Cay and Brett entered the castle and began their assent to the Hospital Wing. On their way, they received many shocked glances and pointed fingers. Cay rolled her eyes at a rather persistent Gryffindor second year that appeared to be following them since they entered the castle. Finally they arrived at the Infirmary Brett pushed open the door and allowed Cay to enter before he promptly shut it in the Gryffindor girl's face. They looked around and found Madam Pomfrey leaning over a first year boy who was very red in the face.
"I'll be right with you," the mediwitch said as she spotted the two seventh years waiting by the door.
She gave the boy a potion, which he drank quickly, his eyes drooping instantly. She finished up checking her young charge before she crossed the room to greet the two new arrivals. The couple exchanged nervous glances before Brett urged Cay forward.
"Go on, tell her," he whispered.
"Excuse me Madam Pomfrey but there is something I need to tell you," she began sheepishly.
"I am...pregnant," she said, letting out a sigh of relief.
Madame Pomfrey clapped her hand over her mouth as though her tongue were about to fall out. "Are you sure? Sit down here." she said, pointing to the nearest bed. "Who is the father? I'll have to let the Headmistress know immediately. When did you find out?" the questions hurried from her mouth. She ran off into her office to fetch a potion, mumbling to herself. She then came back with a thick gray potion. "You'll need to take this to make sure."
"Make sure of what?" she asked staring at the potion.
"I'm five months along. It's damn well obvious that I got knocked up. And Brett here is the big daddy," she said, pointing lazily at her friend.
Madame Pomfrey looked shocked. He face showed it. "You two? But how? I never thought that..." She stopped abruptly and shook her head from side to side.
"Well, do you want to know the gender of the baby, before I make other arrangements. By the way, have your parents been notified? If not, then the Headmistress will have to do it." Madame Pomfrey smiled softly.
"Sorry if I seem a bit...rude...but it's not everyday that someone comes in here pregnant. As a matter of fact, you are the first person since..." she trailed off.
"Yes our parents know. And…we want to know the gender," she said. "And if you don't mind me asking, I'm the first person since who?" she inquired.
"Well," began Madam Pomfrey, "I am not supposed to divulge that. But, her name was Lily. Lily Potter. She was a bright girl, last victim of the last war. She got married straight out of school. From the looks of it, you two might do the same." She smiled again. "Now, hold on while I go and get a book. I haven't done this in a while."
Cay glanced over at Brett and snickered. "Potter's Mum got knocked up during school. That's a laugh," she chuckled, motioning for him to come sit next to her on the bed.
She came back out with a book. "Now, usually I'd just use the "Genderexit Revealo" spell. But you aren't far enough in the second trimester for it to happen normally. So, you have to drink this potion," she said, referring to a vial of a pale blue substance in her hand. "Drink it and the spell will work. It tastes horrible, and it burns, but it's the only way, unless you want to wait another month," Madame Pomfrey said, waiting for an answer.
"Madam Pomfrey, could we please not tell Professor McGonagall about this? It's just that...we're not married or anything, and we'd hate for the news to get out so quickly." Brett said. He did not want the entire castle in his...their business.
Cay took the potion and knowing it not wise to smell potions, downed it quickly. She grimaced at the foul taste and burning sensation.
"You weren't kidding when you said that it's disgusting," she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
A blue colored mist suddenly surrounded her stomach. As quickly as it had appeared, it was gone.
"Uh, what happened?" she asked, utterly bewildered.
"The spell has taken effect. Now, hold still for a moment." Madam Pomfrey explained as she pulled her wand from her robes.
She pointed it at Arcadia's stomach. She muttered a spell and yet another pale blue jet of light erupted from the wand tip. It hit Arcadia's stomach. As though an invisible hand was drawing it, a figure began to take shape. Soon the figure became a baby, looking at least nine months old.
"You're having a girl." Madame Pomfrey said.
"Uh Madam Pomfrey, doesn't blue usually mean a boy. I did read a little bit about this spell and…" she began, correcting the mediwitch.
The embarrassment showed on her face as she turned bright red. She covered her face briefly with her hands before she continued speaking.
"Well then. I made a mistake. It is a little boy. Yes, nice healthy baby boy," she expounded.
Madame Pomfrey was ready to change the subject. "Now, there are many potions that you'll have to be taking daily. And, to you, young man, no um...funny business...with her while she's pregnant."
Brett paled at this comment and his eyes bulged out slightly. Cay couldn't stop herself from laughing. Her giggles nearly caused her to fall off the bed. She tried to imagine Brett engaging in 'funny business' with her.
"That won't be a problem. Now what kind of potions?" she asked, trying to control herself.
"You know, usually a young woman takes things such as this more seriously." Madame Pomfrey scolded.
"Now, I'll be giving you two strength potions. One for you, and one for the baby. Also, you'll have to try not to exert yourself, and eating is a must. You will also need to come here when you feel sluggish for no apparent reason. You'll need a Pepper-Up Potion. Also, when the time comes for you to give birth, you'll need another potion, to help survive the birth. Is all this clear to you?" the elderly witch questioned sternly.
"Yes ma'am," she said seriously.
