Title: Are You Worthy?
By: Bridget McKennitt
Rating: R
Summary: As a Bearer, Harry Potter had no choice in who would impregnate him as that person would be whoever won the dueling competition. And there's a lot of wizards competing who want to win.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company are owned by J.K. Rowling and other companies.
They are used here without permission, and for entertainment purposes only. No
challenge or infringement upon the copyright is intended, nor should any be inferred.
Author's Notes: This is a Harry/Severus mpreg fic. If this does not float your boat, please leave. No other special warnings or spoilers. This fic was written for the first wave of Harry Potter Mpreg Fuh-Q-Fest. Condignus Compar, is as best as I can make it, is Latin for Worthy Mate. And thank you to the wonderful K for beta reading.
Challenge: 48. The Wizarding World discovers Harry is a 'Bearer,' an important and incredibly rare wizard that can bear ultra powerful magical children. (The last 'beared' child was Merlin.) Harry doesn't want anything to do with it, so the Wizarding World holds a competition. The winner will impregnate an unwilling Harry. (Submitted by Charzy)
"What do you mean I'm a Bearer? What in the world is a Bearer?" Harry demanded.
He had been called into Dumbledore's office after Potions class and was immediately confused by the Headmaster's words.
"I know this is hard for you to understand, Harry, but in the Wizarding World there are very special and incredibly rare wizards called Bearers. They are important because the children they bear are extremely powerful and lead wizardkind into a time of prosperity and peace. Merlin himself was a child born from a Bearer."
"And you're saying that I have to bear a child? Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't I know about this before?" Harry saw Dumbledore's eyes darken with guilt and felt sweat drops on his forehead. "Professor?"
"Bearers are kept secret from the rest of the world until they reach legal age. Not even the parents of a Bearer know the fate of their child before the proper time. This device here warns me of any Bearers, rare as they may be, who have come of age. The current Minister also has one."
Harry bit his lip as he digested that bit of information. That meant his mother and father never knew about this either.
"Wizard law states that once a Bearer has come of age, and you have indeed come of age, they must conceive a child. I am sorry, Harry, but you need someone who will...get you pregnant before the year is out."
Harry's jaw dropped in shock and his body began to tremble. "I--No. No! You're saying I defeated Voldemort and went through hell, only to put up with this? What does that stupid law say if I decline to conceive a child?"
"Then you will be forced, if necessary. Raped until you are pregnant and the child will be taken away from you at the moment of birth. The law is unchangeable, Harry. I suggest you become use to the idea before taking any extreme measures." Dumbledore smiled sadly and offered Harry a lemon drop.
Harry popped the candy into his mouth and started to think. He did not want to be raped, but he also did not want to ask...beg someone to have sex with him. "Sir, I will accept the law and have that blasted baby. Bu--but who do I ask? I mean, it's just so *odd*."
"It is not for you to decide, Harry. It is stated in the law that a competition will be held and the most worthy candidate will impregnate the Bearer."
"What! Not only do I have to carry a baby to term, but a complete *stranger* is going to fuck me as well?"
"Language, Harry. And no, not necessarily. Someone you know might just win."
Harry blanched. "I hope not. I don't think I could look them in the face after that."
"Just remember what I said about getting use to the idea. Things will turn out right. I am sure they will."
The Boy Who Lived shakily got to his feet and left Dumbledore's office. The thought of himself being male and having to carry a child did not even come across as weird to him. In the Wizarding World with so few wizards and witches, sometimes even males did their duty and gave birth. But this...this was something else entirely.
He made his way to the Gryffindor Tower and muttered the password to the Fat Lady. She opened the door and when he walked inside, he was immediately cornered by Hermione and Ron.
"What did Dumbledore want with you?" Hermione asked.
He glanced towards the floor, shuffling his feet. "He told me I'm a Bearer," he mumbled, hoping they would not hear his reply.
However, they heard him just fine. "A Bearer? That's great!" Ron said.
Harry's emerald eyes shot to look at Ron. "No, it isn't."
"It is, Harry. Mum told me all about Bearers and their children. Did you know that Merlin was born from a Bearer?"
"Dumbledore told me. Listen, this is not good news. There's going to be a--a competition for those in the Wizarding World and the winner gets to impregnate me."
Hermione hugged Harry to comfort him. "It's okay. We'll help you get through this. Won't we, Ron?"
The redhead nodded and patted Harry on the back. "Just hope you get some handsome bloke."
