Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter. That all goes to J.K Rowling. Although if there is anything you don't recognize from the books, movies, or real life, it's probably mine.
"We're Not Ready For This"
Justine Gale stared at the warm body next to her. His ginger hair fell in front of his face, blocking her view. She looked around the room and noticed that none of his dorm mates returned that night. 'You sly little fox, you knew last night was going to happen.' Justine wondered just how long he had planned last night. Shifting out of the bed, she grabbed her knickers and threw one of his white button up shirts on. With all of her movement, Bill Weasley woke up and immediately stared at the beautiful woman in front of him. Her long brown hair flowed across her shoulders and down her back. Reaching just above her bum. He continued her gaze farther down her legs. She had the most smoothest and longest legs he's ever had the pleasure of touching.
"Well good morning." Justine grabbed a pair of socks and began to put them on.
"Good morning to you as well." Bill stretched and pushed the covers off his body and stood up. Justine's body went rigid at the sight of him. Last night, she knew what was pressing up against her, but actually seeing it was a different story. Bill caught her gaze and quickly grabbed his briefs and put them on. "Sorry about that."
"No, it's not a problem. I mean, it was all there last night." Justine stared at the floor as Bill continued to get dressed. After he put a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt on, he walked over to where Justine sat on his chest at the foot of his bed.
He kneeled by her and grabbed her chin, making her look at him. "About last night…"
"Don't worry about it. I wanted it just as much as you did." Justine held his gaze. His light green eyes peered deep into her sky blue ones. "Really Bill, it's fine", she smiled warmly at him. Bill kissed her lightly on her lips and held her face. She placed on hand around his neck and pulled him in closer, deepening the kiss.
"That's how last night started." Bill said with a laugh.
"No, last night started with you throwing me on top of your bed." Justine kissed the tip of nose.
"I love you Justine Clarissa Gale." Bill looked at her quizzically. It was the first time that either of them uttered the "L" word. Both agreeing not to mention it, until they were both ready for that kind of commitment.
"I love you William Arthur Weasley."
It had been two months since Valentines Day. Since the night that Justin and Bill had made love in his dorm room. Many had wondered where she had wandered off to that might, but all had the same idea. Her best friend Angelica Thomas wanted all the juicy details, which Justine gladly gave. She wanted to shout with all her might those following weeks that she was in love with Bill Weasley. Everyone noticed that her and Bill had become close than they had ever been. Since that night, they made love on a regular basis, whenever and wherever they could. Once they were almost caught by Professor McGonagall during their free period.
It was closing in on their graduation. Only two more months until June and they were finally adults. They had finished all their exams and were simply waiting for the school year to come to an end. Many 7th years were stressing on their future jobs and careers out in the real world. Justine was one of them. She had no idea what to do. She was average in most of her subjects. Potions was her highest score and she was mediocre at best, according to Professor Snape. With the stress of reality, Justine noticed that she started becoming ill. She was constantly throwing up, she couldn't keep anything down and to top it all of, she was having trouble sleeping. Bill suggested she go see Madam Pomfrey for a check up. Justine insisted it was just her nerves acting up. Around May, Justine noticed that she was having violent mood swings and she hadn't had her period in a while. Scared out of her wits, she rushed to see Madam Pomfrey.
"Miss Gale, what can I do for you?" Thankfully there was not another soul inside the Hospital Wing.
"May I speak to you in private Madam Promfrey?" Looking at the young girl, Pomfrey lead her into her office.
"Now, what can I do for you Miss Gale?" Justine picked at her fingernails, not daring to look up at the woman before her. "Miss Gale?"
"I need a pregnancy potion!" Madam Pomfrey stared the frantic girl that sat in the chair.
"Miss Gale, this is serious a serious matter. Are you sure?" Justine just nodded. "Alright then. Unfortunately, I am not able to administer such a potion without the Headmaster here."
Justine groaned and threw her head into her hands and start to cry. Pomfrey darted to the girls' side. "It's okay dear; It's going to be alright."
"No it's not! What do I do if I am pregnant? What am I supposed to tell him? 'Sorry honey, you can't go to Egypt, I'm pregnant!' I can't do that to him. Not to mention that my parents are going to kill me! This wasn't supposed to happen."
It took an hour to calm Justine down before Madam Pomfrey called the Headmaster into the Hospital Wing. Within the next half hour Professor Dumbledore entered the wing with a most serious look on his face that Justine was unfamiliar with.
"Miss Gale." It was a silent cold acknowledgment. Justine understood, as far as she was concerned she was the first student to ever get pregnant while he was Headmaster. That says a lot about your ability to head a school full of raging hormonal teenagers.
"Now, Miss Gale when you need to do it swallow this potion after about three minutes the effects will start working. I will then run a diagnostic test and we will be able to see the results."
