Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling's playground; I just play in it ;
A Witch's Pregnancy, A Little Short of Hell in a Hand Basket:
The Beginning is Always the Easiest Part: Lily
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Unfortunately, a witch's pregnancy is just as awful as a Muggle woman's. You would think with all this magic, that it would be easy! I guess it's not like you can just go and say 'Accio baby!' from the womb and have it all be well and dandy. However, that would be nice.
The first month wasn't so bad… given I had no idea that I was pregnant. I had been irregular since after my Auror training, so worrying about my period wasn't a big deal. James and I rarely got to see each other in between our long and extensive shifts as being Aurors and apart of the Order of the Phoenix. I had started to feel queasy in the mornings. Honestly, I thought it was just a bit of a cold from exhaustion. I was averaging about 6 hours of sleep a WEEK. At least it seemed that way.
It was during the second month that I finally decided to go to St. Mungo's to see a mediwitch. I didn't consider my second missed period until I overheard a conversation. I was sitting in the waiting room, idly kicking my feet while I waited. To my left and quite near, two ladies were chit-chatting.
"I was so excited that I had missed my period! Edward and I have been trying for months now!" one of them breathed out excitedly.
When I heard that, it dawned on me. My stomach dropped, as did my mouth in horror.
No, no… that can't be it! I'm just under stress. It's just lots of stress and lack of sleep. That has to be it. I can't be pregnant!
All of these new, foreign thoughts were making me feel ill. Without thinking to conjure a wastebasket, I pitched forward, head between my knees, and retched. Much to my chagrin, everyone in the waiting room turned to stare at me. Groaning, I whipped out my wand and Scourgify!-d the floor. To save me further embarrassment, a mediwitch stepped into the hallway, calling out, "Lily Potter?"
I hastily stood up, walking briskly toward the woman, "Yes, yes that's me… Can we hurry please?"
"Of course, right this way!" She smiled brightly, ushering me through the doorway and down the hallway.
I followed the mediwitch and left the waiting room full of tut-tutting women behind me. Thank Merlin. I can finally breathe properly again.
The mediwitch lead me into a room, and instructed for me to sit down. A little ruffled, I obeyed quietly.
"Your healer will be here shortly," she smiled kindly before exiting the room.
While I waited, I examined the examination room. It was rather dull and completely stark white. Why are hospitals so bleak? Only a few moments has passed before another, older woman entered.
"Hello, Mrs. Potter," she called out.
Rendering myself mute for the moment, I only smiled in response.
I watched her put her gemmed glasses on, pulling out a clipboard with a magical quill waiting to write as she walked in.
"Ahem, give me a moment Mrs. Potter. I need to test this quill out," she stated, smiling before continuing, talking to the quill, "Mrs. Lucretia Bones, mediwitch, 15th of December 1979. Attending to Mrs. Lily Marie Potter, previously Lily Marie Evans, who is here for an appointment because she has been feeling unwell for approximately six weeks."
I sat there feeling even more awkward as I watched the quill move effortlessly without her even touching it. If I wasn't so nervous, I might have been awed.
"Alright Mrs. Potter, I have a few questions to ask before I begin to look into your problem. Have you been under a lot of stress lately? Have you been sleeping regularly? Do you have any allergies?" Lucretia asked kindly.
I frowned, furrowing my brow.
"Well, yes. I've been under lots of stress. There is a war going on. No, I have not been sleeping regularly. James and I have both been working highly irregular and long shifts. Allergies?" I paused, considering my allergies and the relativity of them before responding, "No, none that I can think of."
"Are you taking any medication? Are you pregnant?" she continued.
I shook my head when she asked me if I was taking any medication, but my heart stopped when I heard 'pregnant.' I chewed nervously on the inside of my lip.
Lucretia delicately rose a brow, and when I didn't respond she asked, "Do you know the last time you had your period?"
"Well… Everything has been so hectic and ever since I finished Auror training I've been irregular… I honestly couldn't tell you," I answered guiltily.