"Sorry for laughing. It's these damn hormones making me all wonky," she muttered.
"Quite alright, dear. Now, I'll get the potions ready for you. By the way, young man, it's noble of you to stay with her in her time of need. Some men can't do it." Madame Pomfrey marched off into her office, leaving Brett and Cay alone
"What do you suppose she meant by that?" Cay scoffed.
"Well, some men leave the wives or girlfriends when they get pregnant. I guess she thinks it's nice that I've decided to stay, right?" Brett said.
"This whole 'father of the baby' thing is getting so weird that I actually got happy when she said you were having a boy," he added.
"Wow," Cay whispered. "So we're having a boy. I'm sticking with Isaiah. For a first name anyways," she said, placing her hand on his arm and leaning on him playfully.
"Any ideas for a middle name?" she asked.
Brett looked thoughtful before speaking again.
"How about my name? I am the father...it is only fitting." Brett said. He made a note of her use of the word we're. He wondered did she mean the two of them, or her and Snape.
"I like that idea. Isaiah Brettford..." she trailed off.
"Oh damn. A surname. Which bloody surname," she railed.
Use yours," he said quickly.
He knew she might have wanted to name the boy Snape, as she had stated that she wanted to carry on his line. But, why give the boy a life of such hardships that came with the name.
"That would be best I suppose. Since we aren't married," she mumbled.
A sudden thought occurred to her just then. When she'd said 'we're not married' she entirely meant her and Brett. Severus hadn't even come to mind.
"Oh no," she breathed, beginning to sniffle. "I'm beginning to think that this charade is real," she whispered, for the umpteenth time that afternoon wiping her eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Brett asked. He held her in his arms, as she wiped a few more tears.
"I didn't mean anything by it. I just want you to know that I am gonna be here for Isaiah...and you. Don't worry. We can pretend as long as you like." Brett said.
Pretending was soon fading. The charade wouldn't last forever. He had already realized this. He had never met anyone like her, and he told himself he wanted to know more.
"I…I'm sorry Brett. I…I don't want this to be just a game. It's your name that's going on Isaiah's birth certificate," she murmured amid a small choked sob.
"Thank you." He said. "I'm glad. But, this isn't enough. I feel a real connection to you. I can be myself with you, and I don't think that it should end. I want you...to be mine." Brett said. He had a seriousness in his voice that wasn't there before.
"I want you too. I want my…our baby to grow up with a mum and a dad that are together," she replied, wrapping her arms around him.
"Then that's it. We're a family now." He held her tighter. "I only want the best for us. Have you ever thought about...about marriage?" He knew that this question was rushing things, but he wanted to solidify their relationship...in case Snape ever came back.
Yeah. I have..." she began nervously.
Up until now she'd always assumed she and Severus would be getting married. But now, as the prospects of his return grew fainter, she began to realize she was living in the past.
"Are you 'popping' the question?" she continued.
"Well...yeah. I am. Arcadia, will you marry me?" Brett asked.
"I…I…yes," she said, trying to keep a squeal out of her voice. She then did something she wasn't so sure she should have. She planted a big kiss on his lips.
Brett's heart leapt with Joy. He kissed her with passion. "Wow...look at us...two saps in love." he said. "I want to get married after we graduate. Even though we're of age now, lets finish school first. I am so happy you said yes."
"I'm happy too. But…I mean, won't having a family interrupt your going to the Auror Academy?" she asked, snuggling against his athletically sculpted body.
"I can put it off for a while. You are going to need me...both of you. Don't think it's going to bother me. I have a family now, and that's all that matters," he said.
"Thank you. Thank you sooo…ouch," she said. She stared strangely down at her abdomen, saying nothing.
"Whats wrong? Is something wrong with the baby?" Brett queried frantically.
"I...I don't think so. I…he just kicked!" she shrieked happily, causing both of them to topple over onto the bed.
"Oh...I was worried for a moment," He laughed. "He's happy now. At least we know he approves of me. Oh, look here come Madam Pomfrey."
Madame Pomfrey gave Cay a few bottles of potions, telling her to come back weekly for check ups and to get more potion. She then told them that they could leave. Cay pushed her oversized self off the bed and pulled Brett up after her.
"I'm starving, want to go find something to eat?" she asked, patting her belly happily.
"Yeah, sure," He said, grabbing her by the hand and leading the way to the Great Hall.
The newly engaged couple entered the Great Hall, hand in hand. Steering Cay towards the Hufflepuff table, the pair ignored all the pointing, and curious glances that they had been getting. Brett took a seat next to Cay, rubbing her stomach under the table, as to not let on as to what he was doing. They soon began piling food onto their plates, each being ravenous as they had not eaten breakfast that morning.
Looking at a third year Ravenclaw staring at them, Brett rudely asked, "What in the hell are you gawking at, you little runt?" Th boy buried his head in his hands and did not look up again.
"Some people act as though they'd never seen a couple before," she said, shoving a forkful of chicken pie into her mouth. Her second trimester was really beginning to take its toll on her. She'd soon eaten all of her food, and was taking bits of Brett's when he wasn't looking.