***
The news that Harry was a Bearer spread throughout Hogwarts like wildfire and people began to whisper as to who would join the competition. Malfoy grinned and wickedly told Harry that he hoped Hagrid would not only join but win. "Then you'll have that half-giant buggering you. I hope he rips you open."
"That's disgusting, Malfoy," Ron said. "Not to mention stupid as Hagrid can't sign up. However, I hope your father joins and wins, so he'll finally have an heir worthy of his money. And you'll be kicked to the *curb* like the little snot you are." Ron sneered. "You'll be whoring for scraps in Knockturn Alley before you know it."
Harry pulled Ron back. "He's not worth it," he murmured. "Let's just go."
In the Great Hall, there was a table in the corner where anyone over the legal age of sixteen could sign up for the competition that students were nicknaming 'Harry's Doom.' The eligibility of the competition was simple. Only half and pureblood wizards could sign up; no half breeds like Hagrid or Muggleborns like Dean.
Malfoy came up behind Harry and whispered into his ear. "I'm thinking of signing up, Potter. I can't wait to have you on hands and knees, panting as I pound into you."
As the students were heading for their respective House tables, on the dais, the professors were talking among themselves. "Oh my, the young Malfoy is signing up for the competition." McGonagall turned towards Dumbledore. "He's the twentieth person to sign up so far, and that is just the people in Hogwarts. I know Fudge has the list from those in the Wizarding World. Do you know what the competition will be on?"
"Dueling, most likely. It's flashy enough for the masses to enjoy," Snape said.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "And are you planning to sign up as well, Severus?"
"That is a lovely idea, Minerva. Severus, I think it would be in your and young Harry's best interests if you join the competition."
"Whatever you are planning, Albus, leave me out of it. I hate the obnoxious brat and to fight for his hand is not my idea of fun." Snape's gaze landed on Harry as he played with his food. His two equally annoying friends were trying to convince him to eat, but it was not working.
Snape harumphed. If he were to join the competition and win, he knew the boy's father would be rolling in his grave at the thought that his enemy was buggering his son. Perhaps that was good enough reason to join. Then he shook his head. It was folly to even fancy such thoughts.
Then he looked at the boy again. Snape knew that Potter's baby would be beautiful, no matter who the other father would be.
Dumbledore followed Snape's gaze. "His children would be very powerful, Severus. Doesn't the thought of you being the other father of those would be children tempt your inner Slytherin?"
"Hardly. With any luck, his children will be as stupid and trouble prone as he is. Now if you will excuse me, I will be in my rooms." He stood up and left the Great Hall before Dumbledore could point out that he did not bother to eat.
In his rooms, Snape poured a glass of wine and sat on his chair by the fireplace. Taking a sip, he realized that Dumbledore was right. His inner Slytherin was tempted at the thought of being the father to a Beared child. Not to mention having Harry Potter at his mercy was a bonus. At that point he decided to sign up for the competition. With that decision made, he finished the rest of his drink.
***
"Aren't you curious as to who signed up?" Ron asked as they walked out of Divination class. Professor Trelawney predicted that Harry would Bear a child more powerful than Merlin, but he would die a horrible death from giving birth.
"Not really." He pulled a parchment out of his bag. "The Minister sent me this the other day. The competition starts next week and everyone will be dueling. Ron, I don't think I can do this."
"Sure you can. Just lay on your back and think of England."
"Ew, no, I didn't mean *that*. I meant I don't think I can stand quietly on the side as the world plays havoc with my life. Why can't I just pick someone?"
"Because, Harry, Beared children are really important. Don't you want to give your child the best breeding possible? Mum says she'll be sending you gifts soon. Probably some baby clothes or something. She's really excited about this." Ron patted Harry on the back. "Cheer up, mate. It's mandatory for every person to offer the Bearer a gift before competing."
"And this matters, why?"
"For you, it means you get lots of cool stuff. In relation to the Condignus Compar, though, it's more of a pride thing for the competitors. Giving the Bearer a crappy gift doesn't reflect well off of you."
Harry sighed and stuffed the parchment back into his bag. "Go ahead to Transfiguration without me, Ron. I want to be alone for a bit."
He walked away from his friend and went in the other direction. This Bearer business was madness, as if being the Boy Who Lived hadn't been enough. He wanted everyone to just leave him alone.
Harry soon found himself outside by the lake. The Giant Squid was sunbathing on the other side as schools of fish jumped in the air.