Madam Pomfrey handed Justine a murky yellow looking potion that smelled foul. Pinching her nose, she threw the drink back. It didn't do much to rid the taste. Pomfrey gave her a glass of water to wash down the taste. Now all that was left to was to wait and see.
Justine walked into the Gryffindor common room numb. What was she going to do? Her parents would kill her before she even got a chance to tell Bill. 'Oh God Bill, what is this gonna to do us', and there he was, sitting with his younger brother Charlie talking about a letter their mum had sent them.
"Justine! Guess what, mum invited you to stay for the summer. Isn't that great?" Bill came up, kissed her and hugged her tightly.
"Oh Bill." Justine's face fell and tears started to form in her eyes.
"Justine? What's the matter?"
'I can't tell him. Make something up Justine, and quick!'
"Oh Bill, didn't I tell you daddy is taking me and mummy to America this summer."
"No, you hadn't mentioned it." Bill looked sad.
"Maybe I can convince them to let me stay?" 'Not likely.'
"Yeah, that'll be excellent, I'm gonna go owl mother and tell her." Bill dashed off to his room to send the reply.
Justine walked up to her dorm and began to write her own letter to her parents. How was she supposed to tell her parents that she was pregnant? That she threw her life down the drain. 'I'm not ready for a kid. Bill isn't either, we're just kids ourselves."
Burning the letter she started, Justine made a vow that she wasn't going to tell Bill about the baby and would tell her parents the minute she got home.
Collapsing on her bed, Justine placed a hand on her stomach. Terrified to know that there was a being growing inside of her. A piece of her, a piece of Bill. Slowly, images of what life would be like if she told Bill about the baby. Sadly, the images she was looking into were not pretty. It showed how her and Bill would pull apart, how she would hate him, and in the long run hate her child. She tried to think of the positive things. Like, her and Bill living together, raising their baby. What gender would it be? Would it be a girl, or would it be a boy like most of the Weasley's are? Would they have red hair like their father or brown like their mother? Would they excel in Potions or Charms? Would they love Quidditch or hate it like their mother did?
The more and more Justine thought about this child and their possible attributes and qualities the more she became depressed and withdrawn. Pulling her duvet over her head, she tried to block out reality and pretend that she was back in his arm that night. How he whispered sweet nothings into her ear, how his face was nuzzled against her neck and he moved inside her. Back to the night when everything was perfect.
Gathering her things from the overhead rack, Justine and Bill headed for Kings Cross to meet their parents. Rupert and Frances Gale were formidable looking people. Well Rupert Gale was. His stone cold face made his blue eyes even colder than they already were. His blonde hair pulled back into a small pony tail. He stood at 6'5 with a posture that could make a stone statue bend. Frances Gale was a more petite woman. Her curly brown hair made her ivory skin shine bright. Her blue eyes were a deeper blue than Justine's' own. She gave off a sense of homeliness but underneath was the fierceness of a lioness. Justine knew how her parents would react once they heard of her impending childbirth. She stared at them, squeezing Bill's hand tightly. With as much courage as she could muster she walked over to her parents with Bill in tow.
"Hello mummy, daddy." Justine gave each parent a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Rupert never took his eyes off Bill.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Gale. It's a pleasure to see you again" Bill shook Rupert's hand and gave Frances a light kiss on the knuckles.
"Hello Mr. Weasley, I hope you enjoyed your last year?"
"Oh, yes ma'am. It was even better spending it with Justine."
"Distracting her from her studies no doubt."
"Now now Rupert be nice. Oh look dear, there's your mother and father. Molly, Arthur such a pleasure." Frances greeted both eldest Weasley's with a hug. Rupert and Arthur shook hand and Rupert gave Molly a quick peck on the cheek.
"Frances, Rupert it's good to see you. Oh, and Justine dear, you look positively gorgeous. You've got a glow about you." Mrs. Weasley kissed Justine on her cheek and gave her a big hug.
"Hello dear." Mr. Weasley gave her a small squeeze on her shoulder. Justine gave him a warm smile.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Where are the rest of the children? I hope you didn't leave Percy in charge, you know the twins never listen."
"Oh no, Aunt Muriel is with them at the moment." Molly chuckled. Both Charlie and Bill looked at each other and shivered.
"Aunt Muriel is a right sight to see giving orders."
"Yes, my aunt is quite the army general. Well, boys we must be off. Rupert, Frances wonderful to see you again."
"Yes, send my best to your sister Frances, yours as well Rupert." Molly lugged Charlie off, following Arthur.
"Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Gale. It really was nice to see you again." Give one last handshake and a quick kiss, Bill pulled Justine in a hug. "I'll write you, and see if you can still come this summer."
