Here you go, hope you enjoy. I know it's not the best written chapter, but I'll take what I can get. I got A LOT of writing done while on vacation (which was lovely, thanks to all who wished me a safe trip) and I think you guys are really going to like the next chapter. I know I love it. Which doesn't happen a lot.
Also, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK! Tuesday to be exact. Birthday reviews please? :D And we're gonna play a game. It's called Guess My Age. So, go ahead, take a stab at it in a review. If you get it right, I'll dedicate the next chapter to you ;D (I'll give you a hint: it's one of those monumental birthdays everyone gets all excited about)
Anyway, before the author's note gets longer than the chapter…
I've never realized how scary the apothecary is until I was inside and looking for something to kill rather than to heal.
I wanted Scorpius to come along, but he had an important quidditch match tomorrow that he absolutely had to practice for. He told me to wait for him before I took the potion. I'm not planning on it.
I walk up to the cashier feeling anxious.
"Hello… um… I need a potion to get rid of…. Well… you know…. a…baby?"
The cashier, who must only be a few years older than me, looks at me sympathetically. "Of course, dear," she says, reaching under the desk where they keep the abortive potions. "Make sure to read the directions before you take it. That'll be three galleons."
I hand her the money and leave the store, all the while concealing the potion in my coat. It's nearly the middle of November. It's been three weeks since I found out I'm pregnant. Those three weeks have been hell. I spent a majority of the time telling myself just how much better off we'll be if I get rid of the baby. I can't keep it. There's no way I can take care of it. Unfortunately though, it seems that no matter how much you tell yourself something, it doesn't mean you're going to magically believe it.
All I want to do is get back to the school as fast as I can so I can get this over with. Of course, things are never on my side. I run into Albus on my way up to the castle.
"Hey, Rose, what's up?"
"Nothing, Al," I mutter, not too nicely.
"What's got your knickers in a bunch?"
"I'm sorry, Al, I'm just not feeling very well." Not a lie, considering the fact that there's a fetus inside of me that makes me feel like I'm going to vomit 90% of the time.
"Oh. Do you want me to take you to Madam Pomfrey?" No, I do not want to see that old hag, she's only going to tell me what I already know.
"No thanks. I think I'll just lie down. If I'm still feeling bad later, I'll visit her." I won't be feeling bad later. The cause of my sickness will be gone by then. For some reason, that thought only makes my urge to vomit worse.
"Well, okay. I'll see you later Rose," he says, heading back towards town. He actually walked me halfway to the castle even though he was staying in Hogsmeade. Oh Al. Even though he's dorky and socially inept, he's the nicest kid you'll ever meet.
It takes what feels like forever until I'm in the castle and up in my common room. No one else is there, since pretty much everyone is in Hogsmeade.
I pull the potion out of my coat and look at the label.
WARNING: Do not take if you are more than 16 weeks into your pregnancy.
It's been 10 weeks since conception. In a few weeks, I'll be able to tell the gender. No. I won't. I tell myself. Because it won't be here anymore.
Directions: Open bottle. Insert fresh eye of newt.
Done and done.
Shake thoroughly.
Also done.
Drink ONLY HALF THE BOTTLE. Anymore may cause harm to the mother.
I lift the bottle to my lips. This is it Rosie. Just drink and it'll all be over.
And I'm just about to tip it back when I feel the tears falling.
Fuck. I can't do this. I run into the bathroom and flush the potion down the toilet. And then I vanish the bottle.
That's that. I'm keeping it.
OoOoO
I run all the way to the quidditch pitch. Well, I don't actually run. I walk as fast as I feel comfortable doing with the baby. My baby. Scorpius spots me immediately, and flies down next to me.
"Rosie? What are you doing here? What's wrong?" He asks motioning to my face. I apparently haven't stopped crying.
"I bought the potion," I tell him.
He goes slightly pale. "Do you want me to leave practice so you can take it now?"
"What? No!" I exclaim, "I couldn't do it."
"What do you mean?"
"I couldn't do it, Scorpius," I say, grabbing his hand, and leading him outside the pitch. I didn't want any of his teammates to listen. "I was all ready to take it when all of a sudden BAM!"
"Bam?" Scorpius says, looking confused.
"It hit me. There's a bloody baby inside me! And I realized I can't get rid of it if it's actually there!"
"Rose, it's always been there. I think the hormones are messing with your head."
"No," I sigh, exasperated, "You don't get it. Up until now, it's always been a thought. The only evidence it was real was the pregnancy test and the morning sickness." I take a minute to catch my breath here. "But, just as I was going to drink that potion, it all just hit me. There's really a baby inside of me, Scorpius."
Scorpius gives me an awkward sideways smile. "I'm glad you realized that, Rosie," he says with a laugh while ruffling my hair. "Come watch the rest of quidditch practice?"
I nod and smile. No more awkwardness from now on. I've got my best friend back.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed. And woo-hoo! Rose is keeping the baby! I know it was a little corny, but considering the fact I was originally going to have the baby kick and Rose get all emotional (even though you can't feel that for another month or two) it was the best I could do.
Reviews are love. And baby names people. Baby names. Give 'em to me. I don't have a gender picked yet, so both sexes are fine. Also, keep in mind the whole "name the kid after a constellation" thing. But give me other "normal" names too.
And thanks to everyone who's reviewed this story so far. I love you all so, so much. You're what keeps me going. Well, you and coffee.
