fiction Next Chapter
1