"Why did *I* have to be a Bearer? Couldn't it have been somebody else?" Harry muttered to himself.
"Should I worry that the Boy Who Lived is talking to himself?" Harry snapped his back around and saw Professor Snape standing there. "Imagine the field day the Daily Prophet would have if they knew their Bearer was crazy."
Harry glared at his professor and turned away. "Don't you have a class to teach and children to scare or something?"
"Touche, Potter. Unfortunately for you, this is a free period for me and I have no other business to attend to. Now, what were you babbling on about?"
"Like I would tell you!" Harry shot back.
Snape smirked and sat next to the boy. "You might as well. Think of it this way. You'll get whatever it is off your chest and I will be amused by your stupidity. We both win."
Harry stared at Snape before shrugging. "For starters, this whole Bearer business about me having a child is ridiculous. I'm too young to be having children."
"That point is moot as Bearers before you have had children at your age and they survived. I believe your problem is that a complete stranger will father those children. Am I right?"
The boy nodded. "Why couldn't the damn world stay out of my private life and allow *me* to decide who I want to pick? But noooo, I have to sleep with whoever wins that stupid competition, and it's on dueling of all things!" Harry picked up a pebble from the ground and threw it into the lake. "Not to mention everyone's commenting and betting on who will win. They think it's all *funny* that someone will do something horrible to me while in bed. Bloody bastards. At least it'll be in the privacy of the bedroom and not in front of those pervy gits."
Snape decided not to mention that it was the winner's choice whether to take the Bearer in front of the crowd or in private. Since he planned on winning anyway and he hated people butting into his sex life, there was no need to.
"Do you know who's competing so far?"
"I've been trying really hard not to stare at the table with the sign up sheet or the people who go over there and sign up, so not really. Of course, there are those people who come up to me and have to tell me personally that they're competing. Like Malfoy." Harry made a face in disgust. "He's been whispering to me for days what he plans to do to me when he wins."
"Mr. Malfoy will not be winning, of that you have my assurance."
"I suppose you're right. Malfoy may be a git, but there are other wizards out there more powerful than him." Harry chuckled. "At least with all this craziness, I can count on the fact that *you're* not signing up. I mean, no offense sir, but you hate me! You competing and trying to--to win--" Harry broke off as he started to laugh hysterically.
Snape, however, just stared at the boy. Perhaps it was a good thing that Harry did not know he had signed up, especially when it seemed he was losing his mind. "Funny as you think that is, Mr. Potter, whether someone likes you or not is another moot point. There are many benefits and advantages to becoming the Bearer's mate."
"Mate?" Harry's eyes bugged out. "What are you talking about? I thought the competition was to pick the person who would, uh, be the other father to my child. You know, a one time thing."
"You would assume wrong. Whoever wins the competition becomes the Bearer's mate for *life*. The pair may sleep with others if they choose, but every Beared child will come from the loins of the Bearer's mate."
Harry curled himself into a ball, wrapped his arms around his legs, and rested his chin on his knees. "I can see why Professor Dumbledore didn't bother to tell me that. I--I need to be alone, sir."
"Of course. A word of advice, Potter. Don't let this eat you up. You're a Gryffindor. Use your bravery and courage to your advantage." Snape got up from his spot and left the Boy Who Lived to his thoughts.
***
Hermione held a pastry in front of Harry's face. "Harry, you need to eat something. It wouldn't do to faint in front of all those people." Harry took the pastry thankfully and started to chew. Today was the first day of the competition. It was to be held on the Quidditch pitch and people from all over the Wizarding World were attending.
"Don't forget you'll need to put on that fancy robe on your bed," Ron said. "And don't worry about anything. Hermione and I will be right there with you. It's a good thing Dumbledore pulled through when we reminded him that you'll need someone to help you."
Harry nodded but did not respond as he focused on chewing and swallowing. Anything beyond that and he would start freaking out. Over a hundred wizards were competing and the competition was a week long and would take several rounds to finish.
He glanced over his shoulder and winced when he saw the Slytherins patting Malfoy on his back and pointing at his direction, laughing. Wondering what Malfoy's gift would be to him, he turned his attention to Professor Snape on the dais. How strange that his Potions professor would, in a weird way, comforted him, though Harry was sure that was not Snape's intent.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and waited until the Great Hall quieted down before speaking. "Today is a grand day as you all know." Harry tried not to snort in response. It certainly was not a grand day for him. "This competition, the Condignus Compar, is a tradition that has been passed down through the ages as only the most worthy of wizards shall win and thereby ensure that the children of the Bearer will be as blessed as possible. For the next week, classes are canceled for those competing or are planning to watch."