"Cay," Brett began, "I know that this is kind of sudden, but I was wondering if you'd like to come and spend the Christmas Holiday with me and my family. I just know that they'd like you," Brett said hopefully. He had already come to the conclusion that since they were getting married, it was best that she get to know his family.
"I…I'd love to," she began, swallowing a bit of buttered bread. "I was just going to spend the break here at school. But, it sounds like fun. So, what are your parents like?" Cay asked.
"My parents are great. My mum, her name is Madeline, works for the Daily Prophet. She has an advice column. You might have heard of it. My dad, his name's Jonathan, owns a new Apothecary in Diagon Alley. He's an ex-quidditch player. He can be a bit blunt sometimes, but he means well," Brett said, smiling. "I also have a little sister, Darlene. She's always so hyper. She's the reason I didn't want a girl," He laughed.
Cay laughed as well. "How old is Darlene?" She asked.
"She's 10. She'll be starting Hogwarts next year. But, by then I'll be gone," Bret said.
"So, she'll be at school without her big brother?" Cay said with a smile. "Won't your parents be mad when they find out about…him?" She asked quietly, looking down at her stomach.
"I don't know. They do tend to overreact sometimes, but, what can they say? It's not like they can stop you from being pregnant, or stop me from being with you for that matter," He said. Still looking at Cay, he went for a piece of food on his plate, only to find that it was empty. "My, my, both of you were hungry."
"Sorry. Isaiah needs to eat and get big so he can be just like you," she smiled.
"So, what classes do you have? Lunch is almost over, and we can talk at the end of the day," He said.
"Well, I've got Transfiguration next. And then a free period. And then Defense Against the Dark Arts after that," she said in response to his question.
"Oh, I've got Potions with Slughorn, then Care of Magical Creatures with Hagrid. Than, that's about it for me. So, how about after your last class we meet, and talk?" He said hopefully.
"Yeah. I was thinking about…er…skipping Defense today. Its been getting a little dicey lately," She said nervously, slightly blushing.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I hate to admit it, but Snape was a good teacher," Brett said. "But, you can't skip classes. It's not good. You have to take N.E.W.Ts this year. That way you can get out of school, like you wanted to."
"I know I know. But its not just me I have to think about now. I gotta think about what's best for…well you know," she said, mouthing the baby's name.
"Yeah, very true," He said, gazing around. "Look, can we please leave? If another person stares, points, or laughs, I'm going to end up fighting .
"Yeah sure. Its kind of crowded in here all of a sudden," she said and stood up, bumping the table slightly with her stomach. "Shit," she muttered under her breath, gathering her robes about her quickly.
Brett and Cay left the Great Hall amidst all the whispering. They walked slowly around the castle with no particular aim in mind. "You know something. Its amazing how this all happened. We met and fell in love today. And before this, I said there's no such thing as love at first sight," Brett said.
"And until today I was walking around hoping some phenomenal lover would materialize and make everything right. Funny how you showed up just in time," she said, wrapping herself around his arm.
"Yeah. So, what do you think it'll be like? To be parents? Its gonna be an experience," He pulled her closer.
"Lots of sleepless nights," she said with a laugh. "And, a lot of wonderful firsts," she sighed happily.
"Yeah," Brett said, "first steps, first words, first time he causes us to scream his name because he might be hurt," He laughed. "I can't wait though. We're gonna be great parents."
"You can't be too sure. What make you say that?" she asked curiously. She liked his confidence in her abilities.
"You are a kind person. You are devoted and plus, I'm gonna be there everyday to support you." He said. His eyes flickered for a moment. A twinge of guilt came to him for a few seconds. He felt guilty for not being there all the time for her. It amazed him how even though they had been in the same school for so many years, this was one of their first real conversations. He then had another realization. He did not know her, yet he was going to marry her. They had spoken for that entire day, but was one day enough to love someone?
"Is something wrong?" she asked, seeming a flicker of sudden doubt in his eyes. "Please tell me," she begged, stopping and sitting in a nearby alcove.
"It's nothing," He said quickly. "Just a little something in my eye."
""No. Please tell me. Brett, we're getting married. We need to be open with each other," she said. "Like...I can't stand banana cream pie," she said, trying to get him to open up.
"It's nothing really. Just wedding jitters. I like banana creme pie. I hate apple pie," Brett said. He saw the expression on her face and knew that she knew he was lying. "Okay, I'm not having second thoughts or anything. I just want to get to know you better, cause it feels like we are supposed to be together, but we don't know each other. Don't take it the wrong way."
"I agree. This all feels so right, but, at the same time, we're practically strangers. I do feel like I need to know more about you. and before we go to your folks for the holidays," she answered, not bothered at all. "Ok. so how about after dinner we meet in the library and we just talk…and get to know each other. What do you say?" she asked, looking hopeful.
"Okay, sounds like a plan," He said.
"Well I'd better get to class. Don't want McGonagall giving me detention," she said and stood up. Before she left she bent down and kissed him gently on the lips. "See you at dinner," she called, slowly walking away, wishing she could stay with him.
"Alright," He smiled, giving her a kiss. "I'll see you then. Be careful."