She sighed, shaking her head and muttering something along the lines of 'kids these days.'
"Alright, I alright… Let me do a test to see if you are pregnant or not," Lucretia made a tutting noise before casting a pregnancy charm to see if I was pregnant or not.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Potter. You're having a baby!" she exclaimed.
I am sure she meant well, but she scared the daylights out of me. I looked down to examine my stomach, and sure enough, there was a blue positive sign. I don't remember much after that, I think I passed out.
I woke up moments later to being poked and prodded by a variety of healers asking me all sorts of ridiculous questions.
"Oh Merlin," I groaned, sitting up and tossing an arm in weak defense to fend them off, "Geroff me."
"Welcome back, Mrs. Potter," Lucretia only smiled at me and it made me feel like she was inwardly laughing at me. I think she had been able to tell all along.
This must be some sick joke. Surely the gods are laying some mortifying game with me. I can't seriously be pregnant in the midst of a war! I can't put my baby in that sort of mess! I started hyperventilating, contemplating my situation.
"So what do I do now?" I asked feebly.
"I would suggest telling your husband. I'm sure he will be thrilled! I will be sure to owl you for your regular check-ups and prenatal care. Good day, Mrs. Potter." With one last smile, she exited, but not before adding, "You have that glow, Mrs. Potter."
I still am not sure I made it home that day. The whole day had been a daze. James was on a mission, but he was supposed to be home late. I distractedly made dinner, debating whether I should call any friends or family first, or wait to tell James first.
I picked up the phone to call mum, but then put it back down. No, I couldn't tell her first. James had to know. What if he didn't want it?
Telling James had been the hardest.
"Honey, I'm home!" James called out.
"I'm in the kitchen," I responded somewhat distressed as I was setting the table.
"Honey, why are you setting the table the Muggle way? Is something bothering you?" He walked over to me, cupping my face and kissing my temple. He knew I did things the Muggle way when something was weighing on my conscience.
"Well… I have news!" My face brightened, but I think he easily saw through my façade.
"Oh, what kind? Good or bad?" he eyed me curiously.
"James I'm pregnant," I blurted, quickly raising my hands to cover my mouth af.terward.
I couldn't tell is he was shocked or horrified. He took a step back, staring at me with his mouth agape.
"Come again?" he asked.
My lower lip trembled and I looked like I was about to cry. He didn't want it. I could tell. He was angry. I sat down heavily on a dining room chair, putting my head in my hands. I broke down then, sobbing hysterically.
"Oh James, you don't want it, do you? Are you mad?" I cried.
"Oh no, no, no Lily! Oh baby, no, not at all. I'm excited! That's terrific news! The best we've had in a long time! Oh Lily, we're having a child!"
He dropped down to his knees, cupping my face with his hands. He lifted my head up, staring into my watery eyes. His thumbs rubbed at my tear-streaked face, wiping my tears away. He leaned in to kiss me passionately.
He made me realize that I would get through this. Because of him.
Telling everyone else the news turned out to be easier. The Order was having a dinner party at our house in Godric's Hollow for the holidays, just a day after Christmas. We had just started eating when James clanked his fork against his glass to get everyone's attention.
"Listen everyone, Lily and I have great news!" He announced, squeezing my shoulder fondly and grinning wildly. I smiled; maybe his enthusiasm was growing on me. Then again, he wasn't the one who would have to carry another human being inside of him for the next several months!
"We're having a baby!" he yelled.
The table roared with delight. Everyone began talking at once, saying things like 'I knew it was coming!' and 'You can tell, she has that glow!'
"Here, here! To James and Lily Potter, and the soon to-be-Potter!" Sirius cried out.
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A/N: I know that St. Mungo's has healers, but I wasn't sure if healers were what you deal with when you're giving birth… and I swear I've read mediwitch somewhere, but I checked the wiki and didn't find it in there so… I apologize if this is more than a little bit non-Canon. I tried, if that counts for anything!