"You might as well get ready now." Harry nodded and followed Hermione and Ron out of the Great Hall.
Suddenly he saw spots in front of his eyes and nearly fell over if it wasn't for his friends at his side. "Harry?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I--I'm fine. Just a little dizzy," he said weakly. "I really do not want to do this."
"Buck up, Harry, and breathe. Technically, you're not doing anything but watching, and you only need to be there for the first day."
When Harry dressed, the trio made their way to the Quidditch pitch and onto the platform that was built right below the Gryffindor section. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge pointed his wand at himself, cast the Sonorous spell, and waved to the cheering crowd. "What an unexpected turnout we have today. Welcome to the Condignus Compar for our very own Bearer, Harry Potter!"
Harry shyly waved and tried to hide behind Hermione, but she would not let him. Fudge went on. "We have a hundred twenty two wizards competing, so let's not waste any single moment. The first two up is Albert Storm and Bradley Roper!"
The wizards entered a ring placed in the middle of the pitch with their wands drawn. They bowed first to Harry and then to each other. Harry studied the two wizards. Storm was slightly more attractive compared to Roper, but Roper did have a nicer body.
"You may began!"
Roper shouted out the first curse and hit Storm with a Jelly Legs Jinx. Harry turned away and nudged Ron with his elbow. "What gifts did these two give me?" He refused to watch grown men fight over him. It was not his idea of fun.
Ron checked the list he was holding. "Albert Storm gave you a Nimbus 2001, pretty weak considering you already have a Firebolt, and Bradley Roper gave you two hundred Galleons. Can we hope that Roper wins?"
Harry snickered. He could always count on Ron to lighten the mood. "Does it really matter? Don't I get to keep all the gifts anyway?"
"Yeah, but I rather the winner isn't some cheapskate."
Hermione pointed towards the ring, interrupting the two boys. "I think the match is about to end."
Storm threw another curse, but missed Roper entirely. Roper was able to cast a Disarming spell and Storm's wand flew out of the ring. Roper had won.
"And the winner is Bradley Roper! Thank you both for your hard work. Next up is Thomas Chilton and Robertus Lavington."
And so it went. Fudge would call up two wizards to duel while the trio discussed the gifts those wizards had given Harry. At one point, Draco Malfoy was called up and in a fantastic finish, he defeated his opponent. Harry looked away in disgust when Malfoy flew a kiss at him. The most surprisingly competitor though was Severus Snape.
Hermione pulled on Harry's arm. "Oh! Is that Professor *Snape*? Why would he join the Condignus Compar? That's not like him at all."
"He did say that there were many benefits to being the Bearer's mate," he said numbly as a knot in his stomach tightened. So what exactly tempted Snape into joining? When his professor won his match, that horrible feeling grew. Finally, the first round had ended and Harry could leave.
Before making a single step off the platform, Fudge placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "Do you plan on being here for the entire week?"
"No, sir."
Fudge looked at him for a moment then shrugged. "At least be here on the last day when we find out your mate."
Harry nodded and fled with Hermione and Ron in tow. Back in Gryffindor Tower, while everyone else was commenting on the duels and betting on all sorts of things, the trio escaped to Ron and Harry's dorm room. Harry took off his outer robe and kicked the side of his bed. He wasn't really mad at anyone, just angry at the world in general.
"Did you know that Snape had signed up?" Hermione asked.
Harry shook his head. To think he had unknowingly mocked the professor that day by the lake made him cringe. Was that why Snape never told him? Or did he just wanted it to be a surprise? With Snape, one never knew.
"I don't know what would be worse; Malfoy winning or Snape winning. They're both terrible options. Hey, think of it this way. It's only the first round. Either of them could lose in the next few days." If only, Harry thought, if only.
***
The next day, Harry declined to go with Hermione and Ron to the Quidditch pitch. While it was optional for him to be there, they still had to go and help assist in anyway they could. Not to mention organize the gifts the competitors gave him.
Harry sighed and walked to the Great Hall by himself. Breakfast was long over and everyone was outside watching the dueling. "Dobby?" The house elf popped out in front of Harry and beamed.
"Harry! Are you in need of anything?"
