"Ahh!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, jolting Harry from his slumber in a chair set way across the room. I was writhing in pain as I lie in bed inside St. Mungo's maternity ward. It was July 31st, Harry's birthday and my second day of labor. Pregnant was I again, only this time with a child no one wanted.

"Its almost time Mrs. Potter" Alanis, the healer that was on duty told me . . . Again.

I shuddered when she called me Mrs. Potter. Even though that's who I was I didn't feel like it. Not anymore at least.

"You're only around 7 centimeters dilated" she explained

"You said that four hours ago!" I snapped just as another contraction hit me. I cursed aloud before falling back into the heap of pillows that were propped up behind me.

"I'm sorry ma'am" the tiny witch apologized empathetically, ignoring just how rude I'd been to her "There's been no change"

"Can I have something for the pain then?" I asked as yet another contraction hit me.

She stood up and looked at her watch. "Yes It's time for another dosage. Ill be right back. While I'm gone Mrs. Potter please try and relax" she suggested before leaving

"Oh whatever" I groaned turning on my side where my eyes met Harry's for just a moment before he pulled them away.

Still looking away he got up and stretched then made his way to my bedside. He wet a baby blue cloth with cool water from his and dabbed it on my forehead. I was grateful for this gesture seeing I was sweating now more than ever. Still, as he sat on the edge of the uncomfortable bed cooling me down, no words were spoken between us. And try as I might he wouldn't let our eyes meet. He hadn't looked me in the eye in what seemed like forever . . . No one had.

"Do you need anything?" he asked staring at the pale yellow wall rather than me.

"My back hurts" I whined " Could you rub it for me?"

He nodded numbly and switched sided. As he massaged my back I took a deep breath, he no longer wore the wedding band I'd given him eleven years ago.

"Is that okay?" he asked applying more pressure to my lower back.

"That's really good baby" I answered grabbing a hold of his hand and turning over.

For the first time in a long time he didn't pull his hand from mines. I gave him a weary smile right before another contraction seized me.

"Breathe" he instructed squeezing my hand.

I did the breathing exercises learned from a previous pregnancy, still holding his hand. After a minute or so the pain subsided temporarily. And then the door opened. At first I thought it was Alanis with the potion I so desperately wanted, needed. But with one look at the hair, all bets were off. Harry pulled his hand away from mines and anger quickly registered on his face. At that moment all of my skeletons were coming out of the closet and I couldn't avoid it any longer.