Disclaimer: Alas!!! I own none of the Harry Potter Characters!! They belong to JKR!
A/N: Another chapter. Remember! REVIEWING gives you GOOD KARMA!
Daphne was having a terrible time concentrating in Potions today. To make things even more difficult, Professor Horace Slughorn was off on one of his Friday morning tangents about how he met the so-and-so of whose-its.
Daphne had much more important problems to ponder. Last night, she received the at once elating and terrifying news that her mother was pregnant. The seventh-year gryffindor could hardly stay in her seat she was so excited. A baby! Daphne thought to herself. Despite the fact that the baby was not supposed to arrive until the middle of May, she was still ecstatic with glee. But she also worried about her mother. This baby was going to be a heavy physical burden for her mother. For, while Professor McGonagall was far from old, the magical strength she and her husband possessed would make this a difficult pregnancy.
Slughorn seemed to be winding down out of his story and actually discussing potions for the last ten minutes of the class. But his lecture was lost to Daphne.
Ever since she was a toddler, Daphne had watched her mother and father communicate using Legilimency. They would simply hold a conversation by prompting the other person to read their thoughts. Daphne knew that she had a great deal of magical ability. And more than once she had been able to read her parents' minds. It was especially easy with her mother, because they had such a strong emotional bond, that Daphne knew her mother's mind like the hallways of Hogwarts. So now, to gain piece of mind, and ease her worry, she stretched out a tentative probe towards her mother's mind.
Professor McGonagall appeared to be engaged in teaching the first year Gryffindors and Slytherins, a class Daphne knew to be strenuous. Her mother seemed to be fielding a fight between the little Malfoy boy and a black-haired imp named Potter. Daphne grinned. She had no doubt that her mother would see them both in detention before the class was done. Then, as quickly as noxbeing cast in a room, the connection was blank. She couldn't feel her mother. It took all the Gryffindor's discipline to not jump up and run to her mother. That would never do. No one could know that she was Dumbledore and McGonagall's daughter. She simply had to sit through her Arithmancy class and then she could sneak off to see her mother.
Poppy was cleaning up the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Gratefully, she checked off each of the potions, thankful that it had been an easy week. After the terror of this past Halloween, Poppy Pomfrey would never complain about having nothing to do. Surveying the starched-white naked hospital beds, she plopped in her chair and unloaded a gale-force sigh. But her ease and relaxation were to be abruptly cut off. For in the next moment, a wildly dashing red head bolted through the infirmary door.
"Oi!" Poppy shrieked as she stood, only to be knocked off balance by the young messenger. "Miss Evans!!" Poppy scolded. "What on earth has gotten into you? Are you hurt?" Poppy surveyed the little Gryffindor skeptically.
"Not….me" Lily panted, struggling for air after her mad sprint. In lieu of words, she grabbed Poppy's hand and began to drag her out the door. "Professor…"
Poppy tensed at these words. "Spit it out, girl! Which Professor?"
"McGonagall!" Lily sobbed and pulled all the harder. But her efforts were unnecessary. Poppy was nearly dragging the student by the time they reached the door of the hospital wing.
The students poured out of the class room. Most of them didn't have another class for an hour. As soon as her feet hit the stones of the hallway, Daphne went straight to the library where she knew she sould find the secret passage to her parent's chambers. Running up to the portrait of Diana, she whispered, "Fortuna" and slipped in the hallway behind. Following a well-traced path she ran with a fear sharpened purpose.
Poppy kneeled down next to Minerva. After assessing her condition, she stood to address the pale, cowed class.
"Professor McGonagall has the flu," Poppy lied smoothly, "Class is dismissed for the day."
They timidly scattered, stealing glimpses at the unconscious professor on their way out. The last to leave was little Lily Evans. She looked terrible concerned, stopping next to her professor.
"Will she be all right?" Lily asked sincerely.
"She'll be fine. She will just have to rest a while." Poppy smiled as she finished conjuring a stretcher for her friend. She gently lifted Minerva up onto the floating bed.
"All right. Thank you," She seemed satisfied at the answer and walked away.
"No, Miss Evans," Poppy whispered as the girl left the classroom, "Thank you" And she turned to guide her friend up to the hospital wing.
Daphne arrived just as Poppy entered the room. Seeing her mother clammy on the stretcher, Daphne became hysterical. "WHAT HAPPENED?" She panicked, running over to hold her mother's hand as Poppy gently levitated Minerva to the bed. "Will she be all right? Is it because of the baby?" she sobbed
"She simply overstressed herself, dearie," Poppy gently guiding the willowy girl into a bedside chair. Poppy made Minerva comfortable and did a quick check of the Headmistress's health. Minerva was essential to the well being of the school on innumerable levels. But she was also Poppy's best friend, and it was trying to see her in any harm. Satisfied with the result of her exam, she began to pack up her equipment for the second time in twenty –four hours.
As she picked up her bag the door exploded open and Albus swept in. His eyes flashed with a tempestuous protection for his love. His features bore the weight of this emotion. Without a thought, Poppy set about assuaging the fire of his worry.
"How did this happen?" Albus whispered, his voice breaking.
"She simply did too much too soon." Poppy provided, her short strides doubling to catch up with the Headmaster. "It's only a slight relapse. She was still exhausted from yesterday."
"What can I do?" Albus pleaded, staring down at the pale complexion of his wife. He cradled her hand in his own. Daphne looked up from the other side of her mother. She too would contribute everything.
"We should start with complete bedrest over the weekend." Poppy stood at the foot of the bed, glancing at both of the faces seeking her council. "We will see how she feels after that. She might be forced into a Muggle wheelchair to conserve her energy." Daphne gasped and pulled her mother's arm to her chest. "For a time!" Poppy amended, "Eventually, her body will adjust and she will become somewhat stronger. It will just take time!"
"I understand " Albus nodded solemnly and Daphne nodded tearfully.
"But for the moment, she is not to leave this bed all weekend." Poppy laid a stern gaze on Minerva's guardians, "And try to avoid excite her." With that, she left the room and Daphne departed for her next class.
A/N All right, littlemorgsi, I lied, this isn't as fluffy as I first intended it to be, but it will get better!
I'm just such a drama person, I can't help myself. Trust me, most of the drama is over!
More fluff to come.
Remember the correlation between reviews and good karma? Well here's where it kicks in folks!!