"I wouldn't push your luck Bill, but we'll see nonetheless." Justine gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, knowing that her father wasn't big on displays of affection in public areas. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Grabbing her trunk, Justine followed her parents to the nearby alley to apparate home. Once they were sure that no muggles were looking, Justine grabbed hold of her fathers arm and side apparated with him to Gale Manor.
Justine sat in her fathers study. Her father was behind his desk, his fingers intertwined and both index fingers placed on his chin. Her mother stood by the window looking out at fountain below.
"Say something." Justine said in just about a whisper.
"Say something? And what would you like us to say Justine?" Her father stared at her.
"Anything."
"What are you planning on doing about," her father paused "…this?"
Justine looked up at her parents. Tears were slowly starting to well up, but she refused to let any fall. "I thought I could so spend the summer with Aunt Celia. Have the child there and put it up for adoption. I know what a scandal like this could do for the family. For me."
"So you've thought this through?"
"Yes daddy."
"And this boy, William, does he know about his unborn child?"
"I thought it best not to tell him until I knew exactly what to do."
"Well then, that settles it. I'll owl Celia right away and tell her you're coming for the summer."
"Rupert!" Frances finally spoke since Justine muttered the words 'I'm pregnant'. "Our daughter just told us she's pregnant and you're willing to ship her of to France?"
"Yes Frances I am. This is not something we need right now. Justine needs to focus on getting a career before she had children."
"She should have thought of that before she spread her legs for the first man willing." Frances looked at her daughter one last time before she walked out of the room.
Justine was stunned. Her mother had never spoken to her like that before. Her pride be damned. Justine let her tears fall. Getting up, she ran all the way to her room and began packing her bags. The quicker she got out of her house, the better.
"Justine." The hard voice of her father floated into her room. She stopped her frantic packing and turned around. Her father walked into the room and sat down on the bed. Justine ran to her father and threw herself into her arms. Crying like she was 5 years old again and she feel and scraped her knees.
"Daddy, I'm scared."
"I know baby, I know." Softly rubbing his daughters back, Rupert wondered what was going to happen next.
November 7th, 1986. A day that would be forever burned into Justine's mind. After 6 hours of excruciating labor pains, and five minutes of pushing, Justine welcomed a baby girl into the world. She had a small tuff of bright red hair. Hey eyes were as blue as the ocean. Her skin looked like she was a small china doll. She was perfection in Justine's eyes. The second she was placed in her arms, Justine fell in love. Sadly she knew that these moments weren't meant to last. She knew what she had to do. Justine feared sending her child to a wizarding orphanage, so her and her father agreed on a muggle one located in Paris. Since neither were residents of the muggle world, they would have to leave the child on the door step and pray they took the child in. It broke Justine's heart to do it, but she had no choice. She couldn't risk Bill ever finding out.
It was still clear as day when she told him that they could no longer be together. It broke her. Since she was well into her pregnancy she couldn't go to him. She simply wrote him a letter. Possibly the worst letter she would ever have to write and send off.
"Miss, we need to take her and get her washed up." Justine reluctantly handed her daughter off to the healer. Her Aunt Celia sat in the chair across from the bed. She was just tired as Justine. She had been with her throughout the whole birthing process. She found Justine when her water broke and she starting screaming like a banshee. She was there when Justine was rushed to the hospital. She was there through all the contractions and threats of murder. She was there when Justine's little baby made her grand entrance. Once the baby was out, Celia wrote a quick note off to Rupert and Frances. Rupert, her darling brother, would come. Frances however wouldn't. Frances practically disowned Justine. If it weren't for Rupert, Justine would have been forced out of the family.
'This poor girl. She had to deal with this all on her own. Of course the stubborn cow wouldn't confine in anyone other than her father.' Celia stared at her niece. She looked absolutely exhausted. Not to mention, a little ill. Despite the weight gain from being pregnant, Justine's face look 10 years older than she was. She had dark circle under and bags under her eyes from lack of sleep. Her face was a lot thinner. Her cheek were more predominate. Her lips were cracked and bleeding from constant gnawing. Even her collar bone was starting to show. This was not how a pregnant woman was supposed to look.
"Aunt Celia?"
"Yes dear?"
"Am I doing the right thing?" Justine looked at her aunt for guidance. Her mother obviously wasn't giving her any.
"Do you think you are?"
"I don't know. I mean, if I raise this baby I'm gonna do it on my own. Bill isn't ready for a baby. Plus, he already has that internship in Egypt. I can't tell him to walk away from that."
"Well, we establish that it's not right for Bill, but what about you sweetie?"
"No. I am not ready for this baby. I was terrified when Madam Pomfrey told me I was pregnant. Professor Dumbledore just gave me this look and walked away. The entire time I was at Hogwarts I thought, 'Can people tell I'm pregnant?' Then when school ended, Mrs. Weasley said that I had a glow about me. Then I began to wonder, 'Did Bill notice? Is he waiting for me to tell him'? Turns out he was clueless the entire time. When I told my parents I wanted to jump out the window to save them from deciding what I should do. I think…" Justine paused, breathing rather unsteadily; she wiped the tears from her eyes. '..I think I'm doing the right thing. This baby is gonna need a supportive mother and a caring father. Something I won't be able to giver her."