"Can I have some food please? I haven't had anything to eat yet."
"Of course, Harry! Right away, Harry!" Dobby popped into the kitchens only to return a moment later with a tray loaded with food.
Harry sat down at the table and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Dobby. That's it for now." As he ate, he tried to imagine one of the wizards he saw yesterday as his mate. Were any of them gentle and kind? Would they understand Harry? He hoped that the winner was a nice man and would...love him. Harry snorted. Love? No, none of them would ever love him. Perhaps the Boy Who Lived and Bearer status, but not the real Harry. It was best to think that this was a business arrangement and nothing more.
And so it went for the rest of the week. Harry would remain in the castle as everyone else watched the competitors duel. Malfoy had been defeated on the fifth day, which pleased Harry to no end. The blond would never get anywhere near him now.
However, as Ron pointed out everyday, Snape was still in the running. He had bested every single one of his opponents with ease. On the last day of Condignus Compar, Harry dressed in his finest robes and followed his best friends onto the Quidditch pitch. Only eight wizards remained and all of their matches would be fought today. Snape was one of the eight.
Harry sat down on the chair near him and played with his hands. One of the eight would become his mate. They would have a child, or several children together and that was that. Try as he might though, the only competitor he could focus on was Snape. The man was a very talented duelist, as he had seen in his second year when he dueled against Lockhart. Fluid moves with calm patience and the ability to scare the other opponent with nothing but a glare made Harry see why his professor was not someone you wanted to mess with.
"Amazing! Severus Snape has beaten his opponent with only two moves," Fudge exclaimed as the crowd roared. The next two competitors took their place.
Finally, it was the last match of the competition. Professor Snape versus a wizard named Jonothan Law. Before the Minister shouted for the two to begin, Harry already knew that Snape would win, and he did. He tried to will away the heavy feeling in his stomach and jerked to his feet as his professor came forward.
Fudge began talking and the crowd went crazy, but Harry could not hear them over the rush in his ears. All he saw was Snape's dark eyes, and fainted.
Harry groaned and his eyes slowly opened. The first thing he noticed was that he was on someone's soft bed. "I see we're back in the land of the living, Mr. Potter."
"Wh--?"
"As I am sure you know, I was declared winner of Condignus Compar. I am your mate." Snape smirked. "Would you like to conceive our child now, or be the foolish boy that you are and wait?"
Harry lifted himself up and rested on his elbows. He heard a challenge in his professor, no, his mate's voice. He stared Snape directly in the eyes and spoke. "Now."
The corner of his lips curled up. "Romantic or business-like?"
"Business. This is purely business."
Snape did not seem surprised at his words and pulled the blanket off of Harry's naked body. "I am going to prepare you with a special lubricant I created. I know you're not attracted to me, but this will make your body feel like it is." He dipped his fingers into a vial and Harry shut his eyes as he felt the warm digits enter his hole, preparing him.
Snape was right. His mind may not have wanted this but as Snape rubbed the lubricant over his now hardened cock, his body definitely did. The bed creaked and sank as Snape climbed in, spreading Harry's legs to allow him room.
"Open your eyes," Snape said with his velvety voice. Only now did Harry realize his professor had such a sexy voice. He did as Snape commanded and briefly smiled at the man above him.
Harry gasped as he felt his mate's cock slowly, oh so slowly, push into him. He couldn't even breathe until Snape was fully inside. "Relax. Breathe." Snape brushed away a strand of hair from Harry's face. "How do you feel?"
"Stuffed," he answered honestly, though a little strained. It was hard to think when he had Snape in him.
Moments later, Snape began to move. Slowly at first, then began to pick up speed. Harry tried to distance himself from the act, but found himself bucking upwards. There were no kisses or emotions involved. Just the movement of completion. Harry felt Snape come and figured they were done. Not so. Snape pulled out and slid down, taking Harry into his mouth. Licking, sucking, tongue everywhere. He jerked his hips and came in a rush.
***
Snape came back from the bathroom with a warm washcloth and gently wiped Harry clean. Then he took Harry's hand and placed it on Harry's stomach. "Do you sense anything?" he asked quietly.
Harry wanted to know what Snape was talking about when he sensed it. A sort of warm curling feeling. He gasped. "Was that...is that--?"
"It is." Snape pulled Harry into his arms and allowed the boy to rest his head on his chest. The details of their mating and their child would come tomorrow. Right now they both needed a rest.