Celia looked at her niece in a new light. It wasn't having the baby that made her a woman, it was making the toughest decision of her life that did.
Three days after Justine gave birth, she and her father pulled their hoods up to their faces, making sure no one was looking. They walked up the steps to Madam Chantal's Home for Children, placed the basket on the front porch. Justine stared down at her daughter.
"My baby Victoria. I will miss you." Justine placed Victoria into the basket, after making sure that she was well enough warm. Placing a note on top of the basket Justine pulled her wand out. Muttering a simple incantation, she placed a protection spell over her daughter. Something that would always keep her safe until she was old enough to be considered a woman.
Gripping the doorknocker, Justine gave it three good knocks, before following her father behind a bush. They Disillusioned themselves, so no one could see them. They waited until they saw the porch light turn on and an elderly women walked out.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" Looking around Madam Chantal didn't see anyone. She was about to turn around and walk back into her house when something caught her eyes. "Oh good heavens."
Reaching down Chantal picked up the child inside the basket. Looking around for anyone who might have left the child on the porch. She saw none. Chantal saw the note and carefully held the child in her right arm and she reached for it.
Dear Madam Chantal,
This little girl is my most precious gift, please; I beg of you, keep her safe. I plan on being back for her within two years, If am unsuccessful please, allow her to be adopted by any man you deem caring enough of a beauty soul such as this, and a woman who is wise and would guide her into the right direction. Her name is Victoria. Just Victoria. Born November 7th, 1986.
- A loving but undeserving mother.
P.S If she is ever adopted, please give this to her new family, that way they may pass it onto her, that way she knows that I will always love her.
Chantal looked at the precious bundle in her arms. "You my dear are very special. I'm going to take good care of you. "Madam Chantal walked back into the house with baby Victoria in her arms.
Justine watched as her daughter was taken inside. She tried not to cry, but the feeling was overwhelming. She turned to her father and sunk into his arms. Rupert apparated to his sisters' house from the orphanage let Justine to continue crying in his arms until she fell asleep.
He took her cloak off, untied her boots, and put her under the covers. The door opened to reveal Celia standing in the hallway.
"She's done it then?"
"Yes, we watched the old woman take the child inside."
Celia put her hand on her brothers' shoulder. "You must be proud of her."
"I'm more worried. Worried about what this going to do to her."
Both of the Gale siblings walked out of the room, and shut the door. They walked into the kitchen, both of them mulling over a cup of tea. Rupert had yet to touch his. After two hours of sitting, the sun was seen rising over the hilltop. There was a knock at the door. Rupert looked at Celia who just shrugged. Celia walked to the door and opened it.
"Frances? What are you doing here?" Her sister-in-law stood on her porch in a traveling cloak.
"Where is she? Where is my baby?" Walking into the house, Frances discarded her cloak on the floor and began looking around frantically.
"She's upstairs resting."
Frances turned around to see her husband standing there. She ran to him and straight into his arms.
"Oh Rupert, I've been a fool. How could I have treated her this way?" Rupert simply wrapped his around her shoulders and held her.
"It's okay Franny, It's all over."
"She gave it away?"
"Yes, she have her away."
"Her? She had a daughter?"
"Yes she did. A most beautiful baby girl." Rupert gave a tiny smile at the memory of his tiny granddaughter.
"Oh, I've been a fool. I have to talk to her." Frances removed herself from her husband and made her way to Justine's room.
"Frances let her sleep. These past few months have not been good to her." Celia closed the door to her house and walked back into the kitchen with Rupert following, while Frances debated with herself. Giving in, she knew that Celia knew more about how to care for Justine than she did.
With a heavy heart and large sigh, Frances walked into the kitchen to join Celia and her husband.
That next morning, Justine packed her bags and went back to London with her parents. She got dressed, went straight to St. Mungos and began her search to find out how to become a Healer. After having Victoria, Justine finally decided that she wanted to be there, when the witches of London had their children. She wanted to be the ones to tell the mother what their baby was, hand them their precious little child and be there and watch that magical connection between mother and child.
Entering the Maternity ward, she asked for the Head Healer. A short woman with black hair pulled tight into a bun came around from the back. She resembled a, less frightening, younger Professor McGonagall without the glasses.
"Hello dear, how may I help you?" Justine shook the hand of the older woman in front of her.
"Hello. My name is Justine Gale, and I want to become a Healer. I graduated Hogwarts last year, and I took some time off for some soul searching and I'm ready get on